The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 329 - 290: May I Attain Bodhi in the Next Life

Chapter 329: Chapter 290: May I Attain Bodhi in the Next Life

The tale tells of Chi Songzi, Zhen Yuanzi, and Enlightenment Dao, who journeyed to the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm to guide the reborn Medicine Buddha.

However, the phenomenon of Medicine Buddha’s birth was too terrifying, golden flowers fell from the sky, golden lotuses sprouted from the ground, and Zen sounds permeated the entire world, naturally alerting the Medicine Buddha himself.

Medicine Buddha’s expression darkened as he said, "So it’s Chi Songzi! Heaven has a path which you did not take, hell has no gate yet you burst in. You killed our Patriarch Maitreya Buddha, and now that you’ve come to my Lapis Lazuli World, I naturally will not let you leave easily!"

"The Twelve Yaksha Generals! Come forth!"

With a loud shout from Medicine Buddha, twelve figures emerged, astonishingly all at the Primordial Golden Immortal Law Realm level, including the Generals Guanpiluo, Fazeluo, Mi Qiluo, Andiluo, Eniluo, Shandi Luo, Yindaluo, Piyiluo, Mihu Luo, Zhendaluo, Zhaoduluo, and Pijieluo, each commanding seven thousand Yakshas, arrayed in a terrifying formation!

In the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm, there were no shortage of sitting Buddha Ancestors, with the likes of Bao Sheng Tathagata, Bao Xiang Tathagata, Fire Light Tathagata, Puto Mo Sheng Tathagata, Akshobhya Tathagata, and Wuyou Ultimate Auspicious Tathagata, etc. As the future Respectful Ruler of the World, it was natural to build his own base; countless Hunyuan Golden Immortal level masters emerged, causing the complexions of the three visitors to change.

"Chi Songzi, Chi Jiangzi, Ning Fengzi! The three of you are audacious beyond measure, daring to intrude into the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm! Today, you shall all be suppressed beneath this world!" The Twelve Yaksha Generals roared in unison like lions.

Although Enlightenment Dao’s mana was lower, he wore the armor of Zhuanxu, the foremost of the Five Emperors, and he wielded the Human Emperor Xuanyuan Sword, the strongest of the Three Sovereigns Swords. Even the creator would have difficulty injuring him!

Chi Jiangzi and Ning Fengzi were powerful figures from ancient times, companions of Chi Songzi. This audacious intrusion into the Lapis Lazuli World was no trifling matter, especially since they were guiding the Medicine Buddha. If people learned their true identities, it would doubtlessly bring endless troubles. And as for Chi Songzi, a fearless loner who rejected no one, he wouldn’t have dared to kill Maitreya before the Buddhas of the Spirit Mountain!

Seeing the three of them deeply surrounded, Buddhas everywhere, there seemed to be already a hundred or so people! The depth of the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm was truly profound.

Chi Songzi maintained his composure and said, "Medicine Buddha, if you wish to fight to the death with this poor Daoist, then I might as well directly summon Divine Thunder! Let’s see if your Lapis Lazuli World can withstand it!"

Medicine Buddha sneered, "This Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm was forged by a Saint. If you can manage to break through, that will indeed be your own capable deed! Hmph!"

The Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm had been constructed by Amitabha Buddha, and to break through it was immeasurably difficult. Even if Chi Songzi used the magic of Nine Heavens Thunder Movement, it was uncertain whether he could shatter this world. The methods of Saints are incomprehensibly profound, especially at that time when Amitabha Buddha was at the height of his power and glory.

"Suppress them!" Medicine Buddha suddenly waved his hand, and the multitude of masters around him immediately attacked.

Magical Treasure radiance illuminated heaven and earth, countless Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Yakshas together struck, waves of terrifying Law fluctuations combined with the dance of Magical Treasures approaching.

