"Wait! Is that a Buddha?!"
Austin exclaimed, taking a closer look.
A few meters away, a monk who looked like a Buddha, was sitting cross-legged under the bodhi tree. He was barefooted and was wearing a yellow robe, with his right arm exposed. He was in a meditative state.
Behind his head was a halo of bright spiritual light.
Although his lips weren't moving, Austin could hear the sound of chanting which echoed in the space around them, giving off a grand, sacred vibe.
Austin had initially thought that he was a young man because the Buddha's blood vitality was so immense. He was emitting a very powerful aura that touched the sky and shook the void.
He soon realized that the sacred person in front of him was indeed a powerful Buddha.
Austin was overwhelmed with surprise.
'Could he be Buddha Hawley, the founder of Buddhism?
According to ancient scriptures, Buddha Hawley had meditated under the bodhi tree for seven days and obtained enlightenment.
Is that what I am witnessing right now?" Austin wondered in shock.
He was subconsciously aware that this was an illusion left from the ancient times, but he couldn't help but be enchanted by the sight of the Buddha.
Because he and the twelve zodiac animals were too powerful and proficient in the law of time and space, they were able to see this illusion.
"This Buddha is not any ordinary presence.
His power is profound,"
one of the twelve zodiac animals praised.
"His strength does not seem inferior to the Taoist priest we met earlier.
Two great masters had once appeared on Earth in the ancient times. This is really amazing,"
the sky-devouring dog added.
"Sir, are you able to recognize their strengths? I can't see through it at all!"
Austin said curiously.
"Well, yes. They were at least governing gods,"
replied the sky-devouring dog.
At that moment, the Buddha slowly opened his eyes. His bright orbs stared straight into Austin's as he spoke.
"Young man, is Lear doing all right?"
Austin was stunned by the sudden question.
"Sir, are you talking to me?"
"Yes, young man. I feel the aura of the Principle of Philosophy from you.
You must be Lear's descendant.
How is he?
Is he all right?"
the Buddha as
time. Step by step, they approached the Buddha and stood in front of him.
"Sit down,"
he said softly.
Ivy and Sue sat cross-legged in front of the sacred man.
"The two of you can cultivate with me for seven days.
How much you achieve in the seven days will depend on your comprehension abilities,"
he explained.
"Austin, we should leave. Let's not disturb them,"
the sky-devouring dog suggested at that point.
"Okay."
Austin nodded.
He watched as the Buddha started imparting Buddhist knowledge to Ivy and Sue.
He was more than pleased.
It was a great opportunity for the two to receive the knowledge from the great Buddha in person.
Austin and the twelve zodiac animals turned around and left the scene.
The Buddha, Ivy and Sue gradually disappeared from their view.
"There are many more legendary masters on Earth.
Let's search for them!"
Austin headed west with the twelve animals.
A few moments later, they arrived at somewhere.
"This is the Kingdom of Hope.
It's said that there were once twelve governing gods here.
Of course, the chances of that being true are very low.
It seems impossible that there could be so many governing gods in the ancient times,"
Austin said to the zodiac animals.
The goat pointed out to the distance and screamed,
"Look! A divine mountain is hidden over there!"
They could now see clearly that there was indeed a steep divine mountain floating in the sky. It was magnificent and towering.