Chapter 97: Entering Buddhism Through Nirvana
Chapter 97: Entering Nirvana Through the Buddhist Path
"Amitabha."
Under Lü Yang's gaze, the rosy-cheeked youth smiled faintly, then clasped his hands together. His golden-hued eyes locked onto Lü Yang with piercing intensity:
"Benefactor's extraordinary talent truly astonishes this humble monk."
"...A Buddhist cultivator?"
Lü Yang's eyebrows arched. Chen Xin'an had once told him that Buddhist practitioners didn't exist in Jiangnan or Jiangbei—at most, there were rogue cultivators like Ming Chan.
True Buddhist cultivators resided solely in Jiangxi.
They didn't follow the "Path of Physical Ascension," but rather the "Path of Profound Joy in Nirvana," said to hold mysteries entirely distinct from the traditions of Jiangnan and Jiangbei.
Especially this True Person Panlong before him, whose cultivation rivaled that of the Mending Heaven Peak Master. Yet unlike the Peak Master—who had been struck by Golden Core Sword Qi—this monk remained whole in both spirit and flesh, at the peak of his power. His aura enveloped the cosmos like the heavens themselves, instantly clarifying why the Mending Heaven Peak Master had been so thoroughly suppressed earlier.
"This humble monk is Fulong."
The youth exhaled softly before continuing calmly: "Panlong has entered nirvana, attaining rebirth in the Pure Land. All past entanglements are severed—only Fulong remains in this world."
Lü Yang matched his composure: "Then why has Venerable Fulong sought me out at this moment?"
Even as he spoke, Lü Yang continued constructing his Dao Foundation, only to find what had once been effortless now felt like dragging a mountain behind him.
'...That dragon?'
His gaze shifted to the small serpent coiled around Fulong Arhat's form, whose golden draconic pupils remained fixed upon him.
Fulong Arhat smiled knowingly.
The living-seeming dragon was actually a superior-grade spiritual treasure called the "Trapped Dragon Ring," housing a divine ability named "Gaze Encompassing the Cosmos." As the name implied, anything caught within its sight became immobilized within its field of vision—unable to flee or alter form.
Since Lü Yang had first been observed before establishing his Dao Foundation, no matter how he channeled his divine abilities now, his foundation-building process remained pinned by that gaze, impossible to consolidate or exploit for escape.
"This humble monk comes bearing an opportunity for the benefactor."
Fulong Arhat studied Lü Yang intently: "After entering nirvana and attaining Arhatship, I established a temple in the Pure Land named 【Fulong Temple】."
"Newly founded, it still lacks a congregation."
"With benefactor's peerless true qi, you could join as a Guardian Vajra. We would cultivate the Path of Nirvana together—would that not be splendid..."
Boom!
Before Fulong Arhat could finish, Lü Yang's figure blurred—vanishing only to be replaced by a bewildered-looking witch ghost.
The Arhat blinked, clearly surprised Lü Yang could break the Trapped Dragon Ring's restraint. Yet his brows soon smoothed as he laughed heartily: "Why must the benefactor persist in delusion? Cultivating the Nine Transforming Dragon Art marks you as destined for me and the Pure Land."
"Destined my ass!"
Within the Foundation Establishment realm's trial space, Lü Yang fled while inwardly cursing. Fulong Arhat's hostile intentions were obvious—why would he surrender willingly?
"I got careless!"
Regret gnawed at him even as he ran. He'd considered the possibility of 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 being compromised, especially after Liu Xin's example.
But first, True Person Panlong had seemed a dead man walking at the time. Second, during his previous life's attempt at Foundation Establishment, Panlong never appeared—leading him to lower his guard... Now he realized it was likely because that breakthrough occurred within the Saint Sect's territory!
"Goddamn it, they're all predators!"
"Does the Saint Sect not have a single decent elder who genuinely cares about successors? Guardian Vajra my foot—he probably wants to refine me into a puppet!"
With a thought, Lü Yang exited the Foundation Establishment realm.
