The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 328 - 289: Conflict Arises from Exposed Whereabouts

Chapter 328: Chapter 289: Conflict Arises from Exposed Whereabouts

Once upon a time, three travelers arrived in the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm, the private domain of the Medicine Buddha, a secret realm constructed early on by the Buddhist sect.

In the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm, there was neither suffering nor disaster; all its inhabitants were affluent. Whatever food one wished for would manifest itself at a mere thought. This was the supreme Great Divine Power, blessed with the destiny of the Future Buddha Medicine Tathagata upon this secret realm, making it extraordinarily powerful.

Now, the real Medicine Tathagata was about to be born into the Pure Light Realm, but the current state of the Buddhist sect was bleak. If no one went to guide him, he might very well be strangled in his cradle.

The real Future Buddha had not yet been born, and other worlds had already taken over his doctrinal arena. The Buddhist sect was forced into an exceedingly sorrowful state. And now, as he was about to be born, someone still needed to guide him. It could be said that the Medicine Tathagata was the most pitiable Buddha Ancestor ever.

For the three travelers, infiltrating the Medicine Buddha’s secret realm was incredibly simple. This secret realm, personally built by Amitabha Buddha, captured the essence of Ultimate Bliss. The Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm bore a striking resemblance to the World of Ultimate Bliss—free from illness, suffering, disputes, or killings, and everyone coexisted peacefully.

"This Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm is truly extraordinary. Whoever controls this realm gains extraordinary Incense Power and Wish Power. Just by consuming incense power, one could attain the cultivation of a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal. If one also diligently studies the rationale, becoming the creator is not a difficult task," Chi Songzi exclaimed in amazement.

Incense can also be used to worship the Heavenly Dao, communicating and imploring it to grant fortunes. Since ancient times, worship has been a solemn matter, a matter of national importance, even ranked above warfare. When the state faced significant issues, they would worship and pray for the heavens’ blessing. If done with sincere devotion, and the offerings were valuable enough, the Heavenly Dao would favor them, extending the state’s longevity.

Zhen Yuanzi said, "It is said that the Eastern Lapis Lazuli Pure Light World was built by Amitabha Buddha in anticipation of the Future Buddha Medicine Tathagata. Yet the real Medicine Tathagata has not descended, instead, this counterfeit Medicine Buddha has benefited."

The Saint personally crafted this secret realm and doctrinal arena, which naturally was extraordinary. Medicine Tathagata being the Future Respectful Ruler of the World, certainly deserves such treatment.

Within the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm, the ground was covered in gold, and the houses were fashioned from lustrous glass, turning the entire secret realm into a radiant, dream-like world—a utopia only seen in the dreams of mortals.

The three travelers’ aura completely merged with that of the Lapis realm, making anyone who saw them believe they were natives of the World of Lapis, not outsiders.

The Lapis World was vast, home to hundreds of millions of residents. Incense Power and Wishes were abundant; they lived prosperous and peaceful lives, constantly reciting Buddhist scriptures in prayer and gratitude to the Medicine Buddha. Therefore, the Medicinal Buddha’s status at Mount Meru was so exalted. With such abundant offerings, his mana continually strengthened.

"The Medicine Tathagata will soon be born. Let’s wait for a few days, and in these days, let us observe this Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm closely. Should a conflict arise later, we might discover his weakness," Zhen Yuanzi said.

All had seen grand scenes before, but upon witnessing this Lapis World, they could not help but marvel repeatedly. Amitabha Buddha’s abilities were simply astonishing.

The travelers explored the Lapis World, eventually sensing the Medicine Tathagata about to be born here.

"Boom!"

The sound of thunder roared in the sky, golden flowers fell, and golden lotuses sprung from the ground. The constant sound of Zen chanting seemed like the Gathering of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

In a small house, a dignified infant was born, pointing one hand to the sky and the other to the ground, he declared, "Above the heavens and below the earth, I alone am honored!"

This was the Medicine Tathagata, the Buddha Ancestor reborn; pointing one hand to the sky and the other to the ground, proclaiming, "Above the heavens and below the earth, I alone am honored."

"The Buddha Ancestor has manifested! He has reincarnated into our family."

"Who would have thought that the Buddha Ancestor would reincarnate? Quick, let us worship!"

The parents of the Medicine Tathagata bowed down, aware that this extraordinary phenomenon was the birth of the Buddha Ancestor and dared not delay.

Zhen Yuanzi used the "Telekinesis" law, stretched out his hand, made a motion, and instantly grabbed the Medicine Tathagata out.

A flash of cold light appeared in the eyes of Medicine Tathagata, who scolded, "Audacious Taoist, how dare you capture me?!"

Though merely an infant, he could speak from birth, emitting an immense authoritative air, and his dignified appearance commanded respect.

Chi Songzi bowed and said, "Medicine Tathagata has been born, and we are here by the command of Emperor Fuxi to guide you."

Upon hearing this, Medicine Tathagata frowned and said, "What is going on? Why would Emperor Fuxi send you to guide me? Where is Amitabha Buddha?"

Zhen Yuanzi sneered, "Now, the Buddhist sect has hugely declined, usurped by high-level outsiders in other realms. Atop Mount Meru, there are nothing but counterfeit Buddhas and fake Bodhisattvas! Since you were born here in the Lapis World, attracting heavenly phenomena, the fake Medicine Buddha must have been alerted. If we do not take you away, you might be maliciously harmed."

Upon hearing this, Medicine Tathagata’s expression transformed drastically as he exclaimed, "My birth was intended for taking over Maitreya’s position, a direction from the Buddha minds of All Buddhas! Have the Buddhas of Mount Meru all been harmed already? Have they all been replaced?"

