Chapter 142

Today, Maitreya Buddha has indeed profited abundantly—not only did he taste such delicious dishes, but he also awakened his divine powers through the hot pot.

Just now, he tested it—this divine power can be said to be quite potent.

Although he spent three nine-thousand-year-old peaches, can peaches even compare to gourmet food?

Can they compare to divine powers?

Maitreya Buddha pursed his lips and broke into a smile.

It is truly utterly relaxing.

The Buddhist sect's Buddhas, who only know how to shout and fuss, upon learning the Peach Banquet proceeded smoothly, would not know what reaction to have.

Maitreya Buddha mischievously thought.

However, these are secondary; what he truly cares about is the decision regarding the head chef for the upcoming Buddhist Dharma Feast.

If Sun Wukong does not come to serve as chef, what meaning would his Buddhist life still have?

No!

Even if his Buddhist sect ultimately must suppress this monkey, he still must strive to do so after the Buddhist Dharma Feast!

Otherwise, he would truly lose all appetite for tea and food, suffering unbearably!

Drifting leisurely, Maitreya Buddha arrived at the Great Thunder Sound Temple, entered the Great Hall, and instantly became the center of attention.

"Maitreya, why have you delayed so long?" The Tathagata opened his eyes and gazed upon the rotund Maitreya.

But Maitreya felt no embarrassment whatsoever, smacking his lips a few times before saying: "No delay at all—the almsgiving monk attended the Peach Banquet and then flew back."

Attended the Peach Banquet?!

The Tathagata's heart startled, and he blurted out: "Could it be the Peach Banquet was not disrupted by the monkey's rampage?"

The other Buddhas instantly had their hearts stirred, staring intently at Maitreya Buddha.

"What chaos?" Maitreya Buddha patted his belly, chuckling heartily: "The dishes at the Peach Banquet were simply delicious."

"Impossible!" Guanyin could no longer contain herself, asking the very question the Tathagata wished to ask.

"Maitreya Buddha Ancestor, could it be that the monkey did not go to cause chaos at the Peach Banquet?"

Wasn't it already arranged with the Heavenly Court beforehand? Why would this happen?

Maitreya Buddha remained chuckling heartily; he originally thought he would make this trip in vain.

How could this be? Worldly affairs are ever-changing!

"How would the almsgiving monk know that Sun Wukong was responsible for this Peach Banquet as the Imperial Kitchen Head Chef, and how could he go cause chaos at the Peach Banquet?"

Maitreya Buddha spoke mysteriously, his face calm and self-satisfied, having eaten and drunk his fill, his mood naturally relaxed.

"Head Chef, cooking?" Guanyin was dazed.

Not only him—the Tathagata and all the Buddhas were stunned; they simply could not understand.

Even with the Buddhas so bewildered, Maitreya Buddha understood—after all, when he first learned of this, he was no better off.

"That monkey fundamentally did not stand guard at the Peach Garden, but instead went to serve as head chef in the Imperial Kitchen."

"And still a head chef!" Maitreya Buddha narrowed his eyes and added.

This completely deviates from the plan!

The Tathagata furrowed his brows tightly—could it be that the Heavenly Court side did not cooperate at all?

Is this to tear apart relations with the Buddhist sect?

The Tathagata wanted to trace the origins and developments, but the events occurred too long ago; even with his Quasi-Sage strength, he could not manage it, so he had to give up.

"So, did the Heavenly Court's Peach Banquet proceed normally?" the Tathagata asked.

Maitreya Buddha rolled his eyes—you must let the monkey cause chaos, but with a proper justification, right?

What's the point of him causing chaos at his own banquet?

Nodding, he said: "Exactly, and it went off quite smoothly."

"As for the food, pickled pickled pickled, absolutely superb!"

Bringing up food again, Maitreya Buddha's eyes lit up, he licked his lips, as if this could continue to let him savor the dishes' flavor.

"How many peaches did the Heavenly Court give? What year were they from?"

