Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

The river was too wide to cross. Tang Sanzang and his disciples were at a loss, but just then, an old turtle swam up from the depths of the sea.

This old tortoise is a result of a good karmic connection formed between Tang Sanzang and his disciples on their journey to the West. The last time they crossed the river, it was this old tortoise that carried Tang Sanzang and his disciples across the Tongtian River.

Upon seeing the old tortoise, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were overjoyed. The old tortoise, knowing that Tang Sanzang and his disciples wanted to cross the river, said, "Holy monk, do you want to cross the river? Come, let me, the old tortoise, ferry you across."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang and his disciples did not stand on ceremony. They all carried their luggage and climbed onto the old tortoise.

Once Tang Sanzang and his disciples were ready, the old tortoise began to swim.

When they reached the middle of the river, the old turtle asked, "Holy monk, have you reached the Western Paradise, met the Buddha, and obtained the true scriptures?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "That's right. The four large boxes we've placed on your back contain the true scriptures."

However, the old tortoise suddenly spoke up, "Holy monk, I wonder how much lifespan I, this old tortoise, have left?"

Upon hearing the old tortoise's words, Tang Sanzang and his disciples' expressions changed.

So that's why. When the old tortoise helped Tang Sanzang and his disciples cross the river, he had said that although he was very old, over a thousand years old, he still had a young child. He wanted to ask the Buddha how much lifespan he had left when he dragged Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the Western Paradise.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples had agreed at the time, but the matter was so long ago that they had long forgotten about it. Seeing that Tang Sanzang and his disciples remained silent, the old tortoise guessed that they had carelessly forgotten about this matter.

The old tortoise then asked again, "Holy Monk, have you truly forgotten what happened?"

Tang Sanzang was still unwell, but Zhu Bajie spoke up, saying, "Old turtle, how could we forget about you? We asked Buddha, and Buddha said you can live a very long life! Don't worry."

The old tortoise was skeptical, so he asked Tang Sanzang, "Holy Monk, what did you say Buddha said about how much lifespan he has left?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang sighed deeply. He said, "Old tortoise, a monk does not lie. I have a grudge against the Buddha, and it is already magnanimous of him to entrust me with the task of calming the mind. Why would he tell me your lifespan?"

The old tortoise suddenly became angry and asked, "Tang Sanzang, I'm asking you. Did you ask Buddha or not?"

Tang Sanzang calmly replied, "A monk does not lie. No, I don't."

The old tortoise was very displeased upon hearing this and said, "You monks, what talk about saving all living beings? I've carried you twice with great difficulty. You didn't even help me once. I'm not carrying you anymore. Go on your own!"

After the old tortoise finished speaking, it dived directly into the water, throwing Tang Sanzang and his disciples, along with the scriptures, into the water.

Just then, Li Xiuyuan waved his hand, erasing the light and shadow. He then looked at the Buddha and asked, "What is the Buddha's opinion on this matter?"

The Buddha was quite helpless, saying, "How would I know? I'm not that old tortoise!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan lowered his voice and questioned, "Buddha! Do you know that this is the last of the eighty-one tribulations? Originally, this tribulation was meant to be part of the plan. But you had Venerable Ananda and Venerable Kasyapa give Tang Sanzang a fake scripture, adding another tribulation."

You added false scriptures first, then crossed the Milky Way. By adding false scriptures to the eighty-one tribulations, you squeezed out the final tribulation.

Originally, all eighty-one tribulations were fraught with danger but ultimately passed safely. However, you squeezed out the last tribulation.

Do you know that you managed to remove the final obstacle from the game, but you didn't eliminate it completely? Since it still exists, Tang Sanzang and his disciples will encounter it again!

And it's not something that can be controlled. As you've seen, all the scriptures fell into the sea; it wouldn't be surprising if the fish ate them!

In this way, the true scriptures are gone! The two sages and I laid out this plan, spending nearly a thousand years, and you've broken it just like that. Buddhism flourished, and our thousand years of effort have become empty words!

After Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, the entire hall fell completely silent.

The Buddha's heart sank, but he still said, "The scriptures fell into the water and were eaten by the fish. I will just take another portion from them."

Then he summoned Ananda and Kasyapa and said, “You two take out another copy of the scriptures that Tang Sanzang and his disciples took, and then wait for Tang Sanzang and his disciples to come and give it to them.”

