The pain was unbearable, truly unbearable.

While laughing inwardly, Li Changshou’s expression remained twisted with worry. At this moment, he was truly suffering.

What kind of situation was this?

Treasure Master was stealing the base, Lord Lao intercepted the Western Teaching’s karmic fortune, and the Primordial Heavenly Lord stepped forward to suppress Sovereign Guide. The Heavenly Dao took advantage of the situation to completely strip the Sovereign Guide of his influence in Heaven and Earth.

This hidden thread had truly been buried for far too long.

From the moment the Supreme Clarity Sovereign calculated through Wen Jing that Wen Jing would take a bite of the Golden Lotus, this grand play had already been under the Supreme Clarity Sovereign’s control, with Li Changshou participating throughout.

Yet neither master nor disciple ever actively mentioned the word ‘Buddha,’ concealing everything within their conversations that occurred on average every eighteen days.

Long ago, Li Changshou had reminded the Supreme Clarity Sovereign that the Western Teaching might have countermeasures, suggesting they reference his template for Heavenly Dao oaths.

The Supreme Clarity Sovereign had also reminded Li Changshou not to reveal these matters, lest the two Sovereigns of the Western Teaching completely submit to the Heavenly Dao, ruining their calculations.

Later, due to pressure from the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor’s coercion, the Supreme Clarity Sovereign entrusted this matter to Lord Lao ahead of schedule.

After that, Li Changshou kept Daoist Wen Jing steadily infiltrating Western Teaching, step by step approaching the location of the Golden Lotus.

Then during the final stage of the Great Investiture of the Gods calamity, when both the Heavenly Dao and Sovereign Guide struck at the Severing Sect immortals, he had Wen Jing destroy the Golden Lotus, causing the thousands of Severing Sect disciples that Sovereign Guide had converted to directly collapse the Western Teaching’s karmic fortune.

According to Heavenly Dao rules, Western Teaching was now essentially illegal. If great teaching were to take its place and quickly spread the Western Teaching’s doctrines, it would naturally receive subtle support.

All these preparations had made it possible for the Treasure Master to establish the Buddhist sect.

This matter was far beyond what Treasure Master could achieve by simply reciting some sutras, preaching some doctrines, and making some grand vows.

It involved both a struggle for karmic fortune and years of calculations by the Human Teaching.

Though it appeared that Senior Brother Treasure Master, who was now slowly flying toward Spirit Mountain about to take control as Buddha, was the one in charge, the one who had made enormous contributions to this matter was…

Just as Li Changshou was about to raise his hand, a hand pressed down on his shoulder, and that figure walked out from his side.

Great Master Xuandu.

If not for Great Master Xuandu’s “universal gravitation” to that mosquito, Wen Jing might have hesitated when taking that bite, missing the golden opportunity.

Li Changshou silently gave a thumbs up to the Great Master’s family, who were now cruising through the Chaos Sea on the Kun Peng.

At this moment, Treasure Master maintained his Buddha body, wearing a smile as he slowly approached Spirit Mountain from the southeast.

Though Lord Lao had already returned to the Heavenly Palace, the Primordial Heavenly Lord sat on a white cloud, leisurely following behind Treasure Master high in the sky, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.

In this move, the Primordial Heavenly Lord stood at the highest level.

The atmosphere atop Spirit Mountain was extremely oppressive.

Sovereign Guide sat silently in the deepest part of the main hall, no longer needing to hide his emotions, which must now be in complete chaos.

Before becoming a Sovereign in ancient times, Guide and his brother disciple Deliverer had strived and worked hard because of a single phrase: “The West is destined to prosper.”

They used any means necessary—lying, deceiving, stealing—even teaching these methods as techniques to disciples chosen to develop their great teaching.

All their efforts were for the prosperity of the West, to avoid being overshadowed by “deeply rooted” primordial beings like the Three Pure Ones, who were transformed from Pangu’s divine spirit!

They fought for this—to stand alongside the Three Pure Ones as “Sovereigns of Grand Vows”!

But now, at the end of it all…

Everything was empty.

Sovereign Deliverer had even been slain by two disciples of the Dao sect working together because his actions had no bottom line.

And he, the Great Sovereign, had ultimately fallen several steps behind the Supreme Clarity Sovereign, pinned down with no room for resistance.

