Chapter 211: Is Shakyamuni Still Alive?

"What a beast, what a beast! That kid even went after a nun!" Li Heishui howled.

"She's just a young nun, only fifteen or sixteen! That's too beastly!" Tu Fei's eyes widened.

"You shouldn't be like Ye Fan. So young, yet he dares to target even a nun. We're ashamed!" Liu Kou watched intently.

"This kid really has no qualms. That's a princess of the Great Xia Dynasty!" Jiang Huairen also clicked his tongue.

Wu Zhongtian, however, was a little worried. He stepped forward, fearing Ye Fan would cause major trouble. Such an immortal ancient dynasty was even more formidable than a Holy Land.

"That's the princess of the Great Xia Dynasty. She was born with a Buddha flower and became a Buddhist nun. Although she has renounced secular life, she is still Emperor Xia's most beloved daughter. This guy absolutely shouldn't mess around."

The five men moved forward, closely watching what was happening.

Ye Fan was naturally surprised. He had long heard that Buddhism existed in the Western Desert, and even monks in Zhongzhou. He had always wanted to investigate. The Buddha, from across the starry sky, was a figure from 2,500 years ago. One could say they came from the same place. He urgently wanted to know if this Buddha was the one from the Great Thunderclap Temple, and if he originated from Earth. If so, he would have another ray of hope!

He was desperate to learn all about it. If there was a sage who could cross the starry sky, then he might have a chance to return home. Although he could fly and use powerful abilities in this world, he would rather be a mortal, quietly enjoying the warmth of home, instead of living his current life.

Sakyamuni, a figure from over two thousand years ago, founded Buddhism, which flourished immensely and profoundly influenced later generations. In the past, Ye Fan merely considered him an ancient figure with great wisdom, never a deity. He believed that the so-called Buddha was just a state of mind, not a manifestation of divine power. He didn't believe anyone could display supernatural abilities. However, when the Nine Dragons Pulled Coffin set sail from Mount Tai and brought him to a mysterious world, all his perceptions were overturned. He had to regard that ancient, wise figure as a deity, a boundless cultivator. This was a profound shift in his understanding.

He couldn't forget the ruins of the Great Thunderclap Temple on the Firefly Ancient Star and wanted to know where the Buddha had gone. Since Buddhism existed in this world, it was very likely that he had come here. Two thousand five hundred years was not a long time in this world, with living figures still existing. But for those from across the starry sky, it was an incredibly long period, traceable back to the pre-Qin era. The Buddha attained enlightenment in that era, but Ye Fan didn't know his true cultivation level. Whether he came to this world along the star gates left by ancient beings or by crossing the starry sky himself, Ye Fan did not know. Ye Fan had a surreal feeling. A figure from across the starry sky, from 2,500 years ago, should have long since returned to dust. Yet, he might have the chance to converse with him in the future.

"Who goes there? Stop!"

Ahead, the Great Xia Dynasty's prince and princess were surrounded by armored guards. Each wore iron armor, exuded divine radiance, and possessed surging combat power. These guards maintained a tight formation, scanning all directions. Seeing Ye Fan rushing forward, they naturally blocked his path.

"I want to see that young nun," Ye Fan said, a little too excitedly, causing his words to be somewhat inappropriate.

"How dare you! Do you wish to offend the princess?" An armored guard, holding a saber and a sword, blocked his path.

"No, I meant, I wish to see that young master, who is also your esteemed princess," Ye Fan corrected himself, settling his posture and looking ahead.

The prince of the Great Xia Dynasty in Zhongzhou had black hair like a waterfall and eyes like stars. His temperament was extraordinary, like a celestial emperor's son descended to earth, exceptionally valiant. Dressed in divine iron armor, every movement exuded an imperial aura, flowing and forming dragon-like movements, radiating splendor. He looked over, his dark eyes as deep as the ocean, and asked faintly, "Is there something you need?"

Ye Fan spoke, "This humble Taoist sees His Highness's magnificent bearing, shrouded in dragon qi, fully displaying imperial majesty. I couldn't help but step forward, wishing to behold the true dragon's visage."

The Great Xia prince showed a hint of a smile, "You certainly know how to talk. Come closer and take a good look."

"This kid is such a flatterer! He's clearly eyeing her sister!" Li Heishui muttered softly.

"The competition among the Great Xia princes in Zhongzhou is fierce. Of course, he loves to hear such words," Liu Kou whispered.

"This kid is really something... He's after the nun, but talks about dragon qi and imperial majesty. What a piece of work." Tu Fei curled his lip.

The armored guards allowed Ye Fan to pass. He approached the Great Xia prince and said, "I observe His Highness: your forehead is like the sun, your jaw like the moon, purple qi pierces the sky, and your eyes hold dragon might. In the future, you are destined to ascend to the throne and become a generation's emperor."

"What exactly brings you here, little Taoist?" The Great Xia prince was naturally unmoved by his words.

At this moment, Ye Fan was observing the Great Xia princess. She was indeed just a young nun, appearing to be only fifteen or sixteen. Her white robes were like snow, her hair completely shaven, and she wore a white hat. Despite her young age, she was already tall and slender, standing gracefully. Her natural charm, slightly tinged with innocence, made her captivating. This young nun was truly pure and elegant, with a touch of innocence. She looked at him curiously, her large eyes dark and sparkling with intelligence. Although she had no beautiful hair, it did not diminish her captivating allure. Her bright eyes were charming, pure, and moving—naturally beautiful, like a painting.

"Young master, you possess inner spiritual brilliance, a naturally divine appearance, immortal bones, and roots of wisdom. Your body is like a Buddha flower, your heart like clear jade. You are truly a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva," Ye Fan said earnestly.

