Chapter 215: Discussing Immortals and the Dao
Great Xia was an immortal ancient imperial dynasty, having flourished for over a hundred thousand years.
Great mountains collapsed, long rivers dried up, seas turned into mulberry fields—time passed slowly, and everything changed.
Yet Great Xia remained as prosperous as ever, unchanging. Since the Great Emperor of the ancient era founded this immortal dynasty, it had always stood firm.
How many cycles of ancient history had it recorded, how many secrets had it borne? No one could say.
Ye Fan's mind wandered. What had happened over two thousand years ago? Had Shakyamuni come to this world? What story had unfolded between him and the natives, causing the Great Xia Prince to change color?
If there were hidden circumstances here, it was impossible not to let one's imagination run wild. Great Xia must know all of this—as an immortal dynasty, it should have records of every major event in this world.
Holy Son Yao Guang's smile was warm, his teeth crystalline. Even his hair emitted a golden light. He was very approachable, looking forward.
"Boundless Heavenly Venerable," Ye Fan intoned a Daoist title, shaking his head. "This poor Daoist is a wandering cultivator, roaming the four directions. I happened to hear of it and was puzzled, hence my question."
He was not disguised as Duan De at this moment. His figure was tall and slender, his Daoist robe fluttering, his appearance otherworldly. Though very young, he carried a certain immortal charm.
"Daoist, you are too modest. Can you enlighten me? Where does Shakyamuni come from? What kind of existence is he? How much do you know?" Holy Son Yao Guang smiled, like a spring breeze stirring.
Shakyamuni came from the other shore of the stars. How could Ye Fan possibly say that? He said, "I only know the name Tathagata, not his life story. Why don't you, Holy Son, help me understand? What is the origin of this Shakyamuni?"
"Shakyamuni..." Holy Son Yao Guang's pupils shimmered with colorful light, dreamlike and illusory. Clearly, these two words held a mysterious power, each time causing a different expression on his face.
One must understand that figures like him and the Great Xia Prince would not change expression even if Mount Tai collapsed before their eyes, yet the name Tathagata made their hearts uneasy.
"I came to ask you, but you turn around and ask me instead. Daoist, you truly leave no gaps." Holy Son Yao Guang's smile was warm, then he shook his head.
"I merely heard it from hearsay and don't know the details. I hope Your Highness will not hesitate to enlighten me. Boundless Heavenly Venerable." Ye Fan's feathered sleeves fluttered.
"This kid really thinks he's a Daoist priest, but he does look quite the charlatan," Liu Kou muttered under his breath.
"It's all that little nun's fault," Li Heishui concluded.
"Tastes are heavy!" Jiang Huairen was more concise.
Holy Son Yao Guang's eyes were deep, as if they could pierce through the skies of history, gazing into the eternal unknown. "This name has a demonic quality. Over two thousand years ago, it was as if a temporal fault suddenly occurred. Everything about it ceased to exist. I only know that it once was."
Ye Fan's smile was like the morning glow. He nodded, indicating understanding, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. His thinking was extremely scattered.
Over two thousand years ago, what had Tathagata done? What traces had he left in this world? Was he still here now?
All of this was a mystery, full of unknowns, making one eager to explore to the bottom. He urgently wanted to understand everything about it.
This was too important to him. The other shore of the stars, the star gate left by the ancients, crossing endless galaxies—where was the final destination of this journey?
He had too many questions. Was the Nine Dragons Coffin an accident, or was it repeating the path of predecessors? Had the Buddha also unexpectedly come to the other end of the starry universe?
"Tathagata most likely really did come to this world, but I don't know what terrible upheaval occurred." Ye Fan muttered to himself, turning to look at the Great Xia Prince, finding him extremely cold.
Why was he like this? There must be hidden circumstances. Shakyamuni made him taboo, unwilling to speak of him!
