"The first contestant to manifest a complete Buddha image has appeared."
"Twenty-eight days to successfully manifest a complete Buddha image. This talent is enough to rival outstanding Bodhisattva disciples in Buddhism. I wonder who this first person will be."
"It must be that contestant named Ananda. From the very beginning, Ananda's Buddhist heart has far surpassed that of the other contestants. Even the thousand Buddhist children from the previous session would find it difficult to catch up."
"..."
Outside of Mount Mile, as the Buddha image above Ananda's head successfully manifested completely, a golden light also shot out from the Buddhist field of Mount Mile. Since the light screen had not yet displayed the results, the leaders of various factions began to discuss.
When the golden light pillar weakened, the name on the light screen instantly illuminated. The name displayed was, indeed, Ananda.
"To be the first to manifest the Buddha image, Ananda truly deserves to be enlightened by the Tathagata Buddha. Even I myself took a full thirty days back then," Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable said, gazing at Ananda's name on the light screen with admiration in his eyes.
"Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable, I only preceded you by an hour. It seems Ananda's enlightenment by the Tathagata Buddha is not without reason. However, the grade of the Buddhist heart Ananda has obtained can only be known after the time limit expires," said Guanyin Buddha Venerable, nodding slightly with a hint of joy.
After all, with the complete demise of a predecessor, Buddhism had welcomed a disciple who far surpassed the two of them. This was, in itself, a fortunate event for Buddhism.
"Let us wait and see for now," Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable agreed. The projected light screen could only display those who had manifested Buddha images. The grade of the Buddhist heart they had comprehended would require the host, Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable, to personally inspect it.
Fortunately, only two days remained, which was but a blink of an eye for Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable and the others.
Within the starry sky manifested in the Buddhist field, after Ananda was the first to manifest a complete Buddha image, the numerous contestants in the starry sky seemed to be drawn in. The layers of golden light manifested by each individual accelerated.
Until the last hour of the twenty-ninth day, the Buddha images above the contestants' heads grew increasingly radiant. Clearly, knowing the urgency of time, they all exerted their full effort.
The final moments finally arrived.
The leaders of various factions and the spectators all knew that the final thousand Buddhist children would appear today. At this moment, they all emerged from the void and looked towards the names on the light screen.
In addition to the nine hundred and fifty-three individuals who had already manifested complete Buddha images, there were still forty-seven vacant spots that had not yet appeared.
"Chosen one, I hope you can succeed in manifesting it. This humble monk will wait for you outside." Ananda glanced at Li Xuan and disappeared into the starry sky the moment his voice faded.
"Hmm? Has he not yet manifested to the ninth layer? With such strength, it shouldn't be like this," Li Liqing also glanced at Li Xuan. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes upon discovering that Li Xuan only had eight layers of Buddha images above his head.
"Strange, his strength is even greater than mine, yet he hasn't manifested successfully?" He Shuqian's eyes, the moment they opened, found Li Xuan's figure. A trace of bewilderment appeared in his eyes, and then he slowly faded into the Buddha's light, disappearing.
Outside Mount Mile.
"Young friend Shuqian is indeed a prodigy, having already entered the ranks of the thousand Buddhist children. However, based on young friend Li's previous performance, he should not have failed to manifest a complete Buddha image," said Jiang Shang and He Shuming, who had also emerged from the void, looking at the names on the light screen with deep confusion.
"Pavilion Master Jiang, since Senior Brother has entered the ranks of the thousand Buddhist children, my Senior Brother will naturally be part of the competition for the top ten. Fellow Daoist Li's strength is indeed not weak, but perhaps his comprehension is a bit lacking."
"There is only one hour left until the Comprehension Competition. If Fellow Daoist Li still cannot manifest, I fear that even if he succeeds in manifesting later, he will have no chance in the competition for the top ten Buddhist children," He Shuming said immediately.
Jiang Shang's expression faltered upon hearing this. He understood He Shuming's meaning. Moreover, as time slipped away, more and more names appeared on the light screen. In just a few minutes, the number of thousand Buddhist children had risen from nine hundred and fifty-three to nine hundred and seventy-six.
If all thousand Buddhist children had appeared, Li Xuan, even if he managed to manifest a complete Buddha image, would have no chance in the final competition.
Within the Buddhist field, under the starry sky.
"Hoo. The profound mysteries within this Prajna Heart Sutra are truly not simple. In the future, if I have time, I can study it again." Li Xuan, who had been closing his eyes, slowly opened them. Seeing that the figures around him were becoming fewer and fewer, his heart was startled.
He calculated mentally and realized that there was only half an hour left until the Comprehension Competition.
"I almost missed something important." Li Xuan felt fortunate. Previously, upon discovering the Prajna Heart Sutra, Li Xuan had been involuntarily engrossed in studying it. He had become so absorbed that he completely forgot about time.
"Judging by the situation, it hasn't ended yet. Since that's the case, I'll complete the competition first," Li Xuan thought and closed his eyes instantly.
"To save others and oneself is to be a Buddha."
"To eliminate evil and promote good is also to be a Buddha."
"The Buddha is everywhere. Where there are people, there is the Buddha. Where there are no people, there is the Buddha."
As Li Xuan uttered these words, extremely bright golden light instantly appeared on his body. In an instant, the Buddha image above his head manifested its ninth layer, and it did so at an astonishing speed, tending towards completeness in a flash.
"Only a quarter of an hour left!"
Outside Mount Mile, Jiang Shang watched as the thousand Buddhist children spots on the light screen had only one remaining, his tension evident on his face.
"Look quickly, Fellow Daoist Li's name has lit up!"
