Just and Honorable

Xu Jin ignored Yuan Kong, whose expression carried a hint of resentment, and raised his gaze toward the faceless Buddha statue.

This investigation into the Buddhist sect was a joint effort between the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect and the Tianyan Sect.

It had to be said that with Chu Xingchen acting as the intermediary to strengthen their ties, the two sects had, for the first time, set aside their grudges to collaborate on a mission requiring such a high level of secrecy.

This also demonstrated that Chu Xingchen was not only highly regarded within the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect but also within the Tianyan Sect—it wasn’t just Bai Xuanling’s approval he had secured; at the very least, Tianyan Sect’s leader, Lv Xuan, also acknowledged him.

Otherwise, Bai Xuanling alone would likely not have been able to mobilize the Tianyan Sect to this extent.

However, even with the combined efforts of these two of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, conducting a covert investigation into the Buddhist sect was no easy task.

At the very least, this operation had been meticulously planned for a long time.

"This faceless Buddha statue is likely also a fleeting Buddha manifestation. However, since it lacks a face, it probably doesn’t belong to any specific Buddha—meaning anyone can use it."

Xu Jin turned his eyes to Yuan Kong and said, "Though your cultivation is weak, you are still a Buddha’s disciple. As long as you claim this fleeting Buddha manifestation, no other Buddha can displace you."

Yuan Kong spread his hands. "Then how do I claim it?"

Xu Jin studied Yuan Kong’s innocent expression, momentarily unsure if the man was being sarcastic—wasn’t the answer obvious?

Still, he explained, "Naturally, by projecting your divine consciousness and merging it into the statue."

Yuan Kong’s eyes widened as he suddenly recalled the words of a certain senior disciple:

"Projecting my consciousness again?! And you still claim you’re not Chu Xingchen!"

"Hm? Did Chu Xingchen also make you project your consciousness before?"

Yuan Kong met Xu Jin’s curious gaze before silently replying,

"His eldest disciple mentioned it."

Fortunately, the current Yuan Kong was no longer the Qi Refining Yuan Kong of the past. At the Foundation Establishment stage, he was capable of briefly projecting his divine consciousness.

And this projection wasn’t a one-time ordeal.

However, recalling something, Yuan Kong still earnestly warned,

"I’ll project my consciousness myself—no need for your help."

Seeing Yuan Kong’s slightly fearful expression, Xu Jin couldn’t help but feel he had a rough idea of what Chu Xingchen had done back then.

"I’m not him. Don’t worry," Xu Jin reassured.

Yuan Kong let out a small sigh of relief, stepped forward, and sat on the cushion beneath the faceless Buddha statue, closing his eyes.

His divine consciousness extended, reaching toward the statue.

There was no resistance, nor any difficulty in making contact.

Yuan Kong’s consciousness effortlessly passed through the faceless Buddha statue, and in the next moment, what he saw was an endless world resembling an ocean of faith.

Turbid, impure faith formed this realm.

The deeper one went, the denser the faith became, nearly solidifying into a tangible form.

Yet, this faith did not obstruct Yuan Kong. On the contrary, it seemed to follow him—merely raising his hand caused the vast faith to bow in submission, obeying his will.

Yuan Kong took a step forward, and the surrounding faith churned like waves, parting instantly to clear a path.

Moreover, in the next moment, the faith seemed to assist him, shortening the distance beneath his feet as if folding space—a single step covered half the distance.

Like an eager servant, it acted without prompting, highly proactive yet utterly submissive.

At the center of the faith stood a lotus platform, also formed from faith, empty but clearly meant for occupation. Yuan Kong roughly understood how to operate the faceless Buddha statue now.

With another step, he arrived before the lotus platform.

Inside the hall—

(Note: The unrelated technical line about browser cookies has been omitted for coherence.)

Xu Jin held his spirit treasure sword in hand, standing guard behind Yuan Kong, his gaze vigilant as he extended his divine consciousness but kept it confined within the Great Buddha Hall.

Yuan Kong had made his choice. If he failed, Xu Jin would have to execute the original plan.

Time passed slowly as Xu Jin calculated the duration.

Suddenly, he raised his head, his eyes locking onto the faceless Buddha statue.

The great Buddha’s head lowered slightly, then twisted its body before a deep, resonant voice emanated from its direction.

"What is this… I can’t see anything, only sense with divine consciousness."

Hearing this, Xu Jin knew Yuan Kong had succeeded. He quickly urged,

"Stop sensing useless things—hurry and see what lies beneath the Buddha. Follow the chains downward."

The faceless Buddha paused for a moment before falling silent again.

However, mere moments later, Xu Jin suddenly turned, his gaze shifting toward the entrance of the Great Buddha Hall.

Under the night sky, a young bald monk stood there, clad in plain monastic robes and a simple kasaya, his face bearing a gentle smile as he looked at Xu Jin.

Fleeting golden light flickered in the monk’s eyes as he pressed his palms together and asked softly, as if both inquiring and accusing,

"May this humble monk ask why the benefactor visits so late at night without knocking?"

Xu Jin’s expression remained solemn, but he wasn’t particularly surprised by the sudden appearance of this monk, whose cultivation was far from weak. He had already anticipated and prepared for such a scenario.

What was strange, however, was that the monk ignored the anomaly of the faceless Buddha behind him and instead questioned why he hadn’t knocked.

Was this also a stalling tactic?

"Because knocking wouldn’t have let me in," Xu Jin retorted bluntly, refusing to play along.

The young monk looked puzzled. "How would you know if you didn’t try?"

Xu Jin’s gaze sharpened, and a cold glint flickered across his spirit treasure sword.

"Spare me the act. If I had knocked, I wouldn’t have been able to enter at all."

The young monk’s eyes drifted past Xu Jin, settling on the faceless Buddha statue, which now appeared deep in thought. His gentle smile never faded as he asked,

"Does the benefactor wish to know what lies beneath the Buddha?"

Xu Jin didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step forward, his oppressive aura condensing as it pressed down on the young monk—a clear warning: take another step, and you die.

The young monk’s figure slowly levitated, his eyes half-lidded like a temple Buddha’s as he gazed down at Xu Jin.

"I can tell the benefactor—beneath the Buddha lies the Buddha’s heart."

A mocking smile tugged at Xu Jin’s lips. "A heart of greed? Or a selfish heart that sacrifices others for itself?"

"A righteous and enlightened Buddha’s heart!"

The young monk’s voice boomed like a great bell, golden Buddhist light radiating outward with his proclamation, shaking the entire Zheng Yin Dharma Temple.

His kasaya gradually became entwined with gold, and within moments, a golden Buddhist robe and kasaya, forged from Buddhist power, draped over him. Raising his arm, he revealed a golden hand forming a mudra.

The young monk seemed to undergo a complete transformation, instantly becoming transcendent and aloof. His pupils turned pure gold, devoid of emotion as they fixed on Xu Jin.

"Benefactor, what the eyes see may not be true. Only by understanding karma can one discern reality."

Xu Jin sneered, his sword flashing out without hesitation.

In the next instant, countless sword lights erupted, enveloping both the Zheng Yin Dharma Temple and the young monk.

"If it's true, then why not reveal it openly to all?" Xu Jin's voice carried a trace of rising anger.

"How many years of peace has the world known? Must you trample over countless lives just to claim your seat upon the Golden Lotus?"

"A righteous and enlightened Buddha-heart? Today, I shall see for myself whether yours is truly as righteous and enlightened as you claim!"