Chapter 617: Chapter 357: The Triple Scripture Library

“This…”

At this moment, the many novices, who previously harbored deep resentment towards Feng Qing’an due to his actions, were greatly shocked. Regardless of whether it was Xuan Dao Buddhism, heterodox sects, or even demonic practices, the act of dispersing one’s cultivation was equivalent to throwing away one’s own life.

To destroy a person’s cultivation is even more insidious than killing them. Yet they had forced a person, who had close connections with their Buddhist disciples, to disperse his cultivation right before their eyes, delivering a clear message.

“Are you all satisfied with my answer?”

Feng Qing’an’s face was pale with no trace of blood, yet at this moment, he managed to muster a smile. He directed this question at the many novices whose faces were full of astonishment at his actions, at a loss about what to do next.

Upon hearing his question, not a single one of these novices responded. They were all stunned. They didn’t know what to do. Although it was possible that this demon had planned it all along and purposely prepared himself to disperse his cultivation, something which would prevent him from dying instantly.

Just as the novices were flustered and unsure of how to respond to Feng Qing’an, a young monk dressed in moon-white robes appeared in front of him, who looked like he was on the verge of collapse. The moment he appeared, all the bewildered novices were initially taken aback, but soon they began to bow and pay their respects.

“Buddhist disciple!”

“All of you go back. There is no need to linger here.”

“Yes.”

When Fayuan addressed them, the novices immediately obeyed, dispersing without daring to linger around Feng Qing’an any longer. For at the moment when Feng Qing’an dispersed his cultivation, they no longer had the will to confront him.

After all, he had already given up his cultivation; what else could they want from him? To cultivators, this act was akin to cutting off his own life, if not more severe.

After all the novices had left, Fayuan turned to Feng Qing’an, though he seemed oblivious to Feng Qing’an’s blood-drained, papyrus-like face. He spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“Are you done with your act?”

“Brother, you indeed have wise eyes. My little tricks can’t fool you.”

Feng Qing’an gave a sycophantic remark. His previously pale face, visible to the naked eye, was now turning rosy.

The young man now had black hair, carved from black jade, that hung down to his waist. His eyebrows were sharp, his eyes sparkled with starlight, clear, bright, and fierce, as if capable of penetrating the heart.

His body was smoothly proportioned, not overly muscular, and had a pure and transparent aura. His skin seemed to glow subtly, indicating that he had honed extraordinary skills.

Looking at him now, where were the traces of the deathly-pale man who seemed about to drop dead at any moment?

This was merely a small trick of controlling the flow of blood and vital energy, withdrawing it completely into one’s Star Acupoints.

Thus, his entire person appeared as if a profligate young master who had been utterly drained by a vixen, even if his appearance was good. Yet combined with his manner, no one could bear to look at him, giving the illusion of a man on his deathbed.

“Since you’re prepared, follow me!”

“Where to?”

Feng Qing’an asked curiously.

“To the Scripture Library!”

“Is it a place I can enter?”

On hearing this, Feng Qing’an was astonished. His elder brother had said that he would pass on the Buddhist teachings to him, but he had assumed he would do so surreptitiously. But now, his brother was overtly taking him to the Scripture Library. Was that really okay?

“Just follow me. Everything else is of no concern to you.”

Fayuan did not respond to Feng Qing’an’s doubts. He waved his sleeves, and the hem of his monk robes engulfed Feng Qing’an completely. Feng Qing’an experienced a moment of disorientation. When he regained his senses, he was greeted by the unique scent of butter and sandalwood mixed together.

Shelves of scriptures reached up to the vaulted ceiling, their ends not visible to the naked eye. And within these uncountable shelves, various Buddhist scriptures of different sizes were displayed.

Even in the sacred Buddhist light, some of these scriptures radiated an extraordinary aura that attracted attention. Scenes of Buddha preaching, Bodhisattvas chanting scriptures, Arhats performing martial arts, and even various spiritual beasts like the Heavenly Dragon Jade Elephant came to life, their radiant brilliance reaching the sky.

“Is this the Scripture Library?”

Gazing at the sea of Buddhist scriptures before him, Feng Qing’an couldn’t help but be moved. For the first time, he gained a clear understanding of the power that had survived for countless centuries.

“This is the Seventh Scripture Library. There is also the Eighth and the Ninth.”

“There are six more? I want to start at the basic Buddhist scriptures!”

Feng Qing’an was very aware of his shortcomings. Having a high talent was one thing, but how to seamlessly transform his talent into a useful skill was another matter.

“No, you don’t need to. Start here. When you are done, go to the Eighth Library, then the Ninth. When you have finished reading all the scriptures in these three libraries, you can leave and travel around the world.”

Fayuan outright rejected Feng Qing’an’s request. Upon hearing this, Feng Qing’an didn’t argue. He decided to follow his brother’s advice without argument. After all, he was getting an advantage here. It really didn’t matter how much he read.

As long as the senior monks of this temple didn’t throw him out of the Scripture Library, anything was fine. After all, these scriptures alone possessed incredible manifestations even when merely displayed. Truly extraordinary.

“I’ll listen to you, brother.”

“Just stay here and read. Regarding other things, I think you don’t need anything else.”