Chapter 1049 9-Layer Pagoda, Relic Karma

Predestined 1!

Void-Seeing Buddha murmured softly, his gaze revealing a trace of silence.

He cast a careful glance at Eldrin, then finally nodded and said, “Come with me.”

Eldrin exchanged a glance with Seraphina Qu, then strode forward to follow.

The group journeyed onward, traversing layer upon layer of cloud-wreathed mountains in but a few strides, until they arrived before a Buddhist pagoda.

"This is?"

The moment he laid eyes on this Buddha statue, Eldrin felt a tremor run through his heart.

The aura emanating from this pagoda before him was immensely powerful, its might no less than that of the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron. It was most likely a supreme-grade Buddhist treasure.

Seeing this, the Empty Vision Buddha also nodded and said, "This Golden Light Demon-Suppressing Pagoda is the foundational Buddhist treasure of our Empty Vision Temple. The Heavenly Dragon Sarira is enshrined upon the ninth level of the pagoda."

"You wish to claim the Heavenly Dragon Relic, but that shall depend on your affinity with it."

Eldrin (Person Name) furrowed his brow slightly and couldn't help but inquire, "Might I ask what you mean by karmic affinity?"

"Amitabha."

"Fate works in mysterious ways."

Kongjian Buddha sighed softly and spoke with unfathomable profundity, "When destiny remains unfulfilled, no amount of striving shall avail; but when affinity exists, resonance shall arise of its own accord."

"Go now. If fate wills it, the treasure shall be yours."

"My gratitude for the Eldrin's guidance!"

Eldrin nodded slightly, then stepped into the pagoda.

Upon entering the pagoda, Eldrin sensed a surge of intense demonic aura rushing toward him. His gaze instantly sharpened and chilled, dispersing the sinister energy with a mere glance.

Only then did he survey his surroundings, realizing that confined within the pagoda was a defiant and unyielding demon immortal.

However, when that demon immortal caught sight of Eldrin, it instantly shrank back, withdrawing its own frenzied aura.

A suppressed demon immortal.

Eldrin murmured under his breath, continuing his ascent up the stone steps.

Upon this 9-story pagoda, it seemed each level imprisoned a demon.

Eldrin stepped onto the second floor and encountered a cultivator at the True Demon Realm. On the third floor, he witnessed an Extraplanar Devil God. Upon reaching the fourth, he crossed paths with an immortal who had fallen into the wicked path.

Although these immortals and demons were suppressed within the Buddhist pagoda, their demonic and malevolent natures remained rampant and unyielding. It took several interventions from Eldrin (Person Name) to finally intimidate and subdue them.

Thus, without even realizing it, Eldrin passed through 8 levels of the pagoda and finally stepped onto the ninth.

The moment Eldrin stepped into the ninth level of the pagoda, an ethereal chant of Buddhist scriptures reached his ears, accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of an unceasing wooden fish.

He looked up and saw within the 9-story pagoda a figure seated before a wooden fish, clad in monastic robes, with a halo of Buddhist radiance glowing behind his head. His eyes were lowered as he chanted scriptures in a meditative murmur.

As he chanted, streams of golden Sanskrit characters swirled through the void, ultimately converging like a 100 rivers returning to the sea into a single śarīra.

"You're here!"

At that very moment, the chanting of scriptures gradually faded away.

The figure clad in kasaya opened his eyes, his gaze gradually shifting toward Eldrin (Person Name).

Eldrin maintained a stoic expression, yet inwardly he was astounded. The Buddha before him radiated astonishing Dao Charm, his demeanor and magical power as profound and boundless as the abyssal sea. He seemed far more powerful than even Kongjian Buddha, the Abbot of the Empty Enlightenment Temple.

Within the Empty Radiance Temple, there was concealed a Buddha who had attained the half-step Earth Immortal realm.

Eldrin was utterly astonished in his heart, and immediately performed a salute with utmost reverence, saying, "I pay my respects to the Buddha."

"You seek the Celestial Dragon Relic."

The Buddha nodded calmly, his tone carrying an air of certainty as he spoke.

Eldrin (Person Name) gave a slight nod and stated plainly, "This journey is indeed for the purpose of obtaining the Celestial Dragon Sariras."

"Dragon's Nirvana Bead."

The Buddha sighed softly, then turned his gaze toward the Heavenly Dragon Sarira before him.

The Heavenly Dragon Relic gathered the sacred light of the entire pagoda, as if drawing upon countless accumulated merits and virtues.

Eldrin vaguely understood that the reason this pagoda suppressed the 8 demon immortals was to harness their accumulated virtue and power, thereby nourishing the Heavenly Dragon Relic.

This Heavenly Dragon Sarira was originally formed from a Buddha who had reached the late Ascension stage, making it the most supreme of immortal treasures and Buddhist relics.

