Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

But in Li Xiuyuan's mind, that was enough! Besides, Li Xiuyuan was extremely familiar with the plot of Journey to the West. After the stone monkey was born, he would not immediately go out to find a master, but would have to compete for the position of Monkey King.

I'll probably stay for a few years!

Upon hearing this, Houtu nodded. Although she wanted to keep him, it was clear that he was determined to leave and it would be difficult to persuade him to stay. However, there were still some things that needed to be explained.

Houtu thought to herself, a smile playing on her lips, and said, "Okay, but you need to take this with you when you leave."

After saying that, she took back the Pangu Palace. The entire palace was shrinking and eventually condensed into a small toy house.

Houtu held the Pangu Palace in her hands and said with a smile, "I'm entrusting this treasure to you. There are also people from our Wu clan inside. I hope you will treat them well."

After saying that, she handed the item to Li Xiuyuan.

Although Li Xiuyuan nurtured twelve great witches with the heart of Pangu, these people were very talented in the laws of power and were naturally handed over to Li Xiuyuan for instruction.

Only with Li Xiuyuan around can their potential be fully realized.

Li Xiuyuan was startled upon seeing this. He hadn't expected Houtu to hand over such a precious treasure to him so quickly. In his mind, the Pangu Palace was so important that he should have waited at least a while.

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself, then asked excitedly, "Are you really going to hand it over to me?"

As he spoke, he was extremely excited. If he had the Pangu Palace in his hands, even if he was at the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, he could rival Kong Xuan, and might even win.

Unlike last time, they won't be able to contend with Kong Xuan mainly by relying on the escape of spatial laws and the ferocity of power laws.

"That's natural. You're the only ancestral witch left in the world. If this Pangu Palace isn't handed over to you, who else would it be handed over to?"

As she spoke, Houtu replied with a smile. She was no longer the ancestral witch, and her possession of the witch clan's things was somewhat illegitimate. Although Houtu wouldn't say anything, it was inevitable that the people below would have some thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded. He was well aware of Houtu's situation, even though she was one of the twelve ancestral witches of ancient times and had her own difficulties.

The younger generation of the Witch Clan all know that Houtu is no longer the Ancestral Witch, so it's inevitable that they are somewhat dissatisfied with her. There are even some ambitious individuals who don't want her to control the Witch Clan, which is why the Witch Clan has almost fallen apart in recent years.

Li Xiuyuan replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Sister Houtu, these people are all my people, and I will naturally treat them well."

Without hesitation, he agreed, even though obtaining this treasure might bring some difficulties, as it would sever his ties with the Wu Clan.

However, Li Xiuyuan didn't think that much about it, because in his mind, no matter what force it was, it was a source of power for him to leverage!

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself that he could only rely on himself, and then bid farewell to Houtu.

When Houtu saw that Li Xiuyuan had taken away the Pangu Palace, she agreed, but she repeatedly warned Li Xiuyuan to be careful. If he encountered a life-threatening crisis, he could come to the Underworld, where no one could do anything to him.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan readily agreed. He secretly thought to himself, once he entered the Chaos and achieved the Quasi-Saint realm, in a world where no Saints existed, who could possibly do anything to him?

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After bidding farewell, Li Xiuyuan headed towards the outside of the underworld. Suddenly, a small sand tulkus appeared before him, laughing and saying, "Disciple greets Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva. My master invites you. I hope you can move your carriage a little."

After saying that, he looked at Li Xiuyuan with a smile.

When Li Xiuyuan saw that the other party was actually a Buddhist, there was no doubt that he possessed pure Buddhist magic power. In the entire Netherworld, there was probably only one person who was qualified to make him move away!

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself, and replied, "Alright, lead the way! I'll be right there."

As he spoke, he waved his hand. Since Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had taken the initiative to invite him, he couldn't refuse. Moreover, Ksitigarbha was a powerful quasi-saint in Buddhism. If he could befriend him, there would naturally be many benefits!

As Li Xiuyuan was thinking this, Xiao Sha Tuo beside him nodded in agreement and quickly led Li Xiuyuan into a meditation room, where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was present.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva holds a human-headed banner in his left hand and forms the nectar mudra with his right. His face is blurred, and his body carries a somewhat somber aura, simply because he has long resided in the underworld.

Ksitigarbha, whose Sanskrit name is Ksitigarbha, received instructions from Shakyamuni Buddha in the Trayastrimsa Heaven to enter the Ganges Sands of meditation every morning to observe the workings of all beings.

