"Wait! Is that a Buddha?!"
Austin exclaimed, taking a closer look.
A few meters away, a monk who looked like a Buddha, was sitting cross-legged under the bodhi tree.
He was barefooted and was wearing a yellow robe, with his right arm exposed. He was in a meditative
state.
Behind his head was a halo of bright spiritual light.
Although his lips weren't moving, Austin could hear the sound of chanting which echoed in the space
around them, giving off a grand, sacred vibe.
Austin had initially thought that he was a young man because the Buddha's blood vitality was so
immense. He was emitting a very powerful aura that touched the sky and shook the void.
He soon realized that the sacred person in front of him was indeed a powerful Buddha.
Austin was overwhelmed with surprise.
'Could he be Buddha Hawley, the founder of Buddhism?
According to ancient scriptures, Buddha Hawley had meditated under the bodhi tree for seven days
and obtained enlightenment.
Is that what I am witnessing right now?" Austin wondered in shock.
He was subconsciously aware that this was an illusion left from the ancient times, but he couldn't help
but be enchanted by the sight of the Buddha.
Because he and the twelve zodiac animals were too powerful and proficient in the law of time and
space, they were able to see this illusion.
"This Buddha is not any ordinary presence.
His power is profound,"
one of the twelve zodiac animals praised.
"His strength does not seem inferior to the Taoist priest we met earlier.
Two great masters had once appeared on Earth in the ancient times. This is really amazing,"
the sky-devouring dog added.
"Sir, are you able to recognize their strengths? I can't see through it at all!"
Austin said curiously.
"Well, yes. They were at least governing gods,"
replied the sky-devouring dog.
At that moment, the Buddha slowly opened his eyes. His bright orbs stared straight into Austin's as he
spoke.
"Young man, is Lear doing all right?"
Austin was stunned by the sudden question.
"Sir, are you talking to me?"
"Yes, young man. I feel the aura of the Principle of Philosophy from you.
You must be Lear's descendant.
How is he?
Is he all right?"
the Buddha asked in a peaceful tone.
Austin was surprised. Not long ago, he comprehended the Principle of Philosophy from the spiritual
mark left by Lear.
He was indeed related to Lear, more or less.
"You're right.
I did learn the Principle of Philosophy from him.
But I don't know about his current whereabouts,"
he replied.
"A long time ago, I had the chance of meeting Lear and we communicated with each other for three
whole days. I learned a lot from him.
I miss my old friend,"
the Buddha sighed lightly.
Austin was speechless. He had never heard of something like this!
He stood in stunned silence.
The Buddha was the leader of the Buddhist sect, and Lear led the Taoist sect. They had different
cultivation methods and principles.
It was surprising that they had once shared and exchanged their opinions.
"Young man, you too belong to this planet.
You are lucky to be able to see me.
Unfortunately, you cultivate Lear's Taoist skill. Even though you can see me, you won't be able to get
anything from me,"
the Buddha said.
"It is quite unfortunate.
In your era, Earth is in chaos, where Buddhism is no more prosperous.
It is such a sad situation for us all."
The Buddha seemed distressed as he spoke this.
"Sir, you are indeed insightful,"
Austin answered honestly.
It was true that Earth was in a perilous state now.
Almost all kinds of cultivation methods, including Buddhism, had disappeared from the planet.
There, the spiritual energy had become thin and the laws were incomplete. It was a planet that was no
more suitable for cultivation.
"Sir, my wives possess the Crystal Buddha Body. I wonder if they are destined to learn something from
you,"
Austin asked, Ivy and Sue coming to mind immediately.
The two of them practiced Buddhism.
If they could get the guidance of the Buddha, they would reap a lot of benefits.
"Is that so?
The Crystal Buddha Body?
Not bad.
All beings with the Crystal Buddha Body are destined to be closer to Buddhism.
Where are your wives right now?"
the Buddha asked, interested in the direction of the conversation.
"At the moment, they are on Earth.
I'll bring them over right away,"
Austin replied.
Saying so, he immediately released his spiritual sense to locate Ivy and Sue.
Soon, he found them.
He then used the power of the law of space and time to create the teleportation skill. It quickly
enveloped Ivy and Sue.
They were excited to hear about what had happened from Austin.
A few seconds later, he brought them over to the Buddha.
But with their current strengths, Ivy and Sue were unable to see the sacred being.
Austin was there to help them out.
They both practiced Buddhism, so they were very sensitive to anything related to Buddhism.
With a little help from Austin, they were able to see the Buddha sitting cross-legged under the bodhi
tree.
"Oh! It is such an honor to meet you, sir,"
Ivy and Sue greeted in an excited tone.
They were thrilled beyond words to see the almighty Buddha in person.
"Well, it is true that you both have the Crystal Buddha Body.
It has appeared on Earth even in such a terrible timing. It means that there is still hope for Buddhism to
be passed down through your generations.
You and I were destined to meet here today,"
the Buddha said with a pleasant smile.
"Come forward,"
he said to Ivy and Sue.
"Go on,"
said Austin to the two women.
He could feel that the Buddha meant no harm to them. On the contrary, he seemed to already consider
Ivy and Sue as his disciples.
The women walked towards him slowly.
As they proceeded, they felt space and time fluctuate and change.
They seemed to be traveling back in time. Step by step, they approached the Buddha and stood in
front of him.
"Sit down,"
he said softly.
Ivy and Sue sat cross-legged in front of the sacred man.
"The two of you can cultivate with me for seven days.
How much you achieve in the seven days will depend on your comprehension abilities,"
he explained.
"Austin, we should leave. Let's not disturb them,"
the sky-devouring dog suggested at that point.
"Okay."
Austin nodded.
He watched as the Buddha started imparting Buddhist knowledge to Ivy and Sue.
He was more than pleased.
It was a great opportunity for the two to receive the knowledge from the great Buddha in person.
Austin and the twelve zodiac animals turned around and left the scene.
The Buddha, Ivy and Sue gradually disappeared from their view.
"There are many more legendary masters on Earth.
Let's search for them!"
Austin headed west with the twelve animals.
A few moments later, they arrived at somewhere.
"This is the Kingdom of Hope.
It's said that there were once twelve governing gods here.
Of course, the chances of that being true are very low.
It seems impossible that there could be so many governing gods in the ancient times,"
Austin said to the zodiac animals.
The goat pointed out to the distance and screamed,
"Look! A divine mountain is hidden over there!"
They could now see clearly that there was indeed a steep divine mountain floating in the sky. It was
magnificent and towering.
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