Chapter 448: Chapter 404, The Final Struggle for the Daoist Lineage
Bai Jin sighed and said, "Elder Brother truly remains Elder Brother, decisively ending the game in one move, rendering all the chess pieces I laid out useless. The day of unification for Buddhism is not far off~"
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad looked towards Bai Jin, smiling as he said, "You shouldn’t belittle yourself. Although your methods are somewhat rough and simple, they are quite effective. Not only did this move exhaust a great deal of Qi Fortune from Buddhism, but it also drove insurmountable wedges between the Ancient Buddhas, laying groundwork for future exploits."
Bai Jin chuckled: "It’s great to receive praise from Master!"
"Master, there’s something I don’t understand. Why did Junior Master Jieyin and Junior Master Zhunti not say a word? Clearly, had they simply spoken up, my scheme would have been difficult to execute."
Lord Lao Zi chuckled, "This was a contest between the younger generation; had they intervened, it would have broken the rules. Would your Master have just stood by?
Moreover, they wanted to use your actions to choose the most fitting Buddha. They have already written off Ran Deng."
Bai Jin’s face showed a bitter sorrow as he spoke: "Alas~ My poor eldest brother indeed! He really is pitiable."
Lord Lao Zi laughed heartily: "Why do you have so much faith in Duo Bao?"
"Master, you have no idea! I calculated for my eldest brother before. He’s been doomed to a life of toil. Back when he was with Jie Sect, he worried over tens of thousands of Jie Sect Disciples every day. And now that our Jie Sect has fallen, he’s gone to Buddhism to become a Buddha, probably not to have a moment’s peace for infinite calamities."
Lord Lao Zi laughed heartily again: "Among the disciples of Buddhism, fighting to the death for the position of Buddha, yet when it comes to you, it becomes a bitter chore?"
"Master, isn’t managing the daily affairs of a Great Sect exhausting enough?"
"Jieyin, Zhunti would probably cry in frustration if they knew how much you disdain Buddhism."
...
In the time that followed, Small Mahayana Buddhism rapidly expanded, suppressing Mahayana Buddhism with the force of a thunderbolt, and many disciples of Mahayana Buddhism also defected to Small Mahayana Buddhism.
The scenario Ran Deng had anticipated, where Small Mahayana Buddhism could stand toe-to-toe with Mahayana Buddhism and eventually erode the Qi Fortune of the Mahayana Buddhist family, did not occur. He had underestimated the power the Small Mahayana Buddhism would gain from appointing thousands of Buddhas, and overestimated the power of Mahayana Buddhism.
Within just one year in the Heavenly Court, Mahayana Buddhism was thoroughly defeated, with only their last bastion of faith holding on.
...
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, Duo Bao sat in the main seat exuding increasing authority. Below him, a forest of Lotus Platforms cradled each Buddha, and even the walls, insufficient to accommodate everyone, had oval-shaped holes opened up like a beehive, with numerous Bodhisattva Arhats standing or sitting in them, each in various exquisite poses.
The grand voice of Duo Bao Tathagata rang out: "Jin Naluo!"
The white-robed Jin Naluo stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "My Master~"
"In the northern part of the Western Continent lies a country named Yun Brahman, where the sentient beings are greedy, murderous, lustful, deceptive, conniving, and deceitful;
Disrespectful of Small Mahayana Buddhism, indifferent to good karma, disregarding the Three Lights, and dismissing the Five Grains; unfaithful, unfilial, unjust, unkind, deceitful, manipulating the scales, harming lives. They have created boundless sins, filled with evil, bringing upon themselves the disaster of Hell, doomed to fall into the Netherworld, suffering the agony of endless grinding and crushing.
I have the Lesser Mahayana Buddhist Law, which can lead people to do good and ferry the souls. Jin Naluo, are you willing to go to Yun Brahman and spread the Lesser Mahayana Buddhist Law?"
Jin Naluo paused, hesitatingly said, "My Master, Yun Brahman is a stronghold of the Ancient Buddhism’s teachings. It will be difficult for me to spread the faith there."
"Good intentions spread the good law, and good will touches sentient beings. Jin Naluo, ferrying the beings there will be your journey to confirm your Buddhist heart. The day you return will be when you achieve the True Fruit and enjoy the revered position of Buddha."
Jin Naluo brought his palms together respectfully and said, "I heed the Dharma Decree!" Then, he turned and walked outside, riding a cloud towards the north of the Western Continent.
...
Inside the hall of Mahayana Buddhism, Randeng Buddha sat in the main seat, below him only Ju Liusun, Wenshu, and Bodhisattva Puxian remained.
Wenshu looked up at Randeng seated above and whispered, "Buddha, Jin Naluo has gone to Yun Brahman."
Ran Deng, who had been sitting with closed eyes, slowly opened them, with candlelight flickering within, and spoke leisurely: "Jin Naluo, once the servant of Buddha Mother, I didn’t expect Duo Bao Tathagata to actually send him to sever the last bastion of faith for Mahayana Buddhism."
Ju Liusun Buddha uttered in a deep voice, "Buddha, should your disciple go and end Jin Naluo’s life?"
Randeng’s grand voice rose: "There’s no need. Buddhism has been chaotic until now, and a conclusion is due. If Jin Naluo truly manages to spread the Lesser Mahayana Buddhist Law throughout Yun Brahman, it is time for our Mahayana Buddhism to perish. But if Jin Naluo fails, then it will be the end of the Qi Fortune for the Small Mahayana Buddhism."
Ju Liusun, Wenshu, and Puxian all nodded, turning to look outside – the dispute between Mahayana Buddhism and Small Mahayana Buddhism, in the end, boiled down to a struggle over the Daoist adherence.
...
After leaving Spiritual Mountain, Jin Naluo did not go straight to Yun Brahman but descended from the clouds, walking barefoot through the mountains and forests, his gaze filled with warmth as he observed all things in the world. On his way, leaping over ridges and wading through rivers, more and more animals followed Jin Naluo, wolves and tigers, birds and rabbits, offering cherished fruits and pouring mountain springs with lotus leaves for him.
Each animal followed Jin Naluo for three days before dispersing, and new animals joined in the journey.
Eventually, Jin Naluo arrived at Yun Brahman.
Jin Naluo walked on the bustling streets, greeting people with a smile and a nod, without any hint of arrogance typical of an Immortal.
A few monks quietly appeared on the street.
"Is it him?"
"Yes, that’s him, with the distinguishing mark on his head, a disciple of Small Mahayana Buddhism."
"Let’s go, report back to the elder!" The monks quietly blended back into the crowd.