Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

Guanyin quickly stepped forward to catch him and carefully examined Jin Chanzi's condition.

When the Buddha saw that Jin Chanzi was unharmed, his eyes flashed with ruthlessness.

"Lin Zhu, our Buddhist sect will remember this humiliation!"

Lin Zhu had already turned to leave when she heard this, but turned back and smiled.

"What, you want to back out?"

He brandished the scissors in his hand.

"Should I check Jin Chanzi's 'cultivation results' for you again?"

The Buddha's face changed from red to green, then from green to white, and suddenly with a "poof," a mouthful of golden Buddha blood spurted out, splashing onto the lotus platform.

At the summit of Mount Ling, golden light shone brightly.

Lin Zhu stood on auspicious clouds, his green robe fluttering in the wind, and faced the majestic golden body of the Buddha without the slightest fear.

The green sword in his hand emitted a chilling light, its tip pointing directly at the Buddha's brow.

"Buddha, if you do not hand over the Golden Lotus of Merit and the Pagoda of Many Treasures today, do not blame me for being merciless with my sword!"

Lin Zhu's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, making the eardrums of countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on and around Mount Ling ache.

The Buddha's face was gloomy, and the golden wheel of merit behind his head trembled violently, revealing his inner rage.

"Lin Zhu, how dare you, a mere rogue immortal, act so presumptuously in my Spirit Mountain?"

"presumptuous?"

Lin Zhu sneered.

"The Western religion has oppressed the Heavenly Court and forcibly seized the fortune of the East for years. Today, I am merely acting on behalf of Heaven!"

Before he finished speaking, the Qingfeng sword in his hand suddenly swelled, transforming into a thousand-foot-long sword rainbow that cleaved straight at the golden body of the Buddha.

Wherever the sword energy passed, the void shattered inch by inch, revealing pitch-black chaos.

Enraged, Buddha unleashed a palm strike, the golden Buddha palm blotting out the sky and the sun.

However, the sword rainbow was as agile as a swimming dragon, drawing a strange arc in the air, bypassing the Buddha's palm, and heading straight for the Buddha's brow.

"How brave!"

The Buddha roared, and had no choice but to offer up the Golden Lotus of Merit to defend himself.

The golden lotus bloomed with countless rays of light, barely managing to block this fatal blow.

Heavenly Court, Lingxiao Palace.

The Heavenly Mirror was reflecting the earth-shattering battle on Mount Ling.

The Jade Emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.

"happy!"

Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, exclaimed in admiration.

"This Lin Zhu is truly remarkable, forcing the old Buddha to use the Golden Lotus of Merit!"

Venus stroked his beard and laughed.

"The Western religion has been bullying us too much over the years, and today someone has finally made them suffer."

Although the immortals and gods dared not speak openly, their eyes were filled with a look of pleasure.

The Western religion, relying on the support of the two saints, has bullied the Heavenly Court for many years. How could they not feel happy to see them suffer today?
On Mount Ling, the battle intensified.

Lin Zhu moved like lightning, leaving countless afterimages in the void.

Each sword strike contained the power to cleave the heavens and the earth, forcing Buddha to retreat repeatedly.

"Buddha, if this continues, Mount Ling may be destroyed!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva anxiously transmitted her voice.

The Buddha felt extremely frustrated.

He, the patriarch of all Buddhas, was forced into such a predicament by an unknown junior.

What angered him even more was that the many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas behind him not only did not help him, but also secretly criticized him.

"Buddha, the greater good must prevail!"

Manjushri Bodhisattva sighed.

"The journey to the West is imminent; if it is delayed because of this matter, the two sages will blame us."

The Buddha was even angrier.

These people keep saying that the big picture is important, but they don't realize that his cultivation will be greatly damaged after he loses the Golden Lotus of Merit and the Pagoda of Many Treasures!
Just then, a beam of clear light flew in from beyond the sky and arrived above Mount Ling in an instant.

"stop."

