Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Upon hearing this, Bajie knew that Li Xiuyuan meant to be harsh, so he immediately knelt down and said, "Bajie will obey your teachings and will not dare to have any other thoughts. In the future, I will definitely protect Tang Sanzang so that he can obtain the true scriptures and achieve enlightenment."

Li Xiuyuan nodded, then looked at Tang Sanzang again and said, "Master Sanzang."

When Tang Sanzang heard Li Xiuyuan calling him, he dared not be negligent and said, "This monk awaits the Buddha's instruction."

Li Xiuyuan has now brought Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sun Wukong, all of Tang Sanzang's disciples, under his command, and of course, Sha Wujing as well.

However, Tang Sanzang is still of utmost importance, because among Tang Sanzang and his disciples, besides Sun Wukong whom he protected, the only one who could become a Buddha is probably Tang Sanzang.

Tang Sanzang was originally a disciple of the Buddha, but was banished to the mortal realm. After several reincarnations, he finally became Tang Sanzang and had the opportunity to escape the cycle of reincarnation. However, he harbored deep resentment towards the Buddha. After being persuaded by Li Xiuyuan, he became Li Xiuyuan's subordinate.

Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "Master Sanzang, you have had a long and arduous journey. However, there is still some distance to go. Once you reach the Western Paradise, you will have achieved great merit, and I will certainly guarantee your Buddhahood."

Tang Sanzang expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Buddha, for guiding me through my confusion." Of course, Sha Wujing was also present; the Sha Wujing of yesteryear was the Curtain-Raising General who mistakenly broke the Queen Mother of the West's glass lamp and was banished to the mortal realm by the Jade Emperor.

Li Xiuyuan looked at Sha Wujing and said, "Sha Wujing, you must concentrate even more. The Jade Emperor dislikes you, and the Buddha will definitely favor you. But as long as you don't cause any trouble, I will guarantee that you will achieve enlightenment."

After Sha Wujing expressed his gratitude, Li Xiuyuan spoke again: "Little White Dragon, why don't you show yourself?" Immediately, the white horse that Tang Sanzang and his disciples were leading transformed into a white dragon, flew straight to Li Xiuyuan, and lowered its head.

Seeing the white dragon horse's eagerness, Li Xiuyuan reached out his hand and comforted it, "Little white dragon, don't be alarmed. Although the Jade Emperor has turned you into a monstrous dragon, rest assured that when you reach the Western Paradise, I will bestow upon you the title of one of the Eight Heavenly Dragons, encircling the Three Thousand Buddha Pillars, enjoying the light of all Buddhas, and granting you eternal glory. Go back now."

After Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, the little white dragon wagged its tail, already grateful. Then it landed on the ground and transformed into a white dragon horse once more.

Li Xiuyuan gave some instructions before giving up, and then left with the silly girl, heading east.

However, Li Xiuyuan was not going to the Pangu Temple, but to the Wuzhuang Temple, because Little Vajra was in the Wuzhuang Temple.

Last time, because of the King of Huangmei, Little Vajra went to Wuzhuang Temple and invited the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi. Later, he also followed the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi back to Wuzhuang Temple.

There were many young children in Wuzhuang Temple. Little Vajra was also a child who had always stayed in Wuzhuang Temple. Li Xiuyuan planned to go and take a look at him, and if it was about time, he intended to bring Little Vajra back with him.

Li Xiuyuan then arrived at Wuzhuang Temple. He transformed the silly girl into the prototype of a cell phone and put her in his arms, preparing to enter the temple.

Li Xiuyuan entered the Taoist temple and noticed something was different. In the past, regardless of the season, there were always two or three young boys guarding the entrance of Wuzhuang Temple. But now, there were none of them.

Furthermore, Wuzhuang Temple is usually quiet, but before Li Xiuyuan even entered the temple, he heard a commotion inside.

