Chapter 10

After that, the monk and Xiao Yao exchanged a few words when, suddenly, the monk turned his head toward a particular spot in the sky, as if sensing something.

"Donor Xiao and little bird donor, it seems we might have a new guest joining us," he said with a calm smile.

Curious, Xiao Yao and the penguin followed his gaze.

In the distance, they spotted a black dot rapidly approaching. As it drew closer, they could make out the details—it was a female figure, gliding toward them atop a flying sword.

Within moments, she arrived, hovering above them, standing gracefully on a sword. Her long black hair cascaded behind her, swaying gently in the wind. A small smile played on her lips as she gazed down at them, looking like a fairy straight out of a painting.

Feng Qiuqiu, who had left the sect, finally arrived at the location where the sect token's signal had guided her after several hours of travel.

As she looked down, her gaze fell upon an unusual trio—a young human boy, who carried the sect token, a middle-aged monk with a serene presence, and a small bird-like creature standing quietly by their side.

At first glance, the monk seemed ordinary, but something about him caught her attention. When she looked at him again, focusing more intently, her expression shifted—her pupils shrank with a mix of horror and amazement.

You should know that Buddhist sects were among the most powerful forces on the Moon Continent, dominating the western lands. And within them, only a rare few attained the revered title of "Buddha," standing at the absolute peak of power.

These formidable monks—or their counterpart immortals—could not be seen in their true form unless one had at least reached the Extraordinary Realm. Only then could one glimpse their true nature—unless, of course, they deliberately chose to conceal it.

And now, as she concentrated on the monk before her, the illusion of an ordinary man faded. A faint golden halo appeared behind his head—within it, she could see countless people making a pilgrimage before a massive Buddha, whose face was identical to the monk's.

This was a divine mark, a sacred phenomenon that only those at the Enlightenment Stage possessed— A level of mastery so profound that anyone below them could only look up to in reverence.

So, she quickly put away her sword and landed, bowing toward the monk.

"Junior Feng Qiuqiu of Shenhao Sect greets the esteemed monk."

Seeing this, the monk's eyes shone briefly before he shook his head and said,

"No need to be polite, female donor. I am just a wandering monk."

"Yes, senior," she agreed, but she didn't dare show even the slightest disrespect. Not to mention her—even her ancestors would have had to be respectful before this monk.

Then, her gaze fell on Xiao Yao. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to proceed.

"Amitabha, don't worry," the monk said with a smile. "He and I have nothing to do with each other. I merely saved him just now. So, if female donor have any business with Donor Xiao, please proceed."

"Thank you for your permission, senior," Feng Qiuqiu replied respectfully.

Watching the interaction between the fairy-like Feng Qiuqiu and the monk, Xiao Yao became even more certain—the monk was definitely beyond the Extraordinary realm, most likely in the Divine Power or even the Crystallization realm. As for the Enlightening realm, those cultivators were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, rarely seen anywhere.

Moreover, he had no recollection of this monk in Senior Xiang's memories. As a Peak Enlightening realm cultivator, Senior Xiang had traveled across the continent and encountered nearly all those of similar standing. If this monk truly belonged to that realm, then either he had remained hidden from the world, or he came from a place that even Senior Xiang hadn't reached—which was nearly impossible.

Feng Qiuqiu then shifted her focus to Xiao Yao, regaining her noble demeanor as she smiled and asked,

"Little brother, may I know your name?"

"Senior sister may call me Xiao Yao," he replied politely, bowing slightly as he addressed her with respect.

"No need to bow, little brother. If I'm correct, you have the token from our Shenhao Sect, right? If so, I was sent by my master, Elder Xi, to take you back to the sect," Feng Qiuqiu said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you for the trouble, senior sister," Xiao Yao replied politely.

"Hehe, no need," she chuckled.

Then, her gaze fell on the quiet penguin standing beside Xiao Yao, who was gazing up at the sky with his head held high, as if patiently waiting for her to invite him into the sect.

