Daojun, start from Penglai foundation building

On the immortal banyan tree, more than ten fifth-level Dao disciples have begun to compete for the Moon Fruit.

Looking around, Putai, Puhua, Miyin, Mijian, Baiming, Huangzhao... all came from holy lands, and behind each of them stood a pure Yang being.

Putai and Puhua came from the Lesser Light Realm. Behind them stood the Pure Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Bright Light Guanshi Bodhisattva, who were renowned throughout the entire Buddhist Lapis Lazuli Path.

Miyin and Mijian come from the Floating Pagoda Realm, and behind them is the renowned Maitreya Bodhisattva of the Lapis Lazuli Path. However, compared to the Pure Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Bright Light Guanshi Bodhisattva who are on good terms with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, the Maitreya Bodhisattva has a closer relationship with the Great Lingyin Temple of the Western Heaven.

These four Venerable Ones, who have reached the fifth level of cultivation, are not only strong contenders for the Moon Fruit, but they also represent the face of the Buddhist Lapis Lazuli Path.

Bai Ming Demon Lord is the Dao Child of the Chongming Bird Clan in the Weiyu Realm, while Huang Zhao Demon Lord is a descendant of the Divine Wind Great Sage of the Demon Emperor Palace in the Northern Continent.

As for the Vajra Path of Buddhism, only the King of Rebirth participated in the Dharma Banquet competition, and this one came from Tianlong Temple. As everyone knows, Tianlong Temple is a Buddhist sect in the Mountain and River Realm. Today, the background of Tianlong Temple and Jinchan Temple is the Eastern Heavenly Taoism...

In a sense, the appearance of the King of Rebirth and the Venerable Star and Moon represents the Eastern Heavenly Daoist School. After all, the Eastern Heavenly Daoist School only sent Jiang Sheng, one of its three Heavenly Venerables, while neither the Crimson Cloud Daoist Lord nor the Golden Mother Yuanjun sent anyone.

The meaning of the Eastern Heavenly Daoist school is very clear: Jiang Sheng is the only candidate for the position of the Heavenly Ruler of Justice.

Correspondingly, there is Venerable Fahui of the Great Lingyin Temple in the Western Paradise. Although the Great Lingyin Temple also has Venerable Zhenhe in addition to Fahui at this Dharma Banquet for attaining the highest rank, Venerable Zhenhe will not participate in the final competition, just like Venerable Napushe of the Pure Lotus Temple.

Even if Venerable Pushe were arrogant, he would not compete for the position of the Lord of Justice, because the karmic consequences of that position were too great.

Venerable Pushe even suspected that if he were to truly become the Heavenly Ruler of Justice, the moment he took office, the next moment the Mysterious Lord of Freedom would appear before him.

Such a seemingly fantastical event is not impossible; in fact, the probability of it happening is extremely high.

Apart from the Great Vehicle deities like Emperor Liuyuan and Emperor Tianyun who were summoned by His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, the Great Vehicle deities like Immortal Lord Fuyun and Demon Lord Qingyu were only there for the rewards from the first few levels.

Of all these rewards, none is more valuable than the Sun Fruit of the Immortal Banyan Tree. It blossoms once every three thousand years, bears fruit once every three thousand years, and matures once every three thousand years. It is a true rare and precious treasure, a treasure that lasts for ten thousand years. The value of each one cannot be measured by magic weapons or elixirs.

Such treasures usually only exist in the sacred land of Kunlun Yaochi. When the renowned Dao-holding Yuanjun, the Golden Mother Yuanjun, holds a handkerchief banquet, she will take out a few to entertain her close friends who are also at the Pure Yang Realm. In the entire Chaos Universe, all those who are qualified to enjoy these fruits are Pure Yang beings.

Now, twelve Sun Fruits are laid out before me. If I can obtain even one, I won't have to worry about cultivation for at least five thousand years.

Venerable Pushe gazed at the twelve golden sun fruits in the center of the immortal banyan tree, a hint of barely perceptible greed in his eyes: "The rules don't seem to say that one person can only get one fruit, do they?"

One fruit is just a basic ticket to pass the level; if you get a few more fruits, it shouldn't be a big problem.

Contemplating, Venerable Pushe looked at his rivals who were qualified to compete with him for the Sun Fruit: Demon Venerable Qingyu, a fox spirit from the Tushan Holy Land of the Great Wilderness Realm; Immortal Lord Fuyun, an immortal lord under the Antarctic Longevity Emperor; Venerable Zhenhe, the Bodhi Path Venerable of the Great Lingyin Temple in the Western Heaven; Emperor Liuyuan and Emperor Tianyun both had divine backgrounds, and the being behind them was His Majesty, who resided high in the Nine Heavens...

