With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 657 - 561: Another Demon? The Flayed Monk...

Chapter 657: Chapter 561: Another Demon? The Flayed Monk...

Meng Chuan was overjoyed and immediately asked a question.

"Master Liaohai, is the source of the Dharma Realm the Sumeru Mountain or something on the mountain?"

If we want to get out, breaking the source of the Dharma Realm is key.

Since a few of us were drawn in by the Mixed Element Pearl Umbrella.

We cannot be certain whether the source is the Sumeru Mountain itself or the umbrella.

Liaohai’s voice was equally jubilant, and he replied resolutely:

"Exactly, Sumeru Mountain is the support point of the entire Dharma Realm of the Northern Continent; the Pearl Umbrella is intimately connected to it and must be within the mountain.

Although we are not yet sure what the source of the Dharma Realm is, there’s no harm in going there to find out!"

The big chubby monk beside them perked up his ears and looked delighted.

After listening to the conversation, he jumped straight off the rock and urged them.

"What are we waiting for! Let’s set off quickly and leave this damn place sooner."

"You plump thief, this is the Dharma Realm of the Celestial King of the North. Show some respect with your words!"

Liao Chen was in a hurry...

"Demonic corruption has occurred, and the rules no longer apply!"

Meng Chuan raised his hand to interrupt, glancing at the silent Liao Yuan behind them, and said:

"Stop bickering, you two. Liaohai, roughly how far is it?"

"At our normal pace, if we head directly without stopping to explore, it will take approximately half an hour."

"Then let’s set off. Let’s get out as soon as possible and end this quickly!"

Unfortunately, within the Dharma Realm, we cannot bring our equipment with us.

If we could bring along the memory stone with the Prison Yang Strike, we’d be completely secure...

...

On the road, the group didn’t remain idle.

Meng Chuan instructed Liao Yuan to stay vigilant.

The other four chatted while on the move.

Glancing again at Liao Yuan, he turned his head to ask Liaohai beside him:

"I’ve had a question all along, but I was too embarrassed to ask before..."

"Donor Meng, please speak."

"How did the Celestial King who guards the Northern Continent for the Buddha become corrupted by demons?

And did your Shaolin know about this in advance..."

Liaohai looked at the other monks. They had heard it too but shook their heads, clearly unaware.

After pondering, Liaohai said sincerely:

"Higher-ups in the temple certainly know, but we do not, I assure you."

"Then the Buddha..."

Meng Chuan’s meaning was obvious, inquiring if the Buddha was alright...

Liaohai’s voice was firm:

"Impossible!"

"That’s good..."

If even the Tathagata were corrupted by demons, it would be catastrophic...

Liaohai continued explaining:

"The Five Transformation Buddha Vilu Treasure Crown worn by the Celestial King and the Mixed Element Pearl Umbrella that drew us in.

Neither is enshrined at our Zen Sect’s ancestral court, but at another temple outside.

The reason we are unaware is that there is a specialized department within the temple for handling demonic corruption incidents.

They need to conduct preliminary handling of the incident and will expose specific information as appropriate based on the situation.

You know, only national talents like us, not yet Martial Arts Grandmasters, have access to knowledge of things like the Divine Temple and demonic corruption.

After listening to Liaohai’s explanation, Meng Chuan appeared contemplative.

Then suddenly, he thought of something.

"I see. The demonic corruption affair of the Eighteen Arhats at Zishou Temple in Jin Land is also being handled by the Shaolin department you mentioned?"

"Exactly, due to the large number of Arhats involved, it’s being coordinated with the state."

"Can you recommend me?"

"You’ll have to wait for these people to return; they’re still in Jin Land.

Those handling other demonic corruption matters within the temple mostly won’t know."

"Alright..."

Meng Chuan looked slightly regretful, not knowing whether he could wait until then.

As for the core of the Celestial Faith not being sheltered by Shaolin, it was normal.

The reason being, there’s not much incense to go around...

Who goes to Shaolin Temple to worship the Four Heavenly Kings anyway...

Meng Chuan stopped asking questions and analyzed the existing information to himself.

As of now, it seems that the Divine Temple belonging to the Chi Li Demon Nest is under the domain of the Northern Celestial King.

But nothing is absolute; he always felt something was off about their experience in entering.

The Divine Temple is a place for Chi Li to steal faith and divine power.

Typically, setting ambushes there would leverage the power of the Dharma Realm.

If Chi Li wanted to trap them using the Dharma Realm, why not wait until they found the Divine Temple to strike?

Wouldn’t that be more secure?

"Could it be... there’s another demon?"

Meng Chuan had kept the key issues in mind all along.

Moreover, to be fair, they weren’t passively ensnared by Chi Li...

It was he who actively "discovered" the hidden object within the cave’s rock wall.

He stirred it, leading to them being absorbed in...

The other four monks were like the gourd children’s grandpa rescue mission, walking right into the trap...

Thinking about it this way, it seems the Chi Li Demon Nest’s Divine Temple and this Dharma Realm they were in were unrelated...

Returning his thoughts, Meng Chuan glanced at Liao Yuan, who was still on high alert.

The air was becoming increasingly humid, as Meng Chuan pondered:

"Even if I hadn’t actively stirred it, this umbrella would have surely made a move..."

...

As they approached Sumeru Mountain, a drizzling rain began to fall along the way.

Fog gradually spread through the air, blurring their vision.

Under this environment, Meng Chuan’s eyes flickered with golden light, as if piercing through obstacles.

"Do you think, is this phenomenon the Dharma Realm detecting our intent and creating hindrances?"

Liao Chen walked alongside him.

"The Buddha thinks so, and didn’t you notice, the rain and fog are intensifying..."