Chi Songzi roared, raising the withered branch in his hand, channeling ninety-five thousand Talismans within, evolving into formations. Within each formation were thunder and tempest, with a roar, they all surged out, a series of immense booms, shattering those Magical Treasures to pieces!

Chi Songzi was an existence close to a Semi-Saint, and Zhen Yuanzi’s cultivation was also extremely high. Together, they withstood wave after wave of terrifying assaults.

"Lapis Lazuli World, endless radiance! Billions of living beings, converge divine power!" Medicine Buddha roared, manifesting a Golden Lion behind him, whose roar spread throughout the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm.

The billions of beings within the Lapis Lazuli World sat down in unison, praising Medicine Buddha, chanting the "Medicine Master Tathagata Sutra," providing him with immense divine power.

"Boom!"

Wielding the Heavenly Emperor Sword, Chi Songzi slew mercilessly, rivers of blood flowing, and in the blink of an eye, over a dozen Hunyuan Golden Immortals had fallen by his hand, including several Buddhas.

Zhen Yuanzi’s Divine Skills too were formidable; wielding a variety of miraculous Taoist Arts, he was invincible. He transformed the pepino fruit tree into a wooden staff, using it to beat his opponents. Any Magical Treasure struck by it had the spiritual energy sucked out immediately, reduced to powder, and when it hit a person, they were instantaneously turned into a fine pulp.

Having had many pepinos taken from him, they gradually replenished— one, two, three until thirty pepinos were restored on the tree before growth ceased. The pepino fruit tree, a creation of heaven and earth, impossibly mystical, was hence limited by the Heavenly Dao to bear thirty fruits every nine thousand years—eat one, and instantly become an immortal—however, he had consumed quite a few recently, but now, as he slew Buddhas and absorbed Magical Treasures, once again he had a full thirty.

Enlightenment Dao was attacked by the Twelve Yaksha Generals. Though these twelve formed a formidable array, he possessed many Magical Treasures, and holding the Xuanyuan Sword, they struggled to harm him.

"We must hurry and make our escape, otherwise once the Buddhas of the Spirit Mountain arrive as well, we will be completely trapped!" Zhen Yuanzi, having slain three people, had a grave expression and a battle intensity that stained his Taoist Robe with blood.

Upon enlightenment, the Daoist unleashed a thunderous roar and raised the Nine Dragon-Consuming Steles, which transformed into nine Longtou Daoren. Each of these Taoist figures possessed the great divine power of the Unity of the Three Teachings and spat out Golden Cores. Bang, bang, bang, the cores exploded, unleashing a torrent of formidable force. One of the Yaksha Generals was caught in the blast and instantly reduced to dust.

The Medicine Buddha gathered the divine power of the entire Secret Realm and launched a Subduing Demon Fist attack. The fist, wrapped in terrifying power, struck towards Chi Songzi!

Chi Songzi’s complexion turned grave. He pinched and twisted his fingers into complex spell gestures, casting talismans that rapidly revolved around the dry branch in his hand as he met the attack head-on.

"The power of countless beings, how could you possibly withstand it?" the Medicine Buddha bellowed. With a loud thud, Chi Songzi was sent flying, spewing fresh blood as he sustained an injury from the Medicine Buddha’s strike.

Inside Zhen Yuanzi’s sleeve, the Medicine Tathagata shouted, "Quick, let me out! I have a significant karmic connection with the Lapis Lazuli World. Right now, this impostor Medicine Buddha is using the power of the beings from the Lapis Lazuli World—they’re no match for you! I can employ methods to disrupt this power of the masses!"

Zhen Yuanzi didn’t say more. He immediately released the Medicine Tathagata, who then let out the Buddhist Lion’s Roar. The sight of an infant issuing such a loud roar indeed seemed incredible.

"When I attain Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi in the next life, may my body shine intensely and illuminate countless, limitless, and boundless worlds. With the Thirty-two Features of a Great Man and the Eighty Secondary Characteristics, may I adorn my body. May all sentient beings be just like me without exception," roared the Medicine Tathagata. Behind him, an image of a golden lion manifested, confronting the Medicine Buddha in competition for the power of the masses from the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm.

