Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Enraged, Buddha Tathagata shouted, "No! What the Heavenly Dragon Buddha said makes sense, but since our Buddhist sect was established on Mount Ling, when has it ever added five Buddha positions at the same time? Moreover, those Sha Wujing, Zhu Bajie, and the White Dragon are still shallow in cultivation. Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal cannot resist them. How can they be granted Buddha positions?"

The Buddha's angry roar silenced everyone, and the arena fell silent. Li Xiuyuan, however, smiled faintly and said, "Why is the Buddha angry? I was just saying." Li Xiuyuan then teased Maitreya Buddha, causing another stir in the arena, as the Buddhas were secretly laughing.

The Buddha was utterly dejected; the pride he had built up over the years had been stripped away today by Maitreya Buddha and Li Xiuyuan. Dipankara Buddha then spoke up again: “Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong have sufficient cultivation, but their cultivation is only a few hundred years. They can be considered Arhats. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing were originally just nameless demons in the mortal realm, utterly unworthy of respect. They can be considered Vajras. As for the White Dragon, he angered the Jade Emperor; we dare not accept him. Let's release him back; wandering in the mountains is his freedom.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan flew into a rage and immediately cursed, "Dan Deng Ancient Buddha, do you really think this way? If you're not afraid of losing your life, then go ahead and make this arrangement. But you'll have to be careful in the future. If you leave the Buddhist temple of Mount Ling, you might be torn to pieces by Tang Sanzang and his disciples."

Dipankara Buddha immediately spoke up, "They dare?!" His tone was quite forceful. Li Xiuyuan, however, secretly mocked, "How could they not dare? Without the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, what divine power do you have? Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang, one a bright and intelligent monkey, the other a primordial spirit pearl, together they would probably crush you."

Before speaking, Dipankara Buddha, you should think more carefully, lest you speak without considering the consequences. It's like you, Dipankara Buddha, eating without first looking with your eyes and smelling with your nose; you just open your mouth and eat. If what you eat is excrement, what should I say, Dipankara Buddha, do?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room burst into laughter again. It seems that the Ancient Buddha Dipankara would be too embarrassed to say another word today.

Tathagata, forcing himself to remain calm, said, "The words of Dipankara Buddha are indeed too rash. However, five Buddhas are not very realistic. Heavenly Dragon Buddha should think about it again. At most, one Buddha."

I see that Sun Wukong is the beloved disciple of the Heavenly Dragon Buddha, and also a clever and divine monkey, already...

"Severing one corpse is sufficient to confer a Buddhist title. As for the rest, that is impossible."

This Buddha was shrewd enough to know that Sun Wukong was Li Xiuyuan's beloved disciple, and thus he uttered these words with a hint of flattery. Today, Buddha and Dipankara could be said to have neither power nor strength; the only thing they held onto was Buddha's power to bestow titles of Buddhahood, as the current Buddha and the head of Buddhism.

The confrontation between Buddha and Li Xiuyuan was already destined to end in defeat. Now, Buddha was offering a Buddhist position as a plea for mercy. However, he did not grant the position to Tang Sanzang, since Tang Sanzang was none other than Ling Chanzi.

He had no real hatred for Li Xiuyuan and Sun Wukong, as they were vying for power. However, he harbored a deep-seated hatred for his prized disciple, Ling Chanzi. If Ling Chanzi were to attain Buddhahood, he would likely face numerous troubles while serving under Li Xiuyuan.

Li Xiuyuan said in a deep voice, "No, there are already at least two Buddha positions. Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang both have the strength of quasi-saints. Although Sun Wukong is my disciple, I, Li Xiuyuan, believe in fairness and cannot be biased towards one another. We cannot neglect Tang Sanzang. Besides, Tang Sanzang was once your disciple. It is said that one should not avoid relatives when recommending the virtuous, nor should one avoid enemies when accepting the virtuous. Buddha Tathagata is still too reserved."

Only a limited number of Buddhas knew about the matter between Tathagata Buddha and Ling Chanzi, but Li Xiuyuan managed to shut Tathagata up. It was truly a case of offering a warm face to a cold backside; even a fart couldn't save face.

Li Xiuyuan looked at the Buddha and smiled, "Buddha, as I said, this is the only way. Sun Wukong and Ling Chanzi are now quasi-saints. If they don't have a Buddha position, it would look bad for our Buddhist sect. As for the others, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the White Dragon Horse, although their cultivation is still shallow, if they can't be made Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, they can be made other ones."

