Published at 16th of January 2026 9:04 am

Chapter 1726: Gautama & Tagatha [Happy Holidays]

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Maitreya’s sudden sneak attack worked: that palm not only severely injured the Star Manifestation’s [Existence], but it also drew out a single drop of blood. Was it a coincidence that such a being only releases a single drop of blood after a severe injury? Definitely not. But no matter the reason, the plan succeeded, and Maitreya placed the blood into the container. However, how can such an act not carry any risk?

While injured, the Star Manifestation instinctively counterattacked with a palm strike. Their actions could not be considered an attack, but rather an instinctive reaction from years of battle and experience. However, such a reactive move was devastating to a lower lifeform like Maitreya. As she watched a towering, star-like palm descend on her, the Mother Buddha saw her life flash in her eyes, followed by countless possible reincarnations, and then, everything went black.

The fear of death instantly woke her from her daze, and Maitreya bit her tongue and used a technique to drastically increase her pain while lowering her tolerance. The pain did not alleviate her, but instead, calmed her mind as it replaced the fear of death. The quick awakening and the Star Manifestation’s injury gave Maitreya a chance at surviving — if she plays her card correctly. Luckily, she was prepared.

[Past, Present, & Future Buddha Self]

Three golden versions of Maitreya floated above her head. With a thought, the Past Buddha Self entered her [Existence] and turned into protection for Maitreya’s [Time Nexus]. Well, maybe "protection" wasn’t the right word. In a desperate effort, Maitreya tried to reinforce her [Time Nexus] to prevent the attack from activating the [Existence Hierarchy]. If this works, then even if her body, soul, and existence are destroyed, Maitreya will have a chance of revival.

The Present Buddha Self resonated with the Heaven and Earth Origin Cycle Array and borrowed some of its power. Wang Wei had handed over secondary control of the array to her to increase Maitreya’s odds of success, and now, she was using this power to ensure her survival. Without hesitation, this Buddha Self sacrificed herself to transform into the most potent shield possible.

The Future Buddha Self used a technique Wang Wei often employed and has saved his life a few times: borrowing power from the future self. Under normal circumstances, such a technique is unimaginably difficult for any Saints to execute. However, Maitreya is lucky: she witnessed the battle their group called [The Loop], in which they aided Wang Wei in blocking countless other cultivators. As such, she knew her future was bright. More importantly, her future is also tied to Wang Wei’s, which most second-step Saints and above know is the one with the highest likelihood of being actualized.

Maitreya used this basis for her technique, but she was also wise and experienced. When Wang Wei was still a Great Emperor, he used this technique to defeat Old Man Nether, but he almost died from the backlash. How terrifying will it be for Maitreya at the Saint Tier? Knowing what was to come, Maitreya chose to be smart about the future she chose. Instead of that guaranteed future, the Mother Buddha selected an alternate future in which she failed to condense the Flesh Quintessence, survived, and retained a bit of its power.

In less than a nanosecond, the Future Buddha Self acquired power that could be described as a Pseudo Tribunal Saint. Then, just as its predecessor did, this Buddha Self sacrificed itself to reinforce the defensive shield created by the Present Buddha Self.

Boom!

This ultimate protection crumbled faster than a bowl of ice cream would melt if directly teleported to the center of the sun. Maitreya’s body suffered a severe blow, and from the people observing, it appeared as if she was instantly annihilated. However, this was not the case. All her actions were for one purpose: prevent the [Existence Hierarchy] from activating. By protecting herself and weakening the attack as much as possible, Maitreya’s plan succeeded.

Her body — the one who attacked — was instantly annihilated. However, using a similar technique to Wang Wei’s Spirit Particle or the lich’s phylactory, she was able to revive herself in the base, under the protection of the array. Maitreya’s body was transparent, signaling she was on the verge of her existence collapsing, but regardless, she survived.

"That was closed," the Mother Buddha muttered as she swallowed a pill bought from the exchange list. The fear from the previous experience overwhelmed the grief she would have normally felt for using such a valuable pill so early into the expedition.

