The Thousand-Hand Buddha

"Without understanding the opponent's information, there's no way to counter. That means I'll have to fight head-on. But at least I still have two of each of those three life-saving pills left."

Narrowing her eyes in thought, Su Min knew this battle would likely be a brutal one. Though the pills in her possession were somewhat outdated, they were still more than enough for her current needs. As for Xie Yingying's blood essence, she would avoid using it unless absolutely necessary. Relying too much on it would not be good for her. More importantly, she would lose her final trump card.

Since she didn't know how to counter, she might as well go all out. Thus, seven days later, at the martial arena of the Great Thunder Temple. The place was bustling with excitement. Nearly all the monks had gathered, and for a time, the entire arena was bathed in a radiant Buddhist glow.

Human curiosity was inevitable—greed, anger, and ignorance were universal. Even monks were no exception. Their goal was to suppress their desires, not to eliminate them entirely.

"The senior brother actually challenged an outsider—a female one at that."

"Though Senior Brother is of the first generation, his combat prowess already rivals some fourth-generation cultivators."

"Enough talk, let's just watch."

Whispers filled the square. These were the elite of the Great Thunder Temple—a single glance revealed no fewer than a hundred Nascent Soul cultivators, with Golden Core cultivators beyond count. Their strength far surpassed 99% of the inherited sects.

"Over ten Divine Transformation cultivators… Tsk, the Great Thunder Temple is truly terrifying. Yet, it still wasn't enough to stand against the entire world. Just how brutal was the Great Buddhist Purge back then?"

Sitting cross-legged in midair, Su Min observed the scene below with great interest.

"She's here!"

A sudden exclamation drew everyone's attention as a blazing crimson figure descended from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground. As the dust settled, Su Min stepped forward.

"Nascent Soul… initial stage?"

"Don't underestimate her. I heard from Master that she was the top-ranked on the Golden Core Heavenly Leaderboard. And the opponent she defeated was practically a figure straight out of myth."

Many were momentarily stunned by Su Min's cultivation level, but those in the know quickly corrected them. Though details were scarce, her achievements were undeniable.

DONG!!!

A deafening bell suddenly rang out. A golden speck of light appeared in the sky, then exploded outward—revealing a hundred-meter-tall golden Buddha, eliciting gasps from the crowd.

"The Great Sun Tathāgata Golden Body? Isn't that something only those at the Unity Realm can manifest?"

"That's not the true Golden Body, just an illusory projection."

"Still terrifying. It seems Senior Brother is serious this time."

"Hey, Senior Brother, do you remember that palm technique that descends from the heavens?"

Someone suddenly muttered in realization. Because at that moment, the colossal golden Buddha raised its palm—instantly unleashing an overwhelming pressure across the entire arena. In that instant, a legendary technique came to mind—one as renowned as the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra.

"The Buddha's Palm!!!"

The next moment, a scorching, massive palm descended from above. Though not particularly fast, its sheer majesty made it feel like an unstoppable force of nature.

"Now I understand how the Monkey King felt under the Buddha's Five Elements Mountain. But unfortunately, I'm not Sun Wukong—and you're no Tathāgata."

If even the spectators felt such awe, Su Min, standing directly beneath the palm, naturally felt it tenfold. Yet surrender was not an option. Raising a single hand, Su Min uttered a low command:

"Manifest!"

With a resounding cry, a hundred-meter-long flaming phoenix materialized behind her. Its massive beak opened wide, unleashing a torrent of scorching flames toward the descending palm.

BOOM!!!

A violent shockwave erupted midair, sending terrifying ripples of energy in all directions. Golden light flickered as the spectators hastily erected barriers to withstand the blast. Even so, many were nearly knocked off their feet. Had there been any Foundation Establishment cultivators present, they would have been severely injured on the spot.

"The combination of the Nanming Lihuo and the Eastern Azure Wood is truly formidable."

Watching the aftermath, the three elders seated at the highest platform exchanged satisfied glances.

Hui Xing—the man facing Su Min—was his name.

He had spent one year refining his body, three years refining Qi, and ten years building his foundation. By twenty, he was ready to face the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation. However, the timing wasn't right, so he sealed himself away until the world was ready.

When he emerged, his talent remained undiminished. Within three days, he summoned the Ninety-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, then entered the Buddhist secret realm. In just forty years, he reached the Golden Core stage. Now, despite being at the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, he was less than a hundred years old.

