Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Chapter 395 The Tiger-Taming Arhat

Of the many Arhats mentioned above, apart from Li Xiuyuan who subdues dragons, the rest are all in Mount Ling. As long as Li Xiuyuan summons them with his heart, he can summon them out, but it will take some time.

But Li Xiuyuan was just an imposter, and with so many secrets of his own, he naturally didn't dare to summon these Arhats. Most importantly, he had grown up to where he was today, and even in the most dangerous times, he never needed their help.

Of course, it's not that they don't need to help, but rather that they can't! For example, when Li Xiuyuan was undergoing the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, if someone could help him, it would definitely be much easier.

At this moment, the Arhat Subduing Tiger walked out from among them. He was wearing a bright red checkered monk's robe and asked with surprise and doubt, "Senior brother, how come your cultivation has progressed so rapidly? Is it really possible to cultivate better in the mortal world?"

After saying that, he looked Li Xiuyuan up and down.

Among the eighteen Arhats, Subduing Dragon and Subduing Tiger are the best and the most powerful Arhats. They are also rivals. Now that Li Xiuyuan has entered the realm of Great Luo Golden Immortal and has left the eighteen Arhats, Subduing Tiger can't help but feel a little jealous.

If given the chance, the Tiger-Taming Arhat would also like to experience some trials. After all, seeing others gain great opportunities and increase their cultivation in the mortal world is bound to tempt him.

Li Xiuyuan inherited the memories of the Dragon Subduer, so he naturally understood the thoughts of the Tiger Subduer Arhat. He was probably a little unwilling to admit defeat!

Li Xiuyuan replied calmly, "Junior brother, the spiritual energy in the outside world is thin, and it is extremely difficult to rely on those so-called opportunities. In my opinion, you should continue to cultivate diligently in Mount Ling, where you may have a chance to enter the realm of Great Luo Golden Immortal."

After saying that, he thought to himself that if he didn't have the 'Saint Buddha System', it would probably take another thousand years before he could reach the realm of a Great Luo Golden Immortal!

The same applies to the Arhat Subduing the Tiger. It's not that the mortal world is better or that there are any treasures there. All the spiritual things in the world are in the deep mountains and forests or in places with abundant spiritual energy.

As for the mortal world, in Li Xiuyuan's mind, it was at most used for refining the mind. If it weren't for his 'Saint Buddha System', which required him to collect sin points and merit points, he would never have stayed there for long.

After all, no matter how good the mortal world is, it can't compare to the heavens! Although Mount Ling is not the Heavenly Court, in the eyes of Buddhist cultivators, it is no different from the Heavenly Court, and even better.

Because of the Buddha's teachings, the guidance of many Bodhisattvas, and the abundance of spiritual energy, it is naturally easier to cultivate oneself.

"En!"

Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Tiger nodded vaguely, neither immediately refusing nor admitting anything.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up. He thought to himself that he had already reminded him, and since the other party insisted on doing so, he couldn't be blamed. After thinking about these things, he greeted his fellow disciples again.

The group had not seen each other for over a hundred years, and Li Xiuyuan was the leader of the Eighteen Arhats. Even if the matter of the Buddha might cause some estrangement in the hearts of some Arhats, those were minor matters.

The bond between these fellow disciples, spanning nearly a thousand years, could not be erased. Furthermore, having not seen each other for a century, everyone was exceptionally warm and welcoming. Moreover, not all of the Eighteen Arhats were disciples of the Buddha.

Some are from other people, such as the Joyful Arhat, who is a disciple of the Joyful Buddha. There are many others like this. In the end, the Buddha was an outsider.

Even though Zhunti and Jieyin helped the Buddha ascend to the position of Lord of Mount Ling, they would not truly allow the other to completely control Mount Ling.

The Eighteen Arhats are of great importance and cannot be decided by any one person alone. After all, there are several forces in the entire Mount Ling, among which the leaders are the Intercepting Sect members such as Tathagata of Many Treasures.

Others include Dipankara Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva of the Chan School, as well as Bhaisajyaguru Bodhisattva and others. They were Cundi and Jieyin, who joined Buddhism from the very beginning, unlike those who became monks later in life. Therefore, these people were deeply trusted by the two saints.

