Pulling the Firewood from Beneath the Cauldron (Part Two)

Both the Bodhisattva Guangxian and the Bodhisattva Jialuoshu frowned simultaneously. The former closed his eyes, then opened them and said:

"Not in Aranda."

The beautiful eyes of the Bodhisattva Liuli flickered. "He was still there before I prayed. Afterwards, I didn't notice him leaving."

Is there any way to leave silently under the watchful eyes of the three Bodhisattva?

Jialuoshu said in a deep voice:

"The Worthy of Offerings Fruition!"

Both the Bodhisattva Guangxian and the Bodhisattva Liuli squinted, recalling unpleasant memories. This was a trick often used by a certain traitor to Buddhist Order.

If Du'e used the power of the Worthy of Offerings Fruition to create a false body and then Manipulation it to blend into the Buddhist Order monks, he could indeed easily Deceive Heaven and Cross the Sea. The false body created by the Worthy of Offerings Fruition could almost be mistaken for the real thing.

The three of them wouldn't bother to discern the subtle differences.

A bad premonition welled up in the heart of Bodhisattva Guangxian:

What does Du'e want to do?

The outskirts of Beijing.

Du'e sat cross-legged on a nine-petaled lotus platform, riding on golden light as he sped towards the capital.

As they approached the capital, a middle-aged Confucian scholar, exuding an air of refined elegance, approached them, standing on a ruler.

This scholar, dressed in a purple robe, had a clear and handsome face, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes. His demeanor was dignified and imposing, exuding authority without anger.

"Arhat Du'e, I've kept you waiting."

The scholar in purple robes smiled and bowed.

When he smiled, his imposing manner vanished, replaced by a more worldly and sophisticated air; his experience in officialdom had not been in vain.

Before Arhat Du'e could speak, he continued:

"I, Yang Gong, am here to await His Majesty's orders. His Majesty has commanded that I enter the palace to see her immediately upon your arrival."

What caused the Arhat to be delayed?

Arhat Du'e was a full quarter of an hour late as agreed.

The Arhat Du'e had a solemn expression, his hands clasped together, but he remained silent.

They seemed to have no interest in talking.

At this moment, the ruler under Yang Gong's feet suddenly broke free from his Manipulation and flew up to Arhat Du'e's knee.

Yang Gong quickly stopped him and apologized:

"This is my personal magical artifact. After I entered the Transcendent, it developed a faint sense of intelligence and enjoys hitting people."

He probably considers you his disciple. If you don't answer his questions, you deserve to be beaten. Yang Gong thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.

Magical artifacts that develop a sliver of sentience all possess the potential to become unparalleled divine weapons.

Arhat Du'e nodded, indicating that he did not mind the offense of the ruler.

Yang Gong hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Not long ago, I suddenly felt uneasy, as if the end of the world was approaching. What exactly happened in the Western Regions?"

Or rather, what was the Buddha's purpose in holding the Dharma Assembly?

Confucian School is a system related to Fate, and it is very perceptive in some aspects.

The Arhat Du'e slowly said:

"I don't know."

Seeing this, Yang Gong didn't ask any further questions and said:

"I will take Arhat to see His Majesty."

Having said that, he stirred his Vast Righteous Qi and used his magic to make his Words Become Law come true, chanting as if in a poem:

"I was in the Imperial Study with the Arhat Du'e."

A clear light rose from beneath his feet, enveloping the Arhat Du'e, and the two vanished from their spot in an instant.

Du'e's vision blurred, and then he saw the Imperial Study, decorated with majesty and luxury, with black floor tiles and red pillars, and the Empress of Dafeng behind the Great Feng yellow silk table.

She wore a bright red inner garment embroidered with golden dragon patterns, over which was a wide black robe also embroidered with golden dragon patterns. Her long black hair was tied up with a golden crown. She was cold and noble, and the beauty of the woman and the imperial attire intertwined to create a unique charm.

To the left and right of the emperor were Wei Yuan, wearing a dark blue robe embroidered with cloud patterns, and Zhao Shou, Grand Secretariat, wearing a scarlet robe.

The emperor and his ministers all looked over at the same time.

The Arhat Du'e clasped his hands in prayer:

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Huaiqing returned a cool smile, then asked with a serious expression:

Arhat Du'e who have overcome suffering witness the Dharma Assembly?

The Arhat Du'e asked in return:

Has Your Majesty noticed anything unusual?

Huaiqing nodded slowly, "I was taking a nap in my bedchamber when I suddenly dreamed that a giant Buddha statue crashed down on me."

She paused, her usually cool and aloof face turning serious, and her tone lowered:

"Eyes grew from the Buddha's body, staring coldly at me; mouths grew, devouring me piece by piece."

Even now, recalling that nightmare still sends chills down her spine.

"I am already Transcendent martial artist, and I would never have such a dream without a reason. Xu Ningyan once said that those who Fate will be warned when their country is about to perish. Considering the recent situation in the Western Regions, the reason is most likely due to this."

Zhao Shou echoed:

"Indeed, this is a warning from the Fate; I too am filled with unease and my mind is in turmoil today."

Arhat Du'e revealed a knowing look, seemingly confirming a certain guess in his heart. He put his hands together and said:

"I left Aranda before the Dharma Assembly even began. I am not clear about the specific situation there. However, on my way to the Central Plains, I suddenly sensed a change in the heavens and earth."

He carefully chose his words, trying his best to explain:

"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth rapidly dissipated, replaced by a surge of Buddhist power, as if entering the legendary Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

Although for someone like him who practices Buddhism, this world is incredibly beautiful, practically a paradise.

