Urban Undying Lord
Chapter 799: 818: Tit for Tat

Chapter 799: Chapter 818: Tit for Tat

“Not only Duobao Tathagata, but also as the Dharma Decree of the Western Two Saints appeared, the entire Thunderclap Monastery resonated with the high chants of Buddha’s name. Bodhisattva Buddhas all knelt in worship, pious reverence painted on each face.

“Monk Qingming, my Dharma name, has been chosen by Zhunti and Jieyin, my two senior brothers, to temporarily oversee the Western Lingshan and to quell the calamities that this Heaven and Earth disaster has brought upon the countless Buddhist followers. I hope that all of you present can promote the essence of our Buddhist Sect and truly undertake the Pu Du of all beings to spare them from this Heaven and Earth catastrophe.”

Ye Xuan sat cross-legged atop the Golden Lotus of the Buddha Ancestor. A halo of Buddha Light rose behind him, his vast and compassionate voice echoing through Lingshan, prompting the seated Bodhisattva Buddhas to eagerly respond, chanting the benevolent sounds of our Buddha.

“Reporting to my uncle master, this is the Lingshan Scroll. From the Arhat Bodhisattva to each Venerable Buddha, all are recorded within the Lingshan Scroll. Please, uncle master, take a look.” Duobao Tathagata gestured with his hand, presenting a Golden Scroll that materialized before him, and with great respect, he handed it over to Ye Xuan for inspection.

Although it seemed serene to outsiders, the power dynamics within Western Lingshan were actually quite complex. Duobao Tathagata was only the ruler in name, but certainly not the most powerful in cultivation.

At this moment, Ye Xuan kept flipping through the Lingshan Scroll. Half an hour passed before he finally finished reading the scroll and understood the situation at Western Lingshan.

Duobao Tathagata, once a disciple of the Heavenly Sect Master, switched allegiance to the Western Two Saints after the Sealing God Tribulation, becoming a nominal disciple of the Western Two Saints. He then became the master of Western Lingshan, overseeing all affairs of Lingshan.

Randeng Buddha, once known as Daoist Randeng, like Duobao Tathagata, switched to the Western Sect during the Sealing God Tribulation. However, Randeng Buddha’s cultivation was extremely strong, having recently stepped into the Quasi-Saint realm.

In addition to these two, some Bodhisattvas, Venerables, and Arhats from the past also came from Taoist backgrounds. Clearly, the Sealing God Tribulation was an opportunity for the rise of the Western Sect.

Besides these individuals, there were also four Great Buddhas meditating in the depths of Lingshan. These four Great Buddhas were all at the Quasi-Saint level and did not make themselves known to the world, only emerging if Lingshan faced a great disaster.

“Where are the four Great Buddhas?”

Ye Xuan looked around in all directions but could not see the four Great Buddhas. He spoke in his calming voice, turning his gaze toward Duobao Tathagata.

“Uncle master may not know, but the four Great Buddhas have been in deep meditation for many years, cultivating the Vajra Bodhi Heart, single-mindedly striving to glimpse the Saint Realm. Thus, they have not come.” Duobao Tathagata replied with a flattering smile, a flicker of curiosity crossing his eyes.

“Uncle master Qingming, please do not take offense. Those who cultivate the Vajra Bodhi Heart are without desire or emotion. This represents the greatest foundation of our Lingshan. Moreover, all four Great Buddhas are Quasi-Saints and therefore are not under the jurisdiction of Lingshan.” Randeng Buddha chanted the Buddha’s name softly and maintained a demeanor neither servile nor overbearing toward Ye Xuan.

To be honest, Randeng Buddha was detached from worldly concerns, and now even more so as a Quasi-Saint. Were it not for Ye Xuan carrying the Dharma Decree of the Western Two Saints, Randeng Buddha certainly would not have made an appearance. His attendance was more to honor the Western Two Saints than to acknowledge Ye Xuan.

Stepping into Quasi-Saintdom, transcending the mundane, even among the disciples of the Buddhist Sect, those of this level naturally harbored their own pride, and they were no exception.

“So you mean to say, upon becoming Quasi-Saint, one is entitled to disregard our Lingshan Buddhist Sect?”

Ye Xuan faced Randeng Buddha with a smile, his countenance serene, and his body radiated a Buddha Light that felt as refreshing as a spring breeze. Yet, the breaths of the Bodhisattva Buddhas in the room caught for a moment as they looked at Ye Xuan with a hint of surprise and doubt.

