Simultaneous travel: I am proving the great way in the heavens.

Chapter 562 The Golden Immortal Pill Achieved! The Power of the Middle-Level Buddha!

After leaving the Golden Gourd Cave, Tang Sanzang paid no attention to the burning cave behind him.

Although he looked a little disheveled, his expression was also haggard.

But when you see Luofu Mountain, perched high above the red lotus and white lotus, and Guanyin riding a dragon standing beside it.

Tang Sanzang quickly straightened his clothes and bowed deeply towards Luofu, saying, "Disciple Tang Sanzang greets the True Buddha."

Clearly, after being rescued by Sun Wukong in the cave, Tang Sanzang and the others learned from Sun Wukong who had rescued them.

Otherwise, Tang Sanzang would certainly not have been able to recognize the true Buddha Ruru at a glance, the founder of the Middle Vehicle of Buddhism, at Luofu.

It should be noted that Tang Sanzang studied Theravada Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, which is the lineage of Buddhism passed down from Laozi when he converted the barbarians to Buddhism.

Now, he is going to Mount Ling in the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures, specifically the Tripitaka Mahayana sutras.

Luofu, the Buddha Ruzhen, established the Ruzhen Wonderful Dharma Heaven, representing the Middle Vehicle of Buddhism, and is a Pratyekabuddha of the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle.

From any perspective, there is no direct relationship between Tang Sanzang and Luofu.

The relationship between the two sides is more like a unified system, with no overlapping powers between different departments.

In theory, Luofu, the Buddha of the Middle Vehicle, was Tang Sanzang's superior, but not his direct superior.

Luo Fu nodded slightly and said, "Sanzang."

"The disciple is here."

"The reason you are suffering this calamity is because your five aggregates are not empty, your six senses are not pure, and your eight consciousnesses are unstable. You should avoid this experience and constantly reflect on yourself. The journey to the West is also your path of spiritual practice."

"This disciple thanks Buddha for his guidance and will certainly keep it in mind." Tang Sanzang immediately agreed.

Since awakening his past life memories and returning from the shared space, Luo Fu discovered that the Tang Sanzang of this world was not the same Tang Sanzang he knew from his previous life, the one who was single-mindedly going to the Western Paradise to seek the true scriptures.

If Sun Wukong in this world is unruly and only recognizes strength, submitting to whoever has the biggest fist, then Tang Sanzang is a mortal who speaks eloquently about scriptures and doctrines, but is actually weak-willed and has even considered giving up countless times on the journey to the West.

Yes.

When Tang Sanzang left the Tang Dynasty in the East, he was a person who had given up all desires for fame and fortune, and he had an indescribable reverence for the authority of the government.

This can be seen from the countless times Tang Sanzang complained to Sun Wukong on his journey to the West.

You should know that Tang Sanzang had told Sun Wukong countless times, "If you cause trouble and alarm the government, don't drag me into it."

Of course, although this world is full of human relationships and social customs, it is not really developing in a dark and cruel direction, nor is it a world of dark mythology. Rather, it is the closest to the original version of the Journey to the West world, only inheriting from the prehistoric era.

Luofu is not part of the same system as Tang Sanzang; it is merely nominally of a higher rank than Tang Sanzang.

A few well-intentioned but empty words of advice would be fine, but if Luofu were to act like Guanyin Bodhisattva, constantly cleaning up the messes for the westward-bound group, he wouldn't be happy.

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the others clearly heard Luo Fu's words of admonition to Tang Sanzang.

Seeing Tang Sanzang bow to Luofu, several disciples also quickly put their hands together and bowed in the direction of Luofu.

Luo Fu glanced around. With the blessing of heaven and the accumulation of merit, his cultivation had leaped to the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

He could also sense how many unfathomable powerful beings in the Three Realms were watching him.

Putting aside other matters, Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple, Styx Ancestor of the Netherworld Blood Sea, Lady Pingxin of the Underworld, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of Hell, Buddha Tathagata of the Western Paradise, and even Buddha of the East who was not at the Western Paradise, all paid attention to the area outside the Golden Gourd Cave.

Even when they noticed Luo Fu's gaze, these powerful beings from the Three Realms nodded slightly to him, expressing their goodwill.

Although Luofu entered the Buddhist order and even occupied the position of a middle-level Buddha, he was an independent founder of the True and Wonderful Dharma Heaven. For the entire Buddhist order, he was essentially a shareholder with capital. His joining strengthened and expanded the Buddhist order, without affecting other great masters within it.

The Buddhist community naturally expressed goodwill towards Luofu.

For other powerful beings in the Three Realms, the appearance of Luofu was certainly a great opportunity to strengthen Buddhism and make the Journey to the West tribulation, which was destined to bring about the great prosperity of Buddhism, even stronger.

However, at the same time, he also added new principles and doctrines to the entire Three Realms Heavenly Dao, which is equivalent to extending the time of this immeasurable eon. The appearance of Luofu is more beneficial than harmful to everyone.

