# Chapter 216: Buddhist Artifacts
"Boundless Heavenly Venerable, this poor Daoist has indeed selected these two pieces of stone. I did not expect to disturb the fairy maiden." Ye Fan intoned a Daoist title and performed a Daoist greeting gesture.
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi gracefully returned the greeting, surrounded by misty winds, her white robes fluttering, her jet-black hair flowing down like water waves, soft and smooth, shimmering with a hint of luster.
Around her, flower petals drifted down endlessly—jade blossoms, strange stamens, and jade leaves, sparkling and translucent, carved like multicolored gems, yet emitting a fragrance like orchid and musk.
Shrouded in falling petals, she appeared hazy and magnificent, stirring the heart.
Her skin was like that of a newborn infant—smooth, delicate, fair with a rosy glow, sparkling with radiance. Her slender figure was breathtaking, her waist neither flat nor narrow but rounded and delicate, swaying gently like a beauty snake's waist, enchanting and moving.
Her long legs were supple, straight, and light, as if they were the painstaking masterpiece of heaven, swaying to accentuate her proud bearing with peerless grace, causing all flowers to lose their color.
With lotus steps, within her trailing long skirt, her jade-white feet were faintly visible, bare and flawless, her toes sparkling with crystalline light, a hint of jade radiance flashing.
Unfortunately, it was but a fleeting glimpse, hard to see again. Light halos formed beneath her feet, transforming into immortal flowers that supported her jade steps—one flower per step, one charm per step, infinite grace, beauty to the extreme.
What was most regrettable was that her features could not be seen clearly no matter what. They were obscured, immortal qi stirring like a hazy veil before her face.
Even so, with her immortal countenance hidden and her jade form half-concealed, her charm was boundless, making one sigh involuntarily—in this vast world, amidst this mundane realm, there could still be such a moving woman.
This was Ye Fan's first time standing so close to the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi. A faint fragrance reached his nose, intoxicating and sweet, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath.
This tiny movement naturally could not escape the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi. She lightly stepped back a few paces and said, "Daoist, do you have any basis for choosing these two pieces of stone?"
The surrounding people were astonished. Could this "unreliable" young Daoist have actually hit the mark? Why would the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi come in person? It was well known that she rarely appeared.
"This poor Daoist relies only on intuition. I faintly feel that these two pieces of stone cause my qi and blood to surge, making it hard to remain calm." Ye Fan revealed a little of the feeling Wang Shu and Er Lengzi had sensed.
Even a great enemy like the Holy Son Yao Guang could not recognize him, proving that the Heaven-Shifting Earth-Transforming Art was nearly perfected. He could now show himself before the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi, and in the future, even going to Yao Chi would not risk exposing his identity.
"Oh, is that so..." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi nodded, offering no further evaluation.
Then, she turned to the Great Xia Prince and said, "Your Highness, have you seen anything? Have you selected your stones?"
The Great Xia Prince was imposing, nine dragon qi swirling around him like a heavenly god descending, moving with dragon strides and tiger steps. He nodded in response, saying, "I have also selected two pieces of stone."
He pointed to the largest piece, weighing two thousand jin, then patted a piece of stone weighing over a hundred jin before him.
"Your Highness possesses keen insight. One piece has already been confirmed to contain divine essence within." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi smiled and nodded.
The Great Xia Prince was very humble. "Merely luck. The Imperial Dragon Qi I cultivate can naturally sense some special source."
"The Supreme Emperor Scripture truly lives up to its reputation as one of the four strongest ancient scriptures of the Central Province. It indeed has unfathomable divine abilities. However, Your Highness is also exceptionally talented; otherwise, how could you comprehend the mysteries of the ancient scripture? As far as I know, this scripture cannot be learned by just anyone—only peerless geniuses can achieve success." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi's red lips parted slightly, her voice melodious, like a beautiful movement being played.
The others nearby were all moved, discussing among themselves.
"The Supreme Emperor Scripture is the most renowned ancient scripture of the Central Province. Its power is unparalleled, earth-shattering, and unimaginable. It is especially known for its offensive capabilities, said to be able to break all methods under heaven."
"One of the four great wondrous books of the Central Province, naturally incomparable. It is a rare supreme secret manual that only geniuses can cultivate, with extremely high requirements for talent. This Great Xia Prince is unfathomable; his true strength cannot be predicted. Few among his generation can match him."
