A mistaken fall into Pansi Cave (46)
Meanwhile, Randeng Ancient Buddha immediately stopped fighting, his words conveying a strong desire for peace.
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu thought to himself that this Past Buddha truly possessed profound Buddhist Dharma.
However, while it can be said that Randeng Ancient Buddha has a thick skin, it cannot be said that he lacks strength.
This Randeng Ancient Buddha stormed into the formation alone, fought five rounds, and displayed his Supernatural Ability. He first withstood the Five Phases Stars, then the Taiyin and Sun, then used the Qiankun Ruler to block the Golden Bushel of Primordial Unity, and withstood a blow from the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, stealing three Jewel. His strength was certainly not weak.
A peaceful resolution would naturally be better than a deadly fight.
Such Ancient Times and Supernatural Ability, who have already forged their own paths, possess profound foundations. Ao Tu is confident in defeating them, but not in killing them.
However, since ancient times, to accomplish great things, one must be thorough.
Peace talks are possible, but the advantages and disadvantages must be clearly explained beforehand, and the distinction between friend and foe must be made.
Holding the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, Ao Tu asked, "Randeng Ancient Buddha is Past Buddha. I wish to occupy the position on Spirit Mountain. Where does the Past Buddha wish to go?"
Upon hearing this, Randeng Ancient Buddha knew that further fighting was unnecessary. He then straightened his Kasaya, restored his appearance, and spoke:
"I now make a great vow to go and dwell in the Eastern Lands, to guide the vast number of virtuous men and women of China to attain enlightenment, and I will never Dao Contention with my fellow practitioners."
Ao Tu was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, and after a long pause, asked, "Is this really true?"
Randeng Ancient Buddha laughed and said, "I have already made a vow, fellow Daoist, do you still not believe me?"
Ao Tu thought to himself, "That's true, but I still can't fully accept it for a while. This Past Buddha has so easily given up his foundation in the Western Heaven and turned to the Eastern Lands."
The Eastern Lands is the cradle of Daoism. Since the Yellow Emperor slew Chi You, generations have revered Daoism. If Randeng Ancient Buddha wants to move to the Eastern Lands, would the Three Pure Ones Sages agree?
Ao Tu had many doubts in his heart, but in any case, Randeng Ancient Buddha had made a great vow, and there was no longer any conflict between him and the Buddha on the the Path. So he put down the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree in his hand.
Randeng Ancient Buddha smiled and said, "When you reside on Spirit Mountain in the future, I will bestow upon you my vast Western Heaven followers, thus adding to your strength."
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu realized that it was Randeng Ancient Buddha's way of showing goodwill, so he bowed and thanked him.
As Past Buddha, Buddha Randeng had many followers. Giving him this gift for free was a great gift, saving him a lot of trouble in the future.
Seeing this, Buddha Randeng smiled and said, "Actually, there aren't many left. They all went into tribulation to test your Formation."
Ao Tu's lips twitched, and he thought to himself that this old monk was quite a remarkable person, so he invited him into the temple to sit and talk.
Randeng Ancient Buddha agreed.
When the two arrived at the temple, they saw Tang Sanzang debating with Nagarjuna Bodhisattva.
Randeng Ancient Buddha watched for a while and exclaimed in admiration:
"Golden Cicada is indeed extraordinary. Nagarjuna Bodhisattva has attained Mahayana scriptures, and his Buddhist Dharma surpass those of all other Buddhas, yet he is somewhat outmatched in debate with him."
Ao Tu nodded upon hearing this. Although Tang Sanzang was somewhat stubborn, his attainments in Buddhist Dharma were indeed extraordinary, without a doubt.
The two entered the main hall of Yellow Flower Temple, where statues of the Three Pure Ones were displayed.
I bowed three times to the Randeng Ancient Buddha.
Upon seeing this, Ao Tu asked, "Past Buddha wanted to move to the Eastern Land, what did the Three Pure Ones Sages say?"
Upon hearing this, Randeng Ancient Buddha paused for a moment, then tried to calculate with his fingers, but couldn't get a clear answer. He looked at Ao Tu, pondered for a long time, and asked with a hint of conjecture, "Fellow Daoist, have you not yet Attainment of the Dao?"
Ao Tu didn't hide anything and admitted it directly.
Randeng Ancient Buddha said, "Fellow Daoist, you have not yet Attainment of the Dao, therefore you are unaware of certain things. Relocating to the Eastern Land is the inevitable trend of Heavenly Dao; Buddhism and Daoism should naturally flourish in the Eastern Land, Three Pure Ones Sages naturally agree with this."
