Chapter 157: Chapter 154: Yuan Shi Preaches Tao at the Jade Void Palace Chapter 157: Chapter 154: Yuan Shi Preaches Tao at the Jade Void Palace And so, after Randeng and Xuandu Grand Master intervened to halt the increasingly intense chaos that had erupted between the Buddhist and Daoist sects, Daoist Equal to Heaven and his companions turned back to Yang Jian’s Taoist temple at Guan Jiangkou.

Yang Jian sighed, “I never expected that this incident would draw out so many eminent figures. It was truly unforeseen.”

Chen Tuan said, “Just now, Shan Wuwei ambushed me. Had the Xuandu Grand Master not arrived in time, I would have surely killed him.”

Chen Tuan’s mana was no less than Shan Wuwei’s, and their battle was evenly matched. After being knocked down by Shan Wuwei, Chen Tuan was seething with anger. Lu Dongbin too had been sneak attacked and hit with a blunt force by Bodhidharma, feeling equally suffocated.

Daoist Equal to Heaven pondered, “With the Netherworld Blood Sea now involved, I’m afraid that both the Buddhist and Daoist sects were eager to see this, hoping to take advantage of the situation for a fierce confrontation, to make the other side suffer a heavy loss, and then shift the blame to the Netherworld Blood Sea, declaring all’s well that ends well. Yet at the end of the day, it is the Buddhist sect that has lost. The Daoist sect has not sustained any damage. We killed one of those Arhats and sent another into the cycles of Reincarnation, who knows in what year he will be reborn. Even Tathagata, with his abilities, would not dare to interfere with reincarnation, otherwise, he too cannot bear the burden of karma.”

The Six Paths of Reincarnation is where karmic forces are most concentrated. Even Saints cannot interfere with reincarnation, for it is the very foundation of this universe. To meddle with reincarnation is forbidden by the Heavenly Dao, and one would be overwhelmed by the immense karmic force, with regret being the least of worries.

After this incident, it is likely that both the Buddhist and Daoist factions will quiet down for a while, no longer engaging in the overt and covert struggles, as fiercely as before.

Yang Jian asked Daoist Equal to Heaven, “What should we do now?”

Daoist Equal to Heaven could not help but muse again; the current situation was too delicate. The Buddhist and Daoist sects had just clashed fiercely. Although they might quiet down, the Buddhist sect had suffered losses, having had two Arhats killed by him and Yang Jian, which might lead them to seek retribution.

Currently, Daoist Equal to Heaven had no solution. He felt he might truly be superfluous, for the Three Pure Ones probably had already calculated their chosen ones. The inertia of Heavenly Dao was immensely strong, nearly impossible to reverse. History was still developing forward, slightly deviating from its course but quickly returning to the right track. How could Daoist Equal to Heaven, this mantis, stop the chariot of Heavenly Dao?

Although time had been reversed, the inertia of Heavenly Dao remained very powerful, still developing in the previous direction. If this continued, the future would still lead to Jin’s rise to power, followed by the expansion of Buddhism during Jin Dynasty, then the chaos of the Five Barbarians, turmoil in the Central Plains, and later Emperor Wen of Sui uniting the Eastern Land. But the fortune of Sui Dynasty was short, significantly shortened by the hands of Emperor Yang of Sui. The fall of Sui and the rise of Tang, Emperor Taizong of Tang saved by the eighteen monks, his immense favor towards the Buddhist sect, followed by the Journey to the West… Daoist Equal to Heaven could vaguely remember some parts, only the general direction, but the details were completely elusive.

“Should I go and lay down the Sima Clan’s pieces early on in Cao Wei?” Daoist Equal to Heaven frowned to himself.

He had already calculated that the Sima Clan did not have the fortune to be emperors. How did Sima Zhao become an emperor? In the Eastern Land, unlike West Cow He State, having fortune was extremely important; without it, one could not become an emperor.

Daoist Equal to Heaven said, “I do not know either. We can only see how the three brothers Liu-Guan-Zhang develop…”

Lu Dongbin sat to one side and said, “Today’s situation almost completely escaped our control. The Netherworld Blood Sea became the scapegoat for both sides, and it is likely to be quiet for some time. We should keep a low profile lest we draw the attention of the Buddhist sect.”

Daoist Equal to Heaven nodded slightly. Although two monks’ deaths were not significant to the Buddhist sect, they had still suffered a loss. He and Yang Jian were the main culprits.

Yang Jian, being a legitimate god of the Heavenly Court with a considerable following in the mortal world, the Buddhist sect might not dare to make rash moves, but Daoist Equal to Heaven was not so sure about himself. Aside from a few individuals, no one knew he was the incarnation of Wukong.

