Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 110

At this moment, Vantage Mountain was bustling with excitement, many people wore looks of fervor as they gazed at the temple standing tall at the peak, feeling a sense of pilgrimage.

“It’s that time again for the Hanging Temple to hold a dharma assembly; this time I’m definitely going to grasp the profound teachings of Master Abbot.”

“Master Abbot is truly a great person; his magnanimity and broad-mindedness make him worthy of being the spiritual leader of Zen practice in the world.”

“After all, he is as close to the true Buddha as one can get!”

There was murmuring all around, and many were filled with emotion.

One man pointed in surprise, “Hey, could those folks be members of the Pure Land Kingdom’s royal family? Are they here to listen to Master Abbot’s lecture too?”

People turned to look in that direction.

They saw two men and one woman walking up the stone steps towards the peak, dressed in luxurious clothing, wearing royal tokens at their waists—just their demeanor set them apart from ordinary folk.

Behind them was a group of elite guards, all exuding a fierce vitality and possessing strong cultivation levels.

“Hey there, friend, you must be an outsider, right? You see, every time Master Abbot holds a dharma assembly at the Hanging Temple, the Sovereign of the Pure Land Kingdom specifically requests his children to attend and learn. This has been a royal duty for years!”

“Oh, I see!”

The crowd fell silent and focused intently on ascending the steps.

This was the rule of the Hanging Temple; if one wished to go up to the temple to pray or listen to the teachings, they must ascend all hundred thousand steps of Vantage Mountain.

If you didn’t have the patience and tried to leap up, you would be deemed insincere and turned away by the monks of the Hanging Temple!

“Ever since attending Master Abbot’s lecture, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the Golden Body of the Buddhist Sect. Even if I faced an attack from a Demon Sovereign, I’m confident I could hold my own in combat,” spoke the Crown Prince, who was robust in stature and exuded immense aura, with hair standing like steel needles and a piercing gaze.

“You’re the one with good insight, big bro,” chuckled the Second Prince beside him, lightly waving a folding fan, looking refined and elegant like a tall jade tree.

“But didn’t you just tell little sister that your grasp of the Six Character Mantra has advanced, and you said you could suppress a Demon Sovereign?” Princess Mingyue teased, her bright eyes and pearly teeth shining.

Dressed in a flowing purple gown, her smooth and silky hair cascaded down, her elegant curves especially noticeable in her upper body, radiating an irresistible charm.

The Second Prince sweated nervously and chuckled dryly, “Little sister, you must have misunderstood.”

Big brother claims he can hold his ground against a Demon Sovereign, and here I am saying I can suppress one? Isn’t that indirectly admitting I could win against big brother?

The Crown Prince furrowed his brows, “Second brother, it seems your strength has indeed grown. After we go back, let’s train together!”

“Big bro, please don’t listen to little sister’s nonsense! I’m not fit to compare with you!” The Second Prince panicked, feeling the pressure.

If he got dragged into a sparring match, he could be laid up for weeks!

“Look at you getting all worked up; I just want to strengthen our brotherly bond. Besides, it’s been ages since we last trained together. If you refuse again, I’ll think you look down on me!”

The Crown Prince pulled the Second Prince’s shoulder, cracking his knuckles ominously, signaling him to think carefully about the consequences.

With a defeated expression, the Second Prince figured he might as well agree—after all, it could mean getting a lighter beating.

“Fine…”

“Now that’s the spirit! Truly my good little brother!”

“Second bro, don’t worry, I’ll be there cheering you on,” Princess Mingyue giggled, her eyes twinkling.

“Hmm? Seems you really have skills; even little sister is rooting for you. I must give it my all now!” the Crown Prince declared grumpily.

The Second Prince cried, “Little sister, please don’t add fuel to the fire; I’ve treated you well all this time.”

Seeing this, Princess Mingyue almost doubled over laughing, her chest bouncing, catching the attention of those nearby.

“Gentlemen, this is Vantage Mountain, so please mind the royal dignity,” the head of the guards softly reminded.

