Checking in for 100,000 Years Chapter 979: Jade Buddha Sect No. 1

Rumble...

A torrential downpour commenced, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The sky seemed to fracture, unleashing a furious deluge of rainwater. From the depths of the overwhelming darkness, a spectral figure, a Longsword held inverted, materialized from nothingness, the driving rain parting before them. Suddenly. Swish! A blinding streak of sword light descended. A colossal ancient tree was instantly bisected by the blade's radiance. That strike. It was a swordplay that shocked the heavens and made ghosts weep, possessing unimaginable power. The sword cleaved the tree at its base, a clean, decisive cut. The spectral, dark-robed figure, without uttering a word, advanced deliberately, Longsword in hand. "Who are you?" the severed tree stammered, its voice laced with terror as it addressed the dark figure. The figure remained silent, the sword in its grasp shimmering with a silver light amidst the rain. It extended a hand, and the extensive network of roots beneath the earth was instantly grasped. "You..." The severed tree watched, astonished, as its roots were being extricated. In the subsequent moment, before a single further utterance could be made, the dark figure vanished. ... Faintly, as if time itself were rewinding, Dragon Tree Buddha recollected a past event. He was the giant tree shrouded in darkness. On that day, his arboreal form was severed by an enigmatic expert who chose not to end his life but merely to claim his roots. Indeed, Dragon Tree Buddha's true essence wasn't human but that of a colossal tree, unrooted. Its roots, in truth, were held by the cloaked youth standing distant in the void—the actual form of Buddha Flame Root. And the true form of Buddha Flame Root represents the roots of Dragon Tree Buddha, signifying their genuine connection. "Uncle Master, who is that?" Dragon Court Buddha Child inquired softly, casting an uncertain glance at Dragon Tree Buddha's profile. The middle-aged monk gestured, erecting a protective barrier around them. "This is the founder of our Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect, Dragon Tree Buddha..." the middle-aged monk whispered. "What? Dragon Tree Buddha?" Dragon Court Buddha Child recoiled in utter astonishment, standing frozen. Dragon Tree Buddha had been deceased for over a millennium, his remains long interred on the Cangnan Continent. How could it be possible for Dragon Tree Buddha to be alive once more? It was truly perplexing. "Dragon Tree Buddha has returned by choice from a higher Buddhist realm to the Divine Land, and furthermore, he brings a trace of Infinite Buddha Light. You should hasten back to the Sect and see if you can absorb that sliver of Infinite Buddha Light..." the middle-aged monk mused aloud. Dragon Court Buddha Child, acknowledged as the most gifted disciple within the Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect, might be the only one capable. If he could not absorb it, then none of the current generation of Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect disciples likely could, leaving the hope to the next generation. "Uncle Master, what about this Dharma Assembly?" Dragon Court Buddha Child asked, a flicker of hesitation mixed with excitement in his voice. "Dragon Tree Buddha and I will attend. Our Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect has always maintained a low profile, not seeking acclaim at such gatherings, wouldn't you agree?" the middle-aged monk smiled faintly. "I understand, Uncle Master. I shall depart now!" Dragon Court Buddha Child nodded and then gracefully withdrew alone. Numerous powerful individuals were present by the lake, and Dragon Court Buddha Child's departure went unnoticed. However, on a single lotus leaf, two individuals found their minds in turmoil. Master Hongyun and his mentor, Red Dragon, stood behind the throng, their gazes locked onto Ye Yun suspended in the void. "That fellow, is he truly Yinfuti?" Red Dragon's expression was one of profound shock. When his disciple had spoken of it earlier, he had dismissed it entirely. The legendary Yinfuti—could such a being possibly exist? Throughout the history of the Divine Land, not a single genuine Yinfuti had ever manifested. Yinfuti had always remained confined to the realm of legends. Yet, the events of today had served as a brutal refutation. The Jade Buddha Sect not only harbored a Yinfuti but the Holy Buddha Sect also possessed one. Now, these two mighty Yinfuti were poised for a confrontation in the void. It appeared a spectacular clash of titans was imminent. "Master, why would I dare deceive you? This Ye Chen is indeed Yinfuti..." Master Hongyun responded with a wry smile. "I was too complacent. Who could have imagined an actual Yinfuti existed in this world!" Red Dragon sighed deeply. It was too late for regrets now. Had they known earlier, their Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect could have acted proactively, devising a plan to seize this Yinfuti. A Yinfuti held immeasurable value for any Buddhist power. They served as the ultimate gauge for assessing the depth of one's Buddhist Law.

