Chapter 477 – The Value of Concern
In the end, Ye Tian received the reward from the Golden List Livestream. The reward was a Buddha Fruit. Consuming it would enhance one's affinity with Buddhist enlightenment, aid in meditation and comprehension of the Dao, and grant some spiritual insights. Additionally, it could even increase one's lifespan.
To others, such a reward would be seen as extraordinarily precious, but to Ye Tian, it wasn't particularly enticing.
After accepting the reward, Ye Tian glanced around the livestream room and realized that the Black Buddha had disappeared.
"Where's the Black Buddha? Did he run off while I was accepting the reward?"
"He did. He went in that direction, Ye Tian—hurry and chase him!" Tang Sanzang said to Ye Tian.
"That way, huh? Trying to run? It won't be that easy!"
Ye Tian immediately chased off in that direction. The Buddha Tathāgata also believed the Black Buddha wasn't simple, and so followed in pursuit as well.
The Black Buddha fled ahead, and Ye Tian gave chase from behind. But after a short while, a black forest appeared up ahead. A gust of wind swept through as the Black Buddha slipped into the woods and vanished from sight.
Ahead, a dense white mist shrouded the area. It was impossible to see what lay within it. Ye Tian gritted his teeth—he had lost him.
The Buddha Tathāgata soon caught up and asked Ye Tian, "Where is he?"
"He slipped into that white mist. I lost him the moment I got here."
"You actually lost him? Does that mean his strength surpasses yours?"
"No. I don't know how strong he is, but for him to escape right under my nose, it proves that he is indeed powerful. Why are you here—do you also want to find out who he really is?"
"Yes. Since he was once part of our Buddhist order, I must look into him. I will uncover everything about him. Ye Tian, I also hope that you don't make an enemy of me in the future. That would do neither of us any good."
"I've never had any intention of becoming your enemy. What exactly are you trying to say?"
"You—"
"Am I wrong? Ever since I arrived here, I've always been cautious with my words and actions. I've never gone looking for trouble, but even when I avoid provoking others, they still come after me—including you. If you hadn't provoked me in the first place, I never would've gotten involved with you."
"So, you're saying this is all my fault?"
"And what if I am?"
"Hmph. Very well. Until next time."
The Buddha Tathāgata turned and walked away. Ye Tian didn't say anything as he watched him leave. Right now, what mattered most to him was the Black Buddha—he was far more mysterious than Tathāgata and held far greater value worth investigating.
Deep within the thick fog, the Black Buddha activated Ten Thousand Buddhas Pay Homage. A dark figure beside him looked on and asked, "Master, your gains this time must have been considerable, right?"
"Indeed, Black Servant. My harvest this time was more than considerable. Taking first place in the Golden List Livestream has truly rewarded me with this heaven-defying technique. Black Servant, go patrol the perimeter. If anyone approaches, inform me immediately."
"Yes, Master!"
The black-cloaked man swiftly exited to begin his surveillance.
The Black Buddha sat down and began cultivating. Meanwhile, Ye Tian had not returned—he continued to search the forest. Shadows danced among the trees, and the undergrowth swayed gently in the wind. Though he had yet to discover anything, he wasn't planning to leave just yet.
"Hmph, I will find you."
Ye Tian had made up his mind. He was determined to locate the Black Buddha. This determination drove him to begin searching more thoroughly. He noticed a path through the woods—though its origin was unclear, its existence indicated it had been tread by someone.
And who else could it be but the Black Buddha?
With that in mind, he decided to follow the trail. For him, this wasn't just investigation—it was also a way to vent his frustration. He couldn't locate the Black Buddha, so he kept walking. Maybe he'd uncover something along the way.
Unlike others, who would quietly sit and mull over things when faced with obstacles, Ye Tian wasn't like that. When confronted with a problem, he had to take action—sitting around wasn't his style.
He continued forward. Although he didn't expect to find anything for sure, he was still determined to move on.
The farther he walked, the lonelier it felt. In this vast forest, it was as though nothing existed but the trees and the grass. It left his soul feeling strangely hollow. He had no idea what he might discover next, but he was resolved to follow this path through to the end.
As he made his way forward, Black Servant spotted him.
"Who goes there?!"
Black Servant leapt out, confronting Ye Tian.
Ye Tian studied him. The man's face was completely hidden under a hood. Ye Tian said, "Hmph, I thought I'd find nothing, and yet here you are. What's your name?"
"You are in no position to ask. Leave this place immediately. My master is inside cultivating. Do not disturb him."
"Your master… is he the Black Buddha?"
"How do you know that?"
"Hmph. He's exactly who I've been looking for. Go back and tell your master—tell him Ye Tian is here. If he's trying to avoid me, he can't. If I've set my mind on finding him, not even the ends of the earth will let him escape."
"You're Ye Tian?!"
"That's right."
Black Servant was instantly alarmed. He'd heard of Ye Tian multiple times—about how powerful he was. It was because of Ye Tian that his master had hesitated several times before deciding whether to participate in the Golden List Livestream.
He never expected Ye Tian to show up in person. This left him in a difficult position. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Fine. Wait here. I'll go inform my master. If he's willing to see you, I'll bring you in."
With that, he stepped into the barrier and vanished. Ye Tian eyed the boundary—it appeared to be a spatial isolation barrier. It wouldn't be difficult for him to break through.