The next instant, he emerged carrying the force of "Heaven's Collapse." Eight hundred miles of Skeleton Mountain trembled violently as if shaken by an earth dragon.
"Fighting within the trial space is suicide."
Lü Yang faced reality—without a solidified Dao Foundation, every moment there required resisting the realm's heart demon intrusions.
How could he possibly battle under such conditions?
His only option was returning to the mortal world to either escape or repel Fulong Arhat before continuing his breakthrough attempt. Otherwise, death awaited.
"Escape is unrealistic. Even with my karma-shielding talisman, that bald donkey tracked me down—meaning he can bypass causality to lock onto me through our cultivation connection. Fleeing is impossible, especially since Skeleton Mountain is my stronghold. Running would just make me more vulnerable..."
Having reached this conclusion, Lü Yang steeled himself: "...Then we fight!"
While he could still restart, the 【Book of a Hundred Lifetimes】 had limited pages. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't waste one.
Moreover, even if restarting became inevitable, gathering intelligence on True Person Panlong's methods would benefit his next life.
The next moment, Fulong Arhat materialized—also radiating Heaven's Collapse energy. But as a genuine Foundation Establishment expert, the phenomena he manifested differed entirely.
Lowering his gaze, he calmly surveyed Skeleton Mountain.
Instantly, all eight hundred miles fell under his scrutiny. The invisible weight of a True Person's pressure descended upon every cultivator present.
Boom!
Qi Refining cultivators below late-stage were pulverized instantly. Late-stage practitioners vomited blood while prostrating. Only perfected Qi Refining experts—deemed valuable—were spared severe injury, instead inexplicably clasping their hands and reciting Buddhist sutras.
Meanwhile, Lü Yang brandished the Myriad Spirits Banner, summoning guardian deity Su Nu alongside eight red-clothed ghosts. Together, they activated a divine ability—the majestic 【Yama Palace】 erupted from the earth, dominating the sky as Lü Yang siphoned Skeleton Mountain's baleful yin energy to empower it.
Fulong Arhat clicked his tongue admiringly:
"Once benefactor joins my temple as a Guardian Vajra, this one may serve as a pious devotess—sharing paradise with you. What fine karmic affinity."
Boom!
Ignoring the Arhat's words entirely, Lü Yang hurled the levitating 【Yama Palace】 downward like a meteor!
Fulong Arhat didn't evade. A jeweled canopy bloomed above him, catching the palace effortlessly. Their collision scattered shooting stars and molten fire across the sky, finally wrinkling the Arhat's serene brow.
"It seems ordinary methods won't suffice."
Despite his words, Fulong Arhat's heart swelled with joy. When leaving 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 as bait, he'd never expected such a prize.
The Mending Heaven Peak Master knew his tricks—no true Foundation Establishment candidate would be allowed to cultivate it, only to be poached for Jiangxi's benefit. His initial hopes had been modest—even a 10% success rate would have satisfied him.
Yet Lü Yang shattered all expectations.
One glance revealed a genuine Foundation Establishment prodigy—possibly among the greatest of his generation. Converting such talent would bring immense benefits!
Not to mention the bonus guardian deity Su Nu.
Though pseudo-Foundation Establishment couldn't compare to the real thing, it remained valuable. Adding both to his 【Fulong Temple】 might elevate his cultivation further!
"Very well—let us employ greater means."
Resolved, Fulong Arhat solemnly clasped his hands. Golden light erupted beneath his feet, flooding half the sky in an instant.
Where eight hundred miles of baleful yin energy once churned, a vast golden plain now spread.
At its heart, a mountainous temple rose—gates wide open to reveal a main hall centered around a lotus throne.
The Arhat flashed onto that throne.
Brilliance erupted as he assumed the lotus position—right hand resting on his knee, fingers touching earth in a mudra. Countless radiant beams cascaded outward.
Wherever the light touched, filth dissolved and forms melted away.
Eight hundred miles of Skeleton Mountain's baleful yin energy vanished instantly. The 【Yama Palace】 crumbled like summer snow beneath the radiance!