After being nourished for hundreds of thousands of years within the Golden Light Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, and further tempered by the daily sutra recitations of a Half-Step Earth Immortal Buddha, its grade has astonishingly ascended to the level of a Supreme Immortal Treasure.

This made Eldrin’s heart grow exceedingly heavy. Those who ask for nothing in return often seek the greatest rewards of all.

Such a precious Dragon Soul Relic, yet the other party seems to demand nothing in return, merely requiring the destined opportunity of obtaining 9 pieces. I fear the hidden price behind this may be far greater.

At this thought, Eldrin recalled the other party’s identity and inquired, “May I ask for your revered title, Ancestor?”

The Buddha shook his head gently, then smiled. "This humble monk's dharma name is 'Kongming'—merely an ascetic practitioner wandering the mortal realm."

"Void Enlightenment Ancient Buddha?"

Eldrin's gaze sharpened slightly, and he immediately straightened with profound respect.

He had inquired about the Empty Radiance Temple before his arrival and knew it was founded by the Ancient Buddha of Empty Radiance.

It is said that due to the incident involving the True Dragon Buddha, the Void-Enlightenment Ancient Buddha was severely wounded by the Dragon Ancestor and vanished without a trace ever since.

The world believed that the Empty Radiance Buddha had long since passed into Nirvana, yet to everyone's astonishment, he appeared today—a turn of events that completely defied Eldrin's expectations.

Seeing the expression on Eldrin’s face, the Void-Serene Buddha seemed to read his thoughts and spoke, “Since my disciple Huineng took his own life, this humble monk has been conducting rites for his soul in the pagoda without cease.”

"Now that hundreds of thousands of years have passed, my disciple has already undergone reincarnation. This old monk truly should emerge from seclusion."

At this point, he turned his gaze to Eldrin and said, "Before Hui Neng attained nirvana, he left only this Heavenly Dragon Relic behind."

"Your child does share a connection with this object. However, we Buddhists cultivate karma, and 1 must understand that affinity itself is but a manifestation of causality."

Eldrin’s expression remained unchanged, though he couldn’t help but furrow his brow as he said, “I beseech the Buddha Venerable to enlighten me.”

"After merging with the Celestial Dragon Relic, 1 gains virtue bestowed by heaven, along with great power and profound fortune."

"If your child refines it, they will become a divinely gifted Buddha's Chosen 1, with limitless future potential."

The Buddha spoke unhurriedly, his expression serene as he said, "Yet after refining such a supreme treasure, he too shall bear karmic ties. 1 day, a tribulation awaits him to transcend."

"May I ask, Master, what manner of heavenly tribulation is this?"

Eldrin's expression turned grave, his gaze slightly darkening as he spoke.

The Buddha shook his head repeatedly and said, "This is celestial mystery—unutterable, unutterable!"

Eldrin frowned slightly between his brows and rose to leave, only to find the Celestial Dragon Relic shimmering with a faint, quivering light.

He felt a faint stirring in his heart and sighed, "This is destiny, yet also karma; a tribulation, yet also an opportunity."

"Since you share a bond with my child, what significance does this tribulation hold?"

"Even if the heavens were to collapse, I, your father, could still hold them up for you."

In the end, Eldrin steeled his resolve and took the Heavenly Dragon Sarira.

Seeing Eldrin take the relic, the Serene Buddha spoke slowly, "The moment this child is born, he shall be the Future Buddha."

"When he grows a little older, you may bring him to the Empty Radiance Temple for cultivation. This humble monk would gladly take him as a disciple and impart all my lifelong comprehension of Buddhist teachings."

Eldrin (Person Name) paused in his steps, then finally nodded and said, "I am in your debt."

Emerging from the 9-Layered Pagoda, Seraphina Qu (Person Name) stepped forward and inquired, "How did it go?"

