Chapter 1049 : The Pagoda of Fate and Resonance

"One destined by fate!"

Kongjian Buddha murmured, a profound silence settling within his gaze.

He studied Eldrin Chen intently for a long moment before finally nodding. "Follow me, then."

Eldrin Chen exchanged a glance with Nyssa Qu and then stepped forward to follow.

They proceeded onward, their steps traversing layers of cloud-wreathed peaks until they arrived before a Buddhist pagoda.

"This is...?"

The moment he laid eyes upon the pagoda, Eldrin Chen's heart quivered with profound shock.

The aura radiating from this pagoda was immensely powerful, its might not inferior to the Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Cauldron. It was undoubtedly a PeerlessBuddhist Treasure [a supreme enchanted artifact forged and consecrated through Buddhist practices].

Noting his reaction, Kongjian Buddha nodded. "This Golden Light Demon-Suppressing Pagoda is the sect-guarding Buddhist Treasure of my Kongjian Temple. The Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred remnant left behind by a celestial dragon, containing immense power and legacy] rests upon its ninth and highest tier."

"Whether you can claim the Heavenly Dragon Relic depends entirely on the karmic affinity between you and it." This chapter appears courtesy of audio-novel.com.

Eldrin Chen's expression grew slightly solemn, and he could not help but inquire, "May I ask, what is meant by 'predestined affinity' [a concept of fate or karmic connection]?"

"Amitabha [a Buddhist chant invoking the name of the Buddha of Infinite Light]."

"Affinity is ineffable and wondrous."

Kongjian Buddha sighed softly, speaking with profound and unfathomable wisdom: "If the affinity is not yet ripe, bitter seeking yields nothing; if one shares a connection with it, a resonance will arise of its own accord."

"Go now. If you are fated to possess it, you shall obtain the treasure."

"Many thanks for your guidance, Ancient Buddha!"

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, then stepped forward and entered the Buddhist pagoda.

The moment he entered the pagoda, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of intense demonic aura assail him. His gaze instantly sharpened with cold intent, shattering that malevolent energy.

Only then, as he surveyed his surroundings, did he discover that within the pagoda was imprisoned a defiant and unruly Demon Immortal [a cultivator who has attained immortality through demonic or unorthodox means].

However, upon seeing Eldrin Chen, that Demon Immortal instantly shrank back to a corner, reining in its own frenzied and imposing presence.

"A suppressed Demon Immortal [a powerful demonic being who has attained immortality]."

Eldrin Chen murmured to himself, then continued his ascent up the stairs.

It seemed each level of this nine-story Buddhist Pagoda [a multi-tiered tower used in Buddhist architecture, often for housing relics or scriptures] held a captive Demonic Monsters.

Upon reaching the second level, Eldrin Chen encountered a True Demon Realm Demonic Cultivator. The third level revealed an Extraterrestrial Demon God [a demonic deity from beyond this world], and the fourth held an Immortal who had fallen into the Unorthodox Path [a corrupt and forbidden method of cultivation].

Though these immortals and demons were imprisoned within the pagoda, their malevolent and demonic natures remained rampant and unextinguished. Eldrin Chen was forced to act several times to subdue and intimidate them.

Thus, almost without realizing it, Eldrin Chen passed through eight levels of the pagoda and finally stepped onto the ninth and highest floor.

The moment he entered the ninth level, a faint, ethereal chant of Buddhist scriptures and the steady, rhythmic *tock-tock* of a wooden fish [a percussion instrument used in Buddhist rituals] reached Eldrin Chen's ears.

Lifting his gaze, he saw a figure seated before the wooden fish, clad in a Kasaya [a patchwork robe worn by Buddhist monks]. A brilliant Buddha Radiance [a halo of sacred light] emanated from behind its head as it chanted scriptures with lowered eyes.

With each uttered syllable, a Dao Gold-colored Sanskrit script [sacred writing or symbols in the ancient Sanskrit language, often imbued with spiritual power] swirled within the Void [the formless, empty space that is the source of all things], finally converging like countless rivers returning to the sea into a single Sariras [crystalline relics said to remain after the cremation of a Buddhist master].

"You have come."

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

The figure clad in the Kasaya [a traditional patchwork robe worn by Buddhist monks] opened his eyes, his gaze slowly turning towards Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged, yet inwardly he was profoundly shaken. The Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained Buddhahood] before him exuded a staggering aura of the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy], his presence as deep and vast as an abyssal sea. He seemed far more powerful than even the abbot of the Empty Enlightenment Temple, Kongjian Buddha.

"Within the Empty Enlightenment Temple, there hides a Buddha of the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of becoming an Earth Immortal, a being bound to the terrestrial world but possessing immense power]."

Utterly astonished, Eldrin Chen immediately offered a gesture of profound respect. "I pay my respects to the Buddha."

"You have come for the Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred relic of immense power, said to be connected to a celestial dragon]." Support the author by reading on audi0-n0vel.c0m.

The Buddha nodded serenely, his tone carrying absolute certainty.

Eldrin Chen inclined his head in acknowledgment and spoke plainly. "This journey was indeed undertaken to seek the Heavenly Dragon Relic."

"The Heavenly Dragon Relic..."

The Buddha sighed, then turned his gaze towards the Heavenly Dragon Relic before them.

Behold, the Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred Buddhist artifact], which had gathered the Buddha Radiance [the luminous spiritual energy of enlightenment] from the entire pagoda, seemed to be drawing upon various streams of Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] as well.

