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

With the Buddha's eloquent and moving statement, the three thousand Buddhas below seemed to find their anchor in an instant. They all recovered from their previous fear, and their faces showed indignation and confusion at being wronged. They chimed in with their own opinions.

"Amitabha! Laozi, you are wise to see the truth! We Buddhist disciples sweep the floor for fear of harming an ant, and we cherish moths by covering lamps with gauze. We cannot bear to hurt even a single ant. How could we possibly commit such an act as destroying a palace and killing people?"

"Exactly! Such evil deeds are intolerable to Heaven and run counter to the teachings of our Buddhist sect! There must be some wicked people secretly plotting to frame our Western Paradise and sow discord between Taoism and Buddhism!"

"Lord Lao, we swear an oath to the Great Dao to assist you in finding the true culprit! We only beg you not to be deceived by wicked people and let our hearts turn away from the Dao!"

"We are wronged, Laozi! Your suspicions are like accusing a virtuous woman of adultery, making us feel wronged and unable to defend ourselves!"

These Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, each with superb acting skills, vividly portrayed the shock, grievance, and indignation of being misunderstood, as if they were the biggest victims.

They knew perfectly well that they absolutely could not admit to destroying the Tushita Palace and looting the elixirs! If they did, it wouldn't just be a matter of losing face, but a direct and irreconcilable feud with Laozi and even the Taiqing Sage behind him!
That would be tantamount to suicide! Even if they know Lin Zhu might be smearing them, they absolutely cannot give in without solid evidence!
Hiding behind Laozi, Lin Zhu watched the tense situation between the two sides, which had reached a stalemate, and felt somewhat troubled.

Tsk, these bald monks, they're well-prepared, each one a drama queen, stubbornly refusing to admit anything.

Although Laozi is powerful, he is ultimately just a benevolent corpse. In this sacred ground of Mount Ling, a forced search would probably not be so easy.

If this were to break out, a chaotic battle between quasi-saints would go on for who knows how long.

The key question is... what if Laozi really has some secret method that can uncover some clues, follow the trail, and eventually find out that I'm also involved in this matter? Wouldn't I be completely finished then? Would Buddha and Laozi join forces to kill me, this "unstable factor," first?

The thought of this possibility sent a chill down Lin Zhu's spine, and he briefly considered running away.

This murky water seems a bit too deep.

But then he thought again and suppressed the impulse. No, he couldn't run!
The real show has only just begun!

Given the Buddha's cunning and vengeful nature, it's impossible that he went to such lengths to create such a commotion just to vent his anger; he must have had a backup plan!
I believe he will not let me down!

I must enjoy this melon until the very end!
Just as Lin Zhu was internally debating the pros and cons, Laozi seemed to have been stirred up by the Buddha's tearful confession, and the sharpness in his eyes softened slightly, but the anger on his face did not dissipate.

He snorted coldly, his gaze like lightning sweeping over all the Buddhas present, and finally, it landed on Lin Zhu, who was lost in thought!

"Hmph! What a clever word!"

Laozi flicked his whisk, pointed at the bamboo forest, and said to the Buddha.

"Since you keep proclaiming your innocence, then come forward openly like Lin Yushen and accept my examination! If you have nothing to hide, what is there to fear from the examination?"

"Ah I?"

Lin Zhu was suddenly called out, and looked up in a daze, pointing to her own nose.

He had absolutely no idea how the fire had suddenly spread to him. They wanted him to undergo testing? Testing what? Testing whether he was the most handsome man in the Three Realms?

He subconsciously touched his face, suddenly recalling that a similar "honor" had indeed been exposed years ago...

However, he quickly realized that Laozi was clearly "making an example of someone" to establish a rule by using him as an easy target!

However, before Lin Zhu could figure out how to get out of this, the Buddha spoke first.

He did not directly agree to Laozi's request, but instead lowered his posture again, bowed respectfully to Laozi, and spoke slowly with a complex and inscrutable emotion in his voice.

"Laojun...it's not that Tathagata is unwilling to undergo testing, it's just that...it's impossible!"

He raised his head, and the golden tears that had been brewing in his eyes finally slid down, leaving two clear marks on his cheeks. His voice also became somewhat choked.

"Laojun, do you know? Back then, you transformed into Laozi, went west out of Hangu Pass, enlightened me, and led me to the West, which led to the Buddha, the World Honored One, who I am today! Although this matter is not a top secret, there are not many people who know the inside story. You have given me a second life, like a second parent!"