The sound was not loud, but it was like the voice of the Great Dao, making everyone's soul tremble.

Lin Zhu's swordplay faltered for a moment.

As the light faded, an old man with white hair and a youthful face appeared—none other than Bodhi Patriarch, one of the two Western Saints!
"Disciple pays homage to the Grandmaster!"

The Buddha hurriedly bowed, but his heart sank.

Bodhi Patriarch didn't even glance at him, his gaze falling directly on Lin Zhu, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Young friend, your cultivation is extraordinary. No wonder you dared to venture into Mount Ling alone."

Lin Zhu sheathed his sword and stood there, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I have met the Sage. Today's events are due to the Western Religion's excessive deception."

Bodhi Patriarch nodded slightly, then suddenly turned to look at Tathagata, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"You wicked creature! For your own selfish gain, you nearly triggered a calamity that ravaged the Three Realms. Do you know your crime?"

The Buddha was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale.

Disciple disciple”

"Hurry up and hand over the Golden Lotus of Merit and the Pagoda of Many Treasures!"

Bodhi Patriarch shouted sternly.

The entire Ling Mountain was deathly silent.

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas remained silent, none daring to speak on behalf of the Tathagata.

The Buddha felt a chill in his heart.

He then realized that in the eyes of the sage, he was nothing more than a pawn.

What are the ancestors of all Buddhas, what are the masters of Mount Ling? They are all insignificant compared to the rise of the West.

"Disciple obeys."

The Buddha spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse and unlike his own.

He trembled as he stepped down from the golden lotus of merit, and the lotus that had accompanied him for millions of years suddenly dimmed in luster.

Then he took out the Pagoda of Many Treasures, a treasure he had painstakingly crafted.

The two treasures floated in the air, emitting an alluring glow.

With a flick of his sleeve, Patriarch Bodhi sent two beams of light flashing by. Then, with two crisp cracking sounds, the restrictions placed on the two treasures by Tathagata shattered instantly.

"puff"

The Buddha spat out a mouthful of golden blood, and his aura instantly weakened.

The restriction was forcibly broken, causing damage to his primordial spirit.

Bodhi Patriarch didn't even look at him, and pushed the two treasures toward Lin Zhu.

"Young friend, please accept this."

This scene shook the entire Three Realms!
The celestial beings in Heaven were dumbfounded.

The glass cup in the Jade Emperor's hand fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered into dust.

"A saint personally bestowed this treasure?"

Li Jing's voice trembled.

On Mount Ling, countless Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were deathly pale.

Only then did they realize that Lin Zhu's strength had been recognized by the Sage!
Lin Zhu was also taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, Saint."

He reached out and took the two treasures, and immediately felt a vast, ocean-like spiritual power surge into his body.

The Golden Lotus of Merit transformed into a beam of golden light and entered his brow, while the Pagoda of Many Treasures shrank to three inches tall and floated in his palm.

Seeing his composure, the Bodhi Patriarch's admiration deepened.

Suddenly, he spoke.

"Young friend, would you be willing to enter my Western Paradise? With your abilities, becoming a Buddha or an ancestor is a piece of cake."

These words caused an uproar throughout the Three Realms!

The expressions of the celestial beings in Heaven changed drastically.

Venus said urgently.

"Oh no! The sage is trying to poach our talent!"

On Mount Ling, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were so shocked that they were speechless.

To be personally recruited by a sage and promised to become a Buddha or ancestor—what an extraordinary honor!
Guanyin Bodhisattva looked at Lin Zhu with a complicated expression.

She suddenly realized that this seemingly young cultivator might become a key figure in changing the landscape of the Three Realms.

Faced with the sage's invitation, Lin Zhu smiled.

He bowed respectfully, his voice clear and melodious.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, I am but a humble person, and cannot bear such constraints. Moreover..."

His gaze swept over the listless Tathagata and the silent Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"The way the Western religion behaves is truly appalling." Upon hearing this, Patriarch Bodhi was not angry at all, but instead laughed heartily.

