[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-222":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828659,2432,"Chapter 222: The First Bow","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-222",222,"\u003Cp>The First Bow\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have heard the situation from Azriel,\" Budha said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk stood quietly within the endless white world, his gray robes hanging loosely over his lean frame. Unlike Azriel, whose very existence felt sharp and violent like a blade stained with countless wars, Budha felt still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a deep lake without ripples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos narrowed his golden eyes slightly while studying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald monk did not possess Azriel’s oppressive aura, nor did he radiate the same bloodthirsty confidence. Yet for some reason, Anos instinctively understood one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to face me in battle to learn Spirit Aura,\" Budha asked softly, \"or do you want me to teach you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment those words entered his ears, battle instinct immediately surged inside Anos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fight him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought appeared naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost automatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to see how strong this calm monk truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to know what kind of techniques Budha possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Anos could answer, Azriel suddenly smirked from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That irritating expression instantly made Anos pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor crossed his arms while looking completely entertained already, as though he had fully predicted Anos’ reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos clicked his tongue internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Before I answer,\" Anos spoke while looking toward Budha again, \"can I ask something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos folded his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of incarnation were you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel immediately grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Curious now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring him completely, Anos kept his eyes fixed on Budha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk remained silent for several seconds before finally answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my world... I was many things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm, yet strangely heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A prince during my youth. A warrior after that. Then eventually... a monk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos raised a brow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A prince becoming a monk?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The world I lived in was consumed by endless war. Kingdoms rose and fell within years. Millions died for power, revenge, greed, or fear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes looked distant for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I spent most of my early life killing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Azriel became quiet while listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha slowly continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the end, after countless battles, I realized something. Most people fight believing victory will fill the emptiness inside them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted toward Anos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But victory itself changes nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white world became silent afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos did not respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow... those words felt strangely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because even after becoming the Demon Lord Anos, after standing above countless beings...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had still been emptiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel suddenly snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t listen too much to the monk. He talks like an enlightened sage now, but back then he was terrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was a long time ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old monk once shattered an entire mountain range using only his fists.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos’ eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With pure martial ability?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer alone told Anos enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This monk was absurdly powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos studied him again before asking another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Among the 777 incarnations... where do you rank?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel instantly looked interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? That’s actually a good question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha seemed thoughtful for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In direct combat...\" he said slowly, \"I am below Azriel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor smirked proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But,\" Budha continued calmly, \"if the battle becomes prolonged, there are very few incarnations capable of defeating me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel’s smug face twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos noticed that reaction immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant Budha possessed abilities different from pure destructive strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different path entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about your era?\" Anos asked. \"Was it advanced compared to Azriel’s time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. In terms of civilization, it was simpler. But the people of my world pursued the body and soul relentlessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos noticed the wording immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Body and soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, remembering what Azriel said earlier, Anos chose not to dig deeper for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead he asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... did you practice this Aura as well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel burst out laughing instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A little?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor pointed directly at Budha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This monster once fought for thirty days straight without stopping.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha calmly ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Discipline was necessary in my world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos stared at the monk silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he listened, the stranger these incarnations became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel was a battle-crazed vampire emperor capable of slashing through dimensions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha was a former prince turned monk who apparently punched mountains apart barehanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And these people...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were all versions of himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought felt surreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel suddenly narrowed his crimson eyes toward Anos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So?\" he asked with a grin. \"Are you finally done asking questions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked toward Budha once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk waited patiently without showing the slightest impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, that calmness made Anos unconsciously straighten his posture slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you please teach me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words left his mouth naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos bowed his head respectfully before the monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant he did—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complete silence filled the white world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos slowly looked up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then immediately frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel and Budha were staring at him with utterly stunned expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mighty vampire emperor’s mouth was literally hanging open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Budha’s calm face had cracked slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel pointed at him slowly like he had just witnessed the end of the universe itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor looked genuinely shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You actually said please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos stared blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you bowed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel sounded horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos frowned deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you reacting like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha finally recovered slightly before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In all my time here...\" the monk said quietly, \"I have never seen an incarnation bow sincerely before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor still looked disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget bowing. Most incarnations would rather die than politely ask another incarnation for help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos rubbed his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re exaggerating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re not,\" Azriel answered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire emperor crossed his arms before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Most incarnations only respected strength. Even when asking for techniques or battles, they demanded it like lunatics.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha gave a helpless smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many incarnations only cared about conflict. Few were willing to lower themselves before another.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos became thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was his action truly that strange?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then as Demon Lord Anos... yes, he never bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never relied on anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Victor’s current life had changed many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people around him now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They slowly changed how he viewed strength itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel suddenly narrowed his eyes suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really are different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Budha nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is more restraint within you than the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anos sighed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or maybe I just learned that pride alone doesn’t solve everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azriel stared at him for several seconds before suddenly laughing loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sentence alone would probably shock half the incarnations into silence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Budha smiled faintly afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing what the other two said made Anos sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>",1148,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","aa816281b1a22411abbf61bf56944a529432b10299222c081c812a714bf4cab9","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-223","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-221",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]