I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense
Chapter 1243 - Chapter 1243 Chapter 1244 Usurping the Magpies Nest

Chapter 1243: Chapter 1244: Usurping the Magpie’s Nest Chapter 1243: Chapter 1244: Usurping the Magpie’s Nest Within the Buddha Country, nearly all temples follow the same routine, using the Power of Faith to convert visitors to ensure the steady income source of their own temple.

After early competition, the distribution of power among the temples within a territory has long been clear, each temple’s income is almost openly priced, and no interference is tolerated. Hence, they are highly exclusivist–even now, if a greatly meritorious master arrives and hinders their interests, they must promptly conceive of countermeasures!

At the same time.

Inside the Golden Wheel Temple, several monks dressed in grey hastily reported their observations to the senior Elders.

This is the largest Buddhist temple in Golden Wheel City. The entire city is named after the Golden Wheel Temple. The temple’s Abbot, known as the Jinlun Law King, is nominally only the head of the Golden Wheel Temple, but in reality, claiming him as the City Lord of Golden Wheel City is not far-fetched. Within the Buddhist Sect, there is no official role of “City Lord”–all matters big and small are decided through consultation by the various temples. But with the Golden Wheel Temple’s dominance in the city, the Jinlun Law King has naturally become the underground King, controlling everything.

“Amitabha, are you saying that a highly meritorious monk has come to Golden Wheel City? And it’s a dog?”

Inside the main hall of the temple, a group of monks sat solemnly on their meditation cushions on both sides, while a corpulent middle-aged monk with a shiny, greasy face sat in the center, with grease stains still lingering at the corners of his mouth.

“Yes, Abbot, that Master Nicholas intends to convert a member of the Blood Demon Sect’s Saint Realm within the Buddha Country, to show the world how to lay down the butcher’s knife and instantly attain Buddhahood. Moreover, he will soon hold a sermon to teach the scriptures, and they are currently heading towards Golden Wheel City!” said the reporting monk.

“Is this what you call ‘a cuckoo taking over the nest’?”

“No, this should be considered ‘a Phoenix seeking the nest of a magpie’!”

“No matter whether it be a cuckoo or a Phoenix flying in, none can harm our interests. Every year, a full ninety percent of Golden Wheel City’s earnings belong to our Golden Wheel Temple. How could we simply abdicate our position due to the arrival of a master?”

“That’s right, if that Master Nicholas wishes to spread the Dharma and persuade people, explaining the true path of Buddhist cultivation, we would naturally welcome him wholeheartedly. But if he wishes to seize our resources through this opportunity, let alone a master from the exotic borderlands, even the masters from the Great Thunderclap Temple are not allowed!”

The high-ranking monks from the four courts frowned, resistant to the arrival of Ergouzi and the others.

If we were outside in the broader world, everything would be determined by strength, but not within Buddha Country. Here, everything is determined by merit and the Buddhist Law– the size of the temple directly decides the monk’s status. In Golden Wheel City, they occupy the head position; outside of Golden Wheel City, they have close interactions with many other large temples, and their well-established status is unshakeable.

“Amitabha, as the saying goes, a traveler from afar is a guest, and moreover, the person coming is a highly venerable monk of the Buddhist Sect; we should meet him with the highest etiquette!”

“The master wishes to hold a sermon, and naturally, we welcome him wholeheartedly. If he wants to use the Golden Wheel Temple, this old monk has no complaints. However, temple management is not something that can be controlled just by being profound in Buddhist Law–we shall stand by and watch!”

The Jinlun Law King sitting in the center spoke indifferently.

“Amitabha, the Abbot is wise!”

The surrounding monks nodded frequently, their faces showing a glimmer of a smile.

“Pass the order down– all the monks of the Golden Wheel Temple will line up to welcome the arrival of Master Nicholas!”

“Good!”

“Very good!”

A quarter-hour later.

In front of the Golden Wheel Temple, a large crowd surged forward, all of them following Ergouzi to enjoy the spectacle.

