Chapter 805: Because I’m Too Weak, I Got Misunderstood?

Chapter 805: Chapter 805: Because I’m Too Weak, I Got Misunderstood?

Xie Lingyu sat composedly, her gaze sliding sideways to Chu Xingchen, who looked utterly at ease, as if this were his own sect.

Before the two leaders met face-to-face, most matters and bottom lines had already been thoroughly discussed. In a sense, this gathering was merely going through the motions.

After all, if the two leaders argued face-to-face with cold barbs and sarcasm, no matter who won the argument, they would only become fodder for others’ amusement.

After this process was complete, the Buddhist sect’s actions could be framed as a joint effort with Chu Xingchen — a public declaration that the Buddhist sect was still a proper, upstanding sect.

Chu Xingchen smoothly delivered his official remarks, praising the Buddhist sect’s resplendent golden halls, its abundance of talent, and how it was truly a fine place under heaven.

Runan reciprocated, praising Chu Xingchen as a young prodigy, a hero chosen by heaven, a brilliant youth willing to hold up the falling sky.

Pleasantries became the preamble to every exchange. The period at the end was always "we should have met sooner — why couldn’t we have known each other earlier?"

Four and a half sentences out of every five were flattery.

Xie Lingyu was naturally included in Runan’s praise as well. She nodded in acknowledgment, though her compliments were clearly not as polished as those of these two whose shamelessness was unparalleled.

Her gaze drifted subtly to the surroundings, studying the Buddhas around them, mentally identifying each one’s name and whether they were a Karma Buddha or a Secular Buddha.

Xie Lingyu quickly noticed something rather distinctive — those with warm, gentle smiles on their faces were almost entirely Karma Buddhas, while those with calm expressions and barely a polite smile were mostly Secular Buddhas.

Thinking carefully, the reason was probably that regardless of what promises Chu Xingchen had made, he had indeed been protecting Radiant Buddha all along.

The Mahayana Buddhist Teachings matter had always been a sword hanging over these Secular Buddhas’ heads.

After all, no one wanted to wake up one morning to find that the Buddhist sect — the institution they had devoted most of their lives to — had cast them out in the blink of an eye, mocking them as false monks who had only joined for the sect’s power.

Though the reason truly was that, saying it out loud was rather grating.

Things that were understood without being spoken became outright insults once voiced.

But with the great momentum of the times before them, no one was foolish enough to damage the outward harmony of the meeting.

The Honored Buddha’s warm, gentle smile never faltered.

Chu Xingchen reined in his nature as well, wearing the expression of one who held the Buddhist sect in the highest esteem as a senior institution.

Matters that had long been settled were discussed one by one. Runan did not need to consult with other Buddhas — he simply smiled, nodded, exchanged a few words, and assented.

Events that could reshape the landscape of the world drew to a close amidst their exchange of pleasantries.

The Buddhist sect defined its share of the benefits.

Chu Xingchen agreed to coordinate with the Buddhist sect’s series of promotional campaigns.

The meeting concluded with a single phrase from Runan: "The grand Dao shines bright — let us strive forward together."

Xie Lingyu had barely spoken. She raised her gaze slightly to look at Chu Xingchen, who had produced another image-recording stone, and Runan, who was still fully cooperative.

Chu Xingchen’s next actions would naturally tie him to the Buddhist sect for a period of time.

Xie Lingyu took a quiet breath.

She wondered how things were on Loving Family Peak.

During this time, truly no one could keep Chu Xingchen’s disciples in line. She hoped they were getting along.

Before, when she was at Zhuji Peak, counting herself and the flood dragon together, there had been only three.

There were indeed many things she needed to learn.

Loving Family Peak.

Today was the first time Qianqing saw the San Dong that Li Yingling had described.

A tiny figure in a glittering dress, with a smile on her face that seemed as though it would never stop.

San Dong had come running with a stalk of herbs in hand. The first thing she said upon seeing Qianqing was:

"You must be Qianqing, the one Eldest Senior Sister mentioned?"

"Yes... You must be San Dong?"

"Mm! I am the sect’s Grand Guardian, San Dong." San Dong nodded with a smile, her tiny frame speaking with great confidence. "You are the sect’s guest now, and San Dong will protect you."

San Dong had already reached Foundation Establishment. Truthfully, Qianqing probably could not defeat this tiny flower spirit.

Qianqing recalled for a moment — Li Yingling had said San Dong was very timid, but the word "protect" had come from San Dong’s mouth with such decisiveness, not timid at all.

San Dong held up the herb in her hand: "Eldest Senior Sister asked me to show you around. If you have time, you can come walk with me, and I’ll tell you about our sect."

"Alright." Qianqing followed San Dong’s steps, watching the flower spirit’s gait. She asked quietly: "Do you know Yuankong?"

San Dong nodded: "I know. A monk. Though San Dong hasn’t really talked to him much."

Qianqing did not ask further and began following as they walked downhill.

But after only a few steps, San Dong suddenly left the main path and started leading Qianqing into the forest.

Qianqing was bewildered and hurriedly followed. Before she could ask what was happening, San Dong spoke up first:

"Our sect has lots of people. Besides the ones you met today, there are others — like the big-hearted Cui Hao, and Yun Li who only knows how to bury his head in cultivation. There are also some outer sect disciples."

"But they’re all very kind people. They’re all very nice to San Dong."

Qianqing nodded in agreement: "Mm... I can see that."

San Dong’s smile grew even brighter at this. She then took out a spirit fruit from her spatial ring and held it out to Qianqing:

"Here. Yanyun brought this to San Dong last time. San Dong couldn’t bear to eat it, so this guest can have it first. Yanyun said it’s very good — eating it gives a big boost."

Qianqing hesitated and did not take the spirit fruit, which emanated a sweet fragrance and made her throat involuntarily swallow at the sight. She asked:

"Such a precious thing... it wouldn’t be right to give it to me, would it?"

San Dong spoke naturally: "Friends are the most precious thing of all."

Looking at San Dong’s innocent gaze, Qianqing smiled warmly and accepted the fruit San Dong was holding.

San Dong nodded with satisfaction and continued leading Qianqing toward the scenery she had discovered — the most beautiful spot.

There was the little white tiger’s resting place, a lovely stream, and a small field of flowers that San Dong had planted herself.

First she would let this guest see it. If it went well, once the sect master and everyone else returned, San Dong would bring them all to her secret base.

San Dong walked at a leisurely pace, occasionally stopping to pick up a stalk of grass from the road and nibble on it.

Qianqing could keep up with San Dong’s pace at first, but soon the flower spirit’s body began darting through the undergrowth.

In the blink of an eye she was far ahead, showing not the slightest consideration for the fact that Qianqing was a mortal.

When San Dong turned around for the third time to find Qianqing looking around uncertainly, unsure which direction to go, she finally realized.

San Dong zipped back to Qianqing’s side, looked her up and down carefully, then exclaimed in surprise:

"You’re not a cultivator?"

Hearing this heartbreaking question, Qianqing could only nod helplessly:

"I’m not... Can’t you cultivators see that I have no spiritual energy at all?"

San Dong looked apologetic:

"I thought you were like Yanyun or the sect master — powerful figures. When I look at them, I can’t sense their spiritual energy either."

"Sorry, sorry... San Dong didn’t think of that. I’ll walk slowly from now on."

Qianqing nodded solemnly.

Because I’m too weak, I got misunderstood?