The Emperor of Zongmen Workers is here

Time flies. In the illusion, after Su Chen was brought back to Nirvana Sect by Zang Zhi, his initial days were peaceful.

Within the Nirvana Sect, the buildings were magnificent and majestic, with curls of incense and resonant Buddhist chants. Su Chen was placed in a quiet meditation room, with delicious meals delivered daily. Donning brand new monk robes, he began his life of asceticism within the Nirvana Sect.

During his time in Nirvana Sect, Su Chen did indeed live a seemingly good life at first. He was well-fed and well-maintained by Zang Zhi. Every day, besides practicing Buddhism, he would recite scriptures, mental methods, and learn various rituals.

The ambiance within the sect is tranquil and serene, the temple buildings solemn and majestic, their red walls and black tiles gleaming in the sunlight. Several century-old trees, lush with foliage, stand in the courtyard, seemingly telling the story of time. Su Chen's room is furnished in a simple yet elegant style, consisting of a wooden bed, a desk, and a few bookshelves. Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight stream into the room, Su Chen is awakened by the sound of a bell, beginning his day of spiritual practice.

Zang Zhi showed great concern for Su Chen, often personally guiding him in reciting scriptures and mental methods. With a smile on his face, Zang Zhi often said to Su Chen, "Su Chen, you are the rising star of our Nirvana Sect. You must practice diligently."

"Su Chen, you must study these scriptures carefully. They will be of great benefit to your practice." Zang Zhi always spoke to Su Chen with a smile on his face, but there was an imperceptible light in his eyes.

Su Chen nodded obediently: "Yes, Master." He threw himself into learning with great joy. Every time he learned a passage of scripture or mastered a mental method, he could feel his own growth and his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Su Chen, this Nirvana Sutra is the fundamental scripture of our sect. You must recite it carefully and understand its true meaning." Zang Zhi said to Su Chen with a smile, but there was an imperceptible light in his eyes.

Su Chen nodded obediently and recited seriously: "All things are impermanent, they are subject to birth and death; when birth and death are extinguished, nirvana is bliss..." His voice was clear and childish, echoing in the Zen room.

Su Chen was filled with gratitude, earnestly reciting scriptures and mental methods, and learning various rituals. He felt very lucky to be able to learn the method of cultivating immortality in such a place, and to be able to go home and visit his parents often.

Su Chen's father and mother often received fine clothes and delicious food sent by Master Zangzhi, which made Su Chen feel gratified and felt that his choice seemed to be correct. He could also go home to visit his parents often, initially once a month.

Every time he returned home, he would excitedly tell his parents about his life in the sect. His parents watched him grow up healthily, their eyes filled with satisfaction and pride.

"Chen'er, you must listen to your master and practice hard in the sect." Father Su always reminded him lovingly.

"I understand, Daddy." Su Chen replied with a smile. Every time he returned home, he could see his parents dressed in fine clothes and eating delicious food. Their lives seemed to have gotten better, which made him more determined to practice in the Nirvana Sect.

However, as time went on, the situation gradually changed. With more homework and a heavier workload, Su Chen gradually felt overwhelmed. But relying on his perseverance and exceptional innate Daoist body, he persevered. He no longer had the luxury of play and rest he once had. He immersed himself daily in the scriptures and spiritual practice. Every morning, he was awakened by the sound of a bell and began a busy day of practice.

"Today you must learn the procedures of this ritual. Don't be careless." An older brother said to Su Chen seriously. Su Chen blinked, feeling a little tired, but still tried hard to remember every step.

Later, although Su Chen could still go home to visit his father and mother from time to time, he pretended to be happy every time he went home and told his parents about his life in Nirvana Sect so as not to make them worry.

"Dad, Mom, I have learned a lot in the sect." Su Chen said excitedly, holding his parents' hands.

Su's father and mother looked at their son with relief in their eyes.

However, gradually, the frequency of going home changed from once a month to once every two months, and then to once every six months. Every time Su Chen asked to go home, Zang Zhi would always dissuade him with various reasons, such as having important training tasks that could not be delayed, or having special rituals that needed him to prepare.

