Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Unbeknownst to many, has the strength of the Journey to the West team escalated to such a terrifying level? Even able to defeat the mysterious swordsman wielding the Absolute Immortal Sword?

Furthermore, do they possess Law-Type Divine Skills that only a Quasi-Saint can comprehend?

If that's the case, then attempting to bring calamity upon the Journey to the West team with mere force would be futile.

Initially, a few mounts or attendants could be sent to the Lower Realm to cause some difficulties for the Journey to the West team, thus increasing calamities.

But now, with the power of the Journey to the West team, even entities like the Four Royals might perilously die in the tribulations?

Didn't you see how the Jade Emperor had leveraged the Treasure Lotus Lantern in his Eastern Temple to extort calamities four times? These four were bestowed upon the Four Royals.

And what was the result? Besides Emperor Zhenwu and Emperor Ziwei, Empress Qinghua and the Emperor of Longevity have already fallen...

What a good person he is!

Thinking about how the Jade Emperor extorted four times, Maitreya Buddha truly felt a sense of almost breaking into tears.

Previously, after being extorted four times, Maitreya Buddha felt unpleasant, thinking that the merits from the four calamities were undoubtedly in the hands of the Heavenly Court forces?

Yet now, upon reflecting on this matter, Maitreya Buddha sees the Jade Emperor truly as a good person.

If possible, Maitreya Buddha wishes the Jade Emperor would extort him a few more times.

Because recently, many individuals he sought to face the tribulations were all rejected gently.

Though disappointed, Maitreya Buddha also understands in his heart.

The Journey to the West team is formidable; recently, they drove away the mysterious swordsman in front of many.

Additionally, the ruthlessness of the Journey to the West team is unparalleled, even Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas have fallen at their hands.

Therefore, if possible, these Immortals and Buddhas genuinely wish to avoid any contact with the Journey to the West team.

After all, it's now the late stage of the immeasurable Kalpa of the Journey to the West, and the calamities are growing terrifying.

"Now, are there truly no individuals willing to step in for the tribulation? What to do next?" Thinking about the calamities, Maitreya Buddha felt a headache.

I can't possibly, as the planner of the Journey to the West team, step in myself?

Moreover, with my current strength, if I did step in, would I suffer the same fate as Manjushri and Samantabhadra, ending up dead and dissipated?

...

In fact, not only is Maitreya Buddha feeling distressed, but at this moment, in the Great Thunder Monastery, Tathagata sits silently upon his Lotus Platform, secretly contemplating.

Always feeling something amiss about the Journey to the West.

Originally, Tathagata was aware of Xuanzang's cultivation but paid no mind.

With merely a mortal's body, so what if he cultivates? Even with a thousand or eight hundred years, it would be difficult to attain Bodhi, right?

Even taking an extreme step back, attaining Bodhi shouldn't affect the Journey to the West, right?

Once he reaches the Western Heaven and completes his scripture-seeking mission, awakens True Spirit, with Golden Cicada's cultivation fully restored, then conferring upon him the title of Buddha should make everyone rejoice.

Some cultivation is insignificant.

However, progressing all this way, the developments have gradually deviated from the original plan!

Firstly, the most notable one is Xuanzang's cultivation; within mere years, he has surprisingly broken through to the Great Luo Realm!?

Such cultivation, even without the added merits of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, is sufficient to grant a Buddha title!

Not only Xuanzang but also Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and even the White Dragon Horse, their cultivation is swiftly advancing.

At least, they all are capable of being conferred Bodhisattva titles.

Logically speaking, they have already joined the Buddhist Sect, and their advancing cultivation should be a good thing for the Buddhist Sect, especially Xuanzang, who is Golden Cicada's reincarnation, becoming a reliable support for me in the future.

Within the Buddhist Sect, my position as the leader should undoubtedly be more secure.

However, for some reason, Tathagata always feels something is off about this matter.

Is it because they are the center of the immeasurable kalpa, so their cultivation is advancing so rapidly?

Moreover, their strength is now formidable; how will the eighty-one tribulations be completed?

This is indeed a rather distressing issue.

Although currently, the Journey to the West mission is not under my charge, as the leader of the Buddhist Sect, I must attentively oversee the Journey to the West, possessing the overall perspective.

Concerning Xuanzang's seemingly more ferocious disposition recently?

Actually, Tathagata is not concerned about this point.

After all, Golden Cicada's original form is the ancient demon beast Six-Winged Golden Cicada, inherently ferocious by nature, subdued by my divine techniques to become my disciple.

When one's cultivation level is low, they are not influenced, but now, the cultivation level has already reached the Great Luo Realm. It is understandable for one's nature to revert somewhat to the fierce essence of the six-winged Golden Cicada, thought the Tathagata.

Just as the Tathagata sat quietly on his lotus platform contemplating matters concerning the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, a silhouette quickly appeared, drawing near to the Tathagata.