Instantly.

The three ceased their banter and straightened their postures.

“In two months, it will be our father’s birthday banquet. I hope to gain new insights during this dharma assembly, so I can win father’s favor,” Princess Mingyue thought to herself.

Many people continued to climb to the peak, heading to the temple to listen to the teachings.

The monks clasped their hands together, their expressions solemn.

On the lotus seat, the abbot of the Hanging Temple sat cross-legged, intertwining his thumb and middle finger, speaking to the gathered believers:

“Bodhisattvas should thus subdue their minds! All beings, whether born from eggs, wombs, moisture, or transformation, whether with form or without form, whether having thoughts or not, or neither having thoughts nor not having thoughts, I will guide them into the Unconditioned Nirvana and liberate them. This liberation is countless and boundless, yet all beings truly cannot be liberated; why is that? Subhuti! If a Bodhisattva clings to notions of self, person, being, or lifespan, then they are not a Bodhisattva…”

The elder’s voice was filled with calm and serenity, ringing in the hearts of those present, with each listener entranced, as if their very souls were being cleansed.

Many who had come from afar to seek enlightenment listened attentively, afraid to miss even a single word.

“Our Buddha is compassionate~” the Crown Prince and Second Prince spoke with respect, murmuring.

Princess Mingyue also joined them, her hands clasped in prayer, her expression sincere.

Suddenly.

A commotion erupted outside.

Princess Mingyue turned her head, her beautiful eyes widening in shock.

Several figures swooped into view before the temple’s entrance, completely disregarding the hundred thousand steps.

At the forefront was a young man in a black robe with silver-white hair, handsome features, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a mocking smile playing on his lips.

You could tell he had no respect for the holy site of Buddhism.

It was more like he was coming to cause trouble!

“Hey, you folks, you’re ignoring the rules! Please leave Vantage Mountain immediately; you’re not welcome here!”

The faces of the monks darkened, as they blocked the intruders, the middle-aged monk at the front releasing his Unity Stage cultivation, warning them sternly.

In all these years, he had never seen such a reckless youth who disregarded the rules!

“What did you say?”

“Donor, I said—”

Smack!

Ye Junlin slapped the middle-aged monk flying back, “You got a death wish?!”

“Brother Huidé!” The monks gasped in shock—where did this arrogant punk come from, daring to hit people at the Hanging Temple?

“Seize him and await the Abbot’s judgement!”

The monks angrily surged forward.

“Just you all?” Li Wujie took a step forward, coldly smirking as he drew the ink knife from his waist, its aura sharp and fierce.

“Ah…”

The monks were sent flying, blood spraying from their mouths, their eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.

“What’s happening outside?!”

The commotion was so loud that those gathered in the square, listening to the teachings, looked on in confusion.

Ye Junlin reached out his hand, releasing a terrifying pulling force, forcibly ripping the Hanging Temple’s plaque down.

The plaque, shimmering with treasure light, bore the three characters for ‘Hanging Temple,’ having weathered countless ages and been refined by generations of high monks, itself reaching the threshold of a Spirit Tool.

This was the pride of the Hanging Temple! No one was allowed to desecrate it!

Hong Qianye looked on, puzzled. What was this guy up to?

Just then, amidst the shocked gazes of onlookers, Ye Junlin swaggered into the temple holding the plaque aloft, then tossed it into the air. As it arced gracefully, he imitated a certain classic move from a superstar of a previous life, wiping his nose and making a noise with his mouth before delivering a perfect flying kick to the plaque.

“Ah hit~!!”

In an instant, the plaque, aged yet proud, inscribed with the words ‘Hanging Temple,’ exploded into pieces, scattering everywhere.

Ye Junlin landed gracefully, hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of an unparalleled master.

In that moment.

Everyone stood frozen, expressions filled with disbelief.

Princess Mingyue’s eyes were wide with shock, murmuring, “Holy crap, who is this person, and how dare he…?”