Chapter 1 Buddhist Sounds Appear

Buddhist sounds appeared.

Lu Changsheng's voice was calm and even, but as he recited this scripture.

The golden Buddhist light that filled the sky instantly transformed into fine rain, sprinkling across the entire Buddhist realm.

The fine rain of golden Buddhist light washed away all dirt and grime. This Buddhist light awakened wisdom, clarified principles, and strengthened the resolve to attain enlightenment.

Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

The Buddhist bell chimed. Before Lu Changsheng could finish reciting the scripture, the bell had already rung nine times.

Above the Great Thunderclap Ancient Temple, countless Buddhist lights converged. With each word Lu Changsheng spoke, Buddhist pronouncements materialized, coalescing in the firmament.

On the ground, golden lotus flowers bloomed, each one with an ancient Buddha seated in meditation, accompanying Lu Changsheng as he recited this scripture.

This was the Diamond Sutra, in its full name, the Diamond Prajna Paramita Sutra, a supreme Buddhist scripture.

The claim that all Buddhist teachings and supreme wisdom originate from this scripture alone is sufficient to demonstrate its unparalleled nature.

It can be described as the supreme treasure of Buddhism, the core essence of Mahayana Buddhism.

As the scripture was recited, the heavens trembled, and the entire Buddhist realm shook.

The ancient temples swayed, and figures of Buddha appeared above them, resonating with the scripture.

The entire Buddhist realm listened to Lu Changsheng's recitation.

Billions of Buddhas chanted in unison, and layers upon layers of Buddhist light, like a vast ocean, submerged everything in the Buddhist realm.

People gained enlightenment, each revealing an expression of awakening.

Within the Great Thunderclap Ancient Temple.

The high monks were utterly shocked. They had never heard such a scripture before.

It was as if the Buddha himself had descended, resolving doubts for the world.

The ancient scripture caused the entire Buddhist realm to tremble.

Upon hearing the Diamond Sutra, Venerable Jialan was also stunned. But in an instant, Venerable Jialan sat down cross-legged and listened attentively.

Although the Buddhist scriptures recited by Nanming Liuli and Bodhi Wisdom were excellent, being supreme Buddhist teachings, Venerable Jialan felt no reaction, as he also possessed his own supreme Buddhist teachings.

However, Lu Changsheng's Buddhist teachings immediately gave Venerable Jialan a sense of enlightenment.

At this moment, almost all cultivators in the entire Buddhist realm were sitting on the ground. Even those who were fighting, upon hearing this Buddhist scripture, abandoned everything and sat down to listen to this Buddhist sound.

The Buddhist sound spread throughout the realm. Not only human cultivators, but also beasts and birds, quietly listened to this Buddhist teaching.

Many wild animals were thus enlightened and gained wisdom.

This shows the terrifying power of the Diamond Sutra.

Even Nanming Liuli and Bodhi Wisdom were stunned upon sensing this supreme scripture.

To them, Lu Changsheng was their competitor. No matter how good Lu Changsheng's Buddhist teachings were, they should not listen.

But the Diamond Sutra was truly extraordinary. They had no choice but to sit down and listen attentively to this Buddhist teaching.

The two sat down, listening carefully to Lu Changsheng's Buddhist teachings.

At this moment, the entire Buddhist realm fell silent.

Apart from Lu Changsheng's voice, there was no other sound.

Lu Changsheng's voice, like a Buddhist sound, silenced all things in heaven and earth.

And so, after a full three days and three nights.

The Diamond Sutra alone was naturally not enough for Lu Changsheng to recite for three days and three nights. Lu Changsheng also expounded some of his own ideas, in order to allow all living beings to understand better.

Finally, the recitation of the Diamond Sutra was completed.

In an instant, countless cultivators in the entire Buddhist realm gained enlightenment. Within the Great Thunderclap Ancient Temple, a million Buddhist cultivators were enlightened, and their cultivation bases soared.

Tens of thousands of Immortal Venerable cultivators directly broke through to the Immortal Saint realm.

Fifteen Immortal Saint cultivators directly stepped into the Immortal King realm.

Golden lotuses, auspicious beasts, Buddhist light, and radiance shone in the Great Thunderclap Ancient Temple. Everything in heaven and earth was peaceful and auspicious, as if transformed into a paradise.

And within the Great Thunderclap Ancient Temple.

A figure slowly appeared in the distance.

"Amitabha, I never expected that this person's Buddhist teachings would be so profound, that he could recite a Great Dao Buddhist scripture. If he goes to the Great Thousand World in the future, with this level of Buddhist attainment, he could at least attain the Bodhisattva fruit. Amitabha, it is a pity that this poor monk has a great matter to attend to, otherwise, it would be necessary to convert this person."

This figure was watching Lu Changsheng, his eyes filled with shock.