The silent exchange of glances between Huaiqing, Wei Yuan, Zhao Shou, and Yang Gong all conveyed a sense of bewilderment and gravity.

"I then turned back to investigate. Approaching Aranda, as I passed a certain city, I found it completely deserted, devoid of any human habitation." At this point, the Arhat Du'e clasped his hands together, his expression compassionate, and continuously chanted "Amitabha."

No wonder he was late. Yang Gong frowned and said:

"Completely deserted?"

Huaiqing and the other two also frowned. Although they didn't quite understand what was going on, they realized that the situation was not good.

Arhat Du'e quickly calmed down and continued:

"Just as I was about to enter the city to investigate, I suddenly saw a pair of eyes crack open in the city wall. Those eyes were devoid of emotion, not even coldness, but just one glance from them made my hair stand on end, and I was filled with utter terror."

Strangely, it didn't hurt me and ignored me.

"I dared not return to Aranda and rushed all the way to the capital."

Let alone Du'e, who had personally experienced it, the four people present felt a chill run down their spines just by listening.

A city became a ghost town, but the city walls came back to life?

Where did that person go?

Huaiqing recalled what he had seen in his dream, and a thought began to vaguely emerge in his mind.

Zhao Shou whispered:

What is the opinion of the Arhat Du'e?

Du'e pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"In the battle that day when the head of the Shenshu being was reclaimed, Aranda collapsed into ruins. However, during the Dharma Assembly, Aranda rose from the ground overnight and returned to its original state."

"I have personally witnessed the Buddha transform into a sacred mountain."

Wei Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Huaiqing took a deep breath and said:

"Those eyes you saw on the city wall, were they the Buddha's?!"

She stated her guess directly.

Members of the Heaven and Earth Society discussed that battle through Earth Book Fragment, and commented on the situation of Buddha transforming into a holy mountain. At that time, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society did not understand the Central Plains, and were mainly amazed and impressed.

If the Buddha could manifest as a mountain peak, why couldn't he manifest as a city-state?

No one refuted Huaiqing, because they thought the same thing.

"Duke Wei, Minister Zhao, what do you think?" Huaiqing looked at the two pillars of the court.

Although she was intelligent and resourceful, she was still a naive young woman with limited knowledge in these areas.

This change in the Western Regions was both expected and unexpected.

It was expected because they knew something would happen; it was unexpected because the situation was beyond their comprehension. Huaiqing didn't even understand the specifics.

Wei Yuan shook his head:

"This matter sounds too bizarre for me to draw any conclusions."

Zhao Shou echoed Wei Yuan's words, adding:

"The situation is unclear now, and we need to send someone to find out what's going on. Arhat Du'e, you just said, 'Let's just consider the Buddha as the Buddha for now, and he didn't harm you,'"

Du'e nodded.

Zhao Shou said:

"Perhaps this is because you come from Buddhist Order background. Would you be willing to go to the Western Regions to investigate further? Don't worry, we will provide you with plenty of magical artifacts, including pages inscribed with the spell of 'Words Become Law law,' and teleportation jade talismans, to ensure your safety."

Du'e did not hesitate:

"Can!"

Zhao Shou then looked at the Empress and said:

"Your Majesty, immediately summon all officials, appoint Du'e as the National Preceptor, and designate Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion."

"Although it's unclear what the Buddha intends to do, the fact remains that the Transcendent Rank are vying for Fate, and weakening the Buddha's Fate is never a bad thing."

Du'e praised:

"Good!"

Overseas, two figures swept in from the horizon, bringing with them a deafening sonic boom.

The figure descended from the sky, and just as it was about to enter the sea, it suddenly stopped, shedding all its momentum.

However, the strong winds it carried pressed against the sea surface, creating a wave several meters in diameter.

Xu Qi'an turned his head to look at the Nine-Tailed Fox wearing Mu Nanzhi's silk dress, and said in a deep voice:

"It's you I've chosen! Go forth, Your Majesty!"

The Silver-Haired Enchantress glanced at him sideways and said plaintively:

"You won't marry me, yet you expect me to go through fire and water for you."

With her silver hair like snow and skin as white as snow, this alluring and seductive woman exuded a sense of purity and nobility thanks to her complexion.

As Xu Qi'an used his divine sense to investigate the situation in the sea, he said:

"Speak properly!"

The Nine-Tailed Fox responded with a "heh heh."

After a short while, Xu Qi'an withdrew his divine sense and said:

"Nothing was detected. Go down and take a look."

They were the first to leap into the sea.

With a "plop," water splashed up and disappeared into the blue waves.

With a light leap, the Nine-Tailed Fox followed him into the vast ocean.

Inside the Golden Throne Hall.

On the throne, Huaiqing, clad in a dragon robe, sat majestically. With phoenix eyes, delicate eyebrows, a high nose, and rosy lips, her originally aloof temperament became dignified and cold after donning the dragon robe.

Inside the hall, the officials stood holding ivory tablets.

After shouting "Long live the Emperor!", Huaiqing glanced at the eunuch holding the imperial seal in the lower left corner.

A eunuch from Dexin Garden, holding the imperial edict, strode out.

At this time, most of the officials were still unaware of the reason for and purpose of this sudden court assembly.

P. S.: I'm recommending a book called "Senior Sister, Please Behave Yourself." It's pretty good; you can tell from the title that it suits some readers' tastes. Speaking of which, as it nears its end, more and more people are getting free chapters from my recommendations (doge).

I'll correct any typos later. I'm in a good mood today and actually wrote two chapters, so I'm confidently asking for your monthly votes.