Sang Qingxiao's voice carried a sigh, distinct from Riri's, with a more distant and lingering breath. A small sound, yet it reached everyone's ears.
Muyu's emotions paused for a moment before surging forth wildly, directed straight at Sang Qingxiao. Misha, who had been protecting her, instinctively tried to intervene but was utterly unable to stop it.
As the emotions surged, the Merit Barrier weakened. Yuanhui, feeling anxious, immediately attacked Sang Qingxiao, while Misha employed Buddha Cultivation techniques to defend against him.
The clash caused Yuanhui to retract his outstretched hand, letting out a pained cry even though there were no visible injuries. He clutched his hand, moaning in agony. "What kind of demon technique are you using?" Yuanhui asked, his face filled with dread and fear.
Misha looked at the Buddha Cultivation energy in her hands, a gift from her master meant to protect her.
Wulian! It was Wulian again! If it weren't for the commotion he had caused back then, I wouldn't have felt the urge to compete and pushed myself harder to acquire more than he did.
In my haste, my cultivation went awry, leading to severe damage to my body and affecting my Lifespan. Thus, I had to cruelly employ methods to extend my Lifespan. Now that I am about to achieve my desires, why has he reappeared?
Yuanhui dared not attack again; he shrank back into the thinning Merit Barrier, hoping Muyu would sound louder and restore it quickly. But before he could strike a few more times, Muyu unexpectedly leaped into Sang Qingxiao's hands, pulling the Merit Barrier along with Sang Qingxiao and Misha into its embrace.
Sang Qingxiao felt no malice from it; she gently cradled it in her hands and gazed directly into its eye sockets without flinching, a hint of reverence in her demeanor. She sensed that there was still consciousness lingering within the Skull and attempted to probe for memories.
However, as soon as the talisman approached, the Skull erupted with a brilliant golden light that forcefully repelled the talisman.
Sang Qingxiao did not attempt a second time. "I learned about your plight from the records of Western Shu Esoteric Buddhism. I am truly sorry and wish to help you. Is there anything you want to tell me?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the Skull responded. The golden light flickered in its eye sockets at varying frequencies as if genuinely trying to communicate with her. Yet Sang Qingxiao did not understand and displayed a clear expression of confusion.
Suddenly, the golden light began to flicker rapidly as if in urgency. Before Sang Qingxiao could ask further questions, the flickering light erupted forth, enveloping all three within the Barrier.
Enduring discomfort in her eyes, Sang Qingxiao opened them again to find herself in a temple.
Sang Qingxiao sighed inwardly. "Silly girl, how wonderful it would have been if I could have seen your memories through my talisman! You pulled us in with your own Merit; how much stored power must that have consumed?"
The temple was bustling with activity that day; believers flocked here from all directions. The temple was larger than Puzhao Temple but already filled to capacity with people. Those unable to enter gathered around the outer perimeter of the temple, reluctant to leave.
Despite the crowd, everyone behaved respectfully; not a single person made noise or pushed against one another. They formed lines spontaneously and stood silently with their heads bowed in mourning.
Once everyone had arrived, the doors of the main hall at the center of the temple finally opened.
The monks within the temple held different ranks; those wearing black and red robes in the center were likely of the highest rank.
Each of them held a black Skull Muyu in their hands. When the Believers saw someone emerge, they knelt down in unison, bowing their heads three times before finally sitting cross-legged. This must be the grand assembly held periodically by the Vajrayana.
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