After calculating against the Dao sect for so many years;

After instigating the battle between the Development and Severing sects for so many years.

Finally, when the Development and Severing sects erupted into a great battle, the Human Teaching had turned around and performed a sleight of hand, snatching away the Western Teaching’s religious fortune just before it was about to prosper.

And they had completely blocked off the path while they were at it.

The guide wouldn’t believe the Dao Ancestor’s suicide had nothing to do with that little bastard who was successful ninety-eight percent of the time!

No matter how great his usual bearing, cultivation, or depths were, Guide’s dao heart was now slightly unstable, with an indescribable anger in his heart.

Look! Just look at these disciples now!

Guide’s gaze swept over the disciples below, seeing half of them sitting behind the four figures of Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Fearless, and Compassionate Navigation;

The other half of the disciples still sat in their original positions, but in the front row closest to him, only “Empty Bodhi” remained.

Guide revealed a slightly gratified smile as he sized up this disciple of his.

Besides Earth Store, Bodhi was the most satisfying.

Compared to several hundred years ago, Bodhi’s dao realm had reached such a level that he was not far behind Maitreya of those years.

Some consolation, at least.

Beside him, Kasyapa said in a deep voice: “Master, how should we handle this matter?”

Guide remained silent.

An elder Daoist said in a deep voice: “The Supreme Clarity Sovereign’s calculations were truly formidable, completely predicting our Western path and arranging this move in advance.”

“Buddhist sect, what a Buddhist sect, concentrating our Western Teaching’s doctrines and mixing in many Dao sect essentials, directly stealing the destiny that should have belonged to our Western Teaching!”

“Now is not the time to discuss this,” another elder Daoist sighed. “Treasure Master’s previous words, respecting Master as the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations, already showed his intention to seize Spirit Mountain.

The Development Sect’s Primordial Heavenly Lord follows behind him, putting his pressure openly on display.

We should think of a way to respond, either block their path with words or prepare for battle.”

“Good,” Ananda sighed. “Master, you need only say the word, and we will stop Treasure Master outside Spirit Mountain.”

Guide looked toward Kasyapa and Ananda, naturally seeing the figures of Manjusri and others between them and himself.

Manjusri hummed thoughtfully before speaking: “The current situation is very unfavorable to us.”

Then he fell silent.

Guide suddenly revealed a slight smile and said slowly: “Then according to your suggestion, Manjusri, what should we do?”

“This disciple is foolish,” Manjusri quickly lowered his head, “and dares not speak rashly before Master…

Well, Senior Brother Bodhi’s cultivation has been breaking through continuously in recent years, his reputation resounding through Heaven and Earth. He is wise and resourceful, surely he must have an excellent plan to deal with the current situation.”

Empty Bodhi—that is, Li Changshou—turned his head to look at Manjusri, slightly frowning, his eyes carrying a warning meaning.

However, Manjusri merely showed a humble smile.

Li Changshou did not speak, only pondering, and the scene fell into a deadlock.

Daoist Compassionate Navigation mediated from the side: “I think we should talk with Treasure Master, ask him what he intends to do at Spirit Mountain.”

“Indeed,” an elder Daoist immediately chimed in, “Master holds the position of Sovereign, and it would not be appropriate to directly converse with Treasure Master, a disciple of a Sovereign.”

Li Changshou listened from the side, secretly laughing inside.

They were too good at this.

These Western-teaching disciples were simply too good at this.

Following the wind and positioning themselves actively, fully embodying the excellent quality of “people aim high, water flows low,” directly bypassing Guide to negotiate with the Treasure Master about how to divide the Buddhist fruits of the dao.

Truly…

If they weren’t family, they wouldn’t enter the same door.

After recognizing the current situation, these core disciples trained by the Western Teaching quickly made their judgment.

What was the current situation?

The Western Teaching’s future path had been stolen, Treasure Master had transformed into the lord of the Buddhist sect, giving Sovereign Guide a title that elevated him high, and was coming to Spirit Mountain to seize power.

Though Lord Lao had returned to the Doushuai Palace, the Primordial Heavenly Lord had come along, making Sovereign Guide afraid to move a muscle.

The Banner of Pangu was floating in the sky.

