Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 445 - 44: Holy Heart Harbors Demon, Buddhist Sect Questions the Heart

Chapter 445: Chapter 44: Holy Heart Harbors Demon, Buddhist Sect Questions the Heart

Golden viscous liquid, like molten gold spreading out, soaked the intestines laid on the ground.

The eyes of all the monks in the audience were fixed on it, even the Bodhisattvas who had achieved their position couldn’t maintain their composure—it seemed they could pounce at any moment and swallow the intestines to attain the Bodhisattva rank of Ksitigarbha.

In the Buddhist Mahayana, hierarchical positions were revered: highest were the Buddhas, followed by Bodhisattvas, and then the Arhats.

Moving down the hierarchy, titles like Vajra or Jialan were not considered real positions; they merely indicated that one had entered the Buddhist path without yet achieving the Buddha Fruit.

The same went for the Daoist Sect. The Golden Core of Immortals, Mahayana, or the Golden Core Stage—none were alike. Some great powers believed that only those cores that advanced into Mahayana could be considered true; otherwise, they were merely "Fake Pills."

Or cultivating to the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill.

Each Buddha position varied, under True Buddha were four Bodhisattvas: Ksitigarbha, Heavenly Awareness, Sunlight, and Moonlight.

Currently, True Buddha controlled the Buddhist Sect and these four Bodhisattvas resembled the Venerates of the Sanqing Taoist Sect, leading all monks and Buddhist masters.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, first among the four!

Under the reign of True Buddha, the current supreme saint, acquiring this Bodhisattva rank would elevate one beneath the Buddha but above tens of thousands of monks.

Jointly with the supreme saint, one could enter the blissful Western Heaven, achieving immortality.

The monks’ desires wrapped around Gu Wen as innumerable whispers intermingled with holy scriptures seemed to echo behind him, like countless hands reaching out to grasp him.

At the same time, the influence affected other observers of great power.

Those quick to react had already turned and run while those slower, like the surrounding monks, stared fixedly at the Golden Buddha’s intestines.

Within the entire Buddha Hall, only Gu Wen and Chi Yu Zi remained unaffected.

Gu Wen’s gaze never wavered nor did he look at the intestines on the ground; he kept his eyes on the Golden Buddha.

He asked, "Are you going to ordain me?"

Both as Little Saints, Gu Wen’s background couldn’t compare to the True Buddha’s, but they were equal in rank.

This could be seen as an insult or belittlement.

Having long ceased to feel joy or sorrow from external things, Gu Wen perhaps still felt the stir of emotions but clearly wouldn’t anger over a few words from the Buddha.

The Golden Buddha nodded, "Your connection to Buddhism is profound, related to me. Join me, and Jade Sword Buddha can convert, attaining the Bodhisattva position of Heavenly Awareness."

"You’re a bit more tactful than the Heavenly Saints."

Gu Wen laughed, understanding that desire was inherent to the Buddha, who saw clearly what he wanted.

In return for his desire, the Buddha promised to spare the Jade Sword Buddha and even abandon the chance for reincarnation.

"Can you bring the dead back to life?"

The Golden Buddha shook his head, "The heavenly rules and Earth’s laws cannot be exceeded. I can enable her to reincarnate, cleanse the mortal dust from her three souls and seven spirits, and, in the next life, you can meet again and enter the monastic life together."

The heavenly rules and Earth’s laws, irreversible.

For Buddhist reincarnation, one must enter the monastic life.

The Heavenly Saint promised that upon entering the Heavenly Court, he would share the immortal Dao Fruit without needing to do anything himself, he would possess the ’Power of the Great Saint.’ The Buddha offered slightly less, but still ensured an immortal position.

Whether his current Daoist practice could grant immortality was yet unknown. These rules

were omnipresent; thoughts of an unrestrained cultivation life were delusional, merely attempting to make subjects of people.

Shaking his head, Gu Wen’s expression sobered then smiled, "If you as a Buddha cannot revive the dead, it seems you’re nothing special. Perhaps consider becoming my disciple, then when you die, I will revive you."

The Golden Buddha’s round face was visibly taken aback, then he burst into laughter, "Your desires are akin to those of a mortal, yet you are also a Saint."

"Saints are human too, naturally they have desires."

The eyeless Golden Buddha could see into the heart.

His laughter grew, mocking, "As a Saint, you are just a human turned divine. You believed a mere mortal woman’s word? Better to enter my true sect and gain immeasurable blessings!"

The Golden Buddha made a grab, pulling Gu Wen into the cosmos; the Divine General behind him, seeing this, didn’t care whether intervening in a Saint’s magical battle might lead to death, he folded his arms protectively in front of him.

The Buddha Hall regained its tranquility; the golden intestines disappeared, and the crowd gradually came to their senses.

"Amitabha Buddha, Yuqing Heavenly Venerate has entered our Buddhist Sect, a great virtue. We shall hold a Ksitigarbha Buddha Meeting for thirty-three days."

Faint Buddha sounds echoed for miles around, silence followed for a long while, then countless divine thoughts burst forth, stirring heaven and earth into chaos.

"Yuqing Heavenly Venerate has been taken by True Buddha?"

How could this be?

Chongxu True Monarch felt a chill rush to his forehead; he dared not act in front of the Golden Buddha, just silently exchanged looks with other Daoist powers around him.

This was a big deal, the Buddhist Sect was courting death!

Regardless of how powerful True Buddha was, he couldn’t change a fact. The world was under the rule of the Daoist Sect and more so under Qingcang Immortal.

If the Buddhist Sect truly had the ability, and True Buddha could truly overcome Qingcang Immortal, he wouldn’t

have been suppressed for so long.

Yuqing Heavenly Venerate was Qingcang Immortal’s sole direct disciple; was True Buddha not afraid of death?

A Bodhisattva stepped forward, loudly saying, "Supreme Saint, this must not be done, Yuqing is Qingcang’s direct disciple."

The Golden Buddha remained silent, returning to tranquility.

All eyes turned toward the young monk; though still revered by all, with the Buddha taking the lead, the young monk’s influence diminished.

Chongxu True Monarch bowed, "Master, please advise True Buddha more, the Human Race should value harmony. The Daoist Sect has never captured that Bodhisattva."

"True Martial Demon Sweeping Heavenly Venerate entered Mount Sumeru and injured two Bodhisattvas; is that considered valuing harmony?"

The young monk snorted coldly, irritated or simply unaware of the reality.

Without waiting for further discussions, he turned and left.

"Yuqing Heavenly Venerate and True Martial Demon Sweeping Heavenly Venerate brazenly invaded the Buddha’s sacred place; they shall be disciplined to uphold the scriptures and meditate on the Buddha."

Onlookers exchanged glances—all were significant figures commanding millions.