Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

With no outsiders around, Jiang Liu directly summoned the Evil Corpse from the Severance of Corpses page, then tossed the skill book of the Fearful Evil Eye to it.

"Thank you, Taoist Friend!" Looking over, it was indeed the skill book he needed at the moment. The Evil Corpse clasped its hands together, bowing to Jiang Liu in thanks.

"Between us, there's no need to thank!" Jiang Liu waved his hand dismissively.

Without wasting words, the Evil Corpse picked up the "Fearful Evil Eye" skill book and flipped it open.

A burst of light flashed, and the skill book in his hand disappeared.

With his eyes slightly closed, it was clear that the Evil Corpse was examining the latest skill acquired.

"How is it? What is the specific effect of this skill?" Although from the name of the skill, Jiang Liu could roughly guess its function, he still wanted the Evil Corpse to give him a definite answer.

Hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, the Evil Corpse naturally didn't conceal anything, and succinctly described the Fearful Evil Eye's attributes to Jiang Liu.

Fearful Evil Eye (Great Perfection): When used on a target, it can induce a state of fear, causing the target to flee, screaming in terror, away from the direction of the caster. Duration: 3 seconds, Cooldown: 60 seconds.

"Not bad, not bad, this is another excellent control skill!" Learning the attribute information of the Fearful Evil Eye, Jiang Liu nodded in satisfaction.

Demon Master, indeed proficient in all kinds of control and debuff skills.

For ordinary people, it would be fine, but if this skill could awaken, and be used on a Quasi-Saint or even a Saint, having them scream and turn to escape?

Even if this skill doesn't have substantive attack effects, it would cause them to lose significant face, wouldn't it?

...

Putting aside Jiang Liu's situation for now, over at the Great Thunder Monastery, all the Life-Bound Golden Lamps of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and even Arhats were burning brightly.

Some novice monks silently guarded here, each lamp representing a powerful figure within the Buddhist Sect.

In this chamber, bright lights also seemingly proclaimed the current flourishing of the Buddhist Sect.

However, suddenly, the light in the chamber dimmed slightly, changing the expression of the novice monk keeping watch.

Looking at one of the lamps that had extinguished, leaving only a wisp of smoke curling upward.

"Is this the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha? Has his Life Lamp actually gone out?"

Gazing at the lamp emitting only thin smoke, the guarding novice monk cried out in terror.

Then quickly turned to report.

The fall of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, naturally spelled dreadful news for the Buddhist Sect!

This novice monk soon arrived at the Great Thunder Monastery to report the news to the Tathagata.

Meanwhile, all statues and paintings of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha everywhere in the world self-destructed.

The statues cracked, crumbled and scattered, while the paintings burst into flames, quickly turning to ashes.

Such a scene clearly indicated its significance, known to all.

One of the Three King Buddhas, the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha has fallen!?

This news quickly spread like a storm through the Three Realms and Six Paths, shaking the entire universe!

"Hahaha, my Heavenly Court's Four Royals have already been wiped out, and now the Buddhist Sect's Lapis Lazuli King Buddha has fallen too. This situation seems quite favorable!"

On the Heavenly Court's side, the Jade Emperor, staying with the Empress in the palace, reacted to the news with schadenfreude, laughing as he spoke.

"Haotian, this matter indeed isn't a bad thing for us, but involuntarily, why did the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha fall? His strength almost reached the threshold of the Quasi-Saint!" Observing the Jade Emperor's gloating, the Empress hesitated briefly before asking in astonishment.

"In fact, this has been thoroughly investigated by those below: the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha died at the hands of Xuanzang! Hahaha, the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha really didn't know better, daring to snatch the Rascal Monkey's treasure; is that monkey one who's easily bullied?"

The Jade Emperor, still smiling, immediately explained the situation clearly to the Empress.

"I see, then this act of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha indeed brought about his calamity! The Spirit Platform has been sullied!" Listening to the Jade Emperor's explanation, the Empress nodded and remarked thoughtfully.

At this time, the Journey to the West was already in its latter stages, also the most crucial time. Any ordinary Immortals and Buddhas avoided the scripture-seeking team, yet the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha advanced?

He even attempted to seize the treasure Sun Wukong was contesting for? Would that monkey easily let it go?

Entangled thus, meeting the killing calamity was indeed within reason.

"Actually, this cannot be blamed entirely on the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, since he moved without knowing the Rascal Monkey had gone there too! Finally, the fruit happened to roll at his feet; given his disposition, how could he resist?" The Jade Emperor, being more informed, shook his head in reflection as he spoke.

