Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 250: Buddhism Begins to Show Off

"Right, have a look at the menu from Chaos Residence as well. I want to order one. It would make ordering dishes more convenient," Nuwa continued before Xuan Feng could collect her thoughts.

Xuan Feng: "..."

She had been there twice, but she saw only one menu. What if it was not for sale? And the dishes on the menu were depicted so vividly they obviously must be expensive.

Having dined there twice, Xuan Feng would not underestimate the price of anything from Chaos Residence.

For all she knew, it could be more expensive than a meal.

"All right," Nuwa waved her hand dismissively, "you may leave now."

She wanted to savor the Peach Blossom Brew in peace, for it had a special flavor in the tranquility.

"Your Majesty, I..." Xuan Feng hesitated, still not moving from her spot.

Nuwa frowned slightly and asked flatly, "What’s the matter?"

Xuan Feng fidgeted with her sleeve, looking somewhat nervous.

"Your Majesty, could you please restore my vital blood again? If I have to buy so much tomorrow, I won’t be able to afford it!"

Nuwa, unconcerned, waved her jade finger lightly, and a small portion of the Power of the Saint was infused into Xuan Feng once again.

However, Nuwa then expressed surprise, "Why has your vital blood been depleted already?"

The power she had provided should have been more than enough for Xuan Feng to purchase everything.

"Ah?" Xuan Feng gasped inwardly, alarmed that her deception had been detected.

With an awkward smile, Xuan Feng said with an embarrassed face, "I saw Your Majesty bought a lot of Peach Blossom Brew, and I couldn’t help but crave it, so, so I also bought a few jars."

"Oh?" Nuwa raised an eyebrow with interest, "A few jars?"

Xuan Feng struggled for a moment, then lied, "Two, two jars."

Five jars would be too much; she feared the wrath of Nuwa and losing the Power of the Saint!

"Hmm?" Nuwa sounded skeptical. She knew that just two jars wouldn’t have caused such a loss of vital blood.

"Ah no, it was three jars."

With a delicate tap of her finger on the table, Nuwa asked, "Is that so?"

That touch seemed to strike directly at Xuan Feng’s heart.

Xuan Feng’s face turned pale, and she stammered, "Four jars, no! Five jars, I bought five jars of Peach Blossom Brew."

That was more like it. Nuwa nodded and said softly, "Leave one jar behind."

Before Xuan Feng could react, Nuwa added, "You broke one of mine just now."

Xuan Feng was stunned, as if she faintly remembered something like that happening when she was disoriented by the spiciness and hadn’t been paying attention.

Xuan Feng felt a pang of loss, but there was nothing she could do. It was her doing to begin with, and as long as Nuwa didn’t pursue the matter of her misappropriating funds, it was fine.

"Did you remember everything I said?"

"I have, Your Majesty!"

Nuwa gestured dismissively, "You may leave."

"Yes!!!"

At this moment, in the Buddhist realm, Spirit Mountain, at the Great Thunderclap Monastery.

"Our Buddhist banquet is drawing near. Maitreya, is that monkey well arranged?" At the summit of the assembly, Tathagata Buddha radiated golden brilliance, seated on the largest and highest Buddha Lotus.

Maitreya Buddha stepped forward with a cheerful voice, "Buddha Ancestor, everything is in order."

He had been looking forward to that day for quite some time!

"Very good." Tathagata Buddha nodded and returned the Buddhist greeting.

He was, of course, aware of this affair.

Upon finding Sun Wukong, Maitreya promptly reported to him, but publicly announcing it like this would help stabilize the hearts of the Buddhist congregation.

Since ten years ago, not a single plan involving the Journey to the West had succeeded; getting Sun Wukong to agree to come was indeed good news.

Tathagata Buddha pondered for a moment, "Where is Guanyin?"

Among the gathered, Guanyin with the Suet Jade Flask in hand, stepped out gracefully, her eyes and smile exuding compassion, while ethereal chants of Buddhism lingered in the air.

Guanyin faced in the direction of Tathagata and bowed her head, saying, "Your disciple is here."