The young nun's large, dark eyes rolled around. She tilted her head to look at him but remained silent, appearing very cute and delicate.

"Damn it. The more I look at this kid, the more he seems like a bootlicker, a real con artist," even the steady Wu Zhongtian, usually as calm as a lion, couldn't help but say.

"This kid even dared to pull off the Jade Lake Saintess's underwear; he's definitely no good," Li Heishui sighed, "Actually, I wanted to go over and tell that young nun not to fall for this beast's tricks."

On the other side, the Great Xia prince's face instantly darkened. He felt that this young Taoist was coming on to his sister, and no older brother would be pleased about that. Ye Fan naturally noticed his expression. He then recited a Taoist invocation, turned to face the prince, and said, "Your Highness, your grand destiny is already set, with divine dragon might. What you lack now is merely the cultivation of imperial qi."

The Great Xia prince said indifferently, "Do you have any suggestions?" He wanted to send this Taoist away and not have him near his sister.

Having seen someone from Buddhism, Ye Fan would not leave no matter what. His heart was restless, and he urgently wanted to know if Sakyamuni was in this world. He said, "I wish to present Your Highness with a scroll of heavenly scriptures. In the future, you will surely rule over Great Xia."

"You're just a Taoist. What do you know about the world's great trends or the grand Dao of imperial qi?" The nearby guard, sensing the prince's displeasure, tried to shoo Ye Fan away. "How could I not know? There are Four Greats in the universe, and the Sovereign is one of them. Do you understand?" Ye Fan retorted.

"You..." The guard captain was slightly angered.

"What are the Four Greats?" the Great Xia prince asked.

"The Dao is great, Heaven is great, Earth is great, and the Sovereign is also great," Ye Fan stated calmly, though his eyes glanced towards the young nun.

The Great Xia prince had just started to grasp some meaning, but seeing Ye Fan's demeanor, he immediately felt a bit annoyed. He said deeply, "Are these Four Greats connected?"

"The Sovereign follows humanity, humanity follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature. I possess a scroll of imperial Dao heavenly scriptures, which emulate Earth in supporting all things and emulate Heaven in covering all things. It can cultivate imperial qi and is offered for your reference."

"What a beast, what a beast! To achieve his goal, he's truly speaking eloquently, stopping at nothing," Li Heishui mumbled not far away.

"What a con artist!" Tu Fei also curled his lip.

"If you savor it carefully, there's some truth to it," Wu Zhongtian mused.

"I think you're here for the princess, aren't you!" the guard captain beside them said coldly.

"You are mistaken," Ye Fan corrected. "I came for His Highness. However..." He paused slightly, then continued, "I do have a few questions for the young master."

"What do you wish to ask?" the Great Xia prince asked indifferently.

"I want to ask the young master, is Tathagata still alive?" Ye Fan stared at the young nun, his expression extremely solemn.

The exquisitely graceful young nun's face showed a flicker of panic. She hid behind her brother, tilting her head and blinking her large eyes as she looked at Ye Fan. The moment the two words "Tathagata" left his lips, the Great Xia prince's face in Zhongzhou instantly changed. He said in a deep voice, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

The words "Tathagata" seemed to possess a strange, demonic power. Not only did they make the Great Xia prince change color, but the Sacred Son of Yaoguang, not far away, also changed his expression abruptly and started walking towards them. He shone like the scorching sun, with golden radiance flowing around his body, like an immortal king descending to the mortal world. Even standing amidst a vast crowd, his distinctiveness was apparent. Ye Fan clearly sensed the change in their expressions and was surprised. Did the words "Tathagata" possess some kind of magical power? Yao Xi also walked over. She didn't know what "Tathagata" meant, but she sensed something unusual. She moved gracefully, like the rising morning glow, or the shimmering light of the bright moon. At the same time, Ye Fan sensed another gaze, coming from a pavilion in the Jade Lake Immortal Stone Workshop. The Saintess stood by the window, shrouded in mist, looking over at this spot.

"Perceive true reality, and all dharmas are empty. In an instant, attain enlightenment that all laws are one. Once the scenery cannot be hidden, meet it face to face, utterly bare." Ye Fan recited a Buddhist gatha, then looked at the graceful young nun and asked, "May I ask, is Sakyamuni still alive?"

The young nun, in robes whiter than snow, ethereal as an immortal, opened her mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again. The Great Xia prince of Zhongzhou now stood like a mountain, exuding dragon-shaped energy pillars. His divine robes shone brilliantly, as if a great emperor had descended, incredibly mighty. He stared coldly at Ye Fan and said, "We only know of Buddhism, but have never heard of that name. Do not ask us!"

Was Sakyamuni a taboo? Ye Fan had such a misconception.

"Suddenly awakened, the wonderful source of mind, the shell of ignorance shattered, all the same. Clearly, there were six realms in the dream, but after awakening, there is emptiness, no saints or mortals." Ye Fan used a Buddhist gatha to test the young nun, and finally asked in a deep voice, "Where is the Buddha?"

"In the Western Desert, there is Mount Sumeru. If you wish to know, you can go and seek it," the Great Xia prince said coldly.

Ye Fan's heart trembled upon hearing the words "Mount Sumeru." Was it truly Sakyamuni's Dao field?

"I'd like you to elaborate on Tathagata and Sakyamuni," the Sacred Son of Yaoguang said to Ye Fan, his smile radiant like the spring breeze and the morning glow. Ye Fan's heart was shaken. He felt that something was amiss with Buddhism in this world; otherwise, why would the Great Xia prince and the Sacred Son of Yaoguang react this way?