Before entering the Thunderous Sound Temple, the master's face was solemn, and he warned us:

"All Buddhas have already fallen into the demonic path, and I am nearing it as well."

"After entering the Thunderous Sound Temple, remember, what should not be eaten must not be eaten, what should not be heard must not be heard, what should not be seen must not be seen, what should not be drunk must not be drunk."

"My words cannot be completely trusted either."

During his speech, the master emitted a golden light that I had never seen before, displaying profound cultivation and powers.

The master truly deserved to be called an accomplished monk, with gentle and comforting Buddhist light.

After listening to the master's words, the three senior disciples had different reactions.

The eldest senior brother, who was the most carefree, showed no response.

The second senior brother put away his usual playful smile, sighed deeply, as if he had long anticipated it.

The third senior brother was the most honest, constantly asking what it meant, but no one paid him any attention.

Mount Ling was a sacred place in Buddhism, so how could it be a demonic den?

What does it mean by what should be eaten, drunk, heard, and seen?

Why can't the master's words be completely trusted?

Which sentence should I believe then?

I was also full of doubts, but I was merely the master's attendant, not even officially recognized as a disciple by the master.

I could only grit my teeth and follow the master and the senior brothers.

After entering the gates of the Thunderous Sound Temple, I suddenly felt much heavier.

Normally, as a practitioner of Buddhism, the master should have become lighter as he progressed.

The master spoke again:

"Disciples, we have finally arrived at Mount Ling."

His voice changed, no longer dignified and righteous, but filled with piety.

It became frivolous, even with a hint of strangeness.

Inside the Thunderous Sound Ancient Monastery, towering peaks emerged, and fairy flowers and plants filled the paths.

The main hall was shrouded in mist, with a divine aura and radiant light.

How could such a sacred place in the Buddhist realm be a demonic den?

I secretly mocked, but the master's words made me doubt again.

We entered the Great Heroic Hall.

There, the Buddha sat on the central lotus platform, with a radiant Buddhist light.

However, this Buddhist light was not soft at all, but rather glaring.

The master stepped forward, presenting a document, and then pulled the three senior brothers to bow around the surroundings before finally prostrating himself before the Buddha.

"Disciple Xuanzang, by the decree of the Emperor of the Great Tang in the Eastern Land, I have come from afar to Mount Lu to seek the true scriptures and save all sentient beings."

This voice seemed neither male nor female, rather eerie, different from the familiar voice of my master.

Listening closely, I felt dizzy.

When I regained my senses and looked around, I realized that there was no Buddhist light here.

The demonic energy surged everywhere, with a dark red color. The pillars of the hall looked more and more like human bones, and the previously swirling fairy mist seemed like thick, floating blood.

The horror within the main hall surpassed any demonic caves we had encountered before.

I suddenly felt a chill all over my body, my joints stiffened, making it difficult to move, and my chest was in constant pain.

The central figure, Buddha, laughed heartily, and the demonic energy in the entire hall trembled with his laughter.

"Ananda, Kashyapa, the two of you take them, along with the four of them, oh, and the White Dragon Horse, to have a meal first. After finishing the meal, lead them to collect the scriptures."