Li Xuan's eyes slowly opened. Within his mind, he was still processing information about the Bliss Continent.
According to the Heavenly Dao Brush, above the Boundless Realm were three more realms:
God-Entering Realm, God-Breaking Realm, and God-Destroying Realm.
It was rumored that Sakyamuni's strength had already reached the God-Destroying Realm. Beneath him were twelve supreme powerhouses, each possessing strength at the God-Breaking Realm level.
These twelve individuals were: Luozhe, Amitabha, Medicine Tathagata, Treasure Tathagata, Akshobhya, Kashyapa, Raidenko, Avalokitesvara, Jinlun, Kongmingzun, Duobao Ren, and Dingguang.
On the Bliss Continent, any being who cultivated to the God-Breaking Realm was called a Buddha-Venerable. Within the entirety of Buddhism, including Sakyamuni, there were thirteen Buddha-Venerables. Beneath them were ranks of Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajras, Envoys, and Disciples.
Aside from Buddhism, the Bliss Continent also had numerous other forces. Based on the intelligence provided by the elder, Li Xuan discovered that there were thirty-six top-tier powers on the Bliss Continent.
The strength of the leaders of these top-tier powers almost all reached the intermediate or advanced stages of the God-Breaking Realm. And the Asura Gate was indeed among these thirty-six top-tier powers.
After a general understanding of these top-tier powers, Li Xuan also briefly scanned the other forces. After absorbing all the information, Li Xuan's gaze then shifted to the elder.
"Heh heh, it seems you have a general understanding of the basic information of the Bliss Continent. How do you feel? It shouldn't make you feel fearless, right?" the elder said with a smile, looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan let out a wry smile and then solemnly cupped his fists in greeting to the elder, "Senior is joking. This Bliss Continent is too powerful. With my strength, how could I not have some reservations."
As Li Xuan spoke, his gaze towards the elder also carried a hint of reverence, because among the thirty-six top-tier powers, the Thunder Sound Pavilion was at the forefront.
However, Li Xuan's heart remained vigilant. Given the power of the Thunder Sound Pavilion, why would they need to recruit people for business?
"Heh heh, young fellow, since you have a general understanding of our Bliss Continent, let me introduce myself. My surname is Jiang and my given name is Shang. I am the Pavilion Master of this Little Thunder Sound Pavilion. You must be wondering why I would appear outside Luoga City and proactively befriend you."
Jiang Shang nodded with a smile upon hearing this and then spoke.
Li Xuan was somewhat surprised and nodded. Jiang Shang had been so direct that it would be inappropriate for him to beat around the bush. However, Li Xuan was also puzzled by Jiang Shang's actions.
Li Xuan cupped his fists and asked Jiang Shang, "Since Senior Jiang is so forthright, I will also be direct. What is your intention with this action?"
Jiang Shang smiled, a hint of satisfaction appearing in his eyes, and then stroked his white beard, "What I seek is actually the same as you. The Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, our Thunder Sound Pavilion is also in urgent need of this item."
"However, the people of our Great and Little Thunder Sound Pavilions are bound by the rules of Buddhism and cannot participate in the competition to elect the Buddha Son. Therefore, I had no choice but to resort to this strategy and seek partners externally. And spiritual masters like you, who are outsiders, are precisely the targets we are looking for."
"Senior is also after the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses? But the Thunder Sound Pavilion is also a force on the Bliss Continent. Why can't you participate in the selection competition for the Buddha Son? Also, what exactly is this Buddha Son selection competition? Is there any connection between this competition and the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses?"
After hearing Jiang Shang's words, the confusion in Li Xuan's eyes grew even more intense.
Jiang Shang smiled slightly, seeming to have a particular fondness for Li Xuan's complete ignorance.
Then Jiang Shang said, "That's right. To obtain the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, one must participate in the Buddha Son selection competition. Because only by becoming a Buddha Son can one obtain the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses!"
"Why is that? Could it be that the Buddha Son selection competition has the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses as a reward? Or, is it that only Buddha Sons can have access to the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses?" As Jiang Shang finished speaking, Li Xuan looked at Jiang Shang with confusion and asked.
And within his heart, a vague answer was forming. However, Li Xuan was unable to determine this answer at the moment.
"Little friend is indeed intelligent. That's right, in this Buddha Son selection competition, the rewards for the top ten Buddha Sons include the treasure of the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses." Jiang Shang nodded with a smile.
"Top ten? So, this Buddha Son selection competition also has ranking divisions?" Li Xuan asked Jiang Shang with some curiosity.
After all, Li Xuan had originally thought there was only one Buddha Son, but from Jiang Shang's words, it was clearly not the case. Moreover, in Li Xuan's memory, Buddha Sons, like Saintesses and Saint Sons, were very few in number.
But since there were rankings, it seemed the number of Buddha Sons was not small.
Jiang Shang nodded and continued to explain, "The number of Buddha Sons on our Bliss Continent is indeed not small. Based on past experience, in each selection of Buddha Sons, nearly a thousand Buddha Sons are produced."
"However, Buddhism will only select the top one hundred Buddha Sons from these nearly one thousand Buddha Sons for the final competition. Each session, only the top ten Buddha Sons will be accepted into Buddhism."
