novelhk Chapter 829 Lotus Flower Temple and Lotus Flower Terrace
Chapter 829 Lotus Flower Temple and Lotus Flower Terrace
Cynthia looked at Li Shuwen, "So what are we going to do now?"
"Let's go see what the Lotus Flower Temple of Master Huiyuan looks like now."
Li Shuwen held Cynthia's hand and walked slowly along the cobblestone path.
Cynthia thought for a moment, "Is it the mage you encountered when you participated in the department store competition?"
Li Shuwen nodded. "Yes, it's him."
Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, don't you need to keep following Ash around and keeping an eye on things?"
Li Shuwen shook his head, "No need, fate will make its choice."
The two set off for a remote town in the Jodo region.
Aoba City.
The city is small, nestled against the mountains and beside the water. The streets are clean and tidy, with few pedestrians, exuding a sense of tranquility and peace.
In the northwest corner of Aoba City, there stands an ancient temple.
With upturned eaves and corners, green bricks and gray tiles, two old locust trees stand at the entrance with lush branches and leaves, their canopies like a canopy.
Above the gate hangs a plaque with three golden characters that read "Lianhua Temple," written in a vigorous and powerful style.
Two young monks were sweeping the floor at the entrance; one was thin and small, the other was plump and sturdy.
The thinner one saw Li Shuwen and Xilona, put down his broom, and came forward, putting his hands together in prayer.
"Esteemed benefactors, are you also here to challenge my master?"
"The little monk must explain beforehand that Master is not yet an official gym leader of the Johto League, so the Lotus Gym badge cannot be used to challenge the Johto League."
Li Shuwen returned the greeting with his hands clasped together, saying, "I am Li Shuwen from Weimu City, a friend of Master Huiyuan. I have come here specifically to visit Master Huiyuan."
The young monk's eyes lit up immediately. "So it's Benefactor Shuwen! Please come in!"
He turned to the plump young monk and shouted, "Quickly go and inform the master, his friend has arrived!"
The plump little monk put down his broom and dashed into the temple.
Lianhua Temple is not large, but its layout is compact and well-organized.
Passing through the mountain gate, there is a path paved with bluestone, with green bamboo planted on both sides, rustling in the wind.
In the spacious courtyard stands an ancient ginkgo tree with a thick trunk and a canopy that blocks out the sun.
A stone table and benches were placed under the tree, with a pot of tea and several teacups on the table.
Master Huiyuan was pulling a stone roller to level the ground on the battlefield.
He was wearing a gray monk's robe with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
After hearing his disciple's words, he immediately put down the stone mill and headed towards the gate.
Upon seeing Li Shuwen and Shirona, he greeted them with a beaming smile.
"Shuwen! Cynthia! What brings you here? Why didn't you tell me beforehand so I could prepare?"
Li Shuwen said with a smile, "I was just passing through Chengdu and thought I'd drop by. Master Huiyuan, you've lost weight."
Huiyuan touched her face. "Really? I think I've gained a little weight."
The three of them burst into laughter.
"Where is the dojo application card? With your skills, passing the dojo entrance exam shouldn't be a problem, right?" Li Shuwen asked.
Huiyuan sighed and invited the two to sit down under the ginkgo tree, pouring them three cups of tea.
"Many people in the Johto region are applying to become dojos, but there are limited spots available."
"Compared to others, I am just an ordinary monk at Lianhua Temple. I have neither a family background nor any outstanding military achievements, so my application has never been approved."
"It was the abbot who reminded me that we could start by setting up a gym. Even if it's not a formal gym, it can still train skills and attract trainers to Aoba City."
"In this way, Lianhua Temple can also obtain some funds to maintain the temple buildings."
He pointed around and said, "The repairs you see here were all built up little by little with the registration fees paid by the challengers."
"Amitabha." An old voice came from behind.
Li Shuwen and Shirona turned around and saw an old monk with a white beard walking slowly from the direction of the Heavenly King Hall, but with his back very straight.
