Since he was going to pose as one of the Monks, Yang An had naturally researched their daily routines in the temple beforehand.

In the Great Virtue Temple, the Monks were the lowest of the low, much like the Outer Disciples of other Sects. In fact, due to the sheer number of Monks in the temple, their status might have been even lower.

As one of the Monks, the only way to shed this status was to raise one’s Cultivation Level, make contributions, and become a higher-ranking Gami.

Of course, they would only be shedding that specific status. When encountering people of higher standing, they would still be at their beck and call.

Take Yang An’s role as the Buddha’s Son, for example. In that position, he could even command an Abbot at the Corpse Transformation realm. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

No matter where one went, Cultivation Level and status were paramount. This principle wasn’t unique to the Great Virtue Temple.

"Have you adjusted the Concealment Seal?"

"I have undone a portion of the Concealment Seal. I am now revealing a Cultivation Level of Primordial Feeding, but I still need to make certain contributions to become a Gami."

Yang An replied.

"Good. You’ve done well. But remember not to be too hasty in this matter. If you don’t want those bald donkeys to see through you, you must proceed steadily."

Elder Zhuan Yu said approvingly, clearly well aware of the status differences among the Monks within the Great Virtue Temple.

"So, during this time, have you gathered any information about the Great Virtue Temple?"

Yang An thought for a moment before relaying some of the more trivial matters within the Great Virtue Temple.

For instance, which hall had held a sutra-listening assembly on a certain day.

Or news from the outside world, such as a Demon Fiend appearing somewhere and which Abbot or Zen Master from the temple had been dispatched to vanquish it.

Yang An didn’t reveal any truly important information, as that wasn’t something an ordinary Monk like him should have access to.

Fortunately, the information wasn’t time-sensitive, so he could wait for a suitable opportunity to reveal it later.

Although Yang An’s report only contained trivial matters, Zhuan Yu seemed quite satisfied.

This showed that Yang An was indeed diligently carrying out his undercover mission.

"Lay low for a while longer. Once you become a Gami, I will have tasks for you."

Zhuan Yu naturally knew that undercover work couldn’t be rushed; after all, only a few months had passed.

To reap the greatest rewards, one had to maximize the mole’s value. The higher the value, the greater the harvest.

"If you wish to contact me, just silently repeat my name in your mind at least five times, and I will sense it."

Perhaps because Yang An had now established a firm foothold in the Great Virtue Temple, Zhuan Yu provided a way for him to initiate contact.

"Yes, I understand."

’Being able to contact Elder Zhuan Yu proactively means that I now have a degree of initiative. At least I won’t always have to wait for Elder Zhuan Yu to find me.’

’This way, I can also start putting my future plans into motion.’

Without another word, Elder Zhuan Yu vanished in complete silence.

After confirming that the connection with Elder Zhuan Yu was severed, Yang An sat on the floor and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

’This first activation of the Rule Seal can be seen as a warning.’

’The Great Virtue Temple probably has all sorts of methods at its disposal. Even if I managed to get in, there’s no guarantee I won’t be brainwashed.’

’But with the threat of the Rule Seal, that risk is greatly mitigated. By holding the mole’s life in their hands, they can do their utmost to ensure the mole won’t defect.’

’I can understand the logic, but I don’t want to be controlled like this. It’s just that I have no way to solve the problem right now, so I can only play along.’

’Fortunately, the flow of information is one-way. Elder Zhuan Yu won’t know my every move, so I’m not completely under his thumb.’

’This is the only condition I can exploit.’

Yang An fell into deep thought.

...

On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, a heavy, goose-feather snow began to fall over the Great Virtue Temple.

Inside the Great Virtue Temple, it was as warm as ever, not cold at all.

High above, the falling snow melted long before it could reach the ground, as if an invisible barrier hovered over the entire Great Virtue Temple.

Thus, no snow accumulated within the Great Virtue Temple, while the city outside was blanketed in white.

On this day, a guardian Monk at the Visceral Stone realm led several Gami to the Mingxin Zen Courtyard.

Upon entering the Mingxin Zen Courtyard, not only the Gami but also their leader, the guardian Monk, became nervous and cautious.

This was where the temple’s Zen Masters cultivated. For them, causing any disturbance here would be an unforgivable sin.

The group eventually arrived outside the courtyard gate of an unremarkable Zen Room.

"His Highness the Buddha Prince, I have brought them."

The guardian Monk called out, looking up at the room, his voice carefully modulated—not too loud, but loud enough for the person inside the Zen Room to hear.

The courtyard gate to the Zen Room opened, and the guardian Monk led the Gami into the Zen Room itself.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Buddha Prince!"

The group bowed respectfully, their gazes fixed on the figure seated on a wooden chair before them: the Buddha’s Son, Yuan Ji, dressed in a grey Monk’s Robe and wearing a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Guardian. Please wait to the side for a moment."

Yang An casually instructed the guardian Monk, his gaze sweeping over the Gami who had been brought before him.

These were all Buddhist Cultivators at the Early Stage of Primordial Feeding who had just been promoted from Monks to Gami. They were also the "fated ones" who had entered the Great Virtue Temple around the same time as him.

"I need an Attendant Monk who will be at my beck and call. What are your Dharma names?"

The Gami immediately and respectfully answered with their Dharma names.