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nSonic Thunder’s Buddhist Lord looked at Shen Tian, and then at Bodhisattva Kuduo. He became even more envious the more he compared them. The more he thought about it, the greener his complexion turned.

nTo think that such a handsome youngster is not a monk!

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nFrankly speaking, if the Divine Firmament Sacred Ground was not one of the 12 sacred grounds, he would have already forced Shen Tian to join his sect.

nOf course, although the Buddhist Lord was very envious, he maintained his majestic and dignified image as if he was a true Buddha!

nHe calmly looked at Bodhisattva Kuduo. “Kuduo, since Martial Nephew Fang Chang has already recovered, come back!”

nBodhisattva Kuduo pulled a long face. “Master, I have not seen Fang Chang in a long time. Can we stay in Divine Firmament for a few days and return later?”

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nThe Buddhist Lord gave a knowing, compassionate smile. “You still have Buddhist sutras that you have yet to finish copying.

n“Kuduo, you need to know:

n‘One’s body is like a Bodhi tree; one’s heart seems a mirror to be.

nAlways keep them fit and clean, not to let dust onto them creep.’

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n“You are the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground’s Bodhisattva. You have the responsibility of promoting Buddhism, and all the more, train oneself. You cannot slack off!

n“As for reminiscing, you have ample time ahead. No need to hurry.”

nKuduo’s expression turned even gloomier upon listening to the Buddhist Lord’s nagging lecture.

n“Yes, I understand!”

nHe turned and looked at Fang Chang with great reluctance. “Fang Chang, see you next time then.”

nThe Buddhist light covering the Buddhist Lord’s body fluctuated slightly. He could not stand seeing this charade, and his figure gradually disappeared. He did not want to continue looking at them.

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nAll good disciples belong to others… What a terrible feeling.

nThe rosary beads’ light gradually dispersed, and the Buddhist Lord’s figure and avatar slowly disappeared.

nOnly the Buddhist Lord’s voice could be vaguely heard.

n“Dao Brother Longyuan, I see that your Saint’s root of wisdom is quite deep. If he’s interested, he can come to the Bodhi tree of our sect for enlightenment. He might have some gains.”

nThe moment the Buddhist Lord finished his sentence, everyone took in a sharp breath. That’s because the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground’s Bodhi tree was extraordinary.

nIt was a supreme tree that had been transplanted from the depths of the West Desert Buddhism Sect. It was said that the Bodhi tree had supernatural powers and was among the Spiritual Wood List’s top 10.

nIf one sat cross-legged under the Bodhi tree, then they would receive enlightenment at a much faster rate. It could also enhance one’s speed of cultivating any cultivation technique.

nAccording to legends, a Buddhist Lord of the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground had stayed underneath the tree for seven days and nights, trying to attain an epiphany. In the end, he completely understood the Great Sonic Thunder Sutra and became a Buddha!

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nThat was the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground’s most glorious period!

nFrom then on, the Bodhi tree became the Sonic Thunder Sacred Ground’s supreme treasure, and it was extremely respected.

nNormally, only the Buddhist Lord and Bodhisattva would have the qualifications to try attaining enlightenment.

nWho knew that today—the first time the Buddhist Lord encountered Shen Tian—would make such a temptatious offer!?

nHis admiration for Shen Tian was self-evident.

nThe heavenly aura around the Sacred Leader fluctuated slightly. He was evidently unhappy.

nTianxiu, ah, Tianxiu… You’re trying to poach Shen Tian right in front of me?

nHehe, do you have a daughter?

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nBodhisattva Kuduo was reluctant to leave, but he still bade his farewell since he would only need to copy the Buddhist sutras 1,000 times if he returned to the Sacred Ground in time.

nIf Sonic Thunder’s Law Enforcement Monks were to bring him back, his punishment would most probably be increased to 10,000 times.

nAfter saying goodbye to Fang Chang, he approached Shen Tian. “Saint Shen Tian, the amount of Nirvana Holy Liquid you’ve given is too much. I will share it with my juniors and seniors in Sonic Thunder, according to what you said.

n“Also, I will tell them to chant sutras and pray for your well-being. Of course, I don’t like chanting sutras, so I won’t do it.”

