As the sun reached its zenith, the Heavenly Net Assembly at the Jingxu Temple became increasingly lively. → Numerous pilgrims arrived at the temple, each reveling in the bustling atmosphere.
Unlike ordinary Taoist ceremonies, the Jingxu Temple's grand ceremony seemed particularly approachable to ordinary people. Whether it was the free food or the provided incense and talismans, all made the pilgrims feel welcome.
In particular, the flesh of the demon beasts garnered praise from everyone. As a result, nearly half more people came to Jingxu Mountain that day.
From afar and near, the sounds of people were boisterous, with men, women, old, and young all enjoying themselves.
In front of the plaza at the foot of the mountain, dozens of statues of deities were placed around. Little foxes delivered offerings to each deity. Furthermore, fox maidens performed joyful dances, their movements exquisitely captivating.
When Shen Yueshu arrived at the temple, she was somewhat bewildered. She had heard Jiang Wen mention that the temple would hold a grand ceremony, but she hadn't expected so many people to attend, with countless heads jostling like a popular scenic spot.
"This, so many people?" her roommates exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah... maybe it's because there's a grand ceremony today, so many people came," Shen Yueshu said with a forced smile. She sent Jiang Wen a message, and Jiang Wen replied with, "I know."
She hadn't waited long when a woman gracefully walked over, attracting the attention of the boys from the blind date event.
"Sister Yue, come this way. Well, the Abbot asked me to bring you in," the woman said to Shen Yueshu with a smile. She and Shen Yueshu were quite familiar with each other.
This was because Shen Yueshu was a regular visitor to the temple, and she often came to chat when Jiang Wen was not around. According to the other members of the temple, this sister was the Abbot's personal disciple, so the little foxes were respectful towards her. While they played around usually, they wouldn't dare to be too presumptuous.
"Oh, it's you! Thirteen. Is it so lively today?!" Shen Yueshu asked, relieved to see a familiar face. Her mood slightly relaxed as she questioned the woman.
"Of course, today is the temple's first grand ceremony. The Abbot said it should be big and lively. We sisters got up before dawn to prepare, we're exhausted," the woman complained softly. "Sister Bai even called us lazy foxes. Where else could you find foxes as diligent as us?"
"Indeed, Thirteen is the most diligent," Shen Yueshu said with a smile.
Thirteen was a nickname Shen Yueshu had given to the little foxes, simply because there were too many foxes in the Jingxu Temple, leading to her often mixing up their names. In the end, she simply used numbers instead, which was much easier.
"Sister Yue, please come in quickly, I still need to attend to other people," the woman invited Shen Yueshu and the others to the backyard courtyard, then quickly left.
Leaving a group of eight people standing in the serene temple courtyard, staring at each other blankly.
"Where do we go now?" a boy asked softly.
"Yueyue, you're familiar with this place. What do you think we should do?" Wang Qian looked at Shen Yueshu.
"Let's assign rooms first, I'm familiar with this place." Shen Yueshu led the group to two empty rooms. Each could accommodate four people, and bedding had already been laid out, so they could rest indoors after putting down their belongings.
The scenery in this backyard courtyard was even more beautiful than the front mountain, with snow pines standing proudly and plum blossoms in full bloom. Red lanterns hung from the green bricks and blue tiles, and the gentle sound of wind chimes brought a comfortable warmth. It was as if a spring breeze was caressing them, lulling them into a drowsy state.
Occasionally, the lively laughter of women could be heard, causing several male students to lose their composure. Shen Yueshu's roommates were very dissatisfied with them.
"Yueyue, there are so many beautiful young ladies here. I've never seen so many pretty girls," a roommate said, both curious and surprised.
It was rare to see a great beauty on the street, but this temple was full of them, more than they could take in.
Shen Yueshu naturally knew the identities of those women, she only said that the temple had good feng shui that nourished people, so there were many beautiful girls.
Her roommates all agreed with this statement.
After tidying up their belongings, the group left the back mountain and began to explore the Heavenly Net Assembly at Jingxu Mountain.
As noon arrived, the sun became warmer.
Accompanied by the sound of twelve chimes, the important ceremony of the Heavenly Net Assembly began.
On the high platform, incense smoke swirled.
Seeing that the time had come, Jiang Wen nodded. Surrounded by numerous pilgrims, he began to speak: "Today is the Jingxu Temple's Heavenly Net Assembly, I will now expound on the scriptures and discuss the Great Luo Dao."
His voice was like a resounding bell, clearly audible to everyone present. This voice seemed to possess magic, and the originally clamorous crowd instantly quieted down. The restless hearts of everyone were soothed, and they listened quietly to Jiang Wen's speech.
"The Celestial Venerable said: Good men and good women, who can generate the natural intent of the Dao, enter the gate of the Dharma, and receive my ten precepts and fourteen virtues of self-cultivation, shall be disciples of the Great Dao..."
Jiang Wen began, reciting the *Ten Precepts Sutra Spoken by the Celestial Worthy of the Mysterious Cave and Numinous Treasure*. His eyes shone with divine light, and his face was rosy. His body was like that of a venerable one, overlooking the vast multitude of living beings.
The pilgrims listening to his words felt as if they had entered a dream. Their minds were in a dreamlike state, changing with Jiang Wen's discourse.
Memories of the past welled up in everyone's hearts, with a hundred faces, some joyful and some sorrowful. Some recalled the departure of loved ones and their own loneliness, and tears streamed down their faces. Some thought of their own evil deeds, felt remorse, and blamed themselves. Some thought of things they had sought but could not obtain, and became relieved and detached, no longer stubborn.
All those who were present and listened to Jiang Wen's discourse were able to feel and understand. The things they desired and sought in their hearts were put down at this moment, as if they had understood life and understood human reason.
Unconsciously, some knelt on the ground, closed their eyes, and worshipped. Then, like a landslide, countless people knelt around the high platform.
At this moment, heaven and earth were silent. Only the words of the sage echoed in their ears, parting the clouds and pointing directly to the Great Dao.
The pilgrims were all in this state, and the foxes were even more devout. They sat cross-legged on the steps, closed their eyes, and listened quietly to Jiang Wen's discourse. For them, this opportunity was too rare, even a once-in-a-millennium event.
After all, white foxes were born with spirituality, and as many foxes listened to Jiang Wen's discourse, their unshaken realms began to waver. They listened with fascination, as if basking in the spring waters, unwilling to wake up.
As for the others at the highest point of the Jingxu Temple, although they listened carefully, they also had doubts in their hearts.
They were puzzled when Jiang Wen said he would lecture on the Dao at the Heavenly Net Assembly, because in their hearts, lecturing on the Dao was something that only a sage of Sendai could do.
But listening today, the Abbot's realm was definitely not as simple as the Dao Palace. Perhaps in cultivation, he was still in the Dao Palace realm, but on the path he was walking, he had already stepped into the land of the sage.
"How dare I belittle the vastness of heaven and earth, only then can I obtain the initial heart of the Great Dao," Jiang Wen said with a smile.