The Buddhas could no longer hold back, rushing straight to the point.

"Peaches? They gave three." Maitreya Buddha rubbed his belly, casually saying: "Nine-thousand-year-old."

Three nine-thousand-year-old?!!

The Buddhas' eyes instantly lit up,

and their hearts filled with even greater regret—had they known this earlier, they would have desperately gone regardless.

Nothing could change the fact that it was not Maitreya Buddha's turn.

Know this: this time, the Heavenly Court gave the Buddhist sect seven slots all at once, along with which they even came to resent the Sun Wukong they had never met.

A monkey destined to face calamity, not honestly waiting for the great calamity to descend, still insists on seeking fame?

Using the Peach Banquet as a pretext, you may cause chaos as you wish—afterward, following the Heavenly Court's face-saving approach, they will surely come a second time, and then they can justifiably participate.

But now it's reversed—directly going to serve as someone's head chef, not even enough to make the Buddhist sect lose face!

Most importantly, they have lost the chance to attend the Peach Banquet.

As for the innate spiritual root peach, it is of great help to their cultivation—now it has become nothing but a bubble.

While the Buddhas were gloomy, the Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha calmly glanced at Maitreya Buddha and said: "Since Maitreya Buddha Ancestor represents the Buddhist sect at the Peach Banquet, just take out the remaining two peaches?"

Exactly!

Upon hearing the Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha's words, the Buddhas' hearts leapt with joy.

The effect of digesting peaches takes a very long time; eating too many consecutively has no effect—Maitreya Buddha absolutely did not eat them all.

"A Mi Tuo Fo, the Burning Lamp Buddha Ancestor is correct—peaches are the Buddhist sect's nominal property, not personal, and should be surrendered."

It should be like this.

The Buddhas began to criticize and condemn in turn.

Although there were no vulgar words, every line was filled with blame and greed.

The Tathagata calmly watched, expressing no opinion; though he disagreed with Ran Deng, one was a defector from the Jie Sect, the other a traitor from the Chan Sect.

Yet when facing Maitreya Buddha, a native disciple of the Western Sect, his attitude remained the same: suppression.

Future Buddha?

A native with no power, even if he were the Buddha himself, would be useless.

Seeing the Buddhas' attitude, Maitreya Buddha felt no anger in his heart; he had long been accustomed to their ways.

He chuckled and said: "Peaches? I've already given them away."

"Gave them away?"

"You're trying to fool ghosts!"

The Buddhas instantly exploded in uproar, each filled with doubt—giving away a nine-thousand-year-old peach for nothing?

Isn't this a joke?

"Yeah, I gave them away." Maitreya Buddha, being straightforward, said plainly: "The Almsgiving Monk traded three nine-thousand-year peaches for their nine tables of dishes."

Good taste, large portions, satisfying to eat, a sure profit!

These words flashed through Maitreya Buddha's mind—basically, one sentence: what he did was simply brilliant.

How stupid is that?

The Buddhas nearly vomited blood from frustration—trading peaches for dishes, did a donkey kick your brain?!

"Ancestor Maitreya Buddha, how can you prove your innocence?" some Buddhas, unable to contain themselves, asked.

He doesn't believe it—not just him, but all the Buddhas, even Ran Deng, don't believe!

The value of the peach is known to every cultivator—how could such a foolish act be possible?

Yet Maitreya Buddha not only did it, he even thought this move was utterly brilliant.

Doubt him?

Maitreya Buddha let out a cold laugh in his heart and said carelessly: "Anyway, the Almsgiving Monk has already given them all away—none left. If you don't believe me, go ask around."

Seeing Maitreya Buddha speak with conviction, even appearing somewhat proud, the entire Great Hall fell into silence.

Could he really have given away the peaches?

The Buddhas' hearts suddenly twitched—what a waste of heavenly treasures!

If they could get a peach, who wouldn't cherish it like a priceless treasure?

This Maitreya Buddha—trading peaches for dishes, what fame could such a feast possibly bring?!