Through the discussions of those present, even those unfamiliar with this ancient scripture learned of its terror.
A young man was still puzzled. "Is the Supreme Emperor Scripture truly so mysterious and powerful? The Imperial Dragon Qi can sense source? That's too incredible."
An old man, who was both a stone gambler and a cultivator, seemed to have an extraordinary background. "If you knew the origins of the Supreme Emperor Scripture, you wouldn't have such doubts. Its emergence was very peculiar, with many legends."
"Is the origin of the Supreme Emperor Scripture also mysterious?" the young man asked.
In fact, most people didn't know, and they all looked at the old man to hear his explanation.
Ye Fan was no exception. He cultivated the Battle Saint Art, known as the supreme offensive secret technique, possessing incredible combat power. Now, hearing that the Supreme Emperor Scripture was unparalleled in offensive power, said to be able to break all methods, naturally drew his attention.
He had a feeling that the offensive secret techniques of the Supreme Emperor Scripture and the Battle Saint Art might be evenly matched. Which was stronger and which was weaker would likely have to be proven through a showdown in the future.
This was not subject to his will; rather, these ultimate offensive secret techniques would inevitably compete to determine which was the strongest.
"One legend says that the Supreme Emperor Scripture was unearthed from underground, taken from source—the most mysterious ancient scripture." The old man's words shocked everyone.
"That's too bizarre, hard to believe."
"Taken from source—it would be normal for it to be somewhat sensitive to special source."
"The Great Xia Imperial Dynasty has never acknowledged that it was taken from source stone, claiming it was created by the first ancient emperor of the immortal Great Xia Imperial Dynasty." Another old man beside him said, "What its true origin is, outsiders cannot truly know."
At this moment, everyone looked at the Great Xia Prince. His expression was calm, showing nothing.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Holy Son Yao Guang had also selected his stones and was conversing with the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi.
Yao Guang and Yao Chi had been close recently, about to go together to the outskirts of the Primordial Ancient Mine to transport a batch of mysterious stone materials.
"I have received orders from my master. The nine pieces of stone will no longer be displayed. This trip is completely concluded." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi suddenly announced this news.
"This... we haven't even shown our skills yet! How can it end so hastily?" someone complained.
"Yes, we traveled thousands of miles to be here. How can you disappoint us like this?" Many people requested an extension.
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi's voice echoed like celestial music, clearly reaching every corner.
"Everyone has a chance. Select your stone materials and state your reasoning. If it is reasonable, Yao Chi will reward you generously."
Only then did the crowd relax and step forward. Special Yao Chi disciples were responsible for recording their judgments.
At that moment, the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi invited the Great Xia Prince and the Holy Son Yao Guang to another area. "Your Highness and Holy Son, please come this way. There are a few more pieces of stone here for your inspection."
"Your Highness, long time no see. How have you been?" Tu Fei smiled and greeted the Great Xia Prince.
On this side, Wu Zhongtian, Li Heishui, Liu Kou, and Jiang Huairen were all present. They had been invited to view several other pieces of stone.
The Great Xia Prince responded politely. Although the Holy Son Yao Guang was their mortal enemy, he still smiled like a spring breeze, not wanting to start a fight on Yao Chi's territory.
Besides them, there were over thirty others. The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi had traveled through various cities in the Northern Domain. Many had passed the test of the nine pieces of stone, some had followed her all along, and others would enter the Yao Chi Holy Land in the near future.
The fact that a few little bandits were among the invitees surprised some, but upon reflection, it made sense. Among the holy lands, Yao Chi maintained good relations with everyone. They were detached from worldly conflicts, and even the Thirteen Great Bandits had never plundered them.
If anyone was most surprised at this moment, it was Ye Fan. He hadn't expected that after selecting those two pieces of stone, he wouldn't receive an invitation.
Just as he was puzzled, Yao Xi approached with a charming smile. "I am here on behalf of my Yao Chi sister to invite you. She said not to leave; she has a request for you later."
Ye Fan nodded, relieved. He hadn't expected that today would be the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi's last display of the nine pieces of stone. If he missed it, he would lose his chance.
Nearby, the white-robed, ethereal little nun happened to look over curiously.
