Ye Qiu and the other two followed Great Success Abbot into the Inner Courtyard.
Then, Great Success Abbot paused, smiling as he said, "This is the Inner Courtyard of the Shaolin Temple. You three have probably never been here before, so this old monk thinks it's best for you to wander around first. In a quarter of an hour, we shall meet in the main hall to meditate and discuss the Dao. What do you think?"
"Of course." Monk Duren was the first to respond.
Ye Qiu and Zhao Chunxue also nodded.
"In that case, I shall go ahead to the main hall to await the three of you."
With that, Great Success Abbot flickered and disappeared from the spot.
"Brother Ye," Monk Duren glanced at Ye Qiu and smiled, "The Inner Courtyard is quite large. If we take our time, a quarter of an hour won't be enough to see it all. Why don't we split up for a bit? We might gain some insights and later exchange them with each other."
"Sounds good." Ye Qiu agreed without much thought.
Subsequently, Ye Qiu and Zhao Chunxue, along with Monk Duren, split into two groups and began to roam around leisurely.
"So boring, it's just the Shaolin Temple. It's full of bald monks everywhere. What's there to see?"
On the way, Zhao Chunxue looked exasperated and started her grumbling mode once again.
However, this time, Ye Qiu surprisingly nodded his head in agreement.
He acknowledged Zhao Chunxue's viewpoint.
Initially, Ye Qiu had high expectations for the Shaolin Temple, but after a few minutes of wandering, he finally realized that this place was indeed quite dull.
Monks were everywhere, some practicing martial arts, some sweeping, and some chanting sutras.
After seeing this several times, Ye Qiu unexpectedly felt a sense of irritation.
He didn't like this place and even had a faint feeling that the Shaolin Temple seemed to be repelling him.
"Why is it like this?" Ye Qiu frowned, quietly muttering to himself.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Monk Duren did not wander around but went directly to a small pavilion by a small lake and waited patiently.
Soon, Great Success Abbot arrived.
"Greetings to Great Success Abbot," Monk Duren folded his hands respectfully.
Great Success Abbot waved his hand, smiling, "No formalities between us. I didn't know your identity before, nor did I know you were coming, so I didn't personally come to welcome you. I hope you understand."
"It's no big deal." Monk Duren chuckled.
Great Success Abbot became serious, "If I'm not mistaken, you've come this time for the Shao Family's Secret Realm?"
"As expected of the Abbot!" Monk Duren nodded slightly, "Indeed, I've come for the Secret Realm. I've been at Half-Step Divinity Transformation for a long time, and breaking through in recent years has become extremely difficult.
Although I am a descendant of the Shao Family, my current strength is somewhat insufficient to convince everyone. After discussing it with several of the family's elders, we decided I should enter the Secret Realm to train and see if I can find a way to break through."
"That could be troublesome..." Great Success Abbot frowned slightly.
"Why troublesome?"
Great Success Abbot thought for a moment and said, "The Shao Family's Secret Realm has always been in the rear mountain of the Shaolin Temple. The Shao Clan Leader also entrusted me to constantly keep an eye on it, so naturally, I am responsible and visit every month.
However, last month, when I went, I noticed some strange fluctuations at the entrance of the Secret Realm; it seemed unstable. This old monk also feels a vague unease, so I think that now might not be the right time to enter the Secret Realm."
Great Success Abbot's eyes were full of concern. Although he had never been inside the Shao Family's Secret Realm, he had heard about its mystery and danger!
Especially the creatures inside the Secret Realm!
If those creatures were to escape from the Secret Realm, they would surely cause massive panic in the real world!
Everything is mutual; Great Success Abbot knew that if people could enter the Secret Realm, surely the creatures inside could also come to the real world through its entrance.
And now, just a month ago, he saw something amiss with the energy fluctuations at the Secret Realm's entrance. How could he not be worried?
Great Success Abbot had a vague feeling that Monk Duren's entry into the Secret Realm might cause significant trouble!
However, Monk Duren shook his head with indifference and said with a smile, "Abbot need not worry. The issue with the Secret Realm's entrance was also mentioned to me by the family elders, but they said it is quite normal and not a big deal. Abbot is overthinking it."
"Alas—"
Seeing Monk Duren's firm attitude, Great Success Abbot had no choice but to shake his head and sigh helplessly.
After all, it is the Shao Family's Secret Realm, and now that a descendant of the Shao Family is determined to enter, what could an outsider like him say?
"It's about time for me to return to the main hall," Great Success Abbot said.
"I will follow shortly."
"Good!" Great Success Abbot nodded slightly, then flickered and vanished from the spot.
In less than a few seconds, he returned to the main hall.
Subsequently, Ye Qiu and Monk Duren also arrived one after the other. Zhao Chunxue, lacking any cultivation, naturally showed no interest in meditating or discussing the Dao and did not follow.
"Please have a seat, both of you," Great Success Abbot pointed to the meditation cushions on the ground.
Ye Qiu and Duren sat down cross-legged simultaneously, forming a circle of three.
"Since you are a senior, why not start with you?" Ye Qiu smiled.
Monk Duren nodded slightly.
"In that case, let me share my insights from years of hermit practice," Great Success Abbot said without pretense, starting to speak fluently about many of his profound insights from his years of practice.
After he finished, Ye Qiu and Monk Duren also shared their respective thoughts.
The atmosphere in the whole hall was harmonious and pleasant.
After about two hours of exchange, Great Success Abbot suddenly smiled and said, "We've shared almost all our insights. The rest, naturally, requires spending time to comprehend and digest.
Of course, since you two have come from afar, this old monk won't treat you unfairly. Recently, I have been studying the orthodox Buddhist scriptures, and the Great Bodhi Scripture is among them.
Next, why don't you two listen to this old monk chant the sutra? Perhaps it will benefit both your strength and your mindset."
"To hear the Abbot chant the sutra is truly a fortune of three lifetimes for us," Monk Duren clasped his hands with some anticipation in his eyes.
"In that case, we must trouble you, Great Success Abbot," Ye Qiu followed up.
However, he felt somewhat troubled.
While wandering outside earlier, he also heard some monks chanting sutras, and that feeling made him very uncomfortable, even slightly out of control of his inner power. Now that the Abbot was going to chant sutras, he naturally felt somewhat resistant.
But since Monk Duren agreed, he couldn't refuse the kind offer of the Abbot.
Great Success Abbot wasted no words, immediately closing his eyes and beginning to recite the Great Bodhi Scripture!
The scripture was profound, making it seem obscure and hard to understand.
Monk Duren understood this was a good opportunity and immediately began to chant along.
But Ye Qiu had an issue!
Just as Monk Duren chanted along with Great Success Abbot, a booming sound erupted in Ye Qiu's mind, as if a long-held violent force exploded.
Instantly, Ye Qiu's pupils turned crimson, cold, and brutal!