Chen Ming flicked his sleeve and all souls entered it as the wind ruffled his clothes.

  In Chen Ming’s heart, The souls here must be 500 tons. Before I began reciting, they must have been 50 or so.

  Chen Ming’s thoughts moved deeper. The Sin Searing Book could purify souls, making them heavier and transcend them. This must never get out.

  With this purpose in mind, he held two Soul Beads in his sleeve. One was his, holding the excess souls, and the second was Crown Prince’s.

  This Soul Bead held 100 tons.

  Close to an hour later, Chen Ming finished collecting all souls.

  Second Crown Prince landed next to him and Chen Ming offered his Soul Bead, “Little monk didn’t fail, please take it, second Crown Prince.”


  Crown Prince held no shred of doubt Chen Ming could carry the heavy Soul Bead. Others would feel the weight of those souls but not a heart monk.

  Sun rose above and pierced the black night, shining on Chen Ming’s back. Second Crown Prince felt as if he was in the presence of Buddha descended on the mortal world.

  He took the Soul Bead in shock.

  There should have been around 50 tons of souls here, but after the monk cleansed them it became 100!

  He bowed, “Grandmaster’s achievement in Dao is incredible. Please forgive my earlier offense.”


  Chen Ming smiled, “Was there any offense?”


  He let an awkward smile, Who knew I’d met such an accomplished monk on my travels to help Qi Shijiu!

  Second Crown Prince asked, “May I know Grandmaster’s name?”


  “Little monk is Ran Zui.”(1)

  Second Crown Prince noted something, When I called him Grandmaster, he didn’t refuse. This only proves he is one.

  As for calling himself little monk, he chalked it up as modesty.

  Second Crown Prince returned to the city together with second Crown Prince, “Grandmaster Ran Zui, where are you heading next? Please tell me if there’s anything I can do to help Grandmaster. Grandmaster helped me with such an important matter, as long as it’s within my power, I will help you!”


  Chen Ming smiled, “This humble monk comes from the Easter Tang and is going to the West to seek out the Buddhist scriptures. I heard the Buddhist Sect Golden Zenith has many scriptures and my heart calls out to them. I would like to consult them.”


  “This is somewhat difficult. The Golden Zenith has tremendous power. Even the four Great Immortal Domains don’t dare to make demands. They are all esteemed and revered.”


  Chen Ming got the gist, These Heavenly Court people are all shit. He would tell you the matter was hard then help you solve it. “Then I won’t trouble benefactor.”


  “That is not what I’m saying. It is hard, but since it’s for Grandmaster, I will think of a way.”


  What did I say? To repay Chen Ming’s kindness, Second Crown Prince changed his words and was now helping him. In other words, there were no good souls in Heavenly Court.

  Chen Ming smiled, “Thank you, benefactor.”


  Second Crown Prince saw his smile and thought, My methods are useless, but that’s a given. What else can you expect from a Grandmaster?

  He said, “A month from now, Golden Zenith shall hold a debate to settle the lead position of the heart monks. As Grandmaster yearns for their scriptures, allow me to accompany you.”


  Chen Ming nodded with praise, “Excellent!”


  Oh, it looks like I’ll get to copy the Buddhist Sect’s scriptures while I’m at it. I almost forgot that they also have a stele.

  One month later.

  Chen Ming and second Crown Prince were climbing the mountain housing the Golden Zenith. With how expert he was with untold Daos, Chen Ming gave out a phrase of wisdom here and then, earning the other’s admiration and making him feel like he was a Grandmaster among Grandmasters.

  On this day, may factions sent their men to attend this debate. Second Crown Prince’s coming exposed his status with but a glance, representing Heavenly Court in this meeting.

  Second Crown Prince asked before the gate, “Grandmaster, I wonder what identity is best to present myself under?”


  “Since benefactor is here, take on the identity of Heavenly Court. This will also express the Heavenly Court’s respect for Golden Zenith.”


  Second Crown Prince was caught off guard, as if Chen Ming saw through him, “Grandmaster, you can divine my identity?”


  Chen Ming smiled and made a Buddhist gesture while shouting, “Presenting Heavenly Court’s second Crown Prince!”


  Second Crown Prince was in shock, Grandmaster Ran Zui is amazing in his own right! He exposed who I am and believed in his scrying without hesitation.

  The prince held his hands in prayer, “Grandmaster’s skill is divine.”


  In Chen Ming’s heart, Kid, Immortal Master Chen didn’t learn Heavenly Imperial Dao Cannon for nothing!

  The prince’s thoughts started drifting, Wasn’t father searching for a divine scryer? Grandmaster Ran Zui seems to know his stuff!

  Who’d be better I wonder, Headless Assembly’s priest or Grandmaster Ran Zui?

  Second Crown Prince’s wide smile shined like the sun. He’d need to gather data on this Grandmaster that had the potential of fighting the priest first. Grandmaster Ran Zui has high heart cultivation and can also divine, however, he might be inferior to the Headless Assembly’s priest.

  The monks reacted in an instant, “Benefactors, please follow us up the mountain.”


  Second Crown Prince spotted among the crowd Heavenly Court’s Crown Prince’s general, “Damn it, eldest brother’s men are here!”


  Eldest brother must also hold some interest in a Grandmaster to fight off the priest.

  Their fight would give the victor the Grandmaster they wanted. Heavenly Court had nine Crown Princes, with the Crown Prince, second Crown Prince and ninth Crown Prince most eligible for being Emperor.

  (1) Lit. burning sins, which is also the name of the Sin Searing Book.