Chapter 894: Amitabha Great Emperor

The Western Desert is an ancient divine land, steeped in countless legends. With devout Buddhist followers everywhere, it is a place close to the gods.

The Great Emperor Amitābha, possessing immense wisdom, great compassion, and power, left behind numerous legends here. He once made a grand vow to walk every inch of the land, personally spreading his teachings, which led to the flourishing and current glory of Buddhism.

The entire Western Desert region is populated by Buddhists. Although other traditions can enter, they find it difficult to become mainstream. Temples are ubiquitous, like lotuses blooming everywhere.

It must be said that this is a magnificent sight—a miracle unprecedented in history, where an entire region adheres to only one doctrine.

This land possesses endless mystery. Arhats, Bodhisattvas, and ancient Buddhas walk among mortals, coexisting with sentient beings, manifesting miracles, and alleviating suffering. It is precisely because of this that Buddhism continues to prosper.

Everyone here reveres the Buddha with immense devotion. Pilgrims often prostrate themselves with every step, journeying towards Sumeru, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in their hearts, though few may ever reach it in their lifetime. This demonstrates the purity of their hearts; everything they do is for the sake of revering the Buddha, fueled by the most sacred faith.

The clear Immeasurable Golden Body Lake, the magnificent Bodhisattva Plateau, the towering Ancient Buddha Mountain… these Buddhist holy sites constantly emanate auspicious energy, attracting countless devotees for pilgrimage and worship.

Ye Fan and the Monkey crossed over from the Eastern Barren Lands and entered this vast territory, which, contrary to their expectations, was not entirely covered in golden sand.

Although called the Western Desert, it features mountains and rivers. While there are many deserts, they do not encompass the entire region. There are also vast fertile lands and extensive mountains and rivers, rich in spiritual energy and beautiful scenery.

"Have you noticed that this land is quite unusual, seemingly different from the other four regions?" the Monkey keenly observed as soon as they arrived.

"Indeed, there's an extremely pure power, imperceptible yet truly present, flowing in wisps throughout this entire realm," Ye Fan remarked with surprise.

It can be said that in the current era, very few people, as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns, could perceive this extraordinary phenomenon. Only those with exceptionally rare innate constitutions like the Monkey and him could sense it.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the Western Desert is not as abundant as in the Central Plains; there are not as many ancestral veins or overflowing earth-spirit energies. However, a pure, mysterious power permeates the region, which can be described as the purest essence.

"What kind of divine power is this, and why can't we draw upon or absorb it?" the Monkey wondered.

Ye Fan was also puzzled and uncertain. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't incorporate even a wisp of this mysterious Dao power into himself; it wouldn't merge with him or be used by him.

"No wonder there are endless legends about the Western Desert. From ancient times until now, neither the demon race nor primordial beings, nor even mysterious extraterrestrial deities, have dared to set foot here. It is indeed unfathomable."

As they traveled, they saw many temples, all peaceful and serene. The more such places they encountered, the more of that mysterious power flowed, in continuous wisps.

"Is this a Buddhist spiritual resonance?!" They looked at each other in astonishment. How immense must the Buddhist power be to permeate the entire realm? It was truly vast and immeasurable.

"This is unbelievable. Could the Great Emperor Amitābha still be alive?" the Monkey exclaimed.

Both were stunned at the thought of this possibility.

Who else but him could possess such immense magical power, subtly flowing throughout the entire Western Desert?

This was truly shocking and beyond human imagination.

In the distance, the ancient temple bell tolled softly, purifying souls and stirring hearts, making one yearn to convert to Buddhism, to go forth and worship, to embrace the ascetic life.

"It's too mysterious!" Ye Fan and the Monkey were astonished, filled with endless questions. The boundless Buddhist principles stirred something within them.

They journeyed on, not knowing how many thousands of miles they had penetrated into this land, until they finally encountered a demon. It was an ancient demon at the Great Perfection stage of the second layer of the Immortal Terrace Realm, yet it had become a guardian of an ancient temple.

"This is too strange. Even such a colossal demon has been converted. Buddhism truly inspires awe," the Monkey sighed.

At this point, they finally understood why primordial beings, after emerging, had not come to the Western Desert to assert their power. The peculiar Buddhist spiritual resonance might very well convert some of them.

Alan Ancient Temple is a historic temple whose age is unknown, possibly tens of thousands of years. Though it has collapsed and been rebuilt many times, its incense offerings have never ceased.

Legend has it that this is one of the holy Buddhist temples where the Great Emperor Amitābha once stopped to discuss the Dao, making it a place of pilgrimage.

In front of the ancient temple, many people burned incense and worshipped devoutly. The curling smoke, imbued with Buddhist essence, permeated this ancient site, accompanied by an inexplicable vibration.

"This place... it's truly extraordinary. Most likely, it was indeed a site frequented by Amitābha in ancient times!" Ye Fan's pupils contracted as he scrutinized it intently.

As they traveled west, they finally arrived at a renowned ancient temple. Naturally, they intended to observe and ponder it carefully, but what they saw left them both pale with shock.

"The more I look, the more extraordinary it seems!" exclaimed the Monkey, his intuitive reaction.

Their innate constitutions were rare throughout the ages. Only in this grand era, with a few ancient princes from primordial times breaking their seals and entering the human world, could anyone compare to them.

Perhaps only those born with extraordinary constitutions like theirs could perceive the mystery of the Western Desert, especially the anomalies within such holy temples.

