Chapter 1006: Chapter 1005: True Dragon Welcomes Guests for 300 Miles

"Brother Dao, there’s no need for this..."

In the quiet room’s backyard, Yan Teng had already left, and the little novice monk Zong Le was also sent away, leaving only Lu Zheng and Guangyue to reminisce.

In the quiet room, the two sat opposite each other. Guangyue’s monk robes were wrinkled, yet on his head was a circle of flesh, reddish-yellow.

Within the flesh, strands of White Cloud True Qi clung stubbornly, resisting Guangyue’s efforts to erase them, able only to gradually wear them down with great effort.

And before all this White Cloud True Qi is completely worn away, the circle of Buddha’s Crown on Guangyue’s head will surely remain.

"It’s been so long, I can’t help but remember the fun times we had during our friendly matches back then. I miss them a lot," Lu Zheng said, taking a sip of tea, feeling utterly relaxed.

Guangyue stretched his cheeks, feeling the tightness in his scalp, pulling even his eyelids.

"You have plenty of matters at home too. There’s no need to make a special trip just to see me."

Guangyue sighed, twitching his eye slightly from the pain on his head, "I appreciate the sentiment. Given our friendship, there’s no need for frequent meetings."

Lu Zheng chuckled, "I actually think we should get closer. I’m particularly curious about that friend of yours who was bewitched by a Fox Girl. What eventually happened to him? Oh, and right, Qingyan recently studied a Buddhist Scripture. In a few days, I’ll bring her over to seek your guidance."

Guangyue: (⊙o⊙)

"No need, really no need. Miss Liu is a compassionate healer, and there are so many patients at Renxin Hall waiting for her diagnoses and prescriptions. No need to waste time visiting a monk."

Guangyue waved his hands repeatedly, "Besides, Miss Liu is kind-hearted and full of merit; whether she studies the Buddhist Scripture or not is actually irrelevant."

Joking aside, with Lu Zheng’s help, Liu Qingyan is already more formidable than myself. And due to past events, Liu Qingyan still harbors a bit of a grudge. If Lu Zheng seizes this opportunity again, will these lumps on my head ever disappear?

"Really not needed?" Lu Zheng asked sincerely.

"Truly not needed!" Guangyue replied earnestly.

"Alright then, if you insist."

Lu Zheng sighed, "A few days ago, Zen Master Dejie from Fahua Temple gave me a copy of ’Lecture on the Heart Sutra of Shakyamuni on the Dharma Flower Platform.’ There were no restrictions, so our whole family started studying it. I originally thought of bringing it to you to check its value, as getting such a Scripture was surprisingly easy."

Guangyue: ???

"Who?"

"Zen Master Dejie from Fahua Temple."

"What Scripture?"

"’Lecture on the Heart Sutra of Shakyamuni on the Dharma Flower Platform.’

"He gave it to you for free?"

"Not exactly free. I gave Zen Master Dejie three Copper Coins to cast a Buddha’s Golden Body."

Guangyue, "..."

Guangyue took a deep breath, finally understanding Lu Zheng’s purpose for visiting.

All this talk of long time no see, greatly missed— I shouldn’t have put any faith in you, this guy surrounded by beauties who forgets friends when seeing them!

However...

Even if I can’t truly learn it, experiencing and discussing the Scripture, and delving into the teachings, would give me a taste of the profound mysteries of Fahua Temple’s famous Heart Sutra!

"Brother Dao~"

Guangyue’s face broke into a smile, with the Buddha’s Crown and his already thick eyebrows and wide eyes, dignified appearance truly gave him the feeling of a high monk.

...

Half a day later, Lu Zheng leisurely left Jiming Temple, leaving behind a dizzy and dazed Monk Guangyue.

...

In the following days, nothing special happened in either the ancient or modern worlds.

Lu Zheng even took Lin Wan and the three ladies, including Si Lingxi, to play an escape room, saw two plays and three movies.

