The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 336 - 297: Gathering of Experts at Wuzhuang Temple

Chapter 336: Chapter 297: Gathering of Experts at Wuzhuang Temple

Wukong was halfway on his journey when a thought struck him, and he turned back, returning to the Great Hall of Mount Ling.

He said to Tathagata, "World Honored One, for nearly three hundred years I have closed myself off to meditate on the Dao and study Buddhist Law. Now, my heart is filled with countless doubts, for which I seek answers from the Buddha Ancestor."

Tathagata had given him the Nirvana Pearl, naturally intending to cultivate his strength vigorously, making him a prominent expert within the Buddhist sect, capable of contending with the Daoist experts in the future. Naturally, he agreed readily.

Wukong then questioned Tathagata about Buddhist Law at Mount Ling. In truth, he was already thoroughly versed in the mysteries of Buddhist Law. After all, he had received the inheritance of Amitabha Buddha and possessed the Third-grade Merit Lotus Platform. Through it, he had glimpsed the will of Amitabha Buddha and mastered the essence of the Buddhist sect. However, Tathagata’s cultivation of Buddhist Law was somewhat different, containing extremely indoctrinating methods. Tathagata, believing that Buddhist Law had subtly influenced Wukong’s mind without his awareness, answered each question without any reservation.

The killing of Medicine Buddha was no small matter, so he had come to confront Tathagata at Mount Ling to avoid any suspicions. Wukong actually hoped to ask the Three Pure Ones for help, but being in charge of the Thirty-Three Skies, they could not act rashly. Each of their interventions was carefully calculated to avoid Tathagata’s notice. If Tathagata discovered even the slightest trace, it would then be impossible to take back the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm.

Meanwhile, the Daoist Equal to Heaven directly headed for the Thirty-Three Skies, arriving at the Upper Pure Heaven to seek an audience with the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating and then to ask Wusheng for help.

"To slay the Medicine Buddha and replace him with a Substitute? Excellent, excellent! If Tathagata dares commit such a deceitful act, we may as well do the same!" Wusheng, with deep-seated hatred for the Buddhist sect, immediately agreed upon hearing of the plan to kill the Medicine Buddha.

The Sect Hierarch said, "This matter is of great significance. You’ll have to manage it yourselves. My Four Swords of Celestial Slaying are too filled with killing intent, serving as the Heavenly Dao’s instruments of slaughter and killing. If they’re used, Tathagata would likely detect them instantly. Even the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda would not be able to contain them. You should discuss this with your grandmaster."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven proposed, "Great Emperor Zhenwu owes me a favor. I will visit him to claim it, asking for his help to surround and kill the Medicine Buddha. What do you think, teacher?"

The Sect Hierarch calculated for a moment and said, "That could work! With the highly skilled Great Emperor Zhenwu’s help, success is assured. Go also to the Wuzhuang Temple and request the help of your elder brother, Zhen Yuanzi, to join the effort."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed, "I certainly plan to ask for Zhen Yuanzi’s assistance. His mana is so profound, it would be a waste not to seek his help!"

"Sister, I will first go to the Great Pure Sky to borrow the Magical Treasure from our grandmaster. Please wait for a moment; I will return shortly!"

With a somersault, the Daoist Equal to Heaven leaped up to the Great Pure Sky to borrow Laojun’s Heaven and Earth’s Mystical Yellow Exquisite Pagoda. Among the magical treasures, while the Sect Hierarch’s Four Swords were preeminent in slaughter and killing, Laojun’s Exquisite Pagoda was unparalleled in defense. Using it to suppress the Lapis Lazuli World and prevent the spread of manifested mana was indeed the perfect choice! With Kong Xuan overseeing from the outside, as soon as any signaling occurred, a five-colored divine light would capture the offenders, ensuring a fail-proof plan.

"You, Macaca, why do you come to my Doulu Palace again? Are you here to rob some elixirs and Magical Treasures?" Laojun asked with a glowering look upon seeing the Daoist Equal to Heaven.

"Ha ha, this time I have come to undertake a significant task! I seek your great assistance, Laojun," the Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed.

"What task?" Laojun pondered, "I see killing intent in your eyes, a red glow on your forehead, and every move you make is like a drawn sword, revealing its sharpness. It seems you are out to take someone’s life?"

The Daoist Equal to Heaven bowed, "Indeed, Laojun is divine. I ask that you lend me your Heaven and Earth’s Mystical Yellow Exquisite Pagoda. I intend to use it to slay the Medicine Buddha."

