Chapter 401 Never Cultivated Good Deeds in My Life

"Hmm? What are these people doing?"

High in the sky, Yan Chu soared across the heavens atop the Pure World White Lotus.

His destination for this journey was the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave in the Western Regions.

As he arrived above the Hundred Battles Valley, where he had previously fought Wusheng Old Mother, he couldn't help but feel curious seeing crowds of Jianghu people gathered at intervals below.

Scanning the area, he suddenly spotted Monk Likong and a group of Buddhist followers sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed in front of the handprint he had left with a palm strike.

"This is good; it saves me a trip!"

The leading old monk possessed deep cultivation, having already reached the Middle Stage of the Yuantai Realm. Aside from a few individuals like Yan Chu, the Reincarnation of the Prodigy of the Great Black Heaven Demonic Sect, and Daoist Taiwei of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he was the most powerful person in the world.

However, Yan Chu could clearly see that beneath his yellow monastic robes, his body below the head was entirely made of wood-like textures.

It was precisely through this method that he, at the Middle Stage of the Yuantai Realm, could walk freely in the outside world.

Of course, once he engaged in combat and broke out of his wooden state, it would be impossible for him to avoid the Heavenly Tribulation.

Yan Chu slowly descended from mid-air.

The Jianghu people, who were observing the ruins of the great battle throughout the Hundred Battles Valley, noticed him immediately.

"Look! Who is that?!"

"It looks like... the Blade Demon Yan Chu!! Great Hero Yan!!"

"Great Hero Yan!! The Great Joyful Buddha..."

Cries of surprise began to ring out one after another; no one could remain calm.

Yan Chu was now truly the number one in the world. Since the battle at Heavenly Pillar Mountain over a year ago, he had never appeared in public.

Even during the battle in the capital, he had settled the situation using only a giant cauldron.

Everyone felt honored to see Yan Chu with their own eyes.

If this were his past life, he would be the world's most famous idol; anyone seeing him would scream with excitement.

The Buddhist group had long since been alerted.

Atop a white Lotus Pedestal about ten feet wide, Yan Chu lay lazily as he landed in the canyon.

"A Lotus Pedestal?!!"

"It's not a golden Lotus Pedestal! It's a white lotus..."

Monk Master Kongchan looked startled, and then his brow furrowed.

Not just anyone could sit upon a Lotus Pedestal.

Only those who had achieved success in their cultivation and attained the rank of Bodhisattva or higher were qualified to sit on a Lotus Pedestal.

However, Yan Chu was sitting on a white lotus, not the orthodox golden lotus of Buddhism.

Is it the Holy Lotus Sect?

The high monks in front were all sharp-minded. They quickly guessed that the Lotus Pedestal likely came from the Holy Lotus Sect. Could Yan Chu have some connection with the Holy Lotus Sect?

"Namo amitabha!!!"

Suddenly, Great Master Likong, who was directly in front, stared at Yan Chu for a few moments and recited a long Buddhist chant.

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he bowed low, prostrating himself on the ground.

"This humble monk, Likong, pays respects to the true buddha descended to earth!!"

This scene stunned the Buddhists behind him. Nothing was certain yet; no one knew if Yan Chu was truly the owner of that palm print. Why did Grandmaster Likong bow?

"Whoa! What's going on with the Buddhists? What are they planning?"

Compared to the Buddhist Disciples, the Jianghu people present were all in a spectators' mood.

"Are they really acknowledging Great Hero Yan as a True Buddha?"

"Exactly! Spreading rumors that Great Hero Yan is the Great Joyful Buddha was just for fun. How could the Buddhists actually believe it?"

"Interesting, very interesting! Haha! We're in for a show today!"

"Junior Grandmaster Likong..."

Monk Monk Fajue of Nalanda Temple hesitated, wanting to dissuade him.

Monk Likong remained prostrate on the ground and commanded:

"Why do you all not pay respects to the True Buddha? What are you waiting for?"