Unexpectedly, Venerable Ananda suddenly spoke up, "Buddha, most of the scriptures that Tang Sanzang and his disciples took away are unique copies. How can we find another copy?"

At this point, the Buddha was truly alarmed.

Everything else is minor; if Tang Sanzang and his disciples fail in their pilgrimage, they can always try again. But the damage to the scriptures is a much more serious and unfortunate matter.

Moreover, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were carrying four whole boxes, three of which contained rare and unique copies of the book. In this way, even a saint would have to step down from his Buddhist altar.

Li Xiuyuan roared, "Buddha! Do you know your crime!"

The Buddha was truly terrified and replied tremblingly, "I know my sin, I know my sin. I cannot face the saint."

Li Xiuyuan said coldly, "You have committed such a grave mistake, do you still have the face to sit in the position of the Lord of the Western Heaven?"

The Buddha understood; he feared that the Buddha would be forced to step down today.

The Buddha looked at Li Xiuyuan, who was trembling as he stood up, and said, "Very well, I have made a grave mistake today. I have no words to see the Sage again. From now on, I am no longer the Lord of the Western Paradise. You may recommend yourselves. From now on, I will be stripped of my Buddhahood, and there will be no place for me in the Buddhist realm. I will go to the mortal world."

Then, the Buddha walked out, trembling. Step by step, he left the Golden Hall and the Vulture Peak. When he reached the mountain gate, Bodhidharma and the many Arhats still bowed and said, "Greetings, Buddha."

Chapter 618 Conferring the Title of Buddha

Within three days, countless immortals from the Western Paradise traveled to the Three Realms.

The news of the Buddhist reorganization was announced to all the famous deities in the Three Realms, and all the gods and Buddhas were invited to attend the ceremony.

Many of these immortals and Buddhas were of low status; to them, it was merely a notification. They knew that those who could go to Mount Ling to attend the ceremony were all immortals of unfathomable cultivation.

As for them, they were not qualified to attend such a high-level ceremony.

Three days later, almost all the highly accomplished cultivators from the Three Realms gathered at Mount Ling.

The inauguration of the three Buddhas has come to a successful conclusion. Dipankara Buddha has become the Buddha of the past, and Maitreya Buddha, who was originally the Buddha of the future, has now become the Buddha of the present, nominally the ruler of the Western Paradise. This is not unusual.

However, what surprised everyone was the Future Buddha. The Future Buddha's seat was that of a minor Arhat. Later, after inquiring, everyone learned that this Arhat was a disciple of Li Xiuyuan.

Li Xiuyuan relinquished his Buddhist position, refusing all three of the most revered positions in Buddhism. Instead, he gave the position of Future Buddha to his disciple, which everyone considered perfectly reasonable.

After all, logically speaking, the position of Lord of the Western Paradise should rightfully belong to Li Xiuyuan. Li Xiuyuan currently holds an unparalleled leadership position in the Western Paradise world and possesses strength that no other Buddha can match.

After the ceremony concluded, all the deities and Buddhas dispersed.

A few days later, the golden bell atop Mount Ling was rung once more. This time, it was Li Xiuyuan who rang the bell.

This bell-ringing is a sign that three more Buddha positions will be added to the Buddhist community.

Before the gates of Mount Ling, Tang Sanzang and his disciples returned once more. This time, they would all attain enlightenment and cease their demonic deeds.

After the golden bell rang, all the Buddhas of the heavens rushed over.

Li Xiuyuan gave the order: "Summon Tang Sanzang and his disciples into the hall!"

Then, Venerable Ananda and Venerable Kasyapa led Tang Sanzang and his disciples into the Golden Hall.

When Tang Sanzang and his disciples entered the Golden Hall, they looked up and saw that the three Buddhas directly in front of them were quite different.

They had known about what had happened at Lingshan a few days ago, so they weren't surprised.

Li Xiuyuan looked at Maitreya Buddha and smiled, "Maitreya Buddha, let's begin."

Maitreya Buddha nodded and said, "Alright." Then he addressed Tang Sanzang and his disciples, saying, "Tang Sanzang and his disciples are a total of five people. Your journey to retrieve the scriptures has greatly contributed to the prosperity of Buddhism, and you should rightfully complete your merits."

