NOVEL NEXT Chapter 510, Water Army in Action
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva made a zealous attempt to persuade, "Great Immortal, Heavenly Court has grown increasingly overbearing.
Although your lineage consists of Pure Practicing Immortals, given the approach of the Heavenly Court, they will inevitably come for you one day, and by then your Inverted Immortal's Cave Mansion will also be besieged by Heavenly Soldiers. Instead of waiting until there are no paths left to heaven nor doors to the earth, why not take refuge in Buddhism now?
If the Great Immortal were to join our Buddhist faith, you would surely be revered as a Buddha, henceforth untouched by karma and imperishable through countless calamities."
"What does the Great Immortal think?" Universal Virtue Bodhisattva asked, looking at the Inverted Immortal with hopeful anticipation.
The Inverted Immortal showed a hesitant expression.
A Daoist Disciple ran in from outside, excitedly shouting, "Master, master, more news has come in."
The Inverted Immortal reprimanded irritatedly, "What kind of decorum is this, all flustered?"
The little Daoist immediately stood at attention, greeting with a bow and said, "Greetings to the master, and to the Bodhisattva!"
"Hmm~" The Inverted Immortal nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "What news has come in?"
The little Daoist said excitedly, "Master, someone who wishes to remain anonymous has revealed the follow-up matters regarding the West Sea, uncovering the reason behind the West Sea rebellion.
It is said that the Princess of Bibo Pond and the Nine-Headed Beast had already been fated for three lifetimes. However, upon seeing the Wansheng Princess, the Third Prince of the West Sea, a spoiled scion, was overcome with lust and asked Guanyin to act as a matchmaker.
And Guanyin was no good fowl either, continually creating opportunities for the Third Prince covertly, causing Wansheng Princess to be endlessly pestered. Later, after Wansheng Princess staunchly refused,
The Third Prince, enraged, pressured her with the forces of the West Sea Dragon Palace. Ultimately for the sake of the Dragon Clan within Emerald Waves Lake, Princess Wansheng had no choice but to acquiesce, tearfully marrying the Third Prince of the West Sea...
In the end, the Nine-Headed Beast filed a complaint to the Heavenly Court, which was furious and commanded the Law Enforcement Celestial to summon the West Sea Dragon King and the Third Prince of the West Sea. Unbeknownst to them, the West Sea Dragon King, sensing impending disaster, sought Guanyin for counsel. The three conspired in secret, and the West Sea Dragon Palace resolutely pledged itself to Buddhism, hoping to escape Heavenly Court's punishment with Buddhism's protection.
But they did not realize the vast might of heaven, and even Buddhism cannot shield such lawless dragons. A great battle ensued in the West Sea..."
The little Daoist Disciple blurted out a whole stream, his eyes alight with excitement—his eyebrows dancing—gesticulating wildly as he spoke about the climax.
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva abruptly stood up, suppressing anger and shouted, "Nonsense, utter nonsense!"
The little Daoist was startled, his heart pounding, realizing he had become too absorbed in the story and had forgotten that a Buddhist Bodhisattva was present. He promptly said, "Forgive me, Bodhisattva, these aren't my words; this is how everyone outside is talking about it."
A strong premonition of ominousness surged in Universal Virtue Bodhisattva's heart. Is this what everyone is saying outside? He quickly rose to his feet, palms pressed together in homage towards the chief seat, and said, "Great Immortal, there are matters that require my attention in Buddhism; I must take my leave now."
The Inverted Immortal laughed, "Safe travels, Bodhisattva."
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva's figure disappeared amidst a burst of Buddha Light, hurrying away.
A spirited young man walked in from outside, smiling as he said, "Brother, did Buddhism come to invite you?"
The Inverted Immortal nodded, and with a sigh remarked, "I fear that many Covert Cultivators might come out of seclusion now."
"I've heard that Buddhism is on the rise. Why doesn't Brother accept their invitation?"
"Why don't you?"
The young man smiled faintly and said, "I'm not interested in playing along with them; I prefer a leisurely and carefree life."
