Chapter 609: Chapter 353: Dragon Pool

At the pinnacle, myriad auspicious clouds gathered, the sky was filled with lucky clouds, a golden dragon laid tranquilly, a jade tiger sat at ease, tortoise and snake roamed at their own pace, and phoenix and qilin reveled in bliss. The eight extraordinary flowers bloomed, the seasonal fruits ripened, tall pines and ancient cypress trees stood tall, colorful plum trees blossomed and bore fruit in their own seasons, and thousand-year-old peach trees bore fresh fruit when ripe. A thousand fruits and flowers competed in their beauty, and aura of auspiciousness filled the sky.

“Is this the Dragon Zen Temple?!”

When clarity was restored in front of him, Feng Qing’an felt utterly awe-struck by what he saw. Even though he knew that there were countless sacred places in the world that endured from antiquity to the present, this was the first one he’d witnessed firsthand.

“Greetings, Benefactor!”

Fayuan did not answer. Standing under the pines, the nuns and novice monks paid their respects to the suddenly-appeared Fayuan, then someone answered Feng Qing’an,

“Yes, Benefactor, this is indeed the Dragon Zen Temple.”

“Your Zen Temple is not small!”

Feng Qing’an couldn’t help but remark. With his Divine Power, he still couldn’t see the edge of the Lingshan Pure Land. He had no idea how vast it was, but its spiritual abundance was no less than that of any Cave Sky.

“If you’re curious, feel free to explore!”

Fayuan knew this was Feng Qing’an’s first time entering a sacred cultivation place passed down for eons. Since he brought him here, he’d naturally let him see it firsthand — verbal description often fell short in many regards.

“Benefactor, I volunteer to guide you.”

Just as Fayuan finished speaking, a daring novice monk stepped forward, volunteering to guide Feng Qing’an. They could deduce their relationship from Feng Qing’an’s expression, which was fairly obvious.

“There’s no need. There are no dangerous places or demon dens in the Temple, no need for guidance. Let him wander as he pleases.”

Fayuan firmly declined, which left Feng Qing’an somewhat surprised. He didn’t believe that these monks wouldn’t arrange anything within their temple grounds.

“You may wander freely anywhere that is not restricted. If you’re stopped, do not proceed.”

Noticing Feng Qing’an’s apprehension, Fayuan gave advice before stepping away and disappearing before his eyes,

“I will be waiting for you here in ten days.”

As the echoes of Fayuan’s voice faded, Feng Qing’an stood bewildered amidst a completely foreign Buddhist land, surrounded by a group of novice monks and nuns with complicated expressions.

Even those with little understanding could tell the relationship between the young man before them and their Benefactor. Being allowed to roam freely in the temple was utterly absurd. Even the Benefactor couldn’t use his power for personal gain.

“Most venerable masters, may I freely roam your temple?”

Being stared at by dozens of pairs of eyes, Feng Qing’an felt a bit pressured. Being in an entirely unfamiliar environment, he was understandably cautious, seeming very polite as if he was a well-educated noble young master.

“Since the Benefactor has spoken, you may walk freely. There is no need for concern.”

A young novice monk replied with a light smile, an extremely friendly attitude.

“I’m not very familiar with this place, is anyone available to guide me?”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Feng Qing’an asked. He wanted someone familiar with the environment to guide him rather than wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly.

If he accidentally stumbled into a place he shouldn’t, like a scripture repository, it might bode ill. They might not discard him based on his brother’s reputation, but they might require him to shave his head and convert to Buddhism. What would he do then?

“Benefactor, since the Benefactor has spoken, you may go wherever you wish.”

Sensing Feng Qing’an’s intentions, several novice monks indicated their discomfort. But considering Fayuan’s words, they didn’t dare defy him.

Feng Qing’an understood their discomfort and decided not to trouble the young monks and nuns anymore. He looked around at the imposing scenery when suddenly, he heard a loud dragon chant and saw a golden dragon rising from the clouds, overlooking the mountains.

No ordinary dragon was this but a mighty Great Celestial Dragon, a powerful creature, not merely a manifestation of the Buddhist faith. Hence, the Dragon Zen Temple lived up to its name.

“What is that place?”

Feng Qing’an asked the novice monks about the direction from which the dragon flew.

Up until now, he had encountered numerous members of the Dragon Clan but never a real dragon. Today, in a Buddhist sacred place, he saw a dragon identical to a real one.

From what he knew, Celestial Dragons were superficial and an entire group of them couldn’t compare with a real dragon. Yet, their mere appearance was still awe-inspiring.

“That is where the Dragon Pool is located.”

The novice monk replied, to which Feng Qing’an turned around in shock.

“Dragon Pool?! How come you have a Dragon Pool here?”

“Our temple is named Dragon Zen Temple, naturally it has a Dragon Pool where creatures with scales can transform into Celestial Dragons. Is there a problem with that?”