The Medicine Tathagata, holding the Medicine Master Tathagata Sutra, roared repeatedly, amassing a great momentum to break through the Medicine Buddha’s blockade.

"When I attain enlightenment in the next life, may my body be like lapis lazuli, clear and bright inside and out, pure and without blemish. May my radiance and virtuous merits be vast and lofty. May I dwell in tranquility, adorned more grandly with the Flame Net Solemnity than the sun and moon. May all beings in the darkness be enlightened at my will, and my endeavors in all actions be unfettered."

"When I attain Bodhi in the next life, with limitless and boundless wisdom and expedients, may I bestow upon all sentient beings endless, needed sustenance and prevent any lack among them."

"When I attain Bodhi in the next life, if any sentient beings follow wrongful paths, may they all be made to dwell in the Way of Bodhi. If they practice the paths of Sravaka or Pratyekabuddha, may they all be established in the Great Vehicle."

"When I attain Bodhi in the next life, if countless boundless sentient beings practice Brahma Conduct within my Law, may they all attain complete observance of the precepts without lack, upholding the Tri-gathered Precepts. If any violate them, upon hearing my name, may they regain purity and not fall into evil realms."

With successive roars, he shook the minds of billions of beings, who at that moment were bewildered, unsure whom to pray to, unable to discern the true Buddha Ancestor. Lost in doubt, they halted, and the infinite divine power promptly dissipated.

"Medicine Buddha, how dare you shake the hearts of my realm’s people!" the Medicine Buddha furiously charged at the Medicine Tathagata, aiming to smash his crown and scatter his soul with a palm strike.

"Go!"

With a light snap, Zhen Yuanzi cast a spell, the Gigantic Wood Curse, and a massive rolling log materialized, blocking the skies. Stretching nearly ten thousand zhang, it was splintered by the crushing blow of the Medicine Buddha’s Great Hand Seal, but the Medicine Tathagata seized the chance to retreat to Zhen Yuanzi’s side, saving his life.

"When I attain Bodhi in the next life, if there are sentient beings, inferior in appearance, missing faculties, ugly, dumbfounded, blind, deaf, and mute, hunchbacked, or suffering from leprosy, madness, or various ailments, upon hearing my name, may they all become upright and wise, their faculties complete and free from all afflictions," the Medicine Tathagata let out another loud roar, invoking the True Words and reciting the Original Vows Sutra. This plunged the billions within the Lapis Lazuli World into confusion, preventing them from distinguishing the true Buddha Ancestor, let alone praying.

Furious, the Medicine Buddha declared, "You should give up hope of attaining Bodhi! Yet, in the next life, it might be possible! Right now, I’ll send you to your next life!"

The Medicine Buddha amassed his strength, manifesting his Golden Body, towering ten thousand zhang tall. A vast hand seal struck down directly!

"Five Emperors’ Armor, guard the Eight Desolates!" Chi Songzi bellowed as he summoned the armors of the other four Great Emperors.

The armors spanned the sky, nearly materializing the phantoms of the Emperors—Emperor Ku, Emperor Yao, Yu Shun, and Da Yu. These four Emperor phantoms rushed towards the Medicine Buddha’s palm. With a loud bang, the Golden Body of the Medicine Buddha showed a web of cracks.

Two thousand Yakshas sprang from the Medicine Buddha’s hands, each chanting sutras. Their combined recitations quickly healed the Golden Body, and another palm strike was unleashed!

Chi Songzi, with a pallid complexion, said, "This Medicine Buddha’s mana is too strong in the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm; we are no match for him! If we call forth the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors here, the cost would be immense, and we would be affected by the incense of the Buddhist sect. We must rely on ourselves to fight our way out!"

In the end, the fates of the four remain unknown. Please tune in to the next installment to find out. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)