Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

It must be said that Maitreya Buddha is also a Buddha with profound cultivation. However, the Great Sun Tathagata Buddha is already deeply rooted in the Buddhist world, not to mention the Ancient Buddha Dipankara, and other Buddhas with profound cultivation and deep foundations.

Therefore, Maitreya Buddha is also quite helpless. Although he is a future Buddha, he is still quite different from the present Tathagata and the past Buddha Dipankara.

Li Xiuyuan had read Journey to the West since childhood and understood that the Dipankara Buddha was just trying to make his presence known so that the Three Realms would remember that he, the future Buddha, was also very powerful.

But why choose this Tang Sanzang and his disciples?

This is because the journey of Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures is a major event in the Three Realms, concerning the rise and fall of Buddhism. Therefore, countless eyes are watching.

However, Li Xiuyuan had some ideas. He had seen through Maitreya Buddha's intentions, so why not bring him to his side as well?

Although Maitreya Buddha was placed by the Jade Emperor, his magical power and cultivation are certainly inferior to the Jade Emperor's. However, compared with Buddhas like Dipankara Buddha, he is probably not much different.

Li Xiuyuan made up his mind that he would go to the Western Paradise to learn from Maitreya Buddha.

Li Xiuyuan went to the Western Paradise, but he was not fortunate enough to witness the magnificent scene in the Lesser Western Paradise.

Tang Sanzang entered Leiyin Temple to worship Buddha. He, along with Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing, were trapped inside a golden cymbal. Jiedi went to heaven to invite the star gods, and Kang Jinlong used his horn to crawl through the seam of the cymbal and rescue Wukong. Wukong shattered the golden cymbal, and the old demon hurriedly used a bag to put all the gods inside.

In the middle of the night, Wukong released his master and sang with his brothers and the gods. The demon chased after them and disguised himself as Tang Sanzang and his disciples, along with the gods. Wukong escaped and went to ask the True Martial Emperor of Wudang Mountain for help.

It was quite a lively scene, but unfortunately, the Yellow-Eyebrowed King was indeed formidable, clutching his golden alms bowl and the human seed bag.

But why did so many immortals come to save Sun Wukong? It was simply because along the journey to the West, all the immortals knew that Sun Wukong was Li Xiuyuan's most beloved disciple.

Therefore, they all rushed to the rescue, simply to win Li Xiuyuan's favor.

However, Little Vajra was not here at this time. Not long ago, Li Xiuyuan had foreseen that the calamity of Little Western Heaven was likely to arrive soon, so he sent a message to Little Vajra in advance, asking him to return to the Pangu Holy Temple.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan had already arrived at the place where Maitreya Buddha was. Li Xiuyuan stopped his immortal cloud and looked around. He saw a monk with a bare belly, fat head and big ears, who was smiling at him.

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself: This Maitreya Buddha is not to be underestimated; he is probably not much weaker than the Tathagata Buddha.

Li Xiuyuan stepped forward and said, "Buddha, you probably know why I have come here, don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha seemed somewhat puzzled and asked, "What exactly did the Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva say? Please explain."

Li Xiuyuan cursed inwardly, "What a cunning old fox who doesn't show his true colors."

However, Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "Buddha, I have come here to discuss important matters with you. You are still being secretive with me, so I will be open about it. I know nothing about you."

"If Buddha insists on this, then I will go immediately, take the golden alms bowl and the human seed bag, and then beat that boy to death with a single blow. If Buddha is not satisfied, he can come and ask me, Li Xiuyuan, for guidance." After saying this, he made as if to turn and leave.

Maitreya Buddha was also greatly surprised, truly unaware that Li Xiuyuan knew so much about her affairs. It made him break out in a cold sweat.

In terms of cultivation and skills, he probably couldn't beat the Buddha Tathagata, but he was comparable to the Dipankara Buddha. However, Li Xiuyuan easily defeated both the Dipankara Buddha and the Buddha Tathagata.

Tathagata is the present Buddha, and Dipankara Buddha is the past Buddha. He feared that even this future Buddha wouldn't be able to withstand a single blow from Li Xiuyuan, and thus immediately felt intimidated. He promptly said, "Bodhisattva, don't be hasty. We are friends; we can discuss this properly."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan said, "That's good then." He then found a stone seat, sat down with Maitreya Buddha, and began to discuss the matter.

Li Xiuyuan spoke first, saying, "Buddha, although your attendant wanted to make a name for you, it has caused my disciple a lot of suffering."

If it weren't for Li Xiuyuan's influence, which brought the help of various deities, I would probably have been eaten long ago. I almost delayed my pilgrimage to the West!

Seeing Li Xiuyuan's forceful attitude, Maitreya Buddha had no choice but to back down, saying, "Bodhisattva, please temporarily quell your thunderous anger and listen to this old monk explain everything."

Li Xiuyuan looked at the old monk in front of him, his face now ashen, and said, "Speak."

