Chapter 734: Seizing Power at Ling Mountain

It was agony, utter agony.

Deep down, he was laughing uncontrollably, yet his face twisted into a mask of sorrow and ferocity. At that moment, Li Changshou was truly in torment.

What was this wave of events?

Duobao Daoist was raiding the home front online, Laojun had stepped in to intercept the qi yun of Western Jiao, Yuanshi Tianzun had appeared to suppress Jieyin Daoist, and the Heavenly Dao had smoothly ensured that Jieyin Shengren lost all influence in the world.

This hidden thread had been buried for so long, so very long.

Starting from when Taiqing Shengren deduced from Wenjing's body that Wenjing would take a bite of the Jinlian, the grand play had been under Taiqing Shengren's control, with Li Changshou involved throughout.

Yet, neither the master nor his disciple had ever explicitly mentioned the word "Fo." Every exchange between them was concealed within their conversations, which occurred roughly every eighteen days on average.

Long ago, Li Changshou had reminded Taiqing Shengren that Western Jiao might have countermeasures, suggesting they refer to his template for Heavenly Dao oaths.

In turn, Taiqing Shengren had warned Li Changshou not to reveal these matters, or the two Shengren of Western Jiao might fully align with the Heavenly Dao, thwarting their plans.

Later, due to pressure from the Heavenly Dao and coercion from Daozu, Taiqing Shengren had handed the matter over to Laojun ahead of schedule.

After that, Li Changshou had kept Wenjing Daoist steadily embedded in Western Jiao, inching closer to the location of the Jinlian.

Then, at the end of the Fengshen Great Calamity, when the Heavenly Dao and Jieyin simultaneously targeted the Jie Jiao immortals, Wenjing destroyed the Jinlian, causing the thousands of Jie Jiao disciples whom Jieyin Shengren had converted to directly shatter Western Jiao's qi yun.

According to the rules of the Heavenly Dao, Western Jiao was now like a major debtor. If another great teaching took its place and quickly spread its doctrines, the Heavenly Dao would give it a subtle push.

All these preparations were in place, making it possible for Duobao to establish the Fo Men.

The events here were far from just Duobao Daoist reciting scriptures, stating doctrines, and making grand vows—it involved struggles over qi yun and years of scheming by Ren Jiao.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Buddha slowly flying toward Ling Mountain in the air, about to take control of it, was Shixiong Duobao. In reality, the one who had made the greatest contribution was...

Li Changshou had just thought to raise his hand, but a hand pressed down on his shoulder, and that figure stepped out from the side.

It was Xuandu Magus.

Without Xuandu Magus's "universal attraction" on the mosquito, Wenjing might have hesitated when taking that bite, missing the opportunity.

Silently, Li Changshou gave a thumbs-up to the Magus family, who were now sailing through the Chaos Sea on the Kunpeng.

At that moment, Duobao maintained his Buddha true form, smiling as he slowly approached Ling Mountain from the southeast.

Although Laojun had returned to Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun sat on a white cloud, leisurely following behind Duobao Daoist in the high sky, a faint smile in his eyes.

In this wave, Yuanshi Tianzun had taken the highest ground.

The atmosphere on Ling Mountain was oppressively heavy.

Jieyin Daoist sat quietly in the deepest part of the main hall, no longer hiding his emotions—they must have been a complete mess.

From before their enlightenment in ancient times, the Shixiong Jieyin and his junior had toiled endlessly because of the phrase "Western prosperity is destined."

They resorted to any means necessary—lying, deceiving, stealing—and even taught these as Dao methods to the disciples they selected to develop their great teaching.

All their efforts were for the prosperity of the West, so they wouldn't be outdone by the innate great powers born from Pangu's divine essence, like the Sanqing.

For these "Shengren with grand aspirations," they strove to stand alongside the Sanqing!

That was what they were fighting for.

But in the end...

It was all for nothing.

Even Zhunti Shengren had been killed by the combined efforts of disciples from two Dao schools because his actions had no boundaries.