"But!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming extremely sorrowful.

"If today, I, Tathagata, the one you personally converted, were to be personally tested by you in front of everyone... no matter what the result is, how would the world view it?"
How would they view you, Lao Tzu?

They would say, "You, Lao Tzu, were once a hypocritical and despicable person who ruined people's spiritual practice!"

The Buddha spoke with tears streaming down his face, pouring out his heart, as if every word was stained with blood and tears.

"The Buddha's personal reputation is a small matter, but we must never let it tarnish your reputation, Laozi! Let you bear the stigma of 'misjudging people' and 'inviting a wolf into the house'!"

This is worse than death! My refusal to undergo testing is not out of guilt, but because I cannot bear to tarnish Your eternal reputation, Laozi!

These words were sincere and logically consistent. They not only elevated Laozi, but also revealed the speaker's "difficulties" and subtly pointed out the origin and cause and effect of the "Laozi converting the barbarians to Buddhism" between the two.

Lin Zhu, standing to the side, was stunned, then suddenly realized. So that's how it is! Laozi converted the barbarians, and Duobao attained Buddhahood!
There's a reason behind this! No wonder the Buddha was so wary of Laozi and felt so "wronged." It's clear that he was unwilling to be controlled by the "enlightenment" he received back then, and he also had the ambition to take control of Buddhism and become the ancestor of all Buddhas!
The water is getting deeper and deeper!
He saw that after listening to Buddha's "heartfelt words," Laozi's face showed hesitation and complexity again, as if he was moved by the statement that he "could not bear to tarnish his good name."

Lin Zhu inwardly cried out in alarm!
If Buddha manages to fool us, how can we possibly watch this show today?
He quickly stepped forward, put on the most "sincere" smile, cupped his hands in greeting to Laozi, and said loudly.

"Laojun! Buddha, you are mistaken! In my humble opinion, it is precisely for this reason that you should be the first to test Buddha!"

His words immediately drew everyone's attention.

The Buddha's tearful expression froze instantly, his face involuntarily darkening as he coldly swept his gaze towards Lin Zhu. Lin Zhu, however, seemed oblivious, continuing his eloquent speech with an air of righteous indignation.

"Laojun, think about it! If you were the first to test the Buddha and prove his innocence, wouldn't that show that you are righteous and impartial?"

This will not only not damage your reputation, but will further highlight your noble character of being fair, selfless, and upright!

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the increasingly grim-looking Buddha, adding fuel to the fire.

"Moreover, rumors are indeed rampant throughout the Three Realms regarding the destruction of the Tushita Palace!"
Many rumors are subtly pointing to Buddha and the Western Paradise! If you were to publicly clear Buddha's name, wouldn't that silence all the gossip?
Let those petty people who secretly spread rumors have nowhere to hide.

This is a tremendous blessing for Buddha and for the Western Paradise! Buddha, don't you agree?

Upon hearing this, Laozi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he nodded slightly, clearly swayed by Lin Zhu's "reasonable" explanation.

"Hmm... what Lin Yushen said is not without reason..."

"you……!"

Just moments ago, the Buddha was tearfully pleading that he "could not bear to tarnish his pure name," but now, with Lin Zhu's interference, he felt a tightness in his chest, and the pent-up frustration almost turned into blood that he spat out!
He stared intently at Lin Zhu, the murderous intent in his eyes almost tangible.

Lin Zhu, however, seemed to think that wasn't enough. He pulled out a handful of fragrant sunflower seeds from somewhere and began to crack them open leisurely, casually flicking the shells towards the direction of the Buddha as he did so.

A light, floating sunflower seed shell traced an arc in the air and landed precisely on the solemn, sacred, and golden forehead of the Buddha!

"Click."

Lin Zhu cracked open another melon seed and, with a grin, addressed the Buddha, whose face had turned from golden to red, then from red to black, as if a dye shop had been opened.

"Buddha, stop just talking! Are we going to test or not? Give me a straight answer! I've almost finished all these sunflower seeds. To be honest, I'd really like to get a mixed doubles beating from you and Laozi, preferably one so bad that I can't take care of myself. Just thinking about it is exciting!"

The sunflower seed shells hanging on the Buddha's forehead trembled slightly with his heavy breathing, appearing extremely glaring.

