Chapter 384: Chapter 268: I’m the Buddha’s Son, How Could I Be a Fiend?

Immediately after, Yang An saw an exquisite, small Incense Burner appear inside the Buddhist Shrine. A single stick of incense began to materialize above it.

’Could it really be just First Grade?’

Seeing this, Yang An’s heart sank.

But in the next moment, a second and third stick of incense appeared in the Incense Burner, one after another...

As the incense sticks appeared, Yang An’s heart rose to his throat.

Second Grade... Fifth Grade... Eighth Grade... Ninth Grade!

It’s a Ninth Grade Holy Shrine!

’I really am exceptionally talented!’

Yang An’s excitement surged. But then a thought struck him: a higher grade meant a greater Demon Barrier in his heart.

’It’s not exceptional talent, it’s overwhelming Demonic Qi.’

’No, how can I, the distinguished Buddha’s Son of the Great Virtue Temple, the True Buddha Reincarnation, be a demon lord?’

’Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?’

Just as this doubt surfaced, Yang An saw the nine incense sticks in the Incense Burner turn to ash in an instant.

"..."

’Gone?’

’It’s gone?!!’

The nine sticks of incense had vanished, leaving only the empty Incense Burner. His once-unique Buddhist Shrine was rapidly turning black and warping, and in a flash, it became just like everyone else’s.

This sudden turn of events sent Yang An’s surging excitement plummeting.

He had just thought he’d obtained a Ninth Grade Holy Shrine, but in a blink, it was all gone.

’What grade is a Buddhist Shrine with no incense at all?’

At that moment, Yang An suddenly noticed the ground beneath his feet. The boundless, abyssal black sea that was once there was now gone. All the water had vanished, leaving only vast, empty earth and stone.

The sinister, demonic seawater had been completely absorbed without him noticing.

Before he could even be amazed by this sight, his vision went dark. His consciousness instantly returned to his body, and the sound of chatter filled his ears.

He was back in the Grand View Cave Zen.

But when he opened his eyes, the previously noisy scene had fallen deathly silent.

Yang An realized everyone was staring at him, their gazes filled with confusion and astonishment.

The Buddhist Shrine that had formed above the black sea now appeared before him. Inside its Incense Burner, there wasn’t a single stick of incense.

"Where’s the incense? How can the Buddha’s Son’s Buddhist Shrine have no incense?"

Someone in the crowd spoke up, and an uproar immediately followed.

"Not a single stick of incense... What grade is that?"

Some of them had been eagerly anticipating the Buddha’s Son’s Seeking Shrine ritual.

This was the Buddha’s Son, a True Buddha Reincarnation. Even if his past life had accumulated no Demon Barriers, it was impossible for his current life to be completely free of them. So how could there not be even one stick of incense?

The Buddha’s Son’s Buddhist Shrine was completely unexpected. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Many people turned to look at the Zen Masters nearby. Perhaps only they could answer this question.

But the Zen Masters could only stare at each other, equally dumbfounded.

"This..."

They were speechless.

"We must ask the Bodhisattva."

After a long silence, someone finally said that this matter could only be decided by Hai Shu Bodhisattva.

A Zen Master quickly left, heading for the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, and soon disappeared from sight.

’So it’s not even First Grade.’

Yang An took a deep breath. Although he had considered the possibility that he might not even get the worst, First Grade Buddhist Shrine, to have it actually happen under the watchful eyes of so many people stirred up complicated feelings.

This meant he could participate in the Joyful Shrine Association, but he would have no authority and be unable to do anything.

’I might as well have abstained.’

’But to not even get First Grade... what’s the meaning of giving me a Buddhist Shrine with no incense? Is this supposed to be an insult?’

Yang An suddenly remembered that this Buddhist Shrine was like a Magical Artifact. Perhaps he could try using his ability to appraise it.

Just then, the Zen Master who had gone to the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall returned, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

"What did the Bodhisattva say?"

Someone asked impatiently.

"The Bodhisattva said, no incense means... no grade!"

No grade?!

It didn’t even qualify for a grade?

Everyone had thought the First Grade Spiritual Shrine was the lowest level of Buddhist Shrine, but they never expected there to be a "no grade" below First Grade.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Yang An once more. If they had felt any reverence for the new Buddha’s Son before, it all changed in an instant after learning the grade of his Buddhist Shrine.

Their eyes held doubt, disdain, joy, and ridicule.

The great Buddha’s Son actually received a gradeless Buddhist Shrine. What use could such a shrine possibly have?

In any case, the Joyful Shrine Association was tomorrow’s business. Those present no longer bothered to hide their feelings as they usually would and became blatant. Some even started laughing out loud.

The atmosphere grew increasingly strange, yet no one tried to control it. The Zen Masters all chose to stand by and watch, some even taking pleasure in his misfortune.

Yang An heard the news brought by the Zen Master.

’Even that old monk Hai Shu says it’s gradeless. I guess there’s no hope then.’

He could doubt others, but as the Bodhisattva of the Great Virtue Temple, Hai Shu had seen everything. A situation like this must have happened before; otherwise, he wouldn’t be so certain.

’I should have known this would happen. I’m not a real Buddhist Cultivator, so where would I get a Demon Barrier from?’

’And look at these guys, still laughing.’

’They’re Monks, yet they all have Demon Barriers. I feel ashamed for them.’

’Not like me. I’m probably the only purebred Monk in this world who possesses a true nature, untainted by any Demon Barrier.’

’Compared to these guys, I feel like I’m the real holy buddha—the purebred kind.’

Thinking this way, his complicated feelings instantly improved.

He decided to put away the Buddhist Shrine and leave.

’Worst case, I’ll just lock myself away during the Joyful Shrine Association tomorrow and focus on my cultivation.’

’The Joyful Shrine Association is only for one day anyway. I’ll let these guys be arrogant for a day.’

’After this day passes, I’ll still be the Buddha’s Son, and these guys will just be insects who don’t dare to disobey me. There’s plenty of time.’

Retracting his gaze, Yang An reached out and took the Buddhist Shrine floating before him.

But just as his hand touched the Buddhist Shrine, a message box appeared in his vision. He casually glanced at its contents and froze.

"[Full Grade · Xian Shrine]: Source: Yang An, Sect Leader of the Mystic Path Sect and Buddha’s Son of the Great Virtue Temple. Formed by absorbing a sea of Demon Barriers, refined by a body of true nature, and bestowed by a Dharma Aspect of Perfection. Surpasses the Ninth Grade to achieve the ultimate. Can absorb Demon Barriers and transform them into Spirit Charm, turning the corrupt into the wondrous. This item’s existence is temporary; if enough Demon Barriers are collected, it can become permanent.

Cost of Use: Absorbing Demon Barriers will consume the user’s Mana and lifespan. Refining Demon Barriers will cause the user to be partially invaded by them. If this item is destroyed, the user will fall into a sea of Demon Barriers, and their body and soul will be eroded by them. Due to this item’s unique nature, there is a chance it will attract the prying attention of a Seeking Shrine Buddha.

Status: Purification available!"

’Full Grade?’

’What does that mean?’

’I’m not gradeless? I’m Full Grade?’

’There’s a Full Grade above Ninth Grade? And it’s not a Buddhist Shrine, it’s a Xian Shrine!’

Yang An stood there, stunned. The sudden flood of information left him unable to process it all.