Taiyi Dao Fruit

The vast space was difficult to see to its end at a glance, as if it were an underground world, with stone pillars standing tall, some with meditation cushions placed upon them.

It was evident that this place must have once been a lecture site for scriptures.

However, these were not the reasons Jiang Li uttered the words "breathtaking."

His gaze fell upon a natural platform in the center. There, a gigantic halo stood erect, suspended above the platform, with majestic mountains, dim palaces, and valleys akin to purgatory—all within the halo. Figures either meditating or fighting could be seen.

Jiang Li had previously flown out from within this halo.

This halo was the main altar of Fire House Buddha Hell.

"Palm Buddha Country? Or rather..."

Jiang Li slowly exhaled, even though this embodiment did not need to breathe, yet he still performed the action, "A world created from visualization."

Since Karma Tathagata had developed the "Moluo Sword Manual," such an unfathomable cultivation technique, he naturally possessed peerless mastery in this way. However, before this, Jiang Li had never imagined that the main altar of Fire House Buddha Hell would exist in such a form.

Compared to the halo before him, the Void Illusion Realm of Tianxuan paled significantly.

At least four mountains could be seen within the halo, and as it rotated, the dark-hued scroll unfurled, revealing the landscape of Buddha Hell.

Fire House Buddha Hell was not located in any one place; it was here, within the dreams of Karma Tathagata.

A dream that truly exists.

It was not false, nor did it lack form—both the palaces of before and the mountains seen now were real. Luo Hou, Jidou, and Lou Shuangying all appeared in the palace in physical bodies, not just in spirit.

No wonder his own inferior cultivation was detected immediately upon arrival; in someone else's world, how could it not be exposed?

No wonder the main altar of Fire House Buddha Hell had always remained undiscovered and undestroyed. When the altar of Buddha Hell disappears, that will likely mark the return of Karma Tathagata to the world.

Jiang Li's gaze fell upon the figure before the halo.

Dressed in a black robe embroidered with dark patterns, hooded, covering most of his face and leaving only the chin exposed, white hair trailing down the side of the face. Around his neck hung a string of prayer beads, displaying his connection with Buddhism, sitting tightly before the halo.

Compared to Buddhist Zhen Ru, who was like Heavenly and Man, this person did not possess that transcendent aura but was like a shadow—appearing ordinary, yet reflecting the darkness of all beings.

Without a doubt, he was the master of Fire House Buddha Hell, Karma Tathagata, the most mysterious supreme being who had contended with the Awakened for many years.

[With Jiang Li's people-reading skills honed through his master and senior sister, he could recognize the silhouette and facial contours of Zhen Ru just by the chin. There was no question: the information obtained from Lou Shuangying that day was correct.]

[Karma Tathagata and the Awakened were two identical people.]

'Damn Karma Collection, why record things so meticulously?' Jiang Li glanced at the words before him, the corners of his eyes twitching slightly.

The Karma Collection confirmed his guess, which pleased Jiang Li, but it had maligned his reputation, which he did not like.

What kind of 'people-reading skills honed through his master and senior sister'? Can't you just remove the beginning part?

He had other pressing matters now; otherwise, you would be in for it.

Under Jiang Li's gaze, the figure that was like the shadow of all beings, that seemed just a shadow, slowly spoke. In a voice identical to that of Buddhist Zhen Ru yet lacking that otherworldly quality, he asked, "What have you seen?"

There was no earth-shattering momentum, but against the backdrop of that halo, no force could be more shocking than this moment.

There was no terrorizing power, but once he spoke, Jiang Li felt an intuition that no lie could deceive him.

Legend had it that Karma Tathagata carried the Third Grade, Great Freedom Heavenly Dao Fruit, transforming the hearts of all beings into his own, their intents into his, the supreme god outside of Buddhism, the leader of the Heavenly Son Demons, with an unparalleled ability to grasp people's hearts and minds.

Today, upon seeing him, whether he was truly unparalleled was still uncertain, but a glimpse of his legendary prowess could be seen.

"I've seen someone familiar," Jiang Li said outright.

Sincerity with others had always been his tenet; that could not be compromised.

Of course, Karma Tathagata knew who this familiar person was, and even speaking with him, Jiang Li felt as if he were talking with Buddhist Zhen Ru.

Upon hearing this, Karma Tathagata laughed enigmatically and said, "You have seen it; people from Buddha Country will naturally see it, too."

Even if Jiang Li's skill in reading people was formidable, he had only seen Zhen Ru a few times and wasn't truly familiar with him. If he could recognize it, then those who had been with the Awakened for decades or even a century would certainly be able to as well.

For instance...

"Manjusri."

Jiang Li slowly pronounced the name, "Lou Shuangying's visit to Five Finger Mountain wasn't just about enhancing the Moluo Sword Manual."

More importantly, it was about exposing the connection between the Awakened and Karma Tathagata.

Even Lou Shuangying's performance when the Heart Demon Secret Sword guided him and manifested the shadow of Karma Tathagata might not have been true madness; it could have been deliberate.

All of this was to let the people in Buddha Country notice the connection between the two, and possibly even uncover the truth.

"Manjusri."

Karma Tathagata nodded, confirming Jiang Li's thoughts, "He has looked upon the Awakened for many years, even been raised by his hand; naturally, he would not be unfamiliar. If he suspects the Awakened, others in Buddha Country will also be tainted by this suspicion, because the Awakened is of the Human Species Dao Fruit, not of Buddha Attribute."