The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 233 - 222: Enlightened One and True Person Gather Together

Chapter 233: Chapter 222: Enlightened One and True Person Gather Together

It is said that Yin Xi and Xuandu Grand Master, upon receiving the decree from Laozi, established a Taoist temple on Louguan Mountain in the Guanlong region of the Southern Toad Continent.

Soon, they commanded the Great Strength Demon God to construct the temple, which was indeed built magnificently. Around it, they laid out formations, and on a small mountain next to a side peak, they built another temple for mortals to worship, while the grand temple was used to propagate the Way of the Dao and welcome those of the Immortal Path.

The grand temple was built too grandly and domineeringly. If the emperors of the mortal world were to see it, they might feel discontent, hence it needed to be concealed by formations to avoid destruction by the human path.

Laozi had already chosen an auspicious day, and invitations were sent to the hands of all Daoist True Men. Today, he had the child send out many invitations to Mount Meru, requesting all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to come and observe the ceremony.

The founding of Louguan Sect was openly led by Yin Xi, while secretly it was Xuandu Grand Master. It was clear to the discerning that Laozi was ready to contend with Buddhism. Otherwise, he would not have made such a grand display in founding Louguan Sect, nor would he have sent invitations to the West. It was obviously to demonstrate the divine skills of the Daoist path and to earnestly compete with Buddhism.

It seems that Laozi could no longer hold back, feeling that Buddhism was truly bothersome, and a confrontation was necessary. Of course, this confrontation had to be of a high standard and within control of both parties, so he used the founding of the sect as an opportunity to issue a challenge. Laozi’s establishment of the sect served a dual purpose: it allowed a comparison with Buddhism and also secured a strategically advantageous location in the Southern Toad Continent for the future development of the Daoist path.

Laozi’s great wisdom was not something everyone could comprehend; otherwise, he would not be the author of the "Tao Te Ching."

Yin Xi said, "In three days, my Louguan Sect will hold the founding ceremony, when masters from the Four Seas will come, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the West will also attend to observe."

Xuandu Grand Master nodded slightly and said, "Of course, we cannot let down the prestige of our Daoist path, which has been transmitted since the creation of heaven and earth. How can we let the Buddhists, this upstart group, overpower us? After three days, we will surely teach Tathagata a lesson he will not forget, and no Buddha from the West will be pleased."

Xuandu Grand Master was the only true disciple of Laozi, having already cultivated to the level of a creator. In ancient times, only Daoist Duobao, a disciple of the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Hierarch, could be compared to him, even the leader of the Twelve Golden Immortals, Guang Chengzi, was no match for Xuandu Grand Master.

However, this person was too low-key, many did not know his true power, and could only speculate that a disciple of Laozi must be extraordinary.

Three days passed in a blink of an eye, and today was the day of Louguan Sect’s founding.

Yin Xi deactivated the formations, placed flower baskets and a great bell on the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform, and had the child ring the bell to welcome the guests.

This founding event was naturally extremely important. Laozi did not skimp, bestowing many treasures to decorate the facade. The grand pill furnace placed at the entrance of the main hall was particularly majestic, burning within it celestial sandalwood, which was exceedingly rare. This sandalwood, struck by lightning yet not destroyed, was crafted from wood hard to come by even in small pieces. Once lit, it could calm the mind and help in comprehending the Dao, allowing one’s spirit to wander. If one’s mana was weak, one could light this incense, then let the Yin God project itself without fear of being scattered by strong winds, truly wondrous.

"Dang!"

The bell rang, and the child loudly announced, "True Man Chunyang Zi, Lu Dongbin, and the Eight Immortals of the Upper Caverns, —— arrived!"

"Dang!"

The child announced, "True Man Master Fuyao, Chen Tuan, has arrived!"

"Dang!"

The child continued to announce, "Orthodox Unity Taoist Zhang Daoling, Heavenly Master, has arrived! Mount Mao Sect Leader, True Person Yimei, has arrived!"

...

As each True Person landed on the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform, petals were scattered below, covering the entire platform. The sound of the bell was incessant, one after another Daoist True Person arrived on clouds, landing on the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform, whereupon the child loudly announced their arrival, and these Daoist True Persons would then hand over their gifts to the welcoming child, who would bring them inside the Taoist temple.

"Dang!"

The child announced, "True Person Zhuang Zhou, a free, and unfettered person has arrived!"

Zhuang Zhou, being a human sage yet attained his status through the Daoist teachings, was inevitably present. His arrival immediately caused all present to turn and look, after all, Zhuang Zhou’s name was too significant. Old Zhuang, Zhuang Zhou of the mortal world was considered on par with Laozi, a formidable personage, who would dare underestimate him?

"Dang!"

The child announced, "True Lord Erlang Manifesting Sanctity, Yang Jian, has arrived!"

All the Daoist True People gathered within the mountain gate of the Louguan Sect, with familiar Daoist friends naturally bowing their heads in greeting and exchanging pleasantries.

"Wudang Sect Leader, True Person Zhang Junshi, has arrived!" Zhang Junshi came quite early today, wearing a clean Taoist robe, which was indeed rare to see him so neatly dressed.

Daoist Equal to Heaven of course knew about the grand founding of Louguan Sect and also came bearing gifts. Landing on the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform, the child announced, "Equaling Heaven True Man has arrived!"

Daoist Equal to Heaven handed his gift to the child, then stepped off the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform. Seeing a few old acquaintances, he immediately went up to greet them.

"Infinite blessings, Daoist Qi Tian has also come!" Chen Tuan burst out laughing upon seeing Daoist Equal to Heaven.

"Haha! I was at Jade Void Palace for a lecture but had to leave early due to some matters, missing out on the Elixirs Laozi distributed, alas, that’s really a pity!" laughed Daoist Equal to Heaven.

Yang Jian then spoke, "You’re not lacking in a bit of elixir, are you? I wonder what great deeds you have done in these years?"

Daoist Equal to Heaven waved his hand and said, "I’m just a freewheeler, there aren’t so many great matters waiting for me to tackle. It’s just some minor miscellaneous things, that’s all."