On the Avenue.

Chapter 671 The Great World Honored One, Tathagata

Chen Shi followed Venerable Ananda, but saw that he was not heading towards Leiyin Temple, but coming down the mountain, which made his heart skip a beat.

"Could it be that the Great Buddha ordered Venerable Ananda to secretly get rid of me?"

Chen Shi's eyes darted around quickly. Although he had done it very cleanly, and most of the experts on Mount Ling could not see that the death of the Great Bright King of Tribulation was actually caused by him, he certainly could not hide it from the Great World-Honored One Tathagata.

Although he has powerful backers like the Eastern King Duke and the Empress Earth Goddess, if the Great World Honored One really kills him, would the Eastern King Duke and the Empress Earth Goddess still risk their lives for him?

On the seventh day after his death, burning some paper money and saying a few harsh words to the Great Buddha was already the most benevolent and righteous thing to do.

Such a powerful figure who rules over a region would not go to great lengths for the sake of a dead person.

Venerable Ananda led him down the mountain, and only when they arrived at the place where the Great King of Light had died and vanished did they slow their pace.

All around, there were forty-one huge cracks, either floating in the sky or embedded in the rocks, like cracks in the road, a shocking sight.

It's as if if you linger on the crack for even a little longer, you'll fall into it.

“This is a trace left by heretics.”

The voice of the Great Buddha came from ahead. Chen Shi looked in the direction of the voice and saw a Buddha with golden skin standing on the mountain road, looking up at one of the cracks in the outer path.

Ananda led him toward the Buddha. When they arrived, the Great World-Honored One gently waved his hand, and Ananda withdrew.

"This heretical sect is the true culprit who killed the Great Vidyaraja."

Golden light emanated from the Great World-Honored One's body, each beam over ten feet long. A halo appeared behind his head, seemingly composed of mandalas, encompassing the entire Vulture Peak realm.

Mount Ling was clearly at his feet, yet the halo behind his head encompassed the entire mountain. This strange phenomenon was an ultimate manifestation of his mastery of space.

"If I could be in Xiniu New Continent while simultaneously having Xiniu New Continent hidden within the Dao Realm halo behind my head, I'm afraid it would leave people completely baffled," Chen Shixin said.

The Great Buddha continued to examine the cracks in the heretical path and said, "The monks of Mount Ling all thought that I was the one who killed the Great King of Freedom, but little did they know that they were all wrong. I simply used my own magical power to put the supernatural power of eternal freedom that I had attained through thousands of kalpas back into his body. It was this heretical path that killed him."

Chen Shi exclaimed in surprise, "If it wasn't the World Honored One who killed the Great Ming King, then who could it be? On Mount Ling, who has the ability to kill him?"

The Great Buddha withdrew his gaze, gave him a deep look, and said, "Hisself."

Chen Shi was even more surprised and exclaimed, "Does the Great World-Honored One mean that the Wisdom King killed himself?"

The Great World Honored One nodded and said, "These external path rifts were created by the Great Bright King himself, and their power is extremely strong. After he completed them, he discovered that these forty-one external paths were all aimed at his weaknesses, and the external path rifts had become embedded in his cultivation techniques and supernatural powers. The stronger his cultivation became, the stronger the rifts became. Unable to endure it any longer, he used his supernatural powers to release these forty-one external path rifts along with his supernatural powers. That is why the Red Lotus Peak exploded."

He paused slightly and said, "I put this supernatural power back into his body, which led to his death."

Chen Shi's expression turned solemn, and he nodded earnestly: "The World Honored One, with his keen insight, has ascertained the truth. It seems that the Bright King indeed killed himself!"

The Great Buddha shook his head and asked, "But where did this heretical rift come from?"

He gently raised his hand and wiped away a crack in the air that was about a mile long.

This seemingly casual move, however, stirred up a storm in Chen Shi's heart.

This external crack contains his first principle, a principle that can split everything—golden bodies, magical treasures, and even the Great Dao!

These external rifts left by the Great Ming King were forged using his own cultivation. The divine powers of a Great Luo Golden Immortal are naturally incomparable to the first Dao Principle personally executed by Chen Shi.

The first step, in particular, has terrifyingly high levels of pollution!
Whether you are a cultivator or an immortal, anyone who touches it even slightly will find the cracks spreading to their body!

A translucent crack will also appear on the body!
Those with slightly weaker cultivation levels might even have their entire body crack open!

Chen Shi has not yet fully comprehended the First Dao Principle, yet it already possesses such power. If he were to comprehend more of it, the First Dao Principle would undoubtedly become a powerful tool capable of causing large-scale pollution of the Great Dao!

The first technique was executed by a Great Luo Golden Immortal, and it was incredibly powerful!

Unexpectedly, the Great Buddha could wipe it away with a mere wave of his hand.

"No, no!"

Chen Shi's eyes flickered as he thought to himself, "The Great World-Honored One has kept me under house arrest for more than ten days before having Venerable Ananda bring me to see him. If he truly had the ability to erase the First Principle with a wave of his hand, why would he have waited until now? He may have spent more than ten days researching and finally found a way to erase the First Principle."