Pigsy, with his unruly nature, could be appointed as an envoy of Buddhism. Sandy, with his resolute character, could be made a Golden Arhat. And the White Dragon, being a dragon himself, could be one of the Eight Heavenly Dragons. Letting him hover atop the golden pillar of Buddhism would be a sinecure for him.

"If that old Jade Emperor dares to cause trouble for our Buddhist sect in the future, I'll handle it."

After Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, both the Buddha Tathagata and the Ancient Buddha Dipankara remained silent.

Everyone then realized that the matter was probably settled. However, they couldn't help but secretly admire Li Xiuyuan's skillful methods, which had caused both the cunning Buddha and the ancient Buddha Dipankara to suffer a setback.

Seeing that the Buddha Tathagata and Dipankara Buddha remained silent, Li Xiuyuan was also embarrassed to say anything more. After all, he had already been assertive enough today and had won the respect of the Buddhist cultivators. However, if he were to go any further, it would be a bit excessive and might offend the Buddhas, which would be detrimental to his future.

However, while Li Xiuyuan remained silent, others could speak. At Li Xiuyuan's prompting, Maitreya Buddha, who was in the position of the future Buddha, chuckled and said, "I wonder what the two Buddhas think of Tianlong Buddha's proposal? If there is nothing to say, then let's settle on this."

Dipankara Buddha remained silent.

Chapter 610 The Rise of Buddhism

The Buddha reluctantly spoke, saying, "Alright, it's settled then. Two Buddha positions, one Arhat, one messenger, and one Deva. That's it. If the Deva Buddha has nothing else to say, then everyone may disperse."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded and smiled, "Alright, let's disperse then." He then took the lead in stepping down from the Buddha's seat and strode outside.

Then, Maitreya Buddha, Dipankara Buddha, and the other Buddhas got up and followed Li Xiuyuan out of the Golden Hall.

Then the Buddha shook his head, looking helpless. In the past, after each sermon or meeting, he would be the first to step down from the platform and leave the golden hall. Only then would the other Buddhas in the hall be allowed to descend. How different it was now, when so many Buddhas no longer took him seriously.

Both Dipankara Buddha and Tathagata Buddha remained seated on the altar for a long time. Finally, the many Buddhas could no longer bear it and left one by one, until finally all of them had departed.

In the end, only the Buddha Tathagata and the Ancient Buddha Dipankara remained. The Ancient Buddha Dipankara looked at the Buddha Tathagata and sighed, "I never thought that after fighting with you for so many years, I would ultimately lose to someone else. How tragic." He then shook his head, sighing deeply, and walked out of the Golden Hall.

Finally, only the Buddha remained in the golden hall. The Buddha closed his eyes, pondered for a long time, and finally sighed: "I still need to seek help from a sage, to have a sage show me the way."

Just as the Buddha was about to get up, two figures of light suddenly appeared before him, in human form, and said in unison, "You don't need to come; we will come to speak with you in person."

Upon seeing this, Buddha immediately bowed and said, "Greetings to the two holy beings."

It turned out that the two figures of light were actually the incarnations of the two sages, conveying their message. The two sages replied, "Alright, get up quickly. I know you are in a difficult situation right now, so I came here specifically to ask you what's on your mind."

Upon hearing the words of the two sages, the Buddha's face fell, and he began to weep. He said, "The two sages founded Buddhism and entrusted it to me. I have done my best, but my magical power is limited, and I cannot subdue all the Buddhas in the heavens. Within Buddhism, the Buddhas alone possess three thousand arts, and I am but a Buddha."

They were able to manage Gan in the past because of the prestige of the two saints, so they dared not be presumptuous. Although they made some small moves, they did not dare to go too far.

But now there's Li Xiuyuan, this Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha. Not only did he steal and cultivate my Dharma body, but he also openly challenged my authority on multiple occasions. Now he wields absolute power in Buddhism, and I can't even mobilize a single monk.

I don't know whether Li Xiuyuan is being intentionally cultivated by the Sage, or what? I only ask the Sage to guide me on what I should do next.

Sage Zhunti replied, "This is all a matter of fate. However, since Li Xiuyuan is a variable, we will not interfere much with him. Let it be so. Everything is up to you. If you have any ideas, then go ahead and do them."

This Li Xiuyuan is a person of great karmic influence, and even more so, a person of great unpredictability. We cannot fathom him, nor do we wish to interfere. As for what to do, that is up to you. If you do not wish for trouble, you may retire and let the future Buddha, who is destined to ascend to the throne, become the present Buddha.”