"But these unsuccessful Buddha Sons will have preferential qualification to pass the preliminary selection in the next Buddha Son selection competition, directly entering the later finals. And apart from our top-tier powers, all other sects and factions have the qualification to send five disciples to participate."
"Are these Buddha Sons disciples from various forces? However, Senior, from what you said earlier, even the top-tier powers of the Bliss Continent like the Thunder Sound Pavilion cannot participate in the Buddha Son selection competition. Are other forces also the same?" Li Xuan asked after a moment of thought.
Jiang Shang nodded, "Not exactly. For the Buddha Son selection competition, all of us top-tier powers cannot send disciples from our sects to participate in this Buddha Son competition. However, other forces can."
"The reason for this is also for the benefit of the Buddha Sons themselves, from the perspective of Buddhism. Furthermore, we forces do not wish for our outstanding disciples to be chosen by Buddhism."
"Since that is the case, if I agree to Senior's request to participate in this Buddha Son selection, wouldn't I also be associated with your Thunder Sound Pavilion?" Li Xuan asked, puzzled.
"Although we top-tier powers cannot send disciples to participate in the Buddha Son selection, we can recommend two candidates. These two spots can be for people from other forces, or for outsiders like you."
"But from our own interests, choosing outsiders like you requires less cost," Jiang Shang explained patiently.
Li Xuan nodded. Recommending disciples from other forces would undoubtedly enhance those forces' foundations. For top-tier powers, this naturally posed a certain threat. On the other hand, outsiders like them did not require so many constraints.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid that if I become a Buddha Son, I will hoard the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses for myself?"
"Heh heh, what you say is naturally within our consideration. But please rest assured, little friend. If you truly have the potential to enter the top ten and obtain the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, our Thunder Sound Pavilion will be willing to make a deal with you, even if it means exhausting all our resources."
"But if you truly are unwilling to divide the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, we will consider it a favor done for you," Jiang Shang said with a wry smile.
Li Xuan's face instead showed a hint of embarrassment. And in his eyes, there was a stronger curiosity. The Thunder Sound Pavilion's strength was such that they would attach such importance to the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, even being determined to obtain it. Could it be that someone in the Thunder Sound Pavilion urgently needed this item?
"Senior, please rest assured. If I, Li Xuan, can indeed break into the top ten, I will definitely share the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses with your Pavilion. It's just that I don't know the efficacy of the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses. I am also extremely eager for this item. If the efficacy is not enough, I'm afraid..."
Li Xuan paused as if hesitating, as he knew nothing about the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses. His implied meaning was waiting for Jiang Shang to explain it to him.
A hint of relief flashed across Jiang Shang's face. He then smiled and said, "Little friend, you can rest assured about this. The efficacy of one Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses is enough to help five people recover their essence and blood. Moreover, this item can also significantly enhance the user's soul and meridians."
"It can be said that apart from being a divine item for restoring essence and blood, it is also a rare treasure for spiritual masters. However, on the entire Bliss Continent, only Buddhism possesses this item."
"Five people? If that's the case, it's sufficient. Senior, please rest assured, as long as I truly obtain the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses, I will certainly not be stingy with the portion your Pavilion requires."
A hint of surprise flashed in Li Xuan's eyes. He had not expected the Snow Ganoderma and Nine Lotuses to have such powerful effects. This was also something he could not miss.
"Then, I thank you in advance. After the matter is done, our Thunder Sound Pavilion will offer a separate substantial reward!" Jiang Shang said, immediately standing up and bowing deeply to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan, seeing this, wanted to stop him, but Jiang Shang had already risen.
"Senior, when will the Buddha Son selection competition begin?" Li Xuan said with a wry smile, shaking his head, and then asked.
After Jiang Shang bowed, his expression also became considerably more relaxed. Seeing Li Xuan's inquiry, he immediately replied, "The Buddha Son selection competition will officially commence in ten days. Apart from our Luoga City, other cities will also begin simultaneously."
"However, as candidates recommended by our thirty-six top-tier powers, you can directly pass the preliminary selection and enter the first round. You still have half a month to prepare."
Li Xuan nodded. If the time were too short, he would truly have no time to prepare. Since there was still half a month, it was enough for him to learn more about the Buddha Son selection competition.
"In that case, I will return here in half a month to find Senior," Li Xuan said after a moment of contemplation.
"Little friend doesn't live here?" Jiang Shang asked with some surprise.
Li Xuan shook his head, "Since I need to make some preparations, staying in your Pavilion might be somewhat inconvenient. I will come in half a month."
"That is acceptable. Little friend, please keep this. With this token, you can freely enter and exit my Thunder Sound Pavilion. If there are any unforeseen circumstances, I, Jiang Shang, can also notify you immediately."
Jiang Shang understood that spiritual masters had their own secrets, and he took out a token and handed it to Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, took the token, cupped his fists in greeting to Jiang Shang, and then turned to leave.
After Li Xuan left, Jiang Shang's expression gradually became somewhat dejected.
"I hope you can truly enter the top ten."
"Hmm, I still need to find the next one."