Chapter 187: Chapter 187

Regarding Sun Wukong’s provocation, Tathagata merely greeted it with a smile, without expressing approval or disapproval.

He then asked, "How is Jin Chanzi doing?"

Guanyin replied, "He has reincarnated for the third time."

She wanted to explain more about the distinctions of the scripture-seeker’s past life, but Tathagata nodded, uninterested.

Instead, he inquired further, "How is Marshal Tianpeng faring?"

Guanyin responded, "Marshal Tianpeng is arrogant and overbearing. He originally claimed a mountain as his own, yet he doesn’t devour humans for sustenance, merely becoming overly familiar with a few female demons."

The Buddhas whispered and debated among themselves.

Ananda said, "If that is so, isn’t he degenerating even further?"

Kassapa commented, "It is said that Tianpeng has a lecherous nature. Since he has become close with female demons, it will indeed lead him further into depravity."

However, Guanyin shook her head and stated, "That’s not the case. He and those female demons are just friends. They gather infrequently and part often, with him only coming to their aid when they face troubles. If it’s an ordinary day without issues, they separate. Meanwhile, Tianpeng himself roams the seas, committing murder, annihilating families, and looting for treasure."

Kassapa and Ananda turned to look at Tathagata; all the Buddhas were stunned.

Had the once-great Marshal Tianpeng fallen to such a state? But then again, this further degeneration seemed to make it easier to address his crimes.

Guanyin continued, "This humble monk understands what you are all thinking. However, those Tianpeng slays and plunders are either from the Demon Clan or vile Immortals guilty of heinous crimes. He has even managed to build a reputation for himself as one who ’punishes evil on Heaven’s behalf’."

With a bitter smile, she said, "This humble monk’s disciple Muzha, as well as Bodhisattva Pilanpo’s son Star Lord Mao Ri, have attempted to guide him to the righteous path several times, all in vain. It is truly regrettable."

Tathagata declared, "Let me take a look at his recent experiences."

He closed his eyes, then after a moment, opened them again. Tathagata, now aware of Tianpeng’s situation, said with a surprised gaze, "Truly bizarre. He has had a fortuitous encounter and is on the verge of becoming a Daluo Golden Immortal."

All the Buddhas were shocked and pale.

Even Guanyin was taken aback, exclaiming, "Impossible! Previously, at his strongest, he was merely at the nascent stage of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. How long has it been, and he’s already close to becoming a Daluo Golden Immortal?"

Tathagata smiled and explained, "Just now, I divined that he crossed hands with Kui Mulang overseas. The two were evenly matched within three hundred moves, after which Tianpeng fell to a disadvantage."

Although he spoke calmly, the implication of his words was quite clear. While Tianpeng was inferior to Kui Mulang, the difference was insignificant. And Kui Mulang, an Immortal whom Buddhism wished to win over, was well-known to them for his strength, being just half a step away from becoming a Daluo Golden Immortal. Kui Mulang’s descent to the mortal world wasn’t solely to marry Bai Huaxiu; his primary goal was to find an opportunity to step into the Daluo realm.

Tianpeng had unexpectedly reached such a stage.

The assembly of Buddhas was greatly startled once more. Guanyin said with a wry smile, "In that case, I’m afraid my disciple Muzha will be of no use."

Tathagata said, "Let Kassapa and Ananda take responsibility for this matter."

The two nodded in agreement, though they did not take it to heart. After all, what was one mere pig? Even if he had attained the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, so what? Besides, who knew how long it would take Tianpeng to reach the Daluo realm? They only needed to deal with it in their spare time.

Seeing their nonchalant attitude, Guanyin cautioned, "Honorable Buddhas, many strange events have recently befallen Tianpeng. We must guide him onto the right path as soon as possible, lest there be unforeseen changes."

Kassapa assured, "Do not worry, it shall be done." Still, he remained indifferent.

