Comprehension and a New Goal

On the coastline, a grand temple had been erected. Along with the construction of the temple, countless offerings and incense began to gather. The more tormented people were by those dreadful things, the more grateful they became toward Su Min.

The temple was the work of Governor Jia, built to steady the wavering hearts of the people.For those who dwelled by mountain and sea, their lives depended on nature's mercy. Here, many fishermen made their living from the ocean. If fear kept them ashore, the city's economy itself could collapse.

Naturally, the rolling waves of incense offerings also gathered around Su Min. At this moment, she wasn't in a hurry to seek out the monster the monk spoke of. Instead, she seized this opportunity to at least step into the foundational stage of the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.

Seated cross-legged atop a jagged reef, Su Min's figure seemed to blend with the heavens and earth, becoming one with the endless rhythm of the tides. She began her silent meditation, delving into the ancient sutra. In the game, this would have been no more than a passing cutscene. But this was no mere game. This was reality.

"Amitābha."

Not far from her, the little monk sat in stillness as well, observing her every breath. He needed to see for himself — did this woman possess the heart of Buddha? Without it, the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra would forever remain out of reach.

This "heart," however, was no rigid adherence to commandments — it was an elusive, formless thing. Soon, to the monk's quiet astonishment, a faint golden radiance began to shimmer from Su Min's form — a sign she was nearing enlightenment.

Inside Su Min's consciousness, she had entered a strange, unique space. Like a series of visions, one figure after another appeared before her. There were Niu Ma she had first slain, countless mountain bandits, and even a few demon-slayers from the Qi Refining Stage. All of these were the souls of those who had died under her blade, now surfacing as she was about to master the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.

All those who had fallen to her sword now floated before her, pale shadows of memory. Their emergence was no accident — they were the tribulations she had to overcome to step into true understanding.

"So this is meant to shake my heart?" Su Min murmured inwardly, her gaze steady and unflinching. "I never claimed to be a good person. But in all I've done, I have a clear conscience. You illusory shadows have no need to appear before me."

A moment later, a grand will — golden and tinged with crimson — swept across her consciousness. A mighty voice thundered within her mind:

"Thy karmic sins emerge. From whence came thy killings?"

Even with her foresight, Su Min could not help but acknowledge — the monks' methods were strange indeed. This voice was no external spirit — it came from the very depths of the sutra itself. As a former player who had skimmed through the game, she understood: In this world, there were no true Buddhas or Bodhisattvas — only profound concepts given form.

The voice resounded once more: "Tell me — what fate awaits those who kill?"

Su Min closed her eyes briefly, then answered without hesitation: "Those who bear grave sins fall into the Eighteenth Level of Avīci Hell."

"Then if I strike down evildoers before they commit their sins, severing their karma — I not only prevent them from falling into Hell but also save countless innocents. Thus, to kill for protection is not to kill out of hatred. To sever karma is not to sever lives."

The moment her words fell, the surging blood clouds and ghastly illusions began to dissipate, clearing like storm clouds after a tempest. In their place, a majestic golden Buddha manifested within Su Min's mind.

[You have comprehended the First Layer of the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.]

[Skill Gained: Golden Bell Shield]

[Golden Bell Shield: Erects a spiritual barrier to defend the body. Its strength scales with cultivation level.]

[Buddha's Protection: Through gathered incense and faith, your strength is tempered. Worshippers under your protection may survive calamities, depending on your cultivation and the severity of the threat.]

"Hah..."

With a soft breath, Su Min opened her eyes. She had only just crossed the threshold, yet already gained a powerful shield — a critical complement to her formerly weak defenses. In time, she could even cultivate the Golden Body of the Great Sun, achieving an unbreakable unity of offense and defense. As for Buddha's Protection — it would safeguard her followers, tying their fates faintly to her own.

~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~

"How long did I meditate?" Turning toward the endless waves, Su Min asked the little monk standing watch nearby.

"Three days," the monk replied respectfully. "Within three days, Benefactor passed the Heart-Trial. Your will is truly unshakable. What path will you take next?"

"Naturally, I must seek out the elemental treasures needed for Foundation Establishment. Compared to this place, Lingxi Prefecture must hold far greater riches. Judging by your foundation, you must be aiming for a Heaven's Path Foundation too."

"Indeed. Shall we travel together? I seek to witness this world's truths firsthand, and to find those destined for the Way of Buddha — to build new temples."

"Then let us journey together."

Su Min did not object. She had no qualms about their "missionary" work — in fact, she fully supported it. After all, this would inevitably conflict with the imperial court of Great Wei. And anything that made Great Wei unhappy... pleased her immensely.

She had no intention of ruling the world. Another force entering Great Wei would only stir things up — not her problem. She still had an unsettled score with that dog Emperor of Great Wei. If not for the protection of the demon empress, Su Min would have already stormed the palace and taken his head.

"Let's move on. Fuding Merchant Guild hasn't sent any new information yet."

Casting one last glance at the temple behind her, Su Min rose gracefully. Days spent meditating upon the reef had left no weariness upon her. As for the golden-element monster —Even if it fled to the ends of the world, she would hunt it down and destroy it.

"That monster hides amidst ten thousand miles of yellow sand, very far from here," the little monk added.

Hearing this, Su Min's brow twitched slightly, then she sighed with a trace of regret. Her Vermilion Bird's Shield could indeed fly — but it consumed too much energy. It was acceptable during battle but utterly impractical for long-distance travel. Though distance didn't truly bother her, traveling thousands of miles was still a daunting thought. But the monk had no reason to deceive her — so she might as well set out.

"Don't you want to bid farewell to the governor?"

"No need. We're not close. Besides, staying too long would only bring trouble — that Emperor and the demon empress might already be plotting against me."

Su Min smiled faintly at this. That was the advantage of this chaotic world: As long as she remained nomadic, her enemies would find it nearly impossible to pin her down.