Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 142 - 142 142 Daoist Sect Schemes to Obtain Merit from the Calamity of Measurement

142: Chapter 142: Daoist Sect Schemes to Obtain Merit from the Calamity of Measurement 142: Chapter 142: Daoist Sect Schemes to Obtain Merit from the Calamity of Measurement As Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha stepped into the grand hall,

the two indistinct figures gradually became clear.

It was an elder and a middle-aged man.

The elder waved his hand, and two meditation cushions appeared to one side.

“Sit!”

The aged voice that followed, though utterly flat, seemed to carry a misty Daoist rhyme, profound and unpredictable, outstandingly peculiar.

“Amitabha,”

intoned Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti softly after speaking a phrase of Daoist invocation, then they sat cross-legged in front of the two figures.

Then they saw the old Taoist slowly begin to speak, “I wonder why my two junior brothers have come.

What important matter brings you here?”

The two Taoists before them, the elder and the middle-aged man, were naturally Daoist Ancestor Taiqing and Yu Qing Yuan Shi Tian Zun.

All four were once listeners of the teachings in the Purple Cloud Palace, thus they addressed each other as brothers.

Upon hearing this, the faces of Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti couldn’t help but show a trace of bitterness.

Zhunti hesitated for a moment before speaking up, “Senior brother should already be aware, so why ask and put us in a difficult position?”

“Where does this sense of hardship come from?”

Saint Taiqing said with a faint smile upon hearing this.

Zhunti was about to say more when Amitabha Buddha directly spoke, “Well, now that my brother and I have come here, we naturally wouldn’t say much more.

I’m simply here to ask why that Banana Leaf Fan is in the hands of Sun Wukong!”

Observing Amitabha Buddha taking the lead, Zhunti fell silent and waited for Saint Taiqing to explain.

“I thought it was something grave.

It turns out my junior brothers have come for this matter!”

Saint Taiqing smiled faintly.

Before Saint Taiqing could continue, Jade Void celestial Venerable interjected, then said loudly, “The destiny of the Calamity of Measurement is set.

The Western Buddhist Sect has been prospering greatly.

After deliberation with my senior brother, it was agreed to act in accordance with the will of Heaven, collaborating with my junior brothers in advancing the Journey to the West tribulation!”

“Back then, that macaque destroyed the Peach Garden and caused chaos at the feast in Yaochi, even entering the Helmet Armor Palace.

Everything was done in compliance with the will of Heaven.

Could there have been any errors?”

As Yu Qing Yuan Shi Tian Zun finished speaking, he looked toward the two saints, Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha.

Hearing such words, the two also couldn’t help but show a pained expression.

Given such reasoning, they really had nothing to say in response.

After a moment of silence, Jieyin finally spoke, “This Journey to the West tribulation indeed indicates the rise of the Western Sect and a destiny favoring us in the West.

However, that does not mean that my senior brothers’ Daoist Sect will decline.

Haven’t my senior brothers also made their calculations?”

“Why put us, your junior brothers, through such difficulty!”

The words of Amitabha Buddha seemed calm, yet they contained a sharp edge.

It basically meant, though the West had schemes this time, the Mystery Teachings had theirs too, and all acted as if unaware; making such moves now appear to be embarrassing them.

“My senior brothers mustn’t forget, during the time of the Divine Enthronement calamity, when they asked for our help, a cause and effect were established.

Are my senior brothers not planning to repay it now?”

With Amitabha Buddha’s words coming to an end, Saint Zhunti followed.

Compared to the subtle words of Amitabha Buddha, what Saint Zhunti spoke was much more direct.

He even brought up the incident from the time of the Divine Enthronement calamity.

Back then, during the Divine Enthronement calamity, Laozi and Yuanshi visited the Western Heaven, requesting their assistance.

They even promised that once their assistance led to the successful conclusion of the Divine Enthronement in the West, when the time came for the Journey to the West tribulation, the Daoist Sect would not interfere.

Every action was bound by cause and effect.

Now, they could not possibly shirk responsibility, especially beings of their cultivation level.

Upon hearing these words, Daoist Ancestor Taiqing remained mostly undisturbed, his ancient face as tranquil as ever.

Yuanshi maintained similar composure.

Seeing such a demeanor from Laozi and Yuanshi, the expressions of Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti deepened with bitterness.

If Yuanshi and Laozi truly wished to meddle, they would indeed find it difficult to object.

They would even dare not to intervene.

After all, both Yuanshi and Laozi had Supreme Treasures, with Laozi recognized as the preeminent figure just beneath Dao Ancestor Hongjun in the Three Realms.

The undisputed First Sage.

Though they were also saints, the difference between having Innate Spiritual Treasures and not was vast.

Even if they were to act now, they would certainly not be a match for Laozi and Yuanshi.

Moreover, should they truly begin to fight, it was likely that Dao Ancestor Hongjun would have to intervene, making it difficult for either side to back down.

Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha exchanged a glance, pondered for a moment, and then Zhunti spoke, “Since that is the case, the two senior brothers should speak freely about any requests you may have.

If possible, my brother and I will agree!”

Hearing Zhunti’s words, a smile appeared on the face of Yuanshi celestial Venerable, who then calmly said, “Actually, there are no special requests.

It’s just that among those who endure the Calamity of Measurement through the Journey to the West tribulations, the Nine-Nine Eighty-One Difficulties, we must have a share for our Daoist Sect.”

At these words, both Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha’s expressions changed involuntarily.

