Within the grand gate, amidst the Buddhist grounds.
Tens of thousands of figures floated and sat, surrounded by melodic Buddhist chants, exuding an ethereal aura.
Even Li Xuan, at this moment, was awestruck by the solemn and reverent atmosphere.
Fortunately, Li Xuan's will was firm, and he quickly recovered. He then glanced at the meditation cushion beneath his feet, and with a thought, like the other contestants, he sat cross-legged.
Time slowly passed, and the voice from the sky gradually faded. A faint golden light emerged from each contestant's body.
At a glance, it was like a golden world. However, not everyone experienced this; some contestants' bodies remained devoid of any golden light, causing their expressions to become increasingly anxious.
Among the crowd, Li Xuan, who also showed no golden light, appeared remarkably calm. His every breath was smooth and natural, seemingly free from any worry about comprehension.
Regarding the Zen meaning of Buddhism, Li Xuan could be considered a complete novice. Yet, during this time, he had gained some understanding.
The Great Dao has three thousand paths; drink but one ladle of water.
Outside the gate, the leaders of various factions and Venerable Golden Wheel, among others, were closely watching the changes in the Buddha image on the light screen. In the finals, all contestants were formidable. The current test of comprehension meant that whoever could manifest the Buddha image earlier would gain an advantage.
"Look quickly, that contestant named Ananda, his Buddha image has already formed a layer!"
After two days had passed, some sharp-eyed spirit masters finally saw a glimmer of hope, discovering the first contestant to solidify their Buddha image.
This scene even brought a hint of surprise to Venerable Golden Wheel's eyes. After a slight sensing, his eyes were filled with deep satisfaction.
"I seem to have never heard the name of this contestant, Ananda. I never expected him to take the lead in the finals."
"This final is a test of each contestant's comprehension of Buddhism. Ananda's ability to be the first to solidify his Buddha image sufficiently demonstrates his talent for Buddhist affinity. Especially to have solidified it by the second day, this Buddhist nature is something we can only admire."
"Not necessarily. As everyone knows, to manifest a complete Buddha image, nine layers are required for complete solidification. Although Ananda is the first to manifest a Buddha image, it is only the first layer. There are still a full eight layers to go before a complete Buddha image."
"..."
As Ananda's first layer of Buddha image manifested, the onlookers surrounding Mount Maitreya began to discuss amongst themselves. Besides their interest in Ananda's origins, some faction leaders also began to have hushed conversations with those beside them.
However, judging from the expressions on their faces, there seemed to be no concrete information.
"Pavilion Master Jiang, do you know the origin of this contestant named Ananda?" The commotion in the arena naturally alerted He Shuming. He Shuming pondered for a moment before turning to Jiang Shang and asking.
"Little friend Shuming is also interested in this contestant named Ananda?" Jiang Shang smiled slightly upon hearing this.
"The Thunder Sound Pavilion is an intelligence agency; you should know Ananda's origins, shouldn't you?" He Shuming did not refute Jiang Shang's words. Moreover, from Jiang Shang's words, it was not difficult to infer that Jiang Shang had some information about this contestant named Ananda.
"Please enlighten me, Pavilion Master Jiang." He Shuming's attitude became more respectful as he cupped his fists and said.
"This Ananda is no simple person." Jiang Shang sighed softly, seeming to be in a moment of complex silence before continuing, "Buddhism is deeply rooted in the Bliss Continent. It can be said that without Buddhism, the Bliss Continent would likely find it difficult to develop."
"Getting off track, let's return to this contestant named Ananda. Ananda's origins are actually very ordinary, which is why everyone is not very familiar with him. However, although Ananda's origins are ordinary, he met someone that everyone dreams of meeting."
"This person, could it be that one?" He Shuming vaguely guessed as he heard the reverence in Jiang Shang's tone.
"That's right, it is indeed that one. It can be said that this contestant named Ananda is both ordinary and extraordinary. It is reasonable that these faction leaders cannot find any clues."
Jiang Shang paused and continued, "Speaking of this Ananda, his understanding of Buddhist nature indeed surpasses most of the contestants here. Being able to manifest the first layer of the Buddha image within these short two days is not a disgrace to that one."
"Pavilion Master Jiang, what exactly happened between this Ananda and that one? Could he be that one's disciple?" He Shuming asked curiously.
"Saying he is a disciple might not be entirely accurate. However, if I say he is not, I cannot judge. Forget it, this Ananda was initially just a mortal. His family was poor, and he had no background. His encounter with that one occurred after an incident that happened to him."
Jiang Shang seemed to ponder to himself, and finally sighed.
"Before Ananda became a spirit master, he chanced upon a woman. Who knew, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, Ananda was not good at expressing himself and was somewhat self-conscious, only stopping to gaze at the place where he first saw the woman every day."
"Day after day, that woman became an existence that Ananda could not let go of. Later, that one happened to pass by and was attracted by Ananda's pure Buddhist nature."
"That one's divine abilities and methods are naturally beyond our ability to fathom. That one asked him how much affection he had for that woman, and if he was willing to go through fire and water for her. Ananda's answer even shook that one."
"Later, that one enlightened Ananda and passed on a message to him. From then on, Ananda embarked on the path of Buddhist cultivation in a temple."
"Pavilion Master Jiang, I wonder how Ananda answered that one's question?"
After hearing Jiang Shang's explanation, He Shuming's mind conjured several answers, none of which felt satisfactory, so he asked again.
As if sensing He Shuming's question, Jiang Shang smiled and said, "Ananda replied, 'I am willing to transform into a stone bridge, enduring a hundred years of wind, a hundred years of sun, and a hundred years of rain, just for her to walk across the bridge.'"
As Jiang Shang finished speaking, He Shuming fell silent.
"Little friend Shuming, would you like to know what that one said to Ananda?" Jiang Shang's mood seemed to be good. After He Shuming was silent for a few breaths, he suddenly asked.
"What words?" He Shuming raised his head and asked.
Jiang Shang's expression turned serious, and he slowly said, "Bodhi fruit on the Bodhi tree, there will eventually be fruit beneath the Bodhi tree."
He Shuming looked bewildered. Jiang Shang smiled, then looked at the light screen.