Holy Son Yao Guang revealed a peaceful smile, turning to face the Great Xia Prince. "Your Highness, your dragon qi surges to the heavens. As the dragon son of Great Xia, you must know something of Tathagata. What exactly happened over two thousand years ago? Why did everything about this person vanish without a trace? As if he had never appeared."
"I don't know either. The Buddhist sect has sages in the world. If you want to understand, you can ask them yourself." The Great Xia Prince's expression was indifferent, with no further indication.
Beside them, Yao Xi pondered. The name Tathagata was something she had never heard of. Clearly, the Holy Son knew more than she did—after all, he was the future master of Yaoguang. This stirred a slight ripple in her heart.
Ye Fan had completely calmed down. Trying to learn anything from Holy Son Yao Guang was harder than climbing to heaven. The other party clearly would not reveal his secrets.
As for the Great Xia Prince, that was even less reliable. Before he could even ask deeply, he already had an expression that kept people at a thousand miles.
He felt that in the future, he would need to go to the Western Desert, to the legendary Mount Sumeru, to learn the truth.
But before that, he could try to learn something from the pure little nun.
Ye Fan turned to look. She was truly just a loli nun, white-robed like snow, her eyes pure, her big black eyes darting around. She was very timid. When he turned to gaze at her, she hid behind the Great Xia Prince like a frightened little rabbit.
The Great Xia Prince frowned. He doted on his sister very much. As an older brother, the last thing he wanted to see was a man like Ye Fan, always feeling like he was trying to seduce his sister.
"Boundless Heavenly Venerable. This poor Daoist is a man of the cloth. When sweeping, I do not harm the lives of ants; I cherish the moths and cover the lamp. I have no worldly thoughts." Ye Fan was serious, with a hidden meaning.
The Great Xia Prince was expressionless, but inwardly he was extremely annoyed. The white-robed little nun, however, covered her mouth and snickered, her big eyes darting as she glanced at him a few times.
"He's really getting addicted to being a Daoist. I think he's a match for that virtue-lacking Daoist. He might just be another unscrupulous Taoist." Liu Kou was about to equate him with Duan De.
"Have you heard of Shakyamuni?" Tu Fei asked in a low voice.
"Never heard of him. Those baldies are too mysterious. You never see them. If it weren't for people from Central Province coming to Holy City and occasionally mentioning them, I wouldn't even know there was such a sect." Li Heishui shook his head.
"I've heard of this sect, but I don't know the details." Wu Zhongtian frowned. "My grandfather talked about it. It seems this sect is very powerful. They have some ancient Buddhas inside, unfathomable."
"That's all I know. Nothing else." Jiang Huairen shook his head.
Ye Fan's mind was calm. He would need to slowly inquire about Shakyamuni. His thoughts returned to the present. He walked with immortal steps, a Daoist wind rising, making a circuit. He found that Yao Xi had no reaction at all, not recognizing him.
"So, my Heaven-Shifting Earth-Transforming Art has been cultivated to a certain level. She can't sense my aura."
Ye Fan's steps were light, his demeanor immortal-like. He drifted to Yao Xi's side. "Fairy, you are like a lotus emerging from water, bright and stunning. You clearly possess immortal bones and a naturally born Dao body. Truly a wonder of our Daoist path."
Upon hearing this, Holy Maiden Yao Guang smiled faintly. "Daoist, your flattery is excessive. Is there something you need?"
"Not at all. What I say is true." Ye Fan was extremely serious. "I sense the aura of an ancient Great Emperor on you, Fairy. Your cultivation has not reached its peak, yet you have such rich immortal qi. You are certainly no ordinary person."
Holy Maiden Yao Guang was slightly surprised inwardly. On her brow was a moon palace, an ancient secret treasure of uncertain rank, known to almost no one. Could this Daoist have sensed it?
Her expression was calm. "Daoist, you really know how to joke. Which sect's master are you?"
"This poor Daoist has no sect, no school. I am but a carefree cloud and crane. I have emerged this time only to find a junior disciple." Ye Fan intoned a Daoist title.
