Buddhism Shakes Mount Sumeru! The Merit Golden Lotus Is Fated with Me!

Boom!

The Sanskrit chants surged mightily, and the Buddhist Dharma was boundless.

A Buddha Relic appeared out of thin air, blossoming with billions of rays of golden light as it hovered before Ling Xiao's brow. Immediately afterward, the laws of Buddhism swelled like raging waves, shaking the entirety of Mount Sumeru.

Seated atop the World-Ending Black Lotus, with the Buddha Relic at his brow radiating Merit Golden Light.

Ling Xiao's Daoist Robe emitted black and gold light. Netherworld Demonic Fire evolved while Buddhist laws emerged, the two endlessly cycling and perfectly melding together under Ling Xiao's control.

"Impossible!"

"Buddha and demons cannot coexist. How can you possess both powers at once? Could it be the wondrous effect of that relic that allowed you to achieve this?"

Bhaisajyaguru Buddha pointed at Ling Xiao, his face full of astonishment.

Having cultivated Buddhism for countless ages, he had never witnessed anything so shocking.

He had assumed Ling Xiao's words about becoming a Buddha in a single thought and entering the demonic path in another were mere arrogance. Yet now, the scene of Buddha and demon merging had truly unfolded before him.

His Dao Heart trembled, and his Buddha Heart wavered.

"Foolish child!"

Zhunti noticed that something was wrong with Bhaisajyaguru Buddha and hurriedly spoke Sanskrit chants. Only then did the latter awaken and cast aside all distracting thoughts within his Dao Heart.

Otherwise, if he let his thoughts run wild, Bhaisajyaguru Buddha's path would go astray!

"Mahayana Buddhism is something I have never heard of, but it must have its merits. Little Friend Ling Xiao possesses both the World-Ending Black Lotus and the Buddha Relic. My junior brother and I truly envy you!"

Jieyin looked at Ling Xiao wistfully, then let out a soft sigh.

The foundation of the Western Sect was the Buddhist Dao created by the two brothers.

The Buddhist Dao encompassed all Buddhist teachings in the world, yet neither Mahayana Buddhism nor Ling Xiao's earlier theories were among them. Lesser Vehicle Buddhism did exist, however, and it was the Western Sect's core cultivation method.

Jieyin secretly wondered which of the two was superior.

"You praise me too highly, Sage!"

"Mahayana Buddhism is part of the Buddhist Dao; it cannot be separated from the Buddhist Dao created by you two Sages! I have never cultivated Buddhism in my life. My ability to discuss the Dao with you here is merely thanks to this Buddha Relic."

"Perhaps this Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure is fated with the Western Sect?"

Ling Xiao spoke calmly and without betraying anything.

Yet his gaze covertly turned toward the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus within Sukhavati. The Two Sages of the West noticed this gesture, but neither said anything.

"All dharmas arise from causes and conditions; all dharmas perish through causes and conditions!"

"All conditioned things are impermanent and subject to arising and perishing. When arising and perishing cease, tranquil extinction is bliss!"

Very quickly!

Zhunti composed himself and spoke words that blossomed like lotuses, waves of Sanskrit chants rolling forth.

The Buddhist merit light shone brilliantly. Countless voices recited scriptures throughout Western Sukhavati, as one Western Sect disciple after another pressed their palms together and bowed in worship, comprehending Zhunti's Buddhist Dharma.

The phenomena shifted, while arising and perishing followed their natural course.

Ling Xiao sat atop the World-Ending Black Lotus, yet at this moment he seemed like rootless duckweed adrift amid rushing torrents, as though Zhunti's Buddhist Dharma would drown and convert him the next instant.

"Lesser Vehicle Buddhism emphasizes personal liberation and nirvana, but my Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes saving all living beings. I ask the two Sages for your guidance!"

Ling Xiao remained as immovable as a mountain as he spoke slowly.

The next instant!

Ling Xiao began speaking eloquently, saying calmly, "To all living beings, regard them as oneself; rescue and bear their burdens, bringing them all across to the other shore! All conditioned things are impermanent, all dharmas are without self, nirvana is tranquil..."

The Sanskrit chants rang brilliantly, stirring the soul.

With the Buddha Relic's empowerment, Ling Xiao expounded the principles of Mahayana Buddhism.

Beyond the heavens, Buddhist light shone everywhere.

Demonic energy and Buddhist laws surrounded Ling Xiao, while the Heaven Dao Merit Halo behind him, over ten feet wide, manifested as well. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha could not help but enter enlightenment, and countless Western Sect disciples and believers also let their spirits roam the great void.

The Sanskrit chants filled their ears, and the Buddhist Dharma was boundless.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance. There was neither anger nor killing intent in their eyes; they simply quietly comprehended Ling Xiao's Mahayana Buddhism.

"Bodhi was never a tree, nor was the bright mirror a stand. Originally there was not a single thing; where could dust arise?"

"To revive the Western World, my junior brother and I exhausted every method. Over countless ages, we accumulated so many obsessions that we have now even forgotten our original intentions."

"Since those human beings have multiplied upon the Western Continent, they should naturally receive the Western Sect's protection. Yet I allowed the demons of Lion Camel Ridge to wreak havoc. I was truly muddleheaded for a time..."