Hearing this, the Buddhist monks looked at each other and had no choice but to kneel and worship skeptically, drawing another round of laughter from the Jianghu people nearby.

A smile also appeared on Yan Chu's face. The Lotus Pedestal slowly landed several yards in front of Great Master Likong as he said with a chuckle:

"Old monk, what do you mean? You're saying I'm a true buddha descended to earth?"

Although Yan Chu possessed the Tathagata Palm, he had used his peerless cultivation to completely eliminate the palm's influence on him. He had no desire to be associated with the Buddhist sects.

"Precisely!"

Monk Liaochen rose, a kind smile appearing on his withered, aged face.

"This humble monk led the Buddhist Disciples to follow the traces of the True Buddha. Today, I have finally seen your true face; I can die without regrets!"

"Haha..."

Yan Chu's laughter grew louder.

"Do you know? Throughout my life, I have never cultivated good karma. I love only killing and arson. I indulge in drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels—I've done it all. My blade never leaves my hand, and I have women every day!"

"Where do you see any connection between me and the Buddha?"

"Eh?"

Monk Likong let out a soft sound of surprise, frowning in deep thought.

"Never cultivated good karma in life, loved only killing and arson..."

"Although this gatha is a bit crude, it contains great enlightenment within. As expected, only a True Buddha could speak such words."

Yan Chu was speechless. Following the principle of not hitting a smiling face, he reined in his mocking smile and said calmly:

"I was just about to look for you. Since you're here, it saves me a trip!"

"You're from the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, right?"

Aside from the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, the ancestral court of all Buddhist sects in the world, there probably wouldn't be any other old monks at the Middle Stage of the Yuantai Realm.

Great Master Likong lowered his head and eyes.

"Indeed!"

"The True Buddha is the person of destiny. Even if this humble monk had not come here seeking you, you would have gone to the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave in the Western Regions to meet me."

"Heh!"

Yan Chu remained noncommittal and asked:

"In that case, let me ask you: Is it true that there are legends of an Arhat descending to earth within the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave?"

Great Master Likong answered without hesitation:

"It is indeed true. According to Buddhist scriptures, the Venerable Huaimojun descended ten thousand years ago. With great virtue and power, he subdued the demonic masses and restored clarity to the world."

He was certain that Yan Chu was a descended True Buddha, so he told everything he knew without reservation.

As for the Venerable Huaimojun he mentioned, he was one of the Five Hundred Arhats, known for being able to destroy all demonic armies with wisdom and samadhi. He symbolizes subduing afflictions, breaking through obstacles, and upholding the Righteous Path.

Although not as famous as the Eighteen Arhats, he was still an important figure in Buddhism.

It was recorded in the scriptures: 'With the arrow of wisdom and the power of meditative wisdom, I destroy your demonic army.'

Back at Heavenly Pillar Mountain, the Prodigy of the Great Black Heaven Demonic Sect had said that he originally intended to spread the teachings of the Great Black Heaven in this world, but was struck down by a descending Arhat, his Divine Soul destroyed and his demonic bones banished below the Nine Serenities.

It seemed that the Arhat was the Venerable Huaimojun.

Although named for his power of wisdom, he still used Vajra-like methods when subduing demons.

Of course, Yan Chu didn't care who he was. He was concerned with how he had come to this world, so he asked the question on his mind.

Outsiders could only see Yan Chu talking with Monk Likong, but they couldn't hear what was said or see their facial expressions and movements clearly.

"So the True Buddha wishes to break through the world and ascend?"

Great Master Likong had a look of realization and immediately replied:

"When the Venerable Huaimojun descended, the world had not yet undergone great changes. At that time, everyone could ascend normally. To be honest, there is no method for breaking through the world within the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave."

"However, if the True Buddha is willing to travel to the Western Regions, perhaps with the methods passed down by the Buddha, you might be able to see through the mysteries of Ascension!"

"Oh?"

Yan Chu was somewhat surprised.

"How do you know I have methods passed down by the Buddha?"