Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

After leaving the gate of Mount Ling, the Buddha said to the Arhats, "Stop calling me Buddha. From now on, there will be no more Buddha. I have finally left Mount Ling and am now free."

Then, the Buddha walked out. Bodhidharma, naturally unaware of what had happened inside, was bewildered. However, this also suggested that something significant had occurred.

Perhaps it was the master who ousted the Buddha from the throne.

Just as Bodhidharma was thinking this, another Buddha suddenly emerged from the mountain gate. Bodhidharma turned around and saw that it was Dipankara Buddha.

Dipankara Buddha called out to Tathagata Buddha, who had not gone far, saying, "Tathagata, wait a moment, wait for me."

Upon hearing the voice, the Buddha turned around and saw that it was Dipankara Buddha. The Buddha couldn't help but ask, "Dipankara Buddha, what brings you out here?"

Dipankara Buddha smiled bitterly and said, "Since you've already come out, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay much longer either, so I might as well come out myself."

Upon hearing this, the Buddha laughed loudly and said, "Indeed, I, the present Buddha, have already departed, so why should you, the past Buddha, insist on holding on?"

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

A smile can dispel all grudges; they are all people who have fallen on hard times.

Inside the golden hall, Li Xiuyuan laid out incense sticks, intending to have the two sages appear so he could gain benefits.

Let's deal with this matter.

Immediately, two avatars of saints appeared in the golden hall. Li Xiuyuan said, "Greetings to the two saints. This disciple has something to report."

Sage Zhunti looked down at the two empty seats and said indifferently, "I am already aware of this matter."

I've discussed this with the Sage of Reception, and we anticipated this situation. From now on, the entire Mount Ling is yours. You're in charge of making arrangements for these vacant positions.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan bowed to the two sages and proclaimed, "I will obey the sages' decree!"

The two sages exchanged a glance, then added a word of advice: "Take good care of Mount Ling," before disappearing.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan, along with all the Buddhas in the sky, bowed towards the spot where the two saints had disappeared, and said in unison, "Respectfully bidding farewell to the saints!"

As many Buddhas rose to their feet, Li Xiuyuan glanced around. As for what should happen to Mount Ling next, that was up to him.

In the mortal realm, there is the Tongtian River.

When Tang Sanzang and his disciples fell into the Tongtian River, all the Buddhist scriptures they were offerings to also fell into the river, and they couldn't retrieve them in time.

However, at this moment, a giant roc suddenly appeared in the sky; it was the Golden-Winged Roc.

In the Tongtian River, the White Dragon had already transformed into a white dragon, ready to retrieve the scriptures. Tang Sanzang and his disciples walked towards the river together, waiting for the White Dragon to bring the scriptures up.

The roc spread its wings and soared to the Tongtian River. With a single talon, it rescued Tang Sanzang and his disciples and brought them ashore.

As Tang Sanzang and his disciples rubbed the water off themselves, they couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you the Golden-Winged Roc of the Heavenly Dragon Buddha? Did the Buddha send you here?"

The roc nodded in agreement, "Indeed. Buddha knew all along that there was trouble here, so he sent us here to overcome this calamity."

Pigsy grew anxious and hurriedly shouted, "Since you were sent by the Buddha, why don't you hurry up and help us retrieve the scriptures?" The Roc replied, "The task the Buddha gave me is to pull you out of the river. As for retrieving the scriptures, that's for someone else to do."

Bajie asked, "Who? Could it be one of your brothers?"

The roc pointed to a spot not far away and laughed, "Who else could it be? My eldest brother, Demon Dragon." Then the group saw Demon Dragon appear and arrive at the location.

The demon dragon looked at Tang Sanzang and his disciples and asked, "One is still missing. Where is the white dragon?"

Tang Sanzang pointed to the Tongtian River and said, "When we go to retrieve the scriptures, they will have already been scattered, so it will be very difficult to retrieve them all."

The Demon Dragon laughed and said, "That's the truth. If you keep trying like this, you'll probably take ten or eight years and still not have enough. I have a way. Let the White Dragon come out first."

