Li Cheng was not sure what was exactly going on. But he understood that the figure in front of him was not Kuan Yin.
He couldn't describe how he knew. It wasn't through inference or a gut feeling, it was more of an inexplicable sixth sense or spiritual sense that stemmed from the soul.
Whether he was focused or not focused, it was as though the entity was there but also not there; one with the world.
Li Cheng knew this was extraordinary.
Surprisingly, he doesn't feel the pressure of being insignificant. The presence he felt was like meeting a best friend of someone you had known for a long time.
That was why Li Cheng was quite calm. Even after having experienced an uncanny illusion.
'Eyes of the Stron—'
Suddenly, Li Cheng's body shuddered.
He felt a shock course through his body and he felt as though the force came from the System.
Li Cheng's skill was cut short, and he was frightened. But his mind still retained some sharpness.
"System?"
"System are you there?"
"System?"
However, no matter how many times he called for the System. It did not respond to him.
Li Cheng was extremely frightened. However, he quickly understood the situation.
'The figure before me is unfathomable. To the point that even the System does not dare to communicate with him. But I'm sure things would be okay. Even though I am quaking on the inside, I don't feel any danger at all. I feel an inexplicable sense of peace despite the contradiction. So...'
Li Cheng bit the bullet.
He mustered his courage and put on a solemn expression. 'Even so... Whoever this existence is, he or she better have an explanation for possessing my disciple!'
Without saying the skill in his mind, he silently activated it.
Eyes of the Strongest Sect Master!
[Name: Kuan Yin (Miao Shan) Possessed by (??????)]
[Cultivation Level: ?????]
[Bloodline: ???Can't be determined in current state???]
[Talent: ???Can't be determined in current state???]
Li Cheng eyes went wide. The entity that was possessing Kuan Yin was something that even the System could not identify.
'Although I am not certain, the existence must be a being that is above Kuan Yin and rooted with Buddhism. In Buddhist cosmology they either must be a Bodhisatvva of a higher level... or a Buddha. The latter is most likely.'
Li Cheng could not forget the fact that Kuan Yin had the bloodline of the Great Buddha.
He looked at her carefully. There were no signs of a forced possession in the sense of being possessed against her will.
'Then it is very likely to be the Great Buddha...'
...
...
......
It was such an absurd thought to the point that Li Cheng couldn't believe his own thoughts. Of course he couldn't be 100% sure, but the logic was there, but just because he could rationalise it, doesn't mean he can genuinely accept it or internalise this belief.
The entity did not move, but Li Cheng had a feeling that it managed to sense or perhaps see Li Cheng's actions.
In front of absolute, supreme existences like the Great Buddha, all actions are exposed. He was like a naked specimen under a microscope.
Li Cheng was stumped.
He had no idea how to pay proper respects to a Buddhist, nor was he familiar with Buddhist culture besides knowing a few obvious facts, minor things about monastic life, and legends.
And now he was in front of what he presumes to be the Great Buddha itself; the Awakened One, The Founder of Buddhism!
From what he could recall from his old world, the Buddha in original beliefs was not a god but just someone who had reached "enlightenment" or had been "awakened" and was just a human teacher, but in Chinese beliefs he was revered as god.
In this world, considering the existence of Kuan Yin being Miao Shan, Li Cheng was sure this world falls into the latter train of thought: this world follows Mayahana Buddhism instead of Hinayana.
Since he had realised this, the terror in his heart intensified a thousand folds, knowing that the existence was a supreme god amongst gods.
Should he bow down, get on his knees, and grovel?
That was an extremely smart thing to do.
After all, it was the Great Buddha himself.
He will certainly forgive and be benevolent right?
However, he had fiercely determined in his mind that he would demand an explanation.
Wouldn't the Great Buddha be disappointed by his complete flip of attitude?
In any case, this confrontation was a test for him as the Sect Master who would one day be amongst the very peaks of this world.
If he faltered now, then his dream to be the ruler of the strongest sect was impossible to achieve.
He had swindled… persuaded a Deity to join his sect!
Now, before even 30 minutes had passed, his very first disciple was probably going to be taken away!
To Li Cheng, this was unforgivable!
Utilising the feelings of resentment, determination, unfairness and the backbone of the strongest sect master, Li Cheng viciously snapped out,
"G-G-Great B-Budhhhaa!! What are youuu doing with my discipleee?!"
System: [...]
The Great Buddha was silent.
The drifting wind carried a soundless breeze to sweep past.
Li Cheng's face was red as a tomato. His chest bobbing up and down in an exhausted manner. It took all of his strength to shout those words out, continuing to tremble as the silence reigned.
Unfortunately, no matter how much courage he had, Li Cheng in his infancy for his grand goal was still just a mere child. He had yet to mature to the point that he could confidently and unwavering defy against the supreme gods of this world.
In fact, the System and Great Buddha? both understood this. They were speechless, but they each thought that his voicing was commendable.
Although Li Cheng looked dishevelled, he did not shy his eyes away and tried his utmost best to not look away from those extremely profound eyes of the Buddha. There were a few tears, but neither of the unimaginable existences mocked him.
The entity opened its mouth and questioned, "Are you not aware?" There was an inexplicable profoundness in the voice, mixing with Kuan yin's gentle, melodious voice.
It really seemed like Kuan Yin had become the Buddha.
Technically she was the Buddha now.
Li Cheng was aware. That whole "opportunity" event was the cause of this. The problem was, he had no idea exactly how tremendous and significant his actions were.