This indeed made Li Xiuyuan very suspicious. He knew about Wuzhuang Temple because Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, always preferred quiet, so loud noises were not allowed in the past.

But today was an exception. Li Xiuyuan ignored everything else and strode inside, eager to find out what was going on.

After turning several corners, we finally arrived at the center of the Taoist temple.

Chapter 581 Zhenyuan Daxian

Li Xiuyuan looked closely and couldn't help but laugh.

Beneath the pavilion, Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, stroked his beard and laughed heartily. In the courtyard, a group of children were fighting against Little Vajra.

Although Little Vajra was originally a gourd that grew naturally, it possessed extraordinary innate abilities, and even had similarities to the twelve ancient witches.

However, the attendants under Zhen Yuanzi the Great Immortal are all powerful, and each has their own magic weapon. However, Li Xiuyuan can also see that Little Vajra still intends to give way.

The twenty-four attendants of Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, all rushed forward, each attacking Little Vajra.

Little Vajra remained calm and composed, dodging and weaving with ease. With a single strike, he knocked one down. However, Little Vajra knew his limits, striking relatively lightly, only knocking the boy down without causing serious injury, perhaps not even a minor one.

Sure enough, the boy rolled over, got up, brushed the mud off himself, and, realizing he was alright, went to get up.

However, Little King Kong saw it clearly and immediately shouted, "No cheating! Lying down means you're dead. How can you fight if you're dead?"

Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, also spoke up: "Alright, boy, step back. Do not break the rules."

The boy immediately fell silent and stepped aside.

Looking at those children, they each displayed their unique abilities and were incredibly powerful. Although they couldn't match Little Vajra's innate supernatural powers, they had still practiced many spells.

Just then, while Little King Kong was fighting, a child who had burrowed underground suddenly burst out of the ground, grabbed Little King Kong's leg, and tried to pull him off.

However, Little Vajra was also incredibly strong, and with a flick of his leg, he sent him sprawling to the side. Some of the boys even used magic to turn themselves into stone figures, but Little Vajra punched them both out of their original forms. Some of the boys even used fire-controlling techniques to attack Little Vajra, but he easily deflected each attack. In the end, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, all twenty-four boys were defeated and forced to retreat.

Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Little Vajra, Little Vajra, you are truly born with martial prowess. If you grow up, I'm afraid my brother and your senior brother will not be able to defeat you."

"The Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva truly has remarkable methods, managing to cultivate a genius like you." However, before Zhen Yuanzi could finish speaking, Little Vajra interrupted, "Great Immortal, Great Immortal, you're mistaken, you're mistaken. Master is now the Heavenly Dragon Buddha, not a Bodhisattva!"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi couldn't help but say, "Yes, yes, yes, we're used to calling him Bodhisattva. It's really unexpected that the Buddha Tathagata has already conferred the title of Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva so quickly. However, it's always been the case. Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva has extraordinary magical powers, so it wouldn't make sense if he wasn't conferred the title of Buddha."

Little Vajra laughed and said, "Hahaha, that's because Buddha is afraid of my master. He was beaten by my master and never dared to be disrespectful again. He has to say whatever my master says!"

Just as Zhen Yuanzi was about to answer, Li Xiuyuan spoke up, stepping forward and saying, "Little Vajra, you must not speak recklessly."

At this moment, Little Vajra and Zhen Yuanzi the Great Immortal finally noticed Li Xiuyuan. They didn't know when Li Xiuyuan had arrived, and he had probably been watching them all along.

Upon seeing that it was Li Xiuyuan, Zhenyuanzi immediately stood up and said, "Greetings, Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha." The little Vajra had already run to Li Xiuyuan's side.

Li Xiuyuan patted Xiao Jingang's head and said with a smile, "When I first entered the temple, I was quite surprised. In such a large Taoist temple, I didn't see a single young disciple. But I didn't expect them all to be here."

"Immortal Zhen Yuanzi is in high spirits, but you must be careful. My disciple was born with skin of copper and bones of iron. If he is seriously injured, it will be quite a sight."