Although he thought this way, his face showed shock and admiration.

The Great World Honored One strode forward and came to another external path crack. He then raised his hand and wiped it away, saying, "Could this external path crack be hidden in the ancient scroll of the Sutra of Eternal Attainment through a Thousand Kalpas? This ancient scroll is not a real ancient scroll, but rather it contains external paths. When the Great Bright King of Freedom studies it, the crack will appear in the flaw of his technique?"

Chen Shi remained calm and said, "That's possible, but unfortunately the ancient scroll no longer exists."

The Great World Honored One sighed, “Yes. The ancient scroll was originally evidence that could prove that the Great Bright King was ambushed and had no choice but to use his supernatural powers to cover Mount Sumeru. But the ancient scroll burned for no reason, the evidence was destroyed, and no one can prove that the mastermind behind this was just a lowly heavenly soldier from the Heavenly Army Camp.”

Chen Shi bowed and said, "This disciple can deceive the world, but he cannot deceive the Great World Honored One."

The Great Buddha glanced at him and then walked toward the next external crack.

"You come from the Wufang World? Something must have happened in the Wufang World."

As they walked and talked, the Great World Honored One said, "My uncle even helped you. It seems that you saved him and his disciple when you encountered danger in the Wufang World, which is why he helped you so much without asking for anything in return."

Chen Shi told the truth, "I have a special connection with Senior Yun Cheng. His disciple, Zhong Wuwang, is an old friend of mine. We met at the White Emperor's Heavenly Palace and went to the Wufang World together. Just then, the calamity of the Wufang World was rekindled, and we were almost killed."

The Great World Honored One nodded and said, "So you have come to seek revenge, not on the orders of Heavenly King Li."

Chen Shi shook his head and said, "This disciple was indeed ordered by Heavenly King Li to investigate the truth behind the destruction of the Wufang and other worlds. After I found out the truth, I thought of bringing the real culprit to justice so that I could go back and report."

The Great Buddha was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Senior Brother Li used someone else to do his dirty work; you must have offended him in some way."

He shook his head slightly, clearly having encountered similar situations many times before.

Offending Li Tianwang has become a common cause of death for heavenly soldiers and generals.

"But you're still hiding something."

The Great World Honored One said, "There is something else on you that is hindering my exploration of cause and effect." Chen Shi felt a chill in his heart, worried that he would discover the Heavenly Secrets Strategy far away in Xiniu New Continent.

"But don't worry, I won't be tempted by greed."

The Great Buddha walked ahead, smoothing out the cracks, and said, "The death and dissipation of the Great Bright King was also due to the calamity. He transferred the calamity, causing the deaths of countless lives in four worlds. He thought he had escaped the calamity, but he never expected to encounter you, and in the end, he still died from his own supernatural powers. I also thought I could use the Dharma to influence him and resolve his karma, but I never expected the change to be so sudden. This is fate. It is so, and it cannot be changed."

Chen Shi followed him, listening quietly.

The Great World Honored One said slowly, "The reason I want to protect him and make him the Bright King of my Mount Ling is actually because I have a selfish reason: to protect the lineage of Mount Ling from extinction. People all think that there is no calamity in the Western Paradise, but that is not the case."

Chen Shi's heart stirred slightly; he had indeed heard similar claims before.

Legend has it that there are two great Buddhas in the Western Paradise, one named Amitabha and the other named Cundi. Both Buddhas have long since entered the realm of sainthood, and their cultivation is unfathomable. Their combined Dao realm is known as the Western Paradise. In the Western Paradise, any Buddhist who has a Dao realm compatible with the Western Paradise can avoid the calamity.

The increasing prosperity of the Western Paradise in recent years is related to this.

Becoming a Buddhist disciple and attaining enlightenment in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, although one's own path is dependent on the Western Paradise, one is thus able to avoid calamities and is free from the danger of losing one's life. This is far better than living in fear and anxiety outside.

"The reason why there is no calamity in the Western Paradise is because the two Buddhas are still in the Western Paradise."

The Great World-Honored One said, "The foundation of the Western Paradise is still somewhat inferior to that of the Three Pure Ones. After the Three Pure Ones left, the Dao realm they left behind could still protect their disciples, ensuring that the Three Pure Realms were free from disasters and calamities, and allowing them to avoid tribulations. However, the Western Paradise needs the protection of two Buddhas, and also needs all the Buddhas to bless the Pure Land with their own Dao realm in order to protect their disciples."

Chen Shi blinked, then suddenly said, "The two Buddhas are gone?"

The Great Buddha looked at him in surprise and asked, "How did you know that the two Buddhas had left the Western Paradise?"

Chen Shigang was about to say that Li Tianwang had told him, but after thinking about it, he realized that Li Tianwang probably wouldn't be able to take the blame, so he said, "I guessed."

"You guessed it right."

The Great World-Honored One said, "Indeed, the two great Buddhas left the Western Paradise after the last Yuanhui Great Calamity. Although I am a Buddha in this generation of Buddhism, my power is not as great as that of the two Buddhas. I was born during the time when Taiqing transformed into Laozi, and I attained enlightenment at that time. The Buddhas before me are called Ancient Buddhas, and the Buddhas after me are called Future Buddhas. The Ancient Buddhas are led by Dipankara, and the Future Buddhas are led by Maitreya. They are on par with me and have many obstacles to my progress."