Upon hearing this, Laojun wasn’t surprised. Knowing he had come to borrow a Magical Treasure, it must have been to kill someone significant, and the only opposing force was Buddhism. Apart from assassination attempts directed at a Buddha Ancestor of Buddhism, Laojun could think of no other target. He just did not anticipate that the target this time would be the Future Buddha—an audaciously brazen act.

"To kill the Medicine Buddha? That takes some nerve. Hmm, I’m old and tend to get sleepy quite easily, so I’ll be off to bed!" Laojun waved his hand dismissively and started to walk to his inner chamber.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven, in great urgency, said, "Grandmaster, at least leave the Magical Treasure!"

Yawning, Laojun proceeded into the inner chamber. The Daoist Equal to Heaven glanced and saw that Laojun was now lying on his bed asleep, but there was a small pagoda left on the table.

"Ha ha! This old man sure knows how to play. He’s cleared himself of any connection. If Tathagata comes seeking trouble later, he can just deny any involvement," the Daoist Equal to Heaven chuckled softly, grabbing the pagoda left on the table, then turned and left.

This scene was of course recorded by him with the Mirror Technique, so if Tathagata caused trouble later, he could just reveal the recording, claiming that the Magical Treasure was stolen without his knowledge, and that would settle it. It was like when the Green Ox Demon Rhinoceros King descended to the mortal realm, the Vajra Bracelet was also "stolen" by the Rhinoceros King.

But of course, anyone with a brain knew there was nobody else in the world who could steal treasures from Laojun’s Doulu Palace.

With the treasure in hand, the Daoist Equal to Heaven arrived back at the Upper Pure Sky, to which Wusheng asked, "Have you obtained the treasure?"

The Daoist Equal to Heaven nodded, "I have it with me now!"

Wusheng said, "Good, well done! I went to the Jade Pure Sky a moment ago to find Guang Chengzi, and I borrowed the Sky-Overshadowing Seal from him."

For those Daoists with good relationships, borrowing Magical Treasures came easily. During the great Divine Enthronement calamity, they borrowed Magical Treasures to fight all the time. Over the years, the relationship between the Interpretation and Termination Sects had gradually improved, so when Wusheng asked to borrow the Sky-Overshadowing Seal, Guang Chengzi was willing to comply.

Wusheng was the reincarnation of Mother of Non-Duality, who continued her cultivation after the great calamity. Within the Three Realms, aside from some closely related or quite powerful individuals, hardly anyone recognized her. Most believed she had been dealt with by the Heavenly Dao due to her deep karmic debts following the great calamity.

"I will first connect with the Medicine Buddha, as he was born from the true will of Buddhism. Mount Ling is full of False Buddhas, unable to sense him, but I have truly grasped the profound mysteries of Enlightenment!" The Daoist Equal to Heaven attempted to connect with the Medicine Buddha and soon received a response.

"I have already become a creator and indeed have this intention to reclaim the Lapis Lazuli Pure Light Realm! Very well, let’s meet at Wuzhuang Temple in West Cow He State," Medicine Buddha replied.

The two set off for West Cow He State, intending to meet first at Wuzhuang Temple before plotting against Medicine Buddha.

On the Enlightenment Dao side, they had already gone to summon Chi Songzi, after all, Chi Songzi was a great power capable of slaying Maitreya and harbored deep enmity towards the Buddhist sect, it was his unshirkable duty to slay Medicine Buddha.

Armed with the Three Sovereigns Sword and the Five Emperors’ Armor, the two from Enlightenment Dao headed straight for Wuzhuang Temple in West Cow He State.

In the Wuzhuang Temple, everyone gathered.

Zhen Yuanzi could stand firm in West Cow He State thanks to his earth-shaking divine powers, the only Daoist temple in West Cow He State that the Buddhist sect could do nothing about.

Tathagata really wanted to drive him out, but Zhen Yuanzi was, after all, profound in mana, and had already made a name for himself. A fight would be troublesome, and since Randeng had taken Zhen Yuanzi’s favors, it was said that one who takes another’s hand must perform tasks for them, and the lineage of the Ancient Past Buddha would no longer make a move.

Medicine Buddha had already arrived at Wuzhuang Temple. Being inherently compassionate, and now with the Buddhist sect becoming a malignant tumor upon the Four Great Continents, he felt it was his duty to excise this tumor, purge the poison, and uphold the true great fortune of the Buddhist sect. In three hundred years’ time, he had cultivated to become a creator in Purple Cloud Palace.