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nShen Tian could not help but want to laugh with this blockhead before him.

nPoor thing… He has to go back and do his homework so soon after coming in search of his friend to play with.

nShen Tian pulled Bodhisattva Kuduo to the side.

n“Senior Brother Kuduo, I’ll gift you a Buddhist scripture. Recite it to your Buddhist Lord. After listening to it, he might not punish you anymore.”

nKuduo’s eyes lit up. “Really? Saint Tian, please do not deceive me.”

nShen Tian said, “Well, I’m not sure if it will definitely work.”

nKuduo replied happily, “I’ll just try it! I have nothing to lose, anyway.”

nShen Tian nodded and whispered, “But you have to guarantee that you won’t say I told you this.”

nKuduo seemed to be in a difficult position. “What if Master asks me? As a monk, I cannot lie.”

nShen Tian felt helpless and said, “Forget it then. Senior Brother, you can return and copy the sutras.”

nKuduo instantly expressed his determination. “A monk should not stick to trifles! Saint Tian, I’ll just say that I dreamed about it, how about that?”

nShen Tian smiled, feeling relieved.

nLooks like he’s not that dumb!

nHe activated his divine consciousness and transmitted a message to Bodhisattva Kuduo. He did not dare recite it out loud.

nWho knew what the Buddhist Lord’s reaction would be after listening to this Buddhist scripture? It was fine if it could enlighten him. Then, the Buddhist Lord’s cultivation level would increase, and he would consequently commend Bodhisattva Kuduo. Thus, Shen Tian would then have formed a good relationship with Kuduo.

nHowever, what if the Buddhist Lord felt that it was heresy? Shen Tian was not going to take the blame.

nAnyway, I’ve given you the Buddhist scripture. Once you leave this sacred ground, it will have nothing to do with me anymore. Be it secretly saving it for yourself or sharing it with your Buddhist Lord, it is your choice.

nWithin the message Shen Tian had transmitted to Bodhisattva Kuduo, he first started with the declaration of passing the buck to Bodhisattva Kuduo. Only after accepting the hundreds of words of declaration of whose responsibility it was could Bodhisattva Kuduo see the Buddhist scripture.

nAfter he finished reading the long declaration, he was completely overwhelmed. The good thing was he had finally reached the Buddhist scripture’s part.

n‘Bodhi Buddhist Scripture’

nBodhi originally has no tree,

nThe mirror has no stand.

nBuddha nature is always clean and pure;

nWhere is there room for dust?

nThe mind is the Bodhi tree,

nThe body is the mirror stand.

nThe mirror is originally clean and pure;

nWhere can it be stained by dust?

nBodhi originally has no tree.

nThe bright mirror also has no stand.

nFundamentally there is not a single thing.

nWhere could dust arise?

nSearch out Bodhi only in the mind.

nWhy toil outside in search of the profound?

nJust as you hear these words, so practice;

nHeaven then appears, right before your eyes1.

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nSssss!

nWonderful! This Buddhist scripture is just excellent! Too ingenious! Extraordinary!

nAfter reading that Buddhist scripture, Kuduo felt that his mind had been baptized.

nHe had also read many Buddhist sutras and scriptures in the past, but he felt they were all chaotic and very awkward-sounding. Not to mention understanding the meaning, even when reading a scripture, he would become tongue-tied.

nHowever, this Buddhist scripture that Shen Tian gave him was completely different.

nAlthough Kuduo could not understand it at all, he could read it smoothly!

nIt also rhymed2!

nYeap, such a good Buddhist scripture, I must inform Master.

nAt that thought, Kuduo hurriedly bade everyone farewell. He had to hurry and return to Sonic Thunder and give this scripture to the Buddhist Lord.

nBodhisattva Kuduo was full of anticipation while waiting for his wish not to need to copy Buddhist sutras in the future anymore to come true.

nMeanwhile, Shen Tian looked in the direction Bodhisattva Kuduo left and secretly wished him good luck.

nFortune favors fools, and this blockhead’s halo is very bright. Thus, he should be fine after giving him the Buddhist scripture since even a monster would not hurt its own offspring. Not to mention he is the Bodhisattva!

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nAfter Kuduo left, there were no longer any outsiders in White Lotus Mountain.

nThe Sacred Leader looked at Shen Tian with relief, and his heavenly aura gently rippled.

nHe said calmly, “Tian’er, follow me to the Sacred Leader Mountain. I want to entrust you something important.”

nEntrust something important to me? What’s something important? Your daughter’s marriage?

nEh!? Why would I think in that way!?

nIt’s very tragic if the woman is strong, but the man is weak in a relationship!

n1 Verses by Shen-Hsiu and Hui-Neng for the Fifth Patriarch of Chan.

n2 It rhymes in Chinese, but it would be difficult to do so in English.

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