The world did not understand, thinking that Lu Changsheng had merely recited a groundbreaking Buddhist scripture. However, he knew what this scripture of Lu Changsheng's represented.

It could lead to the Bodhisattva fruit.

The cultivators of the Six Realms were ignorant. An Immortal King dared to call himself a Buddha, and an Immortal Emperor dared to consider himself a True Buddha. The true Buddhas, the true Bodhisattvas, the true Buddhas, in the Great Thousand World, were terrifying existences.

But he would not say much, because the beings of the Six Realms were not on the same dimension in his eyes. The two could not be compared, like ants and true dragons.

In his eyes, the Six Realms were like a grain of sand.

It was precisely because of this that he was so shocked when he saw Lu Changsheng, because such an existence could actually appear in a grain of sand.

His heart burned with fervor, wanting to convert Lu Changsheng and make him his disciple. In the future, if Lu Changsheng attained the Bodhisattva fruit, it would be a stroke of good fortune for him.

But he had a great matter to attend to, a matter so great that it could affect the entire Great Thousand World.

So even if he encountered such a peerless genius, he could only sigh, lamenting their missed connection.

But soon, he shook his head and muttered to himself.

"Although he may be a Bodhisattva, it is only a possibility, not a certainty. And even if he becomes one, it is useless. It would only further strengthen the Buddha Mother's power."

He shook his head and said nothing more.

At the same time.

Above the firmament.

The Heavenly Dao imprint of the Buddhist realm directly burst forth with terrifying Buddhist light, like a vast ocean. But instead of entering Lu Changsheng's body, this Buddhist light directly entered Shan Ting's body.

"Huh?"

Lu Changsheng was a little confused. He had spoken for three days and three nights. Why was all the Buddhist light given to Shan Ting instead of him?

Not to mention Lu Changsheng, Shan Ting was also a little confused.

What was going on?

Sensing the boundless Buddhist light being added to his body, Shan Ting immediately revealed an incomparably comfortable expression.

Shan Ting knew that this Buddhist light was beneficial to him, even greatly beneficial. Among the thirty-three divine beasts, Shan Ting himself had countless connections with Buddhism. Buddhist light was only beneficial to him, not harmful.

So Shan Ting looked at Lu Changsheng and roared.

"Big Brother, don't worry about me. I can bear the pain that this age should not bear. It's okay."

Shan Ting was overjoyed.

Lu Changsheng was a little dazed, but soon he didn't think much about it. After all, there was no difference between Shan Ting getting the benefits and him getting the benefits.

And so, the Buddhist light, like a vast ocean, all entered Shan Ting's body.

And Shan Ting's body became more and more sacred, like jade, emitting a brilliant light.

At this moment, Shan Ting's realm was also constantly breaking through.

Golden Immortal Realm...Immortal Lord Realm...Immortal Venerable Realm...Immortal Saint Realm...Immortal King Realm.

In one breath, Shan Ting's realm directly broke through to the Great Immortal King Realm.

"Roar!"

In an instant, Shan Ting roared. His body soared ten thousand times in size. His elephant body was like jade, radiating ten thousand rays of sacred light. This roar could be described as earth-shattering and soul-stirring.

Boundless Buddhist light washed his bloodline, allowing Shan Ting to possess the ancestral veins, possessing the abilities of the divine elephant, impervious to all laws, unbreakable by all evil, treading on auspicious clouds, and radiating Buddhist light, a supreme auspicious beast of Buddhism.

"Amitabha, well done, well done."

Venerable Jialan's voice sounded, perhaps wanting to say something, but in the end, he changed it to this sentence.

Reaching the Immortal King realm, Shan Ting moved his body. He once again transformed into the same size as before, but an indescribable aura surrounded him. This aura was dignified.

Reaching the Immortal King realm, Shan Ting was naturally different, and he also awakened various abilities.

Shan Ting had an indescribable transformation, a transformation that could be described as a complete rebirth.

Even Lu Changsheng, after taking a look, could not help but change slightly.

If the previous Shan Ting had a harmless feeling, more of a cute appearance, the current Shan Ting had a majesty, the majesty of a divine beast.

At this moment.

Shan Ting woke up and opened his eyes, which made Lu Changsheng feel a little strange.

But at this moment, Shan Ting directly took out his notebook.

Without speaking, he took out a pen and continued to draw in the notebook.

"End of August, the weather is just right, Big Brother Changsheng brought me to the Buddhist realm. He needs the Heavenly Dao imprint of the Buddhist realm, but unfortunately, he needs to pass three levels. The first level is profound Buddhist teachings. Big Brother Changsheng didn't understand, but with my help, he recited a scripture that was unprecedented. For a time, flowers fell from the sky, golden lotuses emerged from the ground, and the high monks of the Buddhist realm all called him an expert. I originally thought that I was just giving tips and planned to hide my merit and fame, but unexpectedly, the Heavenly Dao imprint still sensed my existence and gave me supreme Buddhist light."

