Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"It seems you are quite confident about passing the Incense Offering Ceremony," Daoji's words prompted Jiang Liu to ask.

With such a high elimination rate of about ninety percent, who could be sure they would absolutely pass?

In response to Jiang Liu's comment, Daoji did not argue, but simply asked, "Junior Brother, you don't think that the method of testing one's Buddhist fate is limited to the Incense Offering Ceremony, do you? I've been lingering at the Great Buddha Temple for the past few days, and Master Longhai once said, 'My Buddhist fate is profound; I could mark at least five incense scars'."

If one could mark three to five incense scars, they could rise to the higher echelons of most temples, even to the position of an abbot, and be called a master.

At least five? Does that not mean there is a chance to mark a sixth?

By this stage, one almost belongs to the reincarnations of Vajra or Biqiu from the Western Spirit Mountain, right? Such profound Buddhist fate Daoji has!

Jiang Liu wore a look of astonishment on his face, which greatly pleased Daoji.

Since there was plenty of time, Daoji didn't mind chatting a bit more.

"The Jinshan Temple you are affiliated with, I know a bit about it. Perhaps, you're not too familiar with the significance of the number of incense scars? The annual Incense Offering Ceremony is held simultaneously in seventy-seven temples within the Great Tang territory. Based on past occurrences, each temple might successfully conduct the ceremony for about fifty to sixty disciples.

Therefore, over the course of a year, less than three thousand disciples successfully receive the incense," he said.

"Amongst them, the vast majority have one or two incense scars; the higher the number goes, the fewer the people. Those capable of marking five incense scars can be counted on one's fingers, and as for six scars, it might take several years to encounter one in the entire Great Tang territory."

Boasting, in front of Jiang Liu, Daoji was indeed boasting. With Master Longhai personally stating he could mark at least five incense scars, he felt that he ought to be the main star of today's Great Buddha Temple's Incense Offering Ceremony without a doubt.

Daoji's words made Jiang Liu realize what was going on.

If it's said that all the monks attending the Incense Offering Ceremony are like taking a direct entrance exam, then Daoji might as well have secretly taken a practice exam beforehand and scored highly, so he was full of confidence in himself.

However, these boasts sounded rather meaningless to Jiang Liu, for unlike other monks, he had never considered becoming a monk.

Whoosh!

While Jiang Liu and Daoji were talking, or rather while Daoji was boasting, suddenly, the whole venue erupted into murmurs.

A young monk on the stage had already marked five incense scars on his head and was about to mark the sixth when the incense extinguished.

The sudden appearance of a monk with five incense scars caused a stir in the crowd, many casting envious glances.

With such Buddhist fate, if he were in any ordinary temple, he would surely become an abbot in the future.

"Amitabha, your disciple has profound Buddhist fate. Would he like to join our Great Buddha Temple and delve deeply into Buddhist doctrines?" Seeing the disciple with five incense scars emerge, even the Holy Monk Longhai himself took two steps forward, his face benevolent and kindly as he spoke softly.

"Disciple, I am willing!" Hearing that Holy Monk Longhai personally invited him, almost wanting to take him as a pupil, the young monk was overjoyed, trembling with excitement.

"Your Majesty, this disciple has profound Buddhist fate. Would you bestow upon him a Dharma name?" After accepting this disciple, Holy Monk Longhai then addressed the Emperor.

"Hmm, a disciple with five incense scars, which is rare to see over many years. I will grant you the Dharma name Xuanfan. I hope you will delve into Buddhist doctrines deeply and master the divine skills of subduing demons and eliminating evil," Emperor Li Shimin nodded, also looking with what admiration at the young monk with five incense scars, pausing slightly before bestowing the Dharma name.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Receiving a Dharma name directly from the Emperor himself, the young monk expressed his gratitude excitedly.

"It appears there is more than one monk who can mark five incense scars."

Watching the young monk, who because of his five incense scars momentarily became the focus of countless onlookers, Jiang Liu wasn't too envious, merely teasing Daoji with a laugh.