"The investiture ceremony is now beginning. Where is the White Dragon?"

Upon hearing this, the white dragon stepped forward and said, "Disciple is here."

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "Little White Dragon, you were originally the third prince of the West Sea Dragon King, but you violated the heavenly rules. Later, thanks to good fortune, you helped Tang Sanzang and his disciples on their journey to obtain the scriptures, even enduring hardships."

It even served as a mount, carrying Tang Sanzang for tens of millions of miles. It also stepped forward in times of crisis.

In recognition of your hard work and great achievements, you are hereby conferred the title of One of the Eight Heavenly Dragons! You will be revered and worshipped by all people atop the Great Buddha Pillar of Lingshan Mountain in Panyu.

The little white dragon hurriedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Buddha!" ​​He then knelt down.

Maitreya Buddha reached out and a stream of light struck the white dragon. Instantly, the white dragon radiated golden light and transformed from a demonic dragon into a divine dragon bathed in Buddhist light.

Suddenly, the white dragon revealed its true form. A divine dragon appeared above the golden hall, shaking its head and wagging its tail, before finally lying down on the great Buddha pillar.

Tang Sanzang and his companions were all happy for the White Dragon. After all, they had developed quite a bit of affection for each other along the way.

Before anyone could react to what had happened with the White Dragon, Maitreya Buddha spoke again, asking, "Where is Sha Wujing?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing knew it was his turn, so he stepped forward and replied, "Buddha, your disciple is here."

Maitreya Buddha then raised his voice and said, "Sha Wujing, you were originally the Curtain-Lifting General of Heaven. You accidentally broke the Queen Mother's glass lamp, and the Jade Emperor, in a fit of anger, banished you to the mortal realm and demoted you to a demon."

"You are fortunate to accompany Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures. Considering your hard work and dedication throughout the journey, we hereby bestow upon you the title of Golden-Bodied Arhat. From now on, you will be a member of our Buddhist community and will no longer suffer."

When Sha Wujing heard that he had been conferred the title of Golden-Bodied Arhat, he was deeply moved. Thinking of the suffering he had endured in the Flowing Sand River over the past few hundred years, he was overcome with gratitude and wept as he thanked the Buddha, saying, "Thank you, Buddha! Thank you, Buddha!"

Pigsy comforted him, "Old Sandy, don't cry, this is a good thing!"

Then, Maitreya Buddha struck Sha Wujing with a beam of light, instantly transforming Sha Wujing from a demon into a golden Arhat.

Before Sha Wujing could leave, Zhu Bajie asked, "Buddha, what about me?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled upon hearing this and said, "Pigsy, although you enjoy good food and drink, you have still worked hard on the journey to the West, even if you haven't made any great contributions. You deserve to attain enlightenment."

Listen up, I hereby appoint you, Pigsy, as the Cleansing Altar Messenger. As a member of our Buddhist community, you have thus attained enlightenment.

Pigsy, of course, didn't complain and obediently accepted the order, retreating. Maitreya Buddha raised his hand, and a stream of light struck Pigsy, instantly transforming him from a pig demon into a Buddhist messenger.

Then Maitreya Buddha spoke again, asking, "Where is Tang Sanzang?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang replied, "Disciple is here."

Maitreya Buddha looked at Tang Sanzang and slowly said, "Tang Sanzang, you were originally a member of my Buddhist sect. Ling Chanzi should have been your true destiny. However, you were suppressed by Tathagata Buddha and banished to the mortal world, where you will be reincarnated for eternity without ever being able to escape."

Fortunately, the Great Sun Dragon Buddha guided you, allowing you to come to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures. Your contributions will be immense in the future prosperity of Buddhism. Therefore, you are hereby conferred the title of Sandalwood Merit Buddha, the Buddha Ancestor of our Buddhist sect.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang quickly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for the Buddha's grace."

Maitreya Buddha then pointed out, and Tang Sanzang underwent a tremendous change. A spiritual pearl appeared behind Tang Sanzang, which was his original spiritual pearl.

A lotus platform appeared beneath his feet; he had already transformed into the Buddha.

At the same time, a new Buddha seat appeared in the Golden Hall. Maitreya Buddha pointed to the seat and said with a smile, "Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, please return to your place."

Chapter 619 Reorganizing Mount Ling