The Medicine Buddha Sect was bathed in Buddha-light, with dozens of mountains floating in the sky. Each mountain was adorned with ancient, golden architecture, resembling a celestial realm.
Countless waterfalls, imbued with potent energy, cascaded from the mountains, filling the entire sect with a vibrant mist. Below these floating mountains lay vast fields of medicinal herbs, their fragrant aromas mingling in the air as countless monks diligently tended to them.
Li Xiaotian's eyes gleamed. This was the true foundation of the great sects. Cultivating here was ten times faster than practicing elsewhere. Even the air itself felt invigorating, let alone the ubiquitous herbal gardens – it was a true sanctuary for cultivation.
He observed the architecture on the mountains, noting that even the most modest structures were built from superior metals, materials capable of forging divine weapons and artifacts, yet here they were used for mere buildings. The Medicine Buddha Sect was incredibly wealthy! Li Xiaotian mused, recalling the Great Han Dynasty he had previously annihilated. Compared to the Medicine Buddha Sect, the Great Han Dynasty was like a country bumpkin next to a metropolitan tycoon.
"Benefactor Li, please follow me."
The voice of Bodhisattva Liuli echoed in Li Xiaotian's ears. He snapped back to attention, smiled, and continued to follow.
"I never expected the interior of the Medicine Buddha Sect to present such a different spectacle. It is truly astonishing," Li Xiaotian remarked with a smile. Frankly, the mere sensation of the energy fluctuations within the sect stirred a desire in him to plunder it.
He had previously believed his Dragon King Hall lacked for cultivation resources, but seeing the Medicine Buddha Sect made him realize how provincial his previous notions were. If the Medicine Buddha Sect was like this, the other three great sects were likely no different! Li Xiaotian thought. Buddha State was unlike Yan State; Buddha State was exclusively home to Buddhist cultivators, and all resources belonged to the Buddhist sects. In contrast, Yan State's various powers competed for resources, leading to disparities in wealth and considerable waste due to its more chaotic nature. Overall, the sects in Buddha State were far wealthier than those in Yan State!
Should I consider robbing a few Buddhist sects later? Li Xiaotian's thoughts flickered. If any Buddha State sect dared to provoke him again, he wouldn't be as lenient as before.
"Benefactor Li, you jest. The Medicine Buddha Sect is one of the oldest sects in Buddha State, and this prosperity is the result of tens of thousands of years of accumulation. These are the fruits of the diligent labor of our many Buddhas, and amount to little," Bodhisattva Liuli replied. He glanced at Li Xiaotian, a hint of wariness in his heart. This was a formidable individual; he hoped he wouldn't be tempted by greed.
"It is good to have a father," Li Xiaotian sighed. Great powers possessed profound foundations, unlike himself, who had to rely on his own efforts.
"Benefactor Li, the Medicine Buddha's altar is ahead." Bodhisattva Liuli spoke quickly, diverting Li Xiaotian's attention.
Before them stood the most important and magnificent mountain in the Medicine Buddha Sect. Its summit was flat and smooth, like a polished mirror.
"How is the Transmission of the Jingjing Sutra taught? Hmm?" Li Xiaotian asked, then furrowed his brow, looking towards a distant floating mountain.
On that mountain, the Blissful Buddha Son was being escorted away by over a dozen Buddhas. Before departing, he cast a killing glance at Li Xiaotian, which Li Xiaotian sensed. Bodhisattva Liuli also looked over, his brow creasing. The Blissful Buddha Son was acting rather rashly.
"Those are people from the Blissful Buddha Sect, escorting the Blissful Buddha Son away. Benefactor Li, you have already agreed not to act against the Blissful Buddha Son," Bodhisattva Liuli said, fearing that Li Xiaotian might be provoked into pursuing the Blissful Buddha Son, which would render his efforts futile.
"Heh heh, this fool still hasn't learned his lesson," Li Xiaotian said with a cold laugh, then looked at Bodhisattva Liuli. "Don't worry, as long as he doesn't provoke me again, I won't seek trouble with him."
"That is for the best," Bodhisattva Liuli nodded, then landed on the altar and continued speaking to Li Xiaotian. "Benefactor Li merely needs to calm his mind and focus here to learn how to obtain the Jingjing Sutra."
Li Xiaotian landed on the altar and carefully sensed the surroundings. Finding no danger, he sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and meditated.
Meanwhile, outside Liuli City, the entourage from the Blissful Buddha Sect had just departed on a Great Peng demon beast. It was evident that the events encountered by the Blissful Buddha Son in Liuli City had greatly surprised the Blissful Buddha Sect. The dozen Buddhas who had come were each at the peak of the Emperor realm.
"Wait a moment!" The Blissful Buddha Son abruptly commanded the Great Peng demon beast to stop, his eyes filled with hatred.
"Buddha Son, before we came, the Bodhisattva instructed us not to linger and to prioritize your safe return to the sect. As for other matters, the Bodhisattva will personally seek out Li Xiaotian for an explanation later," a Buddha beside him said, his brow furrowed, worried that the Blissful Buddha Son might provoke Li Xiaotian again. The Bodhisattva he referred to was none other than the sect leader of the Blissful Buddha Sect, Bodhisattva Jiyu.
In truth, they too harbored anger. Over a dozen of their fellow disciples had been killed by Li Xiaotian, and they were unwilling to let this stand. However, they knew they were no match for Li Xiaotian and had also been warned by Bodhisattva Jiyu. Thus, they could only suppress their anger and focus on escorting the Blissful Buddha Son back to their sect.
"What? Are you afraid? Li Xiaotian has so thoroughly humiliated our Blissful Buddha Sect, and you are content to swallow this insult?" the Blissful Buddha Son gritted out, his gaze fixed in the direction where Li Xiaotian's group had withdrawn from the city.
"Buddha Son, Li Xiaotian is deeply consumed by demonic energy. If we provoke him now, you may face mortal danger," someone cautioned.
"I know that! But Li Xiaotian is currently in the Medicine Buddha Sect receiving the transmission of the Jingjing Sutra and will not be able to leave for some time," the Blissful Buddha Son said, his eyes gleaming as a daring idea formed. He continued, "The Bodhisattva said he would seek retribution from Li Xiaotian later, but what if Li Xiaotian returns to Yan State directly after leaving the Medicine Buddha Sect?"
"At that point, our Blissful Buddha Sect will never be able to settle this score, and we will become the laughingstock of all of Buddha State!"
The Buddhas frowned upon hearing this. The Blissful Buddha Son's words had hit the mark. Frankly, they had no doubt that they could avenge their fellow disciples killed by Li Xiaotian. They were the Blissful Buddha Sect, one of the four great sects of Buddha State, and their sect leader, Bodhisattva Jiyu, was a top-tier overlord, significantly more powerful than Bodhisattva Liuli. Li Xiaotian's offense against their sect was tantamount to courting death.
However, all of this was contingent on Li Xiaotian remaining in Buddha State afterwards. If he left, the Blissful Buddha Sect would have no choice but to accept their losses. After all, overlord-level cultivators from different states could easily cause misunderstandings if they trespassed into other states without reason. Of course, Li Xiaotian was an exception; this was an ancient rule. Li Xiaotian, unaware of this, had trespassed into Buddha State.
"Buddha Son, what is your plan?" someone asked.
"Hmph! Tell me, if I were to capture his wife and daughter, would he then come to our Blissful Buddha Sect seeking death?" the Blissful Buddha Son said with a cold laugh, a glint of ruthlessness in his eyes.