Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 1327 - 1325: The Divine Level Quest Refused

The Tathagata remained silent, contemplating deeply in his heart.

Actually, from Tathagata's perspective, what the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha said was not without reason.

The operation of the Heavenly Dao is ceaseless, and the reincarnation of Immortals and Buddhas is overseen by Ksitigarbha. It is not easy for ordinary immortals and Buddhas to obtain the soul for resurrection from Ksitigarbha, and great cost is required.

But, perhaps it's nothing for one or two occurrences; however, if the frequency of such resurrections increases, it is possible that the Heavenly Dao will intervene.

Recently, the Dragon King of Jing River was resurrected, the Empress forcibly took away a lost soul, and now it is Maitreya Buddha's turn. If he is resurrected again, it will be the second time...

Hence, the Heavenly Dao might intervene in this matter, making Maitreya Buddha's soul disappear, which seems truly possible?

"Alas, these matters have become really difficult to handle..." Thinking about what Ksitigarbha said, perhaps it was true, the Tathagata sighed quietly, shaking his head in deep contemplation.

"Since that's the case, then I shall not disturb further..."

No matter if what Ksitigarbha said was true, at least, Maitreya Buddha's soul was truly not here, so the Tathagata had no intention to linger.

"Your words weigh heavily, Buddha. Farewell!" Ksitigarbha remained reverently respectful, directly escorting to the entrance of the cave, watching as the Tathagata left the Netherworld.

"Who would've thought, Jiang Liu was so ruthless this time, he directly killed Maitreya Buddha!" Watching the figure of the Tathagata departing, Tingdi beside Ksitigarbha spoke, his tone filled with emotion.

"Hmm, previously Jiang Liu would kill either by hiding his identity or by finding a suitable excuse, but this time he actually openly acted against Maitreya Buddha..." Hearing this, Ksitigarbha also showed a myriad of emotions, nodding in agreement.

"Bodhisattva, what exactly is going on with Maitreya Buddha's soul?" Tingdi curiously inquired at this time.

"I am not exactly sure about the specifics, but surely this matter cannot be separated from Jiang Liu." Ksitigarbha pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head and replied.

"Next, let's see how Jiang Liu will overcome this crisis; killing Maitreya Buddha is an enormous crime..."

Looking up to the heavens, Tingdi's gaze seemed to pierce the boundary of space, directing towards the Great Thunder Monastery of the Western Heaven.

...

The Buddhist light shone brightly, and the sounds of Zen chants were melodious.

Jiang Liu quietly stayed within the Great Thunder Monastery, waiting in silence, when suddenly, an anomaly appeared, and promptly, the figure of the Tathagata manifested in the Great Thunder Monastery, seated upon his lotus throne.

"Greetings to the Buddha!" With the Tathagata's arrival, everyone in the Great Thunder Monastery, including Jiang Liu who was awaiting judgment, paid their respects to him.

"Yes, there is no need for such formalities from you all!" Watching the reverent gestures from the many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the Tathagata slightly raised his hand and said.

Once these words were spoken, the Tathagata's gaze then fell directly onto Jiang Liu, without any intention of idle talk, and he sternly asked, "Sandalwood Merit Buddha, do you know your sin!?"

"Disciple acknowledges the sin!" Hearing the Tathagata's reprimand, Jiang Liu decisively lowered his head, confessing his guilt.

"Hmph, Maitreya Buddha is the future Buddha of our Buddhist Sect, yet you mercilessly made a move against him. Such ferocity, how can you be considered one of us? After all, we of the Buddhist Sect hold compassion in our hearts." Tathagata seriously fixed his gaze on Jiang Liu and reprimanded him.

"Disciple feels immensely remorseful, thus requests Buddha to expel me from the Buddhist Sect, lest I tarnish its name!" Lowering his head, Jiang Liu continued his words as led by the Tathagata.

Uh...

Jiang Liu's response left the many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Great Thunder Monastery looking at each other, momentarily unsure of how to respond.

The Tathagata merely reprimanded him, never anticipating that he would follow suit and ask to leave the Buddhist Sect?

Is he joking? The Journey to the West for Scriptures is already more than halfway completed, and now, asking him to leave the Buddhist Sect? What does this mean?

The Tathagata's face also flashed with a tinge of embarrassment, truly not expecting Jiang Liu to respond this way.

Expelling him from the Buddhist Sect? Naturally, this is an impossibility. After a brief contemplation, the Tathagata continued, "Escaping, is that a way to solve problems? You have made a colossal mistake, and do you think you can just walk away?"

Upon hearing the Tathagata's words, Jiang Liu kept his head down, saying nothing, appearing submissive and willing to accept any punishment.

