Chapter 835: Chapter 835

Ksitigarbha immediately stood up, tidied his robe, knelt on the lotus platform, and respectfully said, "I humbly receive the Holy Decree!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva frowned deeply and called out, "Ksitigarbha, what are you doing?"

The other Buddhas were also in an uproar, incredulously looking at Ksitigarbha; could it be that he intended to submit to the Heavenly Court? Did he want to rely on the Heavenly Court to avoid punishment? Impossible! This is an internal matter of Buddhism, the Heavenly Court cannot intervene.

Gold Star Taibai unfolded the Holy Decree and read: "Heavenly Emperor proclaims:

It is heard that there is a loose cultivator named Ksitigarbha in the Underworld, whose heart is steadfast in compassion, who has rescued countless wronged souls and fierce ghosts, and who has great merit in the Three Realms. Today, he is invited to submit and is appointed as Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, one of the Four Imperial Lords of the Heavenly Court, receiving the Original Jade Token and the Nuwa Token, and tasked with presiding over the canons of Heaven and Earth, and commanding all the stars of Heaven.

Ksitigarbha respectfully replied, "I accept the decree!"

Gold Star Taibai closed the Holy Decree, smilingly saying, "The Emperor, please rise quickly!"

Ksitigarbha rose from the Golden Lotus, smiling.

Gold Star Taibai tossed the Holy Decree into the air, where it floated above the Underworld sky, radiating infinite Divine Light, with phantasmal Divine Dragons swirling around it.

Guanyin Bodhisattva hurriedly called out, "Gold Star Taibai, this decree comes without reason.

Ksitigarbha is a Buddhist Bodhisattva, not a loose cultivator. Quickly retract the decree to avoid making a joke."

Anan Venerable also hurriedly advised, "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, you are an Ancient Bodhisattva of Buddhism, do not act rashly.

The recent Buddhist decree was unfair to you, I will return to plea with the Buddha to retract the order and speak on your behalf."

"Indeed, Bodhisattva, you must think thrice!"

"Bodhisattva, do not act rashly!"

Many Buddhas also began to advise, true intentions known only to themselves. Read full story at novel⟡fire.net

Within Spiritual Mountain, above the ruins of the Great Leiyin Temple, Tathagata Buddha sat upon the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus, looking down at the Underworld.

Surrounding him, the Buddha Light bloomed, revealing the forms of Maitreya Buddha and Randeng Buddha within.

Maitreya Buddha, with a hint of annoyance, said, "Buddha, you have gone too far, how could you abolish the position of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"

Tathagata Buddha’s grand voice echoed, "Ksitigarbha deceived all Buddhas, bringing calamity to Buddhism. This time he has committed a grave mistake; if not severely punished, how can the might of the Buddha Sect be seen?"

Randeng Buddha remarked, "Buddha, I’m afraid this time Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva will be completely estranged from Buddhism. If he truly accepts the decree and leaves Buddhism, our loss will be significant."

Tathagata Buddha smiled, "It matters not, currently subduing Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is a necessity. In the future, I will explain to Ksitigarbha.

As for the decree, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is connected to the Qi Fortune of Buddhism. It’s not something he can leave at will."

Tathagata Buddha drew a line in the air before him, revealing the Qi Fortune of Buddhism in his heart suddenly froze, exclaiming, "Not good, Ksitigarbha has severed his connection to the Qi Fortune of Buddhism! When did this happen? How have I not detected any signs?"

Randeng Buddha and Maitreya Buddha’s expressions also changed, a feeling of imminent danger arose within them.

In the Underworld, many Buddhas tried to persuade.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva remained unmoved, reaching upwards to seize the Holy Decree, which fell into his hands.

Holding the Holy Decree with both hands, Ksitigarbha bowed and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. I accept the decree!"

At this moment in the Heavenly Court, the Investiture of the Gods automatically flew out, hovering above the Palace of the Polestar, where a five-colored divine name appeared on the jade tablet.

