The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 312 - 273: Bu Seven Stars Lü Yan Challenges to a Duel

Chapter 312: Chapter 273: Bu Seven Stars Lü Yan Challenges to a Duel

The Tathagata made a great event out of Wukong’s achievement of Buddhahood, inviting prominent figures from all directions to save face after the loss he suffered during the battle at Louguan.

"Donghuang Taiyi!" People present couldn’t help but exclaim—this master, after battling an Esoteric Buddhism Patriarch on Mount Meru and then disappearing, had only shown himself once as Wu Chao Zen Master, and only the Three Pure Ones of the Daoist Sect were privy to this secret.

Now, he had finally made another appearance. As an Ancient Demon Emperor who established the Celestial Palace, he had gone into hiding after being wounded by the Twelve Capital Heavenly Demon Shattering Array, and was replaced by the Jade Emperor.

Upon seeing the arrivals, all beings of no ordinary status, Wukong couldn’t help but be inwardly shocked, thinking, "I hadn’t expected the Tathagata to invite so many people. As the main character of this banquet, I fear I’m likely to face off with the Daoist Sect."

"Father Emperor!" A short Taoist stood up—it was Lu Ya, known as a Scattered Immortal of Kunlun, but actually a disciple of Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch.

The Tathagata originally wished to invite the True Persons of Daoism to measure strength, but hadn’t expected so many masters to arrive uninvited, including Donghuang Taiyi and Chi Songzi, making it quite difficult to deal with if a fight broke out!

Upon seeing Lu Ya, Donghuang Taiyi nodded slightly and said, "Ah, good, my youngest, you’re here too."

Taiyi and Xihe had ten sons, nine of whom were shot dead by Hou Yi, leaving only the youngest, Lu Ya.

"Welcome, Taiyi, Rain Mage!"

Donghuang Taiyi and Chi Songzi were greeted by the Shami and brought down from the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform to sit inside the thatched pavilion.

Chi Songzi, who had slain Maitreya, was the person most hated by the Buddhist Sect. Seeing him swagger onto Mount Meru, everyone there itched with animosity.

As all the prominent figures had arrived, aside from Chi Songzi and Donghuang Taiyi who came uninvited, the Tathagata rose, standing over eight feet tall, his body shimmering with golden light, his presence dignified. With every gesture, he commanded the heavens and the earth, exuding an authority that made it difficult for others to look directly at him. This was the power of the Respectful Ruler of the World, trembling the hearts and spirits of those who beheld him.

The Tathagata pressed his palms together and bowed to everyone, saying loudly, "Victorious Fighting Buddha Sun Wukong, who for creating Havoc in Heaven five hundred years ago committed grave sins, was suppressed by me beneath the Five Elements Mountain. After five hundred years, I intended to use the True Mahayana Sutras to universally save all beings, hence my disciple Golden Cicada reincarnated as Xuanzang! Xuanzang, on the Emperor Taizong of Tang’s command, went to the Western Heaven to obtain the true scriptures, and Sun Wukong has made meritorious deeds in his protection. Such great merit justifies the True Fruition status, achieving the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha! We’ve invited all of you here today to honor the event of Wukong’s Buddhahood."

Wukong stood beside the Tathagata, looking rather short in comparison, donned in a kasaya with palms pressed together. He bowed to everyone present and said, "In the past, this monk was quite obstinate and may have troubled many of you. Now, having finally achieved True Fruition and subdued my inner demons, I implore you all not to hold my past transgressions against me. I am deeply grateful."

"Good indeed, good indeed!" The monks of Mount Meru all pressed their palms together and spoke in unison.

Great Emperor Zhenwu said, "Victorious Fighting Buddha is too humble!"

His tone seemed slightly discontent, perhaps unaware that Wukong’s joining the Buddhist Sect was meant to act as an inside agent to cooperate with the Daoist Sect.

Great Emperor Zhenwu had always taken care of him, but now seeing him devoted to the Buddhist Sect, it was naturally displeasing to him.

Had it not been for Great Emperor Zhenwu commanding all the Dragon Clan, Wukong would have drowned at sea long ago. It was after an arrangement by the Emperor that the Dragon King had transported him to the Southern Toad Continent. Naturally, Great Emperor Zhenwu had been instructed by the Three Pure Ones. Since Wukong’s birth, they had been strategizing his path, even arranging the Havoc in Heaven, with the path thereafter laid by the Buddhist Sect.

His life had been a chess game, but now he had become a chess player himself, seeing great hope in this transformation.

Wukong pressed his palms together and said, "As a disciple of the Buddha Ancestor, naturally, I must strive for the well-being of the world. I ask for the supervision of all my friends hereafter."

With these impeccable remarks, outsiders found no faults to pick.

The Tathagata began the banquet, serving fruits and gourmet vegetarian dishes, as meat and fish were not included. Indeed, the Daoist Sect also rarely consumed meat, usually eating immortal fruits and such.

"Good indeed! Forgive this monk for not being able to serve wine to the True Persons, as the peaceful domain of the Buddhist Sect does not allow alcohol or meat to enter," said the Tathagata.

"The Buddha Ancestor is too kind!" These fruits taste even more satisfying than meat and alcoholic drinks and can also increase one’s True Qi. It’s truly killing two birds with one stone. Not only does it indulge the palate, but it also augments mana. Where else could one find such a delightful affair?