"Medicine Buddha truly has impressive skill. For me to become a creator required endless hardships, yet you seem to have achieved it so easily," Daoist Equal to Heaven said with a sigh.

Medicine Buddha nodded and said, "Good indeed! I am the destined one of the Buddhist sect, the heart’s direction of all Buddhas. Accumulating the Buddhist sect’s eternal fortune, naturally my cultivation proceeds swiftly. There is no need for Daoist friend to be concerned with appearances."

Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed heartily, "Medicine Buddha worries too much, I’m not concerned with appearances, just expressing my feelings."

Medicine Buddha said, "I see that Daoist friend is cultivating both life and essence and seems to have mastered the Buddhist cultivation method to perfection, comprehending the mysteries of ’form is emptiness, emptiness is form’."

Daoist Equal to Heaven had achieved the Great Buddhist Divine Powers only after obtaining Amitabha Buddha’s Sutra of the Other Shore. He was certainly not inferior to Medicine Buddha, but he was not the destined one of the Buddhist sect and could not become the Respectful Ruler of the World.

Suddenly, someone laughed heartily and landed in Wuzhuang Temple, causing a startle among all. Zhen Yuanzi shouted, "Who’s there!"

No sooner had he spoken than he waved his sleeve, employing the Universe in the Sleeve divine power to capture the newcomer.

"Snap!"

A bamboo staff fell, causing Zhen Yuanzi’s arm to ache intensely, making him immediately withdraw it.

The comer was none other than Chen Tuan, holding a verdant bamboo staff in hand, he gave a slight bow and said, "I hope Daoist Zhen Yuanzi won’t be so impulsive to test the poor Daoist’s powers."

The light in Medicine Buddha’s eyes twinkled, "The Six Routes of Pure Bamboo?"

The Six Routes of Pure Bamboo was a magical treasure of Zhunti. Although this treasure might be slightly inferior to the Seven Treasure Wonderful Tree, it was still exceedingly mighty. With just a knock on someone’s head, it could enlighten one with great wisdom, comprehend the Dao, and potentially even lead one to Achieve Buddhahood on the spot, understanding the profound mystique of the Buddhist Law.

Daoist Equal to Heaven suddenly remembered being awakened by Zhunti with a tap of this bamboo staff in a dream within the World of Heavenly Demons.

This bamboo staff, named Six Routes of Pure, could naturally cleanse the turbidity within a person with a single tap, dispelling some desires and bringing purity and peace of mind. Whoever wielded this bamboo staff could keep their mind clear and never be tempted by demons, truly a supreme magical treasure in the course of cultivation!

Chen Tuan saluted everyone with cupped hands and said, "After waking from a sleep, I felt a great event was about to unfold, so I’ve come here to join the fun. Since the birth of Medicine Buddha, the true fortuity of the Buddhist sect is about to restore, and naturally, Tathagata’s life will not be long."

Medicine Buddha bowed, "Good indeed! Thank you, Daoist friend, for your assistance."

Chen Tuan tapped the bamboo staff lightly on his forehead, and Medicine Buddha felt a surge of thought. It seemed as if more profound mystique of the Buddhist family was emerging, making him appear even more sanctified and imparting upon him an aura of majestic virtue. This was the proper bearing of a Respectful Ruler of the World.

"Daoist Chen Tuan is truly exceptional; your divine power has advanced so significantly! It seems related to this bamboo staff. Where did Daoist friend obtain it?" inquired Daoist Equal to Heaven.

"This staff came to me in a dream. I dreamed that a Daoist tapped my forehead, and upon waking up, I found the staff in my Sea of Consciousness. With a bit of consecration, I took it out," Chen Tuan said with a laugh, as he tucked the bamboo staff into his belt.

Zhunti often used this treasure to enlighten others. In years past, Kong Xuan was tapped a few times by Zhunti, gained insight into the wisdom of the Buddhist family, and followed Zhunti in cultivation, ultimately attaining the rank of Peacock Great Ming King Bodhisattva.

That Chen Tuan could obtain a magical treasure of Zhunti suggested a special connection with Zhunti. Suddenly, it dawned on him that Kong Xuan had mentioned that a part of Zhunti’s Primordial Spirit had reincarnated to cultivate anew. Could it be that Chen Tuan was that reincarnation?

To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the following episode. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Starting Point (qidian.com) to cast your recommended votes, monthly tickets, and your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile readers please go to m.qidian.com to read.)