And Jieyin Shengren himself, a great Shengren, had still fallen several steps behind Taiqing Shengren, pinned down with no room to resist.

They had schemed against the Dao sect for so many years.

They had stirred up the Zhan Jie conflict for so many years.

Finally, a great war erupted between Zhan and Jie, but Ren Jiao countered with a sleight-of-hand trick, stealing Western Jiao's teaching destiny right before it could prosper.

And they had completely blocked the path.

Jieyin didn't believe for a second that this happened without the involvement of that ninety-eight percent little rascal—Daozu himself couldn't convince him otherwise!

No matter how composed, restrained, and deep his demeanor usually was, Jieyin's Dao heart was slightly unsteady at that moment, filled with an indescribable rage.

Look at it, just look at these disciples now!

Jieyin Daoist's gaze swept over the crowd below, only to see half of the disciples sitting behind the four figures: Wenshu, Puxian, Juliusun, and Cihang.

The other half remained in their original spots, but in the front row, closest to him, only "Xu Potuo" sat alone.

Jieyin showed a slight smile of satisfaction as he looked at his disciple.

Aside from Dizang, he was most pleased with Potuo.

Compared to hundreds of years ago, Potuo's Dao realm had reached this level, nearly matching Maitreya from back then.

It was some small comfort.

Beside him, Kasyapa said solemnly, "Teacher, how should we handle this matter?"

Jieyin remained silent.

An old Daoist said gravely, "Taiqing Shengren's schemes are truly formidable—he calculated our Western fate completely and arranged this move in advance."

"Fo Men—what a Fo Men. It consolidates the doctrines of Western Jiao while mixing in many Dao sect essences, directly seizing the destiny that should have been ours for prosperity!"

"This isn't the time to discuss that," another old Daoist sighed. "Duobao previously spoke of honoring our teacher as the Buddha of all ages, which clearly signals his intent to seize Ling Mountain.

With Yuanshi Tianzun of the Zhan Jiao following behind, the threat is out in the open.

We need to think of a way to respond—perhaps counter their rhetoric or prepare for battle."

"Indeed," Ananda sighed. "Teacher, with just one word from you, we will keep Duobao out of Ling Mountain."

Jieyin looked toward Kasyapa and Ananda, but all he saw between them and himself were figures like Wenshu.

Wenshu Daoist pondered for a moment and said, "The current situation is greatly unfavorable to us."

And then he said no more.

Jieyin Daoist suddenly smiled faintly and said slowly, "Then, according to your view, Wenshu, what should we do?"

"Your disciple is foolish," Wenshu Daoist quickly lowered his head. "I dare not speak rashly before you, Teacher...

This... Shixiong Potuo has made consecutive breakthroughs in his cultivation recently and has gained great fame in the world. He is wise and resourceful, so he must have a clever plan for the current situation."

Xu Potuo—that is, Li Changshou—turned to look at Wenshu, frowning slightly with a warning glint in his eyes.

But Wenshu Daoist responded with a humble smile.

Li Changshou said nothing, just pondered, and the scene fell into a stalemate.

Cihang Daoist tried to smooth things over: "I think we should talk with Duobao and ask what he intends to do at Ling Mountain."

"That's right," an old Daoist immediately agreed. "Teacher is a Shengren, so it's not fitting for him to negotiate directly with a disciple like Duobao."

Li Changshou listened from the side, chuckling inwardly.

They were masters at this.

These Western Jiao disciples were absolute masters.

They were quick to shift with the wind, eagerly aligning themselves, fully embodying the principle of "people seek higher ground, water flows to lower places." They were trying to bypass Jieyin and negotiate with Duobao directly, figuring out how to divide the Fo Men fruits.

It was truly...

You can't enter the same door if you're not from the same family.

These core disciples of Western Jiao, once they recognized the situation, had swiftly made their judgment.

What was the situation now?

Western Jiao's future path had been stolen, Duobao had transformed into the lord of Fo Men, giving Jieyin Shengren an honorary title, and now he was coming to Ling Mountain to seize power.