After careful consideration, Venerable Napushe was extremely confident that he could obtain at least two Sun Fruits.

As for Jiang Sheng and Fa Hui, they had already been subconsciously ignored by Venerable Pushe…

However, Venerable Pushe selectively forgot that the people sent by the Eastern Heavenly Daoist School and the Western Heavenly Buddhist School this time were mainly Jiang Sheng and Fa Hui, two juniors who had not yet reached the Mahayana realm.

While the prodigies were vying for the Star Fruit and Moon Fruit, the Mahayana Realm experts and a few Nascent Soul cultivators were watching silently. From beginning to end, their goal was not the Moon Fruit. Only by obtaining the Sun Fruit could they achieve a better ranking in the next stage, reap more rewards, and strive for better opportunities.

Fa Hui stood beside Venerable Zhenhe, gazing at the twelve sun fruits that still existed between reality and illusion, and said softly, "Uncle Zhenhe, I'll trouble you to help me stop Lingyuan in a moment."

Stop Ling Yuan?!
Venerable Zhenhe didn't pay attention to Jiang Sheng, but simply nodded and asked, "Are you worried that he might attack you?"

Fa Hui shook her head: "It's not that I'm worried, but that he will definitely make a move. I'm sure he won't let me go at this stage, just as I wouldn't let him go at this stage if I were stronger than him. This is something that both he and I know."

Venerable Zhenhe was somewhat taken aback. He hadn't expected that Fahui, the most famous of the Twelve Bodhi Disciples of Dalingyin Temple and the one favored by Buddha Jinjue, would so readily admit that he was inferior to Jiang Sheng.

This doesn't seem like Fahui's nature...

"Although I am somewhat arrogant, I am never conceited. If I can win, I can win; if I can't win, I can't win."

"Being unable to distinguish between reality and illusion will cause us big problems."

“I fought Ling Yuan in the second round. He was very strong. I couldn’t suppress him, at least not by myself.”

Fa Hui's voice was calm, his eyes filled with clarity and wisdom. For this prominent figure of the contemporary Da Lingyin Temple in the Western Paradise, there was nothing shameful about not being able to defeat his opponent for the time being; he could simply retreat for the time being.

Knowing you can't win but still going for it isn't bravery, it's foolishness.

Venerable Zhenhe was surprised by Fahui's clarity and composure, and also by Jiang Sheng's strength: "Is he really that strong? Even with the blessing of the relics, you can't suppress him?"

Venerable Zhenhe knew that there was a Mahayana relic in Fahui's body, and he was also familiar with the source of that relic, Zhenkong, who was of the same generation as him.

Zhenkong's relic fell into Fahui's hands. Even though Fahui had barely merged with the body, he could still exert 40 to 50% of his strength. Doesn't this mean that a five-kalpa cultivator could no longer suppress Jiang Sheng, a junior at the third kalpa?
Although there are many rumors about Jiang Sheng, seeing things for yourself always makes them seem a little unreal. Now that even Fa Hui admits he can't suppress Jiang Sheng, Venerable Zhenhe has to confirm that those rumors are not unfounded...

However, it is simply too unbelievable that someone with the cultivation level of three tribulations could rival someone with the cultivation level of five tribulations, and even killed a true lord of five tribulations before reaching the level of three tribulations.

Fa Hui nodded, his words tinged with a slight bitterness: "Although I am several hundred years older than him, my cultivation has lagged behind his. I was defeated in the battle of magic in the Three Realms. Not to mention me, even the Mysterious Maiden of the Heavenly Court was no match for him."

"Although Lingyuan's cultivation is only at the third level, his foundation is solid. He has risen step by step by relying on the great tribulations. Even the fifth-level True Monarch is no match for him. My cultivation, on the other hand, relies mostly on relics. Such cultivation is like a castle in the air, too ephemeral."

"Moreover, he has gained a great deal of fortune and merit, and his strength is now far beyond what I can match..."

As she spoke, Fa Hui sighed softly, "If I had been confident of fighting him before the contest, I would not have had any such plans now."

“Uncle-Master Zhenhe, be extremely careful. He was able to fight and kill a Fifth Tribulation True Monarch as soon as he entered the Integration stage. He must have extraordinary trump cards. Even if such trump cards cannot be used often, if we ignore them, we may lose our lives if we are not careful.”

Venerable Zhenhe chuckled lightly, with a hint of composure and confidence: "Nephew Fahui, in any case, he has the cultivation of three kalpas, while I am a Mahayana practitioner."

