Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 501-Chapter 600)

Perhaps this could not be regarded as a “mountain path” anymore. It was over three hundred meters wide, rising and falling, twisting and turning on the mountain like a dragon, extending towards the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga. If this world had not been a world of cultivation, it would be extremely difficult to construct such a path even using the modern technology from his past life.

Even more shockingly, the great path was covered with travellers. The closer it was to the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga, the denser they became. Just by gazing over, Li Qingshan had spotted over a hundred thousand people; clearly, there were more paths like this elsewhere on Great Buddha mountain.

Countless men and women, old and young, prostrated themselves with each step, making their way towards Great Buddha mountain. There was even a grey-haired old woman who did the same. Whenever she took a step, she would throw herself onto the ground in prostration such that Li Qingshan even began to worry about whether she could climb back up or not. Beside her was a child, probably her grandson. He still seemed rather muddle-headed, but he still copied the old woman, bringing his hands together and prostrating with each step.

They did not talk. It was silent and solemn, yet as harmonious as if they were siblings. The sunlight illuminated their faces, which were sincere and determined, glowing with peace and happiness. This was the glow of resolute belief.

Even non-believers would be influenced by this sight. Li Qingshan also brought his hands together and bowed towards Great Buddha mountain in the distance.

As a transmigrator, he did not believe in anything, but he did respect the beliefs of others. The life of mortals was filled with pain. Not everyone had the opportunity to become a cultivator or was allowed to attempt to break free from the shackles of fate. Holding onto belief like this was not a bad thing.

People would always need some consolation. Non-believers would always look down on the word “belief”, but they would buy and drink alcohol without restraint, wallowing in the internet, gorging themselves on indulgences like food, sex, or gambling. They were not necessarily more clever than people prostrating to the statue of a buddha.

Not to mention that buddhas actually existed here. They were powerful figures that possessed great wisdom and great strength. The Western Paradise Sukhāvatī and the Hell realm Naraka existed as well. Accumulating good karma and being reborn in paradise was all real.

Thinking up to there, Li Qingshan gained a clearer understanding of what the word “buddha” represented. They were existences with powers well beyond his imaginations. He glanced at Great Buddha mountain in the distance again and said to Xiao An with his soul sense, “If they don’t provoke us, there’s no need for us to actively work against them either.”

“You can just try out the Path of White Bone and Great Beauty and see how you go. There’s no need to be so serious. If believing in the Buddha is a form of blind obsession, then what doesn’t make believing in some White Bone Bodhisattva a blind obsession either? It’s just like the saying, if buddha doesn’t offend me, I won’t offend the buddha.”





Chapter 565: The Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga | Legend of the Great Sage




Li Qingshan reminded Xiao An as the two of them climbed up the mountain along the path. They obviously did not prostrate themselves with each step like the mortals, crossing through the crowd quickly and arriving below Great Buddha mountain in the blink of an eye, right in front of the gate of the monastery.

They were unable to advance any further upon reaching there. Two guardian gods stood to the sides of the gate with great vigour, each wielding a weapon. At first glance, he even mistook them to be two statues.

But suddenly, their eyes swiveled and landed on Li Qingshan. Li Qingshan’s breathing halted slightly. It really is the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga after all, just the two guardian gods who watch over the entrance of the monastery can make me feel threatened.

Looking back, there were thousands of buildings established at the foot of the mountain, specially for regular monks to provide guidance to their believers, ranging from residences, arrangements for food, and even the issuing of silver taels.

Unlike the temples of his past life, a sect like the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga did not require the donations of mortals, nor did it profit from the land it owned. It only required mortals to contribute their belief to them. Having accumulated over numerous millennia, just how terrifying of a force would this be?

“Those standing below the steps, why do you not bow?”

A monk in charge of reception asked loudly from a high wall that resembled the walls of a city. He was already different from those mortal monks. Instead, he was a Qi Practitioner, a true disciple of the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga. Several tens of thousand people were prostrating themselves in the square at the bottom of the mountain, so Li Qingshan and Xiao An’s standing figures stood out very much.

In particular, everyone who saw Xiao An along the way was left stunned. The young men even forgot to bow, ogling straight at her. Even when the monk for reception saw Xiao An, he could not help but be taken aback before lowering his head in a hurry and muttering “amitābha” a few times.

Li Qingshan said, “We aren’t believers. Instead, we’ve come to see the Annihilum Light Chan Master.”

“Senior uncle Annhilum Light is currently in secluded cultivation and is not receiving guests. It’s best if you return!”

Before the monk for reception could even finish speaking, a streak of golden light suddenly rose up from the majestic halls on Great Buddha mountain, landing at the entrance and turning into an old monk. It was the Annihilum Light Chan Master in the flesh, gazing at Xiao An gladly.

“One Will, you’ve finally come.”

“Senior uncle Annhilum Light.” The monk was taken aback, bowing in a hurry.

The Annihilum Light Chan Master was the head monk of the Bodhi courtyard. He had a rather dull character, and he liked peace and quiet. Even his direct disciples would very rarely see his expression change, yet he had actually revealed such an expression because two measly Foundation Establishment cultivators had come to visit. It truly was quite an occasion.

Xiao An brought her palms together in an orderly manner and bowed. “Master.”

“Come with me!” The Annihilum Light Chan Master waved his arm, and the huge gate behind him opened loudly. Sunlight poured through, landing on Li Qingshan’s face and making him squint his eyes.

“The gate’s opening!” “The gate’s opening!”

Calls rang out from below the mountain. The gate to the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga normally never opened. The disciples of the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga all entered through a minor entrance below. The only ever opened the main gate to receive important guests.

The Annihilum Light Chan Master glanced at Xiao An before waving his hand.

The melodious sound of a bell rang out from the top of the mountain at first, and afterwards, the entire mountain rang with bells, drowning out the chanting and spreading across the entire Great Buddha mountain.

The monk for reception was stunned. He studied Li Qingshan and Xiao An closely. Let alone two Foundation Establishment cultivators, but even two Golden Core cultivators had no right to receive such treatment.

The girl seemed to be senior uncle Annhilium Light’s final disciple, but she was a disciple at most, which made her even less qualified.

Golden light shone brilliantly. The sounds of bells rose and fell together. It was grand and imposing.

Li Qingshan eased up slightly inside. As it seems, the Annihilum Light Chan Master still views Xiao An with great importance, so he probably won’t allow her to suffer any abuse. Actually, he was purely overthinking. With Xiao An’s current strength, how many people could abuse her across the nine provinces?