Indra King Buddha finally understood, half-smiling as he said, "Nonsense! The Great Ruins is a wild and lawless land, but this is the Buddha‑Realm. How could the Buddhas tolerate you going on a killing spree here?"
The Demon Ape looked disappointed.
Though he had awakened to intelligence and was now a Buddha‑Child, praised for his profound mastery of dharma and lauded for his boundless debating talent, he was, after all, a creature of the Great Ruins.
The beings of the Great Ruins, many of them like Quinn Shepherd, are born wild and untamable, with a fierce, unrestrained spirit in their chests. Even after living in the Everpeace Empire for so long, Quinn still missed those days of freedom—how much more so for the Demon Ape?
Indra King Buddha blinked and smiled, "While we can't allow indiscriminate killing, if someone tries to kill you and you accidentally kill them in return, that's understandable and forgivable. Even if it comes to investigation, there will be someone backing you."
Quinn Shepherd blinked, curious, "May I ask who this person backing us is?"
The Buddha‑halo behind Indra King Buddha suddenly went dark, and he blinked, saying, "Naturally, someone will support you. So don't be afraid. Besides, I also want to see the Great Brahma King Buddha's techniques. It's a rare opportunity—I want to mix in with the Buddha‑Children myself, maybe even meet the Brahma King. Since I haven't taken any disciples, I have to compete in person."
This Buddha wore a loose yellow robe that hung to his feet, always preferring to go barefoot. With his Buddha‑halo extinguished, standing among Quinn and the others, he looked just like any other Buddha‑Child—not at all like the figure second only to the Great Brahma King Buddha in the Buddha‑Realm.
"Even King Buddha wants to compete?"
Brother Brightheart was stunned, secretly grumbling, "If you're joining the competition, who else can possibly win?"
Quinn Shepherd eyed the tall, lean Buddha with suspicion, thinking, "I've never seen such a mischievous Buddha before. All the others are so solemn—how is he so lively? He's got a temperament just like mine..."
Quinn whispered, "Brightheart, do you know where this Buddha comes from?"
Brother Brightheart shook his head. "I've read nearly all the scriptures at Great Thunderclap Temple, but there's hardly any record of this Buddha."
Quinn blinked and smiled. "King Buddha, you just said someone would back us up. Could it be that person is you?"
Indra King Buddha blinked. "I never said that."
Quinn blinked back and said, "A monk doesn't lie!"
Indra King Buddha blinked and replied, "I am a Buddha, but I'm not a monk. Wherever I go is my home, so why would I need to leave home?"
The two exchanged glances for a moment, then each turned away, refusing to look at the other.
Brother Brightheart grew more and more uneasy. "Senior Brother Quinn dares stare down King Buddha—he's got guts. When we get back, I really need to teach him just how many ways there are to write 'death'..."
"Jealous?" Demon Ape Battle-Void whispered to Quinn.
Quinn nodded, his eyes nearly watering from all the blinking just now, while Indra King Buddha still hadn't given away anything—he kept his secrets tightly sealed.
Indra King Buddha was rubbing his eyes too, probably from blinking so much—he didn't look too comfortable either.
Quinn couldn't help but wonder—Indra King Buddha didn't act like a typical Buddha at all. He was full of curiosity, handled things in a very human way, yet he was the Buddha of Indra Heaven, second only to Great Brahma King Buddha in the Buddha‑Realm.
He didn't seem like someone from the Heavenly Court—if he were, he definitely wouldn't treat Quinn and his group so kindly. But Indra King Buddha seemed to have a genuine liking for them, and even hinted that someone would help them.
Just then, a young monk stepped out of the ruined monastery ahead and called, "Which of you debated all the way from Yama‑King Heaven up to Great Brahma Heaven?"
Demon Ape Battle‑Void strode forward, his voice booming like thunder: "Me!"
The monk looked up at him—Demon Ape was like a black tower, intimidating and awe‑inspiring. He quickly said, "Senior Brother, the Old Buddha says you've passed the test. Please, come inside. Follow me."
Demon Ape Battle‑Void glanced back at Quinn and Brightheart. Quinn smiled, "Go on in first. I'll come find you later."
"Alright!"
Demon Ape followed the monk, striding into the ruined monastery.