Chapter 276 - 276 185 Tathagata Returns_9

Words : 1365 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

276: Chapter 185: Tathagata Returns_9 276: Chapter 185: Tathagata Returns_9 Jin Chan gazed at the receding figure of the Wind-Listening Great Sage and said indifferently, “The Buddha has a special fondness for the monkey; he’s been entangled with him throughout his life. One can’t help but feel the Buddha’s partiality towards the monkey.” Tathagata Buddha smiled faintly, not minding Jin Chan’s sarcasm. Looking in the direction where the Macaque King had departed, Tathagata Buddha said, “As for your junior brother, he has a respectable talent. Although he is not as good as Sun Wukong, he is destined to be a hopeful candidate for Heavenly Venerate, and I think highly of him.” “Just a Heavenly Venerate? Master, your vision seems rather low.” Jin Chan smiled faintly. The Buddha didn’t pay attention to his sarcasm, shifting the topic instead. “I hope this time will be a success. Once successful, Mount Ling will no longer be threatened by the Heavenly Court, and we can securely establish ourselves in one place.” Tathagata Buddha murmured. Jin Chan curled his lips, not saying anything. But he always had a feeling that matters related to that monkey wouldn’t be so simple. Could Tathagata Buddha really achieve his goal? He was somewhat skeptical. By now, the Macaque King was making preparations, and all of the Spiritual Sect changed their banners and flags. Then the members of the Spiritual Sect declared to the Incense Visitors that their true Supreme Deity was none other than Tathagata Buddha. This caused an uproar among the Incense Visitors, who all inquired about who Tathagata Buddha was. The minor demons of the Spiritual Sect began to propagate the deeds of Tathagata Buddha and showed off their skills, making the Incense Visitors even more convinced of Tathagata Buddha. In less than three days, the entire Spiritual Sect started to worship Tathagata Buddha. The vast power of Incense and Fire reached Tathagata Buddha, and he revealed an expression of enjoyment. Jin Chan said lightly, “Teacher, if I remember correctly, you once taught us that the Power of Incense and Fire is ultimately a minor path—achievements on this path are limited, and it is best not to get involved. Yet, what you’re doing now seems to contradict what you said.” Tathagata Buddha looked at Jin Chan and, with a faint smile, said, “Using the Power of Incense and Fire to improve cultivation will make the Immortals and Buddhas increasingly reliant on it, but I am different. I have already thought of a way to resolve this issue.” “What way?” A sharp glint appeared in Jin Chan’s eyes. Tathagata Buddha merely smiled faintly but did not answer Jin Chan. Jin Chan too put away his curiosity; he knew all too well that such a method would not be easily revealed by Tathagata, and even if it were, it wouldn’t be to him. Tathagata was extremely wary of him. Within Huaguo Mountain, Sun Wukong and his companions had already learned of Tathagata’s moves, and he let out a cold laugh, saying, “The old man Tathagata has finally made his move.” “Great Saint, shall we stop Tathagata?” Fan Yao was eager to try. Sun Wukong shook his head and said with a smile, “We just need to watch the show.” “Watch the show?” The crowd was puzzled. But since Sun Wukong had said so, they did not press further. Meanwhile, the news that the Spiritual Sect had become Tathagata’s temple had already spread throughout the Eastern Continent. The Daoist immortals were enraged, as the Eastern Continent had always been their sacred ground. The Daoist immortals allowed those minor demons to do good deeds here, to collect some Power of Incense and Fire, to improve their cultivation and become Demon Immortals as soon as possible. However, they did not permit the Buddhist Sect to move eastward into the Eastern Continent. Yet Tathagata managed to accomplish all this right under their noses. The Daoist immortals were a mix of shock and fury. Many immortals from the Daoist Sect were ready to make a move, intending to destroy those temples. However, powerful figures from Mount Ling appeared, blocking their way, preventing them from taking action. The one leading them was none other than Jin Chanzi. Sun Wukong had also sensed Jin Chanzi’s presence, and he immediately understood that the old monk probably had disappeared, and now the real Jin Chanzi, Tathagata’s second disciple and an ambitious fellow, had shown up. Sun Wukong did not make a move, and Jin Chanzi was aware that Sun Wukong had sensed him; he did not provoke Sun Wukong either. By now, everyone knew that Sun Wukong was closely related to Great Emperor Ziwei, and that Sun Wukong’s own strength was enough to fight against an average Great Heavenly Venerate. To provoke Sun Wukong was to invite discomfort upon oneself. Thinking of this, Jin Chanzi cursed the character of Sandalwood Merit Buddha inwardly. If he had only treated Sun Wukong a bit nicer from the start, their relationship would not have come to this point. If he and Sun Wukong were still in a master-disciple relationship, he could have made use of Sun Wukong to accomplish many things. It was ultimately a pity. In the past few days, the Eastern Continent had erupted into battle more than once. Generally speaking, it was the immortals of the Daoist Sect who were at a disadvantage. It wasn’t that the Daoist immortals were not strong, but rather that none of the true heavyweights of the Daoist Sect had made a move yet. They were all watching and waiting, mainly to confirm whether Tathagata was dead or alive. On the fifth day after the Spiritual Sect transformed the temples, Tathagata made a strong comeback, emitting the might befitting a top-tier Great Heavenly Venerate and returned to Mount Ling. “Today Buddha Tathagata, after surviving through calamities, returns. Once more he takes charge of the Buddhist Realm, becoming the Lord of the Buddhist Realm. All Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats from the various Pure Lands, come to pay homage speedily.” The voice of Lamp-Burning Ancient Buddha resonated, shaking the entire West. As soon as Tathagata returned, he began to announce his ownership over the Buddhist Realm. Amitabha Buddha’s face turned ashen. Although he had long known that Tathagata was not dead and would return sooner or later, he couldn’t help but feel angry when the day actually arrived. Amitabha Buddha’s gaze swept over the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats below and said indifferently, “A king for each generation, a servant for each king. Now it is Ziwei Heavenly Venerate who predominates over the Three Realms, and I have been personally anointed by Ziwei Heavenly Venerate as the Lord of the Buddhist Realm. What significance does a returned Tathagata hold? If you wish to kneel before Tathagata, I wouldn’t mind, but afterward, please do not visit my Pure Land any longer.” His speech was reasoned and authoritative, carrying both grace and threat. Even though many powerful beings of the Buddhist Sect harbored such intentions, they restrained themselves at this moment. Tathagata could not outweigh Heavenly Court no matter how great he was. Ziwei Emperor controlled the Three Realms and was far more formidable than a Tathagata. With this thought, their minds were somewhat settled. On that day, forty percent of the elites within the Buddhist Sect went to worship Tathagata Buddha. Everyone was very clear that this was equivalent to surrendering; the people who left were henceforth Tathagata Buddha’s own people. And those among the Buddhist elite who remained with Amitabha Buddha would become targets for Tathagata Buddha’s suppression in the future. Thinking of Tathagata Buddha’s methods, the hearts of those at Amitabha Buddha’s side were filled with trepidation. Many could no longer sit still and considered leaving. Just at this moment, a chuckling voice rang out: “Amitabha Buddha, I’ve come to see you. Hurry up with the good wine and food.” Sun Wukong strode in through the door of the grand hall, a lazy smile on his face. Amitabha Buddha also smiled, for the Great Saint had arrived just at the right time.

Chapter 276 - 276 185 Tathagata Returns_9

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