On the Avenue.

Chapter 765 The Three Sects of the Western Paradise
The three Bodhisattvas from the Western Paradise arrived at Penglai West one after another. Upon hearing each other's names, they felt a slight unease: "Why have they come too?"

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was originally an attendant bodhisattva of Amitabha Buddha. After Amitabha Buddha left the Earthly Immortal Realm, his position in the Western Paradise became unstable, so he sought refuge with Dipankara Buddha and became Dipankara's attendant bodhisattva.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is an attendant bodhisattva of the Tathagata Buddha, and the Lotus Grove Bodhisattva is an attendant bodhisattva of the Maitreya Buddha.

The three Buddhas are divided into three factions in the Western Paradise. Dipankara Buddha represents the ancient Buddha faction, Tathagata Buddha represents the present Buddha faction, and Maitreya Buddha represents the future Buddha faction.

The three factions coexist, and although they are all in the Western Paradise, there are some open and covert struggles between them.

Nowadays, the Western Paradise is led by the Buddha's Vulture Peak, and it is quite wary of the other two, while the other two also have their own ambitions to take its place.

The three bodhisattvas arrived at Biyou Palace and each paid their respects to Chen Shi.

Chen Shi offered them seats and went straight to the point: "What brings you three venerable masters from afar?"

Each of the three Bodhisattvas was accompanied by a monk or novice. Beside Samantabhadra was an old monk with a kind and benevolent face; he was none other than the Garuda, the Venerable Monk Yuncheng. Chen Shi, seeing an old friend, was overjoyed and nodded to Venerable Monk Yuncheng.

The old monk Yuncheng, however, looked worried. Meeting his gaze, he sighed again, thinking to himself, "How can I explain to Master Chen that I have lost my disciple?"

The Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta smiled and said, "It has been more than a hundred years since we parted ways in Feng'an County. When I first met you, I knew you were no ordinary person. I never imagined that Chen Tianbing from back then would now be a renowned holy teacher and Daoist patriarch. Although I could see that you were extraordinary, I did not expect you to be this extraordinary. I admire you greatly!"

Wear it a thousand times, but flattery never wears it.

Chen Shi was very pleased with his words and laughed, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. Your demeanor is even more impressive than before."

Upon hearing this, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Lotus Grove Bodhisattva frowned, thinking to themselves, "I never expected that Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva had a past connection with him. I'm afraid Tusita Heaven will get Layman Chen first."

The Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta said, “Holy Master Chen, Dipankara Buddha heard that you were teaching the Yuanfu on Jin'ao Island and was worried that you might be harmed by villains. Therefore, he ordered me to come here immediately to ask you to go to the Western Paradise. We in the Western Paradise will do everything in our power to protect you!”

He spoke earnestly and sincerely, saying, "Holy Master, you have shaken the Heavenly Court and the Celestial Court. I'm afraid there are also those in the Three Pure Realms who are restless. Now, the only ones with the power to protect you are my Western Heaven and my Dharma Realm's Lingjiu Mountain. Holy Master, please reconsider!"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said solemnly, “Mahasthamaprapta is right. The Holy Master’s teachings on the Primordial Symbol are revered by all who receive them. However, the Holy Master’s actions have also offended many beings. In the Western Buddhist community, Mount Ling is the most revered. The Tathagata Buddha is the current Great World Honored One and has a past relationship with the Holy Master. Upon hearing that the Holy Master was teaching, he immediately ordered me to come and invite the Holy Master back to Mount Ling. This is partly to protect the Holy Master and partly to reminisce with an old friend.”

The Bodhisattva of the Lotus Grove smiled and said, “What my two senior brothers say is right. However, in the Western Paradise, the Dharma Realm is gloomy and stagnant. Even with all the Buddhas standing on Mount Ling, it is difficult to find a place to stand. Holy Master, why don’t you go to my Tusita Heaven? It is thriving there, with many young Buddhas, and the Dharma is also novel. In addition to the divine and demonic paths, there are also heretical methods.”

The three bodhisattvas exchanged glances, their hearts tightening: "They were indeed sent to persuade Chen Shi to go to the Western Paradise!"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva unconsciously recalled the words that the Tathagata Buddha had spoken to him before his journey.

That day, the two studied the Yuanfu (a type of magical talisman) sent by the spies from Jin'ao Island on Mount Ling. They were both moved and shocked by the perfection of the Yuanfu.

The Great World-Honored One said, "I have studied the Yuanfu for dozens of days, but I still cannot see whether there are any loopholes in the Yuanfu."

