Chapter Thirty-eight: Bodhisattva of Transcending Calamities and Precious Treasures

“Luo Jiale, you go,” Liu Ke ordered calmly.

“Yes, President Liu.”

Obeying his command, Luo Jiale stepped forward to the jade pendant, inspecting its quality and patina closely. He clasped the jade in his hand, quietly sensing its subtle wonders. After a moment, he feigned a posture of disdain and sneered, “What Old Tang said is not false. This jade pendant does have a slight calming effect, but it is so faint as to be negligible. At best, it is the lowest grade of spiritual treasure.”

“You—” A wealthy man from Binhai City, clearly upset by Luo Jiale’s deliberate belittlement, was about to rebuke him when Old Tang intervened.

Old Tang, possessing great composure, turned to Liu Ke and asked, “Indeed, my jade pendant cannot be counted among the finest spiritual treasures. I wonder, President Liu, what of your own treasure?”

“Hahaha, that’s easy! Today, I’ll show you all what a true treasure really is. Daoist Wang Yundao, bring out your treasure and let these frogs at the bottom of a well have their eyes opened!”

At Liu Ke’s loud command, a slender man dressed in azure Daoist robes, his hair tied and crowned, stepped forward from behind him. With a formal bow to the gathering, he declared in a clear voice, “Supreme Taiyi Heavenly Venerable. This humble Daoist is named Wang Yun, also known as Wu Yazi. Greetings to you all.”

Everyone present was left bewildered—why had a Daoist suddenly appeared at this treasure contest? It wasn’t until Wang Yun produced a Buddha statue and placed it on the square table that they realized the next treasure was not Liu Ke’s, but belonged to this Daoist.

“This Buddha statue is something I chanced upon during my travels. It is called the Precious Bodhisattva Image of Calamity Crossing. It has absorbed the faith of countless believers over a millennium. In worship, by offering just a drop of blood, one can reverse their fortune and have their wishes fulfilled. Its wonders are truly extraordinary!”

As he spoke, Liu Ke clapped his hands, summoning an elder forward. The elder approached the Buddha statue, prayed devoutly, bowed repeatedly, and finally used a small knife to prick his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall upon the statue.

“Great Precious Bodhisattva of Calamity Crossing, this old man’s life has been plagued by misfortune and age. I only wish to live a few more years. Please, grant me longevity!”

He kowtowed several times, while the crowd assumed Wang Yun was merely putting on a show. But then, to everyone’s astonishment, the statue absorbed the blood and emitted a mesmerizing red glow that enveloped the elder’s body.

Before their very eyes, the elder’s appearance changed visibly. Much of the white hair on his head darkened, the wrinkles on his face smoothed, and he looked two or three years younger in an instant!

A collective gasp swept the room.

“This is truly a supreme treasure!”

“Isn’t it? With this, one could live forever!”

The wealthy men of Binhai City, witnessing such a miraculous scene, could no longer contain themselves. Those who possess wealth and power inevitably yearn for longevity; even emperors of old were no exception, let alone these mortal merchants. Such is human nature. Even Old Tang, upright as he was, was visibly moved, his heart pounding with desire.

“Liu Ke, who’s to say this isn’t some trick of yours? Would you really show such a treasure if it were genuine?” Old Tang, though tempted, remained composed and skeptical.

“A trick? Anyone who doubts is welcome to try it themselves—I won’t refuse. Once you experience the power of the Precious Bodhisattva of Calamity Crossing, you’ll be just as devout and awed as I am.”

Liu Ke laughed heartily, a touch of madness flickering in his eyes. He actually pushed the statue forward for anyone from Binhai City to try as they pleased.

“Qin Chaofeng, come and appraise it for us,” Old Feng immediately ordered Qin Guanyun to examine the statue, lest Liu Ke’s so-called miracle was merely an illusion.

Suppressing his astonishment, Qin Guanyun approached, picked up the statue, and examined it closely for a long while before sighing, “Old Feng, I cannot discern this statue’s true origin. The only thing I can confirm is that it is an ancient artifact of incredible age.”

“From its material and craftsmanship alone, it must be at least ten thousand years old, perhaps even from the so-called ‘Mythic Age’!”

A collective gasp echoed through the gathering.

The history of China spans no more than five thousand years. If this object truly dates back ten thousand years, it would indeed trace to the legendary “Mythic Age.” If so, its divine power would not be so surprising.

To ordinary people, the “Mythic Age” may be little more than legend and superstition. But to these magnates, who had seen spiritual artifacts and rare treasures, the existence of cultivators, immortals, and gods was not impossible. Thus, the survival of a magic artifact from that age, capable of granting longevity, was not beyond belief.

“Liu Ke, how much for your treasure? I’ll buy it!”

Old Feng, a man of considerable influence, was the first to make an offer. The outcome of the treasure contest no longer mattered; possessing this artifact was akin to gaining immortality.

“How much? No, no, this statue is not for sale. But you may worship it for a fee—one hundred million per time. Any wish you have can be fulfilled. A fair price, wouldn’t you say?”

Liu Ke picked up a cigar, drew on it with satisfaction, and looked supremely proud.

“A hundred million per wish? A hundred million for two or three years of extra life! That isn’t expensive at all!” Old Feng thought for a moment, then pulled out his checkbook. “Here’s one hundred million. I’ll go first!”

He threw down a check for one hundred million and was the first to approach.

Old Feng was bold and meticulous by nature. Such a miracle could only be one of two things: either a complete trick, or genuinely effective. Either way, he would not lose out. And as the first to try, he would have the advantage over the others.

Imitating the previous elder, Old Feng pricked his finger, offered blood, and stated his wish. Once again, a marvelous scene unfolded. The blood vanished, a strange red light enveloped Old Feng’s aged form, and a surge of power spread through his meridians. He felt a restless energy within; his skin and white hair improved, and he no longer appeared so old and frail.

He looked at least three years younger!

Old Feng’s firsthand experiment had truly extended his life—an event as earth-shattering as an earthquake. If the first demonstration could have been some trick of Liu Ke’s, Old Feng’s transformation was real and undeniable.

In other words—the treasure’s power to prolong life was genuine!

“Liu Ke, I want a turn too! A hundred million is nothing—I have plenty of money!”

“Liu Ke, count me in as well!”

The wealthy men of Binhai City jostled and clamored, each eager to throw themselves before the Buddha statue. Liu Ke, watching these plump sheep scrambling to offer him their wealth, was in excellent spirits, downing his wine in a single satisfied gulp.