Chen Shi pondered, "Doesn't this mean that there are three Buddhas in the Western Paradise: the past, the future, and the present?"

The Great World-Honored One nodded and said, “Besides, there are other great Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, each with their own sacred sites and boundless magical power, who may not necessarily obey my commands. Initially, we each acted independently, dealing with each calamity without any problems. However, the closer we get to the Great Calamity of the Yuanhui, the stronger the calamity becomes. During the last Great Calamity of the Yuanhui, our three families appeared outwardly dignified, but all three of us almost failed to withstand it.”

This is why he had the idea of ​​subduing the Great Bright King and using him to transfer the calamity of Mount Ling to another place, so as to prevent Mount Ling from being destroyed in the Yuanhui Great Calamity.

But man proposes, God disposes; no one expected that the Great Ming King would die at the hands of Chen Shi.

Chen Shi asked, "What is the purpose of the departure of the two Buddhas? Will they return?"

The Great World Honored One said, "They obtained a map of the Dark Sea and left not long after. As for whether they will return before the Great Calamity of the Yuanhui, no one knows. Now that the Great Calamity of the Yuanhui is approaching, our three families have no choice but to exhaust their efforts for this calamity."

Chen Shi's heart raced, and he unconsciously recalled the map of the Dark Sea left by the Master, saying, "The map of the Dark Sea obtained by the two Buddhas, could it be that there is a Green Palace in it?"

The Great Buddha looked over: "You also know about the Dark Haiqing Palace?"

Chen Shi composed himself and said, "I come from Jin'ao Island and received the Master's teachings, so I know a little about this."

The Great World-Honored One said, "Master also left the Earthly Immortal Realm and disappeared without a trace. He must have gone to find that Green Palace."

As he spoke, he erased all the external path cracks, and the external path aura disappeared as well.

"The Dark Haiqing Palace is mysterious and unpredictable. The Three Pure Ones, Confucius, and the two Buddhas all went there one after another."

The Great Buddha sighed, “If I were free from all worries, I would also like to abandon everything and travel far away to explore the mysteries of the Dark Sea. Unfortunately, the heavy burden of Mount Sumeru on my shoulders prevents me from detaching myself from worldly desires, thus failing to live up to what I have learned and understood.”

He changed the subject abruptly, his expression turning solemn. “Benefactor Chen, you used me to kill the Great Bright King who has undergone tribulation. The Great Bright King’s crimes are heinous and he is dead, but countless monks on Mount Ling have died because of him and have been implicated by you. Since you cannot return to the Heavenly Court, then stay on Mount Ling and cultivate diligently.”

Chen Shi's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he wanted to keep him as a monk, and might even make him cultivate the Sutra of Eternal Freedom through a Thousand Tribulations to help Mount Ling transfer its calamity!

This is definitely not a good thing!
"My godmother is the Earth Goddess Houtu..."

As Chen Shi finished speaking, he secretly glanced at the face of the Great Buddha.

The Great Buddha wore a smile.

"The Eastern King also supports me," Chen Shi continued.

The Great Buddha maintained the same expression.

Chen Shi's eyes darted around as he said, "I have received the Master's inheritance; I am the precious treasure of Jin'ao Island."

The Great Buddha remained unmoved.

After much deliberation, Chen Shi decided he really didn't want to be a monk at Mount Ling, so he said, "I can write down the Sutra of Passing Through a Thousand Kalpas and Forever Attaining Freedom."

The Great World-Honored One said, "Then, after writing it down, my Vulture Peak will no longer keep the Crown Prince."

Chen Shi breathed a sigh of relief and said solemnly, "This disciple will go and write it now!"

The Great Buddha nodded gently, and Chen Shi hurriedly left.

When Chen Shi returned to his residence, Venerable Ananda had already prepared paper, ink, brush, and inkstone before leaving.

Chen Shi picked up his pen, pondered for a moment, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Do we really want to write down the entire Sutra of Enduring Eternal Freedom through a Thousand Kalpas?
After much hesitation, he wrote down the technique and summoned Venerable Ananda, giving him the technique.

Venerable Ananda brought the cultivation method to see the Great World-Honored One Tathagata. The Great World-Honored One held the cultivation method copied by Chen Shi, his expression shifting between light and dark.

"What doubts does the World Honored One have?"

Just as Venerable Ananda finished speaking, the technique in the Buddha's hand suddenly vanished into thin air. Venerable Ananda was startled, thinking that Chen Shi had tampered with it. The Buddha sighed, his voice low and deep: "For the sake of the lives of us immortals, why should we harm all sentient beings? What about the equality of all sentient beings? This technique is better left unused."

He abandoned this profound skill and felt a sense of ease, saying, "If one wants to experience a thousand tribulations to attain great freedom, then I and everyone from Mount Ling should personally experience this great tribulation of the Yuanhui. If we cannot overcome it, it will only be another cycle of reincarnation."

(End of this chapter)