He is the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion who teaches sentient beings in the six realms in a world without a Buddha, situated between the two Buddhas. He is as steadfast and immovable as the earth, and his meditation is as profound and secret as a hidden treasure; hence the name Ksitigarbha.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva finally spoke, saying, "Amitabha, the Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva greets you."

Having said that, his gaze became clear as he stared at Li Xiuyuan. He noticed that Li Xiuyuan's features were sharp and angular, as if carved by a knife, and he was wearing a golden monk's robe embroidered with faint golden lotus flowers, making him appear quite extraordinary.

Seeing that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had stood up and was speaking, Li Xiuyuan did not presume and replied with a smile, "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, I wonder what important matter you have summoned me for?"

After saying that, he became a little curious.

At the same time, Li Xiuyuan's gaze fell upon a strange beast beside Ksitigarbha.

Chapter 410 The Mythical Beast Listening

But beneath Ksitigarbha's seat was a strange beast, its entire body pure white, resembling a white dog, yet it was extraordinary. It possessed rhinoceros horns, dog ears, a dragon's body, a tiger's head, a lion's tail, and qilin's feet, making it unique and unlike any other animal in the mortal world.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan thought to himself, "This guy must be Di Ting!"

It is said that Di Ting has the ability to "listen to eight hundred things while sitting down and three thousand things while lying down," and is also known as "Earth Listener," with "earth" implying the mind.

As the verse praising Ksitigarbha says, "I bow to the naturally pure mind, the Great Compassionate One with inexhaustible Buddha-treasure." Therefore, one who listens attentively is considered a "good listener."

The Earth Listening Beast can distinguish the sounds of all things in the world, especially the human heart, and can discern good from evil and the wise from the foolish. The name "Earth Listening Beast" is a homophone for "Listening attentively." In Buddhist teachings, the two truths, conventional and ultimate, represent the worldly and otherworldly Buddhist doctrines. Therefore, "Listening attentively" means to listen attentively to the true Buddhist teachings.

Buddhist scriptures often contain the phrase "listen attentively, listen attentively, and contemplate it carefully."

This Di Ting is the mount of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Di Ting's original form was a white dog. Because the Ksitigarbha Dharma is based on filial piety, and dogs are loyal, just as Manjushri's lion represents wisdom and Samantabhadra's white elephant represents great practice, Di Ting of Ksitigarbha represents a loyal and unwavering heart.

In the story of the true and false Monkey King in Journey to the West, the Six-Eared Macaque (actually the Mind Monkey, but a setting in the book) transforms into Sun Wukong, and all the heavenly beings cannot tell the difference. The two fight and bicker all the way to the underworld, where even the Ten Kings of Hell cannot distinguish them.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva then sent out Di Ting to discern the truth. Di Ting immediately prostrated himself on the ground and said to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva after a moment, "Although the strange name exists, it cannot be revealed to his face, nor can it be used to help capture him."

Ksitigarbha asked, "What if you tell them to their face?" Di Ting replied, "Telling them to their face might anger the demon, causing disturbances in the palace and unrest in the underworld." He then asked, "Why can't you help capture them?"

Di Ting said, "The demon's powers are no different from Sun Wukong's. How much magic power can the gods of the underworld possess? Therefore, they cannot capture it." Di Zang asked, "How can we get rid of it?"

Di Ting said, "The Buddha's teachings are boundless."

From this, we can see that Di Ting has the ability to judge cases. Later, the Six-Eared Macaque was finally subdued by the Buddha, but was killed by Wukong with a single blow. From then on, Wukong's delusions were extinguished, and he devoted himself to Buddhism. After going through eighty-one tribulations, he finally attained enlightenment.

As Li Xiuyuan was thinking, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva began to speak. He said, "I have heard that a new Bodhisattva has been conferred a title in Mount Ling. As Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, I naturally have to see him. Today I have seen that he is indeed extraordinary."

As he spoke, he nodded slightly, as if to express his meaning: he just wanted to take a look.

However, Li Xiuyuan was completely baffled. Damn it, he was called over just for such a small matter, but he didn't show any sign of it on the surface.

Li Xiuyuan replied with a smile, "I've heard that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva resides in the underworld and is said to say, 'I will never become a Buddha until hell is empty!' Now I see that he is indeed a master in our Buddhist sect. It's just a pity that he cannot go out."

