Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Hongyun was kind-hearted and helpful by nature, and had a wide circle of friends in the prehistoric world. Many of the great supernatural beings who heard the Dao during the primordial era were on good terms with him, and he had a close friend, Zhen Yuanzi, who was like a king to the world. However, he was also the unluckiest person in the prehistoric world.

When Hongjun, the Ancestor, was dividing the saintly positions in Zixiao Palace, he gave the last wisp of Primordial Purple Qi to Hongyun. The saying goes, "The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine, and one remains to escape." Hongyun, however, was caught off guard by Kunpeng's ambush. Unable to defeat Kunpeng, Hongyun perished. The Primordial Purple Qi also vanished without a trace.

In Li Xiuyuan's mind, Hongyun's death was inextricably linked to Zhunti and Jieyin, after all, the karma they owed was too great.

The cause and effect of the two seats is something that Zhunti and Jieyin can never repay. Therefore, they have no choice but to put Hongyun to death.

However, even if Li Xiuyuan understood these things, he wouldn't be foolish enough to say them out loud, otherwise the Sage would skin him alive.

Even though everyone in the Three Realms understood, they wouldn't directly say anything to the Sage, because at their level, if you said it, they would know.

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself that the Somersault Cloud Technique was useless to him, but he could teach it to his other disciple, the Six-Eared Macaque, and also to Sun Wukong in the future.

Otherwise, the guiding sage would not have entrusted it to me.

..............................

Li Xiuyuan thought to himself, "Alright, stop looking. Let's hurry up and go!"

As he spoke, he led the group up Mount Ling.

At this moment, outside the gate at the foot of the mountain, two young monks appeared, smiling and saying, "Venerable Dragon Subduer, the Buddha already knew you had arrived and specially sent us to welcome you."

After saying that, the two men extended their hands to lead the way.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan calmed down and said lightly, "Amitabha! Please lead the way."

Without further ado, he led the two little sand demons toward the Lingshan Palace.

Chapter 389 The Buddha

hum!

Upon entering the Lingshan Palace, Li Xiuyuan saw numerous Buddhas standing on either side, with Shakyamuni Buddha at the head, seated on a lotus throne, facing south, solemn and compassionate.

This person was none other than the former Daoist Duobao, the senior disciple of the Jie Sect, who has now become the Buddha of Buddhism.

Below the Buddha are the Buddha Dipankara and the Buddha Maitreya, who descend half a step to sit on lotus thrones. Behind them are the Ten Great Bodhisattvas, the Eighteen Arhats, and the golden-bodied Dharma protectors, the Kings of Light.

Of course, the Eighteen Arhats lacked the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, and Li Xiuyuan gave these seventeen fellow disciples a sense of unfamiliarity.

The entire Lingshan Palace and magnificent manor resembled a miniature world, with the golden statue of the Buddha standing tall and nearly a thousand feet in size.

The other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, not to be outdone, displayed their dazzling, multicolored radiance throughout the hall.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan frowned. He noticed that the Buddha Tathagata seemed to be targeting him, while the other Buddhas were rarely friendly. However, he was not afraid. He activated the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra, and the image of the Great Sun appeared, its power no less than that of the others.

The image of the Great Sun behind Li Xiuyuan was formed entirely from the image of his future Buddha. When the Buddhas saw it, some were amazed, some were shocked, some were resentful, and some were even annoyed.

When Li Xiuyuan saw that everyone was staring at his Dharma image, he suddenly realized that the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra he practiced was exactly the same as the practice method passed down by the Tathagata Buddha.

However, instead of visualizing the Buddha's form, one directly condenses one's own future form, resulting in a change that is completely incompatible with the original Mahavairocana Sutra.

It should be known that the method of the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra was first created by Daoist Duobao. The method he passed down will also have the same effect as Li Xiuyuan's Great Sun Tathagata Sutra, which can bewitch others.

Now that another figure has appeared in Buddhism, possessing a Dharma with the same efficacy, wouldn't the Buddha feel resentment, as for the Buddhist principle of compassion?

Li Xiuyuan chuckled. Zhunti and Jieyin were the founders of Buddhism, and they were able to scheme against Hongyun. Even if Hongyun's death in ancient times had nothing to do with them, the two of them owed each other karma, so why didn't they take action?

Therefore, Li Xiuyuan did not agree with the Buddhist concept of compassion. Sometimes, one had to be ruthless. The current Buddha Tathagata disliked Li Xiuyuan very much, even though he was his disciple.