Tang Sanzang knew this; both the demon dragon and the roc were under Li Xiuyuan's command, so he trusted them. He then called out to the little white dragon in the river, "Little white dragon, hurry ashore! Buddha has sent us helpers."

Then, a white dragon emerged from the water, carrying several scriptures in its hands and mouth.

The White Dragon came ashore, revealed his true form, and placed the dozens of books he had collected on a clean, large rock. It was hot under the sun, and leaving the books on the rock like this would probably dry them out in a little while.

Then, they saw the demonic dragon jump into the Tongtian River, and in a short while, it transformed into a Kun fish.

This Kun fish is really too big.

The Tongtian River was wide and flowed slowly. However, it could not accommodate the Kun fish that the Roc had transformed into. In the blink of an eye, all the water in the Tongtian River was sucked into the belly of the demonic dragon.

As a result, the Tongtian River is dry all day long, just an empty hook.

At the dragon's command, Tang Sanzang and his disciples quickly went down to collect the scriptures scattered in the ditch. In about half an hour, they had almost finished.

The dragon, transformed into a Kun fish, spat out all the river water. Then, the dragon and the roc bid farewell to Tang Sanzang and his disciples and went to report back to Li Xiuyuan.

Lingshan, Golden Palace.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan stood in the center of the golden hall and spoke: "Now, both the present Buddha and the past Buddha have relinquished their Buddha positions. The position of Lord of the Western Paradise is now vacant. I believe that, according to the rules, the former Future Buddha should succeed the present Buddha. What do you all think?"

After Li Xiuyuan finished speaking, there was no objection in the entire hall. Li Xiuyuan smiled and continued, "Furthermore, I have my own arrangements for the position of the future Buddha. As for the past Buddha, I believe that the Buddha of Dipankara is highly qualified and capable of taking the position. The Buddha succession ceremony will begin in three days, and we can sincerely invite many immortals and Buddhas from the Three Realms to attend the ceremony."

Having said that, Li Xiuyuan turned and left. First, he had settled the positions of the three Buddhas, and then he needed to bestow titles upon Tang Sanzang and his disciples. After that, he should be able to relax for a while. Li Xiuyuan thought to himself.

At the same time, countless immortals flew through the Three Realms, spreading the news far and wide.

Chapter 620 The Victorious Fighting Buddha

Wearing a Buddhist robe and standing on a Buddhist cloud, Li Xiuyuan landed on his Buddhist seat. At this time, Tang Sanzang and his disciples had all been conferred titles, except for Sun Wukong, who had not yet been conferred a title.

The monkey grew impatient and cried out to the Maitreya Buddha, "Buddha, where's mine? Why isn't mine here?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled and said, "You are a bit special. That's why I'll put you last. Don't be in a hurry."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong asked, "Oh? What's so special about me? Tell me, what am I?"

Maitreya Buddha nodded and said, "Alright, Sun Wukong, step forward to receive your appointment!"

Then, Sun Wukong stepped forward and said, "Disciple is here."

Maitreya Buddha then spoke, "Sun Wukong, you were originally a spiritual stone from which Nuwa mended the sky. By a twist of fate, you, this intelligent and divine monkey, were born."

More than 500 years ago, you wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. Later, you were enlightened by the Buddha of the Great Sun Dragon and protected Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West. You subdued demons and monsters along the way, and your contributions were truly indispensable.

Your merits are now complete. Therefore, you are hereby conferred the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha!

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately thanked him, saying, "Very well, thank you for your grace, Buddha."

Maitreya Buddha nodded, and with a wave of his hand, a stream of light struck Sun Wukong. It turned out that Sun Wukong had also attained Buddhahood.

At this moment, Sun Wukong, though still a monkey, had become much more imposing. He wore a Buddhist robe and armor, and his golden cudgel had been imbued with Buddhist power, making him appear quite majestic.

Sun Wukong looked at his attire and was very satisfied. He said, "Thank you for the title, Buddha." He then looked around, but after a long time, he could not find an empty Buddha seat.

Maitreya Buddha asked, "Victorious Fighting Buddha, what are you looking for?"

Sun Wukong looked up at Maitreya Buddha and said, "I am already a Buddha, so why can't I find my place in the Buddha's realm?"

