The Eastern Emperor of all Heavens did not wish to become a Buddha.

Chapter 27: Isn't it just about becoming a monk?
'Very likely. After all, the Heavenly Dao monster that Donghuang Taiyi transformed into is now controlled by the Demon Buddha Ananda. It's quite normal for this world-destroying demon to notice something amiss.'

'But if that's the case, then I'm not the other self of the Demon Buddha Ananda, so why am I suffering the same treatment as Meng Qi?'

Various thoughts raced through Zhong Xu's mind, but lacking certain key information, he was unable to fully comprehend them for the time being.

However, there was one thing he was completely certain of.

That means he is probably connected with Donghuang Taiyi, and has already been targeted by the Demon Buddha Ananda, the will of the other shore.

'Good grief, I just transmigrated to this world and was already being targeted by the big boss. Does this count as being eliminated immediately upon landing?'

With a self-deprecating laugh, Zhong Xu took a deep breath and silently visualized the golden Buddha formed from the true essence of the Tathagata Palm, allowing his mind to return to calm.

Since things have already come to this, there's no point in worrying about them anymore. It's better to think about what to do next.

'Demon Buddha Ananda.'

Zhong Xu stared intently at the old monk before him, who possessed both demonic and Buddhist auras but lacked any life force. Information about the monk from his memories surfaced in his mind, drawing upon the power of the Bodhi seed to empower himself, and his thoughts raced.

'The Demon Buddha Ananda is currently in a sealed state, protected by a double seal placed by the Buddha and the Primordial Celestial Venerable. It's impossible for him to release much power from within the seal.'

In the original story, Meng Qi, having achieved the Dharma Body realm, was able to sever his connection with Him and break free from control. Even with the secret guidance of the Three Pure Ones, this still means that the currently sealed Demon Buddha Ananda's normal displayed strength would definitely not exceed the Dharma Body level.

Thinking of this, Zhong Xu recalled how his cheap master had secretly corrupted his demonic nature since he returned from his time travel, and a strange thought suddenly arose in his mind.

'He is wary of the Martian Holy Body!'

Or perhaps, He was wary of the Martian Holy Body at its peak!

The thought flashed through Zhong Xu's mind, and his eyes lit up instantly, revealing a look of sudden realization.

'No wonder!'

It should be noted that the Martian Sacred Body is not an ordinary near-Nine Great Sacred Bodies, but an invincible Sacred Body that has reached an alternative level of enlightenment. At its peak, its combat power was no weaker than that of the flawless Great Emperors and Ancient Emperors.

Although the cultivation systems of the two realms have different focuses and cannot be completely compared, in terms of combat power alone, in Zhong Xu's opinion, the Martian Sacred Body at its peak would probably be at least invincible below the legendary level in this realm. It could kill an ordinary celestial immortal with a single slap, and it seemed to be no weaker than a super celestial immortal like the Overlord.

The Demon Buddha, currently sealed, is probably unable to harm the Martian Holy Body at its peak, which is why He secretly seeks to corrupt the Martian Holy Body's divine will.

Of course, Zhong Xu was also well aware that the Demon Buddha Ananda actually still had the secret control of the Heavenly Dao Monster, the monster from the other shore, but he did not want the other beings from the other shore to notice, so he had never revealed it.

If He is pushed too far, He can secretly control the Heavenly Dao monsters to attack, and even ten thousand Martian Holy Bodies will be of no use.

Thinking of this, Zhong Xu's eyes shifted slightly, and he vaguely grasped what he should do next.

We must not push the Demon Buddha too far, but instead secretly increase our own strength and find a way to get rid of Him.

With the Eastern Emperor Bell, one can travel through different heavens, and may even have the opportunity to grow stronger, sever the connection with the Demon Buddha, and even suppress Him.

At least the cultivation system of the universe that Zhong Xu had previously traveled through was no less advanced than that of this universe. Even if he didn't reach the level of a sacrificial deity, just reaching the level of an immortal emperor at the end of the path might be enough to fight against or even suppress the demonic Buddha.

For Zhong Xu now, it's not entirely hopeless.

'Having someone from another realm as an opponent is truly stressful!'

He silently complained to himself before turning his gaze to the small jade Buddha in his hand.

Thinking about his experiences over this period, he vaguely guessed the purpose of the Demon Buddha Ananda, which was to lead him down a path similar to Meng Qi's.

Although he didn't understand why his other self, who wasn't the Demon Buddha, would do such a thing, Zhong Xu knew that he probably couldn't escape his fate of becoming a monk for the time being. 'Become a monk?'

Having understood the truth of the heavens and earth, Zhong Xu also realized just how powerful the Tathagata Palm technique he had inherited truly was.

It comes from one of only two beings in this world that are related to the Dao Fruit, a legacy left by the Buddha, containing the most complete path to the Great Dao in this world.

If one's cultivation is successful, one can condense the most supreme Dharma body among all the heavens in this realm, the Tathagata Golden Body.

That is a supreme Dharma body that is in no way inferior to the Heavenly Dao Body, the Primordial True Body, or the Golden Body of Amitabha Buddha.

For Zhong Xu, this was truly a path to heaven.

'Buddha. Shakyamuni. The Golden Body of the Tathagata. It seems that even the Buddha, whose enlightenment was incomplete, has become aware of my existence. This is a good thing!'

The more people from the other side get involved, the more chaotic the situation becomes, and the greater his hope of breaking free from his constraints.

'Now I can truly call myself a successor of the Buddha!'

'Hehe, you really do have a connection with Buddhism!'

Thinking of this, a strange smile appeared on Zhong Xu's face. He put his hands together, placed the small jade Buddha in his palms, and performed a Buddhist salute to the old monk in front of him.
"Master, may you ascend to the Pure Land soon and see the Tathagata!"

The moment he finished speaking, Zhong Xu's body radiated a gentle Buddhist light, exuding a solemn and dignified aura, as if he were performing a ritual to help his master pass on to the afterlife.

Buzz

The small jade Buddha transformed into a ray of light, directly merging into his palm and leaving a faint Buddhist seal on it.

Zhong Xu raised his head as if sensing something, and a faint Buddhist light appeared in his eyes. He activated his Heavenly Eye and vaguely saw a causal star line extending into the void.

'They really want me to become a monk!'

Shaking his head slightly, Zhong Xu withdrew his gaze, bowed to the old monk again, and turned to leave the meditation room.

Master, let me see whether you will ultimately devour me, or I will ultimately deliver the bell to you!
The moment Zhong Xu stepped out of the room, the withered old monk's aura changed slightly, as if some illusory thing had disappeared, and his corpse lost some of its characteristics, becoming ordinary.

Squeak!

The door to the meditation room opened, and Puhong and Faxiang were startled as they looked at the figure that walked out.

The moment they saw the young figure in the monk's robe, the two of them were momentarily dazed, as if they were seeing a Buddha walking in the world!

"Greetings, Uncle-Master Puhong! Greetings, Brother Faxiang!"

The two were startled awake by the words and, upon regaining their senses, realized that there was only a young figure in a gray monk's robe in front of them, not any Buddha!

"Amitabha!"

Suppressing his shock, Pu Hong clasped his hands together, softly chanted a Buddhist prayer, and exclaimed, "Nephew Fahai, Junior Brother Puzhi was right. You truly possess profound Buddhist wisdom, are born close to Buddha, and are a future Buddha!"

"Uncle-Master Puhong, you flatter me!"

Zhong Xu turned his gaze to the quiet and simple meditation room, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable: "I will definitely not let down my master's expectations!"

(End of this chapter)