As half a day passed, the Great Emperor Zhenwu stood up and said, "Now that the Victorious Fighting Buddha has secured his fruit position, we cannot go without a highlight! Tathagata, would it not be good to add some excitement to this banquet?"

There are Eight Divisions of Heavenly Dragons within the Buddhist sect, among which the Gandharvas are skilled at singing and dancing. At the moment, they are performing a dance at the banquet. This is the Flying Apsara Dance, which once made a stunning appearance in Dunhuang and whose dance poses have been carved onto the stone walls and pillars of Dunhuang. The Great Emperor Zhenwu watches this dance but finds it uninteresting, wanting to spice things up.

In fact, the Great Emperor Zhenwu was dissatisfied with Wukong’s conversion to Buddhism, which was why he made the suggestion. However, he did not expect that this was exactly what Tathagata had been intending to propose. Zhenwu’s suggestion filled him with immense joy.

Wukong glanced at Tathagata and saw him nodding towards him. His heart stirred, and he said to the Great Emperor Zhenwu, "What kind of highlight does the Demon-Subduing Emperor wish to bring forth?"

The Great Emperor Zhenwu replied, "During the last encounter on Louguan Mountain, there was a magic combat between Buddhism and Daoism which I found quite amusing! Why not have another round today?"

The Medicine Buddha stood up and said, "Good! The words of the Great Emperor Zhenwu are true. Last time, the Daoist sect won by a narrow margin. Now that we Buddhists have home-field advantage, we ought to have another round. However, let’s not let the outcome affect the relationship between Buddhism and Daoism."

A group of people sneered inwardly, thinking: "Can the relationship between Buddhism and Daoism get any worse? Laojun’s plotting against All Buddhas at Flame Mountain, Maitreya ordering Chi Songzi to slay—a Quasi-Saint, the Future Buddha, ended up being killed like that! How could this deep-seated hatred be easily dissolved?"

The Three Pure Ones maintained a calm expression, quietly observing without saying a word, waiting to see what techniques Buddhism would bring out this time.

Suddenly, Lu Dongbin stood up, smiled, and said, "In that case, may I, a Taoist of modest abilities, undertake this first challenge? My cultivation is still shallow. I’ll choose six disciples from my Complete Truth Sect to form the Seven Stars Sword Array, and we welcome a Buddha Ancestor to come and break the formation."

Lu Dongbin possessed the cultivation of a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal’s First Layer, and the other six disciples of the Complete Truth Sect had just reached the Third Heaven of Daluo Golden Immortal. However, when it came to formations, it had to be done this way; otherwise, if seven creators formed a great array, even Quasi-Saints would find it difficult to break through.

The cultivation line of Lu Dongbin in Complete Truth Sect was comparable to Shushan, both of which favored cultivating Sword Dao Divine Powers. His Seven Stars Sword Array had recently evolved and was practiced daily, aiming to dazzle today!

The Complete Truth Sect abounded with experts, among which was a disciple named Zhang Boduan, also known as the True Man of Purple Yang, an expert in Dual Cultivation of Life and Essence. In the future, the fortunes of the Complete Truth Sect would soar under his leadership, followed by many other True Men who would emerge. Although the Complete Truth Sect wasn’t established by a creator, it inherited the destiny of the Daoist sect and produced a continuous stream of remarkable individuals.

Lu Dongbin led the six other disciples from the Complete Truth Sect to the plaza of Mount Meru, hands clasped behind his back, and smiled, "Which Buddha Ancestor or Bodhisattva wishes to try and break my Complete Truth Seven Stars Sword Array?"

The Seven Stars Sword Array of Lu Dongbin was quite extraordinary: the seven formed the array, with him as the Kui Star with the other six assisting. Once the array was activated, it was as if the Seven Stars had descended, trapping the enemy within, making it difficult to escape the array. Furthermore, swords were the most formidable of magical treasures, so falling into the Seven Stars Sword Array could put one’s life at risk.

The other six disciples from the Complete Truth Sect looked formidable and vigorous, especially Zhang Boduan, who radiated purple energy with a full celestial appearance, signaling he was an outstanding True Man of Dao and Virtue. Achieving the cultivation of a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal was just a matter of time for him.

The Combined Attack Formation could exponentially amplify their power. With the seven of them forming the Sword Array, they could withstand the challenge of even the highest Law Realm experts.

"Let this humble monk face Pure Yang True Man’s Seven Stars Sword Array," said a Bodhisattva as he stepped forward. He was none other than Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, also known as Mahabhadrapala Bodhisattva.

Lu Dongbin’s expression became stern. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was also a formidable figure, having reached the complete fulfillment of the tenth ground, just one step away from securing his fruit position and becoming a Buddha Ancestor!

Lu Dongbin said, "Very well, Bodhisattva, please enter the sword array. If you manage to break out of the array, it shall be deemed that our Complete Truth Sect has lost!"

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was an expert of the Law Realm, with perfect spiritual cultivation and was renowned within Buddhism. Among the Bodhisattvas, few could rival him, not even Guanyin, Samantabhadra, or Manjushri.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva formed a Dharma Seal with his hands and entered into the Seven Stars Sword Array laid by Lu Dongbin.

As for who would emerge victorious, please tune in to the next installment to find out. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast a vote for the recommendation ticket and the monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)