On the coastline, where the clam demon had once risen from the depths, a grand and solemn temple now stood against the horizon. Its construction had been swift, a priority for Governor Jia, who sought to steady the wavering hearts of his people after the recent carnage. Along with the completion of the temple, countless offerings and bundles of fragrant incense began to gather at the altar. The more the people had been tormented by the sea's horrors, the more profound their gratitude became toward the one who had delivered them from the abyss. Thick, gray coils of smoke rose into the air, carrying the scent of sandalwood and salt toward the heavens.
For those who lived by the mountain and sea, their lives depended entirely on nature's mercy. Here, countless fishermen made their living from the ocean's bounty, their hands calloused by rough ropes and brine. If a deep-seated fear kept them permanently ashore, the city's economy, based on trade and salt, would collapse into ruin. The temple was a practical solution, acting as a sturdy symbol of reclaimed safety.
Naturally, the rolling waves of spiritual energy from the incense offerings also gathered around Su Min. It was a tangible force she could feel, a golden warmth that hummed against her skin. At this moment, however, she wasn't in a hurry to seek out the metal-attributed monster the monk had spoken of. Instead, she seized this period of stability to step into the foundational stage of the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.
Seated cross-legged atop a jagged, wave-lashed reef, Su Min's figure seemed to blend with the heavens and the earth. Sharp barnacles pressed against her legs and the rhythmic, thunderous crash of the tides sprayed fine mist over her shoulders. She began her silent, deep meditation, delving into the ancient and profound sutra. In the game, this would have been no more than a passing cutscene or a quick stat increase. But this was no mere game. This was her reality, and the process was demanding. Every breath required focus as she channeled the turbulent energy through her meridians.
"Amitābha."
Not far from her, the little monk sat quietly on the sand. He watched her every subtle movement, noting the way her breathing slowed until it was nearly imperceptible. He needed to see for himself if this woman truly possessed the heart and comprehension necessary for the Buddha's path. Without that innate quality, the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra would forever remain a closed book, its deepest powers out of reach.
This heart wasn't blind obedience to rigid commandments. It was something more intangible and formless, a clarity of purpose and understanding. Soon, a faint, pure golden glow began to emanate from Su Min's body. The light pulsed in time with the waves, a clear sign that she was nearing a genuine enlightenment.
Inside Su Min's consciousness, she had entered a strange, unique space. It was a landscape of her own mind, vast and echoing. Like a series of visions, one figure after another materialized before her. There were the Niu Ma she had first slain in the mountains, his faces twisted in the same shock he had worn in death. Countless other faceless mountain thieves appeared, followed by the demon slayers from the Qi Refining Stage she had killed more recently. All of these were the souls of those who had died by her blade, now surfacing as she was about to master the foundational layer of the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.
Those who had fallen to her blade floated before her as pale, flickering, accusatory shadows. Their appearance was no coincidence. They were her heart's tribulation, the inner obstacle she had to face and overcome to attain true understanding.
"So this is meant to shake my heart?" Su Min murmured inwardly. Her spiritual gaze remained steady and unflinching as the shadows drifted closer. "I never claimed to be a good person in the conventional sense. But in all I have done, I have a clear conscience. You illusory shadows have no true power over me."
A moment later, a grand will, golden and tinged with the crimson of past conflicts, swept across her consciousness. A mighty, impersonal voice thundered within her mind's vault, vibrating through her very soul.
"Thy karmic sins emerge. From whence came thy killings?"
Even with her foresight and knowledge, Su Min had to admit that the monks' methods were peculiar and profound. This voice didn't come from an external spirit but from the very depths of the sutra itself. It was a test woven into its fabric. As someone who had once played through the game version, she understood that there were no true, independent Buddhas or Bodhisattvas in this world. There were only immensely powerful concepts and laws given form.
The voice resounded once more. Its tone was neither angry nor kind, simply immense.
"Tell me, what fate awaits those who kill?"
Su Min closed her eyes briefly in the mental space, gathering her resolve. Then she answered without hesitation, her voice clear and firm in her own mind.
