As the Monk Ban Shan suddenly knelt down, Wang Guan and the others were naturally startled, feeling utterly bewildered.

"Master, what is wrong?" Wang Guan asked, confused. If it was to pay respects to Buddha, he could have done so earlier in the Hall of Heavenly Kings or the Great Hero Hall. Why choose to prostrate here?

Amidst the inexplicable situation, Wang Guan vaguely sensed this had something to do with the ancient temple. He immediately began scrutinizing the surroundings.

If the ancient temple on the mountainside had been utterly dilapidated before, it must have been completely renovated since the Big Boss took over. Indeed, that was the case. A temple the size of a small house stood starkly atop the peak, exuding an aura of profound solitude.

The temple was empty, its doors wide open. Due to its small size, one could see everything at a glance. The limited space held little—just an altar and a few prayer cushions.

Of course, upon the altar stood a statue of a monk. Yes, a monk—not a Luohan, Guanyin, or Buddha, but a monk dressed in simple monastic robes, with a large string of prayer beads draped around his neck.

Wang Guan squinted to get a closer look. The monk had a benevolent and gentle expression, nothing overtly unusual, yet he couldn't fathom why Monk Ban Shan was immediately falling into such deep reverence.

After completing three full prostrations and nine kowtows, Monk Ban Shan finally calmed his agitated spirit and softly explained, "This poor monk is paying respects to the Sixth Patriarch."

"What?"

The unexpected answer deeply surprised everyone.

"Master, the monk enshrined in the temple is your Sixth Patriarch?" Pi Qiushi exclaimed in astonishment. "Didn't your lineage practice in Hangzhou? How did you end up over here in the capital?"

"Lay devotee Pi speaks correctly. My successive Patriarchs did indeed reside and practice in Hangzhou. It wasn't until my master's generation that we relocated overseas."

Monk Ban Shan explained softly, "However, the Sixth Patriarch was an exception. Throughout his life, he most enjoyed traveling to famous mountains and rivers, debating Buddhist doctrine with eminent monks and virtuous masters everywhere. Later, he built a simple grass hut here, practiced asceticism for seven years, and only then achieved clarity of mind and comprehended the Buddha's teachings. Afterward, he departed lightly, returning to Hangzhou to inherit the mantle of the Fifth Patriarch, becoming the Ancestor of Revival..."

Hearing this, Wang Guan and Pi Qiushi exchanged glances. It wasn't disbelief in Monk Ban Shan, but rather a sense of novelty about the story.

"Master, how do you know this is your Sixth Patriarch? Remember, this temple was newly restored, and the statue is likely newly carved. There must be some deviation from the original appearance," Wang Guan mused for a moment before asking, unable to help himself, "Did your Patriarch leave behind any writings or notes indicating he practiced austerities here?"

"There are records mentioning this, but they aren't very detailed," Monk Ban Shan slightly shook his head, stating the facts. "The Sixth Patriarch merely recounted his solitary practice in the mountains near the capital; he didn't specify the exact location. Otherwise, disciples in later generations should have come here to venerate and worship."

This was indeed true. As a highly revered monk, the Ancestor of Revival—it shouldn't be difficult for his successors to visit once every ten or eight years, let alone annually. If anyone had visited, they would certainly have known the precise spot. Yet, Monk Ban Shan was uncertain, while simultaneously affirming this was his Sixth Patriarch, which seemed contradictory.

"Amitabha."

Sensing the group's doubt, Monk Ban Shan smiled faintly. "Lay devotees need not be surprised. The reason I can be certain this is my Sixth Patriarch naturally stems from having something to rely upon..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Guan and the others felt reassured. After all, in this age of rampant self-interest, people wouldn't casually claim ancestry without a substantial benefit. Especially Monk Ban Shan, as a devout Buddhist disciple—worshipping the Buddha was natural, but calling anyone an ancestor upon sight seemed excessive.

Meanwhile, Monk Ban Shan began to explain, "Although the enshrined statue is newly erected, it must have been carved in imitation of the old one, so there are clues to follow."

As he spoke, Monk Ban Shan gestured. "Look at the statue's left hand; the feature is quite distinct..."

Everyone quickly looked over. The carved left hand on the altar was slightly cupped, appearing to gently cradle the large string of prayer beads hanging around the statue's neck. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but upon closer inspection, the group immediately spotted an anomaly: next to the thumb of the left hand, there seemed to be an extra joint.

"My Sixth Patriarch's left hand was naturally different from ordinary people; he had polydactyly (a split digit)," Monk Ban Shan sighed softly. "It is unlikely that things in this world coincide so perfectly. Even if many monks practiced austerities on this mountain, not all of them would possess polydactyly. Furthermore, this poor monk noticed a stone stele beside the temple. The inscriptions are vaguely visible and should contain a record of this ancient temple's history."

"The dharma name of my Sixth Patriarch is..."

At that moment, Monk Ban Shan recited the dharma name and continued, "He practiced here during the Qianlong era. If the inscription matches the content, then it can be confirmed without a doubt."

"I'll go take a look," Wang Guan said with a smile, stepping forward lightly to examine the stele. The stone surface was extremely weathered, covered in the scars and speckles left by the relentless passage of time. However, the inscription was carved, and although somewhat blurred, it was still discernible.