Finally, there are those who are out of place in Buddhism, such as the Buddha of Joy. Perhaps because he directly betrayed the Tongtian Sect Leader and caused the members of the Jie Sect to be taken away, he did not integrate into Duobao's lineage and instead went his own way.

This is also why the Buddha of Joy saw that Li Xiuyuan had considerable potential and was willing to speak up for him. Another reason is the Peacock King, who is proud by nature, unwilling to form alliances with others, and also prefers to work alone.

Finally, there is Lu Ya, the crown prince of the demon race, who also holds various positions in Buddhism. In short, the influence of Buddhism is roughly limited to these three aspects.

Seeing the enthusiastic greetings from everyone, Li Xiuyuan remained calm and composed, without giving anyone the slightest hint of anything amiss. However, there were still some subtle changes in his demeanor.

However, in everyone's hearts, considering that Li Xiuyuan had obtained great fortune, acquired Pangu's essence blood, and become the Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, his status was higher than everyone else's, so some changes were understandable.

Besides, it's quite normal for Li Xiuyuan to have undergone some changes after experiencing life in the mortal world for a hundred years.

............................................................

Li Xiuyuan and the other Arhats arrived at their former cave dwelling, which was now a magnificent temple, but the place was far too small.

Li Xiuyuan once held that position, but after he became the Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, it was no longer appropriate for him to stay there. He was only staying temporarily to catch up with everyone.

These people were like immortals, they didn't need to rest at all. Li Xiuyuan chatted with more than ten people, and with the enthusiasm of his fellow disciples, some even asked him for advice on cultivation. After half a month, he finally had to leave.

However, someone interrupted Li Xiuyuan's journey, prompting him to prepare to stay temporarily.

Chapter 396 The Joyful Buddha

"Senior brother, I don't know where the person you mentioned is. Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

As he spoke, Li Xiuyuan's gaze fell upon a monk with a creamy, powdered face. This man was none other than his senior brother, the Joyful Arhat. The Buddhist teachings he practiced were the authentic Joyful Meditation, and he was particularly proficient in matters of love and sex.

Even though Li Xiuyuan claimed to have seen countless women, he was far inferior to the Joyful Arhat. First of all, the Arhat had cultivated with at least eight hundred, if not a thousand, women over several thousand years.

Finally, there is the Joyful Arhat, who is not so particular. In his mind, cultivation is for increasing strength, so he doesn't pay much attention to quality.

Unlike Li Xiuyuan, the women he had been with were all top-quality.

When someone asked him what joy was, he explained: "Joy is the pleasure felt through hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch."

Someone else asked him, "What is Gao Qing?"

He said, "The joy that is not felt through the ears, eyes, mouth, nose, or hands is true happiness. For example, when one sincerely turns to the Buddha and feels the Buddha's presence in one's heart, one feels joy."

"Junior brother, no need to rush, we'll be there soon."

The Joyful Arhat smiled and said that although he was the senior brother, he dared not be presumptuous, after all, this was someone the master had told him to befriend.

Most importantly, Li Xiuyuan is now the Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, whose status is much higher than his.

Li Xiuyuan nodded upon seeing this. He had to admit that the Joyful Arhat was a pretty boy, which might appeal to some women.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed in the sky, and before the person arrived, a loud laugh rang out: "Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, how strange! I was so engrossed in my cultivation that I forgot about this important matter for a moment."

After he finished speaking, a person flew over. He was wearing a bright red monk's robe and sat upright on a lotus platform of the third rank.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded to himself. The lotus platform on it was actually a primordial spiritual treasure. After thinking about it, he immediately understood that this was probably the Western Golden Lotus of Merit!

For some reason, Cundi and Jieyin were able to cultivate such beings that each Buddha had a seat, making their status stand out from the others.

"Happy Buddha, it is my honor to have you invited me here."

As he spoke, Li Xiuyuan responded calmly. He was naturally familiar with the Buddha of Joy who had helped him in the main hall of Mount Ling.

At the time, Li Xiuyuan had many doubts in his heart about why the other party would help him. Now that they met, he could find out the answer.

Although the Buddha of Joy is a Buddha in Buddhism, he is only a minor Buddha, and in terms of status, he is probably equal to a Bodhisattva!

There are even many Buddhas who are not as good as Bodhisattvas. For example, the Living Buddha that Jianglong was given in the original work is just like that!