"He can defeat powerful enemies even if he's separated by a minor realm, and he can even defeat me by being separated by a major realm?!"

"In the upper three realms, I have never heard of anyone who can fight across realms..."

Seeing Venerable Zhenhe's confidence, Fahui stopped trying to persuade him. If he didn't let his uncle fight Jiang Sheng in a real battle, he wouldn't understand what kind of enemy Jiang Sheng was.

This is a formidable character who was born with the great fortune of the Xuanmen sect and has survived the merger of the three realms and the great calamity of the Xuanmen sect to reach where he is today.

The realm of Mahayana is like a dragon swimming in water. Although it displays the dragon's might, how can it suppress a true dragon?
...

hum~
An invisible wave swept through the entire Banyan Garden once again. With half of the twenty-four moon fruits already picked, the twelve sun fruits, as radiant as golden suns, located in the very center of the Banyan Immortal Tree's crown, finally returned to reality from the realm of illusion.

In an instant, Dao traces and spiritual patterns manifested in the heavens and earth, and laws and celestial rules intertwined in all directions. Twelve Sun Fruits shone brightly in all directions like the sun, suppressing all Moon Fruits and Star Fruits and making them lose their color.

At this moment, as twelve Sun Fruits appeared, Venerable Pushe flew away without saying a word, unleashing his Mahayana Realm aura without any concealment, calming down the restless Fifth Tribulation prodigies who had picked the Star Fruits and Moon Fruits.

Trying to take advantage of the chaos and steal a Japanese fruit?
Do you really think that the Mahayana path involves vegetarianism?
Venerable Pushe snorted coldly, and his chanting, like a raging torrent, crashed across the void in all directions, shaking out many hidden geniuses and Daoist disciples who were trying to take advantage of the chaos.

Among these people were Spring and Autumn God and True Light Fairy. These five-kalpa cultivators were swept out of the realm of reality by the Mahayana divine power. They looked at Venerable Pushe in shock and anger, but the Venerable's face remained calm and composed.

"You've obtained the fruit, and instead of thinking about clearing the level quickly, you want to take advantage of the chaos? Don't you even know if you have the ability to do so!"

"I'm telling you, if you're still surrounding Riguo within three breaths, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Faced with the threat of Venerable Napushe, a powerful Mahayana practitioner, the group of talented Daoists had no choice but to temporarily avoid his sharp edge.

Venerable Pushe snorted coldly and rushed towards a sun fruit.

At the same time, Qingyu Demon Lord, Liuyuan Emperor Lord, Tianyun Emperor Lord, Fuyun Immortal Lord, and others also rushed towards Riguo.

There were a total of twelve Sun Fruits. These Mahayana beings did not collide with them immediately, but instead each chose a position to avoid interfering with each other.

They will only start competing after they've secured the first fruit.

Faced with the tacit division of the fruits of the day by these Mahayana powerhouses, the group of prodigies and Dao children dared not speak out in anger, for no matter what, they could not possibly withstand the combined forces of a group of Mahayana powerhouses.

At this moment, while the group of Mahayana experts were dividing up the Sun Fruit, a figure leisurely leaped out and picked a Sun Fruit. That figure was none other than Fa Hui!

Facing this Bodhi disciple of the Great Lingyin Temple in the Western Paradise, a disciple of the Golden Enlightenment Buddha, Venerable Pushe pretended not to see him. In any case, there were twelve Sun Fruits, and one of them must belong to Fahui. There was no way to argue about it, and Jiang Sheng would definitely get one Sun Fruit as well.

Venerable Pushe was a little curious, though, why did he only see Fa Hui and not Jiang Sheng?

As he pondered, Venerable Pushe looked up and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. He saw a kind-faced, white-browed old man quietly blocking Jiang Sheng's path.

This scene was witnessed not only by Venerable Napushe, but also by Demon Venerable Qingyu, Emperor Liuyuan, Immortal Lord Fuyun, and others.

Meanwhile, among the prodigies and Daoists on the periphery, exclamations of surprise arose: "The Mahayana cultivators are blocking the way; they don't want True Monarch Lingyuan to pass!"

"With the Mahayana Venerable of the Great Lingyin Temple in the Western Paradise taking action, the background of the Eastern Heaven Daoist family in Penglai Lingyuan is no match for them here."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, some astonished, others gloating.

Jin Ni and Bai Jia stood in the crowd watching Zhen He block their way. Jin Ni was furious: "A Mahayana cultivator blocking the Three Tribulations Integration Realm, they have no shame at all!"