"Master, is that senior with the purple robes from the Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect as well? His monk's attire appears different from yours," Master Hongyun inquired softly, his attention caught by a distant shimmer.

Red Dragon observed the purple-clad figure, a slight frown creasing his brow. "I am unfamiliar with him, but he was brought by Uncle Master. Perhaps there's a connection to our Sect..."

"I see!" Master Hongyun responded with a nod, his expression impassive.

The exchange between the Dragon Court Buddha Child and the middle-aged monk was shielded by a barrier, preventing anyone else from overhearing. Consequently, neither party was aware of Dragon Tree Buddha's true origins.

"Haha, the Holy Buddha Sect and the Jade Buddha Sect are truly locked in rivalry, unveiling their ultimate trump cards simultaneously. This promises to be quite a spectacle..." Red Dragon remarked with a smile, his gaze returning to the two figures hovering above the lake.

His own Dragon Elephant Prajna Sect maintained a policy of discretion and mystery, choosing not to involve itself in the rankings of Buddhist Law within the Land of Thousands of Buddhas. Therefore, their presence was simply to observe and partake in the unfolding events.

Within the confines of the lake, atop the most prominent Nine-leaf Buddha Lotus, the members of the Jade Buddha Sect now wore expressions of profound shock. The Oracle Buddha Ancestor, in particular, knitted his brows, his countenance growing rigid.

He had not anticipated that the Holy Buddha Sect would resort to such a deceptive maneuver, pulling the rug out from under them.

"Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman, from whence did your Holy Buddha Sect acquire this Yinfuti? Does it bear the Oracle from the Eternal Divine Hall?" the Oracle Buddha Ancestor inquired with feigned calmness, his hands clasped behind his back.

This question, delivered like a subtle yet sharp blade, cornered Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman. Should she lack the Oracle from the Eternal Divine Hall, he possessed numerous avenues to dismiss the matter.

"While there is no Oracle, he is indeed Yinfuti, that much is certain," Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman replied evenly after a moment's hesitation and a deep breath.

The Oracle Buddha Ancestor offered a faint smile. "Are you jesting? Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman, your Holy Buddha Sect has presented a Yinfuti of indeterminate origin—is this an attempt to deceive our Jade Buddha Sect?"

An expert from the Jade Buddha Sect, positioned at the God King Realm, exclaimed in anger.

"Indeed, utterly preposterous, haha!" A chorus of laughter erupted.

"Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman, without the Oracle from the Eternal Divine Hall, it is highly probable that none of the assembled daoists will acknowledge this Yinfuti's claimed identity..." the Oracle Buddha Ancestor continued, his tone indifferent.

"The Oracle Buddha Ancestor speaks the truth! This entire affair is nothing more than a self-staged play by your Holy Buddha Sect. Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman, did you truly believe us all to be simpletons?" The Original Buddha Child from the Supreme Buddha Sect interjected, his criticism of the Holy Buddha Sect sharp and unyielding.

"Fallen Leaf Sacred Woman, the Yinfuti itself is a figure steeped in legend. Only an entity of the caliber of the Eternal Divine Hall has the authority to authenticate such a claim. Your Holy Buddha Sect, being inferior to the Jade Buddha Sect and lacking the necessary prowess, why not simply concede?" a God King Realm expert from atop a Nine-leaf Buddha Lotus declared loudly.

"Precisely, we all stand in support of the Jade Buddha Sect!" someone else vociferously agreed.

"The Oracle from the Eternal Divine Hall could never be falsified. We believe the Jade Buddha Sect's Buddhist Law has triumphed, surpassing the Holy Buddha Sect and securing the premier rank in the Land of Thousands of Buddhas!"

"Jade Buddha Sect holds the first rank, an undeniable reality! I endorse them as first!"

"I too support..."

"..." Amidst the surrounding clamor, all the powers from the various Buddha Sects gathered over the lake erupted in a fervor, with the overwhelming majority of their support rapidly coalescing behind the Jade Buddha Sect.