"At first, I didn't want it, but thinking that I do lack some Buddhist light now, I thought about it and reluctantly accepted it. Then, I broke through to the Immortal King realm. Big Brother Changsheng was shocked. I smiled indifferently and said, 'Basic skills, don't be alarmed.'" (基操勿六 is pinyin slang for "basic skills, don't be alarmed")

After Shan Ting finished writing happily, he hid the little notebook in the space within his body, and then looked at Lu Changsheng and said.

"Big Brother, ride me!"

Shan Ting spoke. Now that he has become an Immortal King, his dharma form is ten thousand zhang tall, enough for Lu Changsheng to ride.

Lu Changsheng: "..."

Sure enough, it is difficult to change one's nature. Shan Ting is still the same Shan Ting, not changed at all.

And at this moment.

Venerable Jialan spoke again.

"The three destined ones have all passed the first level. Now is the second level."

He spoke, attracting the attention of countless people. Everyone was curious, wondering what the second level was about.

"An ancient Buddha once asked a question, hoping that future destined ones could answer it. If the answer can satisfy the ancient Buddha, it will attract the ancient Buddha's response."

Venerable Jialan said.

"Please ask the question, Divine Monk."

"We are willing to hear the details."

Nanming Liuli and Bodhi Wisdom spoke one after another. They were a little impatient. Being so suppressed by Lu Changsheng in the first level naturally made them feel a certain amount of pressure.

So they very much wanted to suppress Lu Changsheng in the second level.

"The ancient Buddha asked, 'Who is the Buddha?'"

Venerable Jialan asked.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ancient monks fell into contemplation.

This was a question asked by an ancient Buddha, naturally with great meaning, but this question was not heard for the first time.

Even many monks had asked this question.

Who is the Buddha?

Whether it was Bodhi Wisdom or Nanming Liuli, they had both asked this question, or encountered this question.

Including Lu Changsheng, he had also asked this question before.

Who is the Buddha?

The three were silent, thinking seriously.

After a full three hours.

Nanming Liuli gave an answer.

"All things in the world have Buddha-nature. The world is a sea of suffering, and all living beings are struggling in the sea of suffering. Our Buddhist sect is to save all living beings, so all things are Buddhas, lacking those who save them."

Nanming Liuli said.

He had great ambitions, comparing the world to a sea of suffering, and he wanted to become the True Buddha who would save all living beings from the sea of suffering.

The ancient Buddha's question was not asking who is the Buddha, but was actually asking, are you the Buddha, why are you the Buddha, and what makes you the Buddha.

Nanming Liuli guessed the core of the question, so he gave this answer.

"Great!"

At this moment, a majestic voice sounded, not Venerable Jialan's voice, but the voice of that ancient Buddha.

But the ancient Buddha was no longer in the world. This was a thought, believing that Nanming Liuli was right.

Soon, Bodhi Wisdom's voice also sounded.

"The world is a sea of suffering. One person cannot save all living beings. Only the True Buddha can truly save all living beings in the world. What is the Buddha? I am the True Buddha!"

Bodhi Wisdom's answer was even more domineering.

Nanming Liuli believed that all living beings in the world were struggling in the sea of suffering, and he wanted to become the savior.

But Bodhi Wisdom believed that although Nanming Liuli wanted to become the savior, the savior was not someone you could become just by wanting to be. Only the True Buddha could save all living beings in the world, and who was the True Buddha? He was the True Buddha, so he could save the world.

These words were very domineering, and also showed Bodhi Wisdom's confidence and determination.

"Great."

The ancient Buddha's voice sounded again, praising Bodhi Wisdom's confidence.

Then countless eyes looked at Lu Changsheng.

The answers of the first two could be considered top-notch.

One expressed the heart of the Buddha.

One expressed confidence.

Now it depends on how Lu Changsheng answers.

"Who is the Buddha?"

The ancient Buddha's voice sounded, as if treating Lu Changsheng specially.

He asked Lu Changsheng, and countless eyes gathered on Lu Changsheng.

Including the cultivator from the Great Thousand World.

He was very curious about how Lu Changsheng would answer.

Sensing the gazes of countless people.

Lu Changsheng was also thinking quietly.

When he was in the Lower Realm, he had asked others, who is the Buddha.

But Lu Changsheng was not satisfied with any of the answers.

Nanming Liuli's all living beings are Buddhas.

Bodhi Wisdom's I am the True Buddha.

Were all excellent answers.

The most important thing was that the question had been restricted.

Heaven and earth are a sea of suffering.

All living beings are those who cross the sea.

Are you going to save people, or be saved by others.

The correct answer must be to save people.

But how to save people is a problem.

It seemed that no matter what, no matter what the answer was, it would be difficult to jump out of their limitations.

And so, after thinking for an hour.

Lu Changsheng thought of the answer.

He smiled slightly.

Appearing extremely confident.