There is no fool among the great beings of the Three Realms.

How could someone harbor ill will towards Luo Fu for no reason?
Although Luo Fu has never traveled around the Three Realms, and even the Buddha of the Middle Vehicle of the True Wonderful Dharma Heaven is only known to a very small number of people in the upper levels, Luo Fu's popularity in the Three Realms is probably the most extensive.

Almost all powerful beings held goodwill toward Luofu.

Even Zhen Yuanzi, who had previously witnessed Luo Fu's meteoric rise to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, was somewhat annoyed that he hadn't shown enough sincerity to Luo Fu before.

An existence that brings only benefits to the entire Three Realms and whose advantages outweigh its disadvantages to any powerful being is naturally the most anticipated existence in the Three Realms.

He also nodded to those powerful beings in the Three Realms who were watching him, expressing his goodwill.

Luo Fu led the dragon-riding Guanyin directly towards Ruzhen Temple.

As everything came to an end, everyone dispersed.

Tang Sanzang got up and then called his disciples, including Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, to pack their luggage and continue their journey westward.

Luo Fu, who returned from the Golden Gourd Cave, also received his due reward from the Dragon-Riding Guanyin.

It includes the golden gourd and the twelve golden cinnabar pills inside.

If it weren't for Luofu's appearance, the Western Buddhist sect would have had to pay a full eighteen Golden Elixir Sands to get Laozi to intervene and take away the Green Ox with the Horned Horn.

Now, with the appearance of Luofu, Laozi only took twelve golden pills, which was enough to end the ordeal of the Golden Gourd Cave.

The remaining twelve naturally belonged to Luofu.

After finally obtaining the Golden Elixir Sand, Luo Fu realized that his previous guess about the Golden Elixir Sand was correct.

The so-called Golden Elixir Sand is a blatant and apt example of its kind.

Gold is immortal and the elixir is formed from primordial chaos, but the word "sand" means that it is not yet truly immortal and perfect. This kind of magic treasure that can be transformed into a vast expanse of golden sand that covers the sky and the earth is a raw material that is close to the essence of the golden elixir.

In the hands of any master alchemist, they can refine golden pills of excellent quality. Don't assume that so-called golden pills are only for eating, and that all golden pills are naturally round beads.

Whether it's internal alchemy or external alchemy, to be precise, it's just a description of a state, not a description of a form.

The immortal perfection, also known as the golden elixir, is not necessarily round; it may even be square.

The Vajra Bracelet refined by Laozi is actually a kind of elixir.

The so-called "elixir transformation" describes a state of perfection.

This is why Laozi's Eight Trigrams Furnace is so versatile; it can refine both magical artifacts and elixirs.

In reality, elixirs and magical treasures are merely manifestations of the Dao.

Even living people can be refined through the Eight Trigrams Furnace. Sun Wukong once enjoyed such treatment. However, at that time, Sun Wukong was refined into a golden elixir that he ate. But conversely, the Eight Trigrams Furnace can also help Sun Wukong completely digest and absorb the medicinal power of the golden elixir, thus achieving a perfect indestructible body.

The same applies to Golden Elixir Sand. It is a material for making Golden Elixir, or rather, an auxiliary agent. It can be used to refine Golden Elixir with medicinal effects, to forge weapons, and even to create a kind of supernatural power.

Previously, the Guanyin riding the dragon used the Golden Elixir Sand in a way similar to a magical artifact.

This is why Golden Elixir Sand is so precious.

Twelve Golden Elixir Sands—that's the price that Laozi paid to take away the Green Ox with its Horned Horn. Even considering that Luo Fu demonstrated his strength, the value of twelve Golden Elixir Sands is still immeasurable.

For Luo Fu, with these twelve Golden Elixir Sands, whether it's the Roc Wings he wants to refine, or those two sharp claws, or even the Red Lotus, the Jade Void Palace Immortal Sword, the Yin-Yang Two Qi Floating Dust, or even the innate Yin-Yang Two Qi supernatural powers, these twelve Golden Elixir Sands can exert a very powerful assistance.

After handing over the twelve golden elixir pills to Luofu, Guanyin riding a dragon did not stay in Ruzhen Miaofa Heaven, but instead chose to go to the Western Paradise to report to the Buddha.

Meanwhile, Luo Fu did not continue refining the treasure.

After all, he had just made an appointment with Laozi outside the Golden Gourd Cave to visit the Tushita Palace.

After giving instructions to his many disciples, Luo Fu, accompanied by the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva, headed straight for the Heavenly Court.

The reason for bringing the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva is twofold. In the Middle Vehicle Buddhism of the Ruzhen School, the identity and status of the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva are comparable to the role of the Seven Immortals who served in the Jiejiao School, roughly equivalent to the left and right assistant bodhisattvas in Buddhism today.

Since Luofu accepted Laozi's invitation, he naturally had to show his sincerity. Putting aside everything else, he couldn't just go to heaven alone. At the very least, he had to display some of the majesty of a middle-level Buddha.