Chapter 1: The Reborn Prodigy The biting cold pierced deep into the bones. Lin Xuan's consciousness gradually surfaced from the abyss of darkness. As he opened his eyes, the dilapidated wooden beams and tattered window paper came into view. The pungent smell of medicine assaulted his nostrils. "This is... where am I?" He struggled to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his limbs. Countless fragmented memories surged into his mind like tidal waves. He was originally the young master of the Lin family in Qingyun City. 3 days ago, while exploring the Misty Cloud Mountains, he had been ambushed by someone and fell off a cliff. If not for being rescued by passing hunters, he would have long become food for wild beasts. "So I've crossed over?" Lin Xuan murmured to himself, a trace of bitterness flashing in his eyes. In his previous life, he was a top assassin, but he hadn't expected to be reborn in this world of cultivation after dying on a mission. Just as he was lost in thought, the wooden door creaked open. "Young master! You're awake!" A girl about 14 or 15 years old rushed in, her eyes reddening as she saw him sitting up. "You've been unconscious for 3 full days! I was so worried..." "Xiao Yan." Lin Xuan nodded slightly toward the girl. According to his memories, this was his personal maidservant, the only 1 who had stayed by his side after the Lin family's decline. "The physician said your meridians are severely damaged, and... and your cultivation base has been completely destroyed." Xiao Yan spoke hesitantly, tears welling up in her eyes. Lin Xuan closed his eyes and focused inward, indeed finding all his meridians severed. In the world of cultivation, this was no different from being completely crippled. "Who did this?" Lin Xuan asked calmly. "I... I don't know." Xiao Yan lowered her head, her voice trembling. "But before the young master went up the mountain, young master Wang Teng from the Wang family had once come to provoke you." "Wang Teng..." A cold light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. In Qingyun City, the Lin and Wang families had been rivals for years. After the Lin family's decline, the Wang family had seized the opportunity to take over many of the Lin family's properties. This Wang Teng was a disciple of the Profound Sky Sect and had always viewed Lin Xuan as a thorn in his side. "Xiao Yan, help me up." "But young master, your injuries..." "Help me up." Under Lin Xuan's firm gaze, Xiao Yan had no choice but to support him as he rose. The moment his feet touched the ground, a wave of dizziness washed over him, but he stubbornly steadied himself. At that moment, a mocking voice came from outside the courtyard: "Is the Lin family's young master still alive? What incredible luck!" The courtyard door was kicked open with a loud crash. Several figures swaggered in, led by a young man in brocade robes, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Wang Hu." Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. This was Wang Teng's cousin, a notorious local thug. "Lin Xuan, let me be frank. My cousin has taken a liking to your family's ancestral home. If you know what's good for you, sign this deed of sale, and I might just let you keep your miserable life." Wang Hu tossed a scroll onto the table, his expression full of contempt. "You think I'd agree?" Lin Xuan's voice was cold. "Hah, a cripple like you, what right do you have to negotiate with me?" Wang Hu sneered, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "If you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being impolite!" As he spoke, the followers behind him cracked their knuckles, closing in step by step. Xiao Yan hurriedly stood in front of Lin Xuan, spreading her arms wide. "You can't hurt the young master!" "Out of my way!" Wang Hu backhanded her, sending Xiao Yan flying. At that moment, Lin Xuan suddenly felt a burning sensation in his chest. A mysterious jade pendant, a family heirloom, began to emit a faint glow. A stream of warm energy flowed along his meridians, and the severe pain actually lessened considerably. "Looking for death!" Wang Hu saw Lin Xuan still standing and threw a punch at his face. But Lin Xuan, drawing on the assassination techniques from his previous life, sidestepped with surprising agility and delivered a palm strike to Wang Hu's ribs. "Crack—" The clear sound of breaking bone echoed through the courtyard. Wang Hu wailed and collapsed to the ground. "How is this possible! Weren't you already crippled?" Wang Hu stared in disbelief at Lin Xuan, the pain on his face mixed with shock. Lin Xuan looked coldly at the others: "Get lost!" The followers, seeing this, hurriedly helped Wang up and scrambled away in panic. After they left, Lin Xuan finally couldn't hold on any longer and sat down on the ground, cold sweat pouring from his forehead. "Young master! Are you okay?" Xiao Yan rushed over in concern. "I'm fine." Lin Xuan waved his hand, his mind focused on the jade pendant at his chest. He could clearly feel that this ancestral heirloom contained an immense secret. As night fell, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on his bed, carefully examining the jade pendant. Under the moonlight, the jade emitted a faint glow, and mysterious patterns seemed to flow within it. He focused his mind, trying to sense the mystery of the jade with his spiritual awareness. Just as his spiritual power touched the jade, a powerful suction force suddenly pulled his consciousness into another space. This was a vast, starry expanse. Countless stars twinkled around him, and in the center of the space floated a massive ancient tome radiating golden light. On the cover of the tome were 3 ancient characters: "Heavenly Dao Codex." Just as Lin Xuan was about to take a closer look, a flood of information surged into his mind. Countless cultivation methods and secret techniques poured into his consciousness as if they were innate knowledge. "The Heavenly Dao Codex... actually contains 3 1000 great arts!" Lin Xuan was shocked. Any 1 of these techniques would be enough to cause a bloodbath in the cultivation world. More importantly, he discovered that the first chapter of the Heavenly Dao Codex was actually a method to rebuild severed meridians—the "Heavenly Vein Reconstruction Art!" At that moment, excited voices suddenly came from outside: "Young master! The Mystic Moon Sect has sent an envoy! They say... they say they're here to annul the engagement!"