Eldrin Chen vaguely understood that the pagoda's purpose in suppressing the eight Demon Immortals [powerful demonic beings who have achieved immortality] was precisely to harness the Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] power of those eight Demon Immortals to nourish this single Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred Buddhist artifact].

This Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred Buddhist artifact] was originally formed from a Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained the highest state of Buddhist cultivation] of the Late Stage Immortal Ascension Realm [the final stage before achieving true Buddhahood], making it inherently a supreme-grade Immortal Treasure [a legendary artifact of immense power] and a Buddhist Treasure [a sacred artifact imbued with Buddhist doctrines and power].

Now, after being nourished by the Golden Light Demon-Suppressing Pagoda [a pagoda treasure specializing in subduing demonic forces] for hundreds of thousands of years, and further tempered by the daily sutra recitations of a Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained the highest state of Buddhist cultivation] at the Half-Step Earth Immortal Realm [a realm just shy of becoming an Earth Immortal, a being of profound power and longevity], its grade had astonishingly reached the level of a Supreme Grade Immortal Treasure [the pinnacle rank of immortal artifacts].

This filled Eldrin Chen's heart with immense gravity. Those who ask for nothing often desire something far greater in return.

For such a precious Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred Buddhist artifact], if the other party appeared to demand nothing and spoke only of needing a destined opportunity to obtain nine, the hidden price was likely to be even more staggering.

Thinking of this, Eldrin Chen finally recalled the other's identity and inquired respectfully, "Might I ask for the honorable title of the Ancient Ancestor [a venerable title for a progenitor of immense age and power]?"

The Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained the highest state of Buddhist cultivation] shook his head slightly, then smiled. "This humble monk's Dharma name is 'Kongming' [meaning 'Empty Enlightenment']. I am but a mere ascetic monk."

"Ancient Buddha Kongming?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze sharpened imperceptibly, and his demeanor immediately became one of profound respect.

Before his arrival, he had also inquired about the affairs of Empty Enlightenment Temple [a renowned Buddhist monastery], knowing that this temple was founded by Ancient Buddha Kongming [a legendary enlightened being].

It is said that in the past, due to the matter concerning the True Dragon [a supreme draconic being] and the Buddha [the state of perfect enlightenment], this Ancient Buddha Kongming was grievously wounded by the Clan Elder [a senior leader of a powerful lineage] of the Dragon Clan and vanished from sight ever since.

The world believed Kongming Buddha had long since passed into Nirvana [the final liberation from the cycle of rebirth]. Never did they imagine he could be encountered today, a revelation that greatly surpassed Eldrin Chen's expectations.

Seeing the expression on Eldrin Chen's face, the Kongming Buddha seemed to know his thoughts and spoke, "Ever since my disciple Huineng took his own life, this old monk has remained within the pagoda, performing rites to guide his soul onward."

"Now, after several hundred thousand years, my disciple has entered the Cycle of Reincarnation [the endless wheel of death and rebirth]. It is indeed time for this old monk to emerge from seclusion."

Speaking to this point, he turned his gaze once more to Eldrin Chen and said, "Before Huineng passed into Nirvana, he left behind only this Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred artifact imbued with draconic and divine power]."

"Your child does indeed share a karmic bond with this object. However, we Buddhists cultivate the understanding of cause and effect. Know that karmic affinity is itself a form of causality."

Eldrin Chen's expression remained unchanged, though he could not help but furrow his brow. "I beseech the Buddha to enlighten me," he said.

"Upon merging with the Heavenly Dragon Relic, one gains the blessing of great Merit [spiritual credit for virtuous deeds] and is endowed with formidable power, yet also bears a great Creation [a profound destiny or ordained purpose]."

"Should your child refine and assimilate it, they would become a Buddha's Child of peerless talent, their future potential truly boundless."

The Buddha [an enlightened being who has attained supreme wisdom and compassion] spoke calmly, his tone measured. "However, after refining such a supreme treasure, he too will bear its karmic burden. In the future, a tribulation awaits him that he must face."

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

Eldrin Chen asked, his expression grave and his gaze somber.

The Buddha shook his head repeatedly. "This pertains to Heavenly Secrets [mysteries of the cosmos ordained by heaven, which cannot be spoken of lightly]. It cannot be spoken, it cannot be told!"

Eldrin Chen frowned, a crease forming between his brows. He rose, intending to leave, but then noticed the Heavenly Dragon Relic [a sacred relic containing the essence of a heavenly dragon] shimmering faintly.

A vague premonition stirred within his heart. He sighed softly. "This is destiny, yet also karma. A tribulation, yet also an opportunity."

"Since you share a bond with my child, what does a mere tribulation matter?"

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

Finally, Eldrin Chen made his decision and took the Heavenly Dragon Relic.

Watching Eldrin Chen accept the relic, Kongming Buddha [an ancient, enlightened Buddha] slowly began to speak. "The moment your child is born, he shall be the Future Buddha."

"When he is a little older, you may bring him to Empty Enlightenment Temple [a renowned Buddhist temple] to cultivate for a time. This old monk is willing to accept him as a disciple and impart to him all the Buddhist teachings I have accumulated in my lifetime."

Eldrin Chen paused in his step, then finally nodded and said, "I am obliged."

Emerging from the Ninefold Buddha Pagoda, Nyssa Qu stepped forward and inquired, "How did it go?" Support the author by reading on audio-novel dot com.