Chapter 724: Sharing the Burdens of the Orthodox Gods?

Inside the Foshan hall.

Jin Chan Bodhisattva quickly steadied his emotions, resumed his steps, and walked toward the interior of the hall.

The vast, empty great hall held no Buddha statues.

The true Buddha was within Mount Nan Xumi, and beneath the true Buddha, the Great Freedom Bodhisattva presided over the mortal world — how could ordinary arhats and bodhisattvas qualify to leave their statues inside the hall of the Great Freedom Pure Jing Jing Shi Pusa?

To one side of the hall was a long corridor.

Jin Chan Bodhisattva paced forward, gradually entering a secluded chamber.

There stood a monk in white robes before the incense altar; he was so emaciated that the normally fitting robe hung loose and baggy on him, so much so that the outline of his ribs could be seen.

But compared to that sickly-looking body, his dust-free palms were unusually fair and beautiful.

At this moment, those hands were holding incense, gently inserting it into the altar.

Before the incense altar, there was still no Buddha statue.

He lightly tasted a breath of pale smoke — what he offered was himself.

"Has Mount Tianwu gone?"

"Replying to the Pure World Venerable, he has already been sent away."

Facing this white-robed monk, Jin Chan Bodhisattva clearly restrained his combative, aggressive air; every gesture was courteous and refined.

The Great Freedom Bodhisattva had already transcended the five elements; any one of his futures might sit upon the lotus throne and ascend to true Buddhahood — he was simply not comparable to cultivators still trapped at the third-rank, and could barely be counted as one's own elder.

Having said this, Jin Chan Bodhisattva hesitated, then said softly: "Venerable, this disciple wishes to descend the mountain to take a look."

Even though he already wore a kasaya, spending all day cooped up in South Nan Xumi meant the world had no way of knowing his honored name; even someone like the Mount Tianwu fellow still treated him with the attitude one uses toward a junior.

"Where do you wish to go?" The Great Freedom Pure World Venerable turned his gaze back.

"This disciple has not yet decided; please, Venerable, offer your guidance." Jin Chan Bodhisattva concealed the pride at his brow. As a disciple personally chosen by the Future Buddha, he had no need whatsoever to enter the mortal world to beg for alms, and so he understood little of what lay below the mountain; the few times he had shown himself, it had always been to deal with the followers of the Three Sects.

Of course, that was only a polite remark — he did not truly need the other to instruct him in anything.

As for the mundane mortal world, with his cultivation, he could go anywhere beneath the heavens.

"Thousand-Arm has fallen."

The Pure World Venerable withdrew his gaze and looked back at the incense altar before him: "Still going?"

Before these calm words had finished falling, Jin Chan Bodhisattva had already raised his head in astonishment — he had ascended to the third-rank realm, stood upon the peak of the white clouds, and was called by ordinary folk a god, a Buddha, an immortal, a venerable.

Could such a being truly have died within the mortal world?

But in an instant, Jin Chan Bodhisattva had already adjusted his expression. The words had left his mouth, and he was unwilling to let this half-elder look down on him: "Since this is a great tribulation, there must naturally be risk; this disciple has long since prepared himself for burial in the mortal world."

"..."

Hearing this, the Pure World Venerable's gaze shifted subtly.

It was not that he truly believed Jin Chan's nonsense.

He was only seized by a sudden, inexplicable feeling.

Not long ago, in the eyes of this group of bodhisattvas within the sect, and in the eyes of those lords of the immortal veins of the Sanxian Sect, so-called tribulations were nothing more than a grand play.

One only needed to stir things up from behind, build a stage for one's disciples, and then sit and wait for the divine dynasty to collapse.

As for personally going to take risks — that was absolutely out of the question.

But in such a short time, first Mount Tianwu, and now Jin Chan — these people seemed to have forgotten that they could have remained seated upon the high platform, and in their haste were now rushing to step into the mortal world.

This change was truly rather abrupt.

Could it be that in fact they themselves were also within the play?

The shifting hearts of sentient beings depended upon but a single thought from the sect lords.

"You inherit the lineage of the Future World-Honored One; I would not presume to overstep. But since you wish to descend the mountain, I shall point out two paths for you."

"First, investigate the matter of Thousand-Arm Bodhisattva; second, go and share the burdens of the orthodox gods."

"This..." A flash of reluctance crossed Jin Chan Bodhisattva's face. He, a distinguished future true Buddha, had descended the mountain for the sake of his future Buddhist renown—not to truly go and do hard labor.

Any bodhisattva could do these tasks; what mattered was who, in the end, would be the one to reap the great fame.

The Pure Jing Jing Shi Pusa said nothing, only quietly awaiting the other's response.

Just then, from outside came the voice of a novice announcing a visitor.

"The Great Great Ming Wang who Subdues Dragons and Tames Tigers requests an audience with the Great Freedom Pure Jing Jing Shi Pusa!"

"Mm?"

Jin Chan Bodhisattva, still hesitating, suddenly turned his head to look.

He knew this title only too well.