"Uh, Junior Brother Xiao, does that creatu... um, bird have anything to do with you? Is it your pet or something?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "If so, you can bring it along to Shenhao Sect and register it as your pet."

"Ah, he... he's n—"

Before Xiao Yao could finish, he suddenly felt a tug on his clothes and a weight pressing against his leg.

Looking down, he saw the little penguin staring up at him with big, clear eyes, sparkling like stars, as if silently pleading—Take me with you!

"...new partner of mine. Uh, Baobao," Xiao Yao finished, forcing a smile as he randomly came up with a name.

Hearing his words, the penguin immediately let go of his leg and stood proudly by his side, head held high once again.

He most likely knew that this penguin—now Baobao—was thinking of nothing more than tagging along with him to enjoy the resources of a sect like Shenhao Sect.

But to be fair, Xiao Yao didn't mind accommodating him. This little penguin was somewhat special and was also the reason he stumbled upon a great opportunity. Setting aside the trouble he had unintentionally dragged him into, there was nothing truly wrong with him. In fact, in a strange way, their fates had become intertwined, forging an unspoken life-and-death bond between them.

And with its company, life might become a little more amusing and a little less lonely for his newly reborn soul in this world.

"Um, then you can take him with us," she nodded.

Then, turning back politely, she asked,

"Senior, I have to take my leave now."

"Amitabha, no need to ask this poor monk," Xuanhai replied with a gentle smile.

Feng Qiuqiu then took out her sword, which floated into the air, its size rapidly expanding until it was large enough to accommodate at least sixteen or seventeen people.

"Come on, you two," she called out to Xiao Yao and Baobao.

Just as Xiao Yao was about to board, he suddenly paused, a thought crossing his mind. Turning toward the monk, he hesitated before asking,

"Uh, senior, may I ask for your name?"

He had been talking with the monk for so long yet hadn't even asked something so basic.

Hearing the question, a deep nostalgia flickered in the monk's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. With a serene expression, he replied,

"Donor Xiao may call me Monk Xuanhai."

"Thank you for saving me, senior. I will definitely return this favor in the future," Xiao Yao said sincerely, bowing slightly.

Beside him, Baobao the penguin enthusiastically raised his little wing, as if echoing the sentiment with a firm "Yes!"

"Definitely, donors," the monk said with a gentle smile.

With that, they boarded the sword and soared away at an astonishing speed, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"Amitabha," Monk Xuanhai murmured, his gaze lingering on their receding figures before shifting toward the sky—where, beyond mortal sight, an invisible barrier loomed.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes before he let out a soft sigh.

"Sigh...Moon king… Even someone as powerful and talented as you couldn't stop them. In the end, you had to sacrifice yourself, creating this barrier just to stall for time..."

In his mind's eye, a figure emerged—a man with silver-white, moonlit hair, a noble expression, and a flowing white robe, with several swords orbiting behind him like celestial guardians.

"Amitabha."

"Now, it seems I'm the only one left among the old guys," he thought, a deep sadness flickering in his eyes. His mind wandered to the memories of many familiar figures—one cold and distant, another lively and carefree, one breathtakingly charming, while another radiated sheer bloodlust. One carried an air of laziness yet possessed immense wisdom, while another had a drunken demeanor but unfathomable strength.

"Now, only I am left to look after this continent, carrying the burden we all once shouldered," he muttered.

"Let this old body fulfill its duties at last,"

Then, his calm eyes darkened, a chilling light flickering within them.

"But before that, it's time to cleanse the pests lurking within Buddhism and beyond—root them out before they get another chance to bite back."

As he said this, memories surged forth in his mind—memories of the time before that war.

He, once the most powerful Buddha of his time, had been struck down by those he trusted. The traitors, along with the enemies, launched a surprise attack, catching him off guard and causing him to fall into a forbidden land—The Dark Forest, a place from which no one had ever returned.

For an unknown amount of time, he had been trapped there, constantly searching for a way to escape. And just a few hours ago, the seal had loosened, allowing him to break free and appear in this place by sheer coincidence.