Taiyi Dao Fruit

After discovering the connection between Manjusri and the Jiang family, he had already begun to suspect this.

There are no groundless enmities in this world, Manjusri's targeting of Jiang Li had not been because he was truly petty. After being deceived by Jiang Li once, he did not hesitate to spend a great deal of blood just to make his move, even clashing with Daoist Guang Cheng in the process.

The root of all this was because he and Jiang Li were enemies, irreconcilable enemies.

It was just unknown if the Awakened in the Buddha Country were aware of the relationship involved.

And moreover...

"If Shen Hou truly leaked the secret, then was his betrayal already known to others? Daoist."

Jiang Li watched the back of Daoist Guang Cheng, his voice becoming distant.

If Shen Hou's betrayal was known, or even to say he actively reminded of the betrayal, then perhaps this so-called "betrayal" might need to be described differently.

The Buddha Country and Yuxu Temple had been enemies for many years; even a disciple of Yuxu Temple had died at the hands of a powerful being from the Buddha Country, losing a Third Grade Daoist Artifact which then became Manjusri Bodhisattva. If there were a chance to severely damage the Buddha Country, Daoist Guang Cheng would surely not be stingy in plotting.

"The Dao Fruit is karma, we Cultivators accommodate the Dao Fruit, and within the imperceptible, we are affected by karma. I am merely making use of this influence."

Daoist Guang Cheng did not answer directly, but his words had already explained certain issues.

Shen Hou accommodated Shen Gongbao's Dao Fruit, his departure from Yuxu Temple now was to fulfill a piece of karma, and what followed...

Jiang Li thought of the origin of "Fellow Taoist, please stay" and could not help but worry for Shen Hou's current allies.

...

...

The remnants of the storm still lingered in the snowy plains, as Shen Hou rode on the Dragon Whisker Tiger, breaking through the cold winds and landing in a silver-clad forest.

Under a tree bathed in Buddha Light, he saw the figure of Manjusri.

Manjusri was still dressed in a red robe adorned with the seven treasures of Buddhism, floating cross-legged on a Lotus Platform, with a dignified appearance. He emanated Buddha Light from within, illuminating all directions.

When he saw Shen Hou approaching, especially noting the wooden whip in his hand, Manjusri revealed a smile.

"Well done, although it led to the death of others, the God-beating Whip has ultimately fallen into our hands," Manjusri said with his hands in prayer.

The Dragon Whisker Tiger landed and showed wariness towards the Buddha Light, Shen Hou dismounted, gripping the wooden whip, his expression stern, devoid of his usual frivolity.

"He did not have to die, the Jiang family also did not need to betray Yuxu Temple," Shen Hou said in an even tone.

"I had no intention of leaving Yuxu Temple either, but alas, creation plays with us."

Manjusri picked up on Shen Hou's resentment, his smile fading, "Even when this monk had the chance to join the Buddha Country by fate, at first, I had thought of retrieving the Third Grade Dao Artifact that was taken from Yuxu Temple. Sadly, it didn't go back, instead it was assimilated by me."

"The Awakened personally promoted me, granting me the transformed Manjusri Dao Fruit, and with the help of the Bodhisattvas of the Buddha Country, I smoothly advanced, and vowed to forever uphold the Dao of Buddhism, to glorify Buddhist Law. And so, I stayed forever in the Buddha Country."

Inside the Buddha Country, the struggles were intense, yet it always remained within the bounds without breaking apart. This is because the Bodhisattvas of Buddha Country all make grand vows with the Bodhisattva Vehicle to uphold the Dao of Buddhism and spread its teachings. They grow stronger from these vows and cannot deviate because of them.

Manjusri was thus bound to the ship of Buddha Country, and what he assimilated was the fundamentally altered Manjusri Dao Fruit.

The Awakened himself took action, turning Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun into Manjusri Bodhisattva, leaving the Dao Fruit in Buddha Country and also keeping Manjusri, who assimilated it, within.

"The root of betrayal had been planted long ago, and, given the significance of the God-beating Whip, how could Daoist Guang Cheng be willing to part with it easily?"

As Manjusri explained, he also advised Shen Hou to let go of the resentment in his heart, "This monk knows you hold a grudge, but now that the Jiang family follows me, it's destined to be difficult to ally with Yuxu Temple again. Moreover, Yuxu Temple can't help the Jiang family rise from the East Mountain again, but Buddha Country can. And perhaps..."

The Buddha Country might not just belong to the Jiang family, or rather, to me.

The Awakened was indeed formidable, easily laying the seed of betrayal between the Jiang family and Yuxu Temple. But due to his closed-door cultivation for tens of years because of Karma Tathagata, his control over Buddha Country was significantly weakened.

'If you truly have a connection with Karma Tathagata, then the position of Chief of the Buddha Country, this monk is not averse to holding.'

Manjusri slightly lowered his gaze, concealing the fluctuation in his eyes.