Chat group: Among all the heavens, I am the Bull Demon King!

Chapter 53 Ananda's Resentment: I, Taibai, am truly heartbroken for the Heavenly Court!
Outside Cuiyun Mountain!

When Venerable Ananda saw Venus and his entourage descend before him, the hazy celestial light obscured the boundless Buddhist light, and the faint celestial music overwhelmed the murmuring Buddhist chants, even the most composed person couldn't help but frown.

But he met Venus's smiling eyes.

Venerable Ananda immediately calmed down and had no choice but to bow to Venus, saying, "This humble monk Ananda greets Venus!"

Others, unaware of Venus's true nature, assumed he was a courtier of the Jade Emperor, skilled only in flattery and sycophancy, lacking any real ability.

But Ananda, as the Buddha's direct disciple and known as the most learned in Buddhism, how could he not know the origins of Venus?

Venus is the essence of metal in the west, the son of the White Emperor, and the symbol of a high-ranking general!
Venus, when seen in the east at dawn, is called the Morning Star; when seen in the west at dusk, it is called the Evening Star, which governs war and destruction.

Venus (Li Changgeng)

These seven characters are enough to reveal the background of Li Changgeng, a close advisor to the Jade Emperor. He is a martial god of war in the Heavenly Court, whose status in the Heavenly Court is second only to the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors.

Most importantly, Ananda had heard the Buddha say that this kind-hearted man who always smiled at everyone was also an enlightened being.

Or rather, it is precisely because this Heavenly Martial God has attained perfect enlightenment that he is able to restrain his desire for violence and killing, and is not affected by his rank, becoming a well-known good person and benevolent immortal in the Three Realms.

But who would really think that Venus is so easy to bully?

That would be choosing the wrong person.

This guy always has a smile on his face, but when it comes to actually fighting, his methods are definitely more ruthless than Zhenwu's and more brutal than the Thunder God.

Therefore, Ananda preferred to face the Jade Emperor rather than Taibai Jinxing, who always smiled at everyone.

"So it was Venerable Ananda!"

Venus, as if he had just seen Venerable Ananda, smiled and apologized, "Your Buddha light was too dazzling just now, and I didn't recognize you for a moment, so I accidentally left my cloud in front of you. I hope you won't mind."

Venus had a very high opinion of the young monk Ananda.

Furthermore, unlike Shakyamuni who favored his second disciple, Jin Chanzi.

Venus has always believed that the young monk Ananda has a greater chance of attaining enlightenment than Jin Chanzi, and that he is the one in Buddhism with the best chance of enlightenment.

Of course, while we may be optimistic, we will still face difficulties where necessary.

This is a matter of stance.

While the bigwigs at the top can lie low, those of them who are subordinates cannot. When they are out in the world, they must uphold the dignity of the Heavenly Court.

As far as he knew, the Buddhist community had been quite unruly lately, causing quite a stir over the Journey to the West.

These days, it's rare to see Buddhist monks parading around in public, so we definitely need to give them a warning.

"Amitabha!"

Ananda was not angry at Venus's rebuke. He chanted a Buddhist prayer and said calmly, "Venus is joking. The Buddha has repeatedly warned us that we must be respectful and courteous when we encounter Venus, and not act recklessly!"

"Furthermore, Venus is the senior, and I am the junior, so naturally Venus should go first!"

Facing seniors on the path of spiritual practice.

There's nothing shameful about admitting defeat from the bottom of your heart!
After all, losing face is better than losing your life.

Not to mention, as Buddhist monks, who would care about appearances?
Therefore, Ananda was not bothered at all by Taibai Jinxing's difficult behavior. He placed himself in the position of a junior and treated Taibai Jinxing with utmost respect, so that Taibai Jinxing could not find any fault with him.

"Hehe, as expected of the most learned person in Buddhism."

Venus couldn't help but praise Ananda's performance and said frankly, "It is said that Jin Chanzi is the most promising person in Buddhism to attain enlightenment."

But this old man still has higher hopes for you, young monk Ananda. I believe you are the future of Buddhism and have the best chance of forging your own path!

Upon hearing this, Venerable Ananda calmly replied, "Venus flatters me. Senior Brother Jin Chanzi is exceptionally talented and has already forged his own path. What merit do I, a humble monk, possess to be compared to Senior Brother Jin Chanzi?"

To his second senior brother, Jin Chanzi!

Ananda was unconvinced.

But what can you do if you're not convinced?

No one could change the Buddha's decision, nor could anyone affect the status of his second senior brother in Buddhism.