The Heavenly Dao only recognized the words “Buddhist sect,” only recognized “Buddhist principles”—it didn’t matter who became the Buddha, as long as they were obedient in the future.

More interestingly, the four Development Sect traitors who had returned to the Western Teaching—Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Fearless, and Compassionate Navigation—now remained calm and composed as the Primordial Heavenly Lord was about to arrive as if they had known about this scene long ago.

What had Manjusri and the others been doing during this time since returning to Spirit Mountain?

Forming factions, marginalizing Empty Bodhi, getting rid of some elder Daoists who opposed them, and firmly grasping real power at Spirit Mountain before Sovereign Guide could even open his mouth.

No matter how one looked at it, this was all a conspiracy coordinated with today’s transformation of Treasure Master into Buddha!

Unless Sovereign Guide directly intervened to cleanse Spirit Mountain in blood, he had no means left to prevent Spirit Mountain’s occupation today.

But tracing back to the source, this was merely the bitter fruit of his planting.

As the master did, the disciples watched; as the master taught them, so they acted today.

What made it even more deadly was that Li Changshou was assisting from the shadows, now determined to break through this Sovereign Guide’s defenses.

“Master…”

‘Empty Bodhi’ called softly, saying in a low voice: “This disciple wishes to return to his cave dwelling to cultivate, temporarily leaving Spirit Mountain.”

Sovereign Guide’s brows noticeably furrowed, and though he was about to speak, he slowly nodded instead, saying: “It is good that you leave. At least I still have a dharma heir.”

“Thank you for Master’s grace in teaching. This disciple has no way to repay it.”

Empty Bodhi stood up, made a Daoist salute to Sovereign Guide, and then turned his head to look at Manjusri and the others.

At this moment, all the Western Teaching disciples remained silent, with only a few meeting Li Changshou’s gaze, but they quickly averted their eyes.

“Hmph,” Li Changshou’s expression darkened as he coldly snorted, riding a cloud away from Spirit Mountain.

The Primordial Heavenly Lord glanced at him, causing Li Changshou’s dao heart to instantly tense, though he maintained an ordinary appearance.

Ultimately, this Second Uncle Master didn’t notice any traces of suspicion and didn’t stop Empty Bodhi, allowing him to depart on his cloud.

On Spirit Mountain, no one remained beside Guide.

A great drama of forcing abdication quietly unfolded on Spirit Mountain as Treasure Master slowly approached and the Primordial Heavenly Lord supported from behind.

Li Changshou hadn’t gone far.

At this moment, he was maintaining the essential nature of the ‘Empty Bodhi’ character, feeling this handling was most reasonable and left the fewest loose ends.

Empty Bodhi had a kind of ‘nobility’ similar to Earth Store in his bones, unwilling to compromise with Manjusri and the others, but was naturally cautious, especially after being hunted and targeted before.

Choosing to leave Spirit Mountain now was the most genuine and appropriate response.

The beings on Spirit Mountain weren’t worth his pity, and he had no qualification to pity a Heavenly Dao Sovereign.

They had all made their own choices.

He hadn’t gone too far, watching the situation on Spirit Mountain from thousands of miles away.

Speaking of Treasure Master, he arrived above Spirit Mountain crowned in ten thousand zhang of auspicious light, sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform and bowing in a Buddhist ceremony to Sovereign Guide. His resonant, rich, and slow voice rippled across Spirit Mountain:

“Paying respects to the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations.”

Guide nodded expressionlessly, seeming to have made his decision, and spoke:

“Since you respect me, you should address me as Master.”

“Buddha is an honored position, I am the World Honored One, meaning the most honored of the current age,” Treasure Master said slowly. “The Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations exists throughout past, present, and future, laying the foundation for Buddhism, yet need not manifest before people.

This Sovereign merely expresses respect to the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations, but need not follow or aspire to him.”

Sovereign Guide’s expression was indescribably ugly.

This move was forcing him into retirement.

Sovereign Guide said: “Since you respect me, I can naturally strip you of your honored position.”

“The Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations is mistaken,” Treasure Master smiled, picking a flower as he explained Buddhist principles. “The Buddhist sect was established by this Sovereign, Buddha comes from this Sovereign, all appearances belong to today, all fruits enter this moment.

Everything the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations did before was merely opening the door for this Sovereign’s descent.

