Chapter 1528: Chapter 1529: Hall of the Myriad Laws
Ye Mo watched the scene but did not hurry to act; the Buddhist Sect Master Ci En was strong, with profound Buddhist teachings, and likely reached the Late Stage of Divine Venerable Nine Souls. He wanted to see what choice Ci En would make.
How could he possibly allow so many Buddhist disciples to be slaughtered?
The disciples, seeing an Evil Buddha disciple approaching with a murderous intent, felt a powerful oppression that was hard to resist. These Evil Buddha disciples possessed the strength of Divine Venerable Middle Stage, and their attacks were lethal, making it impossible for the disciples to counter.
"Ye Mo, act quickly, or they will all be killed by these Evil Buddha disciples!"
The Saintess watched the scene and immediately spoke.
"No rush, Grandmaster Ci En probably won’t sit idly by!"
Ye Mo said faintly.
Seeing this, Ci En frowned slightly. With a sudden clap of his massive palm, he pushed across the Three Thousand Worlds, intercepting and sending those Evil Buddha disciples flying; some were struck fatally, dying on the spot, with seven or eight Evil Buddha disciples being killed by Ci En’s strike.
"Hahaha, Old Monk Ci En, you preach compassion for all beings, yet you killed eight people with one palm. According to your Buddhist sect’s rules, shouldn’t you commit suicide?"
Heretic Lord Daofa laughed, as his previous actions aimed to entice Ci En into killing; making a Buddhist Sect Master kill was an agonizing ordeal.
"Amitabha Buddha, I had no intention of harming anyone; everything was to save lives. Daofa, you deliberately tempted me into killing, trying to exploit my weakness. Even if you kill me, I will not hand over the Shariputra; only those destined can obtain it!"
Ci En said mildly.
"Destined, how do you know I’m not destined? Perhaps the Shariputra is destined for me!"
Heretic Lord Daofa sneered.
"You’ve already fallen into the Evil Dao; it’s impossible for you to obtain the Shariputra. This Shariputra is from the Ancient Buddha Dazang, who detested the Evil Dao throughout his life. Do you think you can obtain the Shariputra?"
Ci En found it somewhat amusing.
"So what? Today, I’m determined to slaughter everyone here, besides you; everyone else will die."
Heretic Lord Daofa smiled and said, "Why don’t you continue to hold the Universal Law Assembly? I’ll participate; if I’m really not destined for the Shariputra, I’ll retreat, and I won’t harm these disciples. If I’m able to claim the Shariputra, then I’m destined for it!"
Heretic Lord Daofa’s suggestion plunged Ci En into deep thought; he knew Daofa’s nature well. If Daofa failed to obtain the Shariputra, he indeed might start a massacre.
Though he was stronger than Daofa, he had no desire to fight; should a battle ensue, Daofa could easily kill those weaker disciples.
"Fine, but you must make a law agreement!"
Ci En eventually nodded in agreement.
"Alright."
Heretic Lord Daofa immediately established a law agreement. The agreement stipulated that as he said before, he would participate in the Universal Law Assembly alongside the disciples of the Three Thousand Mortal Realms’ Buddha Sect to vie for the Shariputra. If he fails to obtain the Shariputra, he will not harm these disciples.
"Since that’s settled, the Universal Law Assembly will proceed as planned; follow me to the Hall of the Myriad Laws!"
Ci En spoke, leading them to a grand hall. This hall was resplendent in gold, adorned with a large Swastika Character.
As they gazed at the hall, their eyes burned with desire. This was the Hall of the Myriad Laws, where the Shariputra was contested.
"Ye Mo, this is the Hall of the Myriad Laws, where the Universal Law Assembly takes place. Actually, the assembly is about gaining the hall’s approval."
The Saintess explained to Ye Mo, "This hall is said to be blessed by the Primary Buddha from the Western Buddhist Realm, its Artifact Spirit containing profound Buddhist teachings. Even Ci En’s teachings might not be as profound; hence, to obtain the Shariputra requires the hall’s approval."
Approval requires neither strength nor natural talents; what matters is understanding of Buddha and Buddha Yuan. Only those with these qualities may achieve the Shariputra.
According to past traditions, disciples who obtained the Shariputra could enter the Buddha Gate, possibly later entering the Western Buddhist Realm.
Although there are over 500 disciples attending the Universal Law Assembly, few achieve the hall’s approval. Even Buddhist disciples rarely receive it.
Moreover, obtaining the hall’s approval doesn’t guarantee claiming the Shariputra.
While speaking, Ci En opened a hall door, unleashing a dazzling Buddha Light. Anyone carrying malice would be expelled, unable to enter the Hall of the Myriad Laws.
This sight amazed many disciples, who exclaimed, "It’s said that within the Hall of the Myriad Laws not only lies the Shariputra but also Buddhist sect scriptures, martial pursuits, and even the Mahayana sutras of the Western Buddhist Realm."
As they entered, the immense hall contained no furnishings, just vast space filled with Buddha Statues of various types, dignified and solemn.
Dizang, Mahavairocana Buddha, Ancient Buddha Dazang, Ancient Buddha Dipankara, even statues of Buddha warriors – tens of thousands altogether.
In the Western Buddhist Realm, Buddhas are achieved annually; over thousands or millions of years, innumerable Buddha positions have been realized. The statues in the Hall of the Myriad Laws represent only a fraction.
Each statue’s chest subtly shimmered, hinting at treasures within.
"The Shariputra from the Ancient Buddha Dazang is hidden within one of these Buddha Statues; you each have one chance to claim scriptures or martial pursuits to take directly!"
Ci En said calmly, knowing that Daofa could never claim the Shariputra. Even if he harbored Buddha Yuan, the Artifact Spirit of the hall wouldn’t allow him success.
The scriptures and martial pursuits, if taken, won’t affect the Buddha Gate; they are meant to be shared.
"Given it’s the Shariputra from the Ancient Buddha Dazang, it must be within his statue!"
Immediately, a disciple flew towards the Ancient Buddha Dazang’s statue, then entered it.
Next, he would undergo the hall’s assessment; the Artifact Spirit would enter the statue, adopting the Buddha’s form, testing his Buddhist teachings and Buddha Yuan for the Shariputra.
Hence, achieving the Shariputra isn’t simple; only those with Buddha Yuan might succeed.