Just when the staff at the Ancient Culture Research and Analysis Archival Room were still worrying over their documents, Lin Wan applied for a one-year leave, and then they went back home and crossed into another world, disappearing without a trace.

...

Saintess Zhilan from the Primordial Saint Sect and Master Shouyi from Qingwei Palace had already left, so Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan, who now had free time, clung to Lu Zheng and accompanied his family to the East Sea once more.

Compared to their journey two years ago, Elder Liu and his wife didn’t come, but Lin Wan and Si Lingxi were added to the group.

Then...

Golden Armor, Silver Soldier Blade, thirty thousand water soldiers lined up. Jade Banner, Dragon Pattern, surrounded by flags, the aura soared to the sky, clang, clang, clang.

Pearl Palanquin, Jade Flower Cover, five-colored brilliance filled the sky. Immortal Brew, Longevity Fruit, True Dragons welcoming the guests, out to sea for a hundred miles, grand, grand, grand.

Even Lu Zheng was stunned, let alone Lin Wan; this was much grander than the previous occasion with three thousand water soldiers and the Dragon Palace subordinates welcoming the Jade Dragon King during the "Dragon King’s Return."

This was different from welcoming their own patriarch or hosting a regular guest; this was a proper ceremony to welcome someone of equal status to the Eastern Sea Dragon Race.

Naturally, it was because of Si Lingxi!

Having already learned from Ao Qian, Ao Yun, and Ao Run that Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi were together, and through the outer water soldiers of the Jade Dragon Race, discovering that Lu Zheng had come visiting, Si Lingxi also in the group, the Jade Dragon King Ao Jin and Ao Yi, husband and wife, stood at the forefront of the welcoming team.

"Sect Leader Si! Young Master Lu!"

Ao Jin laughed and stepped forward, "Welcome to your visit; the Dragon Palace is honored by your presence!"

"You’re too kind, Dragon King." Si Lingxi pulled Lu Zheng forward, nodding and smiling, "I only came to visit with Lu Lang, rather interrupting the Dragon Palace, so please don’t mind our disturbance. No need to go through such elaborate arrangements next time."

The Jade Dragon King nodded, neither agreeing nor refusing, instead bypassing the topic and stepping forward to take Lu Zheng’s hand, "Qian Bao’Er said you promised to come after the water problem was resolved, and she’s been thinking about you these days."

Lu Zheng laughed heartily, turning his head to see Ao Qian standing in the crowd, raising his hand to greet her, and Ao Qian responded like a little princess, smiling and curtsying slightly.

Then, Ao Jin and his wife greeted everyone, their gaze pausing momentarily on the relatively unfamiliar Lin Wan, but not paying much attention otherwise.

"Please!"

"Please."

With shell maidens offering cups, everyone took a sip of the Dragon Palace’s Jade Liquor, and then under the escort of the Jade Dragon King’s group, they returned to the Jade Dragon Palace.

Though it was the same magnificent underwater scene, it was still breathtaking upon another look.

Lin Wan, at the back, holding Shen Ying’s hand, whispered through sound transmission, "Gosh, underwater Dragon Palace, it’s truly beautiful."

Lin Wan had already been instructed beforehand, so even in her transmission, she didn’t mention anything about crossing between worlds, "This is the first time I’ve seen it in my life!"

Shen Ying laughed, "It’s my second time. I hadn’t seen it before either. The cumulative expansion of the underwater Dragon Palace over tens of thousands of years is indeed remarkable."

Lin Wan nodded repeatedly, "It’s absolutely stunning!"

As they entered the Dragon Palace, the water soldiers departed, replaced by Dragon Palace attendants, welcoming everyone into the main hall.

By this time, the main hall was already set up, with over a hundred tables arranged in a cathedral-sized hall, offering delicious wines, fresh fruits, and seasonal vegetables.

The banquet was ready, prepared to begin!