Seeing this scene, the three thousand Buddhas trembled with rage, their Buddhist power surging. They wished they could rush up and tear Lin Zhu to shreds, but under the cold gaze of Laozi, they could only rage helplessly, daring not to speak out.

The cold gaze of Laozi was like two tangible swords, fixed on the face of Buddha. The anger and disappointment contained within it almost froze the surrounding space.

The Buddha's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to offer a few more words of explanation, attempting to evade the issue with the excuse of "considering his reputation."

However, before he could speak, Laozi suddenly let out a furious roar that shook the universe, containing ten times more rage than when he broke down the door!
"Enough! Daoist Duobao!!"

This cry of "Taoist Duobao" was like a thunderclap from the heavens, striking the heart of the Buddha! It also shook the souls of the three thousand Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Temple, who were filled with horror!

For the current Venerable One of Mount Ling, this name is a taboo, a thing of the past, a sealed history that he is unwilling to look back on!

Since the Investiture of the Gods, there has only been the Buddha Tathagata in the world, and there is no more Duobao Daoren!

At this moment, in front of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Western Paradise, Laozi directly called him by his old name. This was not only a slap in the face, but also a naked denial!
This means that Laozi (Taishang Laojun) does not recognize his current identity and status as the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Buddhas and the World Honored One Tathagata!
This is digging him out of his roots!
The Buddha's enormous golden body trembled violently, and the grief and grievance that he had been forcibly maintaining on his face vanished instantly, replaced by extreme shame, anger, and disbelief!

Daoist Duobao… how dare he… how dare he address me like that?!
I am now the Lord of Mount Ling, the World Honored One Tathagata, revered by all three realms!
He is no longer the Duobao Daoist who was once in Biyou Palace... seemingly in charge of all treasures, but actually in an awkward position, like a security captain!

Yes!
You guided me to the Western Paradise and gave me this opportunity! But my achievements today are due to my own efforts and good fortune!

Why... why did you show such ruthlessness and reduce me to my original form just because of some mere pills and a pill-making room?!
A strong sense of humiliation welled up inside him, and he even thought absurdly.

That mischievous monkey once wreaked havoc in the Tushita Palace and stole countless elixirs, so why didn't you react with such fury and storm Flower Fruit Mountain? Why is it only me...? In your heart, am I not even as good as a monkey?

This is just a small act of revenge against you for secretly plotting against Journey to the West. Why make such a big deal out of it?!
However, he could only keep these words buried deep in his heart and could not utter them aloud.

Under the all-seeing gaze of Laozi, and stimulated by the nightmarish old name "Daoist Duobao," Buddha knew that any explanation or excuse was futile.

He slowly, extremely slowly, raised his head, his face as if all emotion had been drained away, leaving only a cold calm.

He no longer used honorifics, and his voice was indifferent and devoid of any emotion.

"Since Laozi insists on investigating, then let him investigate."

At that moment, the last trace of gratitude and awe he felt for Laozi vanished with the mention of "Taoist Duobao".

He felt that Laozi was pushing his luck and showing him, the World Honored One, no mercy whatsoever. Since that was the case, his pitiful incense offerings were no longer worth maintaining a semblance of respect.

With a single movement, the Buddha's enormous golden body shrank to the size of an ordinary person. In one step, he arrived before Laozi, expressionless, like a golden statue.

Seeing his posture, Laozi's eyes grew even colder, but he did not hesitate at all.

He extended his right hand, his index and middle fingers joined together, and a pure and incomparably bright light of profound yellow merit, containing the meaning of heavenly rewards and punishments, suddenly shone from his fingertips!
The light was not dazzling, yet it seemed to illuminate all the illusions of the world and point directly to the source!

"Congeal!"

Lao Jun let out a low shout, and the ball of merit light at his fingertips suddenly shot out. It did not attack Tathagata, but rapidly spread and condensed in the void between the two, transforming into an ancient, round mirror with Daoist charm flowing around its edges!
Within the precious mirror, light and shadow shifted, like a fleeting glimpse of a scene, reflecting fragments of the Buddha's recent actions! There were images of him preaching the Dharma at the Great Thunderclap Temple, of him meditating by the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, of him discussing matters with Bodhisattvas and Arhats… The scenes flashed rapidly, tracing causal links close to the time of the destruction of the Tushita Palace! (End of Chapter)