The abbot smiled and reached into his robe, pulling out a golden pendant with a red tassel.

The pendant was shaped like a "卍", but it looked very cheap. Even though it was gold-plated, at first glance it still seemed like it was made of plastic.

Xiao Feng couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed, "Is this what the master wants to give me?"

The abbot shook his head, "This is not a Protective Talisman, nor does it have any exorcism effect."

Xiao Feng's face darkened, then what does this mean? Why are you giving it to me?

A souvenir?

But remembering how the other party had given him the Human Skin Drum for free, he still asked, "How much is this?"

The abbot was taken aback. Even after decades of cultivating his mind, he couldn't help but feel a spark of anger at Xiao Feng's question.

Taking a deep breath, the abbot regained his composure and said, "Don't underestimate it. With it, you can command the Martial Monks in the backyard to serve you.

Perhaps you don't think much of their individual strength, but I dare say that even if it's you, when they combine forces against you, the outcome would still be defeat."

Xiao Feng frowned slightly, deciding not to question the truth of the abbot's words for now, but instead asked, "What do you mean by giving this to me?"

"Before long, you'll find it useful. At that moment, take it out and it will resolve your urgent troubles," the abbot said calmly, as if he had already foreseen that Xiao Feng would encounter troubles soon.

After a long silence, Xiao Feng put the pendant in his pocket, "I'll temporarily believe what you say, but I don't understand, why is the master giving this to me?"

"Perhaps you and I are fated, or you could interpret it as me having a favorable impression of you. In any case, I hope you use it well. As they say, whether a weapon is evil or not depends on the heart of the user. I hope you always remain true to yourself and never abandon the good in your heart."

After hearing this, Xiao Feng felt inexplicably relieved, grateful that Zhao Guo'an wasn't present, or else the label of "attracting the elderly" might have been torn off.

Of course, that's not the main point.

What Xiao Feng couldn't understand was why the other party would train such a group of Martial Monks and then, upon their first meeting, hand this power over to him?

But before he could voice his questions, the old abbot had already stood up and headed towards the meditation room.

Xiao Feng watched him leave, picking up a fallen leaf from the ground, seriously contemplating the clear patterns on it, lost in thought...

Back in the meditation room, the old monk glanced at the tea cup on the table that was still half full and no longer steaming, and said with a smile, "It seems none of you are interested in tasting tea, you probably have questions to ask. No rush, one by one. Those with questions can ask, the rest please wait outside."

"Me, me, me, I'll go first!"

The little girl, who had been holding back waiting to ask questions, was the first to raise her hand and speak.

The others quietly left the meditation room, closing the door behind them to shut out sound.

"What does the little donor wish to ask?" the abbot asked with a gentle smile, seated in his chair.

"Master, I want to ask, who will I marry in the future?" asked the little girl straightforwardly, clutching her hands together, appearing very nervous.

The abbot smiled and said, "So it's about marriage. This is something I cannot provide a definitive answer to. All I can say is that it depends on oneself. The person you have in mind, as long as you pursue them sincerely, you will ultimately receive a happy ending."

"Really?" The little girl's eyes lit up, "Master, you can't fool me."

"Amituofo, monks do not tell lies," the abbot said with solemn conviction.

The little girl immediately beamed with joy, "Thank you, Master. I will make more donations to the temple."

The abbot nodded faintly and turned to look outside the door, raising his voice, "Next!"

Sitting opposite the abbot, Lu Yao seemed very shy, as if finding it difficult to speak.

This was a behavior the abbot had seen countless times before, so he chuckled and said, "Do you wish to ask about marriage? It's fine, there's nothing inappropriate about discussing marriage."

Lu Yao immediately showed a look of surprise and then said, "Master, you have great foresight. That's exactly what I wanted to ask. Who will be my partner?"

The abbot smiled and said, "This is something I cannot provide a definitive answer to. All I can say is that it depends on oneself. The person you have in mind, as long as you pursue them sincerely, you will ultimately receive a happy ending."

Lu Yao immediately looked overjoyed, "Is what the Master said true?"

"Amituofo, monks do not tell lies," the abbot said sternly.

If the little girl were present, she would probably have whipped out a retort, but unfortunately, the abbot had been doing this for years and knew that when it comes to matters of marriage, private conversations are few, so he naturally remained composed.

Afterwards, everyone entered the meditation room one by one to ask their questions.

By the time the last person came out, it was already dusk.

The group called out to Xiao Feng, who was still daydreaming under the big tree, indicating that it was time to go back.

Xiao Feng got up and walked with the group towards the front yard. What he couldn't understand didn't matter, from another perspective, if he hadn't met this old abbot or entered this temple, his life wouldn't end, would it?

The answer was definitely no.

Having come to this realization, Xiao Feng instead felt relieved.

However, when passing by the ancient well in the backyard, Xiao Feng stopped, walked to the well, and made a gesture as if to unbuckle his trousers.

As expected, a Martial Monk immediately stepped in front of Xiao Feng, saying in a low voice, "Please show some respect, sir."

Although the tone of the words was calm, the underlying threat was clear to anyone who heard it.

The little girl and the others all frowned slightly, unsure what Xiao Feng intended to do.

Still, Xiao Feng stayed calm and took out the 卐-shaped pendant that the abbot had given him from his pocket, showing it to the Martial Monk in front of him.

The Martial Monk was instantly shocked upon seeing the pendant!

After a while, the Martial Monk took a step back and turned his head, "Please do as you wish."

Xiao Feng's heart understood that the old abbot hadn't lied to him. This pendant truly did have influence over these Martial Monks.

...

Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the backyard, the abbot walked out of the meditation room with a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, coming to a stone table under a large tree.

After preparing the ink, he dipped the brush in it and began writing on the white paper.

As the last stroke was laid down, a sudden gust of wind howled through the yard, shaking the yet-to-fall dried leaves from the tree onto the abbot's robe.

The abbot looked up at the last glimmer of light on the horizon, letting out a long sigh, "In my lifetime, encountering such a person is truly a blessing.

But it is a pity that I cannot witness his growth. I hope I have not misjudged him..."

Having said this, he slowly sat down on the stone bench, a carefree smile at the corner of his mouth, embodying a transcendental state of leisurely watching clouds roll by.

As the wind gradually eased, the abbot's head slowly lowered until it rested against his chest, yet he did not collapse onto the stone table, maintaining a sitting posture.

At this moment, the monk who Xiao Feng had encountered earlier, who was in charge of collecting money for the drumming activity, approached, clasped his hands together, and bowed, "Master Ancestor, it's time for dinner."

However, no response ever came.

Looking up, he saw the abbot still in a posture that appeared as if he were merely dozing off.

The monk seemed to realize something, and shakily extended his hand to the abbot's nose, then quickly withdrew it like lightning, dropping to his knees with a thud, shouting to the front yard, "Someone come quickly, Master Ancestor has passed away in nirvana..."

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