Chapter 1295: Chapter 1293: The Mysterious Elixir
An ancient and understated temple stood at the summit of a great mountain, amidst the surging sea of clouds.
This temple appeared mysterious and timeless; it was indeed the Hundred Lamps Temple where Randeng Buddha resided.
Jiang Liu did not hide his presence. Seated upon a lotus flower, he radiated brilliant Buddhist light as he directly arrived in front of the Hundred Lamps Temple.
“So it is Sandalwood Merit Buddha in person. May I ask what brings the Merit Buddha here?” As Jiang Liu reached the entrance of the temple, a monk emerged with palms together, slightly bowing in greeting as he inquired of Jiang Liu.
“Amitabha, I have come to request a meeting with Randeng Buddha,” Jiang Liu responded, maintaining his usual humble and polite demeanor.
“Indeed, please wait inside, Merit Buddha.” Hearing this, the monk nodded.
He led Jiang Liu to the grand hall of the temple, serving him fragrant tea in hospitality before turning to inform Randeng Buddha.
At that moment, Randeng Buddha was seated upon his lotus platform, entering meditation when suddenly, the reception monk approached him to report Jiang Liu’s visit.
“Ah? Xuanzang has arrived!?” Hearing the monk’s words, Randeng Buddha’s expression slightly changed.
He calculated the days. Xuanzang had given him a year to further optimize the Map of Mountains and Rivers he held, yet quite some time remained before that year’s deadline. Why had he come at this moment?
“In that case, I shall go to meet him then!”
Though he suspected Jiang Liu might be here to collect a debt, he couldn’t simply hide away now that his guest had arrived. After a brief consideration, Randeng Buddha spoke.
“What brings the Merit Buddha to visit today?” In the grand hall, after waiting for a moment, Randeng Buddha approached Jiang Liu and asked calmly.
“Two matters!”
Looking at Randeng Buddha, Jiang Liu maintained an outward display of propriety, rising and bowing gracefully, yet his words were straightforward with little deference: “Firstly, regarding the optimization of the Map of Mountains and Rivers, have you completed gathering the necessary materials, Buddha?”
“There is quite a bit of time left in the year’s deadline, and the gathering of materials has started but is not yet complete!” Hearing Jiang Liu’s inquiry, Randeng Buddha, clearly already prepared with a response, replied calmly.
Indeed, since the year’s deadline had not been reached, Jiang Liu was likely bringing up the matter prematurely to remind Randeng Buddha not to forget about it.
Having received Randeng Buddha’s answer, Jiang Liu did not press further on this issue and continued, “Additionally, there is a second matter!”
“The Ming Sect has constructed an internet café, a place reputed to be even more enjoyable than Mahjong, and it is opening in three days. Thus, I have been entrusted to invite Randeng Buddha to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony!”
What exactly a ribbon-cutting was, Randeng Buddha did not know, but with a new place opening, it was likely going to be lively, hence the invitation.
“In that case, I will go have a look then!” After a brief pause, Randeng Buddha slightly nodded in agreement.
Since Randeng Buddha had agreed, Jiang Liu saw no reason to linger further. After a bit of inconsequential small talk, Jiang Liu rose to take his leave.
“Xuanzang!” Just as Jiang Liu was about to depart, Randeng Buddha called out again.
“Does the Buddha have more to instruct?” Jiang Liu halted his step and turned around.
“Now that the Journey to the West for Scriptures is nearing its end, I think it would be best for you to focus your efforts more on this task!” Having thought it over, Randeng Buddha spoke.
Jiang Liu understood the implication in Randeng Buddha’s words—it carried a hint of admonishment.
It was a rebuke for neglecting the primary task of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, being constantly preoccupied with assisting the Great Tang and the Ming Sect.
Although everyone knew of Jiang Liu and Gaoyang’s relationship, Randeng Buddha nonetheless couldn’t help but offer a reminder.
“Your words, Buddha, I will keep in mind!” In response, Jiang Liu had no intention of defending himself and accepted Randeng Buddha’s admonition calmly.
Seeing Jiang Liu’s good attitude in acknowledging his mistake, Randeng Buddha slightly nodded, saying no more, and watched as Jiang Liu departed from the Hundred Lamps Temple.
Once he had left, Jiang Liu immediately moved, heading towards the Heavenly Court. Soon enough, he arrived at the South Heavenly Gate.
“Merit Buddha, may I ask for what purpose you have come?” Observing the appearance of Jiang Liu, the several Heavenly Soldiers and Generals at the gate moved slightly back in awe and inquired of Jiang Liu.
“This humble monk has come to pay a visit to the Doushuai Palace. Do you intend to stop me?” Jiang Liu, seemingly unaware of the fear in the soldiers and generals’ eyes, kept his demeanor humble and courteous.
