Chapter 985: Schemes

The peak of the celestial dome.

In the deepest part of the starry sky, the origin star of Sun Stardust suddenly blossomed with ten thousand bursts of golden light.

The Great Snow Temple was enveloped in Buddha light, the Sanskrit chant echoed continuously, layers of Zen rhythm spread across the world.

A barefoot golden-bodied Arhat appeared out of thin air, surrounded by the halo of Perfect Divine Techniques, his demeanor solemn and extraordinary.

The temple monks all bowed deeply, chanting in unison:

“Greetings to the Formless Arhat!”

Formless Arhat laughed loudly, casually reciting a spiritual verse:

“With one thought clear, breaking worldly dust, the six senses pure, severing mortal form.”

“Golden light forged into the Bodhi aspect, today the achievement of Arhat fruit is complete.”

In the next moment.

Ripples appeared in the void, another golden body slowly formed and took shape.

Chen Sheng looked at the visitor with a smile and voiced his congratulations:

“Congratulations, Senior Brother, on your achievement and certification of the fruit.”

Formless withdrew his smile, and his expression became solemn:

“Without Junior Brother’s guidance and assistance along the way, I would not possess this Arhat cultivation today.”

Chen Sheng smiled lightly:

“We are fellow disciples, Senior Brother, no need for such formalities.”

The two then moved to a quiet Zen room to sit.

Chen Sheng spoke slowly:

“Senior Brother has now achieved the Arhat realm, and can proceed to Spirit Mountain to advance further.”

“You cultivate the Divine Techniques of Sun Stardust, our master once had a friendly relationship with the Great Magnificent Maitreya.”

“With this connection, you can establish yourself peacefully at Spirit Mountain, avoiding the pitfalls I encountered in my early years…”

After speaking, Chen Sheng took out a simple relic left by Miao Shan Arhat and handed it to Formless.

Formless solemnly accepted the relic, his heart full of gratitude: “Thank you, Junior Brother, for your kindness.”

He knew that Junior Brother’s situation in the Void Sun lineage was difficult, having been early dispatched to the Southern Border for guard duty, only to have the opportunity seized by others as it approached.

Now having just entered the Arhat realm himself, he was powerless to assist further.

Only able to remember this kindness and injustice silently, waiting for the day he could repay the debt and seek justice for his Junior Brother.

…

Spirit Mountain.

The treasure hall stands atop the nine heavens clouds, millions of Buddha lights descend like rain.

Great Magnificent Maitreya sits on a lotus platform, surrounded by Buddha light forming layers of Dharma Aspects, the Heaven and Earth Laws respond to his thoughts, divine patterns quietly float around him, demonstrating supreme divine power even in stillness.

His gaze lightly falls on that relic, then looks towards Formless Arhat below the steps, his voice calm and distant:

“I recognize you, back then Miao Shan came to Spirit Mountain to participate in a grand ceremony, and you were by his side, you are his apprentice nephew.”

Formless bowed his head in respect: “Buddha’s discerning eyes recognize this.”

Great Magnificent nodded slightly:

“Your Uncle Master has reincarnated, knowing your achievement of the Arhat fruit would surely bring him comfort.”

“The lineage of the Great Snow Temple has successively produced three Arhats, the Dao heritage is flourishing.”

“You may go to the Maha Institute for Arhat cultivators, considering Miao Shan’s relationship, I will arrange your cultivation duties appropriately.”

“I will not let the past incident of Wuchen Arhat happen to you!”

After a slight pause, the Buddha reflected again:

“In the past, your Uncle Master came to ask for my intervention in Wuchen Arhat’s assignment to guard the Southern Border.”

“However, since he belongs to the Void Sun lineage, I couldn’t interfere. Now he resides at the Great Snow Temple, having found a peaceful sanctuary.”

Formless bowed in thanks:

“Thank you, Buddha, for your care.”

Great Magnificent gestured: “Go forth to cultivate.”

Within the hall, only the Buddha remained alone, gently shaking his head, his thoughts drifting towards the Southern Border.

Recalling how Dazhi Hidden Sky Maitreya utilized the local Immortal Mansion opportunity to successfully condense his fourth Innate Divine Technique.

“Dazhi Hidden Sky’s Divine Techniques have reached Great Success, is he planning to immediately impact the Golden Position realm or continue cultivation for a lifetime, accumulating presence?”