Seeing Jiang Liu's attitude, with a few rebukes showing his stance, the Tathagata felt that the words were almost sufficient and that it was time to proceed with the substantive points.

With that thought, the Tathagata looked down at Jiang Liu and said, "Xuanzang, given this immense crime, what do you think this seat should do about you?"

"Disciple is aware that I have committed an enormous sin, so I accept any disposition by the Tathagata without complaint!" Jiang Liu lowered his head and said upon hearing the Tathagata's words.

"Is that so? In that case, I demand that you find a way for Maitreya Buddha to be resurrected. Can you accomplish this?" The Tathagata coldly snorted, then spoke after hearing Jiang Liu's words.

"What? You want me to find a way to resurrect Maitreya Buddha?" This decision by the Tathagata made Jiang Liu look up at him in astonishment.

It's hard to imagine why the Tathagata suddenly spoke these words.

The Tathagata quietly stared at Jiang Liu, waiting for his answer.

In fact, what Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said had some reasoning, hence the Tathagata somewhat believed his words.

Since Maitreya Buddha's lost soul has disappeared, it's highly likely due to interference from the Heavenly Dao. Therefore, in the Tathagata's view, sending Xuanzang to search might possibly uncover Maitreya Buddha's lost soul.

Firstly, because Xuanzang is the perpetrator, if he himself seeks resurrection, it holds different significance.

Secondly, since Xuanzang is now a person with the destiny of the Journey to the West, if he searches, the Heavenly Dao might follow this course as an opportunity, meaning Xuanzang could genuinely find it.

Hint: Triggering quest "Resurrect Maitreya," requires successfully finding Maitreya's lost soul and resurrecting it. Upon completion, gain 44.4 billion experience points and a Divine Level Treasure Chest. Accept/Reject?

As soon as the Tathagata mentioned finding Maitreya Buddha's lost soul and resurrecting it, simultaneously a system prompt echoed in Jiang Liu's mind, signifying activation of a passive quest.

"44.4 billion experience points? This reward is so high!" Looking at this quest, Jiang Liu's heart burned with desire.

Currently, Maitreya Buddha's soul is in my possession. If I wish, I can easily complete this quest. With this 44.4 billion experience points credited, I can instantly return to level 88.

Moreover, receiving a Divine Level Treasure Chest is also an exciting prospect.

However, even though the reward is generous, and I can easily complete it, thinking about Maitreya Buddha being resurrected again, Jiang Liu shook his head secretly.

Simultaneously, this Divine Level quest was rejected.

This was not Jiang Liu's first time refusing a Divine Level quest. When he first met Zhu Bajie, a so-called Casanova quest triggered, which required training Zhu Bajie to become a Casanova. Feeling incapable, he refused that quest too.

"I'm sorry, Buddha. I regret to inform you that this matter is beyond my ability!" Jiang Liu directly rejected this passive quest, and his expression became much firmer, making his reply.

No matter how generous the reward, can't I slowly grind creatures and complete other tasks? Why should I resurrect Maitreya Buddha and add a quasi-saint level opponent to my future?

"You, when you wanted to resurrect the Dragon King of Jing River before, didn't you also devote yourself entirely? I believe that with your ability, if you sincerely wish to accomplish this, you surely can!" The Tathagata frowned tightly, looking at Jiang Liu and said.

"The matter of the Dragon King of Jing River resulted from my promise to the Little White Dragon, hence voluntarily doing it. But the death of Maitreya Buddha, I never regretted, nor wish to do this!" Jiang Liu responded seriously.

Uproar!

With Jiang Liu's words, the entire Great Thunder Monastery instantly erupted in an uproar.

At this moment, Xuanzang actually said he didn't regret killing Maitreya Buddha?

On the surface, he seemed to confess guilt, but didn't have an attitude of admitting his mistake?

So, he believes he's guilty but not mistaken?

"Impudent! Sandalwood Merit Buddha, how dare you fail to repent even now!?" One Buddha stepped forward and reprimanded Jiang Liu.

"Previously, you killed the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, which was a grave sin by itself. Originally thought you'd show repentance, but unexpectedly, you've now escalated!" Another Buddha stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Jiang Liu.

"Alas, such a ruthless person, this time must not be forgiven lightly!" Similarly, another Buddha solemnly stated, stepping forward.

At this moment, Jiang Liu seemed to have incurred the wrath of the crowd, with these Buddhas and Bodhisattvas continuously opening their mouths to rebuke him.

For a moment, Jiang Liu became the target of many.

However, facing these Buddhas' and Bodhisattvas' reproaches, Jiang Liu's expression remained calm, unchanged even when facing censure from thousands.

To Jiang Liu, in the not-too-distant future, he inevitably has to slaughter them.

Since they are destined to be on opposite sides, regarding their rebukes toward him, Jiang Liu remains indifferent.