Zhunti pressed his palms together and bowed slightly to Ling Xiao.

His obsessions dispersed, resolving his Heart Demon.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao withdrew his Dao Resonance and nodded in response.

The Two Sages of the West were shameless and unscrupulous in their actions, but at least they were willing to listen to advice.

With a peaceful expression, Jieyin said, "Our Western Sect will help Little Friend resolve the matter of Lion Camel Ridge. However, Lingya Immortal and Qiushou Immortal are among Senior Brother Tongtian's Attendant Seven Immortals. Even my junior brother and I would not dare take their lives."

"After the Demon Court was reestablished, the Golden-Winged Great Peng began throwing his weight around at Phoenix Perch Mountain. Our Western Sect cannot interfere there either!"

"Of course, aside from Lingya Immortal and Qiushou Immortal, our Western Sect will send all other wicked demons and heretical fiends into Avici Hell..."

Upon hearing this.

Ling Xiao showed no dissatisfaction and instead understood the concerns of the Two Sages of the West.

Among all the Sages, Jieyin and Zhunti had made great vows and borrowed merit from the Heavenly Dao to attain their Sage Dao Fruits. Their foundation simply could not compare to Tongtian's.

In terms of Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures alone, they ranked at the bottom among Heavenly Dao Sages.

Even Nuwa possessed numerous supreme treasures, such as the Qiankun Cauldron, Mountain and Rivers State Diagram, and Red Bridal Ball. Yet the Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasures owned by the Two Sages of the West combined did not exceed the number of fingers on one hand.

"I will deal with Lingya Immortal and Qiushou Immortal myself, so there is no need to trouble the two Sages."

"The Western World may have Demon Clan members who absorb the essence of the sun and moon and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but it cannot harbor wicked paths that slaughter living beings and disregard all life!"

Ling Xiao's words were righteous and resounding.

Seeing his solemn expression, Jieyin and Zhunti did not refute him.

But soon, their gazes fell upon the Buddha Relic in Ling Xiao's hand.

The Western World was barren and desolate. They had been poor for far too long!

His expression turning serious, Zhunti was the first to speak. "Little Friend Ling Xiao is of the Pure World White Lotus Foundation. Besides discussing Buddhism, would you like to make a trade?"

As he spoke, the Twelfth Grade Merit Golden Lotus floated into the air.

Merit Golden Light flickered around it, intertwined with all manner of auspicious divine patterns. It was clearly a supreme treasure.

It also carried the Western Sect's providence!

"Let us speak plainly. This Merit Golden Lotus is fated with me."

"I will exchange this Buddha Relic and the Heavenly Dao Merit Halo behind me for the Merit Golden Lotus. What do you two Sages think?"

"If you two Sages grant my wish, I have further treasures to offer!"

Ling Xiao no longer hesitated and directly stated his purpose.

The Merit Golden Lotus, Karma Fire Red Lotus, Taiyi Whisk, and Three Treasures Jade Scepter—once he obtained these treasures, he could attempt to elevate his Foundation and complete his transformation.

Just thinking of the Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus excited him!

"To be honest, I am tempted."

"Beyond being a Top-Grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure, this Buddha Relic contains the Mahayana Buddhism that Little Friend just expounded. It can serve as a supreme treasure to suppress the Western Sect's providence, and it is far more suitable than the Merit Golden Lotus."

"But Little Friend also knows that our Western Sect has shallow foundations and has lived a hard life! Over these countless ages, we have also incurred some Karmic Slaughter. Could Little Friend show us some mercy?"

At last!

Zhunti's shameless side was exposed before Ling Xiao.

Caught up in his own emotions, he seemed to have moved himself to tears, his cloudy old eyes looking as though they would shed tears the next moment.

This sight left Ling Xiao torn between laughter and tears.

"I will help the two Sages sort out the Western Sect's providence. Furthermore, you need not act yourselves. I will personally strip the Western Sect's providence from the Merit Golden Lotus and merge it with the Buddha Relic."

"As for this Heavenly Dao Merit Halo, do you intend to merge it into the Buddha Relic, or...?"

With a slight movement of his Divine Sense, the Heaven Dao Merit Halo, over ten feet wide, shrank to the size of a fist and floated before Ling Xiao.

Having mastered the Pure Creation Dao, become the Great Emperor of the Azure Radiance, and even sent local specialties to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Ling Xiao had no need for the Heavenly Dao Merit Halo to protect him. He might as well give it to someone fated with it!

It appeared that he was taking a loss, but compared to the Foundation of a Thirty-Sixth Grade Pure World White Lotus, Ling Xiao considered it a sure profit!

Ling Xiao had always believed that greed for petty gains would only bind oneself!

"Little Friend's generosity puts me to shame!"

"Merge the Heavenly Dao Merit Halo into the Buddha Relic! We must trouble Little Friend."

"Once you have finished this matter, I will dispatch Western Sect disciples to accompany you to Lion Camel Ridge and slay demons and eliminate fiends, restoring a bright and clear heaven to the Western World..."

Jieyin smiled brightly, expectation in his eyes.

The Western Sect was about to prosper...