Eternal Tale

At the halfway point of the mountain, the temple stood pristine and orderly. However, the faded yellow courtyard walls and the gray, ancient temple roof told of its age and history at a single glance.

The abbot, with long white brows and a flowing beard, exuded a gentle, compassionate aura. He stood silently at the temple entrance, hands pressed together in a gesture of greeting, his presence calm and dignified.

His gaze fell upon the three figures making their way up the mountain path.

"From where do the three benefactors come?" the abbot asked in a soft, resonant voice that traveled for miles without being jarring.

In an instant, Chen Xun and his companions stood before the temple.

"We come from lands far away, passing through these mountains. We have questions in our hearts and have come to seek answers. We hope not to trouble you," Chen Xun said calmly, meeting the abbot’s eyes.

"Moo~" The black ox lowered its head slightly, giving a polite greeting.

Xiao Chi, however, remained hidden behind the black ox, his eyes darting around warily. He had already hidden the glow of his Flame Light beneath the ground, not trusting the tranquil scene before him. Unlike his two elder brothers, Xiao Chi had no faith in Buddhas or celestial beings, and he was ready to warn them of any deception or danger.

"Please, ask what you wish," the abbot replied serenely, not even attempting to probe their cultivation levels.

"Abbot, why does this temple not house any Buddha statues?" Chen Xun asked, frowning slightly as he glanced at the black ox, his tone seemingly righteous. "How are we supposed to make offerings if there’s no Buddha to venerate?"

The black ox quickly nodded in agreement. Wherever they encountered a temple, they would offer a bit of incense money and record the Buddha’s name in Chen Xun's little notebook. It was their routine.

Xiao Chi couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. He had long since realized how frugal Brother Xun could be during the past year, but for some reason, when it came to these temples, he spared no expense in donating spirit stones without a second thought. He had never heard his elder brothers discuss the reason behind this, nor had he dared to ask. However, he was certain they had their own reasons.

"Moo!" The black ox snorted heavily in agreement, believing wholeheartedly that his brother was always right. After all, they weren’t lacking in spirit stones.

The abbot’s eyes twinkled with understanding, and he responded gently, "Benefactor, in our temple, we do not worship external images of Buddhas. Here, we seek to cultivate merit and virtue through the unity of heart and action."

"Unity of heart and action?" Chen Xun repeated, intrigued, exchanging a glance with the black ox.

"Indeed," the abbot said, his expression warm and tranquil. "True merit does not come from external offerings or the worship of statues, but from the deeds one carries out with pure intention. When heart and action align with goodness, it is as if one is constantly in the presence of the Buddha."

Chen Xun remained silent for a moment, absorbing the words. The black ox blinked, somewhat perplexed, while Xiao Chi peeked out from his hiding spot, still unconvinced but curious nonetheless.

The abbot continued, "We do not ask for donations of wealth or incense here. Instead, we focus on cultivating our own inner worlds, helping others without attachment to rewards or recognition. That is the essence of our practice."

Chen Xun raised an eyebrow, impressed by the abbot’s serene confidence. "Interesting... so, you’re saying that offerings are unnecessary, and that what matters is the merit gained through one’s actions?" ʀα𐌽ɵꞖЕȘ

The abbot smiled kindly. "Precisely, benefactor. One can accumulate great merit not through material wealth, but by aligning their heart with their actions. It is this unity that brings one closer to enlightenment."

"Moo?" The black ox tilted his head, as if contemplating this new perspective.

Xiao Chi, still cautious, couldn’t help but mutter, "Sounds nice, but what’s the catch?"

The abbot chuckled softly, as though he had overheard Xiao Chi’s thoughts. "There is no catch, little one. Only the journey of the heart."

Chen Xun, now intrigued by the abbot’s words, nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps this path of cultivating merit through heart and action is something worth considering."

"Moo~" The black ox snorted in agreement, still processing the concept.

As they stood in the courtyard of the ancient temple, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere, a sense of calm began to settle over the group.

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