"Greetings, Buddha!" The figure arrived in front of the Tathagata, speaking.

"Ah, it's the Medicine Buddha!" Interrupted by the words of the Medicine Buddha, the Tathagata collected his thoughts, nodded slightly, and greeted in response.

After exchanging greetings, the Tathagata paused momentarily, then asked, "How are matters progressing over at the Donglai Temple lately?"

"Reporting to the Buddha, the Donglai Temple has already been rebuilt, and many disciples who left have returned!" The Medicine Buddha responded, speaking.

"Hmm, not bad!" Upon hearing the Medicine Buddha's words, the Tathagata nodded slightly.

In any case, Maitreya Buddha is one of the Three-World Buddhas of the Buddhist Sect; the destruction of the entire Donglai Temple indeed caused much loss of face for the Buddhist Sect.

Being able to rebuild it now is quite a piece of good news.

"So, what about Maitreya Buddha over there? Any movements?" After nodding, the Tathagata pondered briefly, then asked.

"This..." Upon hearing the inquiry about Maitreya Buddha's situation, the Medicine Buddha showed a slightly troubled expression.

"Do not hesitate to speak!" The Tathagata nodded slightly, saying.

"Actually, recently the situation on Maitreya Buddha's side has not been good. As far as I know, Maitreya Buddha invited many people to the lower realm to undertake tribulation, but all were refused."

"Nowadays, among the Immortals and Buddhas, it seems no one is willing to descend to the lower realm to undertake tribulation, completely different from the situation a few years ago..." The Medicine Buddha spoke, succinctly laying out the recent events encountered by Maitreya Buddha.

"Alas..." Upon hearing these words, even the Tathagata couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

At the beginning of the Journey to the West, all Immortals and Buddhas sought to share in the merits of the western tribulations, even Master Zhenyuan condescended to swear brotherhood with Xuanzang, showing quite an eagerness.

But now? Even if Maitreya Buddha personally invites others to undertake tribulation, nobody is willing to go?

What's happening here?

In just a few short years, matters have evolved to this point?

Is this considered a good hand in the Buddhist Sect being squandered into uselessness?

Inwardly, the Tathagata shook his head, feeling extremely troubled by the tribulation matters of the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

Logically speaking, the Journey to the West for Scriptures is a destined immeasurable kalpa from heaven, and the essence of scripture seeking is the destined rise of the Buddhist Sect.

There's nothing wrong with that!

But, why does reflecting upon it now leave an increasingly unpleasant taste?

Is the essence of the Journey to the West for the grand rise of the Buddhist Sect? Why do I always feel it's destined for the Buddhist Sect to encounter great tribulations?

Is it my illusion?

Inwardly, the Tathagata pondered, while the Medicine Buddha stood before him with his head slightly lowered, silently.

Evidently, even if there's a task at hand, it awaits the Tathagata's assignment; the Medicine Buddha doesn't need to expend effort thinking so much.

"Amitabha, it seems I must make a trip to the Donglai Temple!" After a long silence, the Tathagata suddenly spoke, showing a look of determination.

"Donglai Temple!?" Hearing the Tathagata's words, the Medicine Buddha was secretly surprised.

Both belong to the Three-World Buddha; Maitreya Buddha is the Future Buddha, which means, in the future, the Tathagata's power will be handed over to Maitreya Buddha. Naturally, this leads to a certain degree of competitive relation between the Tathagata and Maitreya Buddha.

Not to mention, the Great Thunder Monastery is the headquarters of the Buddhist Sect, located in the Western Heaven!

However, Maitreya Buddha's Donglai Temple? It is located in the Eastern Shengshen State!

From the directions alone, a certain competition is apparent.

Thus, the two temples, one east, one west, are staggered from each other.

But today, the Tathagata wants to personally visit the Donglai Temple? For what reason?

The Tathagata did not bother with the Medicine Buddha's surprise, leaving those words and his lotus throne floated up, flying out of the Great Thunder Monastery.

Seeing the Tathagata already on the move, naturally, the Medicine Buddha, after collecting his thoughts, followed along.

Originally, under the Tathagata's seat, the Medicine Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva were his right and left hands, but with Guanyin falling into demon possession and departing, the Medicine Buddha became the Tathagata's most trusted assistant.

Naturally, in usual times, he must closely follow the Tathagata's steps.

The sound of Zen wisdom resonated in his ears; accompanied by celestial phenomena, the Tathagata soon arrived at the Donglai Temple.

Sensing this commotion, with Maitreya Buddha as the leader, the monks of Donglai Temple naturally came out respectfully to welcome him.

"Maitreya Buddha, no need for excessive courtesies!" Although his cultivation level decreased, the status as one of the Three-World Buddhas was not revoked, and publicly, the Tathagata still showed much courtesy towards him.

Reaching out, he personally straightened the bowing Maitreya Buddha.