As far back as the time of transmitting the scriptures in the Imperial Capital, talk had already begun buzzing throughout South Mount Nan Xumi, and more than a few had taken to comparing this Great Ming Wang, who had appeared out of nowhere, with himself.

There were even those who speculated behind his back that there must be some deeper meaning in the fact that even the position of scripture-protector had been taken from him.

Jin Chan Bodhisattva had always been too lazy to heed such gossip; after all, the reason he had not gone to protect the scriptures was that he was in the process of plucking the bodhisattva fruit-position. Once the kasaya draped his shoulders, all this clamor would die down on its own.

But after that Great Great Ming Wang who Subdues Dragons and Tames Tigers, outside the Northern Flowing River, slew eight peers of the same realm — including the Mount Tianwu Xuanwu — this noisy clamor had grown only louder and more grating.

A laughable contest of spells among a bunch of juniors — and they dared to make such a fuss over it.

Jin Chan Bodhisattva coldly curled his lip, and casually tightened the bright red kasaya upon his body. He rather wanted outsiders to see whether this illustrious figure, upon meeting him, would also have to bow.

Thinking thus, he quipped offhandedly: "This Great Ming Wang certainly knows how to pick his timing. Had he come a little earlier, he could have just had a face-to-face with that Mount Tianwu fellow."

The Pure Jing Jing Shi Pusa did not pick up the thread, only quietly gazed at the long corridor.

Soon, a youth in a plain, clean long robe walked slowly up to the two of them. His features were handsome, his complexion fair, but compared to Jin Chan Bodhisattva, the whole person was somewhat more reserved and quiet; his eyes were clear, without any deliberately concealed arrogance.

"This disciple greets the Great Freedom Pure Jing Jing Shi Pusa."

The youth gave a slight nod, one palm held upright before his chest.

The Pure World Venerable lightly inclined his chin. Though this junior of the sect might be setting foot in South Nan Xumi for the first time, his great name had long since spread throughout the Puti Sect: "What is the purpose of this return? Does it concern the true scriptures?"

"Forgive this disciple's failure — the true scriptures have been lost."

Shen Yi raised his head again; though this was his first time in South Nan Xumi, he had already asked Master Zhikong countless details about it along the way, which was why he now appeared so composed.

"Then why have you returned?" Hearing this, Bodhisattva Jin Chan suddenly lowered his gaze, chuckled softly, and interjected with a question.

No matter how great the fame, in the end, one still fails; what difference is there from that white elephant and evil lion lot?

"..."

Shen Yi looked at Jing Shi Zunzhe, then took out a yellow cloth bundle, carefully unfolded it, and revealed a broken small statue: "This disciple was escorting the Bodhisattva back to the Sect."

Even though he had just heard this news.

Yet at the very moment he saw this broken Bodhisattva fruit position with his own eyes, Jin Chan's eyelids still could not help but twitch several times.

How many years has it been since the Puti Sect had a Bodhisattva fall?

Jing Shi Zunzhe fell silent for an instant, took this broken fruit position with those beautiful, clean hands, gently rubbed it with his ten fingers, did not become angry, but his eyes grew even deeper as he seriously looked at the young man before him, as if trying to see right through the other person's entire being: "What is the situation? Explain it in detail."

Shen Yi met his gaze without any guilt: "This disciple fought with Taixu Danhuang, but did not expect the Sanxian Sect to use deceit, setting a trap with this matter, and joining forces to ambush the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva who came to guide this disciple."

"The identity of those who acted," Jing Shi Zunzhe asked bluntly and decisively.

"I do not know."

"Is there any evidence?"

"No."

Shen Yi shook his head: "After this disciple escaped, following the Bodhisattva's guidance, I went into the Divine Dynasty; when I arrived at the place, all I saw was this fruit position, not even a body remained."

The two asked and answered one by one; his responses were full of errors and omissions, not at all like something carefully prepared.

But even Jin Chan Bodhisattva, who was already uncomfortable with Shen Yi, at this moment strangely did not find fault with this matter.

When a Bodhisattva and a Daluo Immortal Venerable engage in magical combat, it is not something a mere Great Rank Luo Han can participate in; no matter how brilliantly the other party performs within the same realm, being in such a scene makes them no different from an ant.

Not being able to see the details, having no evidence, is normal.

Actually obtaining evidence would be the abnormal thing.

"Huff."

Jing Shi Bodhisattha exhaled lightly, took back this Bodhisattva fruit position without comment, and made no evaluation of Shen Yi's description.

He turned his body and said calmly: "I understand."

The Sanxian Sect had no reason to attack the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva; after all, in everyone's eyes, this was still just a play; since it was a play, naturally it could not involve outsiders to the play.

But just as thought before, inside and outside the play, it now seems impossible to clarify.

"Is this your first time returning to the Sect?"

Jin Chan, who had been ignored repeatedly, finally found an opportunity again.

He had already adjusted his sleeves several times in secret, but the Great Ming King before him seemed unable to see his own eye-catching red kasaya.

From beginning to end, he actually only bowed to Jing Shi Zunzhe alone.

"Mm." Shen Yi glanced over.