Before Zhen Yuanzi could speak, Little Vajra protested, "Master, no. I was very careful. I didn't hurt any of the older brothers or sisters."

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan nodded knowingly and then said, "These days, I have really troubled you, Great Immortal. My disciple is unruly, please bear with me."

Zhen Yuanzi, the Great Immortal, dared not be impolite and immediately said, "Buddha, you are too kind. Little Vajra is always well-behaved and very lovable."

Li Xiuyuan looked at Little King Kong and smiled, "The Great Immortal praised you for being obedient. I'm going back now. Would you like to go to the Pangu Temple?"

Little King Kong looked around and said, "Master, I want to stay here and play with these older brothers and sisters, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan could only nod and say, "Alright."

After discussing it with the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, they decided to let Little Vajra stay in the Taoist temple and asked the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi to take good care of him.

However, before leaving, Li Xiuyuan still tasted the ginseng fruit provided by the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi. He enjoyed it for a while, and finally left with Little Vajra watching him go with reluctance.

Afterwards, Li Xiuyuan went directly to the Pangu Temple, took out his phone from his pocket, and the phone then transformed into the human-shaped silly girl.

Li Xiuyuan explained the matter in detail to Sha Niu. He said that the universe and the Milky Way galaxy that existed in the previous magical mobile phone world group had been taken down by Li Xiuyuan and installed in his Pangu Temple.

Therefore, the space on Earth today is now directly connected to this world, and they are no longer two different worlds.

After the explanation, the silly girl understood what Li Xiuyuan meant. He wanted her to pass this information on to Lu Xiaoqian and You Suowei, so that they wouldn't be kept in the dark and know nothing.

With Li Xiuyuan's help, Sha Niu successfully returned to Earth. However, Sha Niu was still very surprised by Li Xiuyuan, marveling at his ability to move a small world.

Chapter 582 The Buddhas of the Western Paradise

After settling things with the silly girl, Li Xiuyuan went to the Western Paradise.

It must have been a long time since he last entered the Western Paradise. Last time, he was still very weak, but he cultivated a Great Sun Dharma Body, which made the Buddha very unhappy and he was suppressed.

However, even if Buddha were given the courage again, he probably wouldn't dare to go to the Western Paradise this time.

However, Li Xiuyuan still needs to be careful. Just like the Jade Emperor, Tathagata is also a puppet arranged by the sages to be used as a ruler of a region.

Behind the Jade Emperor are Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun, two sages of the Chan sect. While Mount Ling in the Western Paradise is said to have Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha), Tathagata Buddha (present Buddha), and Dipankara Buddha (past Buddha), these are merely puppets; behind them are the sages Zhunti and Jieyin.

Of course, in the Three Realms, besides Buddhism and Chan Sect, there is also Yuanshi Tianzun, the leader of Jie Sect. Although Yuanshi Tianzun is the junior disciple, he is the only one among the Three Pure Ones who is favored by Hongjun Laozu.

Therefore, during the Investiture of the Gods, the sage of the Jie Sect was able to fight against three sages—Nuwa, Laozi, and Yuanshi Tianzun—single. However, after the Investiture of the Gods, the Jie Sect weakened considerably. Many of its disciples either became servants, joined Buddhism, or became members of the Chan Sect.

Of course, among all the sages, the one who wavered between the two was Nuwa. If it weren't for King Zhou of Shang's disrespectful act towards Nuwa's statue, which enraged her and led her to join the Chan Sect's side, the Investiture of the Gods war might have been a completely different story.

Nuwa is the leader of the human religion because she created humans from clay in the name of the Primordial Ancestor, and eventually covered the entire continent with them.

Li Xiuyuan's journey is to the Western Paradise. Although Li Xiuyuan was appointed by the Buddha, he must have the consent of the Sages Zhunti and Jieyin.

