One person above Qing Huang Ting

Chapter 816 Meeting the Tathagata

Hu Xiuwu and Yongning Ji are temporarily staying in the Eighth Buddhist Kingdom of Mount Ling. Taking a layer of Mount Ling away from under the Buddha's nose is no easy task.

Even Subhuti, the Patriarch, could not possibly have carried out any major actions on Mount Ling without being discovered by the Buddha.

Standing upright without casting a shadow or leaping with a trail is not a panacea.

Hu Xiuwu also needs to make some preparations and arrangements. If he forcibly removes a layer of Mount Ling, Tathagata may perish along with it.

He would rather shatter a sacred mountain into ruins than allow anyone to steal his things.

Ruins can be repaired, but once they're looted, they're truly gone.

Any mining group would suffer a major blow if a large oil well were taken away from it.

Therefore, for the plan to be successfully implemented, Nezha needs to help Hu Xiuwu buy time.

Nezha had no choice but to meet the Buddha first. Not only did he have to meet the Buddha, but he also had to be able to successfully fool the Buddha.

As Hu Xiuwu said, Nezha could only tell the truth when he met the Buddha.

As long as he tells the truth, Buddha will not relentlessly search Nezha's soul to verify the truth.

They are all supreme beings in the Three Realms, of noble status, and would not personally do such dirty things.

In layman's terms,

They have their pride!
Therefore, Nezha is bound to only speak the truth. Of course, speaking the truth alone is not enough, for that is the master of Mount Ling, the supreme Buddha of the Three Realms.

Therefore, Hu Xiuwu also did some tampering with Nezha's mind.

As long as Buddha's trust in Nezha can be guaranteed, Nezha is complete.

Otherwise, Nezha would only have one path: to be sent to hell, endure the eight calamities and eight tribulations, and eventually become a Vajra in Buddhism.

Buddha will not kill Nezha; he will not waste such a good talent as Nezha.

Nezha will just like Sun Wukong, losing himself.

However, for Nezha, that would probably be more painful than death.

Nezha released Lady Yin and left reluctantly.

"I will come back to my mother as soon as possible."

Before leaving, Nezha was still comforting Lady Yin, but Lady Yin knew in her heart that Nezha was not concerned about her.

Instead, it was a reminder to him that time was limited and he should get the preparations done as soon as possible, so that he wouldn't mess things up when Nezha came back.

Lady Yin said, "Don't worry about me, and don't worry about your sister either."

After a round of subtle hints from the two, Nezha finally mustered up his courage and mentally suggested to himself:

'Speak only the truth, speak only the truth, speak only the truth.'

Venerable Kasyapa opened the exit of the Buddhist kingdom, and Nezha looked back one last time.

Then they saw Madam Yin with her arm around a curious little girl who was looking around curiously.

Looking back, he had already passed through the gate and arrived at the true Vulture Peak, where all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras resided.

Mount Ling, home to the Great Thunderclap Temple, the sacred site of Buddha, is just as described in Journey to the West: "A hundred feet soaring into the sky, towering above the heavens. Looking down at the setting sun, one can almost pluck a shooting star. Its expansive windows seem to swallow the universe, its majestic buildings reaching towards the clouds. The yellow crane brings news of autumn's aging trees, the colorful phoenix delivers messages in the evening breeze. This is a sacred palace, a magnificent hall, a jeweled pavilion. In the hall of truth, the Dao is discussed, and scriptures are transmitted throughout the universe. Flowers bloom beautifully in spring, pines stand green after the rain. Purple fungus and immortal fruits flourish year after year, and the crimson wind carries countless spiritual sensations."

Above Mount Ling, the sun shines brightly, illuminating the earth. Its light and Buddhist radiance spread in all directions, and the essence of Buddhism permeates the mountains and rivers.

Unlike the Jade Emperor behind the throne and jade curtain in the Lingxiao Palace.

