Chapter 1370: Poor Monk Lingli

Meanwhile, the Bodhisattva led the monks in pursuit.

Abbot Puguang, with palms pressed together, respectfully asked, "Bodhisattva, if patron Jiang is unwilling to join our Buddhist order, what should we do?"

Having personally witnessed Jiang Fan slay the Giant King and overcome the Three Celestial Decays, all the monks felt apprehensive. If Jiang Fan fiercely resisted and used his Breathing Earth against the Bodhisattva as well, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Bodhisattva smiled faintly. "The Buddha's Son has exhausted his powers; it will be difficult for him to regain his previous might. As for his Breathing Earth, if I'm prepared, it will be hard for it to harm me."

Hearing this, the monks felt slightly relieved. Indeed, Jiang Fan was severely injured, having lost most of his Nascent Soul power, and his thunder energy was also depleted. He was in his weakest state. Although the Breathing Earth was formidable, it required spatial techniques to be effective. With the Bodhisattva on guard, it would be difficult for Jiang Fan to implant the Breathing Earth into the Bodhisattva's body.

At this point, the Bodhisattva spoke slowly again. "I once made three great vows to the Central Land, and I have just now attained the Bodhisattva Fruit. My first vow is to hear the voices of all living beings in heaven and earth and fulfill their wishes. My second vow is to deliver all spirits in heaven and earth who are meant to be delivered. Today, I shall perform my second vow and deliver the Buddha's Son."

Hearing these words, the monks' eyes lit up. The Buddhist path differed from the mainstream cultivation of dharma. To cultivate to the Bodhisattva realm, one must make great vows to heaven and earth to attain the Bodhisattva Fruit. This was the responsibility one bore when becoming a Bodhisattva. When fulfilling their vows, Bodhisattvas would possess abilities far exceeding their current realm. For instance, hearing the voices of all living beings. This was something that even a Soul Transformation Venerable, who had experienced the first Celestial Decay, could not achieve. Even the Grand Wine Sacrifice couldn't hear the voices of all beings throughout the Taicang Grand State. This was the power of a great vow! Currently, the Bodhisattva was performing the second great vow: delivering living beings. No one in the Taicang Grand State could withstand his power of deliverance! Jiang Fan would certainly not be spared!

Abbot Puguang displayed a compassionate smile. "The Bodhisattva's first act of deliverance will surely succeed."

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan fled towards the mainland. He consecutively swallowed two handfuls of Rejuvenation Pills, and his complexion slowly turned from golden to rosy. However, his internal injuries and severed arm would take half a day to fully heal. Looking at his disheveled self, Jiang Fan gave a wry smile. "Another day of heavy losses!" Counting carefully, this trip cost him two Wish Papers and countless Temporal Dust, in addition to all the thunder energy left to him by Venerable Xinye. Only then did he barely manage to save his life! As for gains, there were only two Origin Stars and the discovery of the Breathing Earth's miraculous uses.

The problem was, his troubles hadn't stopped. He could already sense a wisp of Buddhist aura rapidly approaching. The Bodhisattva had not given up on delivering him into Buddhism.

"Damn Bodhisattva! Are you really forcing me to become a monk?" Jiang Fan's face darkened. He was currently at his weakest; not only was his Nascent Soul power low, but his thunder energy was also depleted, preventing him from fleeing quickly. To escape quickly, he could only use a Wish Paper to travel eighty thousand miles in one go. But when he took out the Wish Papers to check, there were only three left! Each one used meant one less. These were meant to be used with the Breathing Earth to eliminate powerful enemies. He couldn't use them unless it was absolutely necessary. However, flying solely on Nascent Soul power would not allow him to escape the Bodhisattva. What should he do? As he pondered, a glint suddenly flashed in his eyes, yet he hesitated. But feeling the Buddhist aura getting closer, he gritted his teeth and took out the remains of the eminent monk discovered in the temple beneath the Nine Dynasties Ancient Capital of the demon race.

Back when Jiang Fan discovered the Bodhi tree, the eminent monk's remains had been sitting cross-legged beneath it, and Jiang Fan had never disturbed them. Even though the monk wore a medium-grade spiritual item kasa, had a low-grade spiritual item staff across his knees, and held a low-grade spiritual item alms bowl, Jiang Fan had never considered taking these items. Now, however, it was time to use them.