Although Su Chen felt a little doubtful and reluctant, he felt it was for the sake of his own cultivation, so he didn't dwell on it. At eight years old, with his extraordinary talent and hard work, he had already mastered all the Buddhist teachings of the Nirvana Sect. While he still looked childish, his eyes held a hint of maturity and determination.

"Su Chen, there are important rituals to prepare in the sect recently, and you can't leave. It's not too late to go back after this period of time." Zang Zhi's tone seemed gentle, but it carried an implication that could not be refused.

Although Su Chen felt a little disappointed, he could only obey his master's arrangements. He began to feel that his life had become a little monotonous and depressing, but he still believed that this was the only way to practice.

Su Chen knew these were all excuses, but he couldn't refute them. After all, in the Nirvana Sect, everything came first. Furthermore, as time went on, Su Chen found himself in less and less contact with his family, sometimes even forgetting their faces and voices. He began to feel lonely and lost, unsure of his future.

At the age of eight, Su Chen had already completed all the Buddhist teachings of the Nirvana Sect. His intelligence and hard work amazed everyone. Under Zang Zhi's arrangement, he began to lecture.

At first, Su Chen was a little nervous standing on the podium, but as he became more familiar with and understood the scriptures, he gradually became more confident. His voice was clear and loud, and his explanations of the scriptures were profound and simple, which impressed many pilgrims.

"This is the young genius of your sect. Despite his young age, he has such profound attainments in Buddhism." The pilgrims praised him.

Under Zang Zhi's guidance, Su Chen's fame grew, attracting numerous followers to the Nirvana Sect and bringing in a lucrative donation. Some pilgrims even lavished large sums of money and donated precious materials to the Nirvana Sect just to hear Su Chen lecture. However, Su Chen gradually grew numb. His daily routine of preaching and practicing Buddhism became a repetitive routine, like a mere preaching machine.

Jiang Qingwu watched all this from the side, feeling a surge of emotion. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Su Chen as he gradually transformed from an innocent child into a tool trapped in the world of fame and fortune.

"Su Chen, you were originally a shining pearl, but you fell into this endless quagmire." Jiang Qingwu sighed silently in his heart.

As he delved deeper into the scriptures, Su Chen began to understand his current situation. He discovered that although the Nirvana Sect was a holy place that promoted Buddhism on the surface, it actually hid many unknown secrets.

As time went by, Su Chen gradually discovered something was wrong. He found that although he had a good reputation and a bright and beautiful appearance, the resources he was allocated were the worst.

Although his meditation room was neat and tidy, it was very simple compared to some of the other highly regarded disciples. The instruments, elixirs, and other cultivation resources he used were also very common. However, those disciples who had practiced longer than him but were not as talented as him received better treatment.

He began to realize that he seemed to have become a tool for the Nirvana Sect to make a lot of money. After each lecture, a lot of money poured into the Nirvana Sect, but he himself did not get the due return. The joy in his heart was gradually replaced by pain. He remembered the days in Sujia Village, which were simple and plain, but full of warmth and freedom. Now, in this seemingly glorious Nirvana Sect, he felt like he was trapped in a gorgeous cage.

Su Chen's heart was filled with pain and helplessness. He recalled the happy times in Sujia Village and the days when he was waiting for Wu Mo Sanren. Although his life at that time was simple, he was free and at ease.

"Why have I come to this point? I clearly only want to cultivate immortality, only want to protect my family, and only want to help Sujia Village survive the disaster." Su Chen cried out in pain in his heart.

He tried to resist, and tried to raise his doubts and dissatisfaction with Zang Zhi. But every time Zang Zhi would prevaricate him with some seemingly reasonable reasons, or use harsh words to warn him to be grateful and to put the sect first.

Su Chen was filled with helplessness and indignation, emotions that surged like a tide, leaving him feeling as if he were trapped in a dark abyss, unable to escape. As time passed, he gradually became numb and lost interest in everything around him. Every day, he continued to mechanically complete various tasks, including preaching and practicing, like a robot, but the passion deep in his heart had long since disappeared.

He had tried many times to break free from Zang Zhi's control, but always failed. Whenever he made the slightest move, Zang Zhi would threaten Su Chen's parents' safety: "Su Chen, if you don't listen to me, your parents won't have an easy life." These words, like a sharp sword, pierced Su Chen's heart. He knew Zang Zhi was no good, and if he did anything drastic, the consequences would be disastrous.