Back then, when he was at Five Finger Mountain, he instigated a feud between the Buddha Tathagata and Dipankara Buddha, which was technically a great act of disrespect. However, neither the Sage of Reception nor the Sage of Cundi reacted, indicating a degree of leniency at the time.

This time, he was granted permission to become a Buddha in another region, which must be because the two saints were quite fond of him. This is because of his profound cultivation, which made them want to win him over.

Li Xiuyuan arrived at the foot of Mount Ling in no time, and immediately revealed the true form of the Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha, unleashing a wave of oppressive power.

Guarding the mountain gate were the Eighteen Arhats, led by the Dragon-Subduing Arhat Bodhidharma, a disciple whom Li Xiuyuan had taken in many years ago. Under Bodhidharma's coercion, the Buddha gave Li Xiuyuan the position of the head of the Eighteen Arhats. Li Xiuyuan then allowed Bodhidharma to take the position and bestowed upon him the Arhat Formation. Now, Bodhidharma was in charge of the Eighteen Arhats.

This is not only because the Arhat Subduing Dragon is the chief Arhat, but also because the Eighteen Arhats Formation is in the hands of Bodhidharma, the Arhat Subduing Dragon.

The Eighteen Arhats are a rather special existence in the Buddhist world. Perhaps the Buddha sometimes mobilizes them, but now Bodhidharma can use his status as the leader of the Eighteen Arhats, along with the Eighteen Arhats Formation given to him by Li Xiuyuan, to control the other seventeen Arhats.

Not long ago, Li Xiuyuan and the future Buddha Maitreya made a deal, and Bodhidharma brought all seventeen of his fellow disciples with him, which explains a lot.

As soon as Li Xiuyuan appeared, all eighteen Arhats bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha."

The Arhat Bodhidharma, who subdues dragons, spoke up: "Greetings, Master. Congratulations on your attainment of Buddhahood."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded and said, "Alright, you guys continue. I'll go in first."

Then, amidst the congratulations of Bodhidharma and a group of Arhats, he entered the Western Paradise. There, on the mountainside, hundreds of Vajras, Bodhisattvas, warriors, and immortals stood on both sides, waiting for Li Xiuyuan.

However, Li Xiuyuan muttered to himself: Such a grand scene is truly rare. I wonder why the Buddha is so magnanimous these days?

Such magnanimity! To treat me with such hospitality? Why didn't Bodhidharma greet me earlier?

However, as soon as you speak of the devil, he appears. Right now, Bodhidharma, outside the gates of Mount Ling, sends a telepathic message: "Master, Mo Yan is worried. Both sages predicted that you would come soon to report on your duties. Therefore, they each manifested avatars to personally bestow titles upon you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded. Now it all made sense; the two sages were intentionally trying to win him over.

Therefore, even when Li Xiuyuan challenged Tathagata and Dipankara to a duel, she remained unmoved. Ultimately, he tacitly approved her as a Buddha, bestowing upon her the title of Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha, placing her on par with the Great Sun Tathagata Buddha. If there wasn't an intention to win her over, even Li Xiuyuan himself probably wouldn't believe it.

Li Xiuyuan felt at ease after thinking about it this way, and immediately stepped into the Buddhist hall.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt the radiant light of Buddha. Li Xiuyuan remembered that all the Bodhisattvas were placed on the outside. For example, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and so on, were not qualified to enter the hall because they were still Bodhisattvas and did not have the status of Buddhas.

Therefore, the hall is probably filled with Buddhas. Just thinking about it makes me realize what a grand scene it is—three thousand Buddhas, probably all gathered together. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't have driven out all the Bodhisattvas.

Li Xiuyuan was secretly alarmed, but he didn't show it, staring ahead as he strode into the hall. He looked up and was immediately taken aback.

At the very front, the Buddha sat serenely on a lotus throne in the center. To his left and right were Maitreya Buddha, the future Buddha, and Dipankara Buddha, the ancient Buddha of the past.