Tathagata then inquired, "How is Ao Lie, the West Sea Dragon King’s Third Son, doing?"

As Tathagata considered the pilgrims of Buddhism, he naturally concerned himself with them in order of importance. In fact, Ao Lie’s importance was no less than Sun Wukong’s, perhaps even slightly greater. However, he felt Ao Lie was unlikely to cause any significant trouble, so he was only brought up now.

The Buddhas were also curious. Ao Lie, the Dragon King’s Third Son, held a lofty status in the Dragon Clan and was an important figure Buddhism needed to bind and win over. Controlling Ao Lie was tantamount to keeping half the Dragon Clan under surveillance.

Guanyin reported, "My disciple Muzha is responsible for him. He was supposed to guide him by having him burn the Dragon Ball to set him on the right path, but alas, he missed the chance. Subsequently, he has gone against our teachings several times. It is truly a pity, and there is nothing this humble monk can do."

After closing and reopening his eyes, Tathagata also understood the situation. His expression turned strange as he spoke, "Unexpectedly, he too has had a fortuitous encounter, allowing him to temper his physical body to such an extent in such a short time. It’s just strange that I cannot ascertain his current whereabouts. Could he still be in the abyss and not have emerged?"

The assembled Buddhas looked at each other, astounded that there was something even Tathagata Buddha did not know.

At that moment, Maitreya Buddha stepped forward with a chuckle. "Honorable Buddha, I am familiar with Ao Lie’s situation. He tempered himself in the abyss and seemed to have had a fortuitous encounter, managing to retrieve the True Dragon Body Forging Technique for the Dragon Clan. As a result, he received their substantial support and cultivation. However, the True Dragon Body Forging Technique doesn’t seem complete, and not many in the Dragon Clan can cultivate it. Moreover, he should have returned from the abyss by now."

Tathagata asked, "If so, where did he go?"

Maitreya Buddha replied, "This humble monk does not know."

Tathagata shared, "I have performed calculations several times but cannot determine it with precision. It seems the great calamity is rapidly approaching, and the Heavenly Dao will soon be obscured."

However, he didn’t dwell on it. Ao Lie was already like fish on his chopping block, unable to escape. His finding the True Dragon Body Forging Technique and receiving strong support and recognition from the Dragon Clan was for the best. When they eventually subdued Ao Lie, the Dragon Clan would find it even more difficult to escape their control.

"Monitor the situation in the West Sea. If there is any news of Ao Lie, ascertain the details as quickly as possible. He has been astray for long enough; it’s time for him to return to the right path."

The Buddhas agreed, and Guanyin Bodhisattva also accepted the decree.

However, Maitreya Buddha suddenly said, "Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva is in charge of the scripture retrieval, but there have been many variables. It seems she is overwhelmed; I am willing to help share the burden."

The expressions of the Buddhas were peculiar. Guanyin’s face changed drastically; Maitreya Buddha was intending to usurp power.

Before Tathagata could utter a word, Medicine Buddha, one of the elder Buddhas, also said with a smile, "I also feel that, given the variables at play, the Bodhisattva is short-staffed and overwhelmed. It is indeed reasonable to let others share the load." Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn N0velFire.ɴet

Maitreya Buddha smiled and nodded, seemingly grateful for Medicine Buddha’s support.

Tathagata looked around, turned to Ran Deng Buddha beside him, and asked, "Ancient Buddha, what do you think?"

Ran Deng Buddha smiled and said, "It is entirely up to the Buddha to decide."

Tathagata smiled without speaking, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Since all the Buddhas are willing, let Maitreya Buddha handle the matter concerning Ao Lie. What do you all think?"

The Buddhas nodded in agreement. Even those who were dissatisfied would not show it. Guanyin also agreed reluctantly, though she was inwardly displeased.

Tathagata then asked, "There is another scripture pilgrim, the Jade Emperor’s trusted confidant, the Great General for Folding the Curtain. How is he faring?"

