Chapter 469: Chapter 469

The Tathagata looked at Xuanzang and spoke indifferently.

Sun Wukong could tell that the two were debating Buddhist philosophy, but after all, he didn’t understand the Buddhist Law and couldn’t see through it.

At this moment, however, Xuanzang slowly shook his head!

"Buddha Ancestor, please forgive your disciple for not being able to offer it up!"

"Oh? Since you have understood, why can’t you let go?"

At this moment, the Tathagata looked at Xuanzang, curiously asking.

Xuanzang then turned around, untied his bundle, and took out the Purple Gold Bowl from within!

"The affairs of the world may seem like illusions of fame and fortune in the eyes of the Buddha Ancestor, but in the eyes of your disciple, this Purple Gold Bowl represents the hopes of the billions of citizens of Great Tang. How can I simply let go and declare that ’Four Empty Elements’?"

"If one wishes to become a Dragon Elephant amongst the Buddhas, one must first be an ox or horse for all beings. With the Purple Gold Bowl still here and the True Scriptures not yet returned to the Eastern Land, how can your disciple embrace ’Four Empty Elements’ and stop moving forward?"

"Therefore, please forgive your disciple for not being able to offer it up!"

On his journey, Xuanzang had also realized the mission of his life. Initially, he did not want to be involved in the Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West, but seeing the ignorance of the beings and the hypocrisy within Buddhism, his thoughts of Universal Salvation deepened.

At this moment, he faced the Tathagata with a composed and serene demeanor, speaking to all Buddhas and reasoning in all directions!

In the Void, at this moment, numerous golden lotuses suddenly bloomed around Xuanzang, turning into auspicious light, illuminating in all directions!

Within the hall of Mount Meru, witnessing Xuanzang bathed in Buddha’s light, each of the Buddhas’ expressions changed dramatically, faces filled with astonishment.

The phenomenon surrounding Xuanzang was not a manifestation of his own doing nor was it any innate divine occurrence, but instead, it was his speech, his Buddha Mind, resonating with the dense quality of Buddhahood atop Mount Meru.

For eons, as the source of Buddhism, Great Thunderclap Monastery has had true Buddhas reciting scriptures day and night, Bodhisattvas seeking enlightenment, and billions of faithful devotees offering their beliefs, cultivating a rich essence of Buddhahood here long ago.

Rather than saying the Tathagata is Buddha, it is more fitting to say that this essence of Buddhahood spread throughout Mount Meru is the true "Buddha" in the hearts of countless sentient beings!

And Xuanzang’s recent words seemed to particularly resonate with this "Buddha", thus the essence of Buddhahood merged with Xuanzang himself, creating an astonishing phenomenon, transforming into Merit Golden Lotuses, safeguarding him on both sides.

At the same time, all Buddhas also understood, this signified that within Buddhism, aside from Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism, there likely was going to be the birth of a new sect of Buddhist teachings.

And Xuanzang, positioned in the center of the great hall, was the being with the credentials to establish such a school.

Within the main hall, the Tathagata looked at Xuanzang with calm composure, his emotions undulating deeply within.

His disciple was able to achieve such accomplishments, and he should also be very pleased, but presently, with the great prosperity of Buddhism, if a new branch of Buddhist teachings emerged now, it would undoubtedly divide some of the merit.

Preventing Buddhism from flourishing comprehensively.

However, he naturally could not show this now.

"Enough, since you are attached to something, I will not force you. For your journey to the West this time, you have achieved perfection, and I confer upon you a grand title, the rank of Sandalwood Merit Buddha!"

"Sun Wukong, you, as the Fighting Victory Buddha, Zhu Wuneng..."

Inside the Great Hall of Mount Meru, the Tathagata began to consecrate the four disciples as Buddhas, and at the same time, behind Mount Meru, Daoist Jieyin and Saint Zhunti were sitting together, their expressions complex.

"Brother, I would have never thought that Xuanzang could be so accomplished, profoundly understanding the essence of Buddhahood and capable of establishing a new sect. Such talent, if casually allowed to go to Southern Continent Jambudvipa, would truly be a huge loss for our Buddhism!"

At this moment, Zhunti spoke with an expression of regret.

Previously, he never meticulously considered the current Xuanzang, his understanding of him remaining at the initial stage of the Golden Cicada, whom they had enlightened.

After that, he became the most suitable scripture seeker.

Only today, having witnessed Xuanzang’s talents, did Saint Zhunti realize that aside from the task of seeking scriptures, even Xuanzang himself was a natural Buddha’s Disciple.

With such innate ability, Attaining Buddhahood might simply be the most basic thing for him.

