The Purple-Robed Celestial Master has turned into a zombie?! Who can stand that?!

Chapter 210 Zhang Daoling's Importance
Zhang Daoling's projection appeared.

His gaze went directly to the Buddha's light.

Zhang Daoling was very curious as to why a great master of Western Buddhism would suddenly appear in the mortal realm.
Zhang Daoling's gaze first fell on Zhang Tianlu.

He asked, "Tianlu, what brings you here?"

Zhang Daoling inquired.

Zhang Tianlu then said, "Greetings, Grandpa..."

Zhang Tianlu first paid his respects.

This time, the act of summoning people to invoke the gods was different from our previous private interactions.

He and Zhang Daoling spent more than two thousand years in private, so they were naturally closer.

But today is different. Zhang Daoling is inside the Lingxiao Palace, where all the celestial beings and gods are present.

The proper Taoist etiquette must be observed.

While Zhang Tianlu was paying respects to the Celestial Master,

Outside Leiyin Temple, Xuanzhen Tianshi and the others also saw the celestial mirror open in the sky.

Zhang Daoling's figure appeared inside the Heavenly Mirror.

When Xuanzhen Tianshi and all the Taoist priests of Longhu Mountain saw this scene, they bowed down in respect.

Master Xuanzhen was deeply shaken.

He never expected that the Celestial Master would shake down the four Celestial Masters-level ancestors this time.

How could one not pay homage when the true founder of the sect was in person?
Outside Leiyin Temple, all the Taoist priests bowed to each other from a distance.

Standing beside them, Peng Demon King looked at Zhang Daoling in the celestial mirror in the sky.

A complex expression appeared on his face.

Zhang Daoling.

He was from the same era as Zhang Daoling, and was even older than him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Daoling's talent and strength were many times greater than his, so later Zhang Daoling became an immortal and subdued the eight demon kings.

The reason why Peng Demon King was suppressed under the Demon Subduing Hall of Longhu Mountain was entirely due to this Ancestral Celestial Master.

Therefore, his expression was naturally complicated after Zhang Daoling appeared.

Having been suppressed for so many years, they must have felt some resentment.

But he was also well aware that the difference in their current status was too great, like heaven and earth.

Others have been immortals for over two thousand years, while he has been suppressed in the Demon Subduing Hall for over two thousand years.

The ebb and flow of power goes without saying.

Zhang Daoling's talent and strength were originally stronger than his, and after going to the Upper Realm and ascending to the Heavenly Court...

They were bestowed the title of the Four Celestial Masters, a status second only to the Five Elders.

Zhang Daoling's current magical power is among the top in all the orthodox deities of Taoism.

It wouldn't take a single finger to kill him.

So even if he harbored some resentment, the Roc Demon King didn't dare to utter a sound.

Despite his reluctance, his body language betrayed him, and he obediently knelt down to pay his respects.

After paying respects to this Celestial Master,
Zhang Tianlu recounted the entire incident.

This includes the deeds of Maudgalyayana, the meaning of Buddhism, and the descent of the Tathagata.

To be honest and to the fullest extent.

He didn't embellish the story.

With all the gods and immortals present, they can tell which words are true and which are false. Lying under such circumstances is the most idiotic thing to do.

After Zhang Tianlu finished speaking.

They turned their gaze toward Zhang Daoling.

How should this matter be handled? Now it depends on what the Heavenly Court decides.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Zhang Daoling turned slightly, his gaze fixed on the Jade Emperor on the throne of the Three Realms.

The Jade Emperor glanced at Zhang Daoling and gave him a look.

Zhang Daoling immediately understood.

After all, the Four Celestial Masters were close advisors to the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court.

Their position was similar to that of a prime minister; the Jade Emperor consulted with them first on any important matters. How could one be one of the Four Heavenly Masters if one couldn't be in perfect harmony with the Jade Emperor?
So what does His Majesty mean? Zhang Daoling could tell with just a glance.

The discord between Buddhism and Taoism is not limited to the lower realms; it also exists in the upper realms.

The Heavenly Court was established in ancient times, when Taoism was revered in the world.

Within the Three Realms, there is no one who does not believe in the Way.

However, Heaven later intended to develop the West, arranging numerous great calamities that led to the rise of the West.

Buddhism, located in the west, also benefited from its favorable climate, taking the opportunity to spread Buddhist teachings eastward and seize territory from Taoism.

Although Taoism is not about incense offerings, losing a little incense offerings is no big deal.

But after the Journey to the West, the Buddhist community became increasingly arrogant.

This time, they even crossed the red line right under the noses of the Taoists, and the Buddha's side even wanted to take people away directly, completely disregarding the three laws of Heaven, Earth, and Man.

The Jade Emperor's meaning was quite simple: before the Journey to the West, Buddhism benefited from the Western Paradise's fortune and was protected by the Heavenly Dao, while the Heavenly Court suffered many unspeakable losses.

But now that the Journey to the West is over, the balance of Heaven has gradually been restored.

It's time to give Buddhism a warning.

This is a good opportunity.

The Jade Emperor's message has been delivered.

Zhang Daoling then spoke directly with Buddha.

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant boundless blessings, Buddha Tathagata, was everything my grandson just said true? Did he embellish it?"

Zhang Daoling first asked the Buddha if he had anything else to argue about.
The Buddha's expression was not good.

He was a monk and a leader of the Buddhist community.

In Buddhism, there are precepts that for those who have left home to become monks or nuns, it is forbidden to lie.

The Buddha, of course, cannot lie.

Faced with Zhang Daoling's question, he could only nod.

"It is indeed true."

But then Buddha added, “It was indeed my rebellious disciple who descended to the mortal realm to undergo tribulation. He acted recklessly without my knowledge. After I take him back, I will keep a close watch on him and punish him severely.”

We will definitely give everyone an explanation.

The Buddha has already made his point clear: the Heavenly Court should give him face in this matter.

Don't say anything too explicit. That's enough. I'll give you an explanation later. Let's leave it at that.

However, this time the Heavenly Court was determined to put the West in its place.

Besides, this matter is going very well for us, so why not take advantage of it?
Zhang Daoling said, "Buddha, you are mistaken. Maudgalyayana's actions cannot be resolved simply by strict supervision and severe punishment."

His actions of attacking children in the mortal realm, stripping their souls, and taking over their bodies—are these actions indistinguishable from those of demons? Heavenly laws, human laws, and underworld laws all have corresponding severe punishments for this crime.

How could you possibly take someone away just because of one sentence? Buddha, please don't be too attached to your disciple; you should consider the bigger picture.

If you let them get away with this today, and if any demons in the Three Realms follow suit, people will have something to say, won't they?"

Zhang Daoling's status is evident here.

There is a fundamental difference between how he speaks and how Zhang Tianlu speaks.

Zhang Tianlu's current status and cultivation level are insufficient; he does not yet possess the ability to directly converse with the Buddha.

Therefore, when he speaks, the Buddha does not want to listen and can completely disregard him.

But Zhang Daoling was different.

The Four Celestial Masters

Furthermore, the fact that he could say these words in the Lingxiao Palace also represented the Jade Emperor's intentions.

The amount is completely different.

Upon hearing this, Buddha immediately understood the Heavenly Court's meaning.

Heavenly Court: Go back to where you belong. You can't take people with you. We're not giving you face today.

The Buddha has also seen through the situation.

He knew he couldn't take anyone with him today.

He could only take a deep look at Zhang Tianlu.

Buddha: Very well, kid, you've won today.

(End of this chapter)