All the black blood coalesced, forming a giant sphere in mid-air.

But surrounded by countless Scripture Mantras, it was continually compressed, ultimately shrinking into a black bead the size of a thumb.

Enveloped by the Scripture Mantras, the black bead finally flew toward the many Golden Buddha Statues.

TAP.

It landed in the hand of one of the Golden Buddha Statues.

"Qing Kong, when you have come to understand your own sins and have atoned for this transgression, you may return to the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall to reclaim your Sacrificial Meat Zen."

Hai Shu Bodhisattva's cool, clear voice drifted through the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, echoing endlessly.

But Qing Kong, lying on the ground with his body as shriveled as deadwood, could not respond.

A string of Prayer Beads slowly rose from within his Monk's Robe. One by one, black pieces that looked like charred firewood flew out from it.

All four pieces landed neatly in front of Yang An.

Fox Wolf Wood Heart!

'I've never seen it before, but this must be it.'

'The final ingredient for the Cultivation of the Jade Kala Vajra Body is here.' Yang An was overjoyed.

"Yuan Ji, take this. Consider it a small atonement for Qing Kong's sins. Cultivate well."

"Yuan Ji thanks you, Bodhisattva."

'Might as well see the act through to the end.' Yang An immediately bowed in response, but his gaze toward Qing Kong still held a hint of unease and guilt.

"This matter does not concern you. You may leave for now. Do not delay your cultivation."

Hai Shu Bodhisattva seemed to have perceived his thoughts, assuming he believed his earlier words had led to Qing Kong's fate.

"Yes, Bodhisattva!"

Yang An chanted the Buddha's name, stored away the Fox Wolf Wood Heart, and immediately walked out of the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.

Of course, he knew full well why Qing Kong had met such a fate, and why Hai Shu Bodhisattva had been so enraged.

Otherwise, he would never have dared to act that way in front of Hai Shu Bodhisattva.

For Qing Kong to target him, the Buddha's Son of Great Virtue Temple, and even try to meddle with a place as critical as the Eternal Prison...

'...that was just asking for death.'

'I've only been here for a few days, and I've already brought a Zombie God Zen Master to such a state.'

Yang An couldn't help but praise himself.

'What a perfect mole!'

'Unfortunately, I'm not ready to reveal my identity as the Buddha's Son to Elder Zhuan Yu just yet.'

'Which means I can't take credit for this accomplishment.'

'Looks like finding a stand-in needs to be made a priority.'

'As a mole, my public persona can't afford to be unremarkable.'

Yang An left the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall in high spirits and returned to Mingxin Zen Courtyard.

'The ingredients are all gathered. Next up is to begin the Cultivation of the Jade Kala Vajra Body.'

'This Body Refining Technique, a New Technique improved from an Old Technique, is extremely important to me.'

'Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so desperate as to make an enemy of Qing Kong just to get my hands on the ingredients.'

'No matter what, if I can comprehend the Old Technique from it, then it will all be worth it.'

RUMBLE!

The heavy bronze door rumbled shut once more, blocking the daylight from outside and plunging the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall back into a faint gloom.

Wisps of smoke curled through the air, and the tips of the incense sticks flickered between light and dark.

Qing Kong, who had been lying on the ground like a dried corpse, began to stir.

It was as if all the flesh and blood had been drained from his body, leaving only bone and a sack of skin.

His bones grated together with a series of CRACKS, a sound that was exceptionally loud in the silence of the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.

HHHHH—

With a long, ragged gasp, Qing Kong finally sat up, only to prostrate himself once more before Hai Shu Bodhisattva.

"Bodhisattva... Qing Kong is guilty!"

A faint, raspy voice came from Qing Kong's mouth, like the sound of wood scraping across the floor.

Although he was a Zombie God, because he practiced Sacrificial Meat Zen, Hai Shu Bodhisattva had stripped away all his flesh and blood, making it impossible for him to recover quickly.

"In the lands beyond, in a place called Han State, there is a Sect by the name of Life Crane Sect.

The temple previously issued a decree of annihilation against this Sect. Zen Master Qing Yin led a host of monks to exterminate this Sect of Evil Demons.

However, Zen Master Qing Yin died in battle, and not one of the monks survived. Since then, all trace of this Sect has been lost."

Hai Shu Bodhisattva's voice drifted over, devoid of any emotion, perfectly calm.

"Qing Kong, this is your chance for redemption. If you can track down the whereabouts of the Life Crane Sect, along with information on anyone connected to it, you may reclaim your Sacrificial Meat Zen."

"Qing Kong understands. Thank you, Bodhisattva."

Qing Kong's voice was still as faint as a dying man's, but a look of joy appeared on his shriveled face, which was now nothing more than a mask of skin stretched over bone.

"Within the Life Crane Sect is an object called the Earth Spirit Stele. It is a great treasure once lost by our Great Virtue and Goodness. Should you track down this item's whereabouts, the Kuimo Essence will be your reward."

Hai Shu Bodhisattva added, his tone extremely solemn.

"Yes, Bodhisattva!"

Overjoyed, Qing Kong's body immediately disintegrated, transforming into a thin black mist.

The temple doors opened slowly, and the black mist shot off into the distance.

Watching Qing Kong depart,

"Amitabha."

Hai Shu Bodhisattva slowly withdrew his hand and formed a new seal.

He seemed to recall something, and a profound smile touched his lips as he murmured to himself.

"Buddha's Son..."

...

「Mingxin Zen Courtyard, within Yang An's Quiet Chamber.」

"I'm back!"

Yang An returned to the Quiet Chamber, a joyful expression on his face. He closed the door and said with a laugh.

Instantly, a voice reached his ears.

"You devil! So you finally decided to come back! Do you have any idea how bored and lonely I've been, cooped up in this sunless room?!"