The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

Hands together in greeting: "Amitabha, this humble monk extends his courtesy. Dear donor, today coincides with our Jiyuan Temple’s ’Karma Opening Ceremony’; we are temporarily not receiving outside guests."

"I am aware." Zhou Qing nodded slightly, "I am here to find someone."

The Bhikkhu looked puzzled: "May I ask whom the donor is searching for?"

Zhou Qing suddenly remembered that his godson seemed to have no name when they met years ago.

Even if he had one, upon entering Jiyuan Temple, he should have received a new Dharma name.

He paused for a moment, "Is Lady Li still in the temple?"

The Bhikkhu was taken aback by the words, seemingly surprised, and then carefully examined Zhou Qing: "The donor actually knows Donor Li?"

Cao Amang, seeing this, felt a surge of joy in his heart. Judging by the Bhikkhu’s reaction, the person Zhou knows seems quite famous in the temple.

Sun also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Cao Quan and the others in the team were staring over here.

In response to the Bhikkhu’s inquiry, Zhou Qing nodded: "We are old acquaintances."

The Bhikkhu placed his hands together: "Blessed, blessed. Donor Li passed away peacefully a year ago..."

"What?" Zhou Qing was struck by the news.

Hearing this, Cao Amang and Sun’s faces instantly turned pale.

It’s over!

Zhou Qing remained silent for a long time, the image of that pitiful woman erroneously recognizing him as her husband flashed across his mind.

Driven by the obsession to let her husband see the child’s birth upon his return, she muddled through life stealing Spirit Medicine everywhere.

Compelled to cultivate to the Divinity Transformation Realm, nurturing a Buddha Son in her womb for over a thousand years.

From Qi Condensation to Divinity Transformation, only two thousand years of life span, when her partner left, she was already at Core Formation.

After spending most of her Essence Qi and energy to nurture the fetus, when the child was born, she returned to clarity, her obsession dissipated, and her cultivation path broke.

Back then, when Jue Ming took them away, he foresaw this day, but didn’t expect it would be just over two hundred years...

"There was no Elixir or Spiritual Materials in the temple to extend her life?" Zhou Qing’s voice was slightly hoarse.

The Bhikkhu shook his head and sighed: "The Venerable had bestowed life-extending Spirit Medicine, but Donor Li politely declined."

"Buddhism says: ’All phenomena arise due to causes and conditions, all phenomena cease due to causes and conditions.’ Donor Li also said she accomplished her life’s obsession, unwilling to compel further, thus choosing to transform naturally."

The Bhikkhu placed his hands together, showing a hint of respect in his eyes.

"She said before passing, being able to see her child safely born, was already heaven’s mercy. Now that worldly connections are severed, she should go in search of her husband."

Zhou Qing remained silent, then sighed lightly.

His acquaintance with Lady Li wasn’t very deep, in fact, recalling their encounters amounted to mere few.

Yet, upon hearing of her death, an inexplicable feeling surged from his heart: "Old friends gradually withering, like leaves falling in the wind."

After all, she hails from the Holy Martial Dynasty, from one of the thousands of small sects in the Eastern Domain, the Seven Stars Sect — which was their shared hometown.

Now, in this unfamiliar Level 5 Cultivation Country, familiar faces were scarce.

"Zhou, shall we leave..." Cao Amang, seeing his gloomy demeanor, couldn’t help but call softly.

Zhou Qing came back to his senses, looking at Cao Amang and Sun’s concerned gazes, he exhaled heavily.

"Leave? The task for you isn’t done yet!" Zhou Qing smiled broadly.

Cao Amang was stunned, hesitated, "But your old friend is already..."

"Donor Zhou?!"

Before Cao Amang could finish speaking, a cyan light streak suddenly flashed across the sky.

A Bronze Lotus Platform Treasure broke through the sky and landed steadily in front of everyone.

On the lotus platform stood a young Bhikkhu, seemingly around twenty years old, with red lips and white teeth, and eyebrows like a painting.

He was draped in a moon-white kasaya, holding a string of crystal glass Buddha Beads in his hand, with an aura of Buddha Light subtly flowing around him, depicting a dignified presence.

"Brother Kongchan!" The previous Bhikkhu quickly clasped his hands in greeting, with a tone full of respect.

Upon hearing this name, Zhou Qing froze on the spot.

He carefully examined this young Bhikkhu before him, then hesitantly said: "You are... Kongchan?"

"It’s really you!" Kongchan, upon confirming Zhou Qing’s identity, immediately forgot his Buddhist decorum.

He rushed forward eagerly, "When did you arrive? Why didn’t you give a heads up?"

On the side, Cao Amang and Sun watched with their mouths agape.

They never imagined that Zhou Qing not only knew the Bhikkhu from Jiyuan Temple, but judging by the respectful demeanor of the other Bhikkhu, this Brother Kongchan clearly held an extraordinary status in the temple.