Primordial Era: A God-Level Choice, Possessing Zhao Gongming at the Start

Chapter 504 The Buddhist Sect Seeking Help, the Azure Lotus Banner

The current situation in the Three Realms, although in the midst of a great calamity, is already quite clear: the Xuanmen (Taoist sect) and the Buddhist sect are vying for supremacy, while the Heavenly Court is assisting the Buddhist sect in successfully traveling west, thereby gaining enormous benefits.

Unfortunately, Zhen Yuanzi was a member of the Xuanmen sect. Today, Haotian personally came to Wanshou Mountain to visit him, and he could guess Haotian's purpose.

As expected, after Zhen Yuanzi asked, Haotian decisively replied, "A great calamity has begun, and all beings in the Three Realms are destined to face it. When we were on our westward journey, the Dao Ancestor said that if the West wanted to prosper, it had to go through eighty-one tribulations. Not long ago, a calamity descended upon the Wuzhuang Temple, so the next tribulation on our westward journey will unfold at the Wuzhuang Temple."

Haotian briefly explained to Zhen Yuanzi, then asked, "Therefore, our Heavenly Court wishes to ask Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi for our assistance."

Zhen Yuanzi smiled faintly, not answering Haotian's question, but instead asking, "May I ask, Great Heavenly Venerable, for whom has this great calamity come?"

"Naturally, it's Buddhism."

Hao Tianxia realized this.

"Since this is a matter for Buddhism, why doesn't Buddhism come in person, instead sending the Great Celestial Venerable instead? This shows a lack of sincerity."

Zhen Yuanzi smiled and shook his head, his refusal was quite clear.

Haotian thought to himself, "He is indeed the most outstanding cultivator among the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace. He is not to be underestimated."

Haotian composed himself and said with a smile, "After the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods, the Dao Ancestor decreed that no saint could enter the Three Realms anymore. With the saints gone, who in Buddhism can persuade Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan to give us face?"

"I remember that the Buddha of the past in Buddhism today is Fellow Daoist Dipankara, right? Fellow Daoist Dipankara and I are both among the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace. If Fellow Daoist Dipankara were to intervene, how could I possibly refuse him?"

Haotian fell silent. Yes, although Randeng had done poorly, he was still one of the three thousand guests of Zixiao. If the Buddhist sect needed someone to do something, it would be unreasonable for Randeng not to come.

At this moment, Qingfeng and Mingyue entered carrying a white jade plate, on which sat a crystal-clear fruit that resembled an unborn fetus—the ginseng fruit.

"Great Celestial Venerable has come from afar as a guest. It just so happens that the ginseng fruit tree has recently ripened another batch of fruit. Great Celestial Venerable, please have a taste."

Zhen Yuanzi made a gesture of invitation.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Haotian's face. With his current level of cultivation, what was the point of eating a ginseng fruit?

Zhen Yuanzi's meaning was quite clear: now that you've come and eaten the fruit, it's time to leave.

Haotian took the ginseng fruit, ate it in a few bites, chatted with Zhen Yuanzi for a while, and then got up to take his leave. Zhen Yuanzi naturally saw him off with pleasure.

Haotian returned to the Heavenly Court, and soon after, Yaochi arrived. When Yaochi saw Haotian's depressed expression, she knew that the matter had not been accomplished.

She walked quietly to Haotian's side, gently massaging his shoulders, her voice soft, "Didn't you get things done?"

Haotian let out a long sigh of stale air and said dejectedly, "It's no use for me to intervene; the Buddhist sect must come in person."

"Then let the Buddhist sect go themselves."

Yaochi said, "This time, the West has prospered greatly, and the biggest beneficiaries are the Buddhist sects. Why is the Heavenly Court taking the lead when the Buddhist sects are not stepping forward?"

Haotian sighed, unable to explain the complex web of interests involved in this great calamity to Yaochi in detail. He could only nod and say, "If Zhenyuanzi doesn't agree, then we can only go to the Buddhist sect."

