May I Resolve the Buddha's Worries

Ruzhong looked at Runan, who did not reply, and merely smiled lightly before turning his gaze to the wall beside them.

To suppress a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, not only did the formation have to be of an advanced level, but the materials required naturally had to be at the pinnacle of excellence.

And the material used here was the God-Suppressing Wood, a priceless treasure that thousands of spirit stones could hardly buy.

Back then, the Buddhist Sect had also paid a massive price, bleeding heavily to gather enough of it.

Within the slightly silent space of the formation, the power of vows circulated all around. The originally smooth walls constructed of God-Suppressing Wood had actually been carved with various wishes and thoughts by this power of vows.

Some yearned for health, willing to squander their family fortunes for it.

Some yearned for wealth, even if it meant giving up everything.

Greed for power, greed for love, greed for lust, greed for pleasure.

All mortal lives were driven by greed.

Yet there were also those who prayed for the health of others, for the peace of others, for the happiness of others.

Humanity also possessed true kindness.

No matter what it was, a thousand years of time would always leave behind traces.

The same was true for vows and wishes.

"The power of vows is complex, filled with all sorts of bewilderment," Ruzhong sighed softly. "Flowing for a thousand years, anyone else would have lost themselves within it, but he didn't. Perhaps only by comprehending all living beings can one achieve true fruition."

Runan cast a glance over, not answering these words, but instead asking:

"Then, what kind of deal did Chu Xingchen make with you? What condition did he offer that you couldn't refuse?"

"He didn't discuss any conditions with me, nor did he say anything to bewitch me," Ruzhong chuckled lightly. "He runs about for the sake of all living beings; I merely saved him from taking a few extra steps."

"Nowadays, the Great Dao is severed. Cultivators like you and me can never become true immortals."

"We might as well concede some benefits. It won't kill either of us, but it can allow this world a few more years of stability."

"If I have to say it, this is the condition he offered through his actions."

Hearing this, Runan said no more and immediately planned to turn and leave.

"Wait," Ruzhong called out upon seeing this.

Runan turned to look, only to see Ruzhong with a relaxed smile on his face, saying:

"I am not him. If I'm locked up here for a few more days, I'll go mad, and driving me mad is not a good decision."

Runan did not reply to this and walked straight away.

After Ruzhong watched his retreating figure completely leave, the emotions in his eyes became obscure and uncertain.

The Main Hall of the True Sound Dharma Temple.

As soon as Runan arrived at the main hall, an Arhat on the side came to report:

"Buddha Bore has arrived outside the main gate, saying he has matters to discuss."

Runan asked, "Why didn't he just come straight in?"

The Arhat immediately replied:

"Buddha Bore said that you are an Honored Buddha, so naturally, there must be rules."

Runan raised his hand and said, "Let him in."

Hearing this, the Arhat immediately withdrew to carry out the order.

A moment later.

A young monk draped in an ordinary cassock, without any luxurious clothing, and bearing a gentle smile on his face, walked into the main hall.

Entering the hall, he first gave a standard Buddhist bow to Runan, and then spoke:

"Bore pays his respects to the Honored Buddha."

Runan raised his hand, his expression gentle as he said:

"There is no need for this. I remember having you temporarily manage the affairs of the Central State. Why have you come here?"

Bore's expression was sincere as he said, "Because the matter has already been transmitted back to the Great Thunderclap Temple, and I happened to be inspecting the vicinity of the Pudu River. Upon hearing the news, I came."

Hearing this, Runan didn't speak immediately. Instead, he observed Bore's expression. Seeing that his expression remained the same as always, he slowly said:

"Do you have thoughts to share with me, or are you here to inform me of the news?"

Bore's expression was candid, and without any hesitation, he said:

"Naturally, I have some thoughts. As for the news, even if I don't say it, the Honored Buddha will naturally know."

Runan asked again:

"Then what are your thoughts?"

Bore took a light breath, seemingly verifying his internal thoughts before speaking:

"Regarding the matter of the Evil Buddha, I naturally understand the Honored Buddha's painstaking efforts. The foundation of this Buddhist Sect lies in the Karma Buddhas."

