I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2207: 2206: Kanglong Mountain, Jade Mountain Buddha

The Jade Mountain Buddha, once the final Buddha Lord of the ancient Buddha Country, was a figure he had chanced upon several times in his youth.

He stood apart from other formidable individuals, a peerless existence far beyond the reach of ordinary people in a lifetime.

The elder's gaze grew distant, lost in the deep well of his memories, each one a deposit of time precious to him.

Yet, as years accumulated and his life stretched on, many moments began to fade.

The human mind, after all, has its limits, and details are inevitably lost when too much time has elapsed.

“The Jade Mountain Buddha was distinct from other powerhouses,” he mused.

“Despite reaching the zenith of cultivation, he carried an air of simplicity and humility.

“Any devout follower of Buddhism might have the fortune to meet him.

“He never displayed arrogance, recognizing all beings, even the simplest, as equally valuable lives within his sight.

“In his quieter moments, he would emerge to impart wisdom and offer assistance to each believer.

Time, it seemed, was both distant and immensely valued by this elder, prompting him to share a great deal.

He seldom recounted tales and hadn’t spoken at such length in ages, noting that the individuals he encountered were typically absorbed in their pursuit of immortality, rarely opening their hearts.

“The Jade Mountain Buddha often imparted, ‘The Dao stems from all living beings.

“‘Embrace them, heed them, and see yourself as one with them.

“What transpired afterward?” Xu Zimei inquired.

“What became of the Jade Mountain Buddha?”

“Ah, him,” the old man’s voice faltered, his thoughts returning to the past.

He seemed to be wrestling with his recollections once more.

“I have forgotten that as well. I only recall that one day, the temple simply vanished.

“Indeed, your so-called Buddha Country, I cannot say how grand it once was.

“But in my recollection, the Buddha Country was perpetually in a state of decline and ruin.

“By then, few still adhered to the beliefs of the Buddha Country.

“The Buddha Country had been reduced to a mere small temple atop Kanglong Mountain.

“When I was young, en route to the capital for examinations, I happened to pass by that temple.

“Under the Jade Mountain Buddha’s stewardship, the temple grew, only to vanish without a trace one fateful day.

“Kanglong Mountain was razed, and I never returned.

Xu Zimei sank into contemplation as the old man’s words echoed.

“Kanglong Mountain,” this was the crucial piece of information he had obtained.

And the Jade Mountain Buddha, the insignificant temple.

It was no wonder the Buddha Country was lost to memory; it had dwindled to a small shrine, eventually obliterated.

Regardless, Xu Zimei resolved to journey to the original site of Kanglong Mountain.

He intended to discover if the Buddha Country lay hidden there still.

“Thank you,” Xu Zimei expressed, rising slowly.

“Are you heading to Kanglong Mountain?” the old man inquired.

He seemed to perceive Xu Zimei’s intentions with unusual clarity.

Still, he pressed, “What purpose does the Buddha Country hold for you?”

“I have a prior connection with the Buddha Country; I wish to ascertain its current state,” Xu Zimei replied.

“Furthermore, a companion requires the strength of the Buddha Country to aid in their transcendence.

The elder nodded subtly, pausing for a moment.

Finally, he stated, “Wait a little. Perhaps I can offer some assistance.

Ascending, the old man retreated to his chambers.

Xu Zimei followed him inside.

The room was starkly furnished, featuring a central bed raised on an earthen platform.

In a corner stood an ancient cabinet, its wooden structure so aged it appeared on the verge of decay.

Upon opening its door, a drawn-out creaking sound ensued.

The cabinet itself seemed ready to disintegrate at any moment.

The old man rummaged through its contents for an extended period.

At last, he unearthed a Jade Buddha statue, carefully wrapped in red cloth.

“Although the reasons for the Buddha Country’s disappearance remain obscure, it must have faced a formidable adversary,” the elder remarked.

“Otherwise, the Jade Mountain Buddha would not have abstained from appearing.

“Should the Buddha Country still exist, they are undoubtedly in hiding.

“Even if you locate them, they are unlikely to acknowledge their past existence.

“I possess a Jade Buddha right here.

“This Jade Buddha was procured from the Buddha Country in days past; it serves as a token.

“At that time, though the Buddha Country was but a modest temple, it was overseen by Abbot Miyu.

“I was acquainted with Abbot Miyu. Take this Jade Buddha; it may prove useful.

Xu Zimei and the old man shared little familiarity, having met only once.

Despite this brief acquaintance, the elder placed significant trust in him.

Xu Zimei voiced his question, “Why do you offer me your aid?”

“These eyes,” the old man replied, “have witnessed countless individuals throughout my life.

“Through a person’s words and deeds, I can discern their true nature instantly.

“You harbor no malice towards the Buddha Country, perhaps just as you state, you have a history with them. I believe you.”

“Back in the day, the Jade Mountain Buddha made a grand vow, wishing for Buddha to save all beings, to elevate everyone to the level of dragons.”

“Perhaps you can assist him; this is the sole recourse this old relic can offer.”

Xu Zimei acknowledged the old man's words with a slight nod.

Then, he inquired, “Living here, are you frequently troubled by disturbances?”

“I can escort you to the True Martial Holy Sect; it's an ideal sanctuary for one's twilight years.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but that will have to suffice,” the old man replied with a gentle shake of his head.

“Eventually, leaves must fall.”

“For me, being born here and departing this world here is more than enough.”

“I have grown accustomed to this way of life, to the surrounding vistas and its inhabitants.”

Xu Zimei nodded, understanding the old man's feelings.

He harbored a curiosity, however, regarding the old man's immortal constitution.

Thus, he asked, “Would you be willing to part with a portion of your bloodline?”

“I wish to conduct some research on it.”

The old man, appearing unsurprised, chuckled, “Should you achieve any breakthroughs, remember to share them with me.”

“From a certain perspective, life has become rather wearisome.”

“Have you considered ending your life?” Xu Zimei inquired.

The old man let out a laugh, “It appears that heaven and earth conspire against my demise; no matter the extreme methods I employ, death eludes me.”

“I once plummeted from a precipice tens of thousands of meters high, yet regrettably, I did not perish, but instead was caught by countless branches along the way.”

“Although I survived, the agony of that experience is indelibly etched in my memory.”

“The forces of nature deny me death, yet the torment of the afterlife remains; consequently, I no longer pursue such attempts.”

Xu Zimei found himself in an unprecedented situation.

The old man relinquished a sample of his bloodline to Xu Zimei.

Xu Zimei intended to have Gongsun Muya examine this bloodline, hoping for some beneficial outcome.

……

Clutching the Jade Buddha and the bloodline sample, Xu Zimei bid farewell to Longevity Village.

Indeed, this Longevity Village had provided him with several valuable leads.

Furthermore, the Kanglong Mountain ruins lay in the Northwest direction.

When Kanglong Mountain was annihilated by an immense force in the past, the prevailing belief was that a cataclysmic battle had transpired there.

The exertion of such a powerful entity instilled fear, deterring many from venturing near the locale.