144: Western Buddhist Fate, Burning Heaven Fire

A lone smoke column rises straight in the vast desert, and the sun sets round over the long river.

The Western Regions, a sea of yellow sand.

A young monk, handsome but covered in wounds, was staggering, fleeing for his life across this boundless, deadly sea of sand.

His name was Xuanzang, and he was the most talented Disciple of the younger generation at Little Thunderclap Temple in the Western Regions.

Unfortunately, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

Because he refused to stoop to the level of those hypocritical and shameless Buddhas, he was branded with the huge label of “betraying Buddhism” and subjected to endless pursuit.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Xuanzang gasped for breath, feeling as if his throat was about to spew fire, and his vision kept darkening.

His Internal Energy had long been exhausted, and he was sustained solely by a stubborn will.

Am I going to die?

Just as his consciousness was about to sink into endless darkness.

An oasis, without any warning, appeared at the end of the horizon.

The green was so verdant, so… full of hope!

“Water!”

The instinct for survival made him burst out with his last strength, scrambling and tumbling towards the oasis!

As soon as he stepped into the oasis, a surge of vitality rushed towards him, invigorating his spirit!

He greedily breathed in the life-filled air, following the sound of flowing water, and continued forward.

Soon, a majestic mountain, reaching into the clouds, appeared before him; though dilapidated, it still could not conceal its magnificent Aura.

On the mountain peak, continuous temple halls were faintly visible.

“This… this is…”

Xuanzang was stunned by the miraculous sight before his eyes.

At the same time.

On the peak of the Spirit Mountain, within the ruins of the “Great Thunderclap Temple” that Lu Yuchen had already transformed.

A figure in a green robe lay on a Buddha statue that was missing half its head.

“Tsk, someone finally arrived.”

Lu Yuchen yawned.

He was originally bored and wanted to come to the Western Regions to scout for his “Buddhist Dao Mentor” script, but he never expected that he would actually wait for a “fated person.”

Observation Technique, activated.

“Name: Xuanzang”

“Luck Rank: Light Purple (Profound Buddhist Affinity, Destined for Tribulation)”

“Hmm, not bad, barely usable.” Lu Yuchen stroked his chin.

…

With a pilgrim-like heart, Xuanzang ascended the mysterious Spirit Mountain step by step.

When he saw the “Great Thunderclap Temple,” which, though dilapidated, still exuded an supreme Daorhyme, he was utterly dumbfounded.

He walked into the magnificent main hall, looking at the already blurred murals on the walls and the cracked Buddha statues, and a monstrous wave surged in his heart.

On the murals, one could faintly discern the scene of myriad Buddhas paying homage, celestial maidens scattering flowers, and even the legendary Tathagata from the Western Paradise preaching scriptures, golden lotuses springing from the ground, and auspicious signs descending from the heavens—an unparalleled grand spectacle!

This… could this be the legendary Holy Land of ancient Buddhism?!

He instinctively reached out and gently touched the closest statue of an angry Arhat with a golden body.

The Arhat, holding a Zen staff, had wide, angry eyes, lifelike, as if he could come alive at any moment.

At the base of the golden body, two ancient seal characters were carved—Fahai.

Buzz!

Just as his fingertip touched the Buddha statue.

A supreme Buddhist will of demon subjugation exploded in his mind.

He saw an angry Arhat, clad in a golden kasaya and holding a Zen staff, reciting true words amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!

“Great Divine Might Dragon! Great Luo Dharma Incantation! Prajna Buddhas! Prajna Paramita Hum!”

His voice was like a grand bell, and his words followed the Dharma.

A golden Dragon, condensed from endless Buddhist light, roared and soared from behind him, and wherever it passed, thousands of demons turned into dust!

“Ah!”

Xuanzang let out an exclamation, suddenly withdrew his hand, his handsome small face already pale.

The illusion dissipated.

He was still in the dilapidated Great Thunderclap Temple.