The Buddha of Joy, originally named Chang Er Ding Guang Xian, was once a disciple of the Jie Sect. He was a second-generation disciple who actively betrayed the Jie Sect. He fled to Western Buddhism and was listed as the Buddha of Joy by Zhunti and Jieyin.

It should be noted that in the original Investiture of the Gods war, the Tongtian Sect Leader might have had the chance to turn the tables.

Because the final magical artifact of the Tongtian Sect Leader is the Six Soul Banner, which is triangular in shape with six tails fluttering gently at the bottom.

Owned by the Tongtian Sect Leader, it was used by him to set up the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation during the Investiture of the Gods. He hoped to use this treasure to reverse the decline of the Jie Sect. However, Chang'er Dingguang Xian betrayed the Jie Sect, causing the Tongtian Sect Leader's efforts to fail.

After the Zhuxian Sword Formation was broken, the Tongtian Sect Leader, in an attempt to turn the tide, worshipped the Six Soul Banners on the Zizhi Cliff of Penglai Island. The names of the six banners were written on their ends: Jieyin, Laozi, Yuanshi, Ji Fa, Jiang Shang, and Zhunti.

The talisman is used morning and evening, and on the day of the worship, waving this banner will immediately take a life. It was stolen by Chang'er Dingguang Xian before it could be used in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation. After the Investiture of the Gods, it was retrieved by the Tongtian Sect Leader.

Therefore, in Buddhism, the Long-Eared Immortal was not received by the Buddha and others, perhaps because they still had some special feelings for the Tongtian Sect Leader!

Although they all betrayed their sect, they were ashamed of Chang Er Ding Guang Xian's actions because he did it voluntarily, and Tong Tian had treated him very well.

It was the Tongtian Sect Leader; any other stingy saint would never have kept Chang'er Dingguang Xian alive! All their plans had failed at the last minute!

Although Li Xiuyuan knew what Chang Er Ding Guangxian was like, he didn't hold back. After all, in the end, one has to rely on oneself. As long as you show enough strength, many people will still come to ask you questions.

The Buddha of Joy smiled and said, "Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, what do you think of the Tathagata's actions in the past few days?"

After saying that, he seemed to be trying to sow discord between the two of them.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan thought to himself that he had cultivated the unique Great Sun Tathagata Sutra and was now almost completely estranged from the Tathagata. The two of them had long since broken up, so naturally he didn't have so many concerns.

Li Xiuyuan responded, "Although I am the master and disciple of the Buddha, it seems that his recent actions are aimed at me in every way."

As he spoke, he seemed to be expressing his dissatisfaction.

Upon hearing this, the Joyful Buddha secretly thought it was good and said with a smile, "To tell you the truth, I have a great grudge against Tathagata. If he were to oppose you again in the future, I would be the first to object."

As he spoke, it was as if he was trying to curry favor.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan said gratefully, "Then thank you very much, Joyful Buddha!"

Regardless, since the Buddha with long ears was there to make amends, he wouldn't slap him in the face; at least outwardly, he needed to put on a show.

As for other things, we'll talk about them later.

"Haha, you're welcome."

The Buddha of Joy replied with a smile, then paused and added, "If I encounter any trouble in the future, I hope that the Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva will be able to lend me his full assistance."

As he spoke, he looked over expectantly.

Li Xiuyuan may not be a top-tier expert at the moment, but with the essence of Pangu's blood, he has the potential to become a top-tier expert as long as he doesn't die young.

Therefore, the Buddha of Joy was very enthusiastic about this matter and hoped to receive Li Xiuyuan's promise.

In the future, if there is anything, you can ask him for help. This is also why the Buddha of Joy kept trying to curry favor with Li Xiuyuan.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan replied without hesitation, "Alright, no problem. If the Buddha of Joy needs anything, please come and find me. I will definitely help if I can."

Of course, he would only help if he could. If he couldn't help, Li Xiuyuan naturally wouldn't intervene. He had certain bottom lines in his heart.

Now Li Xiuyuan will do whatever he says, but as for helping, it depends on the situation.

Chapter 397 Three Bodhisattvas

"hehe!"

The Buddha of Joy chuckled twice. Everyone was a smart man, and they were all very aware of the current situation. The alliance between the two was based on equality.

First, both people need to have a certain level of ability; otherwise, if the difference in ability is too great, they are not qualified.