The Buddha of the past should remain in the past, the Buddha of the future exists in the future, while you and I exist only in the present.

The World Honored One is the lord of Buddha.

Though the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations laid the foundation for Buddhism, he existed before Buddhism’s birth and cannot strip this Sovereign’s position.”

Sovereign Guide was silent for a while, then slowly nodded and said: “I have indeed underestimated you.”

“Now that Buddhism prospers, I request that the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations no longer use Daoist self-references,” Treasure Master said with a smile. “Buddhism and Dao share the same source, Heaven and Earth have no constant peace.

The Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations has boundless merit and a boundless lifespan. From today forward, you shall be known as Amitabha Buddha.

All who enter our Buddhist sect should remember the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations’ merit in building the Western Pure Land, praise the achievements of the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations, and use ‘Take refuge in the Buddha of Boundless Light’ as their meditation phrase.”

After speaking, Treasure Master pressed his palms together and bowed to Guide.

“Namo Amitabha Buddha.”

As his voice spread, all of Spirit Mountain remained silent.

No one knew who first pressed their palms together to chant the Buddha’s name, but all the Western Teaching’s elder Daoists and core disciples of the Western Teaching’s Sovereign chanted this Buddha’s name in unison.

Guide’s lips revealed a smile of resignation as his form slowly dispersed from the meditation cushion as if everything was within his grasp.

Treasure Master lowered his head to look at the Western Teaching disciples below, smiled peacefully, and said:

“Today we shall establish the various rules of Buddhism, clarify Buddhist teachings, and perfect Buddhist affairs.”

All the Western disciples rose and bowed, now using the gesture of pressed palms.

Golden light flashed on Spirit Mountain, auspicious signs appeared frequently, and a not-too-abundant measure of merit descended.

Without the Nine Pollution Spring, the Heavenly Dao couldn’t casually ‘print merit,’ so the rewards given now were quite meager.

Li Changshou naturally didn’t get even a bit of merit, and he had now become an outsider, with Patriarch Bodhi having no substantial connection to Buddhism anymore.

Not bad.

On the cloud ride back to Spirit Platform Mountain, Li Changshou lowered his head in thought, considering how Guide might counter-attack.

Looking at this Buddhist sect, its outer shell was the Western Teaching, but its bones now belonged to the Dao.

Their later ‘celebration’ had nothing to do with Li Changshou.

Within a few days, news of Buddhism’s establishment and receiving the Heavenly Dao’s mandate to prosper spread throughout the wilderness.

Treasure Master took the title Tathagata, as Buddha Lord and Buddha Patriarch, established the positions of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhat, and Vajra, and immediately appointed several Great Bodhisattvas while giving some ‘honorary Buddhist names’ to the Western Teaching’s most senior disciples of the Sovereign.

Treasure Master then handed administrative affairs to several Mahasattvas to manage, content to remain leisurely himself.

A few days later, Minister Wood of the Heavenly Court went to Spirit Mountain to announce an imperial edict, appointing the Buddha Lord of Spirit Mountain as one of the Five Elders—an honorary position, but nominally placing Buddhism under Heavenly Court jurisdiction from now on.

The Buddhist hierarchy gladly agreed, officially embarking on the path to prosperity.

Treasure Master hadn’t forgotten Earth Store in the Netherworld either, sending down a dharma decree appointing Earth Store as a Buddha;

Earth Store faced that dharma decree in silence for a long while, but finally destroyed it, speaking those words that would be passed down through the ages.

‘Until hell is empty, I vow not to become a Buddha.’

The implied meaning was that Earth Store accepted his Buddhist roots but did not accept the fact of Spirit Mountain’s change in leadership, neither respecting nor acknowledging Treasure Master’s dharma decree, continuing to be Buddhism’s pillar of fortune while also not causing trouble at Spirit Mountain.

From then on he permanently guarded the Netherworld, liberating wronged and vengeful souls, relieving the suffering of living beings.

Sovereign Guide went into seclusion behind Spirit Mountain, no longer showing his movements in Heaven and Earth, his presence almost completely withdrawn.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but sigh at this Sovereign’s circumstances;

After some hesitation, Li Changshou still took the initiative to go to Flower Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent, and under the Heavenly Dao’s supervision, took a look at the spirit embryo in the stone.

This time, there was a heartbeat.