After a careful look, Wang Guan immediately turned back. "Master, you were right. The one enshrined in the temple is truly your Sixth Patriarch. When he practiced austerities here in those years, he frequently helped the villagers below resolve their difficulties. After he returned to Hangzhou, the villagers specifically erected a temple on the site of his grass hut and enshrined his statue."

"Amitabha," Monk Ban Shan smiled faintly, radiating the confidence of one whose expectations were met.

"What a coincidence... No, it should be called fate."

Pi Qiushi exclaimed with deep feeling, then joked, "Master Ban Shan, this must be the will of Heaven. Not only is there your Patriarch's temple on the mountain, but Ban Shan Temple is halfway up the slope—it's clearly a sacred site tailor-made for you. I say you shouldn't return to Singapore; just stay here and cultivate!"

"Amitabha!" Monk Ban Shan's expression shifted. Pi Qiushi spoke casually, but the words struck a chord, and the monk began to ponder them seriously.

Seeing this, Pi Qiushi froze, taken aback. "Master, I was just joking. You didn't actually take that seriously, did you?"

Monk Ban Shan ignored Pi Qiushi and turned to Wang Guan, sighing slightly. "Does Lay Devotee Wang know the secret behind that Buddhist treasure? Which Patriarch's notes recorded it?"

"Uh?"

Wang Guan instantly grasped a possibility and exclaimed in shock, "The Sixth Patriarch?"

"Yes."

Monk Ban Shan nodded solemnly, then spoke with deep emotion, "Not only that, during the Japanese invasion, when my master was forced to flee overseas to escape disaster, in his haste, he only managed to take the relics of the Sixth Patriarch..."

"Heaven's will, truly Heaven's will."

In an instant, Monk Ban Shan bowed deeply to Wang Guan. "This poor monk has realized it. I beg Lay Devotee to fulfill this!"

"What has the Master realized, and what do you want me to fulfill?" Wang Guan was astonished. He vaguely understood something but dared not be certain. Because once he affirmed it, it might mean a massive financial drain.

"Just as Lay Devotee Pi said, this is the arrangement of the Buddha."

Monk Ban Shan smiled gently. "The first time I met Lay Devotee, I knew our affinity was profound. Indeed, during our second meeting in Hong Kong, it was through your help that I escaped the disaster of my lineage being wiped out. However, disaster averted once is not disaster averted forever; a remote place overseas is never a place for lasting security."

"Therefore, guided by the Patriarch, this poor monk has returned, and with the help of Lay Devotee, encountered the Buddhist treasure. Today, we stand at this very place—this heaven-bestowed dojo!" Monk Ban Shan was extremely excited, his face filled with devout sincerity. "Don't all these signs indicate the truth? If Lay Devotee Wang can renounce the secular world and become a monk, you can immediately inherit the mantle of my lineage..."

"Ahem, Master, please don't get too excited," Wang Guan said helplessly. "I have no intention of becoming a monk."

"Amitabha, whether you become a monk or not is irrelevant," Monk Ban Shan immediately changed tack. "There are many lay practitioners who cultivate while remaining at home. As long as one's heart is devoted to the Buddha, they can serve as protectors of our Sangha."

It seemed that in order not to miss this opportunity, Monk Ban Shan was adept at adaptability.

Before Wang Guan could reply, Pi Qiushi seriously inquired, "Master, is this decision an impulse, or have you thought it over deeply? If you truly intend this, although I don't have much savings, I can still sponsor you a few million."

"I thank Lay Devotee Pi for his kindness, but this matter depends on the decision of Lay Devotee Wang," Monk Ban Shan replied with a slight smile.

"Why does it depend on my decision?" Wang Guan was surprised. "Master, you should know that right now I am... poor! Unless I sell off the Golden Pagoda, which I fear you wouldn't agree to."

"Why rush to refuse, Lay Devotee."

A meaningful smile flickered across Monk Ban Shan's face. "Although this poor monk entered monastic life from childhood, I am not a monk completely ignorant of worldly affairs and cut off from the dusty world. You must know that Singapore is a place with a very strong commercial atmosphere. Having been influenced by what I've heard and seen, I understand a bit about business."

"The words spoken by Lay Devotee Li just now, Lay Devotee Wang must have heard them. As long as Lay Devotee Wang takes on this project and implements the plan accordingly, the success rate is guaranteed to be one hundred percent."

Monk Ban Shan encouraged him, "In other words, the temple on the mountain is the dojo bestowed upon this poor monk by the Patriarch, and the commercial plan for the resort center below is the reward for Lay Devotee..."

Wang Guan actually understood that Monk Ban Shan's words were not baseless nonsense; on the contrary, the feasibility was quite high. Whether the resort center would boom was uncertain, but if he put his mind to it, placing the Xuande Censer before the mountain gate, hanging that Golden Silk Brocade in the Great Hero Hall, and having Monk Ban Shan preside, Ban Shan Temple could absolutely be established as one of the most renowned temples in the entire country.

At that point, the income from incense alone should be enough to break even, right?

For a moment, Wang Guan's mind wandered, lost in the vision of rolling in wealth...

However, ideals are rich, but reality is harsh. Not long after, Wang Guan sobered up, scratching his head. "Master, I really want to support you, but the problem is I don't have enough money!"