Her focused expression made it seem as if the whole world had disappeared at that moment, and only these "sculptures" were her sole focus.

Then, she nodded slightly, her tone firm and unquestionable, as certain as a booming bell, and said, "Indeed, they are the Sixteen Arhats, there is no doubt about that."

What you may not know is that when Buddhism was first introduced into the world, its doctrines and scriptures, as well as the various related contents that circulated in the early days, clearly referred to the Sixteen Arhats.

That was an important image of Dharma protectors established in the early days of Buddhism's birth and spread.

The version of the Eighteen Arhats that is well-known and widely circulated in modern times actually has a tortuous evolutionary history.

In China, the number 'eighteen' is imbued with extremely auspicious meanings.

It symbolizes good fortune, happiness, and abundance, and is full of people's yearning and wishes for a better life.

This is why, over time, Buddhism has continued to be passed down and evolved.

Out of the pursuit and promotion of this auspicious meaning, people added two more Arhats, which gradually evolved into the eighteen Arhats that we are familiar with today.

Moreover, this evolution began to spread widely among the common people, roughly after the Tang Dynasty.

Since then, the image of the Eighteen Arhats has been deeply rooted in people's culture and beliefs, becoming a unique and beautiful feature of Buddhist culture.

She paused briefly, her brows furrowing tightly, like two mountain peaks about to merge, her eyes revealing deep contemplation and worry.

She continued, "In the time and space we live in today, Buddhism has not yet taken root and spread widely here, and for most people, the concept of Buddhism is still extremely unfamiliar."

Judging from this series of chilling and bizarre events, the murderer who committed such heinous crimes must be...

Or it is highly likely that the Jade Shadow is secretly manipulating everything behind the scenes, and they may have had some unknown interaction with people from other regions.

Thus, they learned about the little-known Sixteen Arhats.

However, the reasons behind this are so complex and perplexing that they are hard to understand.

Why resort to such cruel and inhumane methods, using living people to create Arhat statues?

This is simply a desecration of life and a trampling of humanity.

Even if Yu Ying harbors ulterior motives and attempts to use the name of Buddhism to spread wicked ideas or achieve some ulterior purpose.

There is absolutely no reason, and it is absolutely wrong, to use such inhumane and heinous methods to drag innocent people into this terrible abyss of evil.

This not only violates basic human ethics and morality, but also challenges human conscience.

At this point, Qin Qianluo's eyes revealed deep confusion, heartache, and indignation. She gently shook her head, her eyes flashing with helplessness and resentment.

He continued, "Moreover, Buddhism has always regarded the concepts of cause and effect, reincarnation, and karma as the cornerstone and core of its doctrines."

It is regarded as the fundamental principle guiding people's behavior and thoughts.

In the Buddhist worldview, all things in the world have a spirit, and every life is like a bright star, shining with unique light in the long river of the universe, and should be respected and cherished.

At the same time, Buddhism regards the concept of compassion as the soul and essence of spiritual practice, emphasizing treating all things in the world with benevolence and tolerance.

So, how could such a profound and benevolent doctrine and philosophy allow such a heinous and immoral act to occur?

Feng Qingyun listened intently to Qin Qianluo's clear yet complex account.

I felt as if my mind had become a kaleidoscope that had been messed up by a naughty child.

Various novel, unfamiliar, and complex concepts, like colorful yet chaotic fragments, crash and rage within.

It left her dizzy and disoriented, her thoughts like a wet, tangled mess that only got more chaotic the more she tried to untangle them.

Her once bright and clear eyes, like those of a tranquil lake, were now filled with a look of bewilderment.

His eyes revealed a deep sense of bewilderment and confusion, like a fawn lost in a thick fog.

While trying to understand the meaning of Qin Qianluo's words, he remained completely confused, unable to grasp even the slightest clue.

The civil and military officials in the court were in the same state as Feng Qingyun.

They either had their brows furrowed, forming a deep "川" (river) shape between their eyebrows, or they were whispering to each other.

The hushed whispers spread like a fine spiderweb throughout the court, and everyone's face was filled with confusion and helplessness.

To them, "Buddhism" was like a mysterious symbol from a foreign land, a completely unfamiliar concept they had never encountered before.

What kind of sect is it? And what about Taoism, which they have known and revered for generations?

Are there any intricate similarities in their doctrines, rituals, and ideas?