Supreme Alchemist
Chapter 2497: 2487: Released Monk

Chapter 2497: Chapter 2487: Released Monk

The Venerable Liaoran let out a slight sigh, showing an expression of release. It was a stark contrast from his previously manic state. At this moment, Venerable Liaoran stood amidst the pit caused by the previous blood-colored storm, giving the scene an eerie appearance.

“Alas.”

Seeing Long Yan continuously gaze at him, Venerable Liaoran only let out a soft sigh. The release of that force within his body did not leave him without feeling; on the contrary, he was aware of everything that was happening.

“Who would have thought, after a lifetime of diligent cultivation, that upon my death, I would break my power—let it be, it’s truly fate.”

Long Yan watched Venerable Liaoran sigh deeply in place. After a long while, Venerable Liaoran began to tell Long Yan his story.

It turned out that Venerable Liaoran was not of the Human Clan; he was a soldier of the Demon Clan who had survived the Human-Demon War by sheer luck. However, deep down, Liaoran loathed war; yet, given the interests of his race, all young adults of the Demon Clan had no choice but to step onto the battlefield, and Liaoran was no exception.

However, it seemed that Heaven was merciful to this Zen master. On the battlefield, with the aid of a God-Beast, the Human Clan’s Great Army was unstoppable. Liaoran was pierced through by a flying sword on the battlefield, but it merely inflicted a wound and did not take his life. After this battle, the Demon Clan was severely weakened and had to retreat to their territory.

They abandoned millions of lives as they retreated in disgrace to their own territory. Subsequently, the protectors jointly placed seals on the Demon Clan, extinguishing any thought Venerable Liaoran might have had of returning home. Fortunately, Liaoran was rescued by a Zen master in the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

Though Liaoran was of the Demon Clan, under the constant influence of the old Zen master and with his inherent deep-rooted Buddhism, he eventually converted to Buddhism, following the old Zen master as a wandering monk. After the old Zen master passed away, Liaoran established a temple in this place.

One reason was that due to it being a former battlefield, many vengeful spirits and demons roamed this area. Liaoran, holding his ground here, could suppress the local Feng Shui, and another reason was to atone for the instigation of war by his own people.

At that time, Venerable Liaoran opened the mountain gate widely and accepted disciples, offering a bowl of vegetarian meal to any impoverished person who came. Venerable Liaoran’s Buddhism had attained Mahayana, suppressing the devilish nature within him. Though it hadn’t been eradicated, he lived like an ordinary person.

Until the day he received a disciple who would change his life, the over-seventy-year-old Venerable Liaoran knew in an instant that this little boy was his rightful heir. Venerable Liaoran, who had long since secluded himself, surprisingly accepted a disciple for what would be his final time.

Soon after, Liaoran learned that the little boy’s parents had been killed by mountain bandits and that the boy had fled to this place. Despite being covered in mud, Liaoran could still recall the boy’s bright eyes. But back then, Venerable Liaoran was unaware that he had brought back a disaster to Tiancan Temple.

Venerable Liaoran was exceptionally fond of the boy. After learning of the boy’s background, he gave him the name Shirán, hoping he could let go of hatred and follow his path of Buddhism.

Shirán’s learning speed was very quick. Many obscure and difficult scriptures appeared to him like children’s picture books, and the Buddhist insights contained within were something even Wan Kong, Liaoran’s top disciple in Tiancan Temple, had yet to understand.

Venerable Liaoran was particularly fond of his young apprentice, often teaching him personally. Shirán’s rapid growth became the cause of future troubles.

At that time, Venerable Liaoran had three disciples: his chief disciple Wan Kong, second disciple Meng Nian, and his young disciple Shirán. Liaoran favored Meng Nian, naturally causing jealousy among the other two disciples.

Liaoran thought that since they had all entered the Buddhist sect, the other two disciples wouldn’t mind, but he had miscalculated. At that time, Tiancan Temple widely accepted disciples whose qualities varied greatly.

The second disciple, Meng Nian, had no issues, but the chief disciple, Wan Kong, was extremely envious of the new Junior Brother. Using his Senior Brother status, he frequently bullied Shirán.

Saying this, Venerable Liaoran beat his chest in regret, and though he was already deceased, tears flowed from his eye sockets.

Long Yan remained silent, seeing that Shirán’s character began to twist, not without reason, due to these nearly outrageous matters, starting with the monks inside Tiancan Temple.

In terms of Buddhism, Shirán far exceeded Wan Kong and merely kept his feelings bottled up. Venerable Liaoran noticed this and, with his fondness for Shirán, increased his affection, believing that all hardships were a test for his disciples.

Seeing Venerable Liaoran affection to Shirán, Wan Kong’s dissatisfaction and resentment boiled to an extreme, and in a fit of rage, he broke Shirán’s arm. Venerable Liaoran, in his fury, expelled Wan Kong from the sect.

Venerable Liaoran remembered well the first question Shirán asked him, holding his broken arm.

“Master, is this what is meant by cause and effect? Wan Kong Senior Brother was expelled for breaking my arm because this was the cause, and being expelled is his effect, right?”

The old monk did not sense anything unusual at that time, only rubbing Shirán’s bright forehead and nodding approvingly to him.

Yet Shirán presented a pensive look and said,

“Why can’t cause and effect happen a little quicker? After I’ve been hurt and then he gets his consequence, but by then the event has already happened, with no way to remedy it.”

“Must someone suffer harm before the so-called karmic retribution arrives?”

Shirán lifted his head, those lively eyes gazing at the old monk, and slowly spoke the words that Venerable Liaoran still remembers to this day.

“Master, can I become the cause and effect?”

Venerable Liaoran felt shocked at that moment, but no fear. He knew Shirán had taken the wrong path. Many people have both good and evil thoughts in their hearts, and just as there is no perfect person in the world, Buddhism has its dual nature.

Understanding well of course leads to Buddhism, but veering off course is akin to joining the evil sect. Venerable Liaoran valued Shirán greatly, so he spent an entire night explaining his views to Shirán, hoping to bring him back from the evil path.

Little did Venerable Liaoran know, Shirán was on this path because he had personally pushed him onto it. Not long after, a major incident occurred within the temple.