Ye Qiu suddenly realised that each of these Buddha caves was so deep that, with his current cultivation, his Heavenly Eye couldn’t see far enough to penetrate them.
Moreover, from the outside, the caves looked nearly identical, with no discernible differences.
Ye Qiu couldn’t help but inwardly grumble about Master Kongjian and Master Du’e.
“This master and disciple duo must be bored out of their minds.”
“Carving so many Buddha caves here—what a waste of time compared to, say, laying bricks.”
“At least bricklaying earns some wages and contributes to the country. That’s better than frittering away time here!”
Ye Qiu sighed to himself.
It seemed the only option was the most tedious method.
Try each one!
With seven hundred twenty Buddha caves, he’d need to attempt all seven hundred twenty to find the one leading to Master Kongjian.
The downside was that it would take an enormous amount of time.
But for now, Ye Qiu could think of no other way.
Just as he was about to start, Master Du’e spoke: “Benefactor Ye, my master set a rule: each person gets only one chance.”
“If you fail to find the correct cave on your first try, you won’t meet my master.”
“And the sword manual will remain beyond your reach.”
“So, Benefactor Ye, you must think carefully and proceed with utmost caution.”
Damn it!
Ye Qiu felt like cursing.
So many caves, and only one chance? Wasn’t this deliberately setting him up to fail?
“Master, would you say we’re friends?” Ye Qiu suddenly asked.
“Of course,” Master Du’e nodded.
Ye Qiu said, “Then why don’t you just tell me which cave leads to Master Kongjian?”
In your dreams!
Master Du’e replied, “My master set these trials for a reason. This old monk cannot interfere.”
“Master, rest assured, I’d never tell the divine monk that you pointed me to the right path.”
“Benefactor Ye, I truly cannot interfere.”
“What, Master, don’t you trust me? You just said we’re friends. Is there not even a shred of trust between friends?”
Master Du’e gave a wry smile. “Benefactor Ye, please don’t make this difficult for me.”
Plastic friendship, hmph~
Ye Qiu pursed his lips, thinking to himself that if only Master Longbrow were here.
That old man might be unreliable at fortune-telling, but he’d at least offer some hints—better than being completely in the dark.
What to do?
Ye Qiu pondered for a long while.
Master Du’e spoke again: “Benefactor Ye, if you’re truly out of ideas, this old monk can offer a hint.”
“Oh?” Ye Qiu’s eyes lit up.
Master Du’e said, “If Benefactor Ye joins Tianlong Temple, I’ll tell you right now which cave leads to my master.”
Here we go again.
Will it ever end?
Ye Qiu was a bit annoyed, even suspecting that Master Kongjian and Master Du’e had set these trials just to lure him into becoming a monk.
“Master, it’s not impossible for me to join Tianlong Temple, but…”
“But what?”
“Shaving my head is easy, but purifying my heart is hard. Even if I joined Tianlong Temple, I wouldn’t cut ties with the secular world. Since Tianlong Temple is short on talent, I could make an effort—marry a few wives and produce some little monks for the temple.”
Master Du’e was startled. If Ye Qiu went through with that, Tianlong Temple’s reputation would be utterly ruined.
“Benefactor Ye, don’t jest. Monks cannot take wives.”
Ye Qiu frowned, a plan forming. He said, “Actually, I’m willing to join Tianlong Temple.”
“Really?” A glimmer of joy appeared on Master Du’e’s face.
Ye Qiu nodded solemnly. “Really.”
“Excellent, excellent,” Master Du’e said. “My master said that if Benefactor Ye wishes to join Tianlong Temple, you must make a vow here.”
“What vow?”
“That you’ll never marry or have children.”
Ye Qiu was furious.
You old bald donkey, trying to ruin me!
Ye Qiu had only said he’d join Tianlong Temple to get his hands on the Six Meridians Divine Sword manual, planning to leave the monastic life later. But it seemed Master Kongjian had anticipated his scheme, demanding such a vow.
“What a cunning old fox, trying to crush my hopes of marriage and children. In your dreams!”
“As for the sword manual, I don’t need it!”
“With the Nine Revolutions Dragon Art and my inherited techniques, I can still become a supreme master without the sword manual!”
With that thought, Ye Qiu burst into laughter.
“Benefactor Ye, why are you laughing?” Master Du’e asked, puzzled.
Ye Qiu smiled and said, “Master, I think what you said to Qian Duoduo earlier was spot on: what is meant to be will come in time; what is not meant to be cannot be forced.”
“I came to Tianlong Temple for the Six Meridians Divine Sword manual.”
“I know the manual is a precious treasure of your temple, and I understand why Master Kongjian set such rigorous trials. But if I’m not fated to obtain it, then it means the sword manual isn’t meant for me.”
“So, I’ve let it go.”
Master Du’e asked, “Does Benefactor Ye intend to turn back?”
Ye Qiu replied, “Since I’ve come this far, I’ll test my fate. If I succeed, it’s my fortune; if not, it’s my destiny.”
“Which cave do you plan to enter, Benefactor Ye?” Master Du’e asked.
“I don’t know which cave I’ll choose. I’ll leave it to fate!”
With that, Ye Qiu picked up a dry twig from the ground and tossed it casually.
The twig pointed to the easternmost cave.
“I’ll take that one!” Ye Qiu said, striding into the easternmost cave.
That works?
Master Du’e was dumbfounded.
He and Master Kongjian had carved these seven hundred twenty caves, so he knew exactly which one led to his master.
What he hadn’t expected was that Ye Qiu, with a random toss of a twig, had picked the correct cave.
What a coincidence!
As a monk, he didn’t believe in coincidences.
Master Du’e pressed his palms together: “It seems this is heaven’s will. Amitabha!”
With that, he followed Ye Qiu into the cave.
The cave was pitch black, but Ye Qiu moved forward at a steady pace, as if walking in broad daylight.
This cave was nearly a kilometre deep.
Ye Qiu couldn’t help but inwardly curse Master Kongjian and Master Du’e again. This master-disciple pair must have had too much time on their hands to dig such a deep cave.
Five minutes later.
Ye Qiu emerged from the cave into a valley.
The valley was filled with wildflowers, towering pines and cypresses, and the gentle sound of a stream.
Looking up, Ye Qiu saw a seven-story stone pagoda standing on a cliff to one side of the valley.
The pagoda, built of stone, was ancient and weathered, as if it had endured a thousand years.
“Master, what is this place?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Congratulations, Benefactor Ye. You’ve found the correct cave. This old monk is truly impressed,” Master Du’e said.
Ye Qiu was quietly surprised, not expecting to have guessed right. He grinned, “What can I say? I’m handsome and lucky.”
Master Du’e: “…”
“Master, where is Master Kongjian?”
No sooner had Ye Qiu spoken than a voice sounded in his ear: “This poor monk is here!”
