Upon arriving at the gates of Fanyin City, Jin Bao'er instructed the two to wait on the boat while she, accompanied by Jin Huang, headed for the Fanyin family.
Shortly after entering the city, she frowned, her divine sense spreading outwards. She quickly noticed shocked gazes from passersby. As she looked up, they nervously averted their eyes, as if afraid she would notice.
She felt a pang of confusion. She glanced at her current attire and then at Jin Huang's flamboyant red hair. Was it because of this? No… the gazes were directed at her.
This feeling of something having happened that everyone knew except her was unsettling.
So, after proceeding a bit further, she decisively grabbed a passerby who had been peeking at her.
The man had furtively glanced at her, surprise and excitement flashing in his eyes. When he turned back, her stunning face suddenly appeared before him, startling him so much he almost screamed.
Jin Bao'er narrowed her cold eyes, finding him even more suspicious. Could it be an informant sent by someone? But why so timid?
"Are you looking at me?"
She was certain it wasn't because of her looks; there was an added element of excitement in his eyes.
Hearing her, the man hastily waved his hands, his voice trembling.
"No, no, no… it's… it's…"
His stuttering for so long only confirmed one thing: the man recognized her! Her eyes flickered, and three thin ice shards instantly pressed against the man's collar, heart, and dan tian! A hint of killing intent leaked out, enough to suffocate.
"Who sent you? Think carefully before answering. Misstep even once… and I can't guarantee what will happen next!"
The woman in white remained motionless, her sharp eyes fixed on him, her tone laced with threat.
The man's heart suddenly tightened, and his body involuntarily trembled! His face turned deathly pale! His skin keenly felt the formidable spiritual energy attached to the ice shards, carrying a chilling coldness, without the slightest hesitation.
A strong survival instinct surged through his brain, and he blurted everything out in one breath.
"I… I'll talk! I wasn't sent by anyone! I saw your attire and saw you at the auction last time! I know you're Jin Bao'er, and I just wanted to see how powerful the legendary number one talent on the Divine Rankings truly was… I, I meant no harm!"
Jin Bao'er was taken aback by his words! She frowned subconsciously.
"Number one on the Divine Rankings? Wasn't that Gong Jue Mingyin?"
Suddenly remembering she had also gone through the trial grounds, it was indeed possible…
Thinking this, she fell silent. She hadn't expected this situation. She hadn't paid it much mind before; after all, there were countless powerhouses in the upper realms, and many below a hundred years old. Even if she made the list, she didn't think she'd be number one! She hadn't expected this…
Then, she waved her hand, dissipating the three ice shards, and turned to leave. This time, she didn't forget to add another layer of concealment to her and Jin Huang's faces!
Jin Huang felt a cool breeze and curiously touched his face. Then he heard a disdainful remark.
"Hmph, don't act so surprised! As if you could do it!"
Hearing this, the young girl directly lowered her eyes and glared at the white cat in her arms, her tone annoyed.
"As if you could! If you're so capable, why don't you try it! What's there to brag about!"
Jin Bao'er pretended not to hear, choosing not to interfere in the couple's bickering.
However, in her heart, she contemplated the implications of the Divine Rankings. Gong Jue Mingyin, as the former number one, had always been under the scrutiny of the seven great families. Now that it was her turn, she would likely become the focus of attention…
Though she didn't know if it was good or bad, since things had come to this, she wasn't afraid, whether it was to be courted or hunted.
At this moment, far on the periphery of the trial grounds…
A group of monks in white robes finally began to fidget!
"Buddha Son, it's been two days! Will the person you spoke of really come out?"
The delicate and refined monk opened his eyes, his compassionate gaze fixed on the trial grounds. A hint of doubt also appeared in his eyes.
"According to my calculations, she should come out within these two days!"
But now, they hadn't seen anyone appear at all! Was the calculation flawed? Impossible!
So… had someone deliberately concealed her presence?
Thinking this, the youth directly stepped towards the trial grounds. The monks immediately rose and followed him. Just as they were about to speak…
A transparent barrier blocked the youth's path, seemingly refusing his entry! The youth frowned slightly, but showed no intention of withdrawing his foot.
After a prolonged standoff, just as the youth's foot was about to enter the trial grounds! A voice suddenly rang out.
"The trial grounds are only open to cultivators under one hundred years old. You, sir, are ancient beyond measure, need I say more?"
As the words were spoken, a gray shadow gradually appeared in the sky above the edge of the trial grounds. Although its appearance was unclear, the monks could clearly feel its sharp gaze.
The Buddha Son looked up, and upon seeing the newcomer, he withdrew his foot. There was no trace of embarrassment on his face, as if his attempt to force his way into the trial grounds hadn't happened. His expression remained compassionate and gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Amitabha, please forgive us! We came to welcome someone, but we haven't seen them, so we were compelled to act!"
The gray figure, the Master of the Trial Grounds, heard this and maintained a calm tone.
"Oh…"
Seeing that he offered no further explanation, the Buddha Son's expression remained gently smiling, without any hint of impatience.
"Then, does the Master of the Trial Grounds know if that woman has already left? We would be eternally grateful!"
Hearing this, the Master of the Trial Grounds raised an eyebrow slightly. He knew very well who they were waiting for, and he had deliberately concealed Jin Bao'er's departure trace and aura. However, he simply disliked these monks! He hated their compassionate and noble demeanor, as if no one in this world could make them falter.
"Many people enter the trial grounds every once in a while. How would I know who you are referring to! If you want to wait, then wait. If you try to force your way in again, don't blame me for turning hostile!"
With that, he turned and left.
The Buddha Son looked at his retreating back, pondered for a moment, then…
"Let us leave! The one we seek is no longer here."
The monks were startled, their gazes towards the trial grounds filled with a trace of anger.
"Buddha Son! That person must have done it intentionally! Is this not a mockery of us?"
But the Buddha Son simply smiled.
"Foolish child… do not be hasty! Perhaps this is a test from heaven! We've waited for so many years, a few more days won't matter!"
The monk named Chitian, a burly man, immediately responded with respectful obedience. The annoyance in his eyes gradually faded.
The emotions in the eyes of the other monks also disappeared, returning to a state of calm.
Among the Fushan lineage, apart from the Buddha Son, who held the greatest authority and mystery, there were the seven guardians: Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Hatred, Love, Evil, and Desire. Thus, no one from the upper realms had ever seen the Buddha Son.
Not long after the group of monks departed, the gray shadow reappeared, a look of gravity in its eyes.
The Buddha Son of the Buddhist sect… had actually appeared?