Even many powerful beings in the Three Realms believed that their second senior brother, Jin Chanzi, was the true successor of the Buddha.

This led to the name of Jin Chanzi, the second direct disciple of Buddha, resounding throughout the Three Realms, while few people knew the names of the other nine of Buddha's ten direct disciples.

If Ananda truly believed he was inferior to Jin Chanzi, he would accept it.

However, Ananda felt that his second senior brother, Jin Chanzi, was not much stronger than himself, which made Ananda somewhat uncomfortable.

Not to mention.

Their master had even used the Buddhist sect's fortune to pave a path to heaven for their second senior brother, Jin Chanzi. Not only was their own path to enlightenment uncertain, but they also had to travel and struggle for him.

It's no wonder Ananda felt resentful.

But what can you do if you have resentment in your heart?
Can you tell me?
Certainly not.

Not only did I not dare to tell anyone, I didn't even dare to show it.

In Buddhism, greed, anger, and ignorance are the three poisons, the root of evil that causes people to be trapped in the cycle of birth and death. If you harbor resentment and dissatisfaction, it is because you are impure due to greed, anger, and ignorance, and you will not be able to become a Buddha.

Therefore, Ananda felt bitter in his heart, but he could not speak of it.

Now that he had finally heard a senior think highly of him and believe that he was better than Jin Chanzi, Ananda was very happy. His goodwill towards Taibai Jinxing also increased, and he believed that the other party was a true Taoist.

"Look, there's movement on Cuiyun Mountain."

"This is a projection of the sacred mountain; getting inside won't be easy."

"Hmm, it sounds like someone's coming out. Could it be that the mountain deity has sent down a divine decree?"

"Could it be that the sacred beings in the mountains sensed our piety and specially sent celestial children to guide us?"

"Stop talking, hurry up and step forward to listen to the sacred decree."

"..."

As Ananda was talking with Venus, Mount Cuiyun, which had been hidden in the void, reappeared before everyone's eyes, like a mirage, hidden in the misty clouds.

Just as everyone outside Cuiyun Mountain was filled with excitement, two rows of female immortals emerged from the clouds, their steps light and graceful, their aura ethereal, like goddesses from the heavens.

The leading female immortal spoke in a melodious voice: "My master has said that the guests who have come here may enter the mountain temple on their own. Those who cannot enter are considered to have no affinity and may leave on their own."

Say it.

The female fairy then led her entourage back into the clouds and disappeared.

Only a black void rift remained, leading directly to the Cuiyun Mountain Taoist temple hidden in the misty sea of ​​clouds.

Although Niu Jun had already decided to open the temple.

However, not just anyone can enter his own dojo.

In fact, it was the first time the dojo had been opened to the public.

Niu Jun also deliberately lowered the entry requirements and displayed the projection of Cuiyun Mountain to indicate the direction and coordinates for those who wanted to enter the dojo, so that they would not get lost in the void.

However, even so.

Those who lack the cultivation of a true immortal and cannot traverse the void are also not allowed to enter the Daoist temple.

Of course, if the visitor is a Xuanxian or Jinxian, they are qualified to bring others into the Daoist temple.

"I wonder what Venus thinks of the Bull King's actions?"

Ananda looked at the Emerald Cloud Mountain hidden in the void and asked with a somewhat solemn expression.

He discovered that he could not see through the clouds and mist surrounding Cuiyun Mountain, as if some unfamiliar law was blocking his vision.

This surprised Ananda, and made him even more curious about the Bull King, this newly enlightened being.

In fact.

Not only did Ananda look to Venus, but the others outside Cuiyun Mountain were also waiting for Venus to make a decision.

Because at this time, Venus represents the Heavenly Court.

If the Heavenly Court didn't enter first, how could other forces dare to go first?

Like Ananda, he seemed to be asking Venus for guidance, but in reality, he was signaling Venus to go first and be the first to enter the Cuiyun Mountain dojo.

Venus naturally understood the meaning behind Ananda's words. He wasn't angry and said with a smile, "How else can I see it? Of course, I'll follow the host's lead."

"Since the Bull King has set such a rule, there must be a profound reason for it, and we should naturally abide by it."

"Since everyone has some concerns, I'll be the first one to go in."

Having said that, without waiting for Ananda to speak further, he led his people on a cloud into the void, flying towards the location of Cuiyun Mountain, which was hidden deep within the void.

They saw Venus leading people on clouds into the void, flying towards the Emerald Cloud Mountain in the mirage.

