I have been a saint in the world for three thousand years

After finishing the meal, Yan Xiu held Ali's hand and wandered again among the secluded paths and ancient temples of Fanyin Temple, looking for any clues related to the mysterious couplet.

However, every brick and tile, every tree and wood in the Fanyin Temple exudes extraordinary solemnity and tranquility.

No matter how you look at it, it seems to have nothing to do with the weird couplet that killed people.

Just as Yan Xiu and A Li were losing interest in the trip and feeling a little bored, a deep and distant bell sound suddenly came from the depths of Fanyin Temple.

Like the morning bell awakening a dream, it breaks the tranquility of the temple.

But within just a few breaths, the nine bell sounds echoed among the temples one by one, and then dissipated into the air.

As the bell sounds lingered, the believers in the Fanyin Temple seemed to have received some kind of silent call and walked towards the same place without any prior arrangement.

"Hurry, hurry, the abbot of Zen meditation is about to start preaching."

"We will go ahead and take a good seat to listen to the Dharma."

"Brothers, take me with you!"

For a moment, the believers called their friends and walked in a hurry.

Even Ah Li was attracted by the sudden movement. Her eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation. She held Yan Xiu's hand tightly and wanted to go together.

In just a quarter of an hour, the square was filled with a huge crowd of believers.

In the center of the square stands a high platform.

Dozens of agile monks stood on the left and right of the stage, holding Zen sticks, maintaining order at the scene.

Soon, a figure descended lightly onto the platform like a crane in the clouds.

It's just that because of the backlight, people can't see his face clearly.

However, its sound is like morning bells and evening drums, clear and deep.

As soon as I heard it, I knew that this person was the highly respected abbot of Fanyin Temple.

"I will be giving a lecture today. I hope that all donors will gain enlightenment and practice."

When the abbot finished speaking, his voice spread out like ripples.

Suddenly, there was a rustling of clothes in the crowd, and a large number of people fell to their knees.

As the Zen abbot began to preach, his voice flowed like a spring into the hearts of the people, and the faces of the believers were gradually filled with deep piety and reverence.

Yan Xiu stood there quietly, listening for a long time, and the preconceived judgment in his mind quietly disappeared.

It seems that this Zen abbot is indeed knowledgeable and a highly accomplished monk.

The Dharma sound flowed for half an hour, like a clear spring in a mountain stream, and disappeared in a flash.

The Zen abbot stood up from the platform and spoke loudly.

"Today's Dharma talk has come to an end. I hope that all donors will walk in the world with good thoughts in their hearts and take care of themselves."

Upon hearing this, the believers all bowed respectfully, still reluctant to leave but in an orderly manner, ready to disperse.

At this moment, the Zen abbot's gaze passed through the crowd and fell on a certain place, and he suddenly spoke.

"This little donor, I see a face full of wisdom, and I think you have an indissoluble bond with the Buddha."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone followed his gaze and their eyes fell on a petite figure.

Ali had a confused look on her face, her little head tilted to one side, her bright eyes full of confusion and innocence.

She pointed at herself and asked innocently, "Master, are you talking about... me?"

The abbot of Zen meditation nodded slightly and chanted the Buddha's name.

Its sound is like that of an ancient bell, echoing far away.

Then, as if he was not bound by gravity, he floated down from the high platform lightly and landed in front of Ah Li with an elegant posture, like a walker in the clouds.

Zen's eyes were kind and a kind smile appeared on his face.

"Exactly."

"Your young donor has a heart full of wisdom and wisdom, and you have a deep affinity with my Buddhist sect."

After Ali confirmed that the other party was talking about her, the doubt in her eyes became even greater.

She looked confused, obviously not understanding what the Zen abbot meant.

The believers around could not help but look surprised when they saw this, and they whispered to each other and talked about it.

"Whose girl is this? She is so connected with Buddhism!"

An old woman holding Buddhist beads asked the person next to her.

"She doesn't look very old, but I didn't expect her to be such a wise person."

For a moment, everyone around looked at Ali with envy.

The Zen abbot clasped his hands together, bowed slightly, and asked with a kind smile.

"Little donor, are you willing to establish a relationship with my Buddhist teachings?"

Ah Li pouted her lips slightly, her brows full of childish hesitation.

Although she didn't understand what this sentence meant, she had heard from her grandfather that the Fanyin Temple was a powerful place.

"But Ali is a girl."

The Zen abbot chuckled.

"Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva also appears in female form, with compassion in mind, saving all living beings. How can gender be the boundary of spiritual practice?"

Unable to make up her mind for a moment, Ali turned around and looked at Yan Xiu.

Facing Ali's inquiring look, Yan Xiu smiled faintly.

"The abbot is asking if you are willing to become a monk."

Upon hearing this, Ali shook her head and refused without any hesitation.

"No! Ah Li doesn't want to shave her head and become a monk. I don't want to be with that bald guy!"

After saying that, she hugged Yan Xiu's thigh tightly, and turned her little face to the side stubbornly, avoiding the sight of the Zen abbot.

The abbot of Zen meditation was not at all displeased by this. Instead, he comforted him in a detached tone.

"Nothing is hindered. All forms of the world are shackles, not the necessary path."

Despite the abbot's open-mindedness, Ali remained stubborn and refused to compromise.

Although the vegetarian food in the temple is indeed delicious, it is ultimately no match for the big meat buns that one makes by oneself.

Seeing that Ah Li was so determined, Yan Xiu gently patted her little hand.

"Let everything go with the flow, don't force it."

Yan Xiu's words were gentle but firm, both a support for Ali and a response to the abbot of the Zen meditation.

Upon hearing this, the abbot of Zen meditation showed an even warmer smile on his face, as if he had expected such an outcome.

He slowly put his hands together, his eyes showing both profound wisdom and tolerance for all things in the world.

"Good, good, everything in the world has its own way, maybe the little donor has her own Buddhaland in her heart.

Perhaps fate has not arrived yet, or perhaps the Buddha is not in the temple, but in the world."

After these words were spoken, the believers around him all seemed to be thinking about something.

Even Yan Xiu looked up to this meditative monk.

He thought the other party would use his status as the host to force Ali to stay.

Yan Xiu has always been disgusted by any form of imposition on others, let alone anything that goes against their wishes.

If this is true, then I will definitely not let the other party get what they want.

Faced with Ali's insistence, the abbot of Zen meditation did not force her, but let nature take its course.

He knew in his heart that he could not force a chance, so he established good connections in another way.

He took out a string of Buddhist beads with a faint luster from his wide robe sleeves.

"I have chanted sutras and prayed for this string of Buddhist beads. I hope it can protect you from the worries of this world. I hope you will accept it."

Ali looked at the Buddhist beads, feeling quite hesitant, and once again looked to Yan Xiu for help.

Yan Xiu smiled and nodded.

"Since it is a kind gesture from the abbot, please accept it, Ali."

After getting Yan Xiu's affirmation, Ali took the Buddhist beads solemnly.

Then she imitated the meditating abbot, clasped her hands together, and bowed devoutly in return.

Just as the abbot was about to leave, Yan Xiu suddenly spoke.

"Abbot, I have a favor to ask of you."