Samantabhadra asked, "Does the World-Honored One suspect that Master Chen has hidden a loophole in the Yuanfu?"

"One should not have the heart to harm others, but one should not be without the heart to guard against others. Benefactor Chen once came to Mount Ling. He was exceptionally talented and deciphered the Sutra of Eternal Freedom through a Thousand Tribulations. He also used others to kill, using the power of Mount Ling to kill the Great King of Freedom. He has a demonic nature in his heart, which is very scary. Therefore, I am worried that he has hidden secrets in the Yuanfu."

The Great World-Honored One said, "Unfortunately, even after several dozen days of contemplation, I have not found the flaw. Although the Yuanfu is good, I dare not cultivate it."

Samantabhadra said, “If the World Honored One is worried about loopholes, it is fine not to cultivate them. The World Honored One’s cultivation is already unfathomable. Cultivating the Yuan Talisman is just icing on the cake.”

"wrong."

The Great World Honored One shook his head and said, “I cultivate both Buddhism and Taoism, but Buddhism and Taoism cannot neutralize the power of Taoism and make it work for me. Divine power and Buddhist power are incompatible. I once thought that perhaps there is a basic framework similar to Tao patterns that can unify the power of gods, Buddhas, and demons. Mount Ling has also conducted relevant research, but the progress has been small. This time, I saw the Yuan Fu, which can already unify the power of gods and Buddhas, allowing me to take another step forward and reach the Great Luo Wonderful Realm.”

Puxian felt a slight tremor in his heart. Had he cultivated to the Great Luo Wonderland?
Only the Three Pure Ones and the two Buddhas who established the Western Paradise have reached the Great Luo Wonderland. No one else, not even the three current leaders of the Three Pure Ones, has ever cultivated to this level.

Can the Yuanfu really help them break through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm and cultivate to the Great Luo Wonderful Realm?
Samantabhadra said, "If the World Honored One is worried that Chen Shi has hidden loopholes, then let's not cultivate for now. We will mobilize the knowledgeable people of the Western Paradise to study the Yuanfu. I don't believe we can't find the loopholes!"

The Great Buddha sighed and said, "In ordinary times, we could do this. But not now. If I don't cultivate, will Dipankara cultivate? Will Maitreya cultivate?"

Puxian said, "Those two Buddhas probably also suspect whether there are loopholes hidden in the Yuanfu. They are so intelligent, they also fear that they will become the ones who cultivate the Sutra of Eternal Freedom through thousands of kalpas."

The Great World Honored One said, "Even if Dipankara and Maitreya don't cultivate, will the Immortal Emperor cultivate? Will the Four Emperors cultivate? Will the Five Elders cultivate? Will the Jade Emperor, the Great Heavenly Venerable, cultivate? Will the three great masters of the Three Pure Realms cultivate? If I don't cultivate, the Heavenly Court or the Immortal Court will soon come knocking on my door, depose me, and establish a new, obedient Great World Honored One."

He said slowly, "Regardless of whether there are loopholes in the Yuanfu, or whether it is like the 'Perpetual Freedom Sutra' which is passed through a thousand kalpas, I must cultivate this method. This is an open strategy."

This open conspiracy is enough to drag all the gods and immortals of the Celestial Court, the Heavenly Court, the Three Pure Realms, and the Western Paradise into the mess!

"But there also needs to be someone who doesn't cultivate the Yuanfu."

The Great Buddha said meaningfully, "If Yuanfu is deceitful, the lineage can still be preserved in the future. Samantabhadra, you have a lineage in the ancestral temple. This lineage must not be lost. It may be the hope of my Western Paradise in the future."

Puxian withdrew his thoughts and was about to persuade Chen Shi to go to the Western Paradise again when Chen Shi's voice rang out: "Thank you for your kindness, three Buddhas. However, I will not go to Mount Ling. As the Crown Prince of Houde Palace, even if I encounter difficulties, I will seek protection there. Do you three have other matters to discuss?"

The three bodhisattvas frowned, each contemplating using force. The Bodhisattva of the Lotus Grove thought to himself, "If I were to attack at close range, abduct Chen Shi, and take him to Tushita Heaven, I wonder if I could manage it?"

He was a rising star in the Western Paradise, who became a Great Luo Golden Immortal during the last tribulation, but his cultivation was not yet very profound.

There are now a dozen or twenty Great Luo Golden Immortals in Penglai, a large number. If they forcibly abduct Chen Shi, they will likely be besieged.

