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

With the Buddha's sixteen-foot-tall golden body as the core, the power and magical light of the three thousand Buddhas instantly condensed into an enormous, unimaginably thick, pale golden "Dharma Net" that covered half of the sky above Mount Ling!
This net is composed of countless intricate Buddhist scripture runes, and each thread contains an abyss of spiritual power and the essence of at least one great Buddhist supernatural power!

Defense, purification, rebound, dissolution... all these effects combined make the defensive power of this "Net of Three Thousand Buddhas" reach an unbelievable level!

It can be said that at the Quasi-Saint level, almost no one can break through this formation head-on with their own strength! Even if the Jade Emperor of Heaven were to come in person, seeing such a lineup and determination, he would probably back down and choose other ways to resolve the dispute.

This is the strongest collective defensive posture that Mount Ling in the Western Paradise can muster, aside from mobilizing the resources of a sage and requesting the sage's personal intervention! It is a symbol of the unity and strength of the Buddhist sect!
The Buddha, situated at the core of the Dharma Net, felt the immense power that embodied the collective efforts of his three thousand fellow disciples, and a slight sense of peace settled in his heart. Perhaps... perhaps he could hold it off? At least, it would show that the Western Paradise was not without power, forcing them to sit down and negotiate?
However, his bit of luck was utterly fragile in the face of the Purple Gold Dragon Emperor's simple, brutal, yet powerful dragon tail, which contained the strongest power of the primordial world!
"boom--!!!!!"

The giant tail of the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor was completely unadorned and did not even use any supernatural powers or spells. It simply wrapped the purest, most refined purple-gold dragon power and the physical strength of the true dragon race that had existed since the beginning of time. Like a giant pillar collapsing, it crashed solidly onto the dazzling "Net of Three Thousand Buddhas"!
The moment of contact—

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a terrifying, muffled sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the world! The sound acted directly on the soul, causing all the Buddhas and Arhats in the formation to tremble violently and their blood to surge!

Immediately afterwards, everyone was horrified to see that the seemingly indestructible pale golden net suddenly dented inward at the point where it touched the dragon's tail, creating an enormous arc! Countless fine Buddhist runes flickered and faded wildly, then shattered and vanished in pieces, like porcelain struck by a heavy hammer!
The indescribably violent purple-gold dragon power, like a world-destroying flood bursting its banks, frantically assaulted and eroded the Dharma Net! The vast Dharma power poured into it by the three thousand Buddhas and the Tathagata Buddha seemed to have become a sand dam trying to stop a tsunami, being consumed, shaken, and disintegrated at a visible speed!
"This...how is this possible?!"

The Buddha's face instantly turned deathly green! He could clearly feel that the defense he and his three thousand fellow disciples had jointly erected was being destroyed at an unstoppable speed by a tyrannical and unreasonable force! And the opponent... didn't even seem to be using their full strength? Just a simple physical tail whip?!
He panicked, truly panicked! He no longer cared about the Buddha's majesty or bargaining chips, and with all his might, he screamed at the cold, overlooking Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor.

"Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor!! Stop!! Let's talk this out!! We admit our mistakes!! We acknowledge our errors!! The Western Paradise is willing to take full responsibility!! We only beg Your Majesty for a chance to negotiate—!!!"

The voice was shrill, filled with pleading and fear.

However, the Golden Dragon Emperor's vertical golden pupils, larger than stars, remained as cold as ancient ice, ignoring Tathagata's pleas without even blinking. It was as if he were saying...

Now you know to beg for mercy? Too late!

The massive dragon tail pressing down on the net seemed to have only... a tiny bit of force applied.

"Snap—!!!"

A crisp sound, like the complete shattering of glass or jade, resounded throughout the Western Heaven!
The "Dharma Net," which embodied the collective will of Buddhism and gathered the blood and sweat of three thousand Buddhas, finally succumbed to the pressure of this "slight" force and collapsed like a burst bubble! Countless magical treasures dimmed and flew backward, and the three thousand Buddhas groaned in unison, falling from the sky like dumplings being dropped into a pot. Those with weaker cultivation even spat out golden blood and their auras weakened!
The defenses have completely collapsed!
Facing the overwhelming and unstoppable terrifying dragon's might, the three thousand Buddhas who fell from the clouds had only boundless despair and blankness on their faces.

They couldn't understand why their Buddhist teachings and combined strength, which they had cultivated diligently for thousands of years and were so proud of, were so vulnerable to the opponent's seemingly simple attack.
The dragon's tail did not stop even after the net of justice was broken.

With its lingering power, it swept towards the core area of ​​Mount Ling, as if sweeping away garbage!