Faced with this situation, Su Chen felt powerless, with no choice but to continue to obey Zang Zhi's instructions. His eyes gradually became empty, as if they had lost the support of their soul. Once upon a time, his eyes shone brightly, full of hope and vitality; but now, that light has quietly faded, leaving only endless darkness and despair.

As time went by, Su Chen's status in the Nirvana Sect grew. Due to his innate Taoist physique, his Buddhist realm reached the pinnacle within the sect, but no one taught him combat skills... He suffered immense pain in his heart, deeply understanding that he was nothing more than a pawn in Zang Zhi's hands, a tool for the Nirvana Sect to gain benefits.

At night, Su Chen sat alone in his Zen room, gazing at the bright moon outside the window, tears streaming silently. "When can I break free from all these shackles? I want to go home so badly, I want to go back to the past..." Su Chen murmured softly.

At this moment, Jiang Qingwu watched Su Chen's experience from a bystander's perspective, feeling a surge of emotion. She watched Su Chen transform from a child full of hope into a numb tool, and her heart was filled with sympathy and regret. Seeing Su Chen in such pain, her heart was also filled with sympathy and helplessness. She knew that everything Su Chen experienced in this demonic world was the most painful memory in his heart.

She thought silently, "Su Chen, Su Chen, you were once a shining pearl, yet you've fallen into this quagmire. This Nirvana Sect may appear sacred, but in reality, it harbors filth and corruption." Her gaze lingered on Su Chen in the illusion, her heart filled with sympathy and concern for him. This once high-spirited, radiant child had now become so depressed. His face grew haggard, his eyes lacking their former brilliance, as if shrouded by a thick, dark cloud.

Jiang Qingwu watched Su Chen's transformation and wanted to help him escape his predicament, but she knew she was trapped in an illusion and couldn't truly intervene. She could only watch Su Chen struggle in pain, feeling powerless. This feeling of powerlessness tore at her heart, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Su Chen, you must be strong. We will definitely find a way out of this illusion." Jiang Qingwu prayed silently for Su Chen in his heart, hoping that he could find himself again and overcome the difficulties before him.

However, reality is cruel. The world in the illusion continues to exist, and Su Chen's pain continues to deepen. In this seemingly glamorous life, he gradually loses himself and falls into endless darkness...

In his numbness, Su Chen often recalled bits and pieces of the past. He thought of the days when he waited for Wu Mo San Ren at the gate of Sujia Village. Although those days were filled with anticipation and uncertainty, at least he still had hope in his heart. He thought of the happy times playing with his friends, so carefree. Now, although he had achieved certain success in his cultivation, he had lost himself and lost true happiness.

As he recalled these events, his heart was filled with pain, helplessness, and indignation. He was tormented by his fate's unfortunate circumstances, helpless at his inability to escape his current situation, and indignant at the hypocrisy of the Nirvana sect and the ugliness of Zangzhi. He felt like a butterfly trapped in a spider's web, unable to break free no matter how hard he struggled.

Days passed, and Su Chen languished in pain and numbness. He didn't know what his future held, or if he'd ever escape this. He could only pray silently, hoping that one day he could regain his freedom and find his true self.

In the real world beyond the illusion, Su Chen sat slumped on the ground, tears streaming down his face. His body trembled slightly, as if he were still lost in the painful memories of the illusion. Seeing Su Chen like this, Jiang Qingwu felt extremely anxious. She knew that if Su Chen couldn't break free from this inner demonic illusion, he would fall into deeper trouble, even becoming a demon. She tightly grasped the sect token, trying to strengthen her connection with Su Chen, hoping to awaken him and help him break free from the constraints of this illusion.

In this dreamlike state, Su Chen continued his numb life within the seemingly prosperous yet profoundly cold Nirvana Sect. The temple bells still rang punctually, and pilgrims continued to stream in and out, but Su Chen's heart had long since become desolate. He gazed at the temple's towering walls, his eyes revealing a deep despair and a yearning for freedom. He wondered when he would finally escape this and find his own sunshine and warmth.