"Good! That's your style! In that case, I won't force you."

If he changes his mind someday, the door to the West will always be open for him.

After saying this, he waved his sleeve, swept up the Tathagata and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and they disappeared into the sky as a beam of light.

On Mount Ling, only Lin Zhu remained, standing alone amidst the clouds.

He gazed at the pagoda in his hand, feeling the warmth of the golden lotus of merit between his brows, his eyes filled with a profound light.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor sat on the Nine-Dragon Golden Throne, his brows furrowed.

He was toying with a peach in his hand, but he didn't take a bite.

"Your Majesty, are you troubled by the matter of the Western Religion?"

Venus asked cautiously.

The Jade Emperor sighed.

"The Heavenly Court is suffering from a severe shortage of talent, and I cannot sleep at night whenever I think about this. Now that Bodhi dares to openly poach people from my Heavenly Court, it is simply outrageous!"

Before he finished speaking, a commotion arose outside the hall.

Bodhi Patriarch, holding a whisk and smiling, stepped into the hall, followed by several Arhats, exuding an imposing aura.

"Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, this humble Taoist greets you."

Bodhi nodded slightly, but did not perform a full bow.

The Jade Emperor's eyes showed displeasure, but he quickly concealed it.

"What brings you here today, Fellow Daoist Bodhi?"

Bodhi's gaze swept across the main hall, finally landing on Lin Zhu, who was standing beside the Jade Emperor.

"I have come here to have a chat with Fellow Daoist Lin Zhu."

The immortals in the hall were immediately in an uproar. Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, glared angrily.

"Bodhi! You are far too disrespectful to the Heavenly Court!"

Bodhi didn't take it to heart, and instead smiled at Lin Zhu.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, our Western Paradise welcomes all talented people. With your abilities, if you wish to join our sect, you can be ranked as a Bodhisattva and enjoy boundless merits."

Lin Zhu sneered and took a step forward.

"Bodhi Patriarch, I, Lin Zhusheng, am a citizen of Heaven, and I will die a ghost of Heaven. Your blatant poaching is a blatant disrespect to His Majesty the Jade Emperor!"

Bodhi's smile remained unchanged.

"Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. Those who cultivate should prioritize the Great Dao. The Heavenly Court is in decline; why should you concern yourself with it?"

"shut up!"

Lin Zhu interrupted sharply.

"I, Lin Zhu, act with integrity and uprightness. Unlike some people who appear virtuous on the surface but secretly engage in underhanded tactics like poaching others' partners!"

These words resonated so powerfully that even the glass lamps in the hall trembled slightly.

The Jade Emperor's eyes held admiration, but he secretly clenched his fist, ready to strike at any moment.

Bodhi finally stopped smiling and said in a deep voice.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, don't speak too confidently. The doors of my Western Sect will always be open to you."

"No need!"

Lin Zhu was resolute.

"Even if I, Lin Zhu, were to cultivate myself into a saint, I would never join your Western Sect!"

Venus, who was listening nearby, was dumbfounded and whispered to Li Tianwang.

Why is Immortal Lord Lin so fierce today?

Li Tianwang stroked his beard and smiled.

"That's true character!"

Seeing that his attempts to recruit him had failed, Bodhi changed his approach.

"If that's the case, then what about the matter of Jin Chanzi's primordial spirit?"

Lin Zhu snorted coldly and took out a jade box from his sleeve.

"Take it! Where are the two magical treasures as agreed?"

Bodhi waved his hand, and an Arhat behind him presented a golden plate with a small, exquisite pagoda and a broken golden lotus on it.

"The Pagoda of Many Treasures and the Golden Lotus of Nine Grades of Merit are here. Although the Golden Lotus has had three grades eaten by the Mosquito Taoist, it is still an innate spiritual treasure."

Lin Zhu took the magic item, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, a system notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Damaged Ninth-Rank Merit Lotus detected. It can be repaired to Twelfth-Rank using one million strands of Chaos Qi.]