“However, as long as the Buddha above the Golden Position doesn’t desire it, even with lifetime accumulation, success remains unlikely!”

Recalling several historical attempts by Void Sun lineage’s great Maitreya, they sought gold repeatedly without success, their path fraught with obstacles.

In his view, all Void Sun Maitreya possess remarkable wisdom, daring to challenge the Golden Position, surely holding sufficient assurance.

Multiple attempts to seek gold were initially a sign of burgeoning fortune, a True Monarch was soon to descend.

For instance, his own lineage’s Nanji Red Sky Burning Heaven Maitreya succeeded in seeking gold under similar circumstances.

But now every attempt ends in failure.

The root cause is clear; it is certainly the Void Sun Buddha deliberately obstructing their path.

Great Magnificent showed helplessness:

“The Buddha residing at the Golden Position doesn’t wish for successors to reach the same height, sets barriers everywhere…”

“Even though disciples aspire to breakthrough, they face insurmountable difficulty.”

Turning to consider his own lineage of Sun Stardust, the outside world only knows that their lineage produced the most recent Buddha from Spirit Mountain, with a prestigious reputation.

Only those in high positions among their Buddhas know the hidden struggles within.

“Though our lineage is guarded by a Buddha, rarely does a decree descend to protect his disciples.”

“Previous attempts by fellow disciples to seek gold failed, the Golden Position has never responded, likely not wishing for successors to ascend.”

“Compared to Void Sun, we are not much better!”

“One ascends to the Golden Position and then obstructs future successors, alas!!”

He only felt the future was dim.

Now thinking, Great Magnificent felt somewhat envious of the seemingly tepid and calm Fangri and Mao Ri lineages.

“The Fangri and Mao Ri lineages’ Maitreya recently have been in an expanded and open-minded state.”

“It seems due to Void Sun lineage repeatedly impacting the Golden Position, their Buddhas specially bestowed abundant blessings and resources, supporting the endeavor!!”

“In comparison, our lineage’s Buddha, the difference is vast as the heavens and earth…”

After weighing it all, the Buddha secretly settled on a decision:

“Next life I can devote myself to the Fangri and Mao Ri lineages for cultivation, no longer trapped in a desperate situation struggling ceaselessly.”

…

The Snowfield.

After bidding farewell to Sandalwood Mountain, Chu Zheng slipped into the Water Mansion space he carried.

He sat cross-legged, focused on sorting out the power entanglements of the entire realm.

“The four pulses of Sun Residence are also quite complex.”

“Fangri and Mao Ri lineages suppressed and divided Nanji Red Sky Burning Heaven Maitreya, secretly stifling the Sun Stardust lineage’s path to gold.”

“They support their disciples in impacting the Golden Position, falsely ascending while actually having them endure the Golden Position’s contamination!”

“Also plotting against the Void Sun lineage!!”

He shook his head internally:

“Though the world is vast, it is full of calculations everywhere!”

Thinking thus, he took out a Celestial Book Golden Volume wrapped in flowing light, with a touch of cold glint in his eyes.

…

Chu Zheng murmured to himself:

“Without the Celestial Book’s protection and guidance, I would have long fallen in past dangers, unable to achieve today’s Purple Mansion realm.”

“Logically, I should be satisfied long ago!”

“But ultimately I am unwilling, unwilling my lifetime of cultivation to eventually turn into an illusion.”

This is the fundamental reason for his entry into Spirit Mountain’s territory.

The Celestial Book occupies a transcendent position, capable of probing secrets of the Golden Position, guiding him steadily along the Water Mansion Dao Vein for a long time…

“Who left such a Celestial Book?”

A supreme name suddenly appeared in his mind, Chu Zheng immediately focused and restrained his thoughts, forcefully cutting off the notion.

“Rising against superior ranks is a great taboo in cultivation, most inadvisable…”

“Only power of equals can counterbalance each other, providing me the chance to take risks and find a lifeline in various contests.”

“And that Formless Arhat, the Celestial Book cannot track his reincarnation’s past…”

“There are only two possibilities!”

“Either he is a reincarnated True Monarch of Gold, with remnants of Golden Position affecting causality, like the Void Sun’s secret reincarnated West Heaven Uncrossed Cheng Kong Buddha!!”

“Or like me, he also carries the influence of a Dao Embryo level entity!!”