"The crux is right here!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress spoke, "Why did that fruit just happen to roll to the feet of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, and not someone else's? Everything is destined by the Heavenly Dao, it's meant for him to fall for this killing calamity, and he naturally stepped into the trap himself!"

"Hmm, Yaoji, your words do make sense..." Upon hearing the explanation from the Empress, the Jade Emperor thought for a while and nodded in agreement.

On the side of the Jade Emperor and the Empress, because the situation in the Heavenly Court has been difficult lately, they gloat one by one, seeing the Buddhist Sect suffer losses.

Meanwhile, on the Buddhist Sect's side? With the fall of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, the situation naturally is not looking good.

Tathagata sat on his Lotus Throne, with his head lowered and eyes drooped, not saying a word.

As for the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? They turned their gaze towards Tathagata, waiting for him to speak.

Now that things have come to such a situation, Tathagata certainly couldn't remain silent.

"Alas, the Journey to the West has reached this point, the calamity is not only meant for Xuanzang and others, but it is also my calamity!" With lowered eyebrows and drooped eyes, Tathagata sighed secretly in his heart.

Xuanzang's past life was Master Golden Cicada, my second disciple, so no matter how you look at it, he is one of mine!

Yet, if it were possible, Tathagata truly feels the urge to distance himself from Xuanzang.

This person, I really cannot afford indeed!

Because of the havoc at the Peach Festival, I had just compensated the Empress with five treasures from my treasury. How long has it been since then? Xuanzang has caused trouble again? He actually killed the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha!?

Yes, I specifically reminded Xuanzang a few days ago to restrain himself somewhat lately, not to further embarrass the Heavenly Court side.

However, I never said not to strike against the Heavenly Court people, just not against my Buddhist Sect's followers!

The identity of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha is only second to mine, highly revered in the Buddhist Sect, yet he was killed just like that?

If really held accountable, Xuanzang must pay with his life!

"Buddha..."

Not to mention how troubled Tathagata is, seeing that Tathagata hasn't spoken for quite some time, a nearby Buddha couldn't help but speak, saying to Tathagata, "Regarding the fall of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, does Buddha have any instructions?"

"About the fall of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, have all of you investigated thoroughly?" Despite feeling very troubled inside, Tathagata outwardly remained calm, surveyed all present, and asked.

"Buddha, we have investigated this matter thoroughly…" Upon hearing this, Medicine Buddha spoke and briefly narrated the sequence of events.

Actually, the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha vying for the three Dragon and Phoenix Harmony Fruits was no secret.

And while Sun Wukong was battling the Witch Beast, he seized the fruit and fled; this was also no secret.

Only when he fought Sun Wukong did Jiang Liu appear midway, assisting in the attack, and thus the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha was slain.

"Indeed, although the Sandalwood Merit Buddha was wrong, the cause was the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha's greed, snatching Wukong's fruit…"

After recounting the events, Medicine Buddha followed up with a statement.

Evidently, these words were from the standpoint of Jiang Liu and his company.

"Medicine Buddha is mistaken!"

Upon hearing these words, the Great Power King Buddha could not help but speak, "Now that the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha has fallen to Xuanzang, can it be left at that? Both emotionally and rationally, Xuanzang should account for this to the Buddhist Sect!"

"Indeed, frankly speaking, in recent years, many of our own have perished at the hands of the Sandalwood Merit Buddha! Now, even the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha has fallen…" Following the Great Power King Buddha's words, many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas nearby also spoke up agreeing.

The saying goes, where there are people, there is conflict; immortals and Buddhas are no exception.

Tathagata, though now the head of the Buddhist Sect, its forces are not entirely unified!

The main point is, in recent years, Xuanzang's actions have led to the slaying of numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and many have long been dissatisfied.

If they could seize this chance to suppress Tathagata's influence, many would welcome such an outcome.

"Alas..."

Looking at Buddhas and Bodhisattvas speaking up one after another, Tathagata sighed inwardly.

The saying goes, don't provoke public wrath; Xuanzang's appearance this time in slaying the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha is almost a fuse, igniting the dissatisfaction many held towards him.

It's unlikely I can shelter him single-handedly for this matter!

"Quiet!"

After waiting a moment, Tathagata spoke, quieting everyone, then continued, "So, regarding the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha's slaying, summon the Sandalwood Merit Buddha and Wukong to prove their innocence!"