Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 638 - 16: Zhuangzi, Wandering Free

Inside the guesthouse.

A young boy was dining, surrounded by several beautiful attendants. Lady Jade Face sat beside him, carefully removing fish bones before placing the tender fish meat into his bowl.

Despite being surrounded by such worldly beauty, the boy focused on eating, enjoying his meal heartily.

If someone else encountered such a situation, they might be at a loss, but the boy seemed rightfully composed, enjoying his meal with a hint of nobility, exuding a natural grace even greater than that of princes and nobles.

No one knew where his confidence came from.

"Madam is probably in danger."

Those alluring attendants from the lower tiers exchanged glances, feeling that this person was simply like a seductress slayer. They also practiced unique skills, though not as advanced as Lady Jade Face's, yet when faced with this handsome young man, they found him irresistibly charming.

Lady Jade Face was not easily subdued, but in the presence of the young boy, she inexplicably felt subdued.

The boy's appetite was good, but as he ate, he suddenly looked up, noticing two tall monks emerging from the crowd across the street; leading was Bujie Monk, followed by a chubby monk with a round face, big ears, and a bulging belly, munching on buns, one after another.

——Butan Monk (Sleeping Dream Arhat Skill) (Greedy Devourer Technique) (Five-Star Gold).

These visitors were strong.

Though they might not surpass Lu Shanjun, they were at a similar level. Despite appearing unskilled, they were already circulating their innate true qi.

Lady Jade Face seemed to sense something, her charming features flickering with thought, as she addressed the young boy beside her, "Sir."

"That must be Butan Monk."

"It's said to be a secret Buddhist tradition, rarely practicing meditation or martial arts, yet possessing high mastery, having once overpowered a Dharma King of the Western Regions' Vajra Sect."

Duncan nodded slowly.

This person's strength was not much inferior to Lu Shanjun's, but his appearance — round face and big ears, resembling a pig's head — reminded him of an intriguing legend he had heard in the martial world.

"Is it truly the Twelve Zodiac?"

The nickname of pig? Such names as dragons, tigers, serpents, and monkeys were common in the pugilistic world, but those reaching the strength of five-star gold were rare. In the martial arts world, under three stars usually meant cultivating inner strength; four-star strength meant having developed true qi; five-star was the threshold of innate level, and beyond that was six-star, quite rare, the level of Ape and Ink Dragon, barely considered the realm of land immortals.

As for levels beyond that, it's unclear, possibly the very few Great Grandmasters.

This Great Grandmaster level might differ from common understanding, illustrated by Taiping Dao's Zhang Jiao, Celestial Master's Zhang Daoling, and Maoshan School's Three Mao True Lords, characters who were Great Grandmasters in Taoist history.

In Buddhism, the most famous would be Bodhidharma, also a Great Grandmaster level.

Great Grandmasters transcend the mundane; even ghost gods bow before them.

Using Buddhism and Taoism as examples for their representativeness, other sects' Great Grandmasters were rarer in history, some not practicing secret techniques, nor having such fame.

Great Grandmasters might not necessarily slay ghosts, but they certainly don't fear ordinary ghost gods.

In their respective fields, Grandmasters excel in their specialties.

In the present martial world, there are many termed as Grandmasters, but few reach the level of Great Grandmasters, many having gone into seclusion for years.

In recent years, the Taoist sects have been divided due to the emergence of inner alchemy.

Before the Tang Dynasty, Taoist origins were primarily Huang Lao Zhuang; after Qin and Han, sects diversified, many pursuing outer alchemy; now inner alchemy thrives, with many in the Taoist community pursuing 'Foundation Establishment' and 'Core Formation.'

A poem goes — "When medicines meet their category, natural imagery arises; when Tao aligns with obscurity, nature emerges. Swallowing a Golden Core, one realizes destiny not governed by heaven."

Strong individuals at the Golden Core level have existed in martial history.

However, in the coming centuries, it seems the Taoist community may wait for Zhang Sanfeng's emergence, as Master Zhang's prowess is indisputable.

Various sects have different cultivation approaches, but the path of inner alchemy within Taoism, starting with Foundation Establishment, is roughly equivalent to the Innate Realm, though the Golden Core is uncertain due to its high significance, somewhat exaggerated, even land immortals may not match it.

If forced to compare, the inner alchemy stream's Golden Core level equates to the Ink Dragon's pursuit of the True Dragon.

By now, the two individuals had arrived.

Bujie Monk spoke first, "Young hero, this is my senior brother, dharma name Butan."

The rotund monk's eyes lit up at the sight of a table full of food and drink, as Duncan gestured, "Shall I order some vegetarian meals for you two?"

"No need! No need!"

The Butan Monk waved repeatedly, nearly drooling, and sat down with a squeak from the bench, hands clasped, "Wine and meat pass through the intestines, Buddha remains in the heart."

"No need to waste anything, this will suffice."

Bujie Monk was not surprised, explaining in a low voice, "Brother Butan has innate wisdom, so no need to follow these precepts."

"Give me a bowl of white rice."

Innate wisdom?

The young boy's expression showed slight surprise.

He stood and took up the wine pot, addressing the already indulging Butan Monk before him, "Master, would you like a drink?"

Butan Monk's eyes gleamed, nodding repeatedly, "I do. I do."

"Fill it up, fill it up!"