Chapter 566

Chapter 566: Sudden Enlightenment

No!

Wang Chen’s pupils suddenly constricted.

His soul attributes reached 26 points, his Spiritual Power was exceptionally high, and his divine sense far surpassed those of the same level, rendering his perception extraordinarily sharp.

Initially, Wang Chen had not sensed Formless’s presence, which could be attributed to his lack of vigilance, while the latter’s realm was so elevated that it eluded his keen sense.

But now, Formless’s silent and invisible presence before Wang Chen did not trigger his perception at all. This was utterly incredible and defied all reason.

Could he be dreaming?

The Buddha once said, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; they are like dew or lightning; one should regard them thus."

Being in the Western Buddhist Realm and the sacred grounds of Ling Mountain Temple, Wang Chen suddenly recalled these lines from Buddhist scripture.

He instinctively tightened his grip on the Jade Slip.

Yet, the unmistakably real sensation reminded Wang Chen that what he had witnessed was indeed real.

This was no illusion!

If it was not an illusion…

Then the only explanation was that Formless had not come in person; what stood before him was his external manifestation!

Only a Bodhisattva at the Vajra level could possess such a divine and mysterious ability, as elusive as mist or lightning.

Formless’s cultivation level had likely reached the pinnacle of this realm!

The question was, why did this eminent monk regard him with such special attention?

Wang Chen carefully reflected on Formless’s words and actions earlier.

A flash of insight illuminated his Sea of Consciousness!

Ever since he learned that the Mountain-Sea Realm had a higher realm and that there was a Path to Heaven beyond ascending, Wang Chen had been striving toward the goal of reaching that higher realm.

To this end, he had traversed hundreds of thousands of miles to the West Sea Spiritual Realm, joining the West Sea Sect in search of relevant clues.

He had also diligently trained to enhance his cultivation level.

Looking back over the past few years, it felt as if an invisible whip had constantly driven Wang Chen forward, never allowing him to pause.

Now that he thought about it, he seemed to have fallen into some kind of obsession.

Why did he need to go to the higher realm?

The West Sea Sect was the foremost immortal sect in the Mountain-Sea Realm, with an unfathomable depth of heritage. Even when faced with the great Calamity, they could easily seal the mountains and close their doors to endure through it.

If they did not possess such strength, the West Sea Sect would not have survived to this day and thrived for ten thousand years.

As an inner sect disciple, Wang Chen would never be someone abandoned by the sect.

Wasn’t it better to stay within the sect and safely endure the great Calamity?

Who could guarantee that the higher realm was a safe and happy paradise, free from tribulations and disasters?

But at this moment, Wang Chen vaguely began to understand.

The great Calamity was not only a calamity for all beings but also his own death calamity.

Wang Chen had not intuitively realized this before, but his subconscious, or perhaps the Cultivation Panel, or even the Ancient Stone Tablet was subtly reminding him.

Ultimately, this influenced Wang Chen’s desperate decision!

He had to ascend to the higher realm to find a way to survive; staying in the sect would not help him weather this calamity.

Formless’s words, “do not stay for long,” were crystal clear; this Eminent Monk was also urging him, an outsider—to leave quickly!

Wang Chen’s heart suddenly opened up. Many previous vague feelings of discomfort that he couldn’t pinpoint now became clear, and there were no longer any mental barriers present.

He achieved a moment of enlightenment.

His soul awareness quietly ascended to a new level.

It was as if the clouds parted to reveal the sun and moon; his determination became as firm as a rock, unshakable!

Upon realizing this, Wang Chen joined his palms together and respectfully saluted the already departed Formless, saying, “Thank you, Master.”

He straightened up, his gaze filled with unwavering resolve.

For the next three days, aside from meeting with Xu Yingyi and discussing matters a few times, he spent the rest of his time secluded in the courtyards, training and contemplating the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method’s seventh level.

Wang Chen had already reached the peak of the sixth level in this Buddhist body cultivation divine power.

However, he had previously lacked the subsequent techniques and thus could not break through.

Now, this most troublesome obstacle no longer existed!

In fact, after obtaining the seventh level mental techniques, the skill section for the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method on his Cultivation Panel had been reactivated. He could directly break through by investing Heavenly Merit.

But Wang Chen did not rush to succeed; he remained humble and patient, reviewing the first layer to the sixth level of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, gaining many new insights.

During this process, Wang Chen sensed the profound mystery of Ling Mountain Temple.

Though he was in the courtyards, he could hear the chanting of the monks from the temple day and night.

The monks of Ling Mountain Temple were different from the vast majority of monks from the Western Buddhist Sect; they belonged to an alternative lineage of ascetic monks who abstained from meat, forbade killing, and avoided disputes within the Buddhist circle, wholeheartedly serving the Buddha with unwavering conviction.

While people from the immortal sect often spoke disdainfully of the Western Buddhist Sect, Ling Mountain Temple was an exception!

The chanting of these ascetic monks at Ling Mountain Temple carried a peculiar power, filled with compassion and empathy, calming the mind and freeing it from any worries or distractions.

Wang Chen discovered that practicing the Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method in such an environment yielded remarkably efficient results.

In just three days, he had touched upon the secrets of ascending!

Unfortunately, the three days flew by, and the postponed Spirit Mountain Conference officially began.

More than half a month prior, many Buddhists had already arrived near Ling Mountain Temple.

Accompanying them were countless devotees.

They did not qualify to approach Ling Mountain Temple, instead camping dozens of miles away on the plains, worshiping the sacred mountain.

The number of people around Mount Ling continued to grow, peaking just before the conference!

When Wang Chen and Xu Yingyi, along with other practitioners, left the courtyards to enter the temple for the ceremony, they were astonished by the grand sight before them.

Even Xu Yingyi, who had attended the Spirit Mountain Conference many times, was amazed, saying, “It’s never been this lively in previous years!”

Before the main hall of Ling Mountain Temple lay thousands of cushions, with great monks seated upon them, eyes closed in deep chanting. Colorful celestial flowers rained down from the heavens, and gigantic Buddha statues radiated dazzling golden light.

Many practitioners felt their hearts and minds shaken, their heart of the path profoundly impacted!

However, once everyone took their seats in the observation area, the influence from the surroundings significantly diminished.

Clearly, there were special formations in place for shielding and protection.

After all, Wang Chen and his companions represented the Daoist sect from the Mountain-Sea Realm. If the Western Buddhist Sect went too far, the fragile balance between the two sides would inevitably be shattered.

At that time, it would be either you die or I die!

Ding, ding, ding—

After an incense stick burned, a resonant bell echoed throughout Ling Mountain Temple.

Its sound spread far and wide!

“Amitabha!”

For a hundred miles around Ling Mountain Temple, countless devotees chanted the Buddha’s name in unison, and waves of sacred sounds drifted down from the heavens, with billions of celestial flowers falling like rain.

They landed and formed lotus blossoms!

A grand and profound aura filled the heavens and the earth.

An oppressive force spread in all directions!