"Who is your junior disciple? I might have heard of them." Yao Xi naturally did not believe Ye Fan, taking him for a liar.
"In fact, I was just about to ask you, Fairy, to inquire about my unworthy junior disciple. After all, Yaoguang is a Holy Land of the Eastern Wasteland." Ye Fan wanted to learn about the unscrupulous Daoist's past from these Holy Land heirs. "His name is Duan De, his Daoist title Boundless."
"The unscrupulous Daoist is your junior disciple?" Yao Xi revealed a look of surprise.
"His conduct is improper. Being called unscrupulous is fitting."
"May I ask, Daoist, how old are you?" Yao Xi asked.
"This poor Daoist has cultivated for over three hundred years. Upon careful thought, I have idled away three hundred and eighteen springs and autumns."
...
"Pfft"
In the distance, Li Heishui spat out a mouthful of wine, his broken gourd nearly falling to the ground. He cursed under his breath, "This kid is a real beast!"
"I've seen thick-skinned people, but never one this thick-skinned. Damn it, he stole her undergarment, and now he's pretending to be a lofty Daoist, discussing immortals and the Dao." Tu Fei cursed, hoping he would slip up.
"Do you think if Holy Maiden Yao Guang knew this kid's true identity, she would spit blood? Should we shout a couple of times?" Jiang Huairen laughed.
Wu Zhongtian frowned. "Don't mess around."
"What is hypocrisy? What is a beast in human clothing? This is a living example." Liu Kou grumbled indignantly. "A real beast!"
Not far away, Holy Son Yao Guang and the Great Xia Prince walked side by side toward the nine strange stones displayed at the Immortal Stone Workshop.
Holy Son Yao Guang's entire body was glowing. His flying hair had turned golden, as if cast from gold, like the Sun God's son descending to the mortal world, dazzling as the sun.
Wu Zhongtian frowned. "I feel like he's a heavenly furnace. His blood energy is as vast as an ocean, boiling and surging. Holy Son Yao Guang might not be the number one of his generation, but he's close."
Li Heishui and the others changed color upon hearing this. They had invited Wu Zhongtian to counterbalance Holy Son Yao Guang, and they hadn't expected such an evaluation.
Tu Fei sighed. "Once his Holy Light Art is unleashed, it's truly invincible. It shines across the heavens, purifying all directions. It's genuine invulnerability to all techniques. No attack can tear through it."
Li Heishui showed a worried expression. "His holy light is growing stronger and stronger, blazing like the sun. I feel that even a Divine Body would find it hard to break through. In this world, I think only one type of attack art can counter it, but it's been lost forever."
"You mean the Battle Saint Art of Divine King Jiang Taixu, the number one attacker in five thousand years?!" Tu Fei frowned.
"Yes. Otherwise, not even a Divine Body could tear through that kind of holy light. They would most likely only fight to a draw. To have cultivated this supreme secret art to such a level at his age is truly astonishing!" Li Heishui replied.
Beside them, Jiang Huairen was silent. Jiang Taixu was his ancestor, but the number one attack secret art had become a lost echo.
"Perhaps there is another great attack art that can break through this accomplished holy light." Wu Zhongtian spoke leisurely.
"Is there?" The others were uncertain.
"You are limited to the Eastern Wasteland, forgetting Central Province." Wu Zhongtian glanced at the Great Xia Prince walking side by side with Holy Son Yao Guang. "Great Xia's Imperial Dragon Qi has power that dominates heaven and earth. It is said to be indestructible, breaking all things, shaking heaven and earth. I think it can probably deal with Holy Son Yao Guang."
The Great Xia Prince's iron armor glittered, dazzling and brilliant, with dragon qi swirling around him. Vaguely, one could see nine true dragons coiled around his body, their heads raised high, resting on his shoulders. He was martial and divine, like a Heavenly Emperor descending to the mortal world.
"I wonder how the Imperial Dragon Qi compares to Divine King Jiang's attack holy art. People from Central Province have always been proud, but the two have never clashed head-on." Tu Fei was extremely regretful. "A great regret for the ages! We can never see the peak showdown of these two great attack arts again."
