# Chapter 945: End of the Road, Seeing Shakyamuni
The ancient, rugged mountains exuded a desolate aura. Ye Fan and the others felt as if they had traveled back to ancient times, returning to the primordial wilderness.
In the distance, mountains tens of thousands of zhang high stood majestically, ancient trees blocking out the sun, with unknown creatures dwelling within. As they drew closer, eagles cried through the sky, beasts roared across the rivers and mountains, sounds like thunder rumbling and shaking the ears, terrifying to the soul.
They did not know where they were. Looking around, they found themselves in a completely new environment, as if they had left Earth and entered a primordial great realm.
"Where exactly have we come?" The ancient Sanskrit authority was somewhat breathless. He was not yet a true cultivator, having not even truly activated his Sea of Suffering, only possessing slightly greater strength than an ordinary person, and his heart was uneasy.
"We have most likely approached Mount Meru. Perhaps we will see ancient Bodhisattvas and the victorious Buddhas of the heavens," said one master.
An ancient road lay beneath their feet. This was the only thing that gave them peace of mind. They advanced along it, and every so often they would encounter Buddhist traces along the path.
Some Sanskrit ancient characters, inscribed by those with great power, radiated light, condensed with Dao resonance. By quietly contemplating them, one could appreciate the Dao principles within.
Ye Fan was very calm, showing no reaction. The several masters, however, were different—extremely excited, earnestly observing, hoping to comprehend Buddhist teachings.
To speed up their journey, they attempted to use spells to accelerate the process, but found this to be wrong. The ancient road blurred and was about to disappear.
"To seek Mount Meru, one must approach with a devout heart. Otherwise, one can never draw near. We can only advance step by step," said Ximoti, reciting the Buddha's name and begging the Buddha's forgiveness.
Ye Fan frowned. Could there really be ancient Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the distant past ahead? The ancient road would only manifest when they walked on foot—this was very strange.
"This is the work of great power, vast and unfathomable. Mount Meru is truly an extraordinary place!" Finally, after walking for a long time, he observed the clues—there were mysterious Dao pattern laws in operation.
After advancing over a hundred li, a ruined area appeared ahead. Beside the ancient road lay a stretch of ruins, with wailing sounds coming from them that raised goosebumps, extremely eerie.
A cluster of temples had become desolate land—broken walls, overgrown weeds. All Buddhist nature here had been lost, replaced only by waves of yin energy rushing toward them.
The wailing did not stop, rapidly approaching like thunder and lightning, pouncing over in an instant like vengeful spirits demanding their due.
However, the small stone Buddha in Ye Fan's hand emitted Buddhist light. That evil shadow dared not approach too closely, moving left and right, appearing and disappearing all around at an inconceivable speed.
Ximoti, the two old monks, and the four masters all changed color. This speed was far faster than theirs, something they could not contend with. Fortunately, seeing Ye Fan's expression unchanged, calm and composed, they felt relieved.
"Wah!"
A cry like a baby's wail exploded beside their ears. A gray shadow finally revealed itself—it was an old monk, wearing a gray monastic robe, with a burly physique, wreathed in black qi, his face ferocious, his eyes blood-red.
Moreover, fine scales grew on his face, bright red like blood, spreading to his neck, arms, and all over his body. He looked somewhat fierce and savage, no longer like a human.
"Dharma Master, why have you become so evil?" the ancient Sanskrit authority asked. He had not yet truly entered the cultivation world and could not discern this person's depth.
"This person's Buddha nature has been completely extinguished. He has long lost his true self. Now only an evil thought supports his physical body, or rather, he is already dead," said one old monk.
"Pity. This person's realm is far higher than ours. Why did he become lost here?" asked one master, uncertain.
"You are also seeking Mount Meru, aren't you? I..." This old monk with blood-red eyes spoke grimly, black qi swirling around him, like a fierce ghost, his voice mournful: "Devoted to the Buddha, yet never seeing Mount Meru. Pursuing it through nine deaths and one life, yet ultimately achieving nothing. What meaning is there in revering the Buddha?"
Everyone understood immediately. He carried boundless resentment, thus taking on this demonic form. Pitiable and lamentable—he had already abandoned the Buddha.
"The Buddha is already dead. What are you still seeking? The illusory, ethereal Mount Meru—even if you ascend it, what then? I will deliver you," this gray-robed old monk shed bloody tears, roaring as he charged forward.
The people sighed inwardly. This man had revered the Buddha all his life, yet in the end, it all came to nothing. He died on the path of seeking the Buddha, thus transforming into boundless resentment that gathered without dispersing.
He raised his hand, and a begging bowl appeared, like a purple-gold heavenly dome pressing down, covering everyone beneath it. It blotted out the sky and covered the earth, fierce light bursting forth. Except for the ancient road beneath their feet, the surrounding land rapidly collapsed. Yin winds howled, and large trees were uprooted.
The several masters changed color. This power far exceeded theirs—they could not block it. Without Ye Fan here, they believed this single strike would turn everyone to ash.