"Guanyin," Tathagata commanded, "I order you to send out invitations for our Buddhist feast broadly to the Immortals of the Three Realms, so that all can witness the grandeur of our Buddhist banquet!"

Guanyin did not respond immediately but, with a look of surprise, said, "Send to everyone?"

Tathagata: "..."

Send to everyone my foot, there are so many Immortals in the Three Realms, it would be impossible to issue an invitation to each one before the day of the Buddhist feast arrives!

His mouth twitched slightly, but Tathagata forcefully suppressed the reaction. The dignity of his holy visage had to be maintained at all times, as that was what inspired faith.

"Those whom the Heavenly Court has invited, our Buddhism shall invite as well," Tathagata’s voice spread tremendously as he ordered.

"Some that the Heavenly Court has not invited, but who hold high cultivation and esteemed positions, may also be invited."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin’s brows lightly furrowed, and she said, somewhat troubled, "Reporting back to Buddha Ancestor, our Buddhism does not have treasures like the Heavenly Court’s Flat Peaches!"

"Not all Immortals may be willing to come," Guanyin expressed her own concerns.

Tathagata did not speak, but the deep thought apparent on his face also showed his agreement—Guanyin made a valid point!

Tathagata nodded his head.

Indeed, Buddhism lacked lures like the Flat Peach that could attract attention. When it came to fame, only the omnipotent Eight Treasures Merit Pool was at their disposal.

Could they... just let every Immortal who attended the feast take a dip in it?

No!

The thought had barely arisen before Tathagata dismissed it. The notion of a crowd of people squeezing into a pool for a bath was preposterous, not to mention, what if there were female members of the Immortal Clans?

Perhaps they could take a less ambitious approach and scoop some Merit Water for them to soak their feet in?

No, no!

Tathagata silently shook his head. That was even more inappropriate; the water from the Eight Treasures Merit Pool was extremely precious and slow to regenerate—losing just a drop meant a long wait for replenishment.

So to use it for washing feet, only to collect it all back into the pool afterward, although it could be rapidly purified by the pool’s powers, it was an insurmountable barrier in his conscience!

A pool full of footbath water?

"This need not be a concern. Those who truly seek Buddhism will come of their own accord!" Tathagata declared with finality.

Let it be, whoever comes is good enough!

"Yes, your disciple has noted this," Guanyin nodded, also feeling relieved.

Luckily it wasn’t everyone, or else she would’ve been exhausted.

Seeing Guanyin accept the task, Tathagata felt much reassured. His decision to do so wasn’t simply to stand in opposition to the Heavenly Court.

Despite many failed schemes, which did not create much of a reaction, Tathagata knew that the authority of Buddhism had begun to waver.

Now, taking advantage of the opportunity to invite the Immortals of the Three Realms to the Buddhist feast, he planned to suppress Sun Wukong forcefully in front of the entire Three Realms.

That way, he could deter the underhand intentions of some.

And prove that Buddhism was still ordained by heaven to thrive, unshakable!

"It is good so. The purpose of holding the Buddhist feast is not only to study Buddhist Law and exchange views but also to promulgate the profundity of Buddhist teachings across the Three Realms, allowing more beings to comprehend the true essence of Buddha," he said.

With his left hand forming a Buddhist Seal, Tathagata’s voice resonated powerfully.

"The feast is considered the grandest ceremony of our Buddhism, pivotal to the prosperity of our cause, and must proceed without a hitch."

"Amitabha Buddha," he concluded, using the customary sign-off of Buddhism.

By now, even he lacked his usual absolute confidence.

After all, he had experienced countless setbacks at the hands of Sun Wukong.

This time, before everything was settled, he would not take anything lightly, even the person who had been lurking behind that monkey; he was determined to expose them!

Though his heart was filled with a myriad of thoughts, Tathagata’s expression remained as calm as ever. He was the current linchpin and ruler of Buddhism.

Everything about him, not only the development of Buddhism but also his own future—whether his posture or his demeanor—subtly conveyed one message.

Steady!