Although Ye Xuan seemed amiable, his words were sharp and pointed. How could the Bodhisattva Buddhas present not feel alarmed and doubtful, wondering why Ye Xuan had just taken his seat at Lingshan and was already offending Randeng Buddha.

“Stepping into Quasi-Saintdom, transcending the mundane, though as disciples of the Buddhist Sect, we must still harbor a good heart. It’s just that some of the Buddhist rules no longer apply to Quasi-Saints. Is Buddha Venerable Qingming unaware of this?” Randeng Buddha frowned slightly, his voice deep as he spoke.

From start to finish, Randeng Buddha had not discerned Ye Xuan’s level of cultivation. In his heart, he believed Ye Xuan to be at most on par with him, a Quasi-Saint. Had it not been for the Dharma Decree of the Western Two Saints, Randeng Buddha would not have been so courteous to Ye Xuan.

If Ye Xuan were content to be the Master of Lingshan, Randeng would naturally not wish to oppose him. However, Randeng heard from Ye Xuan’s words that this new Master of Lingshan, relying on the support of the Western Two Saints, did not seem to regard them, the Quasi-Saints, with any degree of importance.

Whether it was to avoid being controlled by Ye Xuan or out of the pride of a Quasi-Saint, naturally, Randeng Buddha could not bow to Ye Xuan. Moreover, Randeng held a revered position in Lingshan. Ye Xuan had only just arrived; if he were to bow to Ye Xuan, wouldn’t that become a joke to others?

At this moment,

Duobao Tathagata’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stealthily stepped back several paces, while the Bodhisattvas Buddha from the Eight Directions also remained silent. With Randeng and Ye Xuan at loggerheads, they dared not get involved—after all, they could afford to offend neither.

“Greed, anger, ignorance, antagonism… you monk, with only a nascent entry into Quasi-Saint Realm, yet your heart harbors demonic thoughts. How can you be fit to be among my Buddha’s followers?” Ye Xuan spoke with compassion, his voice carrying a profound sigh.

“Qingming Buddha, are you slandering this poor monk?” Randeng Buddha’s expression changed, and his eyes began to look unfavorably at Ye Xuan.

“Bring forth, seize Randeng, and send him to the Nine Nether Tower to repent in seclusion for thirty thousand years.”

Suddenly, Ye Xuan voiced his compassionate command, shocking Duobao Tathagata and the Bodhisattvas Buddha from all directions. They had not anticipated Ye Xuan would utter such an ignorant declaration.

Randeng Buddha, one of the Buddhas of Western Lingshan, held in higher esteem than Duobao Tathagata himself. And with Randeng only recently come into the Quasi-Saint Realm, who in all of Lingshan’s Thunderclap Monastery, aside from the four Great Buddhas who never emerged from seclusion, could seize Randeng Buddha?

“Qingming, do not presume that with the backing of two Sect Hierarchs, you can make this poor monk bow to you.”

Randeng Buddha rose up in anger, his gaze toward Ye Xuan turning extremely hostile. In his hand appeared a Bronze Ancient Lamp, its cyan flame flickering in the void, seemingly tearing apart the fabric of Heaven and Earth’s space.

Facing Randeng Buddha’s wrath, Ye Xuan appeared as if he had not seen it at all. Instead, he calmly turned to Duobao Tathagata and others, speaking in a harmonious voice, “Randeng is steeped in demonic roots; why have you not yet seized him?”

“This…?”

Duobao Tathagata’s expression fluctuated between light and shadow, a rueful smile on his face, as he remained silent, eyes downcast. Clearly, he could not afford to offend Ye Xuan, but neither could he afford to offend Randeng Buddha—silence was the best response.

“Qingming Buddha, you have just entered Lingshan and intend to use me, Randeng, to establish your authority. I fear you have miscalculated, I will certainly report to the two Sect Hierarchs above and demand they render me justice.”

Randeng Buddha was extremely furious. It became clear to him that Qingming Buddha was using him to establish authority. If it weren’t for the fact that the other had significant relations with the Western Two Saints, Randeng Buddha would have long lashed out at Ye Xuan, bound to teach him a lesson.

“Hmph!”

Randeng Buddha summoned a golden cloud and, supporting the Bronze Ancient Lamp, was set to leave—obviously intending to file a complaint against Ye Xuan with the Western Two Saints.

Unfortunately, before Randeng Buddha could leave the Thunderclap Monastery, Ye Xuan’s deep and compassionate voice suddenly rang out, followed by a Buddha’s palm that overshadowed the heavens appearing abruptly above Randeng’s head.

“Sinful obstacle!”