Chapter 462: Chapter 417, the 2nd congratulatory gift
"Thirty-six Purple Pattern Flat Peaches?"
"Heavenly Court really does things on a grand scale!"
"Co-Emperor of the Three Realms truly is the Co-Emperor of the Three Realms!"
"Sixty-six, sounds really auspicious!"
All Immortals softly discussed among themselves, a hint of envy shining in their eyes.
The Buddha also showed a radiant smile; eighty-one Purple Pattern Flat Peaches were indeed rare treasures for Buddhism. A grand voice thundered, "Many thanks to the Great Venerable for this generous gift!"
The fruit basket flew upwards, Anan quickly stepped forward, stretching his hands to receive it, thinking to himself how heavy it was.
Shen Gongbao said with a smile, "The Buddha may check whether I have stolen any to eat."
Laughter erupted below; this envoy from the Heavenly Court was really amusing! Who would dare steal the Heavenly Emperor’s gift.
The Buddha also smiled slightly and said, "Anan, put it away!"
Anan respectfully responded, "Yes!"
Shen Gongbao turned his head towards Bi Yan and said, "Are you satisfied with this gift? Remember, my Heavenly Court is different from your Demon Court; after all, the Demon Court has already fallen."
Bi Yan immediately shouted angrily, "Little God of the Heavenly Court!"
Shen Gongbao gave him a dismissive look, "Little monster of the Demon Clan!"
The representatives of the various factions all chuckled and watched the excitement. Since the defeat of the Demon Clan, the Heavenly Court had been occupied by the current gods. The remaining demons established the Demon Court in the Northern Continent, recalling their former glory; naturally, they found the current Heavenly Court extremely distasteful, viewing it as a theft of their legacy.
Maitreya Buddha said with a chuckle, "All who come are esteemed guests, please take your seats and let there be no trouble."
Humph~ Bi Yan coldly snorted and sat down.
Shen Gongbao also sat down, squinting his eyes as he surveyed All Immortals, the previous advice of his senior brother echoing in his mind: "On this visit to the Heavenly Court, junior brother needs to carefully observe which powers are inclined towards Buddhism, which ones dislike Buddhism, and which ones show indifference."
Shen Gongbao took a few more glances at Qingfeng, this Fellow Daoist doesn’t seem very happy!
Then, various factions made their entrance, presenting all kinds of treasures as gifts, Shen Gongbao quietly observed and committed them to memory.
After many factions presented their gifts, Buddhism hosted a great banquet for the guests. Though there was no singing or dancing, the chanting of Sanskrit added a unique charm.
During the banquet, Bi Yan stood up and said with a laugh, "When Buddhism was established, a great Merit descended from heaven, showing that the establishment of Buddhism conforms to the great trend of the Primordial World, and it will surely reign supreme in the Three Realms during its prosperity."
A representative from the Black Water Mysterious Snake clan said with a hearty laugh, "These words are true, Merit descended from heaven, and the Qi Fortune of Buddhism is flourishing, even comparable to the Heavenly Court."
"The previous Merit obscured half the sky, the Golden Light was dazzling, truly a sight for sore eyes!"
"I have never seen such an abundance of Merit."
"Indeed, the establishment of Buddhism is in accordance with Heaven!"
Representatives of some factions echoed each other’s statements, all present being ancient foxes of billions of years, simply uttering a few kind words, nothing to be shy about.
Moreover, these were not empty words; Duo Bao Tathagata, Ksitigarbha, Pharmacist, Mahasthamaprapta, and Great Sun Tathagata all achieved Quasi-Saint status at the same time, making Buddhism’s influence leap to become the second powerhouse of the Primordial World after the Heavenly Court, with great prospects ahead.
Amid the praises from numerous Immortal Gods, Buddhist Disciples were all smiles, their hearts full of joy.
Bi Yan laughed heartily as he looked towards Shen Gongbao and said, "It seems there was no heavenly merit bestowed when the Heavenly Court was first established, right?"
Shen Gongbao, speechless, cast a glance at Bi Yan and said tiredly, "The Heavenly Court follows a sustainable development path. As long as All Gods perform their duties, the merit will continue to flow."
