Two nights later, under the veil of darkness.
At this moment, Wanfo City began to adorn itself with lanterns and decorations, draping the Buddhas in colors rarely seen on the common folk.
Young monks had already taken the lead, guiding the people in chanting scriptures, while others preached the radiance of the Buddha.
Even in the dead of night, the ceaseless murmur of prayers drifted in from outside.
The city had transformed, as if it had become a realm of the Buddha itself.
Chu Xingchen stood atop the pavilion, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful as he observed the devout citizens below, their chants giving rise to streams of faith that drifted upward, merging into the statues of the Buddha.
It seemed anything that could be extracted from the people—wealth, devotion, even their whispered hopes—was being siphoned away.
These people were unaware that their piety was paving the path beneath another’s feet.
Or perhaps… it was sharpening the blade that would one day turn against them.
Ignorance was a blade that knew no morality—it did not falter for pity, nor did it bend for fairness.
Unjust, yet impartial in its cruelty.
Chu Xingchen tapped lightly on the railing, his thoughts unreadable.
Yuan Jing had also gathered faith, but he had genuinely done something for those people, paying a real price in return.
So… it was a shame that monk had passed into nirvana.
A knock came at the door. Xu Jin waited until he heard Chu Xingchen’s permission before entering.
Stepping inside, he found Chu Xingchen standing on the balcony of the tavern, gazing downward.
Xu Jin was about to speak when his attention was abruptly stolen by the woman from the Sky Patrol Division—Lizhi, at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her head tilting faintly, as if studying him with an expectant gleam.
Xu Jin fell silent for a moment before turning back to Chu Xingchen, unable to resist asking:
"What’s wrong with her? She wasn’t like this last time."
How had she ended up like this after just two days by Chu Xingchen’s side?
Hearing this, Lizhi’s eyes returned to normal, her head stilling as she let out a quiet sigh of relief and took a large swig from her wine cup.
The tea in the Western Ox Continent could barely be called tea, but the wine was undeniably strong—at the very least, it was potent.
Chu Xingchen’s expression eased as he turned, a familiar smile playing on his lips.
"She was curious whether we, at the Nascent Soul stage, could actually read her thoughts. She thought I was bluffing and wanted to test it on you."
Xu Jin didn’t quite know how to respond, though he was aware of the straightforward and unrestrained nature of the Western Ox Continent’s people.
No matter. There were more pressing matters.
Xu Jin stepped to the window, his gaze settling on the crowd of devoted worshippers below.
"Strictly speaking, the Wanfo Assembly begins tonight and will reach its peak tomorrow."
"After tomorrow, we can trace the flow of this faith. If it diverges, we’ll split up and follow each path."
Chu Xingchen tapped the railing again before suddenly asking:
"So, you plan to wait until tomorrow’s end before making a move?"
Xu Jin glanced at him. "You have another idea?"
Chu Xingchen’s smile remained as he looked down.
"Since we’re here, we might as well witness the methods of the Buddhist sect."
Xu Jin followed his gaze. What methods could the Western Ox Continent’s Buddhist sect possibly have? The true teachings lay with the Central Continent’s sect.
But… was Chu Xingchen implying something he couldn’t voice outright?
After a brief pause, Xu Jin nodded firmly.
"If Brother Chu wishes to proceed, I’ll accompany you."
Chu Xingchen studied Xu Jin’s resolute expression before clapping him on the shoulder approvingly.
"Brother Xu, you’re a real man!"
Xu Jin chuckled, the solemnity on his face easing slightly as he returned the gesture.
Ignoring Xu Jin’s inexplicable amusement, Chu Xingchen retrieved a jade slip and a protective amulet from his spatial ring, tossing them to Lizhi with a command:
"You stay here and guard the base. If the protective artifact activates on its own, channel your spiritual energy into the jade slip immediately."
Lizhi caught the items reflexively before her eyes darted between the two, as if afraid they might vanish the next second.
"Wait!" she called out hastily.
Chu Xingchen turned, puzzled.
After a brief hesitation, Lizhi spoke again: "This senior isn’t from the Western Ox Continent either, right? I know some of the history and legends surrounding Wanfo Temple—the most famous in the city. It might help confirm your theories."
Chu Xingchen glanced at Xu Jin, who remained silent, leaving the decision to him.
On the main road leading from Fortune Tavern to the renowned Wanfo Temple, crowds of worshippers surged forward in anticipation of the pilgrimage.
Yet, as if by some unseen force, the throng parted to let them pass before closing seamlessly behind them.
Lizhi watched the crowd shift unnaturally and whispered:
"Won’t we be noticed? There are Buddhist cultivators in Wanfo Temple."
Chu Xingchen replied calmly, "Don’t underestimate the Nascent Soul stage."
Xu Jin shot him a questioning look, but Chu Xingchen’s expression betrayed nothing.
Lizhi nodded in understanding before turning her gaze to the tallest structure in the city—the Wanfo Pagoda.
She murmured softly:
"Whether Wanfo Temple truly holds ten thousand Buddhas, I don’t know. But one thing’s certain—even if there are Buddhas inside, none of them are real."