"That was indeed close," Wang Wei nodded. The difference between each step of the Quintessence Realm was indeed too vast. In the Primordial Timeline, the Critical Hit Path provides an opportunity to challenge higher levels, but out in the Infinite Trichiliocosm, there is no such advantage.

"Luckily, the plan was a success," Maitreya smiled as she checked the container inside her personal dimension.

"I know I might be speaking too much, but you should be careful about that blood. It’s best to deal with it as soon as possible," Wang Wei suggested. The best approach was for Maitreya to use this blood after leaving this place, as she could use her access to the [Exchange List] to find a way to address the issue. More importantly, she would be far away from the blood’s owner. Unfortunately, there is no way to swiftly leave the current timeline.

"That is the plan," Maitreya nodded.

"Do you want to ask the duchess for help again?"

"No need. I’ve already owed her enough."

Wang Wei briefly hesitated. "What about if you first pay your karma?"

"You know about the origin of Buddhism?"

Wang Wei knew about this secret from his talk with Honghun. He even used that information to deduce more information about the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama. One thing that has been puzzling him was the connection between Gautama — the Indian Monk and Founder of Buddhism — and Tagatha, the Chinese Deity credited with the creation of Buddhism.

After combining much information, Wang Wei has deduced the situation of Earth and all its mythology. Pangu is the creator of the Prehistoric World, meaning technically speaking, in this Chaos Universe, the true Myth of Creation belongs to the Eastern World. However, Earth’s situation was more complicated than that.

When Wang Wei briefly visited, he saw many cultivation civilizations based on different Earth’s myths, culture, and civilization. And if anyone checks, all these civilizations, with their own understanding of the world, have different myths of creation. But why hasn’t Hongjun used this information to their advantage? That’s because all the other myths of creation are also true.

Wang Wei speculated that the tear in reality that Pangu left in the world did not gather solely on Earth to create a multi-ethnic planet. No, his actions also created other realms or even timelines of the Prehistoric World in which these myths and legends are directly true or feature characters from them. Then, at some point, all these realms or timelines fused into one, and eventually, three Primordial Saints were created — each from a different civilization.

Wang Wei deduces that the first person to break the barrier between the other realities and the original timeline — the place where Hongjun, Nuwa, and the others are — is Gautama. He reincarnated as Tagatha, changed Buddhism to adapt to the original realm, and spread it.

The implications of such deductions are many. According to Wang Wei’s thought, if he’s right, Gautama did not die after breaking through the barrier of the Prehistoric World and spreading Buddhism. His revival method is Tagatha, but for some reason, he hasn’t regained consciousness, meaning his power as a Primordial Saint hasn’t returned either.

As for the reason for this? Wang Wei thought of many things, the first of which was that the other three Saints were suppressing him and preventing his return. However, from his initial interaction, Wang Wei was not too keen on this idea as he felt those three were banded together in their desperate attempt to escape. Of course, Wang Wei would not rule it out completely.

The second reason Gautama hasn’t returned is that he is planning something. Whatever it is requires him to remain in this incomplete state. Finally, the third and most likely reason is that the Buddha suffered a terrible injury in the process of escaping Grand Dao’s shackles, and to this day, he still hasn’t returned.

...

After thinking about it, Wang Wei directly transmitted the truth to Maitreya’s mind. He did not reveal too much valuable information. The information he revealed primarily focuses on the fact that the powerful beings in the Prehistoric World cannot escape being imprisoned and have been trying means to escape, and Gautama is one of the few successes.

"So, that is Buddhism’s grand goal woven into our very destiny," Maitreya muttered. The day she took on the name [Maitreya], she knew she was taking on a powerfully karmically binding oath or pact that involved the Destiny of the entire Buddhist Religion. After hearing Wang Wei’s words, she knew her mission was probably to help the [Buddha] escape its restraints and shackles.

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