Buddhism preaches universal salvation.
However, the conduct of the Venerable Kashyapa and the Venerable Ananda was utterly devoid of the demeanor expected of Buddhist disciples. It was as if their tens of thousands of years of cultivation were no different from that of mortals. Were the Venerable Kashyapa and the Venerable Ananda considered scum of Buddhism?
Not at all. It must be understood that their demand for "gifts" from Tang Sanzang had been approved by the Tathagata himself. The first time, the Venerable Kashyapa and the Venerable Ananda made such a request, but Tang Sanzang did not comply. As a result, Tang Sanzang received the scripture without words. The second time Tang Sanzang complied, the Tathagata personally acknowledged the reason for the demand for gifts afterward. The implication was that Tang Sanzang's purple gold alms bowl was given by Li Shimin, which represented the secular world. To give up the purple gold alms bowl was to give up the secular world. This was a good thing for Tang Sanzang. As for the explanation that without the purple gold alms bowl, only the wordless scripture would be given, it was simple enough. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Temples have always required offerings in the form of incense money. Therefore, the so-called universal salvation is not as selfless as mortals might imagine. This was also one of the main reasons why Buddhism flourished in the Great Tang. At least those who believed in Buddhism would not starve. However, there was one point that Sun Kong could not agree with. That was, as the scripture translator from the East, Tang Sanzang's significance to Buddhism was far more than just going to the Spirit Mountain to obtain scriptures. After all, the Western Heaven intended to spread Buddhism to the East. In other words, the Tathagata not only treated Tang Sanzang as a tool for transmitting scriptures but also took away his only valuable possession. Tang Sanzang had truly become a tool of the Spirit Mountain!
"Jin Chanzi."
"Don't think that your achievement of Taiyi Golden Immortal can be hidden from everyone."
"To be honest, we met with Guanyin before we left the Spirit Mountain."
"Guanyin had already seen through your connection with Sun Monkey."
"The reason you were able to break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal is probably because that demon monkey gave you many Nine-Turn Golden Pills, right?"
"Be sensible and hand over the Nine-Turn Golden Pills, and you won't have to suffer physical pain!"
At this moment, the Venerable Ananda's words shocked everyone. It immediately pulled Sun Kong's thoughts back to reality. No wonder all the Buddhas were so eager to find Tang Sanzang; it was all for the Nine-Turn Golden Pills. And the one who revealed this secret to all the Buddhas was Guanyin.
"Heh heh."
"Did a jade pure vase make an enemy of Guanyin?"
Sun Kong chuckled, unconcerned, and said. Guanyin, the foremost of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, was a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal. Such cultivation was an extremely powerful existence in the Three Realms. But she was only a Bodhisattva, and there was still a considerable gap between her and the thirty-five Buddhas. Even if Sun Kong did nothing now, after the Journey to the West ended, he would undoubtedly become the Victorious Fighting Buddha. After obtaining the Golden Body Arhatship, his status and strength would be superior to Guanyin's. Therefore, Sun Kong had no reason to fear any Bodhisattva.
"You are seeking personal revenge!"
"Even if I hand over the Nine-Turn Golden Pills, I will still be at odds with you. Why should I do this?"
"There's no point in saying more, you all attack!"
Jin Chanzi coldly snorted and decisively took a fighting stance, ready to act. Since breaking through to Taiyi Golden Immortal, he had become noticeably more confident than before. Especially when facing a group of Venerables who were only at the Golden Immortal level, he was even more confident.
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Attack!"
The Venerable Kashyapa was also hot-tempered and attacked without further ado. However, he had twenty helpers, all of whom were Golden Immortals.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
In an instant, the golden light filling the sky surpassed that of the scorching sun. The land for a hundred thousand li was enveloped in golden light. Countless beings, in panic and unease, fled in all directions. Unfortunately, these beings were too weak. They not only could not escape the golden light but were also annihilated by it. This was truly a case of gods fighting, and mortals suffering. Even the disciples of the Spirit Mountain, who always prided themselves on their compassion, showed no regard for the lives of mortals when they fought.
"Six-Winged Golden Light Mantra!"
Jin Chanzi's roaring shouts could be heard from time to time. The place with the strongest golden light on the battlefield was where Jin Chanzi was. At this moment, he had almost revealed his true form. A six-winged golden cicada, shining with golden light, was fiercely fighting against the numerous Venerables. Although Taiyi Golden Immortal was indeed a hundred times stronger than Golden Immortal, the Venerable Kashyapa and others relied on their superior numbers and used the Demon Subduing Formation to suppress Jin Chanzi. In truth, the moment Jin Chanzi revealed his true form, Sun Kong knew he had lost. The golden light extending for a hundred thousand li was visible even to a blind person. Moreover, this operation was by the Ten Thousand Buddhas leaving the mountain. The longer they stayed, the more disciples from the Spirit Mountain would be attracted. At that time, Jin Chanzi would surely be captured and brought back to the Spirit Mountain. Sun Kong had gone to such great lengths to help Jin Chanzi break through to Taiyi Golden Immortal; how could he bear to see such a thing happen?
"Buddha's Light Illuminates All!"
At this moment, a golden Buddha ten thousand feet tall descended from the heavens. That golden Buddha was like the scorching sun in summer, so dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at it. But what was even more terrifying was that the golden light emanating from this golden Buddha instantly enveloped the land for a million li. It also enveloped Jin Chanzi and the numerous Venerables. The terrifying pressure mixed with the golden light brought endless fear to millions of beings. At the same time, Jin Chanzi and the Venerables were also firmly suppressed in place. They looked at the golden Buddha in the heavens with terrified expressions.
"Such powerful divine abilities!"
"May I ask which Buddha you are, and why are you attacking us?"
The Venerable Kashyapa asked with a flustered expression. It wasn't that he was timid. It was that the oppressive feeling of this golden light was too suffocating. If they had not already shed their mortal bodies and possessed divinity, they would have been crushed into dust by this golden light. But even if he could hold on for a while, he would likely collapse if it went on for too long. This meant that the other party had clearly held back. Otherwise, if the other party wished, all beings within a million li, including Jin Chanzi, would likely vanish in an instant.
"Heh heh!"
"A Buddha?"
"Your eyesight is not bad, bald head."
"This Old Sun will eventually become a Buddha."
After a burst of laughter, the golden Buddha finally revealed his true form. It was... Sun Monkey? When Jin Chanzi, the Venerable Kashyapa, and the others saw Sun Kong's true face, their terror turned into shock.
[Ding, the host has shocked Jin Chanzi, reward: Sky-Silkworm Blood Demon (Divine Ability)]
[Ding, the host has shocked Venerable Kashyapa, reward: Demon Subduing Pestle (Innate Spirit Treasure)]
[Ding, the host has shocked Venerable Ananda, reward: Yellow Peach Plum x1 (Innate Spiritual Root)]
[Ding, the host has shocked Venerable Benji, reward: Nine-Turn Golden Pills x20]
...