"Then it makes sense," Jin Chan Bodhisattva said with a feignedly restrained, faint smile: "After all, you have only joined the Sect for a short time, which is understandable; however, since you have returned to South Nan Xumi, you must still learn the most basic rules and etiquette."

Seeing this young man staring silently at him as if he did not understand, he frowned slightly: "Although you are called Great Ming King, you are actually only an Luo Han; why do you not bow when you see this Venerable?"

"..."

Shen Yi slightly pressed his lips together.

In the next moment, dense Buddha light surged from his robes; lotus petals moved with his body, and six-arm shadows unfolded from behind him like a halo.

After performing this action.

Shen Yi ignored this person no longer and looked back at Jing Shi Zunzhe.

"You..."

Accompanying the appearance of this Dharma image, the smile on Jin Chan's face gradually faded; he felt that his own kasaya, under the illumination of this Buddha light, appeared much dimmer.

This youth has actually also become a Bodhisattva!

Adding to the already noisy discussions in South Nan Xumi, a trace of murderous intent suddenly rose in his eyes.

He had thought that after reaching the third rank, he could suppress these rumors and gossip, but he never expected the other party to be so annoying, merely following closely behind like a parasite attached to the bone.

Unfortunately, there was no longer any chance for Jin Chan to speak.

Jing Shi Bodhisattha slowly turned around and looked him up and down.

With his keen eyesight, he could see the lineage of this Bodhisattva fruit position at a glance; obviously, it not only came from the same Lingwei Guardian True Scripture but also followed the same path as the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva.

To achieve such an effect, it could absolutely not be done in a single day or night.

It requires the transmission of the Order Source, and years of teaching by word and example, with wholehearted dedication to cultivate a successor.

Only until this moment did Shen Yi's earlier words gain some credibility.

Only such a successor would have the qualification worthy of the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva risking his life.

"How was the fruit position obtained?"

"The Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva left it for this disciple."

A simple reply, the tone showing no great fluctuation; Shen Yi looked at the broken object in the other's hand, and a trace of grief and killing intent gradually rose in his eyes.

It was from this moment that the restraint on his body slowly faded, and he finally had a bit of the flavor of the Great Ming King!

How could someone who beheaded eight peerless geniuses of the same realm outside the North Flowing River possibly be that humble and gentle person?

Silence is due to restraint; restraint is for revenge.

The Puti Sect emphasizes compassion, but in the face of a great calamity, one must also harbor a trace of murderous intent to suppress all directions!

"What do you intend to do with the thing he left you?" Jing Shi Bodhisattha suddenly softened his tone.

"The matter I promised the Bodhisattva back then."

"What did you promise him?" A trace of interest appeared on Jing Shi Bodhisattha's face.

"To enter the world and undergo tribulation, to spread the scriptures among mankind."

Shen Yi raised his eyes slightly, as if recalling something, the killing intent in his voice growing even more intense: "Having me is enough."

He did not mention the word revenge, because to complete this tribulation, those enemies were precisely the ones who needed to be slaughtered.

A simple sentence made the Jing Shi Zunzhe raise an eyebrow slightly.

Jin Chan's eye corner twitched.

Having you is enough?

What position does that leave me in?

He suddenly turned around and bowed to the Jing Shi Zunzhe as well: "This disciple is willing to descend the mountain to seek that True God."

"..."

However, the Jing Shi Zunzhe seemed not to have heard, still staring at Shen Yi.

He could see that the other party had truly made that promise.

After a long silence, the Venerable Bai Shan nodded slightly: "In that case, do not waste what he left for you. Go to the Eight Extremes Valley; another Bodhisattva will tell you what to do."

"This disciple obeys."

Shen Yi closed his eyes, took several breaths to calm his mind, and when he opened them again, he had returned to his previous quiet demeanor.

He turned around, walked quickly across the long corridor, and left the main hall.

On Foshan, numerous novice monks who had already heard the news and gathered there all saw the six-armed Dharma image on this youth; they fell silent, until the other party turned into a streak of light and fled far away, leaving Nan Nan Xumi Mountain.

The sound of discussion suddenly boiled over.

"The Great Ming King has actually become a Bodhisattva!"

"The Dragon-Suppressing and Tiger-Subduing Bodhisattva!"

"..."

Inside the room, these sounds of discussion rushed into Jin Chan's ears like exploding thunder.

It made his facial features involuntarily twist.

Even the hand that was bowing trembled slightly.

"Go to Jiming Cliff."

The Jing Shi Zunzhe then glanced at him casually.

Leaving aside strength, speaking only of character and ambition, sometimes once they are compared, one realizes the gap is like a chasm.

"Before descending the mountain, first take off this kasaya; it is too conspicuous and inconvenient for your affairs."

No matter how beautiful a kasaya is, it needs the Buddha's light to set it off; otherwise, it is merely a gaudy mundane object.

"This disciple... obeys!"

Jin Chan Bodhisattva's hand trembled as he gripped the kasaya; combined with the Jing Shi Zunzhe's reminder, he inexplicably felt it was extremely glaring and suddenly yanked it off his body.

Exactly! Exactly!

If I do not descend the mountain, how will the world know my future form as the True Buddha!

(End of this chapter)