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha explained, "Bodhisattva possesses great supernatural powers and knows my plan. However, there are some details that the Bodhisattva is still unclear about. Please allow this old monk to explain them one by one."

First, I promised that the boy could use the Golden Bowl and the Human Seed Bag at will, but I also instructed him that they could only be used to capture and imprison people, and must never be used to harm or injure them.

Secondly, my main purpose this time is to make many immortals remember me as the future Buddha. Therefore, as long as I can subdue too many immortals, I can create a deterrent effect.

Afterwards, I will naturally go down myself, retrieve the boy and the two items, and then release Tang Sanzang and his disciples, as well as the immortal cultivators.

Chapter 563 A Conspiracy

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded and laughed, "Buddha Donglai has really made a good plan. However, if someone like me discovers that it is you, Buddha Donglai, who is secretly manipulating things, then things will probably be difficult to handle."

The Buddha from the East smiled sheepishly. Li Xiuyuan had come to reprimand him, so he naturally had to behave himself. After all, he had wanted to show his face, but he had only caused trouble for Li Xiuyuan's grand undertaking of the Journey to the West.

The Buddha of the East knew that since Li Xiuyuan had come, there must be room for negotiation. Otherwise, as Li Xiuyuan himself said, if the boy was killed and the two treasures were taken away, the Buddha would have no way to object.

Thinking of this, Buddha Donglai couldn't help but laugh and say, "This matter is entirely up to the Bodhisattva to decide, but you still need to save me some face."

Li Xiuyuan naturally knew what Maitreya Buddha was thinking, and immediately said, "Buddha Donglai just wants to show his face. I can certainly help you and let you make a big splash in the Three Realms."

However, I still have conditions.

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha said, "Bodhisattva, please speak."

Li Xiuyuan looked at Maitreya Buddha and laughed, "After this matter, the Buddha of the East will inevitably be thrust into the limelight. Although he has gained attention, the tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind! Are you prepared to face the suppression from the Buddha Tathagata?"

After Li Xiuyuan explained the Maitreya Buddha Sutra, he understood. He immediately said, "Thank you, Bodhisattva, for clearing up my doubts. I will go and call the boy back right away!"

Li Xiuyuan stopped him, saying, "Buddha Donglai, don't be anxious. I have another plan that can achieve the best of both worlds."

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha listened attentively. Li Xiuyuan then said, "First, I will mobilize countless immortals in the Three Realms to rescue Tang Sanzang and his disciples. Although there are already quite a few immortals, it is still not enough to awe your reputation as the Buddha of the East."

"At that time, many immortals will have been subdued by your attendant, which will surely cause a stir in the Three Realms. Then you can take action, recall your attendant, and reclaim the treasures, spreading your fame far and wide."

Before Li Xiuyuan could finish speaking, the Maitreya Buddha asked, "That's very good, but what about the aftermath?"

Li Xiuyuan feigned profundity and said, "I have already planned what will happen next. You can propose to me on Mount Ling that I become the Buddha."

The Buddha fears me and would not dare to be negligent. If you do this, it means you and I are from the same faction, and the Buddha would certainly not dare to touch you, for fear of angering me.

In this way, we both benefit. You, the Buddha of the East, have gained immense prestige throughout the Three Realms, while I have gained an ally of the Buddha of the East. What do you say?

It must be said that Li Xiuyuan's plan was indeed ingenious. Although the Buddha of the East was known as the future Buddha, he was an isolated figure in the Buddhist world. That's why he decided to make a good impression so as to attract the attention of others.

However, although his skills were not lacking, he still had shortcomings, which would inevitably lead to suppression. But at this moment, he proposed to the Buddha that Li Xiuyuan be made a Buddha, which was equivalent to announcing to all the immortals and Buddhas that he was Li Xiuyuan's ally. If anyone wanted to make a move against him, they would have to get past Li Xiuyuan first.

Maitreya Buddha was naturally aware of Li Xiuyuan's strength. Just based on his battle with the Jade Emperor outside the South Heavenly Gate, he possessed abilities comparable to a saint.

Having employed numerous methods, it's clear they intend to expand their power, and it's likely they will soon replace the Buddha as the ruler of the Western Paradise.

At that moment, Li Xiuyuan extended an olive branch to Maitreya Buddha, which was also a good opportunity for Maitreya Buddha. Although the Jade Emperor was his master, the Jade Emperor had long ago sent him to the Western Paradise and, seeing that he was ineffective and unable to replace the Buddha, had given up on him.

In this situation, he was essentially a person without a master, and since he had no power to make a decision, Li Xiuyuan was naturally the best choice for him.

After pondering for a long time, Maitreya Buddha finally nodded and agreed, "I can agree to what the Bodhisattva says. But what will you do to me if you become the ruler of the Western Paradise in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan laughed and said, "Buddha of the East underestimates me too much. If I wanted to be the Lord of the Western Paradise, I could probably bring down Tathagata right now, but I have no interest in that. You are the future Buddha, so I will naturally give you the position of Lord of the Western Paradise, but we will still be allies."

