Chapter: 856 (1/2)

AST 856 – Buddha in One’s Heart, Buddha’s True Eyes

Qing Shui followed the elderly man who was clad in monk robes. They went through the main hall and into the inner hall. With his increased strength, Qing Shui was not afraid of any sort of danger since he knew he could defend himself.

Perhaps the elderly man understood this, so when they entered the inner hall, he stopped and turned to Qing Shui, “ You have an affinity with Buddha, so you don’t have to worry.”

When he heard this, Qing Shui smiled. This reminded him of the scenes from movies in his previous life when the hero saved the earth. However, he did actually feel like he had an affinity with Buddha.

“Why?” Qing Shui wanted to know the elderly man’s thoughts. He could sense that the old monk was very powerful. If he hadn’t received enlightenment earlier, he would’ve never be able to defend against this man. However, as his strength had increased by a fold, he could do so easily now. This strength he received from his enlightenment did not require any time or effort for him to get used to. He could instantly control it perfectly.

“You have the Nine Yang Buddha Body, which only appears every ten thousand years. You are blessed by Buddha. You might not believe me, but did you experience a sort of nirvana just now?” the old monk asked earnestly.

“I did. I thought that it was just a coincidence that I felt enlightened. Is that the meaning of having an affinity with Buddha? I guess that must be quite common.” Qing Shui did not ask any further about the Nine Yang Buddha Body. It was quite obvious that he had that body constitution.

“I looked for you today because I wanted to discuss something with you,” the old monk looked at Qing Shui.

“I am not interested in becoming a monk,” Qing Shui said softly.

“We don’t need you to be a monk. We just need you to register your name here at the Golden Buddha Temple. We would be very grateful to you,” the old monk quickly replied.

“I would like to know some basic information about your temple,” Qing Shui said after he thought about it. After all, he had obtained a great benefit from this place, so he did not mind registering his name here. Besides, he was not familiar with anyone in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent. It was just that he did not want to be restrained by anything if he did register this name with the temple.

“I am an ascetic monk of the Golden Buddha Temple. There are many like me here. The Golden Buddha Temple was once a branch of the Central Continent Buddha Sect. However, even though it was a branch, there wasn’t really a true connection. It was more a tacit agreement. This not only applied to the Golden Buddha Temple and the Buddha Sect. There are other branches that exist in a similar manner after being abandoned by the Buddha Sect.” the old man explained calmly.

“So how many branches does the Buddha Sect have now?” Qing Shui remembered that there were nine sects: Buddha Sect, Joyous Meditation Sect, Diamond Sect…

“Just as before, they have nine sects. But now, they are all in the Central Continent. The other temples outside have already established themselves as independent sects. Regardless, these sects still borrow the influence of the Buddha Sect in the Central Continent.” the old monk shared openly.

The old monk’s frankness impressed Qing Shui. He looked at the man and asked, “If I registered my name, how would this help you?”

Qing Shui did not understand why this man had said so much to him. He was never going to be a monk so he did not see how this would benefit the organization.

“I have no idea, but I know that it is a rare opportunity to meet someone with the Nine Yang Buddha Body, so we don’t want to miss this chance. We don’t need you to do anything and we won’t restrict you with any of our rules even if you register with us,” the old monk understood that the young man did not wish for any obligations.

“If you agree to my request, I’ll bring you to see the Abbot,” the old man watched Qing Shui.

“Come in. No one will force you if you’re unwilling. We will not put you at any disadvantage.” Just then, a resonant voice rang out that seemed to come from all directions. The voice sounded forceful and wise, yet incomparably kind.

Qing Shui looked at the old monk without giving much reaction, acting as if he had not heard that voice. He smiled and urged the old monk, “Old Elder, please lead the way!”

They walked through the inner hall which was filled with many Buddha statues. However, these statues were about human-sized and there were fewer of them than outside.

After they passed through the inner hall, they arrived at a smaller shrine that was within the hall itself.

“Please enter, I will wait here. The abbot is waiting inside.”

Qing Shui exchanged a few pleasantries and entered the shrine.

Qing Shui could not feel calm as he could sense that the abbot was a very powerful man, so powerful that he was unable to gauge his exact strength.

When he entered the shrine, he saw another Buddha statue similar to but smaller than the one facing the entrance.

There was a prayer mat in front of the statue, upon which an old man was kneeling. He was facing away from Qing Shui and his white hair was so long that it reached the floor. Even if he was standing, it would probably go past his waist. He wore a white kasaya and was extremely thin.

“Sit!” the kind voice spoke as the old man turned slowly.

With his gaunt face, the old man looked emaciated. Somehow, he looked very kind. He had a rosy glow and his very long white eyebrows drooped to his chest.

“Thank you, Abbot.” Qing Shui replied as he sat down on his knees on the praying mat three meters away.

“Young sir, do you believe that Buddha exists?” the abbot asked in his kind world-weary voice.

“I do!”

“Then, do you know where Buddha is?”

“Buddha is in my heart!”

“What a brilliant reply. As expected from someone with the Nine Yang Buddha Body.” The old man seemed exceptionally happy.