Juexing had finished speaking and took a seat upon the fictive Mount Ling’s Lotus Platform, and immediately a grand chanting of Zen filled the air.

A wondrous aura began to permeate the space.

Everyone sensed this flow of energy and their eyes instantly brightened.

Although they did not understand where this power originated from, they had a premonition that its level was not low and that it seemed to stem from the same source as the Buddhist Mana.

If they could obtain it, perhaps achieving the Golden Body and Final Fruit was not a dream.

"Fellow disciples, merge your aura into this Mount Ling, and let us transform the false into true with this power, to become Buddhas and ancestors in the future," echoed the voice of Juexing throughout the space.

Without the slightest hesitation, everyone entrusted their power into the space.

After observing for such a long time, they had long realized the power must originate from the Buddhist Sect; even if it did not, such an energy filled with positivity could certainly not be demonic.

With such an opportunity before them, how could they fall behind?

One after another, auras began to merge with the mysterious aura in the space.

In just a moment, everyone felt their Mana become purer and imbued with an added sense of wonder.

"Haha, just as I thought!" Hui Tong, no longer as serious as before, said excitedly.

He could feel his power rising to a higher level, and with these profound additions, he was now truly a Buddha as well.

"It seems the mystery of the Bodhisattva position on Mount Ling lies here; they divided up these auras, which is why we have been lacking," someone murmured to themselves.

For so many years, they had struggled, hoping to achieve true enlightenment.

Yet, the fixed nature of the Bodhisattva ranks rendered their years of practice in vain; they were not satisfied, unwilling to endure endless hardships. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Now, an opportunity to ascend to heaven had finally arrived; no one wished to be left behind at this moment. Perhaps they would be the future Buddhas of Mount Ling. To grasp this opportunity now was to stand apart from the world.

At this moment, not a single person had any hesitation, and each fused their mind and spirit with the space.

As everyone’s minds and spirits merged with the space, Juexing suddenly felt a strong force surge into his body, causing his years of cultivated Buddhist Golden Body to ache with distension.

"Haha, this is the power. From now on, I am the true master of Mount Ling," Juexing could no longer suppress the ecstasy in his heart, laughing out loud. His voice reverberated in the desolate space, tinged with a hint of ferocity.

The entire fictive Mount Ling shone even brighter, the golden Buddha’s Light illuminated the whole space, countless Golden Lotuses bloomed in the air, and grand Zen chants resounded through heaven and earth.

Everyone watched the scene, infatuated and mesmerized. So this was the feeling of attaining true enlightenment. Some people, moved to ecstasy, even shed tears; after so many years, their day in the sun had finally come.

This spectacle was celebratory for them.

"Next is to descend upon Mount Ling and turn the fictitious into reality," Juexing said smiling.

"We shall follow the Buddha’s decree devoutly," everyone shouted excitedly, their demeanor indistinguishable from the Various Buddhas of Mount Ling.

Juexing nodded in satisfaction, feeling quite self-assured. He was finally taking steps toward the highest throne of Mount Ling. Maitreya was simply lucky. Juexing wanted to show him that the position of the Buddha was rightfully his.

With a single thought, he maneuvered the illusory Mount Ling, preparing for it to descend upon the real Mount Ling.

However, at this moment, a sudden change occurred.

Mount Ling, which had been bathed in dazzling Buddha’s Light, was instantly enveloped by a dark aura, turning into a mountain of darkness, as if it were the shadow side of Mount Ling, capable of stirring the deepest desires within the heart at a mere glance.

"What’s going on?"

Everyone quickly realized something was amiss. The brilliant Buddha’s Light from before had transformed into a demonic realm in the blink of an eye.

"Not good, it’s a trap, run!"

But at this moment, they were utterly unable to leave. The terrible powers they had previously merged with their aura and space had already turned into chains, firmly trapping them there.

"Juexing, what is the meaning of this?" Hui Tong asked, his eyes red, looking toward Juexing, who was seated on the Lotus Platform.

Unbeknownst to them, Juexing himself was clearly confused. He had tested the powers here countless times, certain that they were of the Buddhist Sect. Why then had they suddenly turned into this overwhelming demonic energy?

He too realized the danger and hurried to escape, but the Lotus Platform he was sitting on extended countless bloodied arms that grabbed hold of him tightly.

Juexing turned to see the owners of these arms staring back at him with eyes full of hatred, the most frightening of which belonged to an elderly couple.

Their faces were lined with wrinkles, but at this moment, they possessed the most powerful force, their eyes filled with tangible loathing.

It was then that Juexing remembered that the couple was his first kill in the Great Tang of the Eastern Land.

"I did it to ’See the Mind and Understand the Nature.’ It was your honor to contribute to our Buddhist Law!" he shouted back, annoyed.

But his words seemed to infuriate the mortals he had killed, who let out piercing screams. Then a tremendous force surged from the Lotus Platform, threatening to drag him into an endless abyss.

A voice came from within the boundless darkness. "After so many years, I’m finally about to break free. Tathagata, I will claim our karma on the body of the Buddhist Sect."

No sooner had the voice faded than a handsome young man appeared out of nowhere in the midst of the darkness, dressed in black with black hair and eyes, and pale skin. He appeared gentle and dignified.

Yet his presence in that darkness brought a semblance of light to it. He was like the purest form of darkness, the very heart of it.

"Who are you?" Juexing cried out in despair.

He knew that the young man before him, so seemingly refined, was the mastermind behind all this, and they had all fallen into his trap.

"It’s been so many years that it seems the world has forgotten my reputation. There is no harm in telling you. My name is Marx."

With a casual introduction of his name, without any embellishment, when they heard the name Marx, everyone felt a profound sinking in their hearts.

This was the fierce figure who had clashed with the Tathagata Buddha, the legendary Demon King, the arch-enemy of the Buddhist Sect.

Seeing the fear on everyone’s faces, Marx revealed a genial smile. After looking around, he said with a smile, "It seems the disciples of the Buddhist Sect have heard of me. Good, that saves me some explanation. Since you’ve all fallen into my trap, embrace your fate!"