One needs to understand that the practice of Buddhism is different from that of the Daoist Sect. Buddhism requires more the power of faith; once Tang Sanzang establishes his own sect, having his instructional lineage of Daoism and Buddhism, it would be akin to sitting on a rocket for him. His cultivation level would surely rise rapidly, far beyond imagination.

"Actually, when he gained the power to universally save demons and spirits, you should have thought of it already, shouldn’t you?"

Daoist Jieyin said indifferently.

Zhunti shook his head, feeling some regret.

"Compared to Xuanzang, I always feel like there are hands behind the scenes changing things, and we still don’t know about it!"

"It seems someone has changed Sun Wukong; it’s as if he has guided Xuanzang’s nature, yet never made him forsake Buddhism. Such tactics are truly inscrutable!"

Zhunti only saw Xuanzang’s loss,

while Jieyin accurately observed the transformation of Xuanzang and those latent, invisible controlling hands.

However, they couldn’t say much more as this event was essential.

Only after the Calamity of Measurement of Journey to the West was complete, could Buddhism potentially flourish, and only then could they suppress Daoism and usher in the most glorious era for Buddhism.

They had planned for so long just for this moment.

Although Xuanzang was beyond their expectations, regardless, the Calamity of Measurement of Journey to the West had to be completed.

Of course, they also knew of the benefits this Journey to the West Calamity would bring to Tathagata.

Once this Journey to the West ended, it was expected that Tathagata would receive heaven and earth’s gift; as for the outcome, of course, it is still unknown now.

What a pity for that monkey!

At this moment, Daoist Jieyin shook his head somewhat helplessly.

Seeing this, Saint Zhunti also heaved a slight sigh!

Initially, their plans were interlinked,

After Journey to the West, there would be a demon calamity; then, using the demon calamity, Buddhism would ostensibly make concessions to Daoism, entering nirvana eighteen ancient Buddhas in exchange for Buddhism’s prosperity.

But in reality, Jieyin and Zhunti had long since planned to infuse the Buddhist relics of the seventeen ancient Buddhas into Sun Wukong’s body, turning him in one fell swoop into Buddhism’s Great Saint Protector of the Dharma.

By then, having received the power of the seventeen ancient Buddhas, Sun Wukong would inevitably be able to use such power to prove his Way with strength, breaking free from the constraints of the Three Corpses and reaching the quasi-saint pinnacle of unmatched combat ability.

At that time, with the combined power of Tathagata and Sun Wukong, there would be very few in the Three Realms that could contend with Buddhism.

Even if Daoism was to reunite, in Jieyin and Zhunti’s view, they’d be at most equal in strength to Buddhism, so what was there to fear!

Unfortunately, all of this disappeared with Sun Wukong’s disobedience and the tragic death of the Six Eared Macaque that was set up. Everything vanished like smoke in the air.

As the Calamity of Measurement of Journey to the West comes to an end, the force of the Heavenly Dao’s momentum will also disappear, and by then, it will be very difficult to harness the demon calamity to nurture Sun Wukong.

Regardless, one cannot simply let go of Sun Wukong; now that he has become a Daluo Golden Immortal, even if he were in Beiju Luzhou, he could only stand against a Yang Jian.

"Brother, it seems I need to meet this monkey!"

After contemplating for a while, Zhunti finally said to Jieyin.

After all, as his master, perhaps he could still sway Sun Wukong.

This was their last chance.

If this failed as well, their circumstances concerning the demon calamity would be quite difficult.

Jieyin nodded, "I think so too! But, brother, be careful with your calculations, or else it might lead to Sun Wukong hating our Buddhism even more!"

Originally, Zhunti became Sun Wukong’s master to give Sun Wukong an affinity with Buddhism, so he could help Buddhism in times of difficulty.

However, it later deviated from their original plan, causing Sun Wukong to seem to harbor some resentment against Buddhism, further compounded by their reluctant use of the Six Eared Macaque.

Although Sun Wukong didn’t say anything on the surface, he probably has become increasingly distant from them and Buddhism.

So this time, Zhunti taking action is their last opportunity. If they can sway Sun Wukong, it is best; even if not, they hope to ease relations with Buddhism on the basis of having passed on the Cultivation Technique.

In the grand hall of Mount Meru, Xuanzang and his three disciples have already been conferred their titles, and everything remained as before, with only Tang Monk and Sun Wukong achieving Buddhahood, after all, the two are considered Buddhism’s direct line.

Even Little White Dragon received a Bodhisattva’s rank, with only Sand Monk getting the least, settled with an Arhat’s fruit position.

"Master, how about we accompany you back to Great Tang together? We’d like to see the prosperity of your homeland, what do you think?"

Leaving the grand hall, Sun Wukong said to Xuanzang with a chuckle.

Xuanzang was about to nod, but suddenly, a Buddha appeared in front of the four disciples.

"Monkey, do you still recognize me?"