The Heavenly Court was very efficient. Just half a day later, in the Great Thunder Temple, in the Mahavira Hall, the Medicine Master received the latest news. After reading the message from the Heavenly Court, the Medicine Master immediately went to find Dipankara and Maitreya.

Soon, in the Great Buddha Hall of the Great Thunder Temple, the three contemporary leaders of Buddhism gathered together. The Medicine Master gave the message from the Heavenly Court to Randeng. After Maitreya read it, the two fell silent.

After a long silence, Ran Deng spoke, his face grave. "Zhen Yuanzi is a top expert of Zixiao Palace, and he's on good terms with the Xuanmen and Jiejiao sects. It will be difficult to persuade him!"

Maitreya said firmly, "For the great prosperity of our Buddhist sect, no matter how difficult this matter is, we must accomplish it."

After speaking, he looked at the pharmacist, "Senior Pharmacist, what are your thoughts?"

After pondering for a moment, the pharmacist looked at Ran Deng and said, "Compared to Zhen Yuanzi, we are all juniors. This matter will have to be handled by you, Ran Deng."

Ran Dong felt a slight bitterness in his heart, thinking to himself that as expected, they had finally come after him.

To be fair, since he joined the Buddhist sect, the sect has treated him exceptionally well, providing him with a prestigious position and a wealth of resources. Otherwise, his cultivation level wouldn't have advanced so rapidly, reaching the late stage of Quasi-Saint.

However, while enjoying the benefits of Buddhism, one must also bear corresponding responsibilities. Now, it is time for him to fulfill those responsibilities.

"Zhen Yuanzi and I are both among the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace. It would be perfectly acceptable for me to go."

Ran Deng nodded and agreed immediately.

The pharmacist nodded solemnly, "In that case, I'll trouble you. You must get this done."

Immediately, the lamp transformed into a streak of light, departing from the Great Thunder Temple and heading straight for Longevity Mountain.

Above Longevity Mountain, Ran Deng looked down and felt the powerful aura emanating from the entire mountain. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "As expected of a top expert in Zixiao Palace, just having a book of earth in hand is incredibly useful. He can draw on the power of the earth's veins at any time. What a unique advantage he is!"

Dipankara Buddha exhaled a breath of stale air, descended from the clouds, stepped into the Wuzhuang Temple, and gently knocked on the gate. "The ancient Dipankara Buddha of Buddhism has come to pay respects to Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan."

The melodious Taoist chants, accompanied by the knocking on the door, echoed throughout the entire Wuzhuang Temple. In just a few breaths, Qingfeng and Mingyue opened the door again, bowed, and said, "So it is the Buddha Dipankara who has graced us with his presence. Please come in quickly."

As they spoke, Qingfeng and Mingyue led the way, bringing Randeng directly to the main hall of Wuzhuang Temple. Zhenyuanzi was already waiting there. Seeing that Randeng had arrived so quickly, he smiled to himself. It seemed that the Buddhist sect was taking this journey to the west very seriously. Haotian had just left when Randeng arrived.

"Fellow Daoist Ran Deng."

Zhen Yuanzi bowed to Randeng.

Ran Deng quickly returned the greeting and took his seat.

After the two were seated, they exchanged pleasantries for a while before getting down to business. Randeng asked the same question Haotian had asked before.

Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a moment, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Fellow Daoist Randeng, as you know, I am a member of the Xuanmen sect and have always maintained good relations with the Jiejiao sect. The Buddhist sect's actions have put me in a difficult position."

Randeng took out his prepared speech and said firmly, "The Buddhist sect naturally knows that Fellow Daoist Zhenyuan is having some difficulty in handling this matter. Fellow Daoist, please state your conditions first. If our Buddhist sect can fulfill them, we will certainly not refuse."

Zhen Yuanzi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a knowing smile. "Then I do indeed have something I wish to ask the Buddhist sect for."

"What is it?"

"One of the Five Primordial Banners, the Azure Lotus Banner."

(End of this chapter)