"Ding"
Ye Fan raised his hand and pointed. A golden finger pressed against the begging bowl, easily piercing and shattering it. Fragments of light appeared in the sky. This demonized old monk cried out loudly and flew backward, crashing through a stretch of ancient temples.
"Ah..." A miserable scream. The old monk's face twisted, fangs growing from his mouth, blood dripping from his eyes. He roared and charged again.
Ye Fan raised his hand and pressed down, like a golden millstone descending, pinning him to the ground, unable to move. This was the manifestation of a great divine ability.
Beside him, the several masters were all filled with shock. In their eyes, this was a demonic form difficult to deliver, yet it was so easily suppressed.
Ye Fan sighed lightly. He did not crush him to pieces. In a sense, this was a pitiful man—believing all his life, yet in the end, it all came to nothing. His body died and his Dao vanished, leaving only a mouthful of resentment that would not disperse.
"Please let us see him off," Ximoti could not bear it. He stepped forward, joined his palms, and bowed.
Ye Fan nodded, saying nothing. The several masters stepped forward, all sitting cross-legged beside the demon monk, reciting scriptures to dissolve the evil qi and send him to rebirth.
"Namo Amitabhaya, Tathagataya, Tadyatha, Amritodbhava..."
Before long, the old monk pinned under Ye Fan's golden hand had all his black qi dispelled. The blood-red scales all over his body also disappeared, and the expression on his face gradually became peaceful.
Finally, Ye Fan lifted his hand. This old monk sat up, transforming into a holy light, reciting "Namo Amitabha," becoming a rain of light and disappearing, his resentment scattered.
"We cultivators of the Dao, by excessively revering the Buddha, let our attachments become too deep. Yet unable to see the true Buddha, we end up like this... It is not his fault," said one master, joining his palms and silently reciting the Dharma scripture.
They continued on their way. This ancient path leading to Mount Meru was lined with many dry bones. Along the way, they discovered no fewer than several hundred—all of them were accomplished monks.
This could not help but make one sigh. Only those who revered the Buddha could find this place, yet they could only die halfway, unable to approach Mount Meru. Truly tragic.
Suddenly, the ancient road was severed. A pitch-black abyss lay before them, blocking their way, while the path to Mount Meru could still be faintly seen on the opposite side.
"Is this a test?" Ye Fan asked.
"No. This is because the secret words passed down from our predecessors are incomplete, thus the road is broken. Now it seems we can only rely on ourselves to cross over and reconnect the broken path," said one old monk.
Throughout this process, Ye Fan had been silently reciting the incantation, using his own dharma power to empower the small stone Buddha. Only then could the ancient road continue extending forward. Now it was finally blocked.
"Alright, let us cross over," Ye Fan said. He wanted to enter the Mount Meru Dao field to have a look. Since its fluctuations were no less than Mount Sumeru, there must be a shocking ancient Dao field there.
"Ah..."
Suddenly, piercing cries came. This abyss was filled with surging black fog. Countless ghosts wailed, with all kinds of demons and monsters struggling within, trying to break out.
"This is the Chaotic Demon Abyss. It contains the various demons and monsters that Shakyamuni suppressed and beheaded before attaining enlightenment. Many were thrown into this abyss," Ximoti said with alarm.
This abyss could not be flown across. It condensed the killing intent of countless demons and monsters, forming a killing field. One could only rely on oneself to cross it step by step.
"Is that so? Let me also see what kind of demons and monsters the Buddha Shakyamuni beheaded," Ye Fan said. His body burst with golden light, enveloping the few people within it. He walked above the abyss, stepping on the evil spirits that surged up one after another.
A pandemonium of demons! Countless great demons and evil spirits, all formed from resentment, surged skyward. Though they no longer possessed their living dharma power, they were still extremely terrifying, wailing as they charged.
"Rumble..."
Thunder roared outside Ye Fan's body. The Golden Sacred Domain expanded. He was like a deity crossing through hell, walking above. During this process, he truly encountered several formidable figures.
"Bang"
A sect leader-level demonic spirit was turned into scattered light by a single finger from him, turning into nothingness, frightening back a horde of evil spirits. Then, when a massive white skeleton appeared, the entire Chaotic Demon Abyss boiled over.
"A skeletal demon!"
Ye Fan's eyes shone with essence. This was extremely rare. Its power was formidable. The skeleton withstood his strike without shattering, and a great battle ensued.
He was swift as lightning, moving like a dragon and tiger, leaping like an ape, striking like a snake. He delivered eighteen heavy blows in succession. With a boom, he shattered the snow-white skeleton.
Beside him, the several Indian monks were all terrified. After a long while, one of them said, "If I am not mistaken, this skeleton was a Dharma Protector Vajra of our Buddhist sect. He fell into the demonic path. His physical bones were indestructible. How could it be... shattered like this!"
They could not understand. The Buddhist sect's Dharma Protector Vajra possessed an indestructible body. Even in death, their bodies were difficult to harm. Just how powerful was this young man before them? His physical body surpassed the Buddha!