Upon hearing this, the Buddha understood. It seemed that Li Xiuyuan carried a heavy karmic burden, one that even a saint dared not taint. As for what to do? The saint had already said he would retire from public life and offer his Buddhahood to Maitreya Buddha. If Li Xiuyuan wanted the Buddhahood, he could go to Maitreya Buddha to ask for it; in any case, the Buddha had severed all ties.

Speaking of Li Xiuyuan, he still went to the Buddha Mist Sea. Accompanying him were the same five Buddhas, but behind them followed dozens more. These were all Buddhas who, after coming down from the Golden Hall, had shown goodwill to Li Xiuyuan and were still unwilling to leave, preparing to serve under him.

Li Xiuyuan didn't know much about the Buddhist sect on Mount Ling, yet he found himself back in the Buddha Mist Sea. It was the same place he'd been before. Li Xiuyuan led them all into the Buddha Mist Sea, intending to have a detailed discussion and get to know each other. Of course, he also summoned Bodhidharma, the guardian of the Western Paradise's gate, to introduce them to the various Buddhas.

Li Xiuyuan did this because he had something to do. He was already at the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm. In terms of skill, he was probably comparable to a Saint. However, he had encountered a bottleneck and could not truly become a Saint.

Li Xiuyuan thought that after arranging things properly in the Buddhist community and handling various matters, he would then seek a way to break through.

However, before that, they had to wait until Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived in the Western Paradise, and then settle their disciples and women before going.

Therefore, before leaving Mount Ling and going into seclusion, he wanted to completely control Buddhism under the control of his own people. For example, if he were to simply abandon the cause now, after Tang Sanzang and his disciples completed their pilgrimage and transported the Buddhist scriptures to the Tang Dynasty, they might not receive any official recognition, but instead be directly punished by Buddha on some pretext.

How could Dipankara Buddha let his disciples get away with this? Back then, they had stolen his twelve precious Sea-Stabilizing Pearls. It's no exaggeration to say that Dipankara Buddha harbored deep resentment towards them.

Of course, he also needs to properly take care of his women. After all, he doesn't know how many years he'll be in seclusion. However, it's also possible that the way to break through his bottleneck isn't through seclusion. He might even be able to travel through time and space to another world. That's also a possibility.

For example, in that magical mobile phone world, the Primordial Origin that Li Xiuyuan obtained is a very important thing. Although he doesn't know how to use it yet, it's something that can change one's destiny, so it's naturally extremely rare.

This requires Tang Sanzang and his disciples to come here. After they obtain the scriptures and become Buddhas and patriarchs, they will inevitably gain a lot of merit points because they planned this journey. Moreover, they have also accumulated a lot of sin points during this time.

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Chapter 611 Elysium

Furthermore, he has already taken in quite a few women, and he has severed both his good and evil selves, but he hasn't yet severed his ego. He has everything he should have, but he's still missing a bit of opportunity.

For the next two months, Li Xiuyuan spent his time on Mount Ling. Every day, besides talking with the Buddhas who came to visit, he wandered around Mount Ling.

I have carefully observed that golden bell several times, and the more I look at it, the more unusual it seems. However, it will take some time to uncover its true nature.

Now that I've discovered the secret of the golden bell, this is an opportunity. If I'm too hasty, that would be rushing things, which is unwise. What's meant for me, I must fight for; otherwise, it will belong to someone else. What isn't meant for me, I shouldn't even think about; even if I manage to get it, it will likely change hands eventually.

This was Li Xiuyuan's experience of watching the Buddha's Sea of ​​Mist every day for the past few months, which made him feel much calmer and wiser.

He had a feeling that the golden bell was extraordinary, perhaps even of great significance. He felt a connection to it, only lacking a crucial element of opportunity. When that opportunity arrived, the golden bell would be his. He had a strong conviction that it would definitely be his.

This made him very confident.

In addition, the Buddha has not made many public appearances in the past few months, seemingly due to exhaustion and a desire for rest. Li Xiuyuan plans to overthrow the Buddha and Dipankara after the completion of the pilgrimage, then elevate Maitreya Buddha to the throne, make Dipankara Buddha the future Buddha, and promote Bodhidharma to the future Buddha.

Although Bodhidharma was only an Arhat, Sun Wukong could provide him with much support. Bodhidharma was mature and steady, with a kind and loving heart, excellent talent, and superior Buddhist nature. He had previously been looked after by many Buddhas.