The Buddha's Dharma body replaced the sun, hanging above the three thousand Buddha lands of Mount Ling, its Buddha-majesty as vast as the sun and as powerful as a prison. Behind the Buddha, a halo emanated ten thousand rays of light, displaying a thousand colors.

His Buddha-light shines upon all believers every day and every moment, and constantly demonstrates his power and might to the world.

This is also the difference between the first and second place in terms of strength.

The Jade Emperor rules the Three Realms, and he only needs to maintain his mystery and status. However, as the master of Mount Ling, Buddha needs to demonstrate His power and the influence of Mount Ling to the others in the Three Realms in order to attract immortals to Mount Ling.

Otherwise, why would the immortals and gods go to Mount Ling instead of helping the Heavenly Court?
The majestic Dharma body also put immense pressure on Nezha, making it even more difficult for him to make any underhanded moves in front of the golden body of the Great Sun Tathagata, which was even more dazzling than the sun.

Even before Nezha entered the main hall, he already felt immense pressure, as if he were walking step by step into the depths of the sun.

'I've never felt this way before. Am I being too nervous? I'm worried about revealing a flaw in front of Buddha.'

Nezha also felt a little uneasy. Facing Buddha and the Jade Emperor, apart from Sun Wukong, no one could be completely at ease or without pressure.

Fortunately, it's just stress and tension, which is normal.

Nezha has now defected from the Heavenly Court and has nowhere to go, so it's perfectly normal for him to feel nervous and uneasy.

It was practically a natural performance for him. That's why Hu Xiuwu didn't offer any pointers on Nezha's acting skills, but only kept reminding him to tell the truth.

Nezha entered the main hall, which was still as magnificent as ever. Lotus flowers were carved on the jade pillars, and eighteen golden lotuses swayed and bloomed in the lotus pond in front of the cloud platform. The cloud-like stone walls of the main hall were carved with murals depicting the Buddha's enlightenment.

The murals contain the supreme Buddhist teachings. Those who are proficient in Buddhism can comprehend the supernatural powers and magic of Buddhism from them. This can be considered a small blessing that the Tathagata has given to all the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.

However, the most powerful supernatural abilities of Mount Ling, namely the Ten Powers of the Tathagata and the Six Supernatural Powers, are naturally not included.

One needs to become a direct disciple of the Buddha to have any chance of being granted supernatural powers by the Buddha.

Jin Chanzi once mastered the Six Supernatural Powers, becoming the disciple with the highest level of comprehension among the Buddha's disciples.

Nezha had also seen those murals, but unfortunately he gained nothing from them; he knew absolutely nothing about Buddhism.

Upon entering the main hall, he kept his eyes straight ahead and, led by Kasyapa, slowly approached the Buddha.

Today, the main hall is very deserted, with only Ananda standing beside the Buddha.

In the past, when there was nothing to do, the five hundred Arhats, three thousand Jiedi, eleven Dayao, and eighteen Garan would listen to the Buddha preach in the Mahavira Hall of Daleiyin Temple.

However, in order to understand the secrets brought by Nezha, Buddha has closed the Great Thunder Temple today and will only receive Nezha.

Buddha was also curious. He wanted to hear Nezha's account of the scandal that had forced Nezha out of Heaven before deciding whether to inform the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Mount Ling.

Nezha walked to the Buddha's twelve-petaled golden lotus throne, clasped his hands together, and knelt down obediently.
"Homage to Vairocana Buddha".

The twelve-petaled golden lotus pedestal alone is already larger than the Buddha statues in ordinary temples, not to mention that the Tathagata sits on the lotus throne, with a gentle and solemn halo behind him that is not dazzling but also makes people dare not desecrate it, and a sense of reverence arises in their hearts.

The Buddha's voice, as resonant as a great bell or a deep drum, yet filled with loving kindness and harmony, descended from above:
"Nezha, what do you want to tell me?"

The compassionate voice made Nezha bow his head, not daring to look directly at the Buddha.

"Buddha..."