"If I make a move, Samantabhadra and Mahasthamaprapta will also make a move. With the strength of the three of us, we are enough to fight our way out," the Bodhisattva of the Lotus Grove thought to himself.

Samantabhadra and Mahasthamaprapta have even more ancient origins. Samantabhadra was once a disciple of Yuqing Daoist in the Jade Purity Realm. Later, he converted to Buddhism in the Western Paradise and became a Great Luo Golden Immortal. His cultivation was unfathomable and he was one of the beings in the Western Paradise whose cultivation and strength were closest to the three World Honored Ones.

Mahasthamaprapta is a disciple of Amitabha Buddha, and is of the same generation as Tathagata Buddha. Although he is a Bodhisattva, his cultivation is stronger than that of many Buddhas.

Their strength is extraordinary; with their help, we can definitely break through Penglai West!

However, despite repeated attempts by Bodhisattva Fahualin to signal him with his eyes, Samantabhadra and Mahasthamaprapta ignored them and showed no intention of joining forces with him to kidnap Chen Shi.

The Bodhisattva of the Lotus Grove frowned and suppressed his anger.

Mahasthamaprapta smiled and said, "Holy Master, I admire the Taoist methods of Jin'ao Island. I wonder if I could stay in Penglai West for a few days to see the Taoist methods of Jin'ao Island and make it easier to ask the Holy Master for guidance."

Chen Shi said, "I have other matters to attend to and will be away from Penglai West these days, so it is inconvenient for me to keep you all here."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva smiled and said, “Since the Holy Master is busy, then this humble monk will not bother you. If the Holy Master is willing, when you have free time, you can go to Mount Ling to visit the World-Honored One. The World-Honored One will surely be delighted.”

Chen Shi smiled and said, "Alright. If I have time, I will definitely go to Mount Ling to visit my old friends. I won't see you off any further. Senior Brother Yan, please see the three great masters off for me."

Yan Zhibei agreed and invited the three monks out of Biyou Palace. Chen Shi called out to the old monk Yuncheng and said with a smile, "Old monk, please wait."

The old monk Yuncheng stopped and greeted Chen Shi.

Chen Shi laughed and said, "Old monk, why are you being so polite?"

The old monk Yuncheng said, "My disciple is lost, and I have no face to see you. If my nephew had not sent me here, I would have stayed in Lingshan to repent."

Chen Shi smiled and said, "I know where Zhong Wuwang is. He's doing well now. You and your master will meet again one day, so you don't need to worry. Among the Yuanfu I've taught you, there are Yuanfu of the Yin-Yang Dao. Focus on your cultivation and attain the Great Luo Dao as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, the old monk Yuncheng was overjoyed and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

After seeing them off, Chen Shi invited Changchun Emperor, Niangpo Yuanjun, and others, saying, "Recently, my wife and I went to Xuanhuang Sea to visit my godmother. The safety of Jin'ao Island and Penglai West is entrusted to you all. I would appreciate your continued attention."

The crowd quickly replied, "Master, please rest assured, we are here, nothing will happen."

The hermit of Yangshuo said, "Master, are you worried that things will not go smoothly in the Western Paradise? I just heard that three Bodhisattvas came to Jin'ao Island. Could it be that they are coercing you?"

Chen Shi said, "They came here wanting me to go to the Western Paradise to seek refuge, but I refused. I'm worried about causing more trouble, so I'm asking you to make preparations as soon as possible."

Yangshuo Mountain Man laughed and said, “Master, there is no need to worry. Now there are twenty-six Great Luo Golden Immortals on Penglai West Golden Turtle Island. It is already the number one power after the Heavenly Court, the Immortal Court, the Three Pure Realms and the Western Heaven. We are not afraid of ordinary invaders.”

Chen Shi was taken aback.

Only then did he suddenly realize that with the Changchun Emperor and others, Jin'ao Island was indeed the fifth major power, and ordinary Grand Luo Golden Immortals no longer needed to be afraid.

Unbeknownst to him, his power had already reached this level!

"But the Master himself needs to be careful."

The goddess Yuanjun said, "We are in the west of Penglai. The west of Penglai is an impregnable territory. When you are away from home, you need to be careful of villains."

Chen Shi nodded; he had indeed become the weakest link in Penglai West.

However, he was aware of this, which is why he had Fairy Duan accompany him on this trip.

The disciple has prepared the carriage, which is the Jade Emperor's Jade Cloud Glazed Carriage, a gift from the Jade Emperor. It has a glazed roof and is extremely luxurious. The carriage is inlaid with various jewels and magical treasures inside and out, and its defensive capabilities are also extremely high.