Lu Dongbin said, “I have also been away for a while now. There are matters that need deliberation within the Complete Truth Sect, so I will take my leave from you fellows for now. If there’s any need, just send a Jade Slip, and I shall come to assist immediately.”

Daoist Equal to Heaven bowed his hands in thanks, “Then I am grateful to you, fellow Daoist!”

Lu Dongbin nodded slightly, mounted his cloud, and left, returning to the Complete Truth Sect to attend to sect affairs.

Suddenly, a Jade Slip descended from the sky, landing in the hands of the three. Upon opening it, they were astounded. It was an invitation to the opening of the Jade Void Palace; Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch would be lecturing on the Great Dao, summoning all immortals to listen to his teachings at the Jade Void Palace.

Yang Jian glanced at Daoist Equal to Heaven and said, “It seems this matter is far from simple. The Saint does not desire People of the Immortal Path to meddle. Hence, at this time, the decree was sent down.”

The chaos between Buddhism and Daoism had just ended, and the invitation to the lecture at Jade Void Palace was clearly Yuan Shi’s effort to gather the Daoist figures, lest they stir up trouble in the Human Path and ignite a fierce conflict between Buddhism and Daoism, which would be unfortunate.

Yang Jian said, “Since Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch has not often given lectures since the last one at Jade Void Palace, no matter what, we should still go this time.”

Daoist Equal to Heaven nodded slightly and said, “Let’s go, there’s nothing else to do anyway.”

Chen Tuan also smiled and added, “It’s rare to hear a Saint give a sermon, let’s go together!”

The three ascended to the heavens together, and along the way, they encountered some fellow Taoists. Meanwhile, Tathagata had also begun his teachings, discussing the Buddhist scriptures.

Both Yuan Shi and Tathagata were giving lectures, clearly intending to gather their followers to prevent any disturbances.

As Daoist Equal to Heaven and the others arrived at the Celestial Palace, messengers welcomed them and handed them jade slips, then led them up to the Jade Pure Sky.

At the entrance of Jade Void Palace in Jade Pure Sky, Taoists from various regions had gathered, including many Loose Cultivators. Among the familiar faces were Zhang Junshi, Unibrow Taoist, and those they had met on Mount Shushan. A high platform had been erected at the entrance with a meditation cushion placed on top, but as no one was seated there, it was evident that Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch had not yet arrived.

“There really are a lot of people!” Daoist Equal to Heaven exclaimed.

The Jade Pure Sky was bustling with people, with Taoists coming from the Lower Realm and some from the Heavenly Court, all converging in the Jade Pure Sky.

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch then casually walked out from within Jade Void Palace, and all the Taoists immediately stood up, bowing and saying, “We pay respects to Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch!”

Yuan Shi raised his hand and said, “No need for such formalities, my friends. I have called you all here because I was moved to action after a period of quiet contemplation, and also because it has been quite some time since Jade Void Palace hosted a lecture. That’s why I’ve invited everyone to ascend and listen.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch ascended the Jade Platform and took his seat on the meditation cushion. He began with some minor matters and had his attending Child serve tea and refreshments to the Taoists.

Daoist Equal to Heaven looked around but didn’t see the person he was seeking. Who was he looking for? None other than his fellow sister disciple and Subhuti.

Although Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch was lecturing, many had still not arrived. Lu Dongbin wanted to come, but due to his busy sect duties, he did not attend.

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch did not speak much longer, and feeling that the time was right, he began his lecture. Instantly, exquisite sounds filled the air, accompanied by wondrous visions, enthralling the audience.

In his heart, Daoist Equal to Heaven thought, “I don’t know how long this lecture will last this time! Alas, it all comes down to the Saint’s power; just a few words from him can completely disrupt your plans.”

Putting aside these thoughts, he calmed his mind and began to listen to Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch’s sermon.

After all, it is not an everyday occurrence to hear a Saint give a lecture; it can be considered a fortunate opportunity. However, it seems that Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch does not favor the people of the demon race, so he did not invite any of their leaders to listen. Just look at how poorly Huang Long Zhenren is treated; it’s because he does not curry favor with Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch. Leader of Heaven-Penetrating, on the other hand, is open to disciples of all kinds, willing to accept anyone who wishes to listen to his teachings. As a result, he has many more attendees than Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, but ever since his defeat during the Divine Enthronement in Ancient Times, Leader of Heaven-Penetrating has not shown himself again.

It was the same with the Buddhist Sect; their leaders had all gone to Mount Meru to listen to Buddha Ancestor’s sutras.

All Daoist Equal to Heaven could do was smile wryly; indeed, it seems that the Heavenly Dao is destined to develop as it always has. This inertia is something he cannot change with his own hands.

To find out what happens next, please follow the subsequent chapters.

PS: My cold is quite severe, and I struggled to write this chapter. This bottleneck is also quite uncomfortable, and I hope to find the feeling to break through it soon.