3218

 Chapter 3218: Entering the Buddha Nation, the Sick Child

The Buddhist light grew increasingly brilliant. Upon truly entering the Buddha Nation, Lin Moyu saw the illusory Buddhas hidden in the void.

Billions of rays of light shot out from the illusions, intertwining in the air to form projections of countless deities.

In the Buddha Nation, worshippers could be seen everywhere.

These were ordinary people. Although they looked like humans, they had already become members of the Buddhist clan.

Some were busy, but as the chanting of scriptures changed, they would occasionally stop to bow in reverence.

The Buddha Nation resembled a vast plain, with mountains in the distance and water nearby.

There were villages and tribes, and their way of life was very similar to that of humans.

As Lin Moyu walked through the Buddha Nation, he passed through several villages and gradually entered the center of the Buddha Nation.

At the center of the Buddha Nation stood the Dragon Subduing Buddha City, hovering in mid-air. To ordinary people, it appeared almost miraculous.

Lin Moyu naturally didn't think much of it; he could see at a glance that there was a formation below that kept the entire Buddha City floating in mid-air.

However, this formation was well hidden; ordinary people couldn't see it. Even regular formation masters might not be able to discern its clues.

Surrounding Dragon Subduing Buddha City were three massive staircases extending down to the ground for people to enter the city.

On another side, there was a staircase leading directly into the sky, disappearing into the radiant light like a ladder to heaven.

The staircase had at least a thousand steps. For ordinary people, climbing it wasn't easy.

Yet many people were still making their way up the stairs.

They moved slowly and reverently, taking three steps and bowing each time.

Under the illumination of the rays of light, the entire staircase glowed, appearing like a path leading to paradise.

"Just a mere Ancient Heavenly Buddha; what a lot of hype."

Lin Moyu muttered to himself. The Buddha at Dragon Subduing was known as Dragon Subduing Ancient Buddha.

Ancient Buddhas corresponded to Heavenly Venerables among humans. A mere Heavenly Venerable could be easily dismissed by Lin Moyu; naturally, he wouldn't take him seriously.

Lin Moyu was merely entering another country for the first time, so he had taken his time to observe more closely.

Suddenly, a voice came from beside him, "Dear daughter, as long as you sincerely worship the Buddha, your illness will surely be cured. The Buddha above will definitely heal you."

A clear voice responded, "Will it really cure me?"

"Yes, it will definitely cure you!"

A mother and daughter pair approached Lin Moyu. The daughter looked only about ten years old, weak and frail, exuding an aura of illness.

Lin Moyu could see at a glance that this girl wasn't simply ill; she was poisoned.

"Strange, how can there be poison in Dragon Subduing Buddha Nation?"

"Along the way here, not only were these people sincerely worshipping the Buddha, but even some spirits were worshipping."

But this girl's poison was indeed real.

Lin Moyu sent a thread of life force onto the little girl. As he turned his life force around her soul, Lin Moyu revealed some surprise.

"This isn't ordinary poison; it contains a trace of someone else's power. Someone has poisoned her."

Looking at them, it seemed they hadn't left Dragon Subduing Buddha Nation. If that's the case, someone must have poisoned within Dragon Subduing Buddha Nation. Did Dragon Subduing Ancient Buddha not know?

As the ancestor of the Buddha Nation, he naturally grasped everything happening within his territory and shouldn't be unaware.

Unless Dragon Subduing Ancient Buddha wasn't present in his own territory or had tacitly allowed it.

At this moment, that mother led her daughter past Lin Moyu. The little girl suddenly said to Lin Moyu, "Big brother, are you also going to Buddha City?"

Lin Moyu was slightly taken aback as he looked into her bright and clear eyes. He couldn't help but show a warm smile. "Yes."

The little girl said, "This staircase is very hard to climb. Big brother shouldn't rush; just take it step by step. When you can't climb anymore, just rest for a bit. After resting a few times, you'll reach the top."

