Chapter 962: Southern Border

Chapter 962: Chapter 686: Southern Border

Pluck the strings in contemplation.

Deep within Spirit Mountain lies a supreme and enigmatic Secret Realm, isolated from the mortal world.

In mid-air, the domains of the Boundless Buddhist Kingdoms stand suspended, differing in size and form, densely filling the vast void.

Within each Small Realm of the Buddhist Kingdom, the mountains and rivers are covered in golden hues, and the land is filled with the fragrance of bodhi. Countless monks form arrays, hold precepts, join palms in prayer, chanting ceaselessly day by day, year by year.

The continuous Brahma chants penetrate the layered airspaces, weaving together into a boundless sea of Buddha; each sound solemn, resonant with the heavens, cleansing the myriad distractions of the world, endless through eternity:

“Void Sun conceals brilliance, illuminating with clarity…”

“Vast compassion aids broadly, revealing splendors to ferry beings…”

“Creation flawless, all dharmas return to truth…”

In this realm, since ancient times, things have been eternal like this, the Buddha’s land forever flourishing, the Brahma sound perpetually present, never declining or extinguishing, eternally circulating.

Until a certain moment.

Buzz—

A barely perceptible Dao sound gently trembles from the depths of origin of heaven and earth.

In an instant, all phenomena abruptly halt, freezing all suspended Buddhist Kingdoms and the Great Realm of Spirit Mountain.

At the edge of the void, a wheel of an illusory sun slowly rises.

As the sunlight circulates, four Divine Techniques, differing yet harmonizing and counterbalancing each other, ascend in sequence, rotating in a cycle, forming a closed loop.

The brilliance turns and shapes, gathering spirit and forming aspect, finally transforming into a compassionate Dharma Body, seated atop a thousand-petal lotus platform.

With the appearance of a human bodhisattva, brows holding compassion, an air of unfathomable dignity, this is the master of the Void Sun lineage—Great Compassion Eminent Bodhisattva.

The Bodhisattva slowly opens his eyes, gaze piercing through time and space, murmuring softly:

“Two hundred years of great dreams, what year is it now?”

As the voice falls.

Those countless ancient suspended Buddhist Kingdoms and endless domains suddenly transform into an immense dream, all retreating into the brilliance of his merits behind his head, vanishing without a trace.

Great Compassion Eminent Bodhisattva calculates:

“In the Southern Border, the karma of the Thousand-Hand Arhat is ending, his lifespan nearing its exhaustion, soon his merits will be perfected, he will sit and return to annihilation.”

“For many years he guarded and taught in the Southern Border, his labors abundant and merits prominent. Upon his departure, our Void Sun lineage will naturally guide him in the next life back to the Buddhist path.”

He paused, then shifted his tone:

“However, once Thousand-Hand departs, a position becomes vacant, requiring someone to fill and guard it.”

The Bodhisattva lightly pinches his Buddhist finger.

In an instant, the duties of Spirit Mountain’s Arhats’ domains, Cultivation Realm, and karmic roots clearly appear in his mind, unobstructed.

“The existing Arhats of Spirit Mountain all have fixed positions, guarding their domains, attending their roles, immovable…”

“Only among the newly appointed Arhats can we choose someone to fill this vacancy.”

…

Meanwhile, at the Mahakaya Institute in Spirit Mountain.

Chen Sheng sits on the Nine-Grade Lotus Platform, eyes slightly closed, displaying the dignified and clear Arhat treasure form, hiding an inherent transcendent sanctity.

He is immersed in the profound meaning of the cultivation of the “Empty Sun Annihilation Golden Body.”

The heart spirit circulates, principles become clear:

“The Divine Techniques of Buddhist cultivation emphasize the condensation of relics, equivalent to the Dao Foundation in the Profound Sect.”

“Completing the first Divine Technique forms the first relic.”

“To cultivate the second Divine Technique, one must condense the foundational relic anew.”

Between his brows, a translucent white relic quietly emerges, circulating a faint annihilation glow, still, deathly silent, undisturbed by all dharmas.

“The initial forming of the [Annihilation] relic merely requires following the Path of Origin chart, moving forward step by step to perfection.”

“Like following a map diligently to no hindrance, with my foundation, at most two decades, this relic can be cultivated to flawless perfection.”

