On the Heavenly Mountain, the terrain is precipitous, covered in a vast expanse of white snow, and the temperature is shockingly low.
When Chen Duo and A Huo went up the mountain, a blizzard was blowing.
As far as the eye could see, everything was a vast expanse of white. Even with their physical strength, climbing the mountain in this environment would be quite difficult.
They also encountered an avalanche on their way. If it weren't for A Huo's superb Sword Dao, which allowed him to break through the snow layer with his sword light, they would have been buried there.
They walked laboriously for most of the day before finally reaching the mountaintop. By then, the blizzard had stopped, and the sun was shining.
Looking up, they saw that the surrounding area for dozens of miles was all connected snow-capped mountains. There were no buildings on the mountains, only a few Buddhist Sect practitioners who sat cross-legged on the edge of cliffs, silently cultivating themselves.
Monks who can cultivate asceticism on the top of Heavenly Mountain must have at least condensed Śarīra in their bodies, which is comparable to the Core Formation Realm. Otherwise, they would not be able to withstand the severe cold here.
Moreover, there is almost no food here, and only Buddhist practitioners who have accumulated Śarīra can go for long periods without eating.
"It seems they've all entered a deep state of enlightenment; it's best not to disturb them."
Chen Duo and A Huo explored the area around the mountaintop, initially intending to try and communicate with the ascetic monks, but they remained completely unresponsive, as if utterly isolated from the outside world.
"There are so many powerful individuals here, yet they only focus on arduous cultivation; what a waste!"
After walking for a while, Chen Duo couldn't help but sigh.
Although it appears sparse, the Heavenly Mountain cover an area of nearly a hundred miles, and there are at least tens of thousands of ascetic monks on the mountaintops and slopes. If this power is used properly, it would be no problem to conquer a medium-sized plane in the starry sky.
Everyone has things they care about, and they certainly don't see them as wasting their time.
A Huo himself could be considered an ascetic, so he could completely understand them.
They continued onward and finally encountered some monks who were not in meditation.
"Excuse me..."
Chen Duo was about to ask a question, but the other person spoke first and asked a question in return.
What is Buddha?
Such a Zen-like question left Chen Duo stunned, completely at a loss for words.
A Huo understood that the ascetic monks here spent their days contemplating Buddhist verses, and if he couldn't answer them, they wouldn't be willing to communicate with him. So he thought for a moment and replied.
"Buddha resides within us all; all beings can attain Buddhahood; Buddha is everywhere!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes!"
The monk and A Huo stared at each other for a while, and then the monk asked another question.
What is emptiness?
"Emptiness is form, and all form is emptiness!"
"Among all existing things, there is no self, no substance, no 'self,' etc.; this is called emptiness."
A Huo's practice of the Wukong Sword Art is actually a Buddhist Sect art. As a result, he has come to understand many Buddhist Sect philosophies, but he doesn't have a deep understanding of them and can only interpret them based on his own understanding.
"Is that so?"
Seeing the monk ask the same question again, Chen Duo finally couldn't hold back and blurted out the answer.
"No!"
"Since it's not, why did you answer?"
"If that's the case, why are you asking?"
"You... you arrogant brat!"
Boom! The monk's body radiated golden light, and a phantom image of Buddha appeared behind him. He struck out with a palm, seemingly intending to kill Chen Duo.
"Haha, wouldn't it have been better to do this sooner!"
Seeing this, Chen Duo didn't get angry but laughed, and like the other person, she formed a Buddhist mudra with her hands.
Vajra's Wrathful Gaze, Wisdom King Fist!
A phantom image of a powerful, muscular king appeared and collided with the giant palm of the Buddha opposite him, instantly causing the earth to shake and the snow to fall from many of the surrounding peaks.
"If you can't win an argument, you resort to violence. What kind of ascetic monk is this?"
Just as Chen Duo was about to continue the fight, her opponent lowered his head in shame and bowed deeply.
"I am so sorry, I was overcome with anger. I beg your forgiveness."
Seeing that the other party was willing to communicate, A Huo quickly seized the opportunity and asked the monk for advice.
"We want to see the Living Buddha, but we don't know how we can get to him?"
Upon hearing this, the monk carefully examined the two of them again and shook his head.
"Go back! You lack Buddha-nature; the Living Buddha will not see you."
Hearing this, A Huo and Chen Duo both looked disappointed. Did they have to give up after all their hard work to get here?
"Buddha-nature, Buddha-nature, what exactly is Buddha-nature?"
"If I demolish this place, will I gain Buddha-nature?"
Chen Duo finally couldn't hold back and threatened him.
"Please feel free to give it a try."
However, I can also tell you, even if you really demolish this place, the Living Buddha will not come to see you!
The monks remained calm and fearless.
At this point, even A Huo was about to take action, but upon hearing the monk's last words, he changed his Thought.
" Duoduo, let's go!"
Buddhist Sect disciples are not allowed to lie; it seems we're really going to have to return empty-handed this time.
Since taking action is pointless, why offend these people?
Upon hearing A Huo's telepathic message, Chen Duo finally stopped talking. A Huo then took her hand and left, intending to think of a solution after descending the mountain.
"Why?"
On the way out, Chen Duo suddenly shook off A Huo's hand and returned to question the monk.
Why won't the Living Buddha see us?
You high and mighty monks enjoy the offerings of the herdsmen, yet you allow the people outside to be devoured by the Abyss Devil Race. Aren't you ashamed?
In my eyes, you are a bunch of selfish people!
They only care about their own liberation, what's the point of cultivating for the next life? But if they can't even cultivate well in this life, what future life can they possibly have?
You always say that Buddha is compassionate, but what has your Buddha actually done? You...
Chen Duo's furious rant caused even the monks, who had calmed down, to blush. They could only chant Buddhist mantras to compose themselves.
"Enough!"
Suddenly, a loud and magnetic voice rang out from the sky. A Huo and Chen Duo both looked up and saw a man surrounded by Buddhist light slowly descending.
The man was dressed in a white robe and looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. Although he was bald, he was incredibly handsome and would definitely charm countless women if he were out in public.
Worried about Chen Duo's safety, A Huo rushed to her side and waited attentively. However, after the bald man landed, he bowed with one hand, indicating that he had no ill intentions.
"Miss Chen Duo, you don't need to curse anymore. If you want to see me, I'll come out."
Only then did the two realize that this man was the Supreme Living Buddha of the True Esoteric Buddhist Sect.
They had originally thought that the Supreme Living Buddha would be a fat, chubby, and benevolent old monk, but they never expected him to be so young.