“We certainly would not dare, please enter, Merit Buddha!” Jiang Liu’s words startled the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, who hurriedly gestured for Jiang Liu to proceed.
“Thank you all!” With palms together, Jiang Liu maintained his humble and courteous manner as he stepped into the South Heavenly Gate.
Once inside, Jiang Liu wasted no time, immediately heading towards the Doushuai Palace.
Clearly, seeing Jiang Liu’s visit, the two boys dared not obstruct him.
However, after leading Jiang Liu to a side hall, they offered him fine tea for company.
“You two, where is the Supreme Elder Lord?” After being treated to the tea, Jiang Liu asked curiously, as the two Boys attended to him without any intention of notifying the Supreme Elder Lord.
At the Hundred Lamps Temple, they immediately went to notify Randeng Buddha after hosting me well!
“Merit Buddha, our master is currently engaged in alchemy, likely at a critical moment, so we ask for your patience, Merit Buddha.” One of the Boys explained in response to Jiang Liu’s inquiry.
“Oh? Has it reached the most critical moment of alchemy?” Hearing this, Jiang Liu’s eyes lit up slightly.
Although my own skill in the Art of Alchemy is quite good, it’s still far inferior compared to the Supreme Elder Lord, I believe.
If I could observe the Supreme Elder Lord’s alchemy process, it would certainly be immensely beneficial to me.
“Amitabha, even this Bodhisattva has dabbled in the Art of Elixirs, so since the Supreme Elder Lord is making an elixir, I’ll take a look beside him!”
Jiang Liu stood up and spoke, then proceeded directly into the Supreme Elder Lord’s Alchemy Room.
“Merit Buddha, please don’t go…” Seeing Jiang Liu heading directly into the Alchemy Room, the two Boys followed nervously.
When alchemy is at a critical point, being disturbed is the last thing you want. It’s better for Jiang Liu to wait outside.
However, Jiang Liu ignored their calls and walked directly inside.
He could see in the Supreme Elder Lord’s Eight Trigrams Furnace, the blue Samadhi True Fire blazing fiercely, with tongues of flame flickering, while the Supreme Elder Lord’s expression was very serious.
After entering the Alchemy Room with Jiang Liu, the two Boys naturally made their steps lighter and did not intend to speak further.
Since they’ve already come in, pulling them back now would instead disturb their master’s alchemy, right?
Therefore, the two Boys did not say much more, only motioning Jiang Liu to be silent with hand gestures.
Nodding slightly, Jiang Liu did not speak but indicated his understanding.
At the same time, his gaze fell upon the Eight Trigrams Furnace.
Now, Jiang Liu’s Alchemist Life Profession has indeed reached a high level; he could understand much by watching the Supreme Elder Lord at work.
Watching on, he indeed felt he gained a lot.
“As expected of the entity hailed as the number one alchemist in the Three Realms, just from his abilities alone, the Supreme Elder Lord surpasses the Medicine Buddha by quite a margin!” Observing closer the Supreme Elder Lord’s alchemy technique, in comparison to the Medicine Buddha, Jiang Liu quietly mused to himself.
If my own alchemy ability scores a 70, then the Medicine Buddha’s ability is over 80.
As for the Supreme Elder Lord? He would be at a perfect score of 100.
Serious observation to prove his own ability in the Art of Elixirs, Jiang Liu indeed gained quite a bit.
So, stealing techniques openly for about two Chinese hours, the Samadhi True Fire in the Eight Trigrams Furnace gradually extinguished.
Simultaneously, the Supreme Elder Lord picked up a towel offered by a Boy to wipe the sweat off his forehead and let out a deep breath.
“Elder Lord, what kind of elixir were you refining?” Seeing the Supreme Elder Lord sweating profusely from refining the elixir, Jiang Liu’s curiosity was piqued, and he asked him.
“Xuanzang, what brings you here today?” However, the Supreme Elder Lord did not answer Jiang Liu’s question, but rather changed the topic.
“Well, a new internet café has opened in the Ming Sect…” Turning to important matters, Jiang Liu explained the situation of the internet café to the Supreme Elder Lord.
“Oh? More interesting than Mahjong? In that case, the old Taoist naturally has to take a look!” Hearing Jiang Liu’s words, the old man’s eyes lit up with interest.
After the Supreme Elder Lord agreed, Jiang Liu chatted with him casually.
Logically, having accomplished his mission, Jiang Liu should have left.
Yet seeing Jiang Liu’s demeanor, chatting idly with the Supreme Elder Lord as if reluctant to leave.
Finally, the Supreme Elder Lord couldn’t help but ask, “Merit Buddha surely has many affairs to attend to? This old monk won’t see you off!”
Well, it seemed the Supreme Elder Lord was inviting him to leave.
However, even after being subtly prompted, Jiang Liu still did not leave.
“I am quite interested in the elixir you just refined, so I would like to see it…”