Ye Fan smiled kindly. "Little master, I have a few Buddhist artifacts here. I would like to ask you to take a look."
Ye Fan immediately took out a vajra pestle. Although it was broken in half, it still appeared ancient and grand, giving a unique feeling, like a Buddha clenching his fist, standing firm in the air.
Yao Xi, standing beside Ye Fan, showed a surprised expression. She felt that this artifact was extraordinary. Even though it was damaged, she could still sense the residual Dao resonance, clearly indicating an unusual origin.
Not far away, the white-robed little nun's big eyes widened instantly, showing a strange expression. She opened her mouth as if to ask something, even wanting to come over.
However, the guards beside her surrounded her in the center, clearly under the orders of the Great Xia Prince. She couldn't come over.
"What is this?" the Holy Maiden Yao Guang asked.
"I don't know either. It seems to be an ancient Buddhist artifact. The Great Xia Princess can surely appraise it. Can you invite her over, fairy maiden?"
Yao Xi smiled slightly. "Having me lure the Great Xia Princess over—Daoist, you certainly have good intentions."
While chatting pleasantly with Yao Xi, Ye Fan took out a complete ancient lamp and gently shook it toward the white-robed little nun.
The Great Xia Princess's beautiful eyes widened again, her little mouth slightly open. She whispered with the guard commander, seemingly wanting to come over.
"What exactly is this?" The Holy Maiden Yao Guang was moved. Although the ancient lamp was extinguished, covered in green rust, she sensed an even more extraordinary aura.
"Fairy maiden, go and bring the Great Xia Princess over. She will surely recognize it and might even know the origins of these artifacts." Ye Fan's expression was serious. "It might even involve the matters of Tathagata and Shakyamuni."
"Shakyamuni?!" Yao Xi was shocked. She had too many unanswered questions. This was the first time she had heard the name Tathagata. From the reactions of the Great Xia Prince and the Holy Son Yao Guang, it was clearly an extraordinarily terrifying figure.
The history of over two thousand years ago had been severed because of Tathagata, erased by someone. This suspicion, once born, made her eager to know everything about it.
"Tathagata..."
What kind of origin could make a prince of an immortal ancient imperial dynasty so wary? What position did Shakyamuni hold in Buddhism?
The Holy Maiden Yao Guang pondered briefly, then smiled. "It's not good to have me lure the Great Xia Princess out. How about we go over together and have a detailed conversation with her?"
"Good!" Ye Fan couldn't have asked for more. Holding the vajra pestle in his left hand and the ancient bronze lamp in his right, he strode forward.
In truth, he really wanted to take out the Great Thunderclap Monastery copper plaque directly, but he dared not. To ordinary people, this copper plaque might mean nothing, but to Buddhist experts, it would be like a world-shaking thunderbolt that could pierce the heavens.
He believed that if Buddhist practitioners understood this and recognized the divine nature of the Great Thunderclap Monastery copper plaque, the waves it would stir would be boundless.
The Great Thunderclap Monastery was the fundamental sacred site in Buddhist legends. The emergence of such a copper plaque would be unimaginable in terms of the turmoil it would cause in Buddhism.
"Stop!" The Great Xia guards looked at Ye Fan as if guarding against a wolf.
The Holy Maiden Yao Guang smiled sweetly as she walked forward. She was truly a national beauty, like a divine flower blooming on a jade tree, like warm jade emitting gentle radiance. Any description of beauty—fish-sinking, goose-falling, moon-eclipsing, flower-shy, city-toppling, nation-ruining—would pale before her.
Indeed, the charm of a peerless beauty was boundless. She only whispered a few words to the guards and received permission for the two to approach.
Of course, for Ye Fan, this unscrupulous Daoist with his silver tongue, the guards still watched him like a thief.
"Noble Princess..." Ye Fan greeted.
The white-robed little nun ignored him, her big eyes rolling as she kept glancing at the pestle in his hand.
"Little nun sister, don't you want to take a closer look?" Ye Fan asked with a calm smile.
Beside them, the guard commander and his men all glared angrily.
"How dare you speak like that?"
"Presumptuous! Such disrespect to the Princess!"
It was no wonder they were angry—they always felt Ye Fan was like a big wolf targeting a little rabbit.
