Even after twenty years, the city had changed little.
Its towering walls still loomed just as they had before. Yet inside, Su Min could sense the difference. The buildings were taller now, reaching upward like ambitions once stifled. There was a new grandeur to the place, a bolder spirit woven into its streets. Still, beneath the steady pulse of the city, a faint and almost imperceptible thread tugged at her.
"Is this… incense offering? A connection, faint but present…"
She paused, surprised. She hadn't expected this. When she'd last been here all those years ago, she hadn't asked Prince Yong to set up anything of the sort. So why was there a shrine? Why offerings?
She knew that incense worship had its uses. It helped in cultivating the Golden Body of the Great Sun Tathāgata, though it wasn't truly necessary. The scripture itself, the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra, was what mattered most. Anyone who practiced diligently could eventually attain it. Still, incense made the path smoother.
"Well, no point standing around. Let's take a look."
She pulled a robe from her pack, wrapping it around herself to mask her figure. After twenty years, few would recognize her, but it was best not to take chances. Trouble often found her faster when faces remembered.
As she approached the northern city gate, the change was unmistakable. The last war had crushed the grasslands' power. No drums thundered from beyond the horizon anymore, and it would take generations before they recovered.
Moreover, with the world's spiritual energy thickening, the grasslands had fallen even further behind, lacking both manpower and resources.
"Interesting. Twenty years, and the number of Body Refining cultivators has exploded. Most are still in the early stage, but it's progress. Reaching late-stage might take decades, yet it's something."
Her gaze swept over the bustling streets. Years ago, finding even one such cultivator had been rare. Now, she saw several. Their auras were weak and unsteady, but promising. With her Foundation Establishment cultivation, she could glimpse their futures at a glance. Most would stagnate, but a few might defy expectations.
"Should I go pay the Prince of Yong a visit?" she wondered aloud. "There should be a few ancient ruins about to surface, if I'm remembering the timeline right…"
She fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. The world had shifted greatly during her absence, and she had few acquaintances left in it.
"Today's the monastery's grand sermon, right? Everyone's going," someone nearby said. "Bring the kids! If they can grasp even a bit of the teachings, they might awaken martial potential. Once they become warriors, their futures will be limitless!"
"Stay close, now! You won't get to see the master often!"
A monastery. A master. Su Min's brow lifted slightly.
"That guy… he's here?"
It wasn't hard to guess who they were talking about. That monk—her old acquaintance, the one she'd parted ways with back in Great Wei. They'd taken different paths then: she'd gone to seek treasures for her breakthrough, while he had chosen another journey. And now, by some twist of fate, they had both ended up in the same region again.
Curious, Su Min's figure flickered and vanished.
Moments later, she stood before an imposing temple. The faint spiritual link she'd sensed earlier now pulsed with unmistakable certainty—it came from within these very walls.
"These bald donkey really go all out."
The temple wasn't just a holy site. It was brimming with the presence of cultivators, many of them strong. But Su Min didn't hesitate. With a soft shift, she stepped inside. In an instant, she appeared in the main hall, where a few monks were welcoming pilgrims. The energy she'd followed radiated from one of the three statues enshrined at the front.
In the center stood Śākyamuni, the Tathāgata Buddha. On the left was Guanyin, and on the right…
…was her.
Or rather, a stylized image meant to represent her. The features weren't entirely accurate, sculpted by others who had only a vague idea of her appearance. Even so, she felt an odd mix of amusement and awkwardness.
Yet the incense burned thick, and the faith within the air was palpable.
Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to draw in a little of that devotion. It was, after all, part of the agreement she'd made with that monk long ago. He would spread the faith, and she would cultivate through the offerings—a perfect symbiosis. Now, the timing felt right to temper her Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra further. Maybe she could even unlock something new.
"Amitābha. It has been a long time."
A familiar voice rang out, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned. A monk, holding a golden staff, walked toward her, step by steady step.
"Hui Ming?" Su Min blinked. "What are you doing here? And you've reached Foundation Establishment… but you chose the Human path? What a waste."
She studied him carefully. It was indeed the same monk she'd met in the desert. His cultivation level didn't surprise her. He had reached the Qi Refining stage without even using Qi-Inducing Pills, after all. But what caught her attention now was the faint aura flickering inside his body.
"…A Ten Thousand Buddha Physique?" she murmured, frowning slightly.
Such a physique was incredibly rare, almost tailor-made for Buddhist cultivation. It hadn't been visible when he was still in Qi Refining, but now that he had stepped into Foundation Establishment, its presence was undeniable. While not the absolute peak of all physiques, it was certainly remarkable. Among players, it would have been a top-tier trait. In this world, it was one in ten thousand.
"Come with me to the inner hall, senior," Hui Ming said respectfully. "You've been in seclusion for over twenty years. I imagine there's much confusion in your heart. Allow me to offer what guidance I can… and please, let's not obstruct the sermon."
"Alright."
Su Min followed him into a quieter room at the back. The two sat across from each other, a modest table between them.
"What brings you here?" Su Min asked, eyes narrowing slightly. "The King of U'er actually let you leave his side?"
"The King passed away ten years ago," Hui Ming replied calmly. "With the world's spiritual energy growing denser by the day, even the deserts have begun to bloom. Several oases have appeared, and trade with Great Wei has resumed. As for me… I came here at my master's summons."
"To spread the Dharma?"
"To protect the people, senior," he said with a slight bow. "After you drove out the steppe clans, their vengeful spirits lingered. No rites were performed, and now the outskirts of Yongzhou are overrun with malevolent forces."
"…Ah."
Su Min rubbed her nose, a hint of guilt creeping into her expression.