Chapter 305: Chapter 245: This Damned Dharma Name! Truly, a Profound Buddhist Affinity

There was a copper mirror in the Quiet Chamber where he was resting, and he couldn’t help but look himself over.

Although he was sporting a shiny bald head and wearing a gray Monk’s Robe with gold-trimmed sleeves and collar, his handsome features gave him the very appearance of a dashing monk.

But Yang An couldn’t help but feel a hint of displeasure, his brows furrowing.

Like the other chosen ones, his Cultivation Level placed him among the Monks, but as the Buddha’s Son, he was naturally different.

His Monk’s Robe had gold-trimmed sleeves and a collar, just like the robes of the Zen Masters.

This meant the privileges enjoyed by the Buddha’s Son were equivalent to those of a Zen Master. Although the position of Buddha’s Son was revered, he still needed to raise his official standing within Great Virtue Temple through his Cultivation Level and contributions.

When it came down to it, he was still just one of the Monks—just not one at the very bottom.

After completing Yang An’s tonsure ceremony, Hai Shu Bodhisattva departed. Before he left, however, he told Yang An to come to the Heart Buddha Hall in two days, where he would personally instruct him.

Yang An was quite looking forward to receiving personal instruction from a Great Power of the Insect Dao.

"HAHAHAHA! You little bastard, you’re killing me! I almost didn’t recognize you. Just look at that big ol’ forehead. It’s so... spacious!"

The moment Yang An returned to the Quiet Chamber, the Bow Lady’s teasing voice reached his ears.

The Bow Lady was a rather special bow; she couldn’t be placed into a Storage Magical Artifact and had to be carried on his person. But since he couldn’t bring her to the tonsure ceremony, Yang An had no choice but to leave her in the Quiet Chamber for the time being.

Hearing the Bow Lady’s words, Yang An rolled his eyes in resignation. There was nothing to say; he could only accept the reality of the situation.

’In any case, I’ve already completed the Purification for the Cloud Net Barrier’s price. It’s not like my hair can’t grow back.’

’This humiliation is only temporary.’

Ignoring the Bow Lady, Yang An calmed his mind and began to contemplate a problem he had no choice but to face: the remnants of the Earth Spirit Stele’s seal still in his possession.

Back when he was in the State Territory under the Golden Thread Pavilion’s control, he had used the demonic calamity to wantonly devour flesh and blood. As a result, the complete recovery of the Earth Spirit Stele was not far off.

’All I need is a bit more flesh and blood to let the Earth Spirit Stele recover completely. Then I can seize the opportunity to take control of it and learn its secrets.’

’Since my Cultivation Technique, *Mystic Path Decoded*, comes from the Earth Spirit Stele, I have to gain complete control over it. There’s no other way.’

’Otherwise, the part of the technique I’ve mastered only covers the Zombie God portion. If I can’t control the Earth Spirit Stele, my path forward will be cut off. My Cultivation Level will stagnate at the Zombie God stage because the technique is incomplete.’

’Even though I’ve joined Great Virtue Temple, become its Buddha’s Son, and am now an undercover agent for the Golden Thread Pavilion, I can’t let my personal progress fall behind.’

’So, how can I get the remaining flesh and blood needed to revive the Earth Spirit Stele?’

’Among monks in the secular world, taking a life is a violation of the precepts—a grave sin.’

’But this is Great Virtue Temple. They’re all Cultivators. I don’t believe for a second this lot abstains from killing.’

’Especially after witnessing that battle at the Life Crane Sect in Han State. Once these bald-headed monks start fighting, I bet every one of their moves is meant to send people straight to Hell.’

He mulled over the problem. ’With my current identity and status, I probably can’t leave Great Virtue Temple easily. That means I’ll have to find a solution here, within the temple.’

’Is there a way to get flesh and blood directly from within Great Virtue Temple? And do it without raising suspicion?’

As he thought it over, Yang An’s eyes suddenly brightened.

’I can’t leave Great Virtue Temple for now, but that doesn’t mean the temple doesn’t have enemies of its own within these walls!’

’A faction like this, especially an Overlord Level one, is bound to have numerous enemies, like a body surrounded by ravenous wolves.’

’Enemies come in two types: dead and alive.’

’And if there are living enemies that Great Virtue Temple doesn’t want dead, then there must be a place where they’re imprisoned. For example... a dungeon!’

’Wouldn’t a marvelous place like that be perfect for me to openly devour flesh and blood?’

At this thought, a plan immediately formed in Yang An’s mind.

’Looks like I’ll have to gather some information on this. With my status as the Buddha’s Son, it shouldn’t be too hard.’

’If a place like that really exists, I can find an opportunity to get inside. Then the problem of the Earth Spirit Stele’s recovery will be solved.’

With a potential solution in sight for one of his problems, the foul mood from his tonsure ceremony began to lift. Yang An’s gaze fell upon the Bow Lady, resting quietly to the side, and then down at the Monk’s Robe he was wearing.

’Before, when I was a free-roaming Cultivator, no one would have batted an eye at me carrying a bow.’

’But now I’m officially a Monk. If I walk around Great Virtue Temple in this getup carrying a bow, I’ll attract way too much attention.’

’I can’t just leave the Bow Lady in the Quiet Chamber forever. You never know when I might need her to pull off some... unconventional tactics.’

’Speaking of which, I haven’t heard anything new from the Tree of Flesh and Blood recently. I wonder how things are going with the Workshop Master.’

’I need to ask the Workshop Master if there’s a way for me to carry the Bow Lady on my person. I also want to ask about her secrets and what connection she has to the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.’

Thinking of this, Yang An immediately immersed his consciousness in the Tree of Flesh and Blood and sent a message to the Workshop Master, asking if he had a moment to spare.

To Yang An’s disappointment, however, after waiting for a while, no reply from the Workshop Master appeared on the Tree of Flesh and Blood. He was clearly still busy.