The little girl's words were innocent and naive. Although she was already poisoned and clearly uncomfortable, her smile remained bright.

Lin Moyu laughed and said, "Little sister, with so many people coming and going here, why are you reminding me?"

The little girl looked confused and said innocently, "Because big brother has a very nice smell; it's really pleasant."

Lin Moyu paused for a moment. He had heard similar words before.

Little Mist and others had also said similar things about him having a special scent.

However, this scent wasn't something just anyone could detect.

It was like fate; Lin Moyu thought in his heart, "Could it be that this child has some connection with me?"

At this moment, Little Mei took out some candies from her pocket. "Brother, here's some candy for you. If you're tired, you can eat it."

The candies were wrapped in ordinary paper; they didn't look exquisite but radiated with the innocence of Little Mei.

Lin Moyu took the candy and patted her little head. "Thank you! What's your name? Next time I'll bring you something delicious."

The little girl replied, "My name is Little Mei; it's Mei as in plum blossom."

At that moment, her mother urged her on. Little Mei waved goodbye to Lin Moyu. "Brother, I'll go ahead!"

"Okay!" 

Lin Moyu smiled and waved goodbye to Little Mei.

Little Mei took one step at a time towards the staircase—three steps followed by a bow—her small face filled with sincerity.

Her tiny figure faced against the radiant light showed strength despite her frail appearance.

At this point, Lin Moyu looked into the distance where several more people approached—parents with their children...

These children were no exception; they all appeared sickly like that little girl.

Lin Moyu looked over and found that these children were all poisoned too—and all had identical symptoms from their poison.

This poison wasn't strong but made them appear sick after being afflicted by it.

These people walked up the staircase towards Dragon Subduing Buddha City.

They took three steps followed by a bow—moving very slowly yet with great reverence.

As they bowed on each step of the staircase, it emitted faint light with wisps of radiance penetrating their bodies.

The radiance contained traces of vitality that replenished them as they worshipped. 

Of course only those with sincere hearts could receive such preferential treatment.

As long as one's heart was sincere enough and with help from radiance—one would surely reach the top eventually!

The radiance not only helped restore physical strength but also healed minor ailments and pains.

This was precisely why these parents brought their children here.

Unfortunately for them though—the staircase could treat minor ailments but couldn't detoxify poisons!

"There are ten children in total—all under ten years old—both boys and girls."

"Interesting!"

Lin Moyu felt something unusual about this situation but thought about it; it seemed unrelated to him anyway.

He stepped onto the staircase and began walking up step by step until he quickly reached the top.

Atop the stairs stood a massive platform on which stood an enormous golden statue of a Buddha over one hundred meters tall.

Behind this statue was the grand entrance to Buddha City.

Lin Moyu examined the statue closely; on its right hand rested a pagoda while its left hand pressed down upon something else. 

"Dragon Subduing Buddha Nation really does have connections with dragons."

Lin Moyu approached beside the statue where there stood a stone tablet inscribed with information about Dragon Subduing Buddha Nation's origins. 

According to what was written there: once upon a time there was an evil dragon that wreaked havoc here—bringing pestilence and causing great suffering among many people—until it was subdued by Dragon Subduing Ancient Buddha who established this nation here to protect peace in this area thereafter!

Based on its appearance alone—Lin Moyu concluded that this evil dragon must have been some hybrid giant dragon—not even considered among sacred dragons—and thus not part of dragonkind!

If it truly were dragonkind—how could it be so easily subdued? Even if subdued—the clan wouldn't let things slide easily!

A mere Ancient Buddha couldn't possibly withstand dragonkind!

Lin Moyu gazed at this statue depicting an evil dragon being subdued—the sculpture was exquisitely crafted—vividly lifelike—with every detail perfect!

In his small world—he had once dealt with dragonkind—among those elemental giant dragons he'd encountered—a certain one matched closely with this statue's likeness!

"The poisonous dragon among elemental giant dragons..."