Shrouded Sky

Chapter 211 - Is The Buddha Still In This World?

Grand Xia, an eternal ancient dynasty, has flourished for over 100,000 years. Mountains crumble, rivers dry, seas turn to fields, time changes all. Yet Grand Xia remains steadfast, unshaken since its founding by an ancient emperor before the desolate era. It has witnessed countless historical shifts and holds untold secrets, its records vast and unknowable.

Ye Fan’s mind raced. What happened 2,500 years ago? Did The Buddha come to this world? What stories unfolded with its natives, and why did his name unsettle the Grand Xia prince? If there were hidden truths, Grand Xia, an immortal dynasty, likely knew them, chronicling the world’s major events.

Radiant Light’s Saint, with a gentle smile, radiant teeth, and golden-glowing hair, approached casually. “Boundless Heavenly Lord,” Ye Fan intoned, shaking his head. “I’m a mere wandering cultivator, roaming the world. I heard the name by chance, sparking my curiosity, so I ask.”

Not posing as Duan De, he stood tall in flowing robes, youthful yet exuding an immortal charm. “You’re too modest, priest. Can you enlighten me? Where does The Buddha come from, what kind of existence is he, and what do you know?” the Saint asked, his smile like a spring breeze.

The Buddha hailed from Earth, Ye Fan couldn’t reveal that. “I only know the name Tathagata, not his life. Perhaps you can enlighten me, Saint. What’s his origin?”

“The Buddha…” The Saint’s eyes sparkled dreamily, the name clearly holding mysterious power, stirring his expression each time. For figures like him and the Grand Xia prince, unshaken by collapsing mountains, the name Tathagata unsettled their hearts.

“I came to you for answers, yet you turn it back on me. You’re watertight, priest,” the Saint said, smiling warmly, shaking his head.

“I’ve only heard rumors, unclear on the truth. Please, Your Highness, share your wisdom. Boundless Heavenly Lord,” Ye Fan said, sleeves fluttering.

“This kid thinks he’s a real priest, quite the charlatan,” Liu Kou muttered.

“All because of a nun,” Blackwater concluded.

“Heavy taste!” Jiang Huairen said tersely.

The Saint’s deep eyes seemed to pierce history’s veil, gazing into eternity. “This name has a demonic aaspect. Over 2,000 years ago, it’s as if a temporal rift occurred, everything about him vanished, as if he never existed.”

Ye Fan smiled like dawn, nodding understandingly, but his mind churned. What did Tathagata do 2,000 years ago? What traces did he leave, and is he still here? A mystery, full of unknowns, begging exploration. It was vital to him, Earth’s star gates, crossing galaxies, where did they lead? Was the Nine Dragons Coffin a fluke, or did it follow the ancients’ path? Did The Buddha arrive here by chance?

“Tathagata likely came to this world, but something catastrophic must have happened,” Ye Fan mused, glancing at the prince, whose cold demeanor hinted at secrets. Why was The Buddha a taboo he avoided?

The Saint turned to the prince with a serene smile. “Your Highness, dragon energy soaring, a true dragon of Grand Xia. Surely you know of Tathagata. What happened 2,000 years ago for all traces of him to vanish, as if he never was?”

“I don’t know. Buddhism has living sages, go ask them,” the prince replied coldly, stone-faced.

Yao Xi pondered. She’d never heard of Tathagata, but the Saint knew more as Radiant Light’s future leader, stirring ripples in her heart. Ye Fan calmed himself. Prying secrets from the Saint was like climbing heaven; the prince was even less forthcoming, already distant before deeper questions.

He resolved to visit the Western Desert’s Mount Sumeru for answers. But first, he could try the pure young nun. Glancing over, he saw the petite nun in snowy robes, her black eyes darting shyly, retreating behind her brother like a startled rabbit when he looked.

The prince frowned, protective of his beloved sister, wary of men like Ye Fan, suspecting ulterior motives. “Boundless Heavenly Lord, I am but a monk, sparing ants when sweeping, shielding moths from flames, no worldly desires,” Ye Fan said earnestly, implying innocence.

The prince’s face was expressionless, but inwardly, he was thoroughly annoyed. The nun stifled a giggle, her lively eyes glancing at him. “He’s addicted to playing priest, almost as bad as that unscrupulous one, another shady Daoist,” Liu Kou muttered, nearly equating him with Duan De.

“Have you heard of the Buddha and Mount Sumeru?” Tu Fei asked quietly.

“Never. Those bald monks are elusive. If not for Middle Continent folks mentioning them in Celestial City, I wouldn’t know the sect exists,” Blackwater said, shaking his head.

“I’ve heard of the sect but know little,” Wu Zhongtian frowned. “My grandfather mentioned it’s very powerful, with unfathomable ancient Buddhas.”

“That’s all we know,” Jiang Huairen added, shaking his head.

Ye Fan’s heart steadied. He’d investigate the Buddha slowly. Focusing on the present, he paced gracefully, exuding a Taoist aura, circling the area. Yao Xi showed no recognition.

“My Heaven-Swapping Earth-Changing technique must be very advanced, she can’t sense my true aura,” he thought.

Approaching Yao Xi, he said, “Fairy, you’re like a lotus rising from water, radiant and stunning, with immortal bones and a natural Dao Physique, a true gem of our Daoist path.”

Yao Xi smiled faintly. “You flatter too much, priest. What’s your purpose?”

“No, I speak truth,” Ye Fan said solemnly. “I sense an ancient emperor’s aura in you. Your cultivation isn’t at its peak, yet your immortal energy is profound, you’re no ordinary person.”

