Chapter 299 - 447: Undercurrents

In fact, this was also the thought of the vast majority within the Buddhist Sect. One should know that those who were converted by the Dharma of Conversion were fervent devotees of the sect, ready to sacrifice themselves for the cause at any moment.

How could such individuals take it upon themselves to attack the Heavenly Court and unwarrantedly provoke such a formidable enemy for the Buddhist Sect?

Therefore, the subconscious thought among them was that it must be a case of framing and entrapment, and their expressions instantly became furious.

A few Bodhisattvas and Maitreya, seeing the situation, also felt a headache coming on, as they were clearly aware of the thoughts of some below.

After all, given the current situation, a conflict with the Heavenly Court had become inevitable. Thus, for those cultivators who joined the Buddhist Sect later, they needed to prove their strength by defeating the Heavenly Court.

Without sufficient merit, how could they establish themselves in the current Buddhist Sect?

Of course, there were also some radical Buddhists whose ideal was to spread the Buddhist Law throughout the Three Realms. The greatest threat currently preventing them from preaching was the Heavenly Court and the Daoist Sect, which ruled over the Three Realms.

There were also some who plotted to fish in troubled waters. Generally, these were individuals who joined the Buddhist Sect later, and hence held somewhat lower statuses. Although they had a decent life due to the influence in Mount Ling, the increase in numbers gradually led to a decrease in treatment, prompting them to hope that the Buddhist Sect could expand its territory.

However, only those at the very top understood that initiating a war was not so easy, especially since the other party was the Heavenly Court, not some Demon King ruling over a mountain.

Starting a war with such a major force could have unimaginable consequences.

Guanyin, Manjushri, and others immediately turned their gaze to Maitreya, who at that moment was the master of Mount Ling, the true helmsman of the Buddhist Sect.

Maitreya, seeing this, also felt a great headache. The crowd below was tumultuous, all expecting him to demand justice from the Heavenly Court. However, the matter was fraught with uncertainties, and Li Jing firmly demanded an explanation. If he handled this poorly, a massive war could break out at any moment.

Although he had long been prepared to oppose the Heavenly Court, now was not the time, as the Buddhist Sect’s accumulated power was still insufficient.

If he were to rashly turn against them now, it could negatively affect future situations.

He gently extended his hand and pressed down in the air, then solemnly said, "Buddha is merciful, how could we lightly start a war? Everyone here is proficient in Buddhist Law, and should thus hold compassion in their hearts."

This one gentle sentence seemed to set the tone for the matter, and many could not help but show looks of disappointment.

However, Maitreya then changed his tone and said, "But the death of King Niumo must be addressed by the Heavenly Court; a simple accusation of attacking the Heavenly Court won’t suffice."

Upon hearing this, some furrowed their brows, while others’ faces broke into smiles again.

Meanwhile, outside Mount Ling, Li Jing, who had been waiting for a long time, finally received a response from the Buddhist Sect.

An Arhat arrived at Mount Ling and said with great authority, "Heavenly King Li, please return!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing immediately furrowed his brow and said, "I am here under the Jade Emperor’s orders to capture demons. I need to see a body, alive or dead; how could I return empty-handed?"

The Arhat responded, "The reason has its own cause. Buddha Maitreya and the Jade Emperor will discuss this matter. Heavenly King Li, please return!"

This sarcastic tone instantly displeased Li Jing, who glanced up at the Buddhist Sect, enveloped in Buddha’s Light, before turning and leaving.

"Since it is so, I will report back to the Jade Emperor!" came the cold voice of Heavenly King Li from the sky.

"Master, didn’t Buddha ask us to be polite?" the young novice monk said softly, not understanding why his master used such impolite language, clearly angering Heavenly King Li of the Heavenly Court.

"You are still young; you wouldn’t understand," the Arhat said softly.

Yet, he was secretly calculating: if the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect went to war, how many deeds of merit would he need to gain to achieve the body of Buddha? He had been stuck at the Arhat stage for far too long.

Like many arhats in the Buddhist Sect, he was also eager for the war to start, as that could help him break free from his many years in the same position. Otherwise, following the routine, he could not know how many years it would take to advance.

Those who had been stuck at the Arhat stage for countless years were the ones who most hoped the war would start.

Perhaps it was the peace in the Three Realms under the oppression of the Three Pure Ones and Buddha that lasted too long, leading many to forget the cruelty and horror of war, only seeing the benefits but forgetting that war meant people would die, and people like them were the most likely to die on the battlefield.

The proud Arhat then returned to the temple gate, while the visibly furious Heavenly King simmered. If not for his two children being in the Buddhist Sect, today he would have taught that Arhat a lesson.

Heavenly King Li grimly returned to his temple gate, ignoring even the heavenly soldiers who greeted him, puzzling this high-ranking Heavenly King who could not understand what had offended him this time.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant is incompetent; I failed to bring back the body of King Niumo. Please punish me!" As soon as he entered the Lingxiao Treasured Palace, Li Jing knelt down and respectfully confessed.

When the situation was critical, Li Jing was the first to step forward; how could the Jade Emperor blame him?

"Oh, please tell me, what exactly was the reply from the Buddhist Sect?" the Jade Emperor inquired curiously.

Li Jing, with a grim face, slowly recounted his experience. The expressions of the Immortals around him changed immediately, knowing that Li Jing’s journey to Mount Ling represented the Heavenly Court, and the slow response from the Buddhist Sect was clearly a sign of disrespect.

The Immortals there also had their own pride. Had it been any of them visiting Mount Ling, would they have been treated in the same way? Putting themselves in his shoes, they instantly became furious.