His eyes were somewhat cloudy, but the occasional glint of light revealed the wisdom within them.
Huiyuan quickly stood up, "Abbot."
The abbot clasped his hands together and bowed slightly. "Benefactor Li, Benefactor Xirona, this old monk greets you. I have long admired your names, and it is an honor to meet you today."
Li Shuwen and Shirona quickly stood up to return the greeting.
The abbot sat down on the stone bench, took the tea that Huiyuan offered, and took a small sip.
"Although the pagoda of Lianhua Temple is not as grand as the Bell Pagoda or the Trumpet Sprout Pagoda, it is still a building that is over two hundred years old and has great preservation value."
"The money that the monks of Lianhua Temple earn in their spare time is only enough to support these dozen or so young monks."
"The tower repair has had to be delayed again and again."
Cynthia put down her teacup and winked playfully.
"I have an idea that might help Lianhua Temple."
The abbot asked curiously, "What idea has the female benefactor come up with?"
Hirona said with a smile, "Tomorrow, let Master Huiyuan and Shuwen have another match."
"As long as Master Huiyuan's strength is sufficient, the staff of the City Alliance will definitely come down to verify his qualifications after this battle."
The abbot looked at Huiyuan. "Huiyuan, do you have faith?"
Huiyuan clasped his hands together and said, "This disciple is willing to give it a try."
The abbot nodded. "In that case, Huiyuan, why don't you show your two friends around Lianhua Temple?"
Huiyuan led Li Shuwen and Xilona through the courtyard to the backyard.
There is a lotus pond in the backyard. The water is crystal clear, and several pink lotus flowers are in full bloom.
The goldfish swam leisurely in the water, occasionally leaping out of the water and splashing out ripples.
A stone tablet stands by the pond, inscribed with the three characters "Qingxin Pond".
"This pond was there when the temple was built, and it has never dried up in more than two hundred years."
Huiyuan squatted down and gently stirred the water with his hand. A goldfish swam over and rubbed against his fingers.
Beyond the lotus pond lies a grove of lush bamboo.
The bamboo is very tall, blocking out the sun. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Several gulls were dozing on bamboo branches, their eyes half-open and half-closed.
There is a path in the forest that leads deep into the bamboo grove.
"The monks practice here morning and evening in a quiet and peaceful environment that helps them calm their minds."
Huiyuan took a deep breath. "The fragrance of bamboo can calm the mind."
After passing through the bamboo forest, the Lotus Pagoda finally came into view.
The five-story, octagonal structure is made of brick and wood. The tower is light blue in color, and copper bells hang from the eaves of each floor, tinkling in the wind.
Above the pagoda gate hangs a plaque inscribed with the three characters "Lotus Pagoda".
Stepping inside the tower, a refreshing breeze greets you.
The main hall on the first floor houses a Buddha statue, flanked by spiral staircases on both sides.
Several charemus and marshall sat cross-legged on the futons, their eyes closed, their bodies radiating a faint glow of superpowers.
They heard footsteps, opened their eyes, glanced at Li Shuwen and Xilona, then closed them again and continued their cultivation.
"The Lotus Pagoda has unique effects," Huiyuan explained as he went upstairs. "The higher you go, the better the effects of studying and practicing here."
The second floor is a study, with bookshelves filled with scriptures. Two young monks are reading, completely absorbed in their books.
The third floor is a meditation room where several monks are meditating.
The fourth floor was empty, with only a few calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls.
Going up to the fifth floor, the space is not large, only a dozen square meters.
In the very center stands a golden bronze lotus pedestal, its surface intricately carved with lotus patterns and gleaming with a warm luster.
The surrounding walls are covered with murals depicting lotus flowers and Buddha images.
Huiyuan explained, "Sitting on it to cultivate will be much more effective. Shuwen, why don't you give it a try?"
Li Shuwen took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bronze lotus platform. A cool breeze flowed into his body from the platform, making him feel relaxed, as if he were soaking in a hot spring.