Yao Xi was slightly surprised. Her brow held a lunar palace, an ancient treasure of unknown rank, known to few. Had this priest sensed it? Keeping her composure, she asked, “Which sect are you from, priest?”

“I’m sectless, a lone crane in the clouds, here to find my nephew-disciple,” Ye Fan said, reciting his title.

“Who’s your nephew? I might know of him,” Yao Xi said, skeptical, thinking he was spinning tales.

“I seek your help, fairy, to find my wayward nephew. As a sacred ground, Radiant Light may know of him,” Ye Fan said, probing for the unscrupulous priest’s past. “His name is Duan De, title Boundless.”

“That unscrupulous priest is your nephew?” Yao Xi showed surprise.

“His misdeeds earn him that name,” Ye Fan replied.

“How old are you, priest?” Yao Xi asked.

“I’ve cultivated for over 300 years, 318 springs and autumns wasted,” Ye Fan said.

Pfft.

Nearby, Blackwater spat his wine, nearly dropping his gourd, muttering, “What a beast!”

“Thick-skinned doesn’t cover it. Damn, he stole her panties and now poses as a sage, discussing immortals and the Dao,” Tu Fei cursed, hoping Yao Xi would see through him.

“If she knew his true identity, she’d spit blood. Should we shout it out?” Jiang Huairen laughed.

Wu Zhongtian frowned. “Don’t cause trouble.”

“Talk about sanctimonious, this is a clothed beast in action,” Liu Kou grumbled. “What a beast!”

Nearby, the Saint and Grand Xia prince walked toward nine rare stones, glowing with golden light, his hair like molten gold, a sun god descended. Wu Zhongtian frowned. “He’s like a furnace of heaven and earth, his vitality an ocean, boiling. He’s nearly unmatched among peers.”

Blackwater and others paled. They’d brought Wu Zhongtian to counter the Saint, but his assessment was grim. Tu Fei sighed, “His Radiant Light Scripture is invincible, purifying all, impenetrable. No attack can breach it.”

Blackwater looked worried. “His light grows stronger, blazing like the sun. Even a God Physique might struggle to break it. Only one attack art, lost forever, could counter it.”

“You mean God-King Jiang Taixu’s War Paragon Art, the greatest martial art in 5,000 years?” Tu Fei frowned.

“Yes, even a God Physique might only draw with him. Mastering such a supreme technique at his age is terrifying,” Blackwater said.

Jiang Huairen, whose ancestor was Jiang Taixu, fell silent, the technique lost. “Perhaps another martial art could break his perfected light,” Wu Zhongtian mused.

“Another?” The others were skeptical.

“You’re stuck in the Eastern Wilderness, forgetting Middle Continent,” Wu Zhongtian said, eyeing the prince. “Grand Xia’s Imperial Dragonforce, domineering and unstoppable, shattering all, could likely handle him.”

The prince, in gleaming armor, dragon energy coiling, nine dragons around him, heads high on his shoulders, stood like an emperor. “How does Imperial Dragonforce compare to Jiang Taixu’s technique? Middle Continent boasts, but they’ve never clashed,” Tu Fei lamented. “A tragedy, we’ll never see these supreme martial arts duel.”

The saint and prince examined the nine stones, touching them for the first time after days on display. Ye Fan and Yao Xi, chatting amiably, approached, prompting the bandits to mutter “clothed beast.”

“Do you know source stones, priest?” Yao Xi asked.

“My studies are broad but shallow, a jack-of-all-trades. I dabble in source arts,” Ye Fan smiled.

“You’re too modest. Why not evaluate these nine stones?” Yao Xi said, her lashes fluttering, eyes like stars, lips radiant, stunningly beautiful.

The prince and saint glanced over, their expressions varied. The prince, protective, disliked Ye Fan, suspecting he targeted his sister. The saint’s calm smile hid his thoughts, his charisma drawing young female cultivators’ gazes. The young nun peeked at Ye Fan, full of innocent curiosity.

“Very well, I’ll try,” Ye Fan said, circling the stones twice without touching them. Tapping the largest and smallest, he said casually, “These two hold divine essence; the rest are mere rocks.”

Laughter erupted. “Big talk! Thinks he’s a Celestial Source Master? Jade Pool’s stones aren’t that easy!”

“With years of stone-gambling experience, I say those two are barren, nothing inside.”

“Another self-important fool. Ignore him.”

The crowd scoffed. Ye Fan’s casual taps seemed unconvincing. “So certain, priest?” the prince asked coolly.

“My knowledge is limited, just a guess,” Ye Fan said humbly.

The prince shook his head. “I’d choose one of those but swap the other.”

He’d come for the Saintess, well-prepared after days of study. Ye Fan smiled. “How about a bet, Your Highness?”

“What kind?” the prince asked.

“If I turn stone to gold, I’d like a moment to speak with the young master,” Ye Fan said, pointing to the nun.

The prince, initially intrigued, turned away, thoroughly annoyed. The nun wrinkled her nose, waving a small fist at him. “Are you sure these stones hold essence?” the saint asked.

“Just my view,” Ye Fan replied.

Yao Xi smiled. “I think you’re quite insightful, priest.”

Unexpectedly, the Jade Pool Saintess appeared, gliding like a fairy on waves, ethereal, trailing sparkling petals. “Priest, you chose these two stones?” Her voice was melodic, enchanting.

The crowd was stunned, her personal appearance was unprecedented.