The other major powers breathed a sigh of relief and, like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each led their people into the void. Then came some small and medium-sized forces, as well as the scattered immortals and demon kings of Xiniu Hezhou, who used their various methods to fly towards the projection of Cuiyun Mountain in the sky.

In no more than half a day.

Outside of Cuiyun Mountain, only a few cultivators remained, gazing at the mirage and sighing.

……

Rumble!
Venus led the celestial beings into the void on a cloud, with terrifying void storms swirling around their ears.

He originally thought it would take him some time to enter the Cuiyun Mountain Taoist temple.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the void rift, they saw endless white clouds floating in the void, with a sea of ​​clouds everywhere.

An endless sea of ​​clouds paves a path to the heavens, directly isolating the terrifying void storms from the outside.

Saw such a scene.

Venus knew perfectly well that the "fate" that the Ox King spoke of was courage.

He did not deny opportunities to mortal cultivators. As long as a cultivator below the True Immortal level dared to jump into the void rift, they could also enter the Cuiyun Mountain Dojo without any danger.

However, immortals value life, while ordinary people fear death. Those who can disregard their own life and death for the sake of a karmic connection are ultimately a very small minority.

Therefore, it was destined that very few mortal cultivators would be able to enter the Cuiyun Mountain Dojo this time.

"Tsk tsk, this Bull King really has some impressive skills. He was able to reopen a great realm in Cuiyun Mountain and turn the originally ordinary Cuiyun Mountain into a truly sacred place."

Soon, Venus and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the Cuiyun Mountain Taoist temple.

Amidst the endless sea of ​​clouds, one could see towering islands and celestial mountains, with various palaces, celestial birds, and mythical beasts soaring through the clouds.

Amidst thousands of celestial islands, an incomparably enormous celestial mountain pierces directly into the void, radiating boundless divine light.

This sacred mountain is enormous, probably millions of feet tall. In front of it, a person is like a speck of dust.

Even if Venus never saw what the real Cuiyun Mountain looked like.

However, they also knew that the immortal mountain in front of them was not the original Cuiyun Mountain, but rather a powerful artifact forged by the Bull King using his great supernatural powers.

Even from Venus's perspective, the sea of ​​clouds, immortal mountains, and islands before him were completely independent of the Three Realms, forming their own world.

obviously.

The Bull King had established a vast realm within his own domain.

This left Venus in awe of Niu Jun's extravagant gesture.

In particular, the laws and principles of this world are completely different from the laws of heaven in the Journey to the West world, and also very different from the laws and principles he had cultivated before.

to be frank.

If Venus hadn't possessed exceptional composure and known that now was not the time to comprehend the laws and principles of the Dao, he probably would have been tempted to sit down and begin his own cultivation.

"No wonder!"

"No wonder it could alarm the Taiqing Dao Ancestor who had already attained the Dao, and attract the favor of Heaven."

“This Bull King has not only attained enlightenment, but has also opened up an unprecedented path that will allow us to reach a higher level.”

Venus carefully sensed the laws of this world and the universe, and a sudden realization arose in his heart.

No wonder the Bull King was able to awaken the will of the Taiqing Dao Ancestor, who had already attained the Dao; it was because he had opened up a Dao that was unprecedented and unique throughout the ages.

Venus couldn't even imagine what terrifying realm the Grandmaster Taiqing would reach if he integrated this Great Dao into his own Dao Fruit.

Or rather, this Bull King alone is comparable to the Three Realms reincarnating a thousand times, enabling everyone's cultivation to reach a higher level.

Compared to this.

After the Taiqing Dao Ancestor's will awakened, the heavenly favor and the power of the world's origin that descended seemed less important.

"Welcome to the Cuiyun Dojo. Please leave your name and letter of greeting here so that we can record them and report to His Excellency."

Just as Venus was in shock, a male immortal of the Golden Immortal level and a female immortal of the Golden Immortal level each led two rows of male and female immortals out of the Cuiyun Dojo.

At the entrance of the temple, there is a table for guests to sign their names and pay their respects.

"Special envoy of the Heavenly Court, Venus, has come by decree of the Jade Emperor to congratulate the Ox King on his attainment of enlightenment, and presents ten Nine-Turn Golden Pills, a pair of Innate Spiritual Treasures, ten Innate Divine Pearls, ten Innate Divine Flames, ten celestial treasures, and ten bushels of starlight..."

Upon hearing this, Venus smiled and handed over the gift list, and then gave the Heavenly Court's offering to congratulate Niu Jun on his attainment of enlightenment to a male immortal of the Golden Immortal level, instructing him to keep it safe and sealed away.