After saying that, he shook his head slightly.

After making a great vow, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva immediately became a master at the Quasi-Saint Great Perfection level, but he could not easily leave the underworld.

Because hell is not yet empty, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva needs to remain here forever to deliver all sentient beings in the three realms.

Upon hearing this, Ksitigarbha was slightly angered. Although he was a Quasi-Saint at the Great Perfection level, in terms of reputation, he was no match for Guanyin Bodhisattva, who was only at the Great Luo Golden Immortal level.

Moreover, this underworld is not very good, so Ksitigarbha was a little angry. Li Xiuyuan was mocking him, as if he was destined to stay in the underworld forever.

"Humph!"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva gave a heavy snort, and Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "If Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has nothing else to say, I will take my leave."

After saying that, he left without waiting for a response.

This infuriated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who was standing nearby. Li Xiuyuan's attitude showed that he didn't take him seriously at all. Even the Buddha himself wouldn't dare to treat him like this.

However, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva ultimately did not make a move, because Li Xiuyuan possessed the essence blood of Pangu and had become the thirteenth ancestral witch of the Wu clan, whose fame had already resounded throughout the Three Realms.

Everyone now knows that Li Xiuyuan is not only a Buddhist but also a member of the Witch Clan. If they were to attack him in the Underworld, and Lady Pingxin were to become enraged, they would not dare to fight him.

Therefore, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva forcibly restrained himself and waited until the other party left before asking, "Di Ting, did you notice anything unusual?"

As he spoke, he pressed for more details, showing great confidence in his mount.

After listening to its master's words, Di Ting replied, "Bodhisattva, that person's surroundings are hazy. Even if I wanted to use my supernatural powers to eavesdrop on his true thoughts, it would be useless."

After saying that, he looked a little dejected. This was the first time Di Ting had encountered someone like this.

Even in front of a quasi-saint, the ability of Di Ting can reveal something about the other party, but in front of Li Xiuyuan, it is completely powerless, which naturally makes him a little annoyed.

Upon hearing this, Ksitigarbha cursed inwardly. He had invited Li Xiuyuan over because he wanted to obtain some secrets about Pangu's blood essence from him.

Unfortunately, this was something he couldn't possibly fathom. You see, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is eternally residing in the underworld; to reach the realm of a saint, hell would have to be emptied.

But this is simply impossible; hell will only be completely empty if all three realms are destroyed.

If Ksitigarbha wanted to leave the underworld, he would have to reach the realm of a sage. Since he was powerless in this regard, he could only seek another way, which was to obtain the secret of Pangu's blood essence from Li Xiuyuan.

Thus, achieving physical sainthood, though extremely difficult, is still much better than Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva waiting for hell to be emptied!

However, for some reason, Li Xiuyuan could not fathom his thoughts, so the matter could only end inconclusively.

However, judging from his actions just now, it seems that he cannot know the truth and has instead offended the other party.

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If Li Xiuyuan knew what the other party was thinking, he would definitely smile and reply that with the Holy Buddha System in existence, it would be impossible for him to spy on him with just the ability to hear.

Chapter 411 In the Chaos

This is why Li Xiuyuan was able to speak with the sages without fear when they met them; otherwise, in their eyes, nothing could be hidden.

However, the saints did not investigate. In their minds, Li Xiuyuan must have obtained an extraordinary opportunity. But who in this world has not had a strange encounter? Even the Three Pure Ones and the Two Sages of the West have had many such experiences.

However, as long as there is no greater adventure than becoming a saint, few people will take it seriously. But what these people do not know is that the adventure that Li Xiuyuan has obtained is even greater than they imagined.

After leaving the underworld, Li Xiuyuan headed towards the chaos. Before the chaos was created, the world was a hazy, indistinct expanse, which some later generations called Hongmeng.

Within the primordial chaos, there were three thousand pillars of light, which were later known as the Primordial Purple Qi. After the primordial chaos shattered, these three thousand pillars of light evolved into three thousand chaotic worlds.

The Primordial Chaos World, where the Primordial Era resides, is the most outstanding among the three thousand Chaos Worlds. However, it contains more than just one Chaos World; all the other worlds are inhabited by living beings.

Li Xiuyuan's Saint Buddha System is a product left over from the previous Chaos Era.

As time passed, the chaotic world, under Pangu's creation of heaven and earth, was severely damaged and disappeared without a trace. Only some remnants of chaotic fragments remained outside the primordial world that had been created.