"Those who bear grave sins fall into the Eighteenth Level of Avīci Hell. But if I strike down evildoers before they can commit their sins, severing their evil karma, I don't only prevent them from falling into Hell but also save countless future innocents. Thus, to kill for protection isn't to kill out of hatred. To sever karma isn't to sever lives."
The moment her words fell, the surging blood clouds and ghastly illusions began to shudder. They dissipated like storm clouds after a tempest has passed. In their place, a majestic, serene golden Buddha manifested within Su Min's mind. It didn't appear as a person, but as an embodiment of the principle she had just affirmed.
[You have comprehended the First Layer of the Great Sun Tathāgata Sutra.]
[Skill Gained: Golden Bell Shield]
[Golden Bell Shield: Erects a spiritual barrier to defend the body. Its strength scales with your cultivation level.]
[Buddha's Protection: Through gathered incense and faith, your strength is tempered. Worshippers under your protection may survive calamities, depending on your cultivation and the severity of the threat.]
"Hah..."
With a soft exhale, Su Min opened her eyes. The real-world air felt cool against her skin. She had only just crossed the threshold of the sutra, yet she had already gained a powerful defensive technique, something she had long lacked. In time, she could cultivate the legendary Golden Body of the Great Sun and achieve perfect unity between offense and defense. As for the Buddha's Protection, it would passively shelter her followers and faintly bind their fates to her own, strengthening her through their faith.
"How long did I meditate?" Turning toward the endless waves, she asked the little monk who was still standing watch nearby.
"Three days," the monk replied. His tone now carried a note of respect. "Within three days, Benefactor passed the Heart Trial. Your will is truly unshakable. What path will you take next?"
"Naturally, I must seek out the elemental treasures needed for my Foundation Establishment," Su Min stated, rising to her feet. She brushed the salt and grit from her robes. "Compared to this place, Lingxi Prefecture must hold far greater riches and dangers. Judging by your own solid foundation, you must be aiming for a Heaven's Path Foundation as well."
"Indeed. My own path requires it. Shall we travel together? I wish to see more of this world for myself and to seek those few who are destined for the Buddha's Way. I intend to build new temples as I go."
"Then we shall journey together," Su Min agreed.
She had no real objection. She didn't mind their missionary work. In fact, she quietly supported it. Their expansion would inevitably draw them into conflict with the imperial court of Great Wei, and anything that made Great Wei unhappy pleased her greatly.
She had no personal desire to rule the world. Another major power rising within the borders of Great Wei would only create more chaos and divert the emperor's attention, and that wasn't her concern. Besides, she still had a very personal score to settle with that wretched Emperor of Great Wei. If not for the demon empress's protection, she would have already stormed the palace and taken his head.
"Let's move on. The Fuding Merchant Guild hasn't sent any new information yet," she said, thinking aloud.
Casting one last look at the new temple behind her, Su Min stood gracefully. The three days of deep meditation on the reef had left no fatigue in her body or spirit. As for the golden element monster, even if it had fled to the ends of the earth, she was determined to hunt it down and destroy it for the treasure it held.
"That monster hides within the depths of the western desert, a sea of ten thousand miles of yellow sand, far from this ocean," the little monk said quietly, confirming the direction.
Hearing this, Su Min's brow twitched slightly. She sighed with a hint of regret. Her newly gained Vermilion Bird's Shield could grant her flight, but it consumed far too much spiritual energy. It was acceptable for short bursts in battle, yet it was utterly impractical for long-distance travel. The sheer distance didn't truly trouble her resolve, but crossing thousands of miles of barren desert was still a daunting prospect. The monk had no reason to lie, so she might as well begin the long journey.
"Don't you want to say farewell to the governor?" the monk asked.
"No need. We aren't close. Besides, staying too long in one place would only cause problems. The Emperor and that demon queen are probably already plotting against me, and a stationary target is an easy one."
A faint, cold smile touched Su Min's lips. That was the beauty of operating in this chaotic world. As long as she remained nomadic and unpredictable, her enemies would find it nearly impossible to pin her down or set an effective trap.