Ao Tu, puzzled, invited Randeng Ancient Buddha to sit inside while asking, "If that's the case, am I still following the Heavenly Dao?"
Randeng Ancient Buddha sat down and laughed:
"Naturally. Since ancient times, those who attain the Way have received much help, while those who stray from the Way have received little. Fellow Daoist, you have attained the Way, therefore I do not wish to be your enemy. However, the Western Heaven is a place where Buddhist Sect flourishes. Although you follow the Heavenly Dao, there are also those who defy it, so your path ahead is equally difficult."
Ao Tu nodded in agreement. Even if, as Randeng said, his attack on Spirit Mountain was in accordance with the will of Heavenly Dao, the monks of Spirit Mountain would not simply surrender. Nor would the Buddha be as shameless as Randeng, willing to abandon their empires. For example, the Tathagata Buddha would have to contend with him sooner or later.
However, Ao Tu did not completely believe what Randeng Ancient Buddha said. Apart from the fact that the vow he made was unchangeable, Ao Tu planned to confirm everything else after meeting the Three Pure Ones Sages.
Afterwards, Ao Tu talked with Randeng Ancient Buddha for a while and discovered that this Past Buddha had already established a deep foundation in China and had a large number of believers. No wonder he dared to abandon his foundation in the Western Heaven and move to the Eastern Land.
During this time, a young Daoist came to change the tea, and the Randeng Ancient Buddha even bestowed a gift upon them. However, he was extremely stingy; the Buddha's gift was less valuable than the cheapest Elixir Pills in Ao Tu.
However, the young Daoist was still very happy to accept the thanks.
In the end, Ao Tu sent Randeng Ancient Buddha to fight.
His negotiations with Randeng Ancient Buddha this time yielded fairly good results.
This directly eliminated one of his Ancient Times, Supernatural Ability enemies.
The losses are acceptable.
Although Ao Tu's three "Ancient Dragon Jewel" bestowed by heaven were stolen by Randeng Ancient Buddha, Ao Tu was never one to be petty. The three incomplete Jewel were not worth much money, so he simply gave them to Randeng Ancient Buddha.
Ao Tu returned to the formation.
On the other side, Randeng Ancient Buddha emerged from the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle, looked back, and saw that Ao Tu had already returned. He then let out a cry and lay down on the Plum Blossom Immortal Deer.
The Plum Blossom Immortal Deer let out a soft, melodious cry.
Randeng Ancient Buddha patted the deer's back and said, "You beast, walk carefully. That Demon Dragon attacked too hard; it hurt me terribly."
The Plum Blossom Immortal Deer, riding on celestial clouds, returned to Spirit Mountain.
Just as they arrived at the Mountain Gate, the Randeng Ancient Buddha fell off the deer.
Upon seeing this, the bald-headed old Bhikshu Monk quickly caught Randeng Ancient Buddha and asked, "Buddha Randeng, what's wrong with you?"
Randeng Ancient Buddha wept and said:
"I was heartbroken when the Vipassī Buddha died tragically at the hands of the Demon Dragon. I went to break the formation, but I didn't know what kind of Formation the Demon Dragon had set up. The Heavenly Dao within the formation was constantly changing, making it extremely dangerous. I Demon Dragon for five hundred million days and nights, using all my Supernatural Ability powers and Buddha Treasure. However, my Monks were almost all killed or wounded, and I was outnumbered and returned severely injured."
Upon hearing this, the old Bhikshu Monk helped the Randeng Ancient Buddha into the temple.
Many Buddha and Bodhisattva came to greet them.
These were all wavering about the Eastern Migration, unwilling to abandon their foundation in the Western Heaven, yet fearing the same tragic death and calamity as Mahakala Bodhisattva and others. At this moment, they were all waiting for news from Randeng Ancient Buddha.
Randeng Ancient Buddha wept as he recounted to the the Monks what he had just told the old Bhikshu Monk.
Upon hearing this, all the the Monks were filled with fear and dared not oppose the Eastern Migration.
Seeing this, the old Bhikshu Monk silently retreated to the Mountain Gate to guard it.
The Eastern Migration of Buddhism and Daoism was a major event that a mere old monk guarding the gate could not influence.
Inside the main hall, after Buddha Randeng entered, he repeated the same words to Tathagata Buddha. Then, without waiting for Tathagata to say Tathagata more, he withdrew under the pretext of recuperating from his injuries.
The Tathagata Buddha then brought up the matter of Eastern Migration with the the Monks again.
This time, almost no one dared to object.
Even though many monks were unwilling, they dared not voice their opposition under these circumstances, fearing for their lives.