He deliberately emphasized ’the Jade Emperor’s trusted confidant’ to inform everyone of Sha Chen’s special status. That person could very well be a spy planted by the Jade Emperor within Buddhism, someone they had to guard against. Yet, mentioning him last also indicated how little importance Tathagata attached to Sha Chen.

Jin Chanzi, needless to say, was the Buddha’s disciple and the leader of the scripture retrieval. Sun Wukong was the fighter Buddhism most desired. Marshal Tianpeng was the figurehead Buddhism coveted; his talent and strength were both above average, and he seemingly had some influential background. Ao Lie, needless to say, was the West Sea Dragon King’s Third Son, a rising star of the Dragon Clan. Controlling him was tantamount to controlling the Dragon Clan. As for Sha Chen, he was a mere Great General for Folding the Curtain, rumored to be only at the True Immortal realm, and also a confidant of the Jade Emperor. These few reasons were enough for Tathagata to completely disregard him. Asking about him was merely a routine gesture concerning the great pilgrimage, nothing more.

However, when he asked, while the expressions of the other Buddhas remained normal, those most invested in the pilgrimage—like Guanyin, Ran Deng, and Maitreya—all wore peculiar expressions.

Tathagata remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was puzzled. Could something be amiss?He also wondered if he had misremembered. Was the scripture pilgrim not the Great General for Folding the Curtain, but some insignificant general?

Guanyin, her expression odd, organized her words and then recounted all the significant and minor events concerning Sha Chen over the past hundred-odd years.

Tathagata was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Let alone the other Buddhas, who were dumbfounded on the spot.

A Great General for Folding the Curtain had managed to grow from a True Immortal to a Daluo Golden Immortal in just over a hundred years? Even, rumors suggested that his physical body might already have reached the level of the Daluo Dharmakaya.

Guanyin said, "The Jade Emperor seems very keen on recalling Juanlian to his side and is unwilling to let our Buddhist faith have him." She continued with a peculiar expression, "Initially, this humble monk thought the Jade Emperor might be playing hard to get. Now, it seems he genuinely doesn’t want to give him up."

The Buddhas also had peculiar expressions on their faces. If it were them, they wouldn’t want to give him up either. The Jade Emperor had plenty of True Immortal confidants; he could just replace him with another. But a confidant who advanced from True Immortal to Daluo Golden Immortal in just over a hundred years? The Jade Emperor probably didn’t have a single one like that among his retinue. Who wouldn’t want to recruit such a monstrous talent?!

Tathagata only needed to glance at their expressions to know that almost everyone was eager to bring Sha Chen under their own banner. Especially Maitreya Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Ran Deng Buddha—their eyes were gleaming, seemingly wanting to compete for the right to handle Sha Chen.

However, Tathagata didn’t give them the chance, instead taking the initiative by asking, "Guanyin, do you think you can manage Juanlian?"

Guanyin understood that if Tathagata hadn’t asked, she could have continued to take the lead on matters concerning Sha Chen. His asking now meant he intended to retract that authority. Therefore, she was also direct, saying, "This disciple is incapable."

Upon hearing this, the Buddhas were somewhat excited. Guanyin’s admission of inadequacy meant that their chance had arrived. Bodhisattva Pilanpo was ready to step forward to compete. Maitreya Buddha also intended to speak up, but Medicine Buddha was one step ahead, already emerging from the ranks. However, before he could speak, Ran Deng Buddha frowned. He had personally visited the Flowing Sand River; Sha Chen was his exclusive claim. But as it stood, the situation did not look favorable. With so many wanting to contend for Sha Chen, his own chances seemed slimmer. Never mind that they had just cooperated to snatch a prize from Guanyin’s hands; they were not a unified group, at best temporary allies.

However, before anyone else could speak, Tathagata declared, "Since Juanlian is so difficult to handle, this humble one shall personally intervene."