Laojun had returned to Doushuai Palace, but Yuanshi Tianzun was here, keeping Jieyin Shengren completely immobilized.

The Pangu Banner was floating in the air.

The Heavenly Dao only recognized the two characters "Fo Men" and its core principles—who became the Buddha lord didn't matter, as long as they were obedient going forward.

What was even more interesting was that Wenshu, Puxian, Juliusun, and Cihang—the four who had defected from Zhan Jiao back to Western Jiao—were calm and composed as Yuanshi Tianzun approached, as if they had known this all along.

What had Wenshu and the others been doing since returning to Ling Mountain?

Forming cliques, marginalizing Xu Potuo, ousting some old Daoists who opposed them, and seizing control of Ling Mountain's real power before Jieyin Shengren could even speak.

No matter how you looked at it, this was a conspiracy coordinated with Duobao's establishment of Fo Men!

Unless Jieyin Shengren directly launched a bloody purge of Ling Mountain, he had no way to stop it today.

But ultimately, this was just the bitter fruit they had sown.

As the master does, so the disciples learn; as the master teaches, so the disciples act.

What was even more critical was that Li Changshou was aiding from the shadows, intent on breaking Jieyin's defenses.

"Teacher..."

Xu Potuo spoke softly, saying in a low voice, "Your disciple wishes to return to his cave for cultivation and temporarily leave Ling Mountain."

Jieyin Daoist's brows furrowed visibly. He was about to speak but then slowly nodded. "It's fine for you to leave. I at least have a legacy to pass on."

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. Your disciple has nothing to offer in return."

Xu Potuo stood up, bowed to Jieyin Daoist, and glanced back at Wenshu and the others.

At that moment, the Western Jiao disciples were all silent, with only a few making eye contact with Li Changshou before quickly looking away.

"Hmph," Li Changshou snorted coldly, his face dark, and rode his cloud toward the outside of Ling Mountain.

Yuanshi Tianzun glanced over, making Li Changshou's Dao heart tense instantly, but he acted as if nothing was wrong.

In the end, this Er Shishu didn't detect any clues and didn't stop Xu Potuo, letting him leave on his cloud.

On Ling Mountain, Jieyin was now alone.

A grand coercion unfolded quietly as Duobao slowly approached and Yuanshi Tianzun backed him from behind.

Li Changshou didn't go far.

Sticking to the nature of the "Xu Potuo" persona, he felt this was the most reasonable and flawless way to handle it.

Xu Potuo had an inherent "arrogance" similar to Dizang, unwilling to associate with the likes of Wenshu, yet he was somewhat cautious and had been targeted before.

Choosing to leave Ling Mountain at this time was the most authentic and expected reaction.

The beings on Ling Mountain weren't worth his pity, and he had no right to pity a Heavenly Dao Shengren.

They were all just reaping what they sowed.

He hadn't gone too far, watching the situation on Ling Mountain from a few thousand li away.

Duobao, bathed in a ten-thousand-zhang halo, arrived directly above Ling Mountain, sat on a lotus platform, and bowed in Buddhist禮 to Jieyin Shengren. His resonant, rich, and slow voice echoed throughout Ling Mountain:

"Bai jian Wan Shi Zhi Fo."

Jieyin nodded expressionlessly, as if he had already decided, and said:

"Since you honor me, you should address me as teacher."

"Buddha is a title of reverence; I am the World Honored One," Duobao said slowly. "The Wan Shi Zhi Fo exists across ancient times, past, present, and future, as the foundation of Fo Men, yet need not appear before people.

This is merely my expression of respect to the Wan Shi Zhi Fo, but I need not follow or yearn for it."

Jieyin Daoist's face turned indescribably ugly.

This was being forced into retirement.

Jieyin Daoist said, "If you honor me, I can revoke your title."

"The Wan Shi Zhi Fo is mistaken," Duobao said with a flower in hand and a smile, speaking of Buddhist principles. "Fo Men is established by me; the Buddha comes from me, and all phenomena are as they are today, with all fruits contained herein.