He flicked a finger, and a wisp of Nether Ghost Fire burned off all his hair. Then, concentrating fire with his five fingers, he branded several ritual scars onto his scalp. After doing this, he shed his clothes, took out the middle-aged human skin mask he had obtained in Hunyuan State, and put it on his face. He bowed to the eminent monk's remains, silently saying in his heart, "Master, I apologize for the offense, but this junior needs to borrow your relics for a moment!" He took the eminent monk's kasa and draped it over himself. He picked up the staff and the alms bowl. Afterward, he also took several Bodhi tree leaves and placed them on various parts of his body. The Bodhi tree leaves emitted dense Buddhist light. Even with the jade piece containing the Bloodline Talent of the Nine Fragrances Bandit Chief in his mouth, Jiang Fan could not distinguish between this Buddhist light and genuine Buddhist light. He then put away the eminent monk's remains.

Holding the alms bowl in one hand, Jiang Fan steadily walked across the vast sea towards the mainland.

Not long after, behind him, the sky was filled with Buddhist light. An incomparably massive golden Buddha manifestation, seemingly slow yet traversing vast distances in an instant, appeared directly above Jiang Fan. The golden Buddha manifestation gazed down at Jiang Fan. Clearly, this suddenly appearing monk left the Baima Temple monks somewhat bewildered.

Abbot Puguang looked astonished. "What dense Buddhist light, even deeper than this humble monk's."

The Demon-Subduing Protector also exclaimed in surprise. "When did such an enlightened eminent monk appear in our Taicang Grand State? Judging by his aura, he's already a third-rank Vajra, comparable to the Abbot."

The other monks were also greatly surprised. "Apart from our Baima Temple, there are no other Buddhist forces in Taicang Grand State. Where did this eminent monk with the Vajra Fruit come from? Could he be from some reclusive Esoteric Buddhist sect?"

The Bodhisattva looked around. He had been tracking Jiang Fan's aura, so why did he find a monk instead? His all-seeing gaze fell upon Jiang Fan, attempting to discern something. But the resplendent golden Buddhist light surrounding him blocked his vision. He could only see Jiang Fan's face. The Buddhist kasa, staff, and alms bowl were all excellent spiritual artifacts. His face was indeed that of a middle-aged person, not someone in disguise.

After a slight pause, Bodhisattva Tianting spoke, his voice magnetic and slow. "From where do you come? And to where do you go?"

Jiang Fan felt a chill in his heart but remained outwardly composed. Imitating a Buddhist practitioner, he replied in a seemingly profound but ambiguous tone, "I come from where I came, and I go to where I go."

The Bodhisattva smiled with understanding. "What a fine saying: 'come from where you came, and go to where you go.' All beings are in a hurry, and it is no different. Your roots of wisdom are deep, and you have grasped the true essence of Buddhist dharma. May I ask in which temple you meditated, and before which Buddha you attained enlightenment?"

Jiang Fan knew this was the Bodhisattva testing him. Without being subservient or arrogant, he replied, "This humble monk meditates on the Zen of nature, and comprehends the path of all living beings. I do not enter temples, nor do I bow to any Buddhas."

"Is he a wandering monk?" The Bodhisattva's eyes showed contemplation as he asked, "How should I address you?"

Jiang Fan thought for a moment and said, "This humble monk is Lingli." As Bodhisattva Tianting, he had indeed heard the name of Jiang Fan's younger brother before. However, he heard too many sounds and had long forgotten this name.

Pausing, the Bodhisattva said, "If you have time, come to Baima Temple and discuss Buddhist dharma with me." He still needed to hurry and pursue Jiang Fan, having no time to stop.

Jiang Fan performed a single-handed salutation. "Indeed."

The Bodhisattva nodded, and the giant golden Buddha continued southwards. He had once heard Jiang Fan say he was going to the mainland. If that was the case, heading south would surely lead him to Jiang Fan.

After watching them depart, Jiang Fan let out a long breath, thinking to himself, "I finally fooled them. However, I can't let my guard down yet. The Bodhisattva surely has other ways to pinpoint my location. I must return to the mainland quickly. If the rumor that 'Soul Transformation cultivators are forbidden entry' on the mainland was true, he would only be truly safe once he returned to the mainland."