It can only be said that the Heavenly Court is indeed wealthy and powerful, and it throws out all kinds of innate treasures and divine artifacts.

This caused Venerable Ananda, who arrived later, to twitch at the corner of his mouth.

no way.

Compared to the congratulatory gifts prepared by the Heavenly Court.

The things that Lingshan Buddhist sect asked him to bring were completely inadequate.

But this old man, Venus, didn't leave immediately after registering his name. Instead, he stood there smiling as he watched Venus register and offer his gift.

This left Venerable Ananda extremely embarrassed, wishing he could simply pierce through the sea of ​​clouds with his foot and disappear into the void, no longer wanting to get involved in the matter.

We can't just sit here and wait.

The longer it drags on, the more people will arrive, and the more disgraced their Buddhist community will become.

Ananda, thinking of this, took a deep breath, completely ignoring the presence of Venus and the others, and said quietly:
“Ananda of the Lingshan Buddhist Sect, in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings, has come to congratulate the Bull King on his enlightenment and offers a gift…a Bodhi fruit.”

The Lingshan Buddhist sect possesses an innate spiritual root called the Bodhi Tree, which can enhance wisdom and understanding, and help people attain enlightenment.

The fruit of the Bodhi tree, known as the Bodhi fruit, also has the effect of increasing wisdom and enlightenment.

Although the effects of the Bodhi fruit cannot compare to those of the Bodhi tree, it is still a divine object in the Journey to the West world, and its value is comparable to that of the ginseng fruit and the nine-thousand-year-old peach.

However, no matter how good the Bodhi fruit is, it is still just the fruit of an innate spiritual root, an acquired thing. Compared with the various innate divine objects offered by the Heavenly Court, it is directly crushed into dust.

What's most infuriating is that the Heavenly Court presented not just one, but dozens of innate treasures as gifts.

In comparison, even Ananda, with his thick skin, felt somewhat embarrassed and dared not linger at the entrance of the temple.

So after he finished offering his gifts, he ignored Venus's instructions and went straight into the Cuiyun Dojo with a female immortal.

Seeing this, Venus was not angry. He smiled and followed behind a male immortal, leading the people of Heaven into the temple.

It wasn't that he wanted to see Ananda and the Buddhist sect make a fool of themselves, but rather that he had come with a secret mission from the Jade Emperor: to invite the Bull King to the Heavenly Court.

If the Buddhist sect of Mount Ling also had such intentions and spared no expense to invite the Ox King to Mount Ling, he would definitely make preparations in advance.

Unexpectedly, the Lingshan Buddhist sect was so stingy that they only sent a Bodhi fruit as a congratulatory gift.

Such a comparison.

It's no wonder that the Bull King would be willing to join the Buddhist order.

His invitation to the Bull King to enter the Heavenly Court will undoubtedly be much easier this time.

However, Venus also knew that the Buddhist community of Mount Ling was not truly poor; it was the Buddha himself who was poor, not the Buddhist community.

After all, the Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment in this era, so it would be strange if he had too many innate treasures.

Others, such as the Buddha of the past, the Buddha of the future, and the Four Great Bodhisattvas, possess quite a few innate treasures.

But these people would love for Shakyamuni, the present Buddha, to become the past Buddha, so why would they hand over their innate treasures to Shakyamuni?

So it's not that Buddhism is poor, but that Shakyamuni himself is poor.

Furthermore, the number of factions within Buddhism is no less than that in the Heavenly Court, and the internal struggles within Buddhism are even more intense than those between the various factions in the Heavenly Court.

Those who drag each other down and those who resort to underhanded tactics are everywhere.

Therefore, Venus suspected that it wasn't that the Buddha Shakyamuni didn't want to win over Niu Jun, but rather that other great supernatural beings in Buddhism didn't want anyone else to come to Buddhism to share the fruits.

"However, this is undoubtedly a good thing for our Heavenly Court!"

"With the Bull King, the pioneer, joining us, all the immortals and gods of our Heavenly Court will surely be able to sweep away the current lax and undisciplined atmosphere and restore the prestige of the Heavenly Court!"

Venus chuckled to himself, as if he could already see the Heavenly Court once again dominating the Three Realms.

no way.

The Heavenly Court today desperately needs a young leader like the Bull King—energetic, passionate, and eager to strive for success.

Otherwise, given the current atmosphere in Heaven...

I'm afraid that when the enemy reaches the Lingxiao Palace, everyone will still be laughing and dancing.

"Hey!"

Thinking of this, Venus couldn't help but sigh. He, Venus, had truly worried himself sick over the affairs of the Heavenly Court.

(End of this chapter)