"Do not--!!!"

"Get out of the way!!"

"Help me—!!"

Screams rose and fell! Some Buddhas and Arhats who couldn't dodge in time, or whose movements were slowed by the backlash of the formation, were grazed by the edge of the huge dragon's tail. Their protective Buddhist light shattered like paper, and their physical bodies instantly exploded into a shower of golden dust! Even their true spirits didn't have time to escape before they were completely shredded and annihilated by the terrifying aftershocks of the dragon's power! Their bodies and souls were destroyed!

But this was not the most terrifying thing for the Buddha.

The dragon's tail, which seemed capable of sweeping away stars, crushed part of the Buddha, and then, precisely, its end swept across the highest point of the Great Thunderclap Temple—the most central, magnificent, and symbolic site of the Western Paradise, representing the supreme authority of Buddhism and the support of the Pure Land!

"BOOM—!!!"

A deafening roar, more terrifying than all the previous sounds combined!

The towering, ornately decorated top of the Great Thunderclap Temple, imbued with countless Buddhist blessings and the vows of believers, along with its inlaid jewels and gems, hanging golden bells of merit, and sculpted Buddha and Bodhisattva statues… before the tail of the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor, was like a sandcastle on a beach, instantly shattered into dust! It turned into powder, mingling with the golden light and dust that filled the sky, scattering and falling in abundance!

The terrifying impact traveled down the tower, and the magnificent, seemingly eternal Great Thunder Temple emitted a tooth-grinding groan. The main building shook violently, countless huge cracks appeared on the walls, and glazed tiles fell like rain!

This spiritual symbol and physical core of the Western Paradise became shaky and precarious under this sweep, as if it would collapse completely at any moment!

If the Great Thunderclap Temple were to collapse, it would not only be the destruction of a single building, but would also signify a crack in the "support" of the Western Paradise, causing an immeasurable impact on the fortune and foundation of faith of the entire Buddhist kingdom! It could even trigger a chain reaction of collapses!

"Support the temple first!!"

The Buddha's eyes widened in fury as he issued the command, almost roaring! The dragon race, negotiations—all were cast aside! Preserving the Great Thunderclap Temple meant preserving the face and foundation of the Western Paradise!
He was the first to react, and he didn't care about his image anymore. His sixteen-foot-tall golden body suddenly expanded, transforming into a golden giant. He stretched out two huge golden palms and fiercely pressed against the tilted, collapsing main wall of the Great Thunderclap Temple! The enormous force made his golden body creak, and the jade slabs on the ground of Mount Ling beneath his feet shattered inch by inch!

The three thousand Buddhas also awoke from their despair. Looking at the crumbling Great Thunderclap Temple, which symbolized everything to them, they disregarded their injuries and fear and rushed forward, using their supernatural powers or their physical bodies to brace against the vital parts of the temple!

"One, two, three! Push—!!"

The Buddha's face turned red as he shouted the commands with all his might.

"Hey—yo!!" The three thousand Buddhas shouted in unison, exerting all their strength. The Buddha's light and physical power mingled together, creating a chaotic and... comical scene. The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats, who were high above, were now like laborers on a construction site in the mortal world, sweating profusely, working together to "support" their main hall, which was about to collapse.

This is the first time since its establishment that Xitian Lingshan has engaged in such "united" collective physical labor, all for the purpose of... preventing the building from collapsing.

While struggling against the wall with all his might, feeling the terrifying impact and the aftershocks of the dragon's might, the Buddha was completely broken down and driven to madness.

"What a tragedy! What a tragedy!! These old dragons are completely unreasonable! They don't play by the rules at all! White Lotus Child! It's all that damned White Lotus Child's fault! I...I'm so wronged!!"

With great difficulty, thanks to the Buddha's rallying cry and the desperate efforts of three thousand Buddhas, the crumbling Great Thunderclap Temple was temporarily "supported" and prevented from collapsing immediately. However, the temple was already tilted, riddled with cracks, and a large section at its highest point was bald, making it look extremely miserable and wretched.

The dust settled slowly.

The Buddha withdrew his golden body, no longer caring about tidying his disheveled robes and his dusty appearance.

He took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the despair, madness, and boundless grievances in his heart. He forced out that smile that was more painful than crying, a cautious and extremely humble one. He looked up at the nine giant dragons in the sky that seemed to have done nothing and were still coldly looking down at him, especially the purple-gold dragon emperor.

"Dragon... Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor... Your esteemed dragon lords..."

The Buddha's voice was hoarse, yet he wore a forced smile.