So this meant he had to…
Bullshit again.
Li Cheng could only hope that the Great Buddha? was not so all-knowing that he could determine if what was said was a lie or not.
Naturally, Li Cheng did not dare test this. Instead, he will make sure that he was not exactly lying and was being genuine about it. This was the common trick that was used when bypassing lie detectors in novels.
He could only pray that it was the same case here.
"W-what I'm aware of is that my disciple is about to receive an opportunity. A fortuitous opportunity that would allow her to transcend her fate and become stronger." His words reflected that of a cultivator's spirit and a sect master's duty.
The Great Buddha seemed to narrow its eyes. The tone of the voice a little low and with meaning,
"All tremble at violence; all fear death.
Putting oneself in the place of another,
one should not kill nor cause another to kill."
Li Cheng inwardly sighed in relief. What the Buddha said wasn't so profound that he wasn't able to understand anything.
In this context, the gist of it was he was probably telling him that he shouldn't mislead Kuan Yin to undergo a selfish fate imposed by him which would most likely be bloody. If Li Cheng was Kuan Yin herself, then he would not appreciate it.
There was, of course, more to what the Buddha said, but such complexities were irrelevant to the heart of the matter.
That was what Li Cheng had managed to infer from the entity's words.
"My disciple has agreed. This fate has been changed already and cannot be stopped. What I intend to impart is the cessation for all those who are suffering. Please take a look at this."
The confidence in Li Cheng grew.
No longer was he stuttering.
Boldly, without letting the entity refuse, he tapped Kuan Yin's forehead.
In Kuan Yin's mind, a tear dropping into a puddle of water echoed.
Ding!
[Disciple Kuan Yin (possessed) has received the opportunity.]
The entity's eyes flickered. The gaze did not change but gave off the impression of softening.
It didn't speak for a minute until a sigh came out of its mouth. "What's done is done."
After saying this, the golden light and white lights that shrouded the Buddha shun in brilliant light. Its radiance was so bright it caused Li Cheng to close his eyes for a moment.
When he opened his eyes again, the entity appeared to vanish into thin air. The presence was invisible and only remained in the parting words that serenely sounded in Li Cheng's ears.
"Let none find fault with others; let none see the omissions and commissions of others. But let one see one's own acts, done and undone."
The words appeared to apologise and were expressed in a mocking manner. Unknown if it was directed to Li Cheng or to the Buddha itself.
Perhaps both.
Li Cheng staggered and almost fell to the ground. He had a hand covering his heart as he complained in his mind.
'That's it?! I mean it's good and all to make it out alive, but I really thought it was going to be something more. I really hope not every god amongst gods speaks in damn riddles and is taciturn. It's so hard to understand, and I feel like the Great Buddha? was more so trying to preach than berate me!
'Don't tell me I really have fate with the Buddha? In other words, become a monk!'
He looked at his groomed hair and shivered.
Li Cheng dearly hoped he would not be bald some day. He really liked this cultivation-like long hairstyle. Although Kuan Yin had her beautiful hair, Li Cheng was not a fool. There certainly had to have been a point of time where she had to become bald for some religious practice!
"Sect Master… this art is…"
The familiar voice returned.
When Li Cheng returned to face Kuan Yin, he saw her have a very complicated expression. She didn't seem like she had known that she had just been possessed a second ago.
"You don't like it?"
"No no no, of course I like it!" She jumped towards Li Cheng in a panic, almost knocking him over since they were so close. "You gave me a Legendary Art.. It's too precious!"
"Of course I know how precious it is." 'I don't know.' "But you dared accept it didn't you?" Li Cheng countered.
"Yes... but my task or mission remains unfinished. Why, then, do I receive a reward at this moment?"
Li Cheng was silent. 'Once again, I'm rendered silent by her. I really need to plan things out, but things just keep escalating that I don't get any time to think!'
"Why shouldn't I? Who said that a sect couldn't give the rewards upfront?"
"I see… but it's so precious that I am undeserving to be receiving it beforehand. May I return it for now?"
From the way things were going, it looked like Kuan Yin was going to keep insisting. Li Cheng knew that he had to be firmer.
"Young miss. Are you going against the Sect Master's wishes?" Li Cheng said coldly.
Kuan Yin immediately ceased her silly impudence and became docile.
"No Sect Master. Kuan Yin, dares not. Many heartfelt thanks to Sect Master for imparting such a precious technique to this lowly disciple." She walked away a bit and bowed graciously.
The Deity had returned back.
"Don't call yourself lowly. You are a Deity and a representative for the Legendary Sect." He helped raise Kuan Yin's upper posture up and turned his back, missing the small, light blush bloomed from his intimate actions.
"You had helped me deal with the vile cultivators and I had mistreated you. The secret relic inherited by the unfathomable expert also recognised you. Such things were also taken into account as to why I gave it to you upfront."
As she gazed at his wide back and heard these words, the guilt in Kuan Yin's heart began to melt.
Suddenly, before Li Cheng could continue to speak, Kuan Yin spoke out,
"Sect Master! May I interrupt?"
Li Cheng maintained his sect master-like actions. He hummed, "Mmm."
"I have less than 5 minutes left before I must depart…"
Li Cheng: 'Fuck.'
Abandoning his dignity and demeanour, he shot towards his disciple and began bombarding her with things she should know before she had to leave, as well as quickly have her answer some queries he had.