For the tribulations of the Journey to the West, a myriad of difficulties, Buddhism had already made its arrangements.

Now, both Yuanshi celestial Venerable and Laozi actually wanted to step in through Sun Wukong—this was truly detestable.

However, they also understood that if they didn’t agree, the implementation of the Journey to the West might not proceed smoothly.

After a brief moment of silence, the two regained their composure, and Amitabha Buddha spoke after a while, “May I inquire how the two senior brothers intend to divide the people involved in the tribulations of the Journey to the West?”

Although his voice remained calm as he spoke, it couldn’t help but take on a slightly colder tone.

Daoist Ancestor Taiqing slowly said, “The tribulations of the Journey to the West is a grand affair for the rise of Buddhism.

The strategy proposed by us two comes out of sheer helplessness.

With the rise of Buddhism, the Daoist Sect will wane.

Although we both have achieved the cultivation level of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortals, entrusting our Primordial Spirits to the Heavenly Dao, surviving countless Calamities of Measurement without perishing, we ultimately cannot bear to see the Daoist orthodoxy decline.

We hope the two junior brothers will not take offense!”

Daoist Ancestor Taiqing’s voice was as tranquil as an ancient well, ever so calm, with the essence of Daoist rhyme converging around him.

Yet, upon hearing this, both Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti could not help but let out a cold laugh in their hearts.

You can’t bear the decline of your own Daoist orthodoxy, but can you bear the decline of others?

When the Enthronement of the Deities was being initiated, we didn’t see you two leave a single lifeline for the Daoist Sect of Leader of the Tongtian Sect?

Now that the Enthronement is over, only a few “big cats and little cats” remain in the Cutting Teachings Sect, shrinking away on Golden Turtle Island without showing themselves, while your disciples from the Expounding and Human Teachings Sects have not been shy about oppressing the remnants of the Cutting Teachings Sect.

And now you dare speak of not bearing to see the decline of Daoist orthodoxy?

Truly laughable!

Of course, these were just the inward sneers of Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti; after all, it was not the time to have a falling out.

Suppressing the raging anger in his heart, Amitabha Buddha spoke, “Eldest senior brother is so honorable; I admire your spirit.

We are all disciples passed down by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, though we may belong to different factions, we are of the same sect.

Since the two senior brothers have brought up this matter, let us discuss it and ensure the smooth implementation of the Journey to the West tribulations!”

“We are all Saints and should act in accordance with the Heavenly Dao,” Amitabha Buddha concluded meaningfully.

Both Daoist Ancestor Taiqing and Yu Qing Yuan Shi Tian Zun naturally understood what Amitabha Buddha meant by acting in accordance with the Heavenly Dao.

However, they pretended not to hear.

In the moment, a swirl of light condensed, and endless Daoist rhymes converged, enveloping the entire hall.

Afterward, the four of them engaged in their discussions, and naturally, the content of their conversation would not be known to outsiders.

Several hours later, two streaks of light shot out from the Daoist Palace and headed straight for the Chaotic Void.

It was the Western Saints, Amitabha Buddha, and Zhunti.

However, their moods were clearly not good, so they did not stand upon the Lotus Platform, suggesting that their moods were indeed not too pleasant.

Shortly after Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti disappeared, the two Saints in the Daoist Palace saw this.

Yuanshi celestial Venerable then shook his head and said, “What a pity that we only got so few slots—I guess the two in the West have profited from this!”

Yuanshi celestial Venerable looked at the starry sky with eyes full of regret.

“That should be sufficient.

The tribulations of the Journey to the West are, after all, for the great prosperity of the Western Buddhist Sect.

Our forceful scheming is already somewhat contrary to the Heavenly intent.

Too much of anything is not good,” said Laozi, his expression serene, also gazing at the starry sky and speaking accordingly.

“But brother, should we really assist their Buddhist Sect in completing the Journey to the West tribulations?”

After a moment of silence upon hearing this, Yuanshi celestial Venerable then said.

“To implement it or not, the tide is irreversible, and now with the monkey undergoing various transformations, it is likely that there’s an expert guiding him from behind.

What the future holds for the Journey to the West tribulations is not yet known.

We shall just wait and see,” said Laozi, not directly explaining but looking meaningfully into the void before him.

Unfortunately, Yuanshi celestial Venerable had already accomplished his goal and didn’t put much effort into pondering the profound implications in Laozi’s words.

“The Great Dao changes, the future is hazy,” Laozi sighed deeply, saying no more.

He then sat in meditative sitting at the center of the hall, his Immortal Light fading away as if plunging into the endless mysteries of the Great Dao.

The scheming of Saints might seem straightforward, but in reality, it’s fraught with undercurrents.

If Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha were not wary, it might have led to a great battle between Saints long ago.

Of course, the calculated plans of Saints inevitably affect subsequent developments.

At this time, within the celestial Court,

An Imperial Edict descended from the heavens, pierced through the Thirty-Three Heavens, and directly entered the Fragrance Spreading Hall before the Jade Emperor.

Shrouded in the resplendent Immortal Glow Yuqing, the decree was so brilliant that many Immortal Officials and maids in the Fragrance Spreading Hall proclaimed in unison, “Saint Yuqing!”

As the Jade Emperor seated behind the desk saw this, his expression was not particularly pleased.

Even without looking, he knew that the edict contained a missive from Yu Qing Yuan Shi Tian Zun, urging him to implement the Journey to the West tribulations.