"You see... now that we've vented our anger and established our authority... can't we... now talk things out calmly? The Western Paradise... the Western Paradise is willing to make any compensation, as long as Your Majesty speaks up..."

He felt he had already humbled himself enough and made amends enough.

However, the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor finally spoke, his voice old and deep, yet like the clash of ancient ice, carrying endless mockery and rage.

"Hmph! Now you know you want to talk? Where were you before?! When my dragon descendants were annihilated by your Western Heavenly people, did you ever think of 'having a chat'?!"

The Buddha was so choked up that he almost couldn't catch his breath, and he was furious.

'I've wanted to talk to you for a long time! But you wouldn't listen! You started attacking right away!' But he didn't dare to argue, and could only continue to force a smile, trying to find a way out.

"Yes, yes, yes... It's all because this humble monk failed to discipline him properly, and it's all because that White Lotus Boy acted recklessly... This humble monk has already sent someone to invite the Sage of Guidance! Your Majesty, perhaps... perhaps we should wait for the Sage of Guidance to arrive, and then... perhaps we can discuss this further? With the Sage in person, everything can be discussed..."

He invoked the name of the Sage, hoping that the Sage's reputation would make the other party hesitate, or at least... buy some time.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he felt the atmosphere suddenly change!
Not only did the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor's eyes become even colder and more piercing, but the other two Dragon Emperors beside him, who also wore purple-gold dragon crowns and had terrifying and unpredictable auras, as well as the other six true dragons of different colors, all of them suddenly... lowered their faces!
The terrifying dragon's might surged again instantly, almost suffocating the three thousand Buddhas who had just breathed a sigh of relief!

The Buddha's heart sank, instantly plummeting to the bottom! He knew he might have... said the wrong thing again! Bringing up the Sage of Guidance hadn't made the other party wary; instead, it might have... angered him?

A single Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor nearly overturned the Great Thunderclap Temple, requiring the combined strength of three thousand Buddhas to barely "support" the structure. If three Dragon Emperors, along with six other true dragons of equally unfathomable power, were to attack together…

The Western Paradise is truly in grave danger today!

An absurd yet incredibly clear and intense thought flashed through the Buddha's already chaotic mind like lightning.

'Perhaps… I… should just renounce my monastic life? This Buddha… is no longer worth having!'

Nine true dragons, like nine ancient divine mountains that suppress all heavens, stand majestically outside the Western Heavenly Spirit Mountain.

The supreme pressure emanating from them, originating from the beginning of time and enduring countless eons, was like a tangible mixture of ice and fire, firmly locking down the entire Buddhist Pure Land.

Mount Ling trembled, the Buddha's light wailed, and the faces of the three thousand Buddhas turned pale. Under this terrifying power that almost froze time and space, even breathing became extremely difficult, and their hearts were filled with boundless fear of the blood-stained Mount Ling that might descend at any moment.

The Buddha could clearly sense the undisguised destructive desire lurking in the eyes of the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor and the other true dragons.

They seem to genuinely intend to simply and brutally demolish and crush the sacred land of Mount Ling in the Western Paradise, a place that has consumed countless efforts of two saints and accumulated billions of years of Buddhist wisdom!
To leave or to stay?
This thought gnawed at Tathagata's heart like a venomous snake once more. Faced with such an irresistible and terrifying existence, temporary retreat seemed to be the most rational choice. As long as one is alive, there's always hope. With his peak Quasi-Saint cultivation, if he were determined to escape, he wouldn't be without a chance.

But... what about the Western Paradise? This sacred mountain, this Great Thunderclap Temple, these countless halls and pagodas, this foundation of faith built by hundreds of millions of believers, this supreme lineage he has painstakingly cultivated over countless years to reach its current scale... can he just stand by and watch them all be destroyed? This is his life's work, his path, the meaning of his existence! How can he abandon it? How can he forsake it?

A flame, a mixture of resentment, grief, responsibility, and the last vestige of bloodlust, suddenly surged up in the heart of the Buddha, which was almost overwhelmed by fear and despair!
"All Buddhas, heed my command!"

The Buddha suddenly straightened his back, which had been slightly hunched from his previous humility. The obsequious and humble smile on his face disappeared, replaced by an almost tragic determination and majesty. He looked around at the three thousand pale-faced, trembling fellow disciples behind him, and his voice was like a booming bell, carrying a do-or-die power.

"The Western Paradise is the foundation of our Buddhist sect, the sacred ground of the sages! How can we allow it to be insulted?! Even if a powerful enemy presses in today, we must swear to protect it to the death, to live up to the teachings of the sages, and to betray the offerings of our believers! Follow me—form the Great Formation of Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage! Hold out until the sages descend!" (End of Chapter)