Chapter 319 - 280: Zhen Yuanzi Cleverly Persuades True Martial
Wukong had defeated the Heavenly Venerable of the Thunder Department, Wen Zhong, giving another victory to the Buddhist sect, which made Tathagata feel exceedingly satisfied.
Tathagata thought to himself, "Leader of Heaven-Penetrating, although your cultivation reaches the sky, your own disciples have started killing each other, and you are none the wiser! You may sit there looking composed, but I’m afraid you must be seething with hatred."
The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating pondered in his heart, "Tathagata, as cunning as a ghost, you are unaware that this Macaca has Amitabha Buddha’s protection and has transformed the Nine-Ranked Merit Lotus Platform into the Rebirth Box, reversing Heavenly Dao’s time to arrive here, huh? Heh heh, you think it’s funny that my disciples are killing each other, but you have no idea who will have the last laugh."
Tathagata glanced at the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating and saw him looking quite calm. Saints seldom show their emotions because they stand at the peak of this world, like Heavenly Dao itself—all else are but ants, illusions as fragile as bubbles, fleeting in a moment, nearly devoid of feelings.
Tathagata sneered to himself, unaware that the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating was also sneering in his heart.
"Good, truly worthy of being the Victorious Fighting Buddha, even the well-known Heavenly Venerable of the Thunder Department, Wen Zhong, a high disciple of the Supreme Pure Luminous Lineage, is no match for you! Well done!" Pharmacist Buddha said with a smile.
That was a slap in the face, a slap to the face of the Shangqing Lineage. Pharmacist Buddha’s words infuriated everyone in the Shangqing Lineage, their very hair bristling with anger. The Taoism of the Heavenly Masters Linage, staunch supporters of the Shangqing, were seething with rage, staring at Pharmacist Buddha, almost wishing they could tear him into pieces and consume him.
However, the Leader of Heaven-Penetrating smiled and said, "The Way of the Dao is mastered over time, the talent of the Victorious Fighting Buddha is extraordinary, and his victory over Wen Zhong is not surprising."
To date, four battles had been fought. The Complete Truth Sect’s seven had set up the Seven Stars Sword Array and lost to Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva; Chen Tuan had defeated Shan Wuwei; Bodhidharma and Zhang Junshi had tied; and the last was Wukong’s victory over Wen Zhong. With two victories and one tie, the Buddhist sect seemed to have the upper hand this time, feeling quite elated.
The last magic combat had featured all the Buddhas and Great Emperors, the big names, with only Daoist Equal to Heaven stepping in to fight with Mahoraga, ending in a draw. This time, the participants were those of slightly lower cultivation, and it seemed like both Buddhism and Daoism had an unspoken agreement.
Tathagata said, "Let’s stop while we’re ahead, the stakes were sufficient. The True Persons have given me a feast for the eyes. If we continue to fight, I fear we may spoil the harmony."