The Inverted Immortal laughed heartily, "I can't afford to play along with them either.
Those who establish a major sect are all deeply corrupted at heart. Our ancestor was once so heroic, only to fall in the great calamity because of his close association with the Mystic Sect Leader."
"Ever since then, I've remembered to stay far away from disciples of such a major sect."
The young man also nodded, lamenting, "Indeed! Their hearts are all tainted."
He then chuckled and said, "But this time, it seems Buddhism has been played. With the matter of the West Sea getting out, the reputation of the West Sea and Guanyin Bodhisattva is completely ruined. It's unclear who did it, but their tactics were impressive!"
"It's definitely someone from the Mystic Sect, the Human Sect within it is the most adept at plotting. It must have been Xuandu's doing."
"Have you ever considered that it might be the Heavenly Court?"
The Inverted Immortal chuckled and said, "Among the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor is just a part of the muddle-headed bunch, Emperor Changsheng and the Qinghua Emperor are both Chan Sect Disciples, absolutely unwilling to exert any effort for the Heavenly Court, and Emperor Ziwei is just chopping-block meat.
Emperor Gouchen has a Dao Heart Perfection and a True Spirit without blemish, his purity is known throughout the Three Realms, he wouldn't resort to such trickery.
Considering all this, it could only have been the Human Sect's Xuandu who took action."
The young man nodded his head in agreement, saying, "Logical and convincing, I believe you're right, elder brother."
He walked over to a chair, sat down, and said with interest, "Now, tell me all about the West Sea matter. It seems quite fascinating."
The little Taoist also excitedly said, "Okay, second master, let me tell you! That Guanyin—it's so wicked, especially likes to gossip behind people's backs..."
On the other side, within the Great Leiyin Temple, The Buddha sat solemnly on the Lotus Platform, with many Buddha Bodhisattvas seated below, listening to The Buddha preach.
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva rushed in from outside, panicked and shouted, "Buddha, something terrible has happened."
The Buddha stopped preaching, and all the Buddha Bodhisattvas returned from their absorption in the teachings, looking at Universal Virtue Bodhisattva—could another incident have occurred?
Many Buddhas felt a chill in their hearts, could it be Bai Jin's retaliation?
The vast voice of The Buddha asked: "Universal Virtue Venerable, why the panic?"
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva stepped forward to the great hall, with hands clasped together in salute, and then said, "Buddha, I was commanded to enlighten all creatures, to help them discern good from evil, to show the compassion of Buddhism."
The vast voice of The Buddha responded, "Venerable's actions are most admirable."
Universal Virtue Bodhisattva subconsciously looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Everything was going smoothly, all creatures of the Three Realms knew the way of the Heavenly Court, and they turned to Buddha.
However, absurd rumors have suddenly spread, quickly traversing the Three Realms, and all creatures believe the rumors while neglecting the truth, causing great harm to our Buddhism's reputation."
The Buddha extended a hand and in the Great Leiyin Temple appeared a Golden Light Mirror. Within the mirror, a mist-enshrouded Immortal Mountain was revealed, with a group of Loose Cultivators drinking and making merry.
A young Sword Immortal, full of gossip, said, "Have you heard? The reason for the West Sea's rebellion was supposedly the Third Prince of the West Sea's bold abduction of a Dragon Girl."
A big man nearby spat disdainfully, saying, "That's simply disgraceful, bringing shame to the Dragon Clan."
An elder nearby sighed, "The wisdom of a lifetime of the West Sea Dragon King is completely lost today!"
"If you ask me, the most detestable is that Guanyin, who has been continuously scheming in the shadows, even inciting the West Sea rebellion."
"Have to say, that Nine-Headed Beast is a real man, enraged over a beauty, when I have the chance I would like to meet the Nine-Headed Beast at the Emerald Waves Lake."
Within the Great Leiyin Temple, Guanyin Bodhisattva's face stiffened. How did I become the most detestable? What scheming have I done?