The two exchanged glances, and Meng Chuan saw his dragon-like pupils gleaming as well.

"Then tell me, why doesn’t the master of the Dharma Realm appear himself, just manipulates the rain and fog to deplete our spiritual power?"

This sentence, his voice like a thin sword, whispered to the listeners.

Liao Chen’s dragon eyes shrank to a pinpoint, and his pudgy hand rubbed the bridge of his nose, transmitting the message.

"The Lord of the Dharma Realm cannot come? Unable to leave a certain place?

Donor Meng... what do you mean?"

He detected the implied meaning in Meng Chuan’s words.

"Fat monk, later you’ll wait at the foot of the mountain, be vigilant yourself."

"What do you mean? The Buddha is not going up?"

Liao Chen thought that his physical strength was not weak either.

Meng Chuan patiently explained, his voice transmitted directly into the ear, ensuring no one else could hear.

"Not talking about the miraculous nature of Sumeru Mountain itself, I’m the one definitely going up. You remain below to prevent any accidents."

"By the way, I estimate someone will go up the mountain with me at that time..."

"Be careful too. Wait, who do you think will go up the mountain with you?"

His meaning, Liao Chen instantly understood.

Within the team... there’s a traitor! 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Going to Sumeru Mountain was not only the result of their collective judgment, but also guided secretly.

Liao Hai?!

Or...

Meng Chuan paused, remaining silent.

His eyes glanced at the monk, similar in stature to Liao Chen, who was in charge of vigilance.

In his gaze, there was a barely noticeable trace of pity...

Liao Chen followed his gaze and secretly looked over, his face turning extremely unpleasant.

Quickly he stretched out his hand to rub his face, disguising it.

"When?"

"I estimate, while we were still in the cave, Master Yuan exploring..."

"Then are we still going up the mountain?"

"We have to go, there’s no other choice..."

Not going is certain death, going gives us a slim chance of survival.

Liao Hai was probed in advance, and nothing should be wrong, so there’s no deception.

Sumeru Mountain is likely also the overt scheme of the Lord of the Dharma Realm...

Returning to his senses, he said one last sentence, remaining silent afterward.

"Just a guess, not necessarily accurate."

Liao Chen nodded silently, his heart suddenly sinking, understanding what he meant.

"Liao Yuan... was skinned by the Celestial Demon..."

...

Shortly after, Meng Chuan and the four monks arrived at the mountain’s base, standing still and gazing upwards.

Liao Chen stood behind him, Meng Chuan turned his gaze to him.

He continued to gaze at the ethereal mountain shrouded in mist, unseen in the mortal world before.

No, Buddha Mountain.

Sumeru Mountain stood majestically, seemingly veiled by wispy clouds, faintly revealing patches of verdant outlines.

The mountain range was coiled like a giant dragon, cloud and mist swirling around, the peak faintly visible.

Meng Chuan was not looking at the scenery; his keen eyes grew even brighter.

Gazing fixedly at the peak, his eyes delved through layers.

As the mountain wind blew, the cloud and mist surged like rivers, exposing rugged rocks momentarily.

In that instant, his eyes widened, catching a glimpse.

Before he could see clearly, it closed again.

Concealing the mountain tightly, leaving only a vague gray-white.

Meng Chuan withdrew his gaze and crouched down.

His hand pressed against the mountain surface, the Earth Vein Rock Sense transmitting a touch.

Moments later, he understood.

There was indeed something atop the peak.

Turning to face the four monks, they were all watching him.

His eyes met the four pairs, and Meng Chuan said with a smile:

"Why don’t you tell me the taboos of this mountain first, as I don’t quite understand them."

Seeing them waiting for his command, he waved his hand.

Never did he pretend to understand what he didn’t.

Liao Hai left the group, demonstrating with his body.

He slowly stepped forward, with both feet planted on the mountain’s surface at a moment.

Suddenly, he felt a weight pressing down, as if an invisible force bearing down from above.

His monk’s robes stuck to his skin, the fabric drooping heavily as though filled with lead, even the sleeves pulled straight.

He stood upright and stepped back two paces, signalling:

"Brother Meng, go up first and you’ll understand."

"Alright."

Meng Chuan strode forward two steps, his figure light as though treading on cotton.

His shoe sole met the ground, stirring just a few motes of dust floating silently, his sleeve suspended mid-air, descending slowly.

With a calm demeanor, Meng Chuan walked further upward.

Minutes later, he turned back and rejoined the group, his mind clear.

"The higher you go, the heavier the gravity?"

The effect on him wasn’t significant.

Not even a tenth of the pressure he exerted on himself during his practice of the Brahman Prison Technique.

But he had not ventured far; the peak was still distant.

Going further, there may be substantial pressure.

Liao Hai was about to explain when Liao Qing unexpectedly spoke first:

"This mountain should be a materialized product sustaining the rules within the Dharma Realm.

The true Buddhist Tathagata resides on Sumeru Mountain, which stands 168,000 yojanas high, submerged 80,000 yojanas, and 88,000 yojanas above water.

Climbers encounter an accumulation of intense gravitational forces every yojana they advance.

At the summit, one bears the weight of 88,888,000 units of gravity precisely.

This figure was personally measured by Abbot Xuanmou during his ascent.

In today’s Buddhist Sect, only this Physical Buddha can reach Sumeru’s summit."

"..."

Meng Chuan was speechless.

He looked at the mountain before him and then at Liao Qing.

One unit is approximately 30 jin, converting it requires bearing 1,333,200 tons of force at the peak.

Luckily, this wasn’t the true [Sumeru Divine Mountain], otherwise, what’s the point of climbing?

Simultaneously, he was remarkably surprised...