Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me
Chapter 681: Number 545, the Buddhist door can exist forever, but the Tathagata must die.

Chapter 681: Number 545, the Buddhist door can exist forever, but the Tathagata must die.

Unlike others, this Great Divine Transcendent didn’t address the disciples of Immortal Dao, but instead spoke to the Buddhist monks of the Xiniuhe Continent:

"I am Xuanzhen Daoist of the Mystic Sect, and I have something to say to the disciples of Buddhism. Demons and Buddhas intermingle, and although my disciples of Immortal Dao are strong, they struggle to discern truth from deception."

"Therefore, I kindly request the cooperation of all Buddhist disciples. If you encounter a disciple of Immortal Dao, please do not resist. It would be best to surrender willingly to avoid any misunderstandings."

"If the Buddhist disciples insist on going their own way and ignore my advice, then do not blame my Immortal Dao disciples for showing no mercy and treating you like evil demons."

"I urge the Buddhist disciples to remember my words carefully and I shan’t be accused of not having warned you in advance."

Jiang Chen was truly baffled.

He had seen such behavior, but never to such an extent. He had underestimated the audacity of the Great Divine Transcendent of Mystic Sect.

What was he trying to do?

Not only was he planning to attack without allowing retaliation, but he was also informing them it was for their own good.

Such shamelessness, such transgression.

It seemed the sacrosanct Spiritual Mountain was truly doomed.

Each one of these Great Divine Transcendents was more ruthless than the last, seemingly dead set on seizing this opportunity to eradicate Buddhism entirely.

Even if they failed to eradicate it entirely, they would at least demolish its foundation.

Jiang Chen thought his plan to slaughter the Buddhas of Spiritual Mountain was already ruthless enough, yet the Great Divine Transcendent of the Mystic Sect proved to be far more ruthless.

Killing the Buddhas of Spiritual Mountain meant little to them. Not only did they want to murder but also to destroy the Buddhist disciples and ruin their scriptures.

Indeed, compared to these Great Divine Transcendents of the Mystic Sect, Jiang Chen seemed a little soft-hearted and not ruthless enough.

Striking without killing is harmful. Once the Mystic Sect’s Great Divine Transcendents made a move, they aimed to obliterate everything in their path, ensuring an absolute end.

And so, under Jiang Chen’s initiative, the Great Divine Transcendents of the Mystic Sect began to execute their perfect eradication plan for Buddhism.

The whole situation had completely exceeded Jiang Chen’s control. What started as his own initiative had turned into a plot directed by the Great Divine Transcendents of the Mystic Sect.

...

"Buddhism heavily emphasizes Reincarnation. Isn’t its destruction at the hands of Jiang Chen another form of Reincarnation?"

"Haha, what a profound statement, my Taoist friend."

"Buddhism was established by Daoist Duobao and will perish by Jiang Chen’s hand. This seems unrelated, yet Duobao was the senior disciple of Master Shangqing, and Jiang Chen is Shangqing’s junior disciple."

"Born by the elder disciple and perishing by the hands of the younger one, from Jiejiao Sect to Jiejiao Sect, isn’t this a Reincarnation?"

"I estimate that Master Shangqing will be abated of this lingering concern after this. Buddhism’s debt to Jiejiao Sect will finally be settled."

"Ah, elder Daoist really had a brilliant disciple who completed that which none of us could."

"Since the two saints defected from the west shrine, we have always planned to annihilate Buddhism. But alas, thousands of years have passed and under our plotting, Buddhism has not weakened but on the contrary, became more powerful. It’s simply an embarrassment to admit."

"Daoist Yu Dou has great wisdom. Such a straightforward plan could overturn the entire Buddhism, it is truly beyond my expectation."

"It is also due to Buddhism’s arrogance, they have claimed to save all beings for so many years. At the end of the day, the darkest place in the Three Realms is right under their own eyes. This really serves as a slap across their swollen faces."

"They have allowed such an immense loophole themselves, they truly deserve this calamity."

"The calamity to befall Buddhism today is all due to Jiang Chen. As long as we can eradicate or even just severely damage Buddhism today, I will nominate him for the position of Immortal Venerate when it comes to rewarding merit, to be revered by all immortals."

"Ah, Elder Taoist, your words are somewhat pedantic. Our old teacher once said that he who returns Buddhism to Mystic Sect can be considered holy."

"Although eradication of Buddhism does not accumulate as much Fate as returning Buddhism to Mystic Sect, this is not a task that can be dismissed by an Immortal Venerate."

"After today, Jiang Chen will be an Immortal Emperor. In Immortal Dao, only those beneath the saints will venerate him!"

"Yes, yes, this achievement is certainly worthy of an emperor’s seal."

Perhaps feeling confident about their impending victory, the exchanges among the Great Divine Transcendents from the Mystic Sect were conducted without any attempt to conceal their conversation, making every word clear to Jiang Chen who was present in the void.

These great Divine Transcendents attributed all the credit of destroying Buddhism to Jiang Chen and suggested to nominate him as the Immortal Emperor, a position only second to the saints in Immortal Dao.

Considering the strength of Immortal Dao, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the position of Immortal Emperor should be regarded on par with the Four Emperors, a status truly standing at the peak of Heaven and Earth.

However, instead of feeling delighted, Jiang Chen was filled with intense fear. Now that the Great Divine Transcendents of Mystic Sect were lifting him on a high pedestal, how could Buddhism let him go?