At this moment, Holy Son Yao Guang and the Great Xia Prince were both appraising the stone materials. Those nine strange stones had been sitting there for who knows how many days. This was the first time they had touched them personally.
At this time, Ye Fan and Yao Xi were chatting happily, laughing and talking, as they also walked over. This made the few little bandits sigh repeatedly, constantly muttering about beasts in human clothing.
"Daoist, do you also understand source stones?" Yao Xi asked.
"This poor Daoist's learning is broad but not deep, accomplished in nothing. I have dabbled a little in the art of source." Ye Fan smiled.
"I think the Daoist is being modest. Why not step forward and appraise these nine stone materials?" Yao Xi smiled lightly, her eyelashes trembling, her black pupils like stars, her jade teeth sparkling, her lips bright and glossy, radiant and moving.
Upon hearing this, the Great Xia Prince and Holy Son Yao Guang both looked over, revealing different expressions.
The Great Xia Prince truly had no good feelings toward him. This was perhaps a common ailment of older brothers, always afraid that a bad kid would set his sights on his sister.
Holy Son Yao Guang smiled very peacefully, revealing nothing. He had a special charm that attracted the attention of the vast majority of young female cultivators.
The delicate little nun was also secretly looking at Ye Fan, full of curiosity, completely innocent and carefree.
"Very well. This poor Daoist will make a fool of himself." Ye Fan stepped forward but did not reach out. He circled the nine stone materials twice.
At this moment, among the jade towers and pavilions not far away, a graceful figure appeared. The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi had arrived, personally observing Ye Fan's stone appraisal. However, she was shrouded in immortal clouds, and no one could see her true face.
Ever since Ye Fan had uttered the words Tathagata and Shakyamuni, she had been silently watching, something Ye Fan could not have anticipated.
Ye Fan circled several times, patted the largest stone, then flicked the smallest one, saying casually, "These two stones contain divine essence within. The rest are all ordinary stones."
Immediately, sneers came from all around.
"Arrogant talk! He really thinks he's an Origin Heavenly Master. Are Yao Chi's immortal stones so easy to confirm?"
"I think he's talking nonsense. Based on my many years of stone gambling experience, those two stones are definitely white stones with nothing inside."
"There are too many self-righteous people. There's no need to pay attention to them."
...
This was understandable. In everyone's eyes, Ye Fan had not carefully examined them. He had merely knocked on them a few times and declared that those two stones contained spiritual essence. It was indeed hard to believe.
"Oh, is the Daoist so certain?" The Great Xia Prince looked over and asked calmly.
"This poor Daoist's learning is limited. I am merely making a casual comment." Ye Fan said modestly.
The Great Xia Prince shook his head. "If I were to choose, one of those two would be my first pick, but the other would need to be replaced."
He had come for the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi, as everyone knew. He had only now made his appraisal, so he was naturally well-prepared.
Ye Fan laughed. "How about I make a bet with Your Highness?"
"Oh, what kind of bet?" the Great Xia Prince asked.
"If I can turn stone into gold, I only wish to speak with this young master for a moment." Ye Fan pointed at the little nun.
The Great Xia Prince had been quite interested, but upon hearing this, he turned away. His heart was filled with indescribable annoyance.
The little nun wrinkled her nose and shook her small fist at Ye Fan.
"Daoist, are you certain these two stones contain divine essence?" Holy Son Yao Guang asked.
"This is merely this poor Daoist's opinion."
Yao Xi also stepped forward, smiling. "I think the Daoist's insight is extraordinary."
At this moment, unexpectedly, the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi descended through the air, like a fairy treading on waves, extremely light and ethereal, bringing with her a rain of flower petals, sparkling and crystalline, scattering down.
"This Daoist, have you truly chosen these two stones?" Her voice was like celestial music, beautiful and pleasant.
Everyone around was astonished. They had never expected the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi to come in person. This had never happened before.