At this moment, the old monk approached Chu Mo and said, "Xu Du is a Buddha's child that emerges only once every ten thousand years. His realm has nothing to do with his cultivation level. If he gains enlightenment, his strength can increase immensely in an instant."

"Buddha's child?" Chu Mo heard this term for the first time.

The old monk did not elaborate, but instead looked in Xu Du's direction, murmuring softly, "Xu Du, Xu Du, impossible to retain. Since he cannot be retained, let him go."

Chu Mo noticed that even the old monk's eyes shone with a few crystalline specks, clearly not as composed as he appeared.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Far off in the sky, dark clouds billowed, and thunder rolled. A torrential downpour began to cascade from above.

Above the figure of Xu Du, however, a bright, dazzling light radiated, like a luminous ring in the rain, growing larger and larger!

Eventually, in the void, a colossal Buddha's figure appeared, towering and commanding the heavens and earth.

The Buddha image sat calmly in meditation, hands clasped together in prayer, exuding a majestic and unsurpassable presence.

It nodded slightly toward Chu Mo and the old monk as if to acknowledge them. Then, with a loud bang, the Buddha image dispersed. The dark clouds and lightning... also dissipated.

"Is this... he succeeded in transcending the tribulation and ascended to the Heavenly Realm?" Chu Mo asked the old monk, his eyes wide with amazement.

The old monk brought his palms together, "Well said, well said."

Chu Mo was profoundly shaken. He had seen countless individuals rapidly improve their cultivation, including young monks of the same age as Xu Du who had reached the level of Great Luo Golden Immortal. But what was perplexing was how a cultivator, who had just been in the Mahayana stage, managed to break through to the ascension stage in the blink of an eye and then transcend the tribulation and ascend.

Such rapid advancement was beyond his wildest imagination!

Could it be that the Buddhist secrets were truly powerful to such an extent?

"Fate has brought us together, so let's have a chat," the old monk said, smiling at Chu Mo.

Chu Mo nodded and followed the old monk back into the dilapidated temple.

Without using the Technique of Energy Observation, this area spanning a million miles was desolate to an extreme. There were indeed tens of thousands of temples like the one the old monk was in.

But now Chu Mo finally understood why this land was so feared by the world; it was once guarded by countless Great Buddhas. Even if someone of an emperor's realm were to come here, they would have to return in defeat, if they could return at all.

Even with a young monk like Xu Du chanting scriptures, Chu Mo felt an unbearable sensation. If numerous Great Buddhas were to chant in unison... what kind of grand spectacle would that be?

"Buddhism has always been a mystery in the hearts of people," the old monk boiled a pot of water and brewed a cup of tea for Chu Mo, then said profoundly, "and it holds many misunderstandings."

Chu Mo took the tea, and instantly, a refreshing fragrance filled the air, touching his heart and soul, prompting him to praise, "Good tea!"

"It's just ordinary tea from the mountains, it's the environment that's exceptional," said the old monk indifferently.

Chu Mo took a light sip, and a faint bitterness spread across his tongue, followed by a sweet aftertaste that stimulated the salivary glands. He closed his eyes for a moment to savor the flavor, and after a long while, opened them to ask, "If you know there are misunderstandings, why not clarify them?"

The old monk shook his head, "Why clarify?"

"Isn't it necessary?" Chu Mo questioned back.

"You had heard people speak of us before and still, you came, didn't you?" the old monk said with a smile.

"..." Chu Mo was momentarily speechless, his mouth twitching as he replied, "I had a special reason."

"Anyone who comes here has a special reason," the old monk stood to refill Chu Mo's teacup with water, then calmly stated, "Buddhism has always been about non-contention, non-aggression, keeping a low profile, and not being rash. What have worldly slanders to do with us?"

"Can you truly remain so composed?" Chu Mo asked incredulously, "Haven't you ever been angry or concerned? I saw that Xu Du cared a great deal."

The old monk chuckled, "Xu Du has chosen a different path; Buddha has a compassionate heart to enlighten all beings, but also the wrathful visage to subdue demons and banish evil! Those who can be enlightened will be enlightened; those who can't... what harm is there in suppressing them?"

"Suppress? Buddhism has such an assertive side?" Chu Mo was surprised.

"Heh, what do you call dominance? When Buddhism was truly glorious and at its peak, even a Great Saint could be easily suppressed..." The old monk said this and then stopped speaking, looking at Chu Mo and saying, "Previously, I observed a Death Aura on you, but that aura, being righteous and peaceful, contained no strong resentments. It's evident there are arrays that nurture souls at work. Hence, the old monk could guess your purpose here is genuine, not a mere facade."

Chu Mo took out the pearl, his expression becoming somewhat despondent, and softly said, "My family has become like this all because of my fault. No matter what, I want them to live on without any suffering. One day, I will bring them back to life."

The old monk glanced at Chu Mo, his eyes brimming with profound meaning, and smiled, saying, "You can do it!"

Chu Mo bowed to the old monk, "For this matter, truly, thank you very much!"

"It's just a small effort, my friend. There's no need to fret. This matter, in fact, is also a good thing for my Buddhism," the old monk said.

"What do you mean?" Chu Mo asked, slightly puzzled as he raised his head.

The old monk shook his head, "It's just a matter of cause and effect. There's no point in talking about it now."

As he spoke, the old monk led Chu Mo deeper into the Buddhist sanctuary. Along the way, Chu Mo did not use the Technique of Energy Observation again to look around. But he could feel the pure and formidable power surrounding him!

Indeed, this is no ordinary place!

Chu Mo sighed inwardly.

Finally, the old monk brought Chu Mo to a small monastery that spanned several dozen acres. The main hall of the monastery enshrined a bronze Buddha statue that looked very ancient. Yet, not a speck of dust was on the statue; it was immaculately clean.

The old monk placed the pearl in front of the Buddha statue and then began to chant scriptures.

At that moment, from somewhere, a group of people started to come in one after another, amounting to twenty or thirty. They all looked quite old and, upon entering, they sat quietly on the cushions in the main hall and chanted scriptures along with the old monk.

At this time, Chu Mo looked at the pearl that sealed his family, and he could clearly feel a peaceful aura emanating from it. Within that aura, there seemed to be a hint of joy.

In an instant, Chu Mo's tears almost fell.

"I have wronged you!"

"It was I who brought this upon you!"

"Only today have I brought you here, I'm sorry for making you suffer!"

Chu Mo took a deep breath, then stood there quietly, listening to the group chant scriptures.

The scripture was abstruse and hard to understand, but the voice was imbued with a peaceful tranquility that could calm one's heart and mind. It seemed as though at that moment, all worries could be forgotten.

As Chu Mo listened, he felt himself sinking into the chanting.

However, when he wished to awaken, he could do so at any time—he didn't feel forcibly converted, as the legends often tell.

"It seems that not everything one hears in rumors is true," Chu Mo reflected internally.

Just then, a melodious bell sounded from afar.

Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

The bell tolled a total of eighteen times.

As the last bell sounded, the old monk and the group in the room ceased their chanting.

The old monk raised his eyebrows, opened his eyes, and looked at Chu Mo, "Cause and effect have arrived. Young friend, why not join me in facing what comes next."

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