Luo Chuan found himself at a loss.
If anyone else had obtained such an extraordinary physique, they would have been overjoyed beyond measure.
Yet, for him, it felt utterly useless.
"Is this what they call tasteless?"
Sensing Luo Chuan's speechless frustration, the system remained silent for a moment before offering an explanation.
"The host's strength is not solely dependent on store sales."
Hearing this, Luo Chuan suddenly understood.
Yes, the store's division allowed him to rapidly increase his strength.
But what would happen when he reached a certain level?
Each advancement required a tenfold increase.
At some point, the amount of sales required would become astronomical.
This Innate Spirit Body, seemingly useless now, might become a crucial advantage in the future.
Luo Chuan nodded, a small smile appearing on his lips.
"Alright, I take it back. This physique isn't so bad after all."
The system offered no response. It had already gone silent, seemingly slipping into hibernation.
---
Far away from the bustling Origin Mall, in the vast Western Regions of the Azure Continent—
A land ruled by the teachings of Buddhism.
From humble villages to towering cities, golden Buddha statues could be seen enshrined everywhere.
And at the very heart of this sacred land—
The ultimate holy ground for countless devotees.
A land of endless mountain ranges, where spiritual energy was so dense it condensed into a perpetual mist.
And among these towering peaks stood a singular, unparalleled mountain—
Mount Xu.
A name revered throughout history.
Ancient temples of unimaginable splendor covered its slopes, their golden rooftops gleaming in the divine light.
The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood, and the echoes of Buddhist chants drifted through the valleys.
High above, in the boundless sky, the faint illusions of gods and Buddhas manifested like celestial visions.
Countless devotees gathered at the foot of Mount Xu, kneeling in prayer.
Their collective faith surged like an invisible tide, empowering the sacred land itself.
---
Deep within the sacred mountain, inside an ancient cave, a lone young monk carefully swept the stone floor.
His robes were simple, his expression humble yet reverent.
Dotting the cave's walls were countless oil lamps, their golden flames flickering like tiny stars in the darkness.
Each of these flames represented a life—
The life essence of a devout Buddhist cultivator of Mount Xu.
As long as the flame burned, the cultivator lived.
But if the flame went out…
A sudden gust of wind swept through the cave.
One of the lamps—positioned high on the stone wall—
Flickered.
And then, in an instant—
It was extinguished.
For a brief moment, an invisible force—a lingering will—seemed to howl in defiance before vanishing into nothingness.
The young monk froze, staring at the darkened lamp in shock.
His mind went blank.
A Buddhist master has perished.
It took him several moments to process what had happened.
Then, in a panic, he threw down his broom and bolted from the cave.
His panicked cries echoed through the halls—
"Not good! A flame has gone out!"
---
At the peak of Mount Xu, within a grand golden temple, lay the Buddha's Hall.
It was here that the Lord Buddha himself preached the Dharma, surrounded by his most devoted followers.
Golden Buddha light radiated from the high dais, illuminating the entire hall.
Around him, countless powerful Buddhist cultivators sat in deep meditation.
In the presence of the Lord Buddha, even the most arrogant warrior would bow in reverence.
The Buddha's form constantly shifted—
One moment, an old man.
The next, a middle-aged scholar.
Then, a woman.
A young girl.
His face transformed endlessly, embodying all aspects of life.
This was the legendary Manifestation of All Beings, an ability said to be the pinnacle of Buddhist enlightenment.
It was said that the Lord Buddha had once cast aside his power and roamed the mortal world, experiencing every possible life.
After countless lifetimes, he finally attained supreme enlightenment.
---
The true extent of the Buddha's power was a mystery.
Centuries ago, a monstrous demon ape had descended upon the world—
A creature of boundless might, its strength rivaling even Eminences.
Yet the Buddha had defeated it with—
A single palm strike.
From that day forward, countless rumors spread—
The Buddha's strength surpassed even Eminence.
And beyond Eminence…
Lay the realm of the Celestial Ascendants.
A realm so exalted, so unreachable, that no one had witnessed its power in countless ages.
And now, within the hallowed halls of Mount Xu, an ancient flame had been extinguished—
Signaling the death of one of their own.
The balance of power in the world had begun to shift.