"Liar! It must be fake!" At that moment, the loli little nun spoke for the first time, her voice as melodious as an oriole's song.
"Genuine, or your money back. This is a relic of Tathagata." Ye Fan weighed the broken pestle in his hand.
"I... want to see it." The white-robed little nun lacked confidence, somewhat embarrassed.
Ye Fan handed it forward, very casually, as if he didn't value the vajra pestle much.
"This is..." The little nun's beautiful eyes widened, and she stammered slightly, "It really has... a trace of Buddha's qi."
Beside them, the Holy Maiden Yao Guang's beautiful eyes flickered with divine light, but the brilliance quickly faded.
"Which Buddha are you referring to?" Ye Fan asked, naturally taking the pestle back.
"Naturally, the World-Honored One." The loli nun looked at him as if he were ignorant.
"Is the World-Honored One Shakyamuni?" Ye Fan, having finally gotten such an opportunity, naturally wanted to inquire in detail.
"Shakyamuni? Who is that? I don't know." Her big eyes rolled around, innocent and naive, making it hard to tell if she was telling the truth or lying.
"Does your Buddha have no title or name?"
"Buddha is you, Buddha is me. Buddha says everything in the world has Buddha nature and can become Buddha. He has no particular name." The little nun answered innocently.
"Ah!" Suddenly, she exclaimed in surprise, "Your Buddhist artifacts have demonic nature. They are not true Buddha."
"What are you saying?" Ye Fan raised both the pestle and the ancient lamp. "They are clearly filled with sacred aura. How could there be demonic power?"
"There clearly is." She reached out her small hand, grasped the two Buddhist artifacts, closed her eyes, and carefully sensed them. "There is the aura of a Buddhist traitor on them. Although his Dharma power is profound and unparalleled, he is not Buddha."
Ye Fan sneered. According to the little nun, Tathagata would be a traitor of Buddhism? How was that possible!
"This is the aura left by Shakyamuni. You're not talking about him, are you?"
"Ah! The greatest traitor of Buddhism!" The little nun, as if stung by a scorpion, quickly let go.
"You don't even know who Shakyamuni is. How do you know he is the greatest traitor?"
"The aura I sense feels like that of a traitor." The little nun puffed out her cheeks angrily.
"Alright, let me show you another good thing."
Ye Fan put away the pestle and the ancient lamp, then took out a string of prayer beads made from six Buddha relics and put it on his wrist.
The little nun's eyes went straight, unable to look away. She grabbed Ye Fan's hand and wouldn't let go.
"If the Princess wishes to see it, just say so. But I have a few questions I'd like to ask you..."
In the distance, Li Heishui's eyes almost popped out. He sighed, "As expected, as expected. He's finally making a move on a nun."
"Beast, beast. Heavy taste, heavy taste. A nun, a nun..." Tu Fei rubbed his hands.
"I say, Your Highness, what's wrong with you?" Jiang Huairen asked the Great Xia Prince.
At this moment, there was no longer any smile on the Great Xia Prince's face. Even in the presence of the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi, he couldn't be happy.
He had only been away for a short while, and that unscrupulous little Daoist had stuck to his sister like a plaster, daring to flirt with the Great Xia Prince's sister... This was truly...
He had never encountered such a Daoist before. Knowing she was the princess of an immortal imperial dynasty, he still dared to strike up a conversation.
"I..." The Great Xia Prince opened his mouth but found nothing to say.
On this side, the white-robed little nun was full of enthusiasm, holding Ye Fan's hand, turning it over and over to look at the prayer beads.
"This is... Why do I feel the Buddha's qi again? Even stronger, as if the true Buddha is here. Take it off quickly and let me see it."
"Continue. You mentioned Tathagata earlier." Ye Fan urged.
"Over two thousand years ago, a man named Tathagata suddenly came to this world. I don't know what he did, but afterward, everything about him disappeared." The little nun tilted her head, thinking. "If you take off the prayer beads, I might remember everything."
Ye Fan was amused. "Alright."
"Not true Buddha. Still the aura of a Buddhist traitor..." The little nun pouted, dissatisfied, turning the prayer beads over.
"What did Shakyamuni do?" Ye Fan pressed.
"His Dharma power was boundless. He opened up Mount Sumeru..."