The Chaotic Demon Abyss was truly a dangerous place. Demons and monsters would occasionally rush out, bound there, trying to drag the living to accompany them in death. Ordinary people could not pass through.
The several masters all knew that no matter how many people came in this era, they would all die. It was impossible to break through. The evil spirits within were all formed from ancient great powerhouses after death.
However, Ye Fan's combat power was astonishing. Though he encountered several fierce battles, he emerged victorious each time, killing his way through.
The strength he displayed, in their eyes, was nearly divine. He continuously suppressed all kinds of demons and monsters, sweeping through all obstacles. No one could stop him.
Finally, Ye Fan killed his way across the Chaotic Demon Abyss, smoothly stepping onto the broken path and advancing once more.
"Boom"
Waves surged into the sky, vast and boundless. This was an endless, expansive sea blocking their path. The sound of waves was thunderous, shaking the ears, making one doubt they were in a dream.
They had traveled who knows how many li, yet they had arrived at such a place. The ancient road was blocked, and before them lay a shoreless ocean.
"How is this possible? Have we left the Tibetan region?" The ancient Sanskrit authority was stunned.
"This is the Sea of Suffering. To approach Mount Meru, one must cross it. Perhaps this is the true Earth, and what we usually see is only a part of it," said one old monk.
"The Sea of Suffering has no shore. Turn back and you'll reach the other side. Should we still cross?" asked another old monk.
"Without seeing Mount Meru, I will not turn back," Ye Fan said softly.
The few had all witnessed his great divine abilities. Hearing him speak thus naturally represented their collective decision—they would certainly continue forward.
Ye Fan reached out and pointed. A purple-bronze war vessel appeared in the void. He let the few board it, slowly sailing across the endless Sea of Suffering toward the other shore.
"Boom"
Terrifying waves crashed against the shore, washing the sky. The black ocean was terrifying. Every surge seemed to overturn heaven and earth. There were actually living creatures in the sea, rushing toward them with howls.
Shadowy figures appeared. They were greatly startled. After advancing several hundred li, densely packed bone claws extended from the seawater, and even more terrifying demons surged up, striking at the war vessel in the sky. It was far more terrifying than the Chaotic Demon Abyss. Among them were unfathomable evil spirits, emitting overwhelming auras!
Ye Fan took out a bronze lamp, shaped like a human body with a ghost face, and hung it on the bow of the ship. In an instant, the wind calmed and the waves subsided. All demons and monsters disappeared, no longer stirring up trouble.
This was the bronze lamp taken from the ancient Yinghuo Star. It was left by Shakyamuni to suppress the vengeful ghost of the Great Accomplishment Saint Body. It was a strange secret treasure, burning the fat of ancient saints.
The crowd was astonished. This Sea of Suffering was absolutely terrifying. If one tried to cross normally, even a golden Arhat would fall. Yet, because of this bronze lamp, the journey was smooth sailing from then on.
The black Sea of Suffering surged, but no danger appeared. However, one could sense extremely terrifying demons swimming beneath the surface, occasionally peering upward, but none dared to approach.
This bronze lamp emitted a faint green light. Its form was lifelike—a human body close to the Dao, a ghost face ferocious, the tongue serving as the lamp wick. The flame danced, burning out ancient talismans that wrapped around the entire bronze ship.
Moreover, a withered little old man appeared, squatting on the bow, grinning eerily at the few people. His appearance was indescribably sinister, making the several masters from India feel a chill.
Ye Fan had seen him before, so his expression did not change. He had to admit, this bronze lamp possessed divine might, capable of suppressing all evil spirits.
Nine full days passed. Along the way, not a single demon jumped out. Even the entire Sea of Suffering calmed down, intimidated by it.
After nine days, they landed on the other shore. Looking ahead, mountains tens of thousands of zhang high pierced into the clouds, incomparably magnificent.
"Mount Meru! We are about to reach the ancient Mount Meru Dao field!" The several old monks were all extremely excited.
Ye Fan did not speak. He felt a vastness, the fluctuation of Buddha nature rising and falling. He knew they had truly approached the legendary Mount Meru.
"Oh? That is..."
A day later, they passed through one great mountain after another. Ahead, a faint light appeared. The radiance of divine nature was spreading.
Ye Fan was also startled. He had cultivated the Heavenly Eye, so naturally he could see farther. He had already seen the strange scene on the horizon.
Divine flowers danced, turning into a rain of light, crystalline and brilliant.
And there, an ancient Bodhi tree grew. Its branches were like coiled dragons, stretching in all directions. Its leaves were verdant and dripping, with the fluctuation of the Dao.
Beneath the ancient tree sat a middle-aged man in his thirties, spotless, his body imprinted in the void, merging with the Dao. He seemed to sit across the three times of past, present, and future.
"Shakyamuni Buddha!" After Ximoti and the others saw clearly, their heads felt as if they would explode. They all prostrated themselves in worship.
Ye Fan was also shocked. This person's appearance was truly special, identical to the Shakyamuni Buddha statues in temples. At this moment, he was fused with the Dao!