The old man, Guan, was becoming more and more shocked as he followed behind. The young abbot's lightness technique was simply too extraordinary.
With just a light tap on the treetop, the young man leapt almost ten zhang into the air, his monk robe fluttering, resembling a divine eagle soaring through the forest.
Guan's martial arts were already impressive, having reached the realm of perfected postnatal cultivation. To go further would mean reaching the innate level, capable of establishing a sect. While his lightness technique wasn't his strongest point, he never expected that this young abbot, who looked no older than twenty, could outclass him by such a margin.
How could someone, even if they had trained since their mother's womb, possibly reach such a level of power? Just how powerful was he?
Although stunned, the old man pressed on, determined to follow the young abbot. After all, to witness the Buddha's divine miracle firsthand—if he died afterward, he would die content.
A devout believer might doubt their faith if they had never seen a miracle with their own eyes, questioning whether the deity they revered truly existed.
Guan was a sincere Buddhist but had never witnessed any miracles, nor had he found a single relic with Buddha's essence. Occasionally, he even questioned whether the Buddha truly existed.
Now, however, this opportunity to prove or dispel his doubts was something he couldn't afford to miss.
Even if it meant chasing to the point of coughing up blood, he wouldn't give up!
Guan hurried, and soon he arrived at the foot of the mountain. At the base of the mountain was a stone staircase recently constructed by the abbot.
When the stairs were being built, the abbot had specifically left a clearing in the area, reserving space for the mountain gate. The craftsmen had suggested building the gate at the same time, but the abbot had declined, thinking that he would eventually obtain the construction token and didn't need to do it separately.
Furthermore, the thing built by craftsmen and the one summoned by the token were two entirely different concepts.
Having frequently visited the Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda recently, the abbot had noticed something unusual. The pagoda was not only magnificent but incredibly sturdy. He had secretly tested the walls with an axe, and even with minimal force, not even a speck of dust fell off.
The mountain gate, too, required high quality. If it collapsed one day, it would become a laughingstock.
Upon reaching the clearing, the abbot turned to see Guan, now a small dot in the distance, desperately catching up.
This was the abbot's plan all along—he wanted Guan to witness the divine miracle but not to realize that the construction token was his doing.
As Guan got closer, the abbot took out the construction token and confirmed its use.
A shadowy form of a mountain gate began to appear in the air, gradually solidifying.
The abbot sat down to one side, pressing his hands together and assuming an air of solemnity, as if inviting the Buddha's miracle to descend.
Guan finally arrived at the clearing. He had intended to ask when the miracle would take place, but he was stunned when he saw the mountain gate materializing in the air. He was so taken aback that he forgot to land with his lightness technique and fell from the air, tumbling to the ground in a dusty heap.
The mountain gate was a giant archway, carved entirely from white marble. It featured flying heavenly motifs, statues of the Buddha, and scenes of the ten thousand Buddhas bowing in reverence.
At the center of the archway were three characters in calligraphy: "Shaolin Temple," written with an imposing elegance that even the best calligraphers could not replicate.
Flanking the archway were two couplets:
Upper: "In the deep mountains, one seeks the Buddha's teachings, and in great enlightenment, there are no entanglements with right or wrong." Lower: "In the ancient temple, one understands the Zen mystery, realizing that form is empty."
The gate became more solid, and after a flash of light, it finally stabilized into a real structure.
The abbot opened his eyes, bowed respectfully, and said, "I humbly bid farewell to the Buddha. Please, visit us whenever you can."
Unfortunately, his words were lost, as Guan was too busy staring at the gate in awe, drooling.
Trembling with excitement, Guan rushed forward, suddenly shouting, "It's the Buddha's miracle! I've finally witnessed the divine!" He immediately fell to the ground, prostrating and chanting "Amitabha" repeatedly, his words slurring from the emotion.
The abbot silently observed from the side.
After a while, Guan finally lifted his head and read the couplets on the gate.
"In the deep mountains, one seeks the Buddha's teachings... Great enlightenment, there are no entanglements... In the ancient temple, one understands the Zen mystery... Realizing that form is empty, ancient temple, is empty..."