If Buddhism wasn’t annihilated today, Jiang Chen dared not imagine his own fate. He feared that everyone from Buddhism would risk their lives to hunt him down.

To be the leading bird can be a dangerous game. If one is not careful, they could be sacrificed.

Nevertheless, risk and opportunity coexist. The risk is indeed huge in this plot of destroying Buddhism, but the opportunity is equally massive.

If successful, Jiang Chen will become the Immortal Emperor, the leader of all immortals, and enjoy the Fate of Immortal Dao.

Even Saints would not dare to kill someone of this stature lightly. Otherwise, the backlash from the Immortal Dao’s Fate would even be unbearable for them.

"These Divine Transcendents are indeed ruthless, they even planned to use me.

"Regardless, today, Buddhism must fall."

"No, Buddhism can remain, but the Quasi-Saints of Buddhism such as the Tathagata Buddha must die, otherwise my troubles will multiply."

A thought crossed Jiang Chen’s mind, and he understood his predicament. Buddhism could survive, but those within Buddhism who could pose a threat to him must die.

Only in this way could his safety be guaranteed.

"Senior sister, my safety now relies entirely on you."

Having understood his situation, Jiang Chen took out the Shangqing Talisman and, using the secret method of Shangqing, got in touch with Saintess Wudang, who was in seclusion, asking her for help.

Saintess Wudang, the only remaining disciple of the Jiejiao Sect, also the only direct disciple and heir left by Leader Tongtian, was at the very least an Innate Dao Sovereign in terms of strength.

If she were to step in, the Tathagata Buddha was undoubtedly doomed.

Jiang Chen did not understand why this was so, but the Shangqing Talisman had told him so, and there was absolutely no doubt about it.

Once the Tathagata Buddha was dead, there would certainly be someone to deal with the rest.

There is no good end for those who betray their Sect, is there?

Meanwhile, the Taichu Divine Sword and the Dutian Divine Sword silently flew out from Jiang Chen’s body towards the Netherworld.

"Underworld River Master, your prediction was indeed accurate. It seems I am destined to oppose Buddhism."

Remembering what the Underworld River ancestor had said, Jiang Chen wore a face of lament. The Dutian Divine Sword and Taichu Divine Sword were now headed to the Netherworld to find the Underworld River ancestor.

With these two swords in hand, even if the Underworld River ancestor could not fully break the seal, he would find a way to kill the Medicine Buddha.

As someone who was once second only to the saints, the Underworld River ancestor had methods far superior to what Jiang Chen could imagine. Does being sealed by a saint mean he can’t cause trouble?

Joke, if the Underworld River ancestor couldn’t stir up trouble, how did Emperor Fengdu come about?

There are many ways for him to escape, Jiang Chen is just one of them. If Jiang Chen thought he was the only one who could save the Underworld River ancestor, then he would be the foolish one.

"I’ve done everything I need to do. Now, all I can do is wait for the outcome."

After doing all this, Jiang Chen fell silent. The remaining matters were beyond his power, even if he wanted to interfere, he couldn’t.

As for the concerns about the Two Saints of the West, Jiang Chen was not worried at all. The same was true for the Great Divine Transcendents of the Mystic Sect.

Why worry about the Two Saints of the West?

They are, after all, here to save Buddhism!

The Two Saints of the West not thanking them is one thing, but how could they blame them?

Cough, cough, the Great Divine Transcendents of the Mystic Sect are cunning indeed. Although what they’re doing is aimed at the destruction of Buddhism, their justification is the salvation of Buddhism!

The Spiritual Mountain was occupied by demons, and the Mystic Sect could not bear to see all beings suffer. Therefore, they decided to eliminate the demons in Xiniuhe Continent for Buddhism, which was incapable of this task.

Why capture disciples of Buddhism? It’s just a precaution against demons disguising themselves as Buddhist disciples and escaping. This is why they were captured and taken back to the Dongsheng Divine Continent.

Once their identities have been verified, they would be released.

As for resistance?

I’ve explained everything clearly, if you still resist, isn’t it a guilty conscience?

We’re righteous and transparent, what are you afraid of? Could the Mystic Sect turn black into white and eat you?

The same goes for confiscating Buddhist scriptures.

We, the Mystic Sect masters, have taken over the responsibility to verify the authenticity of your scriptures so you won’t be led astray by false teachings. Should you have any complaints?

Don’t be too greedy. Having the Great Divine Transcendents personally guide you is a privilege that many disciples of the Mystic Sect long for. Does Buddhism have this? Do they?

The Mystic Sect is showing such magnanimity, Buddhism should learn to be content and grateful.

You will get your scriptures back.

In short, as long as you don’t overthink, the motives behind all the plans of the Mystic Sect are for the good of Buddhism.

What?

You think there’s something wrong with the Mystic Sect’s plans and that they’re undermining Buddhism?

That must mean there’s something wrong with you. Your heart is too dirty, that’s why you see problems everywhere. If there’s darkness in your heart, all you see will be darkness.

Regardless of whether others believe these reasons, the Mystic Sect certainly does. Their mission to the west is not to eradicate Buddhism, but to eliminate demons and rescue the beings of the West from imminent danger.

By the way, they are also avenging the Buddhas of the Spiritual Mountain who were killed by demons.

A pure heart fears no evil.

The motive of the Mystic Sect is good, and if the Saints come to know about it, they will be grateful. How could they blame us?

In fact, that’s exactly the case.

At this moment, in the Chaos outside the heavens, the Two Saints of the West are expressing their gratitude to the four saints of the Mystic Sect for extending their help.