Side quest triggered. Change the way Jin Chanzi is born, making his fate full of hardships. Quest reward.

Five hundred thousand strands of chaotic energy

A glint flashed in Lin Zhu's eyes as he thought to himself.

"This is a good opportunity."

Just as Bodhi was about to take his leave, Lin Zhu suddenly spoke up.

"Wait a minute! I have a suggestion regarding the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi."

The Buddha, who had been hiding in the shadows, finally revealed himself.

"What insightful opinion does Benefactor Lin have?"

Lin Zhu smiled slightly.

“Since Jin Chanzi is destined to undergo tribulation and reincarnation, why not let him experience the most humble birth? I propose that his primordial spirit be placed into the womb of a female dog, and after the child is born, we can raise it under the guise of adoption.”

"what?!"

The Buddha was furious, and his Buddha-light surged.

"Lin Zhu! How dare you insult my disciple like this!"

The immortals in the hall were so shocked by this unconventional proposal that they were speechless.

The Jade Emperor coughed lightly.

"Minister Lin, is this really true?"

Lin Zhu remained calm and unhurried.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me. If Jin Chanzi wishes to save all living beings, he must first understand their suffering. If one is born into nobility, how can one know the hardships of the common people? Only by starting from the humblest place can one make a truly great vow.”

Bodhi frowned, sensing something was amiss, but failed to discern the humiliation in the expression.

“What Fellow Daoist Lin said makes some sense. However, I have already made arrangements for the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, so there is no need for you to worry about it.”

"Everyone, listen to me."

Lin Zhu stood in the center of the Lingxiao Palace, facing the group of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from the Western Sect, with a harmless smile on his face.

He gently waved his folding fan, as if he were merely discussing the weather rather than deciding the fate of Jin Chanzi's ten reincarnations.

The Buddha sat upright on a lotus throne, his face so somber it seemed to drip water.

"Benefactor Lin, allowing Jin Chanzi to be reincarnated as a dog is a preordained destiny."

"Stop!"

Lin Zhu snapped his folding fan shut and pointed at Buddha's nose, then began to spew insults.

"Buddha, this is so unethical! You want Jin Chanzi to crawl out of a dog's belly? Are you trying to make a 'Journey to the West' or 'Animal World'? The Western religion may not care about face, but we in Heaven do!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook the vase in her hand, and a few drops of nectar spilled onto the ground.

She suppressed her anger and said.

"What is your opinion, Benefactor Yilin?"

"Simple!"

Lin Zhu slapped his thigh.

“I understand experiencing the hardships of ordinary people! But we must adhere to the basic principles. Jin Chanzi must be reincarnated as a human, and not in a place like the Prime Minister’s mansion where he lives a life of luxury.”

As he spoke, he turned to Bodhi Patriarch, his smile a mixture of flattery and threat.

"Grandmaster, don't you agree? If Jin Chanzi ate delicacies every day, how could he understand the hardships of ordinary people? Where would his merits come from?"

Bodhi Patriarch's white eyebrows furrowed slightly.

As a saint, he truly did not understand worldly affairs, but the word "merit" struck a nerve.

"good."

The patriarch nodded slowly.

"As you say."

In mid-air, Jin Chanzi's primordial spirit manifested, his handsome face contorted into a pained expression.

His lips trembled as he looked at Lin Zhu, his eyes filled with pleading.

Lin Zhu grinned, took out a small notebook, and began to read.

"Comrade Jin Chanzi, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! 'Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to those who are destined for them, and will first test their resolve,' 'No rainbow without rain,' 'Work 996 today, be a Buddha tomorrow.'"

"woooooo"

Jin Chanzi's primordial spirit suddenly erupted with a heart-wrenching cry, and crystal tears transformed into countless specks of light that scattered across the sky.

The Buddha's lips twitched, and he crushed three of the prayer beads in his hand.

He. (End of Chapter)