Chen Sheng’s cultivation progress is so smooth because his fundamental Dao skill is deep, the foundation already laid.

In contrast, ordinary Arhats struggle with the second Divine Technique, uncertain of years, some stagnating at a bottleneck, unable to advance in their lifetime.

His master, Miao Shan Arhat, is an example, having wandered for many years.

While pondering silently, a vast and boundless Buddha thought gently arrives deep in the Mahakaya Institute.

“Wuchen Arhat.”

“Immediately proceed to the Wanfa Dream Annihilation domain, await the decree, assume the position.”

Chen Sheng’s heart spirit tightens, furrowing his brow:

“As a newly ascended Arhat at Spirit Mountain, within the Void Sun lineage, my foundation is shallow, almost transparent…”

In terms of origin, he is neither a reincarnated local Arhat of Spirit Mountain, nor did he attain Enlightenment here, innately at a disadvantage compared to local cultivators.

In terms of master, his teacher Miao Shan Arhat belongs to the Star Sun lineage, not the core of Void Sun, lacking high-level support.

The dual identities make his position within the Void Sun lineage slightly awkward.

Ordinary newly ascended Arhats hurry to participate in Bodhisattva teachings, Arhat gatherings, to form connections, find high-ranking patronage.

Only he, immerses in solitary meditation, appears increasingly marginal and isolated.

“Such a sudden summons is unlikely to be an easy or favored position.”

The thought flashes through Chen Sheng’s mind, but his expression remains unchanged.

Adjusting his monk’s robe, joining palms in a bow, he steps forward, breaking through the void, heading to the Wanfa Dream Annihilation domain.

…

Wanfa Dream Annihilation domain.

Clouds entangle, the scent of lotus fills the air, the ground paved with seven treasures glazed, surrounded by immortal Bodhi ancient trees.

Great Compassion Eminent Bodhisattva sits on the lotus platform, the Dharma Aspect dignified, behind his head four Divine Technique glows rotating ceaselessly, Void, Annihilation, Concealment, Ferrying—the four rhymes subtly resonate, forming a perfect closed loop.

Chen Sheng enters the domain, bows his head, joins palms in a grand Buddhist ceremony:

“Wuchen greets the Bodhisattva.”

The Bodhisattva nods slightly, gaze calm and free of ripples.

Amidst his lowered eyes, Chen Sheng’s peripheral vision quietly sweeps over the perfect rotating four Divine Technique glows behind the Bodhisattva’s head, gripping his heart tightly.

He thinks silently:

“This person’s Divine Techniques perfectly complement each other, becoming my largest competitor.”

Void Sun Golden Position unowned!

Chen Sheng has painstakingly locked onto this unowned Golden Position, unwilling for anyone to claim Enlightenment, seize the original authority first.

Steadying his heart, he further reassures himself:

“Seeking gold, attaining Enlightenment, is not simply a matter of gathering four Divine Techniques; otherwise, True Monarchs would be everywhere.”

“The combination of four Divine Techniques is just an entry foundation. Accumulated phenomena, aligning with Star Constellations…many conditions must be met.”

“Even if his Divine Techniques are perfect, he may not ascend the Golden Position first, I still have time…”

Unaware of Chen Sheng’s inward struggles, Great Compassion Eminent Bodhisattva speaks slowly.

He explains the arrival of the Thousand-Hand Arhat’s calamity, soon to pass away, the vacancy of the Southern Border guardianship, detailing each matter.

Chen Sheng listens silently, already understanding in his heart, and once the decree is handed down, he bows in respect, departing swiftly.

…

“The land of the Southern Border is remote, with thin Dao fortune, not valued by the two Buddhist lineages.”

“This place belongs to the domains of side paths, loose cultivators, and demons occupying the realm.”

“Any Arhat with some foundation, some patronage, avoids it like the plague, none willing to travel far to this barren land to guard rigidly.”

Chen Sheng nods, recognizing that that’s why this universally shirked hardship ultimately fell upon him, the “transparent Arhat.”

Ordinary Arhats are fixated on the quality of their domains, the abundance of resources, the strength of patronage, the depth of Brahma Skill.

Chen Sheng, however, cares not at all:

“My own Dao skill suffices, where I meditate, where I Enlighten, makes no difference, somewhere secluded is preferable, seeking tranquility.”