The jade piece First-rate -quality material, and the carving and polishing techniques are even more superb.
Bodhisattva Guanshiyin, who is compassionate and relieves suffering, holds a jade vase in one hand and makes a mudra with the other. A tear hangs under her tightly closed eyes, as if she cannot bear to see the suffering in the world.
The lotus platform at the Bodhisattva's feet is also very interesting. It has nine flowers and twelve petals, which is the Kong platform of the highest grade of rebirth in Buddhism, that is, the nine-grade lotus platform.
Under normal circumstances, only the Buddha can use the Nine-Rank Lotus Platform.
Although Bodhisattva Guanshiyin has many followers, her status is far inferior to that of the Buddha; she can only ascend to the highest lotus throne at the seventh grade.
"Such a good product, it's a pity it made a common-sense mistake."
Xu Long muttered to himself.
People who buy these Buddha statues generally have some understanding of Buddhism.
For a Bodhisattva to sit on the nine-tiered lotus platform that belongs only to the Buddha is not just a matter of disrespect, but rather an act of insubordination.
All religious believers possess a servile nature.
Insubordination is absolutely unacceptable.
But that doesn't make sense, because only a few people know about these things, and those who don't are easily swayed by their exquisite appearance.
Could it be...?
Xu Long thought for a moment, then reached out and touched his eyes.
As expected, as Xu Long suppressed the power in his eyes, the Guanyin jade piece immediately became tattered and broken.
"Damn it, I've dug myself into this mess!"
Xu Long's physical body was so strong that his eyes could naturally see things that ordinary people couldn't.
This jade piece was concealed by its dilapidated appearance, and ordinary people would mistake it for trash, but Xu Long was able to see its true nature.
"That's good too, we got a bargain."
Xu Long examined the jade piece for a while, then asked the shopkeeper, "How much is this?"
"I won't ask you for more, eighty thousand!"
The boss glanced at him and immediately made an outrageous demand.
"Good heavens, 80,000 for a piece of broken jade? Are they out of their minds?"
Xu Long muttered to himself. He didn't care about the 80,000 silver dollars, but it was too much to carry around.
Xu Long thought for a moment and decided to bargain.
Before he could even speak, the shop owner had already quoted a price to someone else.
"I won't ask you for more, eighty thousand!"
Upon hearing his boss's words, Xu Long suddenly understood.
This boss asks for 80,000 without asking, and sells everything for 80,000. He must have lost his mind.
Too lazy to pay him any attention, Xu Long simply stuffed the jade piece into his pocket, tossed down a silver coin, and turned to leave.
The antique market offers a wide variety of items, from large bronze vessels and chariots to small items like ear picks and nail clippers—a dazzling array.
There's nothing you can't see if you put your mind to it.
However, after looking around, Xu Long discovered that the oldest person at most of the stalls was the stall owner.
Apart from the jade Guanyin pendant, Xu Long could be said to have gained nothing.
With a helpless sigh, Xu Long decided to go back and study the Guanyin jade piece.
"Young master, I see a dark aura around your forehead and lifeless eyes; this is a very ominous sign!"
An aged voice came from the side, attracting Xu Long's attention.
Turning my head, I saw an old man who looked to be around fifty years old.
His hair was gray, his face was ruddy, he held a compass in his left hand and a whisk in his right.
Behind him stood two banners, one inscribed with "Future Fortune, Marriage, and Afterlife," and the other with "A Predictive Judgment Better Than Half-Immortal."
That kind of air is quite intimidating.
"Am I facing a very bad omen?"
Xu Long laughed. This man had really gone too far, saying that he was a bad omen.
With his strength, what kind of thug would dare to come?
Tell me!
Xu Long pulled over the stool next to him and put it under his bottom.
"Young master, you are surrounded by a chilling aura and exuding a murderous aura. You have likely provoked something you shouldn't have. Disaster is sure to befall you within three days. Perhaps I could help you by making some arrangements to avert this calamity."
The old man's words were very reasonable; someone else might have believed them.
However, to Xu Long, it was pure laughter.
"Misfortune? If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear. I, this young master, have acted uprightly and honestly; what misfortune would dare to seek me out?"
Xu Long scoffed dismissively and stopped wasting words with him.
The old man had a faint aura of yin energy about him, which meant he must have practiced some kind of magic.
As for his skill level, he couldn't even beat that silly little girl.
Even if he stood there and let him hit him, he couldn't even break Xu Long.
After returning to the Lai Family, Xu Long closed the door and began to study the jade piece.
A Bodhisattva, yet standing on the nine-tiered lotus throne belonging to the Buddha.
Even if the sculptor was completely inexperienced, they wouldn't make such a mistake.
Furthermore, judging from the carving and the craftsmanship, the artist must have a very deep understanding of the Bodhisattva, and it would be impossible for them to make such a common-sense mistake.
"Wait, Bodhisattva Guanshiyin... Guanshiyin... Bodhisattva..."
Xu Long murmured to himself, suddenly remembering something, something related to Bodhisattva Guanshiyin.
In Buddhism, the most special one is not the Present Buddha Tathagata, nor the Past Buddha Dīpaṃkara, nor the Future Buddha Maitreya, nor even Kṣitigarbha who lingers in the Underworld, but Bodhisattva Guanshiyin.
Besides the title Guanshiyin, he also has another name: Tathagata of True Dharma Brightness.
Tathagata is Buddha, and Buddha is Tathagata.
The Tathagata of True Dharma Brightness is also called the Buddha of True Dharma Brightness.
In the past, Bodhisattva Guanyin was the Buddha of True Dharma Brightness. However, seeing the suffering of sentient beings, she regressed in her cultivation and returned to the human world to save people.
There is also a saying that it is a reincarnation and a rebirth, in which the Buddha's physical body is shed.
However, a question arises: why can't the more powerful and Buddha of True Dharma Brightness, liberate people?
Does becoming a Buddha mean one can never return to the human realm? Or does it mean one must completely abandon all emotions and desires?
Xu Long didn't know why, but he could explain why Bodhisattva Guanyin was standing on a nine-tiered lotus platform.
The sculptor was not lacking in common sense; on the contrary, he was a person with a deep understanding of Buddhism.
"This thing... could it be that there's something special inside...?"
Xu Long observed carefully, even activating his Minute Subtlety, but still couldn't discern any clues.
After a moment's thought, Xu Long decided to try using telekinesis.
The invisible energy transformed into threads that slowly approached, and when it touched the Guanyin jade piece, Xu Long's consciousness was instantly drawn into it.
The sunlight was gentle, Qingfeng was blowing, and a large, lush tree swayed slightly in the wind.
Under the big tree, a figure sat cross-legged, with his hands folded between his legs.
Its appearance and gender were unclear; only a gentle aura permeated the surroundings.
The presence of the lush, leafy trees behind him gradually calmed Xu Long's initially restless mind.
"My name is Xu Long. May I ask your honorable title, senior?"
Xu Long clasped his left hand in a fist salute and bowed very respectfully.
However, the figure under the tree seemed not to have heard anything and remained sitting there steadily.
"My name is Xu Long. May I ask your honorable title, senior?"
I asked again, but there was still no response.
Xu Long frowned and walked over.
He wanted to see who this person was, putting on airs like a ghost here.