this infinite world

Mythical form, a golden body sixteen feet tall.

As the opposite of the one who received guidance, Yang Yun was naturally able to most directly sense the terrifying power emanating from the other party. The aura emanating from ordinary powerful individuals was nothing more than a violent storm, a landslide, or a tsunami—ultimately a catastrophic event for the world. Even the might of a saint could only cause the heavens and earth to change color, and for the plane to spontaneously resound with sacred songs…

But the guidance at this moment was completely different, as if it were the embodiment of the entire Buddhist scripture. He simply stood there, and one could vaguely see the shadows of Buddhas, the body in Nirvana, the immeasurable meaning of birth, death, decay and prosperity, encompassing countless Buddha lands, filling the three realms, and traversing all the heavens.

Even more terrifying were the countless Buddha figures faintly appearing around the sixteen-foot-tall golden statue. Some sat under the Bodhi tree, attaining enlightenment; some cultivated diligently atop snow-capped mountains, achieving fruition; and countless incarnations simultaneously preached the Dharma in various Pure Lands… This was clearly a manifestation of the concept of “Buddha” from different timelines in this place!

Immeasurable light, immeasurable life, when the flower blooms I see myself, and I see the Buddha!

"So this is the form of mythology..."

Seeing the sixteen-foot-tall golden body that filled the heavens and earth, with billions of rays of light concentrated on it, fully displaying the meaning of "immeasurable", Yang Yun couldn't help but recall the form that Chi You had displayed when he fought him in Silent Hill.

At that time, Chi You also displayed a demonic form with three heads, six arms, eight legs, a bronze head, an iron forehead with horns, and wings on his back, strikingly similar to that described in mythology. His head touched the heavens, his feet trod upon the netherworld, and with every move he made, the void shattered; his battle intent solidified, staining the entire world crimson…

"Although the forms of expression differ, their essence is ultimately the same; they are merely postures displayed after the sublimation of one's own sacred path..."

Despite his words, Yang Yun felt no fear whatsoever towards the "mythical form" before him. Instead, his eyes blazed with a burning desire for exploration and contemplation. If Chi You's "Five Weapons of the God of War" represented the ultimate in warfare and slaughter, and Jieyin's "Sixteen-Foot Golden Body" symbolized the boundless truth of Buddhism, then would every powerful individual who reached the level of a high-level saint elevate their own path to sainthood and condense their own unique "mythical form"?
The more Yang Yun thought about it, the more sense it made. Perhaps the so-called "mythical form" was precisely the sage's corresponding interpretation of their own sacred path. After all, the Human Emperor Fuxi also possessed the so-called body of a Human Emperor, and Nuwa, when giving her all, would also manifest that half-human, half-snake form, even though she herself quite loathed it…

“Interesting.” Gazing at the incomparably radiant golden body before him, Yang Yun suddenly laughed: “It seems my combat experience is still too lacking. This ‘mythical form’ has shown me a higher level of scenery…”

"As expected, I still have a long way to go before I reach the advanced saint level."

Thinking of this, Yang Yun's eyes flickered slightly. He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to blurt out these words and expose his true abilities. Instead, he concealed all his sudden realizations in his eyes, without revealing a trace on his face. Only the contemplation flowing in his eyes and the ever-increasing fighting spirit pierced through his mind like a sharp sword.

"All laws share the same origin; the great principles of the world, though different, lead to the same destination."

Sensing Yang Yun's eagerness to try, Jieyin seemed to understand, and his sixteen-foot golden body radiated an even more dazzling Buddhist light: "'Mythical form' is just a name. If predecessors have already developed similar supernatural powers, it is not surprising."

After he finished speaking, thousands of golden Udumbara flowers bloomed in the void one after another.

Atop the petals lies a pure land of Buddha, and within the stamen sits the Buddhas of the three worlds; between the veins of the leaves flows a long river of time, and at the tips of the leaves stand bodhisattvas of the heavens. Layer upon layer of pure lands intertwine in the void, unfolding the infinite profound truths of Buddhism.

In the center of the Pure Land, the golden body of the Guide Buddha sits solemnly. A nine-tiered lotus platform radiates pure light, surrounded by eight celestial dragons for protection; Garuda King spreads his wings, obscuring the sky, each feather inscribed with mantras for salvation; behind his head, seven layers of light revolve like the moon, each reflecting the figures of countless Buddhas of the past and future chanting sutras… “What a magnificent scene…”

Seeing such a grand display, even the well-informed Yang Yun couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Although "mythical forms" should not be ranked in terms of superiority or inferiority, the difference in their foundations is as vast as heaven and earth. Compared to the strength that Jieyin is displaying now, even Chiyou's former power seems insignificant.

Of course, Chi You's former strength was reduced to a mere fraction, like water without a source. He possessed a high level of cultivation but lacked sufficient energy to sustain it, like a withered tree forcibly blooming a strange flower, only able to generate his corresponding mythical form through his own holy path. In contrast, Jieyin not only had the novice saint Milko as a constant source of energy, but also received the faith and support of believers from all the realms. Chi You's mythical form was like a candle flickering in the wind, its light uncertain; Jieyin's golden body, however, was like the sun in the sky, illuminating all heavens…

The difference between the two is like a firefly compared to the bright moon, a stream compared to the vast ocean, or a handful of soil compared to Mount Tai!
"And since you, fellow Daoist, have gained some understanding—"

As he spoke, the golden body, sixteen feet tall, slowly rotated the seven-layered Buddha wheel behind its head, its hands forming the demon-subduing mudra. This mudra, seemingly simple, contained the essence of the 84,000 Dharma gates of Buddhism. The lines on its palms transformed into three thousand Bodhi leaves, each bearing the phantom of an Arhat; the five fingers, in their flexion and extension, guided the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination, locking the past and future into the net of cause and effect—

"—Then please experience it for yourself!"

Although Buddhism emphasizes compassion and salvation, it also has the image of a fierce Vajra, ready to subdue demons!
A mighty chant of Buddhist hymns resounded throughout the three realms, and countless phantom images of Buddhas simultaneously formed hand seals. In an instant, the entire world was enveloped by a dark golden Buddha palm that blotted out the sky!

"Is it still some time before it fully blossoms and bears fruit...?"

But faced with this move that seemed to crush the entire world, Yang Yun's gaze swept over a certain spot without leaving a trace, and a complex weighing of options flashed in his eyes.

He knew better than anyone that although Chu Hao's status as the "protagonist" provided some cover, the effect was greatly diminished because Chu Hao only possessed the status but lacked the corresponding luck, thus not being a true "protagonist." Simply put, while slapping Melker away earlier was manageable, a prolonged, all-out battle with the current Guide was beyond his capabilities. Given enough time, he could still be discovered by this multiverse…

Therefore, we still need to wait for an opportunity. We need to wait for the protagonist to awaken, and for the pieces that Yang Yun has been using during this period to come into play.

"There's no other way. Since the Human Emperor of this universe still exists, both Nuwa and the Three Pure Ones should still be in a normal state and not have disappeared from the world... So, we can only hold on for a while longer."

The Xuan Jade Celestial Crystal materialized in his hand, and a burst of light seemed to explode in Yang Yun's eyes, like the first spark of light at the beginning of chaos, containing infinite possibilities and impossibilities—

"Origin - Momentary Reincarnation!"

In an instant, the emerald green sword light collided head-on with the crashing dark golden Buddha palm! (End of Chapter)