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

The Buddha of Guidance was defeated and fled, and the physical body of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra was shattered, while his primordial spirit was corrupted by the Weak Water. The Yellow Wind Monster led his troops to submit to the Demon Master. The Battle of Yellow Wind Ridge was earth-shattering and shook the Three Realms.

Through the light screen of the Kunlun Mirror, the scheming behind Buddhism and the formidable might of the Tang Dynasty's Xuanjia Army are clearly presented to the masses.

Within the territory of the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, the people were in uproar, and the foundation of their faith in Buddhism was under unprecedented attack.

The incense offerings and prayers visibly thinned out; and the people of the various countries along the route to Xiniu Hezhou were filled with anxiety.

The king of Ü-Tsang, in particular, was terrified when he heard that the Tang army had advanced on two fronts and captured several cities. He immediately sent envoys to surrender to the Tang Dynasty.

Unfortunately, before his envoy could leave the country, the entire Ü-Tsang Kingdom was completely captured and incorporated into the Tang Dynasty's territory.

However, the Great Thunderclap Temple on Mount Ling in the Western Paradise was shrouded in an extremely oppressive atmosphere at this moment.

In the Great Thunderclap Temple, the golden body of the Buddha was dim, and his aura fluctuated erratically. The Bodhisattva Samantabhadra had perished, and his true spirit did not return to Mount Sumeru as expected.

This means that the complete loss of an important Bodhisattva is a heavy blow to the prestige of Buddhism. Although the benevolent incarnation of the Guide Saint successfully escaped back, it was also greatly weakened and is currently recuperating in the depths of the Pure Land.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva, and other core Buddhas and Bodhisattvas all stood silently, their faces as still as water.

Guanyin Bodhisattva stepped forward, her face filled with worry. "Now is not the time to be angry. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, has seized this opportunity to launch a westward campaign with his army. It is no longer a simple matter of obstructing their westward journey."

"Instead, they intend to annex Xiniu Hezhou and use humanity to suppress Buddhism. That demon master Kunpeng openly intervened and protected the remnants of the demon race. If the situation deteriorates further, it may shake the foundation of Buddhism."

Manjushri Bodhisattva also said, “What Avalokiteshvara said is absolutely right. The most urgent task is to stabilize the westward journey as soon as possible, restore our reputation, and stop the advance of the Tang army.”

"After this incident, ordinary calamities will probably be ineffective, and may even give others a handle to use against us. In particular, it is not appropriate for our Buddhist community to personally step forward and create difficulties."

The Buddha remained silent for a moment before speaking: “The journey to the West is ordained by Heaven, and the eastward spread of Buddhism is unstoppable. However, changes have occurred, and calamities must be overcome. Since obstruction in secret is no longer feasible, let us proceed openly.”

His gaze swept over the bodhisattvas: "The next trial is the Eight Hundred Li Flowing Sand River. General Curtain-Raising is a former official of the Heavenly Court, but he was forced onto the path of rebellion by the Jade Emperor because of a glass cup."

"Now you are a demon in the Flowing Sand River, but you are filled with resentment. Venerable Guanyin, please take my decree and go to the Flowing Sand River yourself."

“Tell him that as long as he sincerely submits to my Buddhist sect, after the successful spread of Buddhism to the East, my Buddhist sect will grant him the position of a Buddha.”

It's clear that the Buddha intended to plant spies within the pilgrimage team to monitor Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong's every move.

But no one raised any objections, even though the decision was somewhat underhanded and could even be described as despicable.

After all, Buddhism has been pushed to its limits. If it can no longer control the Journey to the West, the eastward transmission of Buddhism will become a joke.

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and headed towards the Flowing Sand River. At the same time, she couldn't help but think to herself, "Brother Duobao's move is ruthless."

"This has fully exposed the despicable and shameless nature of Buddhism. Once Jin Chanzi establishes a new Buddhist path, the current Buddhist path will be completely forgotten."