Suddenly, his eyes brightened, and he bowed with reverence, saying, "Buddha, I understand now. Form is empty, everything is illusion. How foolish I've been, believing my faith was pure while I've been lost in the world. From this day, I shall shave my head and become a monk, entering the empty gate, forever serving before the Buddha. I shall have no further dealings with worldly matters."
Turning to the abbot, he clasped his hands together and said, "Abbot, I am Guan Shanyue. Please, allow me to shave my head and join the Shaolin monks."
However, the abbot simply waved his hand dismissively. "You are too old and not suited for Shaolin. Now that you've witnessed the Buddha's miracle, you should leave immediately."
With that, the abbot turned and began to walk up the mountain.
"Entering Shaolin is not so simple. Although I wanted you to join, it's too easy to be given, and you won't appreciate it."
The abbot's thoughts echoed as he moved swiftly.
Guan was agitated, thinking that witnessing the Buddha's miracle was a sign of divine favor, his faith now bolstered to the highest level. He was determined to join Shaolin, but to his shock, the abbot refused. This was something Guan could not accept.
Quickly, he rushed after the abbot, now no longer exhibiting his previous arrogance. With a smiling face, he said, "Abbot, please accept me. I may be old, but I possess martial skills and have reached the peak of postnatal cultivation. Recently, I've felt the flow of heaven's energy, and it seems I'm close to entering the innate realm. Shaolin is recruiting lay disciples, and surely you need someone to teach martial arts. I could be of help."
"Do you think I can't teach?" The abbot coldly replied.
"Of course, of course! Your skills are unparalleled, Abbot," Guan immediately flattered. "But with your status, how could you personally teach these unworthy novices? This is a trivial matter that I can easily handle."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Moreover, even if I shave my head, I am still the father of my son, Guan Tianzhao, the military governor. If anyone from the government acts wrongly, I can take care of them."
The abbot quietly laughed to himself. He had intentionally let Guan witness the miracle to entice him.
Though Guan was old, his martial skills, background, and unwavering faith made him an ideal candidate for Shaolin. Moreover, Guan had seen the miracle firsthand, so his loyalty was guaranteed.
But the abbot still felt it wasn't enough. Coldly, he said, "No means no. I'm leaving. You should go."
With that, the abbot once again soared into the air, heading toward the temple gates.
Guan, unwilling to give up, once again followed like a shadow. This time, the abbot slowed down, allowing Guan to catch up. They arrived at Shaolin, and the abbot landed, walking toward the temple.
Breathing heavily, Guan finally caught up, dropping to his knees with a loud thud, exclaiming, "Abbot! If you won't accept me, I will die right here!"
The abbot turned around, helpless. "You have no affinity with the Buddha. Why force it?"
"No, Abbot," Guan replied earnestly. "I didn't have the Buddha's affinity before, but now I do. You are a divine being who can communicate with the Buddha. I've had the rare honor to witness the miracle with my own eyes. This is the greatest Buddhist affinity. You are the first, and I am second. How can you say I have no affinity?"
The abbot was taken aback by this argument, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. He shook his head, walking into the temple.
Guan, sensing the abbot's reluctance, reached into his robes and pulled out a small knife.
"What are you doing?" The abbot's voice was icy as he released a burst of soundwave energy, slamming into Guan, who staggered but did not fall.
"I'm not disrespecting you, Abbot," Guan said. "I'm just..."
With that, Guan swiftly took the knife and shaved off his hair, transforming into a monk-like appearance.
"Abbot, I have shaved my head in resolution. If you don't let me enter Shaolin, I will die here at the mountain gate."
Guan was about to prostrate again when the abbot hurried over and stopped him. With a sigh, he said, "Sigh, what's the point? Fine, fine, you may stay for now. I'll observe you for a while. If you truly wish to follow the Buddha, I'll take you in."
"Thank you, Abbot!" Guan exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down his face. Ignoring the abbot's objections, he prostrated three times in a row.
Afterward, Guan stood up, beaming, and eagerly followed the abbot into the temple, even rushing ahead to open the door for him.
The abbot walked in with an air of composure, as if this were all perfectly natural. His majestic presence was unmatched.