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha couldn't help but laugh and say, "Victorious Fighting Buddha, I already told you that your conferment of titles is extraordinary, which is why it was saved for last."

Sun Wukong, of course, didn't understand. He asked, "How so?"

Maitreya Buddha suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Sun Wukong, listen to the decree!" Sun Wukong was naturally puzzled, but he had no choice but to obey.

Seeing this, Pigsy and Sandy muttered to each other, "Hey, what's going on? Didn't Brother Monkey already become a Buddha? Why is he being re-appointed?"

Sha Wujing complained, "Why are you thinking so much?"

Pigsy, having made a fool of himself, stopped talking.

Then Maitreya Buddha spoke again: "Sun Wukong, your cultivation is profound, and you are a clever and intelligent monkey, naturally powerful. Under the guidance of the Great Sun Dragon Buddha, you are proficient in various methods."

After my discussion with your master, the Great Sun Dragon Buddha, we have now appointed you as the protector of your senior brother. Although Bodhidharma has become the future Buddha, his cultivation is still shallow, and he needs your protection.

In this way, you will no longer need to sit on the left or right sides of the Buddha's seat, but can sit directly next to us, in the same position as the present Buddha, the future Buddha, and the past Buddha.

"Sun Wukong, I hereby once again appoint you as the protector of Mount Ling. Are you willing?"

Sun Wukong understood that this was Li Xiuyuan's idea. In this way, he would stand alongside the three Buddhas of the present, future, and past, and his power on Mount Ling would be far greater than that of the mere Victorious Fighting Buddha.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and said, "This disciple is willing!"

Maitreya Buddha nodded and said, "Very well, protector of Mount Ling, please take a seat!"

After Maitreya Buddha finished speaking, a Buddhist platform appeared beside Bodhidharma, and Sun Wukong leaped up and jumped onto it.

After Sun Wukong was seated properly, Maitreya Buddha finally spoke, "Very well, everything is over. Does the Great Sun Heavenly Dragon Buddha have anything else to say?"

Li Xiuyuan stood up, looked at Sun Wukong and Bodhidharma, and said, "Bodhidharma, Tang Sanzang and his disciples have brought the scriptures to the mortal world, but those ordinary people are probably unable to understand the true meaning of the scriptures. Moreover, some people may even distort the original meaning of the Buddhist scriptures. Therefore, you should go down to the mortal world and travel for a hundred years to explain the scriptures to all living beings."

"Wukong, you go down and go with your senior brother."

Bodhidharma and Sun Wukong exchanged a glance and then said in unison, "We will obey our master's decree."

Li Xiuyuan nodded and said, "Alright, everyone, you can all leave now." He then led the way out of the Golden Hall.

Now, the Western Paradise can be said to be completely in Li Xiuyuan's hands. Although he is not the master of Mount Ling, he is better than the master of Mount Ling.

Moreover, back then, when the Buddha was the master of Mount Ling, there were probably few Buddhas in the Buddhist world who obeyed his commands. But now, he is probably the one who calls the shots on the entire Mount Ling.

In a misty, ethereal place, the Sage Zhunti and the Sage Jieyin sat facing each other, watching Li Xiuyuan within Mount Ling.

The Sage who guided the way said, "It's not necessarily a bad thing that Li Xiuyuan is in charge of Mount Ling. Look, Mount Ling has always been scattered, and for tens of thousands of years, the Tathagata has not seen the slightest improvement."

Li Xiuyuan has only been in charge for a few days, yet this is the scene before us. I think our Buddhist sect is about to flourish.

The Sage who guided the way smiled and said, "What you said is exactly what I was thinking. Perhaps this Li Xiuyuan is a pawn that can help us break the deadlock!"

At this point, the Sage Zhunti shook his head and sighed, "Alas, the variables of the Heavenly Dao are immeasurable, and we can only control a small portion of them. Only someone like the Dao Ancestor Hongjun can truly see through them."

However, it's still unclear whether Li Xiuyuan is a pawn for us to break the deadlock, or for someone else to do so. We can only wait and see.

Sage Zhunti also agreed, saying, "That's right. The situation is still unclear, so we should wait and see. At this moment, it's better to remain still than to act rashly."