The original Buddha was the eldest disciple of the Jie Sect, yet he betrayed the Tongtian Sect Leader. He didn't value the bond between master and disciple much. Besides, the Buddha had countless disciples in Buddhism.

Li Xiuyuan's current status is clearly not weak in the eyes of the two sages, and the fact that they specially granted him the title of Bodhisattva seems to be a way of competing with them for power.

The Buddha thought to himself, "But what a sage decides is not something I can change." Seeing that the other party's Great Sun Dharma Form was not much inferior to his own, he was filled with pride.

Back then, I spent thousands of years creating the Great Sun Tathagata Sutra, while others deduced it and pointed directly to its true meaning, without being misled by my own Dharma form.

Could it be that Jianglong truly possesses the potential to attain enlightenment? The Buddha pondered this in his heart, and finally spoke, saying, "Amitabha, why does Jianglong not pay his respects to me?"

After saying that, he asked directly. Although it was not appropriate to take action, he could use his status to bully and embarrass the other party.

Upon seeing this, Li Xiuyuan nodded and replied, "Amitabha! Disciple Jianglong greets the Buddha."

As he spoke, he bowed respectfully. There was no other way; Li Xiuyuan wasn't pretending to be subservient. Under these circumstances, he had to lower his head.

As the master of all Buddhas on Mount Ling, the Buddha Tathagata holds a lofty position that is far beyond what Li Xiuyuan can match. Even if he possesses the essence blood of Pangu, he would still be no match for him in a real fight.

Even in the Three Realms, few can rival the Buddha at the Quasi-Saint level. Unless Li Xiuyuan can reach the Quasi-Saint level, it will be extremely difficult to defeat him beyond his level.

Of course, with Li Xiuyuan's strength, he could protect himself, but since he was still in Buddhism, he naturally wouldn't completely fall out with Tathagata.

Li Xiuyuan knew in his heart that the many precious lights on the Lingshan Hall were probably specially prepared by the Buddha Tathagata to compete with him!

Although the Buddha did not speak, the crowd did not mind giving him face, after all, he was the master of all Buddhas and his status on Mount Sumeru was unmatched.

Of course, the two saints are an exception.

"Ok!"

The Buddha nodded and said, "Jianglong, I sent you to the mortal realm to subdue the Golden-Winged Roc. Now that he has been suppressed, you have accomplished your mission and can return to Mount Sumeru."

After saying that, his sharp gaze swept over us with a kind expression, but it gave us a chilling feeling.

"It was you who suppressed the Golden-Winged Roc."

As he spoke, a dashing young man appeared. He wore a blue monk's robe, but his hair was still styled. He had a clean and fair face with sharp, cold features.

This person's dark, deep eyes shimmered with a captivating luster; his thick eyebrows, high nose, and exquisitely shaped lips all proclaimed nobility and elegance.

Li Xiuyuan was startled upon seeing this. Although he spoke recklessly in the Lingshan Hall, and judging from his murderous appearance, he was clearly on Li Xiuyuan's side.

However, Li Xiuyuan had nothing to fear. Even if the enemy's cultivation level was higher than his own, he would not be afraid in the slightest. He replied defiantly, "So what if it's me?"

Although the one who suppressed the Golden-Winged Roc was the sage Zhunti, in the eyes of others, he was no different from himself.

Moreover, with others coming to mock and ridicule him, why would Li Xiuyuan be afraid? Therefore, his cold eyes shone with an astonishing light; if anyone was not convinced, he was willing to fight.

Chapter 390 Peacock Great Wheel King

"Very well! I'll remember you!"

As he spoke, the man said "good" three times. Although he was arrogant and flamboyant, he would not directly attack Li Xiuyuan during the investiture ceremony.

Seeing the man's fierce tone, Li Xiuyuan said calmly, "Don't worry, I'll remember you too!"

Having said that, he looked up at the highest point of Mount Ling, where the Buddha seemed to be waiting for his explanation.

“Jianglong, please don’t be offended. This person is the Peacock King of Buddhism, and he has some connection with the Golden-Winged Garuda.”

After saying this, the Buddha nodded with a smile. Kong Xuan was very arrogant and would ignore even his own orders.

After hearing this, Li Xiuyuan suddenly realized why Kong Xuan was always competing with him. Kong Xuan's prototype was the red peacock with narrow eyes and a crest. He was the first peacock in the world and was the general of the Three Mountains Pass of the Yin Shang Dynasty during the Investiture of the Gods period.

Kong Xuan's ultimate skill: Five-Colored Divine Light can sweep away anything.

