From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

Inside the temple, it was bustling with activities.

Pilgrims knelt and gave their prayers with incense.

Echoes of chanting by the monks filled the surroundings.

The monotonous chants gave the pilgrims a sense of relaxation, easing their anxieties.

Hu Tuo was chanting at a huge golden statue that resembled Long Kong.

However, the expression on the statue looked benevolent, which was far from what Long Kong's scheming face looked like.

Lin Fan tapped on Hu Tuo's shoulder.

Surprised by the tap, Hu Tuo stopped his chanting and turned back to look at Lin Fan.

He frowned as he tried to recall who this middle-aged man was.

There was a feeling that he knew the man, but Hu Tuo just couldn't pinpoint it.

"I'm here to look for an old monk called Wang Nian. Possible to help?" Lin Fan asked.

Hu Tuo narrowed his eyes and looked at the others that were with Lin Fan.

A rugged teenager and a scholar that looked pale and weak.

What a rare bunch, Hu Tuo thought.

And most importantly, they didn't look like patrons that would seek help from Wang Nian.

"He is in the Silent Heart garden. Follow me." Hu Tuo bowed and led Lin Fan and the others to the back of the main temple.

They walked through a long corridor filled with paintings of fights between monks and devils.

Lin Fan noticed that monks stood all over the corridor on alert with their golden staffs.

After walking for an incense time, they arrived at a garden that had beautifully landscaped greenery.

Rocks with sand and bonsai were strategically placed.

An old monk was seated in lotus position in the middle of the garden and rubbing his reddened nose.

Lin Fan could smell the alcohol a few meters away from the old monk.

"Senior martial brother, these visitors came to see you." Hu Tuo bowed to the old monk and said.

"More wandering souls in need of help in matters of the heart? Don't worry, my blessing always works." The old monk, Wang Nian, opened his eyes but was surprised.

He wasn't expecting such a bunch.

Normally it would be young ladies seeking his help with prayers to get their love interests to like them.

"Ahem. You need me to have prayers for the jade beauties you love?" Wang Nian frowned as he scanned Lin Fan, Ho Ming, and Hun Yen Kun.

Hun Yen Kun tried hard to hold back his laughter as he had the opposite problem.

Ho Ming gave him an awkward laugh.

Shaking his head, Lin Fan walked up to the old monk and took out the wooden slab from the chief librarian.

Inspecting the wooden slab, Wang Nian sighed, and he looked at the surroundings, making sure there wasn't anyone around.

"Hu Tuo, you can go back to the main hall now, I will handle these patrons." Wang Nian said and Hu Tuo obliged.

"That old man just doesn't give up, does he." Wang Nian kept the wooden slab and stood up.

"Follow me. Keep quiet and let me handle everything." Wang Nian said.

Lin Fan and the others nodded, and they followed behind.

They got further into the West Monastery.

Walking by where the monks stayed.

And to their surprise, they saw young and muscular monks bringing the madam they saw earlier into their room.

Ho Ming stopped in his track as it was something he couldn't comprehend, but Lin Fan patted on his back.

It was none of their concern.

Finally, they reached a huge tower, at least seven floors high.

Martial monks stood in front of the entrance and guarded the tower.

"Stop." One of the martial monks stopped Wang Nian when he tried to step past them.

"Huh. Don't worry, I'm bringing these patrons to have a better view of the West Monastery.

"They plan to donate to the monastery and help in the expansion.

"Young master over there said it's his dream to be able to look at the West Monastery from up high." Wang Nian pointed at Hun Yen Kun and said.

Out of the three, Hun Yen Kun in his scholar attire looked to be the wealthiest.

But it didn't convince.

Hun Yen Kun smiled and nodded.

Lin Fan then walked up to the martial monk and handed him a piece of silver.

"Who do you think I am!" The martial monk shouted and pushed back Lin Fan's hand.

Lin Fan narrowed his eyes for a moment and then he gave the martial monk a smile.

"I'm sorry. Silly me." He kept the silver and slapped the back of his head.

They had to find another way to get into the tower.

Lin Fan nudged Wang Nian and gave him a stare.

Wang Nian gave Lin Fan an apologetic smile and whispered to him, "Maybe we have to try and come back at night or think of other ways."

Lin Fan had one in mind as he activated his Resonant Echo ability.

He planted an explosion sound in the vicinity. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

All he had to do was trigger the sound and cause a confusion.

...

Meanwhile, Long Yong with the Dark Lord walked up the long stairs leading up to the main temple.

His robe was all black compared to the yellow robes of the monks in the West Monastery.

The Dark Lord was in his usual dark robe.

Huo Ren Yi followed closely behind with his silk clothes.

Pilgrims and visitors gave way to them as they exuded a chilling aura.

Finally, when they got to the top of the stairs and into the main temple, Long Yong shouted.

"Long Kong! Where are you! Come out and face your senior martial brother!"

He glanced at the pilgrims and all the gold-plated surroundings.

Two monks came up to Long Yong on his left and right, they placed their hands onto Long Yong's shoulders.

"Who are you? We haven't seen you around. Please don't disrupt the patrons and pilgrims."

Splatter.

Before they could react, Long Yong punched through the chest of the two monks.

He then pulled his hands out from the chest of the two monks and flicked the blood away from his hand.

"Go forth and find the manuscript." Long Yong glanced over to the Dark Lord and said.