But on the golden body of the Fahai Arhat, at some unknown point, a line of small characters condensed from Buddhist light had appeared.

“My name is Fahai, my Legacy is free. Only through Comprehension Ability can it be obtained.”

At this moment, Xuanzang’s heart pounded uncontrollably!

Legacy!

This… this is the supreme Legacy left by ancient Buddhas!

He no longer hesitated in the slightest, without thinking, he sat cross-legged before the Fahai golden body, slowly closed his eyes, and in his mind, the scene of the world-destroying demon subjugation constantly echoed.

In the dark, Lu Yuchen watched this young man being so sensible, and his heart was already blooming with joy.

“Kid, you’re quite sensible.”

…

Days passed one by one.

Xuanzang had spent seven days in this Great Thunderclap Temple.

For seven days, he had not drunk a drop of water or eaten a grain of rice, yet he showed no sign of fatigue; on the contrary, he was full of vigor.

He attributed all of this to the miraculous nature of this Buddhist Holy Land.

But he didn't know that a certain unscrupulous Master was secretly, from time to time, giving him a few sips of pure magical power to keep him alive.

Seeing that this young man, despite his high Comprehension Ability, was ultimately like a clever cook without rice, not even understanding the most basic Qi Gathering method, Lu Yuchen was too lazy to wait any longer.

He once again used his old trick.

He transformed the “Qi Gathering” chapter of the Tai Xuan Gathering Qi Technique into a golden light and shot it into Xuanzang’s mind, who was deep in thought.

…

At the same time.

Little Thunderclap Temple.

The current abbot’s face was so gloomy it could drip water as he looked at the latest secret report sent back by his scout.

“Burning Heaven?”

“It’s Burning Heaven again!”

In just a few months, this mysterious force had swept across the entire Western Regions like a prairie fire!

They attacked everywhere, specifically hunting down Buddhist Disciples who went out for “alms”!

More than a dozen Martial Emperors had died at their hands!

Even a Martial Venerable Elder, who had been ordered to suppress bandits a few days ago, had… had mysteriously disappeared!

“Who is backing this Burning Heaven?!” the abbot roared.

Below theYour Highness, an Elder in charge of intelligence, stood up trembling.

“Reporting… reporting to the abbot, according to… according to the scout we previously planted within Burning Heaven, Burning Heaven is the former sand bandits.”

“Nonsense!” The abbot flew into a rage, smashing the table beside him with a palm, “Can sand bandits kill a Martial Venerable?!”

“Do you take this venerable one for a three-year-old child?!”

The Elder trembled all over with fear.

…

In the eastern part of the Western Regions desert, within a large oasis.

Burning Heaven’s headquarters was brightly lit and filled with jubilation.

“Hahahahaha! What a joy! Truly a joy!”

Sand Heaven Reaching, who was the former leader of the sand bandits, was now beaming, raising his wine cup, and laughing loudly at the young man on the main seat.

“Chief Xiao’s Divine Might is unmatched! How long has it been, and he’s already beaten those Buddhist bald donkeys like grandsons, they don’t even dare to leave their doors!”

“Come! Brothers! Let’s toast Chief again!”

On the main seat, Xiao Huohuo wore a black and red brocade robe, a defiant smile playing on the corner of his lips.

Beside him, Ling Ke'er still maintained her cool and aloof demeanor, but also carried a hint of a smile.

And next to her, a little girl was holding a roasted lamb leg, gnawing on it with oil dripping from her mouth.

It was A'cao.

“Brother Sha, you overstate it.”

Xiao Huohuo raised his wine cup and drained it, then he put down the cup.

“We have just begun.”

“Next, I want to change the color of the Western Regions’ sky.”

“I want the so-called Buddhist light to be completely replaced by the flames of my Burning Heaven!”

For a time, the entire assembly hall was filled with fervent excitement!

“Burning Heaven! Burning Heaven!”

“Chief is mighty!”

Cheers like a mountain and a tsunami echoed through the sky.