Bi Yan chuckled and responded, "We will also receive merit as long as it benefits the Primordial World."
He sighed and said, "Back when the two Demon Emperors established the Heavenly Court, the merit bestowed was boundless! Now the Heavenly Court has fallen to such a state, it is truly lamentable.
I think the position of the ruler of the Three Realms should be given to The Buddha. That would truly be in accordance with Heaven and Earth and fulfill the common aspiration."
Many Immortal Gods laughed aloud, watching Shen Gongbao with interest.
All Buddhas in Buddhism also smiled at Shen Gongbao without a word.
Shen Gongbao looked around at All Buddhas, sneering inwardly, Buddhism has grand ambitions! It’s clear now that Bi Yan is Buddhism’s pawn to test the Heavenly Court. There’s no need to play the Diplomacy God if they’re testing us; don’t blame me for not showing you respect.
Shen Gongbao stood up and said, "Buddha, I have a gift for Buddhism as well."
He laughed bitterly and added, "Before coming, my senior sister told me, if I faced difficulties in Buddhism, to present this gift as an apology."
All Immortals were stunned, there was actually a gift! Wait~ the Heavenly Court is actually offering an apology.
"Can it be? The Heavenly Court had planned an apology in advance?"
"Who is this senior sister he mentioned? Is it her personal action, or does it represent the Heavenly Court?"
"Is the Heavenly Court showing weakness to Buddhism?"
...
All Immortals debated energetically, their minds agitated, wondering if the great situation of the Three Realms was about to change.
Atop the main seat, The Buddha was also surprised. What does the Heavenly Emperor mean by this? Is it really a gesture of goodwill? Should I respond? But hiding a single gift, the Great Heavenly Venerate Emperor is perhaps too petty!
The Buddha’s mighty voice rang out, "The Great Heavenly Venerate Emperor governs all heavens, commanding Ten Thousand Spirits, still he remembers the modest matters of my Buddhism, bestowing grace repeatedly, for which I am grateful. Please convey the Heavenly Venerate’s grace to him."
Shen Gongbao reached into his robe, pulled out several rolled-up scrolls, and flung them into the air where they floated and sparkled.
"Pfft~" Mahasthamaprapta spat out a mouthful of tea in disbelief at the sight of the scrolls — are these the original loan agreements?
Maitreya’s smiling face vanished instantly; Ksitigarbha, Medicine Buddha, Great Sun Tathagata, Mahasthamaprapta—all had extremely unpleasant expressions.
Since the scrolls were facing The Buddha, not every Immortal could clearly see the scrolls.
Bi Yan, without even looking at the scrolls, laughed loudly and said, "Has the Heavenly Court become so desolate? To present mere pieces of paper as a gift? Does this paper bear the Heavenly Emperor’s praise for Buddhism?"
Those Immortals who did see the scrolls all wore strange expressions, their eyes lingering on Ksitigarbha, Medicine Buddha, Great Sun Tathagata, Mahasthamaprapta, and other Buddha Bodhisattvas—Buddhism had greatly embarrassed itself this time.
Great Sun Tathagata shouted angrily, "Shut up!"
Bi Yan immediately closed his mouth, with a look of grievance in his eyes. Aren’t you the one who asked me to test the attitude of the Heavenly Court’s envoy?
Shen Gongbao scanned All Buddhas, smiling as he said, "Fellow Daoist Bi Yan put it well just now. When Buddhism was established, it received great heavenly merit, merit that shielded half the sky with shining golden light, dazzling to the eye. All Buddha Bodhisattvas here are beings of boundless merit, so about the money owed to Heaven and Earth Human Bank, isn’t it time to repay it?"
Maitreya, Mahasthamaprapta, and other Buddha Bodhisattvas glared fiercely at Bi Yan—you just talk too much! Who asked you to mention merit?
Maitreya Buddha forced a laugh and said, "The Divine Monarch jests, it’s well-known that my Western regions are impoverished, with truly no spare funds to repay the debt. Please grant us leniency for a few days, we will definitely repay at a later date."