This is not because Luofu needs to put on airs, but because it is out of respect for Laozi, the founder of Taoism.

Moreover, this is Luo Fu's first official trip to the Heavenly Court. The Seven Emotions Bodhisattvas were seven princesses of the Heavenly Court in their previous lives. With them by his side, they can help Luo Fu avoid some unnecessary troubles.

Riding on auspicious clouds, they arrived at the South Gate of Heaven.

From afar, Luo Fu could see that all four Heavenly Kings were present.

Although the Four Heavenly Kings are responsible for guarding the South Heavenly Gate, they don't need to be there all the time. Instead, the four brothers take turns guarding the South Heavenly Gate.

But at this time, the four Heavenly Gates gathered together, clearly specifically to receive Luofu.

Sure enough, when Luofu and the auspicious clouds of the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva arrived outside the South Heavenly Gate.

The Four Heavenly Kings hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciples pay respects to the Buddha of the Middle Vehicle."

Although the Pratyekabuddha Vehicle of the Middle Vehicle of Buddhism cannot be considered the orthodox school of Buddhism, and appears to be on par with Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism, it is actually a completely different system.

However, this system should not be underestimated; the number of Pratyekabuddhas alone is something that Buddhism cannot ignore.

Even in Taoism and the Heavenly Court, it is necessary to designate three islands and ten continents specifically for wandering immortals, with the Eastern Emperor in charge. This is even more true for Buddhism.

In Buddhism, Luofu, the Buddha of the Middle Vehicle, is comparable to the Great Emperor Donghua.

Although the Eastern Emperor may seem to have a low profile, his status and position are actually quite special. He and the Queen Mother of the West are brothers born of the same mother, somewhat similar to the siblings Fuxi and Nuwa in the past.

The Four Heavenly Kings are typical members of the Buddhist order in the Heavenly Court.

Of course, they would show great respect to Luofu, the Buddha of the Middle Vehicle.

Even though they were not Pratyekabuddhas, the scene of the Heavenly Favor and the accumulation of merit that Luofu experienced when he fought the Green Ox with the Horned Horn outside the Golden Gourd Cave had truly shocked the Four Heavenly Kings.

"No need for formalities." Luo Fu nodded slightly and said, "This humble monk has come today, firstly at the invitation of the Dao Ancestor, and secondly to pay a visit to the Great Heavenly Venerable. I wonder when I will be able to pay my respects to the Great Heavenly Venerable?"

The so-called Great Celestial Venerable is the Jade Emperor. To outsiders, the Jade Emperor, the Great Celestial Venerable, couldn't even defeat the Monkey King back then, but only those who truly know the Great Celestial Venerable's true nature can understand.

The Jade Emperor can at most be considered an incarnation of Laozi, much like the Supreme Lord Laozi is to the Sage of Taiqing.

Yes.

The Jade Emperor is merely an incarnation; his true form is Haotian, the attendant of Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor, in the Zixiao Palace. The true supreme ruler of the Three Realms is the Haotian Emperor.

Regardless of seniority or strength, the Jade Emperor is the most revered being in the Three Realms after the Investiture of the Gods, in an era where no saints appear. Even when a saint is in person, the Jade Emperor only needs to address him as "Senior Brother".

However, the Jade Emperor is different. He is more like an incarnation specially created by the Jade Emperor to sit in the supreme position of the Three Realms. Unless necessary, the Jade Emperor, who is the true supreme ruler of the Three Realms, would never appear.

"The Great Celestial Venerable and the Dao Ancestor have been waiting for the Buddha for a long time." The Four Heavenly Kings hurriedly stepped forward and took the initiative to lead the way for Luofu, saying, "The Great Celestial Venerable and the Dao Ancestor have already prepared a grand banquet for the Buddha in the Lingxiao Palace. Please come with us disciples."

The Four Heavenly Kings behaved very properly, and their gazes did not even fall on the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva beside Luofu.

This also makes the identity of the Bodhisattva of Seven Emotions truly special.

In her previous life, she was one of the Seven Fairy Maidens of Heaven, the daughter of the Jade Emperor who was reincarnated and undergoing tribulation, and was left behind in the mortal world. She ascended to heaven with her family and friends, and was ranked among the immortals. Although she had the title of princess, she only did the work of a maid.

This relationship is quite complicated.

Although many powerful beings in the Three Realms descend to the mortal realm to undergo tribulations, this is tantamount to weakening or even severing the cause and effect.

For example, right now, how to determine the relationship between the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva and the Great Heavenly Venerable depends on the Great Heavenly Venerable, the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother of the West, and Luofu, the Middle Vehicle Buddha, as well as the Seven Emotions Bodhisattva himself.

This is not something the Four Heavenly Kings can comment on.

Before everything has settled down, the Four Heavenly Kings can only turn a blind eye and a deaf ear.

(End of this chapter)