However, such rapid advancement, while not harming his foundation, had made him somewhat arrogant. Buddhist techniques, though powerful, came with great risks—hence the strict monastic rules. The elders hoped Su Min would defeat Hui Xing and temper his pride. In their eyes, even if Hui Xing was stronger, his chances of victory were slim.

After all, they still couldn't comprehend how Su Min had defeated that opponent. Her unique state showed no outward changes, and the Golden Core Heavenly Leaderboard's barrier had masked its aura.

Apart from Yao Xian'er and Xie Yingying, no one else knew the truth. But it didn't matter. Hui Xing was a first-generation genius. Only defeat at the hands of another first-gen could truly humble him and force him to reflect. In the sky, Su Min's expression was grave. She had already entered her white-haired, crimson-eyed state.

The monk before her appeared to be in his early twenties, yet stood at a towering 2.2 meters tall. His exposed skin gleamed like polished steel under the sunlight, as if a muscle-bound titan had stepped out of a painting. His gaze, filled with arrogance, bore down on Su Min, making her skin prickle.

"I am Hui Xing, first disciple of Master Kong Chen."

"Su Min."

"Outsiders seeking the legacy must first pass my trial."

"Then let's begin."

Su Min smiled faintly. Behind her, the Vermilion Bird Saint Image blazed even brighter.

"The Nanming Lihuoe and Eastern Azure Wood? Mere external aids."

Hui Xing's voice was icy. He had never known defeat, and Su Min was merely an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—far beneath his late-stage strength. Even with two divine artifact, bridging that gap would be difficult. But the fact that she had blocked his Buddha's Palm proved she was no pushover. Proud as he was, he wasn't foolish. The top-ranked on the Golden Core Heavenly Leaderboard undoubtedly had tricks up her sleeve.

"Are you prepared, Benefactor Su? That was merely a greeting. The true attack begins now—Thousand-Hand Manifestation!!!"

Golden light erupted once more. Before Su Min could react, the golden Buddha's body swelled rapidly—reaching a staggering three hundred meters in height. Countless golden fists sprouted from its back, numbering in the thousands.

"Hiss—the temple's ultimate technique, the Thousand-Hand Buddha! Senior Brother actually fused it with the Great Sun Tathāgata Illusion!"

"Starting with such a monstrous move? That woman is in trouble."

Gasps filled the arena. To open with such a devastating technique was unheard of. Most present would be crushed instantly under that Buddha's might. Even the three elders nodded in approval—Hui Xing's comprehension and talent were exceptional.

"Tch."

Su Min inhaled sharply. With a flick of her wrist, a pill appeared in her palm, which she promptly swallowed.

"Pills? External aids."

Hui Xing sneered but didn't protest. He knew Su Min was an alchemist—outside battle, he would treat her with respect. But here, alchemists were allowed to use pills.

"You're right. These are just tools. But my foundation is my own."

As she spoke, the Vermilion Bird Saint Image behind her doubled in size. The life-burning pill had temporarily elevated her to mid-stage Nascent Soul. Though still weaker than Hui Xing, it was enough. Because Su Min knew—the real onslaught was about to begin.

And in that instant—

"Thousand-Hand Demon Crusher!!!"

A thousand fists rained down like a storm.

"Detonate."

Without hesitation, Su Min commanded her Vermilion Bird Saint Image to explode.

BOOOOOOM!!!

The resulting shockwave dwarfed the previous one. Many early-stage Golden Core monks coughed up blood, injured by the sheer force. Hundreds of fists were obliterated in the blast—but hundreds more continued their descent. Yet Su Min's body now shimmered with cyan light, her sword radiating dazzling brilliance.

"Five Elements Annihilation."

A prismatic glow erupted before her, clashing against the remaining fists.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The arena became a kaleidoscope of gold and rainbow light—beautiful, yet deadly. Many monks felt as if they were witnessing not a dream, but a nightmare. They knew that being caught in the crossfire would mean instant annihilation. Even some Nascent Soul monks shuddered—these two were monsters.

"So this is the power of the Five Elements Holy Body? Though not yet perfected, the Five Elements Divine Light is terrifying enough."

The three elders frowned deeply. They recognized it as the innate power of the Five Elements Holy Body. Su Min only possessed two divine artifact, meaning her body was only partially complete. Yet even with three spirit beasts substituting for the missing elements, its might was undeniable.

The Thousand-Hand Demon Crusher was pure physical force, amplified by Hui Xing's unique physique and techniques—enough to rival even the Great Desolate Sacred Body, another physique-focused powerhouse.

Yet Su Min had blocked it. Had their cultivation levels been equal, Hui Xing would have been completely suppressed.