Upon hearing this, the Buddha of the East was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Bodhisattva. From now on, I will always follow your lead."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan thought to himself: "This is another subordinate I've gained. I'll make him the ruler of the Western Paradise in the future, so I can control things from behind. Otherwise, I can't stand so many trivial matters."

Subsequently, Li Xiuyuan sent out several messages, one of which was to Bodhidharma, and another to Li Tianwang of the Western Paradise.

Of course, there was also the fairy Chang'e at this time.

Bodhidharma is now the head of the Eighteen Arhats and controls the Arhat Formation, so he must be able to command many Arhats.

As for Li Tianwang, he naturally knew that Li Tianwang was probably terrified of him. If he sent out a message, Li Tianwang would probably come even if he disobeyed the Jade Emperor's order.

As for the fairy Chang'e, she is naturally capable of doing things that others cannot. She can go to some powerful celestial officials and ask them to descend to the mortal realm.

However, these people will probably all be put into the Huangmei King's human seed bag.

Li Xiuyuan and the Buddha of the East were observing the four directions and three realms from the heavens above when Li Xiuyuan suddenly spoke up: "Buddha, please look, these are the Eighteen Arhats."

The Buddha from the East looked around and saw eighteen Arhats rushing towards the Little Western Paradise, exactly eighteen, not one missing.

The Buddha of the East couldn't help but say, "Bodhisattva, you truly have excellent skills. These eighteen Arhats are all highly skilled. Recently, they obtained the Eighteen Arhat Formation, and no Bodhisattva has been able to escape from it. However, these eighteen Arhats have always ignored everyone, and sometimes they don't even respond to the Buddha's commands."

The Bodhisattva was able to bring them all over; what a skillful method!

Chapter 564 A Great Momentum

Li Xiuyuan chuckled and said, "This is only the west side. Let's look at the Lingxiao Palace in the east. Heavenly King Li has also opened it there."

As Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, the Buddha of the East turned his eyes to look eastward and saw countless heavenly soldiers and generals descending from the sky.

Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking that Li Xiuyuan was truly terrified of him, as he had actually mobilized an army of 200,000, along with his son, Nezha, the Third Prince, and the Four Heavenly Kings who were on good terms with him.

Seeing the sheer force of the shouts, the Buddha of the East couldn't help but exclaim, "Bodhisattva, what a skillful means! All these heavenly soldiers in the sky are probably no match for a gust of wind from my Human Seed Bag, which can easily gather them all."

The momentum from all sides was immense, but Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "Buddha from the East, don't worry, there is still hope."

Following Li Tianwang, the 108 Star Lords arrived. It was obvious that Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, had gone to find them. Chang'e could probably answer any man's call with a single word.

However, the charm of the fairy Chang'e also moved Li Xiuyuan, and soon after, the Nine Luminaries Star Officials arrived. This scene truly astonished the Buddha of the East, who sighed, "Even if I didn't take action this time, I'm afraid I would become famous throughout the Three Realms."

Li Xiuyuan chuckled and said, "Buddha Donglai, you may not know this, but the head of the eighteen Arhats is my disciple. As for Li Tianwang, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, he was intimidated by me several times and dared not disobey me."

As for the rest of the people, they were all invited by the fairy Chang'e.

The Buddha of the East couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that the fairy Chang'e has truly fallen in love with the Bodhisattva, as she was able to invite so many deities."

However, at this moment, Li Xiuyuan and Maitreya Buddha saw two more groups of people arriving.

One of them was none other than the True Martial Emperor, whom Sun Wukong had sought out. This True Martial Emperor resided on Wudang Mountain. Years ago, outside the South Heavenly Gate, in the Lingxiao Palace, he had given Wukong a good beating, and so Wukong went to find him, and that's how he arrived.

As for the other group, it was also Little Vajra. Little Vajra went to find the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, who was known for his wide circle of friends. He brought over all his usual acquaintances who ate ginseng fruit at his place. There were Antarctic Immortal, Fire Virtue True Lord, Water Virtue True Lord, and so on.

This period has seen the gathering of countless immortals, and it's likely that the entire Three Realms will be shaken up afterward.

Meanwhile, the many immortals gradually gathered and challenged the Yellow Plum King to come out and fight outside the Little Western Heaven Gate.

However, King Huangmei had received Maitreya Buddha's order early on, forbidding him from engaging in battle and requiring the entire Three Realms to react and turn their attention to him.

After half a day, Li Xiuyuan looked at the sun and said, "Buddha of the East, it's getting late, it should be alright now."

Maitreya Buddha nodded and said, "Yes, it's getting late. All eyes in the Three Realms must be on us." Then, he and his attendant issued a command.