The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 244 - 228: Settle Down and Take Profits When Things Improve_2

Chapter 244: Chapter 228: Settle Down and Take Profits When Things Improve_2

Only to see Acala raising his palm, and a Lotus Platform fell onto the table. This Lotus Platform had twelve petals; although it was not comparable to the Innate Twelve-Grades Lotus Platform, it was definitely not a mundane item either—it could match the Jade Ruyi held by the Leader of the Heaven-Penetrating Sect. If the Sect Hierarch were to bring out the Four Swords of Celestial Slaying, then Tathagata truly would have no way out, but that would not achieve the effect of a slap in the face. After all, with such a precious Magical Treasure as the Four Swords of Celestial Slaying, what could possibly match it?

The Leader of the Heaven-Penetrating Sect nodded and said, "Good, Acala’s Lotus Platform is indeed not a common item, and it can match my Ruyi."

The Leader of the Heaven-Penetrating Sect naturally possessed the Mixed Yuan Meditation Mat and had no desire for this Lotus Platform; if he won, he could simply give it away to the Emperor of Eternal Life.

Those present at the scene were shocked to see the stakes between Buddhism and Daoism getting higher and higher, and they also felt a sense of anticipation.

If it came down to individual strength, the Daoist side was a bit stronger than the Buddhist sect, but when it came to numbers, the Buddhist side was too terrifying with the Three Thousand Buddhas, Infinite Bodhisattvas, and clouds of Vajra... The more ants, the quicker the elephant is consumed, let alone facing so many Bodhisattva-class powerhouses.

The Emperor of Eternal Life placed the two sections of the Nine Heavens Divine Wood at the entrance of the Louguan’s earthen floor, and said to the Medicine Buddha, "Please go ahead!"

He took out two incense sticks, lit them, and inserted them into the ground, saying with a laugh, "Let these two incense sticks be the measure: on one hand, to quicken the growth of the Divine Wood, and on the other, not to let the ash of the incense sticks fall. If the ash falls, it shall be deemed a loss."

The Medicine Buddha responded with a sound of agreement, accepting the challenge. Since it was the grand opening ceremony of the Louguan, it was most appropriate to use this method of literary competition. If they were to fight physically, it would be somewhat contrary to decorum.

The two parties stood in front of the two sections of the Nine Heavens Divine Wood. This Divine Wood was an extremely precious natural treasure, and it was quite difficult to grow. To quicken its maturity was a significant test of the two individuals’ Wood-attribute True Qi manipulation skills.

The Medicine Buddha clasped his hands together and intoned, "Namo Amitabha Buddha, please, go ahead!"

The Emperor of Eternal Life, also recognizing that the Medicine Buddha was adept at this task, did not take him lightly and said with hands clasped, "Please, go ahead!"

Having both uttered ’please’ the two then exerted their force, and their Wood-attribute True Qi surged forth. A green light shone from their foreheads.

The Emperor of Eternal Life pointed his walking stick towards the Nine Heavens Divine Wood rooted in the mud, and immediately, it began to grow, reaching over a zhang in height in a moment!

A light emanated from the center of the Medicine Buddha’s brow, manifesting a Sharira. The Sharira fell forward, emitting a burst of green light; a surge of Wood-attribute True Qi flooded out, entering the Nine Heavens Divine Wood and stimulating it to grow as well.

"It’s incredibly difficult to quicken the Divine Wood indeed; it took such a significant amount of my mana just to make it grow over a zhang tall. I fear, within the time of this stick of incense, even if I exert all my strength, I will probably be able to mature it only twenty to thirty zhang at most!" The Medicine Buddha reflected internally, like a bright mirror, aware that such a natural treasure was incredibly precious, and hence, very challenging to quicken.

Both parties were guarding the incense sticks to prevent the ash from falling while channeling their mana to make the Divine Wood grow.

Feeling secretly astonished, the Medicine Buddha thought, "The capabilities of this Southern Immortal Weng are not weak either, possessing great achievements and skills in the healing arts. If it were an ordinary person, they would surely lose to him! I cannot afford to lose this time; otherwise, where would the face of the Buddhist sect lie?"

Feeling the pressure, the Medicine Buddha circulated his True Qi even faster; his Divine Wood grew a few inches taller and surpassed that of the Emperor of Eternal Life.

The Nine Heavens Divine Wood spread its branches forth, looking lush and thriving, continuing its growth towards eventually becoming a towering great tree.

"The Medicine Buddha’s techniques are not inferior to those of the Emperor of Eternal Life; both are profoundly adept at understanding the Wood Attribute True Qi. It remains to be seen who can make the Nine Heavens Divine Wood grow faster!"

"The Medicine Buddha is a Buddha Ancestor of the Buddhist sect who relieves suffering and difficulty, while the Emperor of Eternal Life is also the Longevity Star Elder who cures diseases and saves lives. Both are incomparable in their methods of healing and saving people."

"I think the Medicine Buddha is likely to win this round. He still has two thousand Medicine Forks that he hasn’t released yet; with one incantation, those Medicine Forks can make his Wood-attribute True Qi even more formidable and terrifying."

Indeed, as soon as these words were spoken, the Medicine Buddha opened his Buddha Kingdom within himself. The Buddha Kingdom transformed into a Sharira in the sky, shining with golden light, and strains of sutra chants resonated from it. These chanting sounds transformed into Sanskrit characters, descending onto the Medicine Buddha, covering him in radiant Buddha Light, thereby amplifying the Wood-attribute True Qi in him.

"It’s grown another two zhang!" exclaimed a Daoist True Person, as the Medicine Buddha’s Divine Wood shot up another two zhang in height.

The Emperor of Eternal Life’s expression darkened, and suddenly, a green vine emanated from within his sleeve. This vine, also green in color, contained immense Wood-attribute True Qi.

"The Eternal Vine of the Southern Sea! This thing has been lost since Ancient Times; it’s said to have grown out of the Ruins!" Exclaimed someone who recognized the origin of this vine, immediately causing an uproar.

This Eternal Life Vine was one of the Emperor of Eternal Life’s formidable Magical Treasures, encapsulating vast Wood-attribute True Qi. Once released, the ground around it sprouted layers of green grass. The Eternal Life Vine wrapped around the Nine Heavens Divine Wood, infusing it with an unending stream of Wood-attribute True Qi, prompting the Divine Wood to grow incessantly, quickly catching up to the Nine Heavens Divine Wood that the Medicine Buddha had been maturing.

The Medicine Buddha’s expression changed and said, "It’s actually the Eternal Life Vine, a Pre-Birth Treasure crystallized by Innate Wood Attribute True Qi!"