It read: Bo Yikao, Divine Position: Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, Master of All Stars, Master of All Things, Commander of All Heaven Stars, River Han Group Truth.

Now the name Bo Yikao gradually faded, reemerging as Ksitigarbha.

Ksitigarbha’s Divine Position: Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, Master of All Stars, Master of All Things, Commander of All Heaven Stars, River Han Group Truth.

Within the Palace of the Polestar, all gods were astonished, could the Heavenly Emperor actually change divine positions? And the first to be demoted was even one of the Four Imperial Lords.

The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity and the Eastern Extreme Qinghua Emperor also appeared silently on their thrones, watching the Investiture of the Gods with tumultuous hearts, shocked beyond belief. Surely replacing a Four Imperial Lord must have had the Master’s approval, why were we not informed?

The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, appointing Ksitigarbha as Emperor Ziwei may cause discontent in Buddhism, inciting conflict between gods and Buddhas."

The Heavenly Emperor calmly said, "Do you all fear Buddhism?"

All gods presented their hands in salute, a grand voice echoed in the Palace of the Polestar, "We fear not! We follow only Your Majesty’s command."

The Southern Polar Emperor of Longevity respectfully said, "Your Majesty is mighty!"

In the Netherworld Yin Mountain, at the moment of being inscribed upon the Investiture of the Gods, a mighty ripple emanated from Ksitigarbha, sweeping through the Three Realms.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva arose, the Buddha Light within him retracting, endless Divine Light radiating, his kasaya instantly transformed into an Emperor’s Robe, exuding infinite majesty.

Within the hazy Yin Mountain, darkness fell instantly, as projections of Ancient Stars descended, each star inhabited by a Star Lord, along with numerous Star Gods.

Radiant star rivers revolved around Emperor Ksitigarbha, dazzlingly beautiful and breathtaking.

The loud voice echoed in the Yin Mountain, "The Ten Radiant Star Lords congratulate Emperor Ziwei on returning to his position!"

The Dharma Image of the Ten Radiant Star Lords appeared in the star river, bowing respectfully in worship.

"The Beidou Seven Elements Star Lords congratulate Emperor Ziwei on returning to his position."

"The Southern Dipper Six Departments congratulate Emperor Ziwei on returning to his position!"

"The Twelve Yuan Chen Life Star Lords..."

"The Sixty Jiazi Tai Sui Star Lord..."

"Cloud Sky Twenty-Eight Constellations..."

"The Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Star Lords..."

"The Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Star Lords..."

Innumerable Star Lords revealed their Dharma Images, projecting within the star river, bowing reverently, the stars praising.

Ksitigarbha Emperor, observing the congratulating gods, was emotionally stirred, when had he ever received such treatment within Buddhism? He loudly declared, "Diting, follow me to return to my position!" Diting immediately lay down.

Ksitigarbha Emperor ascended, sitting cross-legged atop Diting.

Diting rose, surrounded by the brilliant star river, running upwards.

Anan Venerable hurriedly called out, "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, leave the money behind?"

The hidden Manjusri Bodhisattva, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, and Lingji Bodhisattva also revealed their Dharma Images, their powerful auras sealing the space-time.

Diting stopped instantly, Ksitigarbha Emperor’s eyes shot Divine Light, glaring angrily at the Bodhisattvas, an endless majesty sweeping forth.

Gold Star Taibai angrily shouted, "Audacious! Who dares to block the Emperor’s path? Do you not see any gods in the Heavenly Court?"

Beams of starlight shot down from beyond the thirty-three heavens, directly into the Netherworld, the Power of Ancient Stars directly breaking the Buddhic seal, forming a Star Ancient Road.

The vast Star Ancient Road spanned between Heaven and Earth, with void as steps and stars as stones, splendid and grand. Even a Daluo Golden Immortal would feel insignificant before this ancient road imbued with the Power of Ancient Stars.