"There's a magnificent aura!" Ye Fan said. He quieted his mind and observed carefully ahead, discovering that the ancient temple instantly emitted golden light, illuminating the entire world, and a golden Buddhist spiritual radiance was spreading.

"What a powerful and immense aura! Immeasurable Buddha light shines everywhere, as if a Great Buddha is seated there, majestic, sacred, and inviolable," the Monkey said.

Ordinary people would see nothing; even a Great Accomplished King or a Saint would only sense the sacredness of Buddhism, without perceiving any unusual sights.

"Dong..."

The great bell tolled softly, as if from a thousand ages past, followed by the sound of chanting, purifying the soul and bringing profound tranquility, as if one's entire being was being sublimated.

Everyone else was worshipping the Buddha statues in the holy temple, while only Ye Fan and the Monkey stood at a distance.

They quietly observed.

At that moment, they saw through the immeasurable golden light and perceived several old monks sitting cross-legged within the ancient temple, bathed in Buddha's radiance, solemn and still.

"Whoosh!"

The old monks all opened their eyes, as if able to pierce through layers of halls, and saw them. At that moment, pillars and walls could not obstruct their view; it was as if only Buddha light existed between them.

"Both benefactors possess true wisdom roots, rarely seen throughout history, for you have perceived the true nature of our Buddha, Amitābha," an old monk's voice resonated.

Ye Fan and the Monkey cupped their hands in salute from a distance, saying nothing, but growing more cautious.

The old monks all possessed extraordinary power; the Buddhist sect was unfathomable.

Afterwards, they retreated, not wishing to cause any trouble. Looking back, it was as if a Great Buddha sat in the void, and a strange power was drawing them in.

"Just a moment ago, in that fleeting trance, I actually had the thought of converting to Buddhism," the Monkey confessed.

Ye Fan also nodded. They exchanged glances, both showing disbelief, and felt even more strongly that the Western Desert was shrouded in mystery and beyond comprehension.

"Do you think Amitābha is still alive?" the Monkey suddenly asked.

"That's highly unlikely. He appeared in the world countless eons ago. No one could live for such an immense span of time," Ye Fan replied.

Amitābha, like other Great Emperors, is associated with endless legends. It is said he also came from beyond the heavens, crossing star fields to arrive and establish his teachings here, leaving behind an unparalleled reputation.

"I always feel that the Western Desert is very mysterious. There are wisps of Buddhist spiritual resonance throughout the entire realm. Who could cause such an anomaly, other than the Great Emperor Amitābha?" the Monkey muttered.

"Don't tell me you're suggesting that the Great Emperor of Buddhism is still alive on Mount Sumeru?" Ye Fan said.

Suddenly, the Monkey was startled and said, "This is merely a place where Amitābha preached and taught, yet it's so strange, making us feel close to Buddha, even for a moment feeling disoriented and wanting to convert. What do you think it would be like to live year-round in the Great Thunderclap Temple?"

He suddenly thought of his uncle, who had been cultivating on Mount Sumeru for years. Was he using Buddhist methods to break through his cultivation, or had he been inexplicably converted? He shivered involuntarily.

"No way. The Victorious Fighting Buddha's cultivation is profound; who could convert him? Now that he presides over the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, he should be the one converting others," Ye Fan chuckled.

The Monkey said, "I'm still a bit uneasy. I tried to visit him before but couldn't. When I stopped at Sumeru, I felt an incomparable majesty and sanctity lingering there. At the time, my mind was complex, and I didn't think much of it, but now, reflecting on it, that Buddhist spiritual resonance was countless times stronger than what we found at Alan Ancient Temple."

"Now, he even controls the Buddhist supreme treasure, the Demon-Subduing Pestle. You're probably overthinking it," Ye Fan said.

"Perhaps I am overthinking," the Monkey muttered to himself.

Not long after, they ventured deep into the heart of the Western Desert and discovered an ancient city, immensely vast and magnificent. Their special innate constitutions immediately sensed something, and when they observed calmly, they were profoundly shaken.

Wisps and strands of Buddhist spiritual light rose and spread in all directions. When gathered, they formed a brilliant radiance. Others could not see it, but Ye Fan and the Monkey could distinctly perceive it.

This was an immeasurable light, almost piercing through heaven and earth. The light condensed into a rain of thousands of feet, carrying an immortal aura—extremely sacred and pure. This was the unique and extraordinary power of the Western Desert.

"I understand now," Ye Fan said. "It's somewhat similar to the aura of a Great Sage's complete body summoned by a malevolent ghost. This is pure power of faith!"

This place was a famous Buddhist city in the Western Desert, ranking among the top twenty. It gathered numerous Buddhist followers and countless inhabitants, so the power amassed here was naturally earth-shattering.

From an ordinary perspective, one would perceive nothing, certainly no immeasurable Buddha light. However, Ye Fan and the Monkey could see it, and they were both astounded.

"Now I believe it. The power of the entire Western Desert doesn't come from one person, but from the pure thought-power of hundreds of millions of sentient beings!" the Monkey sighed, seemingly relieved.

However, Ye Fan's hair stood on end. He said, "Do you remember that ancient Great Emperors all possessed methods to sustain their own immortality? The thought-power of all beings in the Western Desert has been like this since ancient times, continuously chanting one name. How terrifying do you think he would be?!"

The golden fur on the Monkey's body immediately bristled. The worry that had just vanished from his heart intensified countless times. He looked towards Mount Sumeru and drew a sharp breath.

"Are you saying that, from ancient times until now, so much thought-power has been flowing, all accumulated upon one person? That the Great Emperor Amitābha might still be alive?!"