Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

Just when everyone thought that the Spiritual Stone Monkey would drift across the East Sea to reach Jambudvipa, and then cross the West Sea to reach Aparagodaniya.

The Spiritual Stone Monkey stopped directly in the East Sea. It kept circling around in the water, as if searching for something.

This scene was witnessed by the Five Directions Protectors, who were secretly observing the Spiritual Stone Monkey, and they also sensed that something was amiss. They immediately informed the Western Paradise.

After learning of this, the Buddha asked the Buddhas of the West: What was the purpose of the Spiritual Stone Monkey's actions?
Although he asked the question aloud, he already knew perfectly well that the Spirit Stone Monkey was searching for Green Lotus Island. After all, his purpose in coming here was not to become a disciple of Patriarch Bodhi, but to become a disciple of his junior brother, Jade Cauldron Immortal.

However, the Buddha would not say this aloud; he was like an outsider, watching the Western Buddhas express their opinions.

Finally, it was Buddha Tathagata who spoke up: "Since everyone feels that there is something strange about this matter, why don't we send someone to the East Sea to take a look?"

"Incidentally, guide the Spiritual Stone Monkey to the Southern Continent, and then guide him to the Western Continent to find the Spiritual Platform Mountain."

"I wonder which fellow Daoist would be willing to take this opportunity. If this matter is accomplished, it will be a meritorious deed. When the spread of Buddhism to the East is complete, you will surely be rewarded."

The Buddha's purpose in saying this was solely to allow the three forces to vie for this merit.

At the same time, he nodded to Guanyin Bodhisattva, who said without hesitation, "Buddha, since this journey to the West to retrieve the scriptures is in my responsibility, let me go."

Just as the Buddha was about to nod, Manjushri Bodhisattva spoke up, saying, "Guanyin Bodhisattva, you still need to keep an eye on Jin Chanzi. Leave Lingming Stone Monkey to this humble monk."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded after hearing this, "Manjushri Bodhisattva can share this humble monk's burdens, and this humble monk is naturally more than willing to accept it."

As she spoke, Guanyin Bodhisattva also bowed respectfully to Manjushri Bodhisattva to express her gratitude.

But before Manjushri Bodhisattva could make a move, the White Elephant Venerable stepped forward. The White Elephant Venerable was none other than Lingya Immortal, formerly of the Jie Sect.

In order to complete the journey to the West, he was ordered by the Old Ancestor Hongyun to join the Western Buddhist sect along with several other fellow disciples.

Despite being old friends, Hongyun Patriarch and Zhen Yuanzi's disciples have always disliked each other.

If it weren't for their master keeping them in check, the two sides might have already fought countless battles. Even though the open battle didn't take place, the intrigue and backstabbing behind the scenes never stopped.

Even after joining the Buddhist order, the two sides were still secretly vying for power. Now, seeing that Manjushri Bodhisattva was about to accomplish this meritorious deed, Venerable White Elephant stepped forward and spoke up.

"I'm afraid it's inconvenient for Manjushri Bodhisattva to get involved in this matter. It would be more appropriate for me to do so."

Upon hearing this, Manjushri Bodhisattva frowned and asked, "Why does Venerable White Elephant feel that it is inconvenient to appear in human form?"

The White Elephant Venerable looked at Manjushri Bodhisattva and asked, "I wonder how the Bodhisattva plans to guide the Spiritual Stone Monkey? Could it be that you will directly perform a ritual to send him across the East Sea to Jambudvipa?"

“If that’s the case, then there’s no need to send Manjushri Bodhisattva. Just send one of the Eight Heavenly Dragons to handle it.”

When the White Elephant Venerable said this, even Manjushri Bodhisattva didn't know how to respond, since that was indeed what he thought.

Otherwise, what could he possibly do? Was he supposed to transform into a fish or shrimp to communicate with the Spiritual Stone Monkey? Tell him that far away in Xiniu Hezhou, there was a powerful being who could teach him the art of immortality? At that moment, Manjushri Bodhisattva spoke up, asking the White Elephant Venerable, "Then what does the White Elephant Venerable intend to do?"

Venerable White Elephant smiled and said, "Naturally, I transformed into a demon and chased after that Spirit Stone Monkey. I forced him to cross the East Sea first, then the West Sea, and finally reach Xiniu Hezhou."

"The experience of being chased by demons along the way will surely make the Spirit Stone Monkey hate demons even more. When the time comes to go west to subdue the demons, he will definitely work even harder."

You know what, what the White Elephant Venerable said was indeed very reasonable. He was definitely more reliable than Manjushri Bodhisattva.

But then the Buddha spoke up and asked the crowd, "Does anyone have any objections? If not, this matter will be left to Venerable White Elephant."

As soon as the Buddha finished speaking, a person from the Western Sect's camp stepped forward and addressed the Buddha.

“My Buddha, the method of the White Elephant Venerable transforming into a demon is indeed feasible. However, the White Elephant Venerable may not be as familiar with the East Sea as I am.”

The speaker was none other than the Dragon God, one of the eight legions of the Western Paradise. Therefore, if he were to step forward to take on this task, the White Elephant Venerable would truly have no chance.

The Eight Legions are not merely eight individuals, but eight races. They were forcibly taken to Mount Sumeru in the west by the Daoist Zhunti before the Investiture of the Gods, through a combination of coaxing, deception, and coercion.

Therefore, even during the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, more than one of the Eight Legions died. Now, in the Great Thunderclap Temple, not a single one is missing.

After all, they have a large reserve force to ensure that the Eight Guardians will always consist of eight people. There will be no situation where they become six or five guardians.

Seeing the Dragon God step forward, Venerable White Elephant gritted his teeth in anger. After all, causing trouble in the sea was no match for the Dragon God.

In the end, he could only helplessly flick his sleeves and return to his seat. And naturally, this task fell to the Dragon God.

The Dragon God bowed to the Buddha and said, "Rest assured, Buddha, I will successfully guide the Spiritual Stone Monkey to the Spiritual Platform Mountain."

After saying that, he flashed and transformed into a golden dragon, flying out of the Great Thunderclap Temple and heading towards the East Sea.

Meanwhile, the Spiritual Stone Monkey sat on the bamboo raft, constantly looking around and muttering to himself.

"According to the directions given by my three older brothers, we should be not far from Qinglian Island. But why can't we see an island at all?"

With a hint of doubt in his heart, the Spirit Stone Monkey directly released its true spirit from its body. It flew directly into the air and looked down, trying to find the location of Green Lotus Island.

And you know what? The Spirit Stone Monkey actually discovered something. Although it couldn't see clearly whether it was Green Lotus Island, it could see a wisp of mist.

Any place shrouded in mist is definitely not an ordinary place. So the Spiritual Stone Monkey hurriedly withdrew his true spirit and began paddling the raft towards the direction of the mist.

It's unclear how long it paddled, or how many times it observed from mid-air. In short, the Spiritual Stone Monkey could see the mist, but could never reach it.

Just as the Spirit Stone Monkey was feeling down, a huge whirlpool suddenly appeared on the sea, sweeping the bamboo raft into it. (End of Chapter)