Within the Great Tang territory, as seventy-seven temples simultaneously hold the Incense Offering Ceremony, those who can mark five incense scars are few and far between.

Assigned to each of the seventy-seven temples, isn't that a rarity seen only once in several years?

"I, I could at least mark five incense scars, perhaps I could mark six, or even seven?" Watching the young monk who had marked five incense scars, Daoji could hardly boast in front of Jiang Liu anymore, his expression growing serious, yet he stubbornly spoke.

Regarding Daoji's stubborn words, Jiang Liu simply smiled lightly, saying nothing more.

To him, attending the Incense Offering Ceremony was merely to join in the excitement and to legitimately renounce the world and descend the mountain, simply to provide an explanation to Jinshan Temple and nothing more.

Following the appearance of the monk with five incense scars, the atmosphere of the Incense Offering Ceremony seemed to reach its climax, becoming much more fervent.

Round after round of youths went on stage, offering incense under the watchful eyes of all, and consecutively, several monks successfully offered incense, becoming true Buddhist Disciples.

About half an hour later, it was finally Daoji's turn to go on stage.

Dressed in a monk's robe as white as the crescent moon, Daoji's face bore a calm smile as he walked slowly, exuding an extraordinary grace.

"This disciple seems out of the ordinary..." said Emperor of Tang Li Shimin in a low voice as he watched Daoji ascend the platform.

"Your Majesty, this is a new disciple I took under my wing a few days ago, his dharma name is Daoji," the Saint Monk Longhai responded softly as the Emperor of Tang Li Shimin spoke.

"So he is the direct disciple of the Holy Monk, no wonder," hearing this, Emperor of Tang Li Shimin looked even more amazed at Daoji.

Before even offering incense, Longhai had taken him as a disciple, revealing the extent of Daoji's affinity with Buddha.

Jiang Liu's gaze also fell on Daoji, his heart curiously stirred.

Daoji, humble and polite, bowed to the master performing the Incense Offering Ceremony for him.

This high-ranking monk, evidently aware of his identity, responded with a gentle, pleasant smile.

Daoji knelt down and slightly lowered his head; in front of him, the master lifted the Great Incense, which ignited by itself, sparkled with starlight. The lit incense was pressed against Daoji's head.

With his head bowed, it was impossible to tell whether Daoji's expression bore any pain.

However, a moment later, the Great Incense was lifted, leaving one incense scar on his bald head.

The incense continued to burn; the Great Incense was applied again, and then, the second incense scar appeared.

By this time, the incense for the other five young monks had already extinguished, and everyone's attention was focused on Daoji.

Now there were two incense scars.

The monk in front of Daoji, unhurried, proceeded to apply the third and fourth incense scars...

"There are already four incense scars!" All were holding their breath in anticipation, uncertain if it could continue.

The Great Incense was pressed down again, not extinguishing, and as the hand was lifted, the fifth incense scar appeared on Daoji's head.

"Hiss! Another person has achieved five incense scars!" Observing the five incense scars on Daoji's head, the Great Buddha Temple was once again astounded!

The master in front of Daoji paused for a moment, and then, the Great Incense was applied again to Daoji's head.

At that moment, Emperor of Tang Li Shimin straightened his body, Master Longhai's eyebrows lifted, and countless people stretched their necks, looking on eagerly.

The Great Incense still was not extinguished.

As the hand was lifted, the sixth incense scar appeared before everyone.

Sensational!

Seeing the six incense scars on Daoji's head, the entire Great Buddha Temple was abuzz.

The audience on the stands and the monks in the square were all at a loss for words.

Emperor of Tang Li Shimin beside them also wore a look of shock.

Saint Monk Longhai suddenly stood up and took the still-burning Great Incense from the master in front of Daoji.

"My disciple, your master will personally offer you the incense!" Looking at the six incense scars on Daoji's head, Saint Monk Longhai's eyes also carried a look of anticipation.