Chi Songzi said in a deep voice, "We’ll discuss this matter later. First, let’s get you out of this Lapis Lazuli World. The Medicine Buddha could arrive any moment now, bringing trouble! Moreover, in this Secret Realm, it’s his home ground, and fighting here would put us at a great disadvantage."

The Medicine Buddha was only a baby, but he was already extremely powerful, born as a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer expert. He was born with the future destiny of the Buddhist sect and could potentially reach the level of Quasi-Saint and Semi-Saint if he diligently cultivated. However, without Zhen Yuanzi and others coming to guide him and Fuxi’s precise calculations, he would likely have been suffocated in his cradle by the false Medicine Buddha, or directly taken to Mount Meru to have his brain forcibly washed by the Tathagata using divine powers, turning into a puppet of the false Buddhist sect.

"The Eastern Lapis Lazuli Pure Light World was created by Amitabha Buddha to guide this monk, a Secret Realm of infinite wonders, yet it has been occupied! One day, I will reclaim this place," said the Medicine Buddha.

He had not yet fully matured, making him prone to anger and fierce in spirit. Once he truly grew up, he would become a true Great Enlightened One, comprehending the formlessness and embodying Prajna to attain Enlightenment.

"This scoundrel dared to alter my ’Medicine Buddha Original Vows Sutra’ into something like this? It’s utterly reprehensible! This scripture is completely brainwashing. If one doesn’t believe in him, catastrophe strikes, leading to retribution... How could these Buddhist disciples have any freedom? They are anxious all day, fearing they might neglect him one day and suffer the consequences!" The Medicine Buddha revealed a copy of the scripture being spread in Pure Light World—it was indeed the ’Medicine Buddha Original Vows Sutra’.

Zhen Yuanzi grabbed the Medicine Buddha and said, "Good, let’s get out now!"

The three had successfully rescued Medicine Buddha, completing Fuxi’s task. It was inconvenient to delay, to avoid more trouble. The Medicine Buddha would definitely not allow the Medicine Buddha to remain a major threat in the world. He was already searching for the Medicine Buddha, sensing the anomalies within Lapis Lazuli World.

Religion is a matter of free beliefs, yet the Medicine Buddha altered scriptures into a doctrine of brainwashing, making it unthinkable not to believe in him; those who did not, would face retribution. Seeing the teachings of the Buddhist sect twisted in such a way, and the atmosphere so miasmic, the Medicine Buddha couldn’t help but feel enraged. However, being too weak at the moment, his anger was of no use. A direct confrontation with the Medicine Buddha would only lead to death.

The Medicine Buddha had the potential to become a Quasi-Saint and a great force; thus, Fuxi had sent Chi Songzi to rescue him.

"You three sneaked into my Lapis Lazuli World with ill intentions. Hand over the person you’ve kidnapped!" a Bodhisattva blocking their path shouted. It was Sunlight Bodhisattva.

With a frown, Enlightenment Dao said nothing, knowing full well that this situation could not end well. Drawing his Xuanyuan Sword, a golden sword beam soared into the sky as he unleashed a sword technique and struck!

Sunlight Bodhisattva was taken aback, not expecting Enlightenment Dao to act so decisively and ruthlessly without a word, which was utterly shameless!

He hurriedly summoned his Magical Treasure, but how could his Magical Treasure compare to the Xuanyuan Sword? This was a celestial blade forged by the gods together, which had slain great sorcerers like Chi You.

"Puh!"

With a single slash, Sunlight Bodhisattva was cleaved in two, his physical body instantly turned into ash by the golden Sword Qi.

The Medicine Buddha’s face turned pale as he pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha Buddha! Well done, well done!"

Enlightenment Dao cursed, "Well done my ass, let’s go! The main player will be here soon."

With Sunlight Bodhisattva killed, the Medicine Buddha could naturally sense it, and he immediately transformed into a streak of blue light, rushing in this direction.

Zhen Yuanzi said in a deep voice, "He’s here!"

As everyone looked back, they saw the Medicine Buddha charging towards them at high speed in this Lapis Lazuli Pure Light World. Here, his mana had multiplied manifold! Although he was a usurper, he had been refining this Secret Realm with Incense Power and Wishes for years, almost merging with it. Numerous mysterious maneuvers could be deployed here, and anyone entering would simply be at his mercy.

"Who goes there!" shouted the Medicine Buddha angrily. "How dare you run wild in my Lapis Lazuli Pure Light World and slay Sunlight Bodhisattva?"

Being a great Taoist, Zhen Yuanzi couldn’t disclose his identity, so he listened as Chi Songzi shouted, "This humble Taoist Chi Songzi, and accomplices Chi Jiangzi and Ning Fengzi have come!"

Chi Songzi introduced Zhen Yuanzi as Chi Jiangzi and Enlightenment Dao as Ning Fengzi; he was fearless and not worried about any retaliation from Buddhism.

If Buddhism dared to search for him in Shennong’s Secret Realm, they’d be sure to kill any that came, be it one or two.

Zhen Yuanzi said, "This humble Taoist Chi Jiangzi desires no entanglement with you! We’ve merely escorted a friend out, please do not obstruct, Buddhist Ancestor."

The Medicine Buddha said grimly, "The person you’ve taken is a crucial Buddha of our sect, hand him over quickly!"

Zhen Yuanzi had already hidden the Medicine Buddha within his Qian Kun sleeves.

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next episode. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to visit Starting Point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)