Chen Xuan's plan for the entire Journey to the West was not simply about the eastward transmission of Buddhism. It aimed to ensure that Buddhism received sufficient good fortune.

Because that wouldn't truly awaken Buddhism and Taoism. At most, it would only awaken them with the help of the Heavenly Dao, under the intervention of Hongjun.

The result of this would be that Buddhism and Taoism would be completely controlled by the Heavenly Dao. In other words, they would be completely controlled by Hongjun. At that time, who would become the representative of Buddhism and Taoism would be entirely up to Hongjun.

Therefore, Chen Xuan would never allow such a thing to happen, and the only way to avoid it is to forge a new path of Buddhism and Taoism.

Tang Sanzang underwent ten reincarnations, with half of his spirit reincarnating as different identities and experiencing various aspects of life. The other half of his spirit, in all ten reincarnations, cultivated Buddhism and, having transcended his original Buddhist path, comprehended how to walk a new path of Buddhism.

Only Buddhism and Taoism, which are more suitable for the primordial world, can spread in the primordial world and obtain the fortune they deserve.

Furthermore, with the Buddha himself, the leading figure in Buddhism, helping Jin Chanzi abolish the existing Buddhist and Taoist doctrines and promote a new one, Buddhism and Taoism will truly awaken.

Moreover, the Buddhas and Taoists who awaken at that time will not be affected by the Heavenly Dao. They will then truly be one of the Six Paths of the Primordial World, and not merely tools in the hands of Hongjun and the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, at this time, the Buddha was ostensibly upholding the dignity of Buddhism. In reality, however, he was exposing the ugliness of Buddhism at that time, preparing for the arrival of a new Buddhist path.

……

After the battle at Huangfeng Ridge, Tang Sanzang and his disciples headed towards Liusha River.

In the Journey to the West chat group, the Bodhisattva of Ten Lines said: I am ordered to go to the Flowing Sand River to persuade General Curtain Roller to defect.

Sun Wukong: Master Cihang, you can't stab us in the back!

Pigsy: I believe in Curtain Roller; he will definitely not be tempted by Master Cihang.

Nine-Headed Insect: That's not necessarily true. Not everyone is like me, who, even when serving as a mount, must uphold their principles.

Sun Wukong: Nine-Headed Insect, you'd better save your breath. You don't know what's wrong with you, but we know it all too well.

……

The tide turned instantly, and Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie teamed up to criticize the Nine-Headed Insect. They even dug up his affair with Princess Wansheng.

Finally, the Nine-Headed Insect completely went offline, saying, "You guys talk, I didn't hear a thing. I'll just obediently be the old monk's mount."

Tang Sanzang: Now we're talking about the curtain.

The very brief remarks quickly steered the conversation back on track, beginning a discussion about whether the Curtain-Raising General had been bribed by the Buddhist sect.

At this time, Guanyin Bodhisattva had already arrived at the Flowing Sand River and met General Curtain-Rolling.

At this time, General Curtain-Roller was causing trouble in the Flowing Sand River, and thousands of fish, turtles, shrimps, and crabs from the river had gathered around him. He even gave himself the title of King of Flowing Sand.

Upon learning of Guanyin Bodhisattva's arrival, he was overjoyed and personally went out to greet her. His first words were, "Have Monkey King and the others arrived?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded directly and said, "We've arrived. It's less than two days' journey to your Flowing Sand River."

"However, there is one thing I must tell you in advance. I hope you can make the right choice before you officially join the pilgrimage team."

As she spoke, Guanyin Bodhisattva directly pointed out the Buddha's decree to the Curtain-Raising General's mind.

Upon learning what the Buddha wanted him to do, General Curtain-Roller couldn't help but reveal a disdainful sneer.

"If it were me, Sha Wujing, when I was the Curtain-Raising General in Heaven, I might have listened to Buddha. But after experiencing life in Flower Fruit Mountain, what does Buddha matter?" (End of Chapter)