Chapter 896: Finally Obtained

Chapter 896: Chapter 896: Finally Obtained

The Ancient Honored One smiled gently, nodded, and said, "Ye Qingchen, you’ve proven your strength by reaching this point, but do you remember what I said before?"

Ye Qingchen was stunned, a light of sudden realization flashed in his eyes, yet he remained somewhat puzzled: "Can’t I obtain the Buddha’s Relic now?"

The Ancient Honored One smiled and explained, "Every checkpoint in the Ancient Temple is a test of your mind and will. The trial of the storm has made you more resilient, the baptism of thunder has strengthened your power, and the Trial of the Heart has revealed your inner steadfastness and beliefs. Everything you’ve gone through was meant to uplift you. These are all benefits indeed."

The Ancient Honored One said so much yet did not mention anything about the Buddha’s Relic.

Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Seeing this, the Ancient Honored One smiled and motioned for Ye Qingchen to follow him.

The two walked along a path paved with Bluestone Slabs, flanked by towering ancient trees whose dense leaves filtered the sunlight into shimmering starlight on the ground.

The route was tranquil and deep, as if leading to a hidden sanctuary.

Soon, they arrived in front of a grand hall.

This hall was starkly different from the previous dilapidated Ancient Temple, with towering archways and flying eaves, exuding a solemn and majestic atmosphere amid its carved beams and painted pillars.

The walls of the hall were inset with numerous precious gems and jade stones, sparkling brilliantly under the sunlight.

In the center of the hall stood a gigantic Buddha statue, several meters high, seated on a lotus throne.

The statue’s countenance was gentle, serene, hands forming hand seals, seemingly imparting the wisdom and compassion of the world.

Its gaze lowered, as if overseeing the multitude, yet also focusing on each devout worshiper that came for reverence.

Surrounding the Buddha statue were a circle of lotus lamps, their flames flickering, emitting a faint scent of sandalwood, infusing the hall with a tranquil and sacred aura.

The walls around the hall were engraved with numerous Buddhist stories and teachings of the Buddha, richly illustrated, imparting a sense of immersion in the ocean of Buddhist Law.

The Ancient Honored One led Ye Qingchen to the Buddha statue, stopped, and turned to him, saying, "This hall is the most sacred place of our Ancient Clan. Every cultivator who enters the Secret Realm must truly pass all trials to come here and grasp the essence of Buddhist Law."

Ye Qingchen, looking at the Buddha statue ahead, couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence in his heart.

He respectfully joined his hands in prayer and asked, "Senior, is this where the Buddha’s Relic resides?"

The Ancient Honored One nodded with a smile, "Indeed it is. The Buddha statue you see symbolizes wisdom, compassion, and power, serving as a spiritual refuge for our Ancient Clan’s cultivators across generations. Naturally, the most important Buddha’s Relic resides with it."

Ye Qingchen looked again at the Buddha statue, his mind opening up, finally relaxed after a long tense period.

His efforts over such a long time had not been in vain.

The Ancient Honored One smiled at Ye Qingchen, with a hint of solemnity in his tone: "I previously told you that passing the five trials would allow you to see the Buddha’s Relic. Now, the Buddha’s Relic is on this Buddha statue, but you must receive the statue’s recognition to truly obtain the Buddha’s Relic."

Ye Qingchen raised his head to look at the dignified Buddha statue, feeling a surge of awe within.

The statue sat silently, its eyes lowered, as if awaiting his actions.

"What must I do to gain the Buddha statue’s recognition?" Ye Qingchen asked, his tone carrying a trace of anticipation.

The Ancient Honored One nodded and slowly said, "The Buddha statue’s recognition is not an external trial but a test of the heart. You must meditate sincerely in this hall, pray earnestly to the Buddha statue, and perceive its power through an inner purification. Only those with an unclouded mind can gain the Buddha statue’s recognition."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingchen’s heart gradually calmed.

He walked to the Buddha statue, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and joined his hands in prayer, beginning to meditate.

His breathing gradually became even, his mind cleared of distractions, as if he was merging into the hall’s tranquility and sacredness.

As time passed, Ye Qingchen felt a warm power emanating from the Buddha statue, as if it was observing him, listening to the deepest prayers of his heart.

His mind became increasingly lucid, his inner distractions and troubles dissipated, replaced by tranquility and peace.

At that moment, a Golden Light shot out from the Buddha statue’s brow, enveloping Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen felt a tremendous force flooding into his body, his soul seemingly cleansed entirely, elevating him to a new Realm.

He slowly opened his eyes, finding a mysterious connection established between him and the Buddha statue. The Golden Light grew brighter, outlining the Buddha statue more clearly.

Filled with gratitude and admiration, Ye Qingchen knew he had received the Buddha statue’s recognition.

The Ancient Honored One, upon witnessing this, showed a look of praise and approval, secretly commending Ye Qingchen in his heart.

Actually, he had lied earlier.

Receiving recognition wasn’t about having an unclouded mind.

It was those chosen by the Buddha statue who received recognition.

Ye Qingchen was a rare talent, one in a million. The moment he was drawn in, the Buddha statue had already chosen him.

The Ancient Honored One nodded lightly, saying to Ye Qingchen, "You are indeed extraordinary, having passed so many trials to finally receive the Buddha statue’s recognition."

Ye Qingchen slowly stood up, filled with gratitude and satisfaction: "Thank you for your guidance, Ancient Honored One. Without your help, I fear I wouldn’t have come this far."

The Ancient Honored One smiled gently, eyes full of approval, "Your journey was all due to your effort. The Buddha’s Relic is before you, you may take it."

Ye Qingchen took a deep breath and approached the Buddha statue, reverently kneeling before it.

As he prayed, the light from the Buddha statue’s chest grew brighter, and eventually, a radiant Sarira emerged, hovering in mid-air, emitting sacred light.

Ye Qingchen carefully extended his hand to receive the Sarira, sensing the immense power and wisdom contained within.

The Sarira was crystal-clear throughout, emanating a gentle dust-gold glow.

About the size of a thumb, its surface glowed faintly, surrounded by a subtle mist, appearing mysterious and secluded.

Inside the Sarira, countless tiny runes seemed to flow, emitting powerful spiritual power waves.

The Sarira’s power and effects were extraordinary.

Standing aside, the Ancient Honored One elaborated step by step, "This Buddha’s Relic contains boundless Mana, which I’m sure you already know its purpose."

Ye Qingchen nodded, "Indeed, I intended to use it to heal the dark injuries within my body."