However, when Chen Shi examined the treasure, he discovered that all 371 magical artifacts used in the entire chariot had the ability to monitor and listen. It could be said that even the axle could listen to the movements inside the chariot, and even the mica patches could locate the chariot's whereabouts!
Xiao Duan originally intended to dismantle the Emerald Cloud Glazed Carriage to replace the monitoring and listening magical artifacts, but he helplessly discovered that after dismantling it, the Glazed Carriage would probably only be a cloud of air left.

Chen used unorthodox methods to reforge all these magical treasures, hoping to use them to corrupt the Great Celestial Venerable. However, the Great Celestial Venerable's cultivation was unfathomable, and Chen was not sure if there were any other magical treasures hidden in the carriage that could be used for surveillance and eavesdropping.

After the couple got into the car, they both remained quiet and reserved.

The glass chariot was propelled by two nine-colored deer, which were alien species corrupted and demonized by heretics in Penglai West. Wherever they went, flowers bloomed and plum blossoms grew.

When the disciples were exploring the western part of Penglai, they discovered the two deer and tried to capture them, but they were defeated and left in a sorry state.

Later, it was only through the intervention of several senior disciples from Jin'ao Island that the two deer were finally captured.

The two nine-colored deer were incredibly strong, fast, and wild. As they traveled, they polluted the surrounding paths, causing various plum blossoms to bloom in the sky, leaving a striking mark on the Immortal Realm.

Outside Penglai, the three Bodhisattvas, Samantabhadra, Mahasthamaprapta, and Fahualin, each stopped and gazed at the trail. Samantabhadra withdrew his gaze and said, "My two junior brothers, I have other matters to attend to and cannot return to the Western Paradise. I will take my leave here."

He took the old monk Yuncheng with him, rode on a six-tusked white elephant, and left on his own.

Mahasthamaprapta's eyes flashed, and he said, "I also have matters to attend to, so I will not travel with Junior Brother Fahualin. Goodbye!"

He stamped his foot and left.

Fa Hualin hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Both of you are cunning. Their purpose in coming here is undoubtedly to abduct Master Chen while he is out. You've done a good deed, so why can't I?"

He transformed into a streak of light and chased after the glass chariot.

Instead of pursuing the lapis lazuli chariot, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva headed towards Hangu Pass in the Earthly Immortal Realm. The six-tusked white elephant asked, "Bodhisattva, aren't you going to abduct Master Chen?"

Samantabhadra laughed and said, "The World-Honored One said that if we cannot persuade Master Chen, then I should go to the ancestral temple. Since Master Chen is unwilling to go to the Western Paradise, why should I force him?"

The six-tusked white elephant said, "I also come from the Jie Sect. Why not let me be a persuader? Perhaps I can convince Master Chen to convert to the Western Paradise."

Puxian shook his head and said, "You were subdued by me and that's why you converted. If I were to let you act as an advocate, I'm afraid it would anger Master Chen, which would be undesirable. This matter must not be mentioned again."

The six-tusked white elephant is said to be so.

After traveling for several months, they finally arrived at Hangu Pass. However, the ancestral Hangu Pass had been destroyed by Chen Shi, making it impossible to teleport to the ancestral court.

Puxian drove his elephant toward the Dark Sea, saying, "Yuncheng, stay close to me, don't get lost."

Just as the two people and the elephant were about to enter the Dark Sea, suddenly the Dark Sea rippled, and two Taoist dogs, one black and one white, rushed out of the sea and ran wildly as if having fun.

The soldiers under the command of Master Wenshi sprang into action, shouting, "Don't let those two great demons escape!"

They chased after them, surrounding and intercepting them. The two Taoist priests used each other's magic to fight their way out of the encirclement, disappearing without a trace.

Puxian, Yuncheng, and the others were astonished, unaware of the origins of the two dog-like figures.

On the other side, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva did not pursue the lapis lazuli chariot, but instead took out a stick of incense and contacted Dipankara Buddha.

In Lingjiu Palace, Dipankara Buddha said, "Since Master Chen is unwilling to be a guest, then you should return first."

The Great Power is right.

Dipankara Buddha pondered for a moment, then got up and left Vulture Peak. He came to the Western Paradise and met Mahavairocana Buddha. He said, "Brother Vairocana, you are from the Jie Sect after all. Go and persuade Master Chen to convert to my Western Paradise."

The Great Sun Tathagata rose up, transformed into a golden ray of light, and departed into the distance.

(End of this chapter)