When Kong Xuan served as the marshal of the Yin Shang dynasty, he blocked Jiang Ziya's army at Jinji Ridge. His unique skill was the Five-Colored Divine Light, which consisted of five colors: blue, yellow, red, black, and white. The Five-Colored Divine Light could sweep away anything and drove away the Taoist Ran Deng, whose cultivation and magical power were superior to those of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.

Even Lu Ya could only flee when faced with the Five-Colored Divine Light. Kong Xuan defeated Nezha and Yang Jian, utterly defeating the Western Zhou army led by Jiang Ziya, forcing Jiang Ziya to raise a white flag of truce. In the end, he was subdued by the Taoist Zhunti.

Another poem says:

The Bodhisattva Cundi was born in the Western Paradise, and her moral roots are profound and immeasurable.

Lotus leaves change color in the wind, lotus flowers stand tall on the bridge even without rain.

Golden bows and silver halberds are not enough to prevent trouble; a precious pestle and fish intestines offer a different solution.

It is said that Kong Xuan could transform himself, and he was called the Wise King under the swaying tree.

Li Xiuyuan said indifferently, "So it's just a feathered beast. How could I possibly be bothered by an ill-mannered peacock?"

After saying this, the corners of his mouth turned up, but he was secretly on guard. He remembered that in the Lion Camel Ridge of Journey to the West, the Golden-Winged Roc had boasted that he had eaten Tang Sanzang. In despair, Sun Wukong went directly to Buddha.

The Buddha said that in the beginning, when chaos first opened up, all things were born, and birds and beasts appeared in the world. Among the beasts, the Qilin was the leader, and among the birds, the Phoenix was the leader. The Phoenix gave birth to the Peacock and the Peng.

Peacocks are fierce by nature and love to eat people. I was swallowed whole by one at the foot of Mount Ling. After I escaped through its anus, I wanted to capture and kill it. The immortals said that since I had entered its belly, killing it would be like killing my own mother. So I honored it as the Buddha Mother and called it the Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva. The Roc stayed by my side and could be considered my maternal uncle.

Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Roc were, after all, brothers. Even though they were somewhat at odds due to their pride, they were still family. Seeing Li Xiuyuan suppress his younger brother, he was naturally furious.

But Li Xiuyuan was not afraid at all. This Kong Xuan dared to swallow even the Buddha, so it was perfectly normal for him to make a move in the main hall of Mount Ling. Therefore, he had long been prepared for a fierce battle.

"How dare you insult me!"

With that, Kong Xuan roared and transformed into a colossal creature—a peacock, tens of meters long, radiating five-colored light and exuding a terrifying aura.

As he spoke, Kong Xuan's colorless divine light swept down, and five divine rays of light appeared, soaring through the air as if a space were enveloping them.

Before Li Xiuyuan could even make a move, the Buddha Tathagata could no longer sit still. He shouted, "Kong Xuan, how dare you! This is not a place for you to run wild!"

As he spoke, he swung out his large palm, which directly blocked Kong Xuan's five-colored divine light. At the same time, it seemed as if another world was contained within the edge of his palm.

The Buddha stopped Kong Xuan, thinking to himself that if he, as the master of Mount Ling, really let the two of them fight, it would be a huge joke. If the two saints blamed him, they would definitely say that he had not disciplined them well.

Li Xiuyuan understood this, so when he saw the other party help him, he felt no gratitude whatsoever. After all, the other party wasn't genuinely helping him, but rather helping himself.

"Humph!"

When Kong Xuan saw the Buddha make a move, his eyes gleamed with a strange light, as if he was about to start a fight at the slightest provocation. However, he was somewhat worried. If he really caused a great disturbance at Mount Ling, what methods would the two sages devise to deal with him?

In the end, Kong Xuan left without saying a word, riding the light away. When everyone saw Kong Xuan leave, they were not surprised at all. Given his personality, it would be strange if he gave face to the Buddha.

At the same time, the Buddha also sowed the seeds of disaster, incurring Kong Xuan's resentment. It is possible that Kong Xuan would eventually take action because of this incident and the accumulation of many grievances against the Buddha.

The Buddhas watched the two fight, almost coming to blows. Although they were a little disappointed that they hadn't witnessed such a spectacular scene, some of them were secretly communicating with each other using their divine senses. They knew that Li Xiuyuan could hold out for several rounds against Kong Xuan.

Of course, there were also some people who disliked Kong Xuan, and after he left, their eyes seemed to become clearer. Among these people were some bodhisattvas and Buddhas.