A deity said from the side, "That's not how it works. Isn't Penglai Lingyuan known as the number one in all the heavens and myriad realms in this era? He has also killed a Five Tribulations True Monarch. He shouldn't be afraid of a Buddhist Mahayana practitioner."

Upon hearing this, the Demon Lord Yingtian snorted coldly: "According to your logic, if you were a Mahayana cultivator, wouldn't you be able to fight against a Pure Yang cultivator?"

The Star Lord spread his hands: "I am not the number one in all the heavens and myriad realms, nor am I the leader of any immortals, gods, demons, or Buddhas. I don't have that ability."

"Yingtian Demon Lord, why are you speaking up for Penglai Lingyuan like this? Does that mean your Yinglong clan of Kuocang Realm is planning to become dogs of the Eastern Heaven Daoist School?"

Hearing the Star Lord's undisguised sarcasm, the Demon Lord Yingtian laughed in anger. Just as he was about to crush this ignorant fellow, a hand as big as a door panel, wrapped in vast thunder, came and grabbed the Star Lord directly.

Sensing something was wrong, the Star Lord was terrified: "Kui Fang, I haven't offended you, how dare you attack me?!"

Kui Fang grinned, his front teeth flashing with lightning: "Where do you get the audacity to provoke Ling Yuan and the Eastern Heaven Daoist School?"

"Do you think your master will stand up for you?"

"You fool who doesn't know what's good for him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kui Fang squeezed the Star Lord into a pulp with his palm. After experiencing the shattering of bones and the turning of internal organs into mud, the Star Lord was forcibly sent out of the sixth trial by a radiant light, leaving only a Star Fruit behind.

Kui Fang unceremoniously put away the star fruit, his bull-like eyes glaring in all directions: "Penglai Lingyuan, you've become friends with my Jilei Mountain, let's see who dares to spout nonsense now!"

Ying Tian Yaojun stared at Kui Fang in astonishment. Although he knew that Kui Fang was not as reckless as he appeared, he did not expect that Kui Fang would so cleanly and decisively submit his pledge of allegiance.

Could it be because Jilei Mountain didn't contribute during the Xuanmen Calamity?

For a moment, Ying Tian Yaojun couldn't figure it out, so he turned his attention back to Jiang Sheng. He was genuinely curious about how Jiang Sheng, who was hailed as the number one figure in all the heavens and myriad realms, would deal with Zhenhe Venerable, this Mahayana obstacle.

At this moment, flowers and blossoms are flying and flowing in the Banyan Garden, with celestial mist and starlight like a waterfall. On the immortal banyan tree, twelve sun fruits shine with golden light, attracting everyone's attention like the blazing sun.

Before the immortal banyan tree, Jiang Sheng quietly gazed at the kind-faced old man before him: "Venerable Zhenhe, do you truly intend to obstruct Fa Hui's path?"

Venerable Zhenhe put his hands together and said, "Namo Dodha Agakjinjue Buddha. This humble monk only wants to see just how capable the famous Lingyuan Zhenjun is. That's all."

That's it!

Jiang Sheng couldn't help but chuckle. The jade crown on his head shone brightly, the black lotus-patterned robe on his body shimmered with light, and the green bamboo and crane robe flowed gracefully. The wondrous method of Yin-Yang Calamity Extinction, Three Transformations, and Five Elements was activated, with wind, thunder, water, and fire surrounding his body, and the creation of Yin and Yang forming a Dao wheel.

"Want to see just how capable I am?"

“Venerable Zhenhe, a little curiosity can be deadly!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Sheng's energy soared into the sky and broke through the clouds, like a dazzling magic sword stirring up all directions. In an instant, as the blue-gold light in Jiang Sheng's eyes surged out, Venerable Zhenhe felt a sense of unease, as if blocking his way here was a mistake.

Suddenly, a sharp and piercing light arose, merging with wind, thunder, water, and fire, enveloping the three calamities and transforming into a sword light of the final calamity and end of fortune.

The Venerable Zhenhe felt a sharp pain in his brow from the sword's edge. Upon closer inspection, he saw that Jiang Sheng had somehow acquired a black magic sword. The sword was three feet six and a half inches long, its blade covered with a blue lotus. Its sword sheath incorporated the four elements of Yin and Yang, its sharpness resonating with the might of Heaven, and its simplicity embodying the Great Dao.

With just one glance, Venerable Zhenhe was overwhelmed by the aura emanating from the magic sword. He stared at the majestic and sharp intent emanating from the Qingping Sword, which defied fate and karma, his expression one of astonishment and bewilderment.

"A treasure of fortune and merit?!" (End of Chapter)