Ergouzi was dissatisfied with this. After all, as a monk with a million merits, why couldn’t there be a single person in this city willing to lead the way?

“Kid, is it going well or not? It doesn’t feel as smooth as imagined!”

Ji Wuqing whispered from behind. Ergouzi’s eloquent speech did indeed attract the attention of many monks from the Buddhist Sect, but that was about it. The most important thing was that the monks from the major temples seemed not to take a stance. From the beginning to the end, they remained hidden in the crowd, wanting a good show and were not intimidated by Ergouzi’s million merits and Saint Realm cultivation level.

“It’s already enough. The Buddhist Sect is not a lawless place and has a strict hierarchical system. These monks will be unbridled because they are not too afraid even when faced with a Saint Realm powerhouse. One reason is that nobody can kill someone within the Buddha Country and escape unharmed. Furthermore, the Power of Faith has thoroughly brainwashed them; they have respect for the Saint Realm cultivators, but no fear will arise in their hearts.”

“Ergouzi has already managed to win the trust of many independent believers in the city, more than expected. Next, as long as we take down the Golden Wheel Temple, we can shock the monks of other temples into submission. It’ll make the follow-up work easier. The visit to the Golden Wheel Temple is crucial.”

Li Xiaobai said indifferently. Now, various forces within the city were watching every move here. If they were stopped by the Golden Wheel Temple, it was feared that no one would give them face afterward.

The gates of the Golden Wheel Temple were wide open, with the sounds of chanting scriptures echoing faintly from within. Two rows of yellow-robed monks stood to the sides with their hands clasped in prayer.

“Amitabha, well met, well met. This old monk’s Dharma name is Yinlun, and I am the supervising monk of the Golden Wheel Temple. Is this Master Nicholas? I have long admired your reputation. The Abbot has been awaiting you for some time now, please come inside for a chat!”

A red-robed monk came out, laughing merrily.

This was an elderly monk with kind brows and good eyes, his face wearing a smile like that of a fortune-bringing cat.

“Amitabha, you are very polite, Yinlun Law Master. I have taken note. On the day when blessings are bestowed upon the world, you may sit in the front row!”

Ergouzi glanced at him, speaking indifferently and full of style.

“Amitabha, thank you for your consideration.”

Yinlun Law King was very courteous, warmly inviting everyone into the Golden Wheel Temple, including the followers and independent believers who were following behind, without facing any obstacles. Li Xiaobai understood that the other party’s move was to give them a lesson in humility, to criticize Ergouzi in front of the city’s monks. This way, they could rebuild their prestige, and the various temples in the city would still look up to the Golden Wheel Temple as the leader. It would then be extremely difficult for them to carry out their work in the city.

Inside the main hall of the temple.

As Li Xiaobai and the others entered, the moment one foot crossed the threshold, they clearly felt an even denser Power of Faith surrounding them, becoming incredibly thick and sticky. This main hall must have a shrine that received people’s worship, continuously drawing in the Power of Faith to aid in cultivation.

“Amitabha, this old monk is Jinlun, and it is an honor to meet Master Nicholas!”

The Jinlun Law King seated in the middle stood up proactively, paying his respects. His manners were impeccable, and the long string of golden values in the void were genuine. Not to mention, there were already three known Saint Realm powerhouses in the group. As for the little yellow chicken that had not shown its power and whose identity had not been determined, even he had to be cautious.

“Master Nicholas coming to spread the Buddhist Law in our Golden Wheel City is a triply fortunate event for us. Whatever you need, this old monk will do his utmost to satisfy!”

Jinlun Law King said merrily, trying to establish a tall and enlightened image in front of the many monks from outside. But the next second, the smile on his face froze.

Ergouzi took two bounces, unabashedly jumped onto his seat, sat down in the middle, and casually waved his paw, saying, “Indeed worthy of an Abbot, your breadth of mind and vision are incomparable to ordinary people. Since that’s the case, I’ll be requisitioning this Golden Wheel Temple. Tomorrow at dawn, I’ll start a lecture on the Buddhist scriptures, which you can attend. You are dismissed for now with no further matters!”