"We originally borrowed providence to attain Buddhahood. Today's situation might very well be the result of past causes."

"Tracing back from beginning to end, the situation in the Western Bovine Continent became this severe, yet we only realized it in hindsight. Today, the Buddhist Sect's greed has long crossed the line."

"Honored Buddha, things have come to this point, and we can no longer make concessions. It's just that the truth of this matter is hard to hide from the Buddhas, and it happens to be a time of turmoil. The Buddhist Sect is not at a juncture for drastic changes. If we want to completely suppress it, I fear it will cause trouble."

Runan lowered his eyes and looked over: "Are you trying to say that I identified the wrong person?"

"Naturally, I wouldn't dare," Bore immediately bowed in response. "It is just that the Buddhas do not believe it. However, the root of this matter does not solely focus on the Evil Buddha."

Hearing this, Runan was silent for a moment before speaking:

"What are you referring to?"

"Chu Xingchen!" Bore raised his eyes, his expression serious as he immediately said, "Since the Honored Buddha has already spoken, the truth or falsehood of this Evil Buddha has been finalized and cannot be changed. Making a fuss over it now won't change the dissatisfaction of the other Buddhas."

"It would be better to make an issue out of Chu Xingchen. After all, whether it was the Evil Buddha's escape, or the current concealment and sheltering of the Evil Buddha, it was all his doing."

"Doing this has two advantages."

"Firstly, by punishing Chu Xingchen and demonstrating the Buddhist Sect's current attitude towards the Evil Buddha, it might better pacify the various Buddhas."

"Naturally, the attitudes of the Three Sects must also be taken into consideration. The so-called punishment must be measured, neither too heavy nor too light."

"Punishing him and forcing him to recuperate for two years will naturally incur pressure from the Three Sects, but this is also necessary."

"Secondly, only with external pressure can we suppress the dissatisfaction in the hearts of the Buddhas, uniting them against a common enemy so they do not point fingers at each other."

"As time passes and the storm blows over, the Buddhas will come to understand the Honored Buddha's painstaking efforts, and they will also better understand who the real enemy is."

Runan raised his eyes, looking at Bore, whose expression was sincere, as if he were truly troubled on his behalf.

Speaking so frankly without any concealment made him appear even more genuine.

If he were a Karma Buddha, Runan would naturally feel that he was treating him with sincerity.

But Bore was not. He was a Mortal World Buddha, yet he wanted to do something that would harm the interests of the Mortal World Buddhas.

The silence was prolonged.

Bore seemed to realize the reason for Runan's lack of response and spoke respectfully once again:

"Only if the Buddhist Sect remains prosperous and unyielding will we have a future to continue climbing the path to immortality."

"It has been a long time since I entered the Buddhist Sect, and I can better appreciate the Honored Buddha's hardships. Having been entrusted with heavy responsibilities by the Honored Buddha several times, I naturally possess a heart full of gratitude and a desire to repay you."

Runan stared at Bore, his mind constantly recalling the past.

Among so many Mortal World Buddhas, there were naturally those who were content after advancing to the Tribulation Transcendence stage, and there were also those who were deeply grateful and genuinely wanted to repay the sect.

But there were very, very few like Bore.

He truly seemed like someone who had entered the Buddhist Sect to study the scriptures diligently and seek Buddhahood wholeheartedly.

And precisely because of this, Runan had assigned quite a few tasks to Bore.

For any task assigned, regardless of its difficulty, Bore had never made a mistake; he often even handled them better than expected.

This was naturally a good thing. The Buddhist Sect had recruited a Buddha who could handle matters reliably.

He could naturally be used, but absolute vigilance had to be maintained against him.

Those who could accomplish practical matters must have meticulous minds.

Those with meticulous minds must harbor greed in their hearts.

Those who harbor greed in their hearts and do not seek immediate benefits...

Then... they must be plotting for the future.

Bore raised his eyes and spoke once again:

"I am willing to be the vanguard in this matter to alleviate the Honored Buddha's worries."

As his words fell, Runan, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke:

"Then, make the arrangements first and show them to me."