However, Sun Wukong's temperament was not suitable for being the leader of Buddhism, so Bodhidharma was chosen. Nevertheless, he still needed Sun Wukong and others to protect him.

Perhaps Maitreya Buddha will remain in the current position of Buddha for a long time, but when Bodhidharma truly matures, Maitreya Buddha will be able to step down.

For the past few days, Li Xiuyuan had been traveling around Mount Ling, sometimes observing the Buddha's light, sometimes watching the clouds and mist, and experiencing firsthand what it meant to be part of the Three Thousand Buddha Kingdoms. He was deeply moved, realizing that even so, it was all very natural and required no effort at all.

Those opportunities that belonged to him were slowly approaching him. He could feel them getting closer and closer. Li Xiuyuan could even sense their presence.

Li Xiuyuan knew this was a good thing. Perhaps it was a sign that he would become a saint, a sign that an opportunity was coming.

That day, he wandered to the gate of the Western Paradise Mountain again. Looking into the distance, he saw the Eighteen Arhats guarding the Buddhist gate, the leader of whom was none other than Bodhidharma.

Li Xiuyuan thought for a moment, then called out to Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma flew over, unaware of Li Xiuyuan's intentions. However, Li Xiuyuan had never lied to him, and he had absolute trust in him; if his master summoned him, he would go.

Bodhidharma flew over and immediately asked, "Master, did you summon me with something to instruct me?" Li Xiuyuan scoffed and said, "I summoned you because I naturally have something to instruct you. Come with me, let's find a place to talk. Come with me."

Afterwards, Li Xiuyuan arrived at a mountain peak a hundred miles to the right of the mountain gate, which was the boundary between the Western Heavenly Spirit Mountain and the outside world. Li Xiuyuan sat cross-legged on the mountain peak, and Bodhidharma also jumped up, placed his staff horizontally on the mountain, and said, "Master, please speak."

It was dusk, and on one side of this mountain was the Western Spirit Mountain, where day and night did not distinguish between them. However, outside the Spirit Mountain, day and night still alternated, and beyond the Spirit Mountain stretched a vast desert of tens of thousands of miles.

For ordinary people to reach this place, they must cross the desert, and Tang Sanzang and his disciples were no exception, even though they were able to fly.

As the sun set, the scenery took on a unique charm. Li Xiuyuan, recuperating here, chuckled, "Ah, after staying in Lingshan for two months, I suddenly came out and realized that the scenery outside is still better. There are sunsets and sunrises. There are deserts and great rivers. Most importantly, there is life and death."

But I don't understand, why would someone still yearn so much for the Western Paradise described here?

Bodhidharma toyed with the Arhat's staff in his hand, gazed at the desert, and said calmly, "Master, to tell you the truth, ever since I obtained the position of the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, I have become the head of the Eighteen Arhats. Every day I guard the gate of Mount Ling."

Before my eyes lies the vast world. Behind sorrow lies paradise. I gaze every day, looking ahead, but I never look back.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan not only smiled but also said, "Bodhidharma, you've figured it out. Tell your master."

Bodhidharma raised his Arhat staff, pointed ahead, and said, "Master, what do you see ahead?"

Li Xiuyuan looked around and after a long while answered, "Desert, an endless desert."

Bodhidharma then asked, "Is it just the desert? Master, don't you have anything else?"

“And there’s the sunset,” Li Xiuyuan said with a smile.

Bodhidharma put away his staff and laughed, "Master, we are at the boundary between the Great Thousand Worlds and the Pure Land. From here, when we look over there, we can only see deserts and sunsets. But what's behind the deserts and sunsets? Master, what do you think there might be?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan groped the stone beneath him, his face expressionless, and said, "It's probably still a desert, but it might appear along a seasonal river. If there's a seasonal river, there might be some flowers, plants, and trees."

Bodhidharma remained expressionless and asked, "Master, what else do you think will happen after the Seasonal River appears?"

Li Xiuyuan replied, "What else? Then there should be people. With people there will be farmland, and if there are many people, there should also be markets."

"And then what?" Bodhidharma asked again.

Li Xiuyuan spoke again, saying, "Yes, there might be more markets behind the main market, and larger cities, and within those cities..."

Chapter 612 Arrival in the Western Paradise

There are all sorts of people, all kinds of mortals, and also gods who can take human form. There are also monsters who can take human form. There are thatched huts and brothels. There are old people, middle-aged people, children, one-year-olds, two-year-olds, and unborn children—alas, there are too many for Master to list.”