The Wan Shi Zhi Fo's past actions were merely to open the gate for me.

The past Buddha should remain in the past, the future Buddha in the future, while you and I exist only in the present.

The present honored one is the lord of the Buddha.

Though the Wan Shi Zhi Fo laid the foundation of Fo Men, it exists before Fo Men's birth and cannot revoke my position."

Jieyin Daoist was silent for a while, then slowly nodded. "It seems I underestimated you."

"Since Fo Men is prospering, please, Wan Shi Zhi Fo, do not refer to yourself as part of the Dao sect in the future," Duobao Daoist said with a smile. "Fo Dao originates from the same source, and the world is ever-changing.

The Wan Shi Zhi Fo has boundless merit and limitless lifespan. From today, you shall be known as Amitabha.

All who enter my Fo Men should remember the Wan Shi Zhi Fo's achievement in building the Western Pure Land and praise his deeds, using 'return to the boundless Buddha' as the chant."

With that, Duobao pressed his palms together and bowed to Jieyin.

"Namo Amitabha."

As soon as his voice spread, Ling Mountain remained deathly quiet.

No one knew who started it, but the Western Jiao old Daoists and core disciples all chanted the Buddha's name in unison.

A faint, relieved smile appeared at the corners of Jieyin's mouth, and his figure slowly faded from the cushion, as if everything had been under his control.

Duobao Daoist looked down at the Western Jiao disciples below and smiled serenely, saying:

"Today, we shall establish the rules of Fo Men, clarify its doctrines, and perfect its affairs."

The Western disciples rose and bowed, switching to the palm-pressed禮.

Golden light flashed on Ling Mountain, auspicious signs appeared everywhere, and bits of merit—not too abundant—descended.

Without the Nine Filth Spring, the Heavenly Dao couldn't freely bestow merit, so it was given sparingly.

Li Changshou received none of it, and by then, he was already an outsider, with Potuo Lao Zu having no substantial connection to Fo Men.

Not bad at all.

On his way back to Lingtai Mountain on his cloud, Li Changshou pondered where Jieyin might strike back.

On the surface, Fo Men was Western Jiao, but deep down, it was thoroughly Dao.

Their "celebration" afterward had nothing to do with Li Changshou.

In just a few days, news of Fo Men's establishment and its granted destiny for great prosperity spread wildly through the Honghuang.

Duobao titled himself Tathagata, as the Buddha lord and ancestor, established the positions of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhat, and Vajra, and on the spot appointed several great Bodhisattvas, while giving some honorary Buddha titles to the most senior disciples of Western Jiao.

Duobao then handed over the sect's affairs to several Bodhisattvas and great masters, leaving himself free and easy.

A few days later, Mu Gong from Heaven went to Ling Mountain to issue a decree, appointing the Ling Mountain Buddha lord to the position of the Five Elders—a nominal role, but signifying that Fo Men would henceforth be under Heaven's jurisdiction.

Fo Men agreed readily and officially set out on the path to prosperity.

Duobao didn't forget about the underworld's Dizang, sending down a decree to appoint him as a Buddha.

Dizang faced the decree in silence for a long time, but ultimately destroyed it, uttering that famous phrase for the ages:

"Hell is not empty; I vow not to become Buddha."

In essence, Dizang accepted his Fo Men roots but not the change of leadership at Ling Mountain. He disregarded Duobao's decree, continuing as the pillar of Fo Men's qi yun without causing trouble at Ling Mountain.

From then on, he remained in the underworld forever, guiding wronged souls and resentful spirits, alleviating the sufferings of living beings.

Jieyin Daoist secluded himself in the back mountains of Ling Mountain and no longer appeared in the world, his aura nearly completely fading.

Li Changshou couldn't help but sigh at this Shengren's fate.

After some hesitation, Li Changshou took the initiative to go to Huaguo Mountain in Dongzhou, under the Heavenly Dao's surveillance, and glanced at the spiritual fetus in the stone.

This time, there was a heartbeat.