Austin released his spiritual sense to learn more about the Buddha's bone fragment.
In an instant, he hesitated and was dumbfounded as he stared into space.
He saw hundreds of thousands of lotus petals floating mid-air, which soon turned into sparkling crystal raindrops.
In the distant, he saw an ancient bodhi tree, known as the tree of awakening, that stretched its branches in all directions like terrifying dragons. Its leaves were vividly green and heart-shaped with an extended tip. Suddenly, laws started to appear around the tree in the form of a mist.
Under the ancient tree, a man in saffron robe sat cross-legged in meditation. A dazzling radiance circulated at the back of his head. His body interacted with the laws in the void, as if he was sitting in the past, the present, and the future at the same time. Then, he peacefully looked at Austin in the eye.
'What?
Are you kidding me? Is that Buddha Hawley? Oh, this can't be real!'
Austin widened his eyes and held his breath. The man looked exactly the same like the Buddha statues in temples everywhere! He had a unique face, and was austere in stature, pose, and clothing. At that moment, he was integrated with the natural laws as if he was part of nature itself.
The bodhi tree's pumpkin-shaped flowers continuously fell down, while the leaves rustled with the gentle breeze. Austin had never seen such a serene and tranquil scene.
Austin felt like he was in a state of trance as he glared at the extraordinary man under the tree. The man was both anything and everything in the world.
Unconsciously, Austin's spiritual sense was released to discern the man.
"If you want a taste of the true Buddhism, then you have to reach the end of the Spirit Mountain."
the middle-aged man suddenly whispered. His words continuously rang in Austin's ears like a stream of river full of natural laws.
At the same time, Austin felt an unstoppable overwhelming Buddhist power coming at him from afar.
He hurriedly took a step back to try to avoid it.
Bang!
Austin found himself knocked into a table full of desserts, which made all the cups and plates fall down onto the ground.
Everyone who heard the noise stretched their necks to check what was going on, and gave him a puzzled look.
"Ha-ha! Look at him, Alice. I'm afraid the price of this Sarira scared somebody stiff!
Humph! He shouldn't have come here if he only has a few million dollars in his pocket. He asked for it! If I were him, I would leave right now to avoid further humiliation."
The fat old man wouldn't miss every chance to taunt Austin.
Naturally, Alice echoed him with sarcastic remarks.
It took a moment for Austin to finally come to his senses.
What he saw was just an illusion.
'Now I know.
This bone really was left by Buddha Hawley himself. Things always unravel themselves when you least expect it.
It contains such immense Buddhist power and laws. It's amazing!' he exclaimed in his head.
He then wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead as he recalled the details of his illusion. The power of Buddha that enveloped him was so overwhelming that he could not withstand a single blow, even if he had become a golden immortal.
It was only a small bone left by the Buddha, but it still contained such a terrifying power after eras. Austin was certain that it belonged to a grand Buddha, even if it was not Buddha Hawley.
In other words, that bone was invaluable.
Apart from its tremendous Buddhist power, the possibility that it also contained the cultivation achievements that its owner accumulated before he died was high.
It was well known that Sarira was the essence left behind by great Buddhas of the ancient times. People were eager to get a hold of those pearl-like objects, and temples that had it were proud to possess it.
'I will get that bone at any cost. Ivy and Sue will be delighted to have it. It can also greatly help them in their cultivation. I cannot imagine a more precious gift for them!'
Austin thought.
While he was lost in his thoughts, the bid price for the Buddha bone had risen to 300 million!
It was indeed a furious competition. Austin did not rush and held the idea that he was going to wait until the right time came.
As the time passed by, the bidding became even more intense, and the bone's price was doubled to 600 million dollars!
Austin had expected for its price to augment. Buddhism had been popular in Brilliant Kingdom since the ancient times. Ordinary people, government officials, and noble lords were all inclined towards the religion. In times of trouble and uncertainty, they would turn to temples to seek help and support.
Buddha Hawley was believed to be a prominent figure with a wide reputation among the people. Thus it was natural that it would cause a mad scramble.
As the price continued to go up, some of the bidders stopped raising their paddles.
Soon, it was the game for the few remaining rich people and organizations. They bid one after the other, and seemed to enjoy the whole process.
Meanwhile, the old fat man beside Alice never expected that the cost of the bone would go that high.
He had to abandon the bidding not because he was not interested, but the few hundred million bucks in his pocket was far from enough for it.
The bidding still went on.
"One billion!"
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