Just as only the time for a single incense stick remained, He Shuming's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said with a hint of excitement.
Jiang Shang immediately looked towards Li Xuan's name on the light screen. At this moment, the humanoid pattern behind Li Xuan had completely illuminated.
The Thousand Buddhist Children's Competition had reached its successful conclusion.
"The final of the Buddhist Child Selection Competition officially ends! All registered contestants please remain, and all other contestants may withdraw," Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable announced in a clear voice, moving slightly into the air as Li Xuan slowly appeared outside Mount Mile.
As Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable finished speaking, many contestants looked around, and after a brief identification, they all flew towards their respective factions.
In an instant, only a thousand contestants, including Li Xuan, remained at the scene.
"First, congratulations to all of you for standing out from tens of thousands of contestants. To have reached this stage, all of you present can undoubtedly be called the cream of the crop among your peers. Therefore, the title of Buddhist Child is rightfully yours."
"However, our Buddhist sect has always only accepted the top ten Buddhist children, so the subsequent battles are the most crucial. "
"Of course, I know that many of you present are Buddhist children from previous sessions and are well aware of the competition rules. But every session, there are new members who join the thousand Buddhist children, so the rules must be repeated."
"Moreover, the competition for the top ten this year is slightly different from previous years. I assume you have all heard about Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool, haven't you?" Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable said, then looked towards the thousand Buddhist children contestants below.
"My heavens! This year's Buddhist Child Selection Competition seems unprecedented. I originally thought that opening up the Buddhist field of Mount Mile was already very difficult, but I didn't expect them to open up Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool as well!"
"The Buddhist sect is truly generous. As everyone knows, the water in Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool only condenses one drop every fifty years. Furthermore, influenced by the spiritual energy of Spirit Mountain, that pool water is genuine spiritual water. If an ordinary person is fortunate enough to drink a sip, they can gain a hundred years of lifespan."
"..."
As soon as Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable finished speaking, before the contestants could even discuss, the leaders of various factions around them began to discuss in shock.
Even such esteemed beings showed signs of eagerness upon hearing about Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool, indicating just how precious these places were.
After hearing the discussions of the leaders of various factions and other powerful individuals, Li Xuan could clearly feel the breathing of those around him becoming more serious.
At this moment, Li Xuan was also somewhat surprised. If what was said was true, then the Buddhist sect's actions were indeed quite extravagant. However, if the competition was held in the Spirit Pool, wouldn't the Buddhist sect worry about the Spirit Pool being damaged?
"Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable, junior has a question and requests your guidance," a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd at this moment.
Li Xuan looked towards the sound and saw a man in a black shirt, bowing slightly to Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable in mid-air. Judging by his aura, he possessed the strength of a mid-stage Divine Breaking Realm cultivator.
"Speak," Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable nodded and said.
"Thank you, Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable. Junior would like to know, since the ground for the final top ten battles has been changed, and you previously mentioned that this competition is slightly different from the past, then has the reward mentioned earlier also been changed?" the man in black said.
Li Xuan was also somewhat curious. After all, he had come to participate in this Buddhist Child Selection Competition for the Snow Lotus Nine Petals. If the competition rules were slightly modified, it would likely be a wasted effort for everyone.
"The rewards will naturally not change. You can all rest assured about this. Furthermore, our Buddhist sect will not interfere with how much spiritual water you obtain in the Spirit Pool. Everything depends on destiny," Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable said with a smile.
"Thank you, Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable, for clarifying." The man in black visibly relaxed. Judging by his demeanor, he was clearly aiming for one of the rewards. And upon hearing that even the spiritual water could be taken away, Li Xuan also began to have some ideas.
Wouldn't it be too much to create a pond in the Prison Suppression?
Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable nodded and continued, "For this top ten competition, the thousand Buddhist children will enter Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool. The competition will end when only twenty people remain."
"The remaining twenty people will undergo the previous Hundred Buddha Manifestation. Their rankings will then be determined based on the results of the Hundred Buddha Manifestation. The reason for selecting twenty people for the Hundred Buddha Manifestation is to prevent any deserving Buddhist children from being overlooked. Now, are the competition rules clear to everyone?"
"We understand, Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable," all thousand Buddhist children, including Li Xuan, responded in unison.
Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable nodded and looked at Ananda with satisfaction. "The opening of Spirit Mountain and Spirit Pool for this session is set for one month from now. This month is for you to consolidate the insights and blessings you have gained in the Buddhist field."
" For the final confrontation, you only need to use your tokens to reach Spirit Mountain. Jiang Shi will have disciples to receive you."
"Yes." Everyone bowed in response.
"Disperse." Golden Wheel Buddha Venerable finished speaking and his figure instantly vanished into the void.
"Congratulations, congratulations! Congratulations to young friend Li and young friend Shuqian for both entering the ranks of the thousand Buddhist children!" As Li Xuan and He Shuqian stepped towards Jiang Shang and the other two, Jiang Shang greeted them with a smile.
"Likewise, likewise." Li Xuan smiled and, after exchanging a glance with He Shuqian, nodded slightly.
After a round of pleasantries, He Shuqian looked at Li Xuan with some doubt and asked, "Fellow Daoist Li, you were the first to catch up to Ananda's speed, yet why did you appear at the very end?"
As He Shuqian finished speaking, Jiang Shang and He Shuming also looked at Li Xuan. It was clear that they also had a hint of confusion regarding He Shuqian's question.
Li Xuan, seeing the gazes of Jiang Shang and the others, felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I was momentarily distracted and didn't notice that two days had passed."
The three of them: "..."