Chapter 585: Discussion of Suffering, Buddha and Dao

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Let nature take its course. He has his life, so there’s no need to pay special attention to him, let alone pin your hopes on him. Remember, the future that did not happen might be illusory. Don’t be stubborn.”

Jiang Changsheng shook his head. After Bai Qi heard this, she fell into deep thought and carefully pondered over her master’s words.

“Now that the sermon is over, I’m prepared to go into seclusion for another long time. You’d better not go around. You should spend more time cultivating. There are too many strange forces in the boundless world. Don’t be destroyed in body and soul while I’m in seclusion.”

Jiang Changsheng closed his eyes after saying that.

When Bai Qi heard that, she curled her lips.

She hesitated for a moment before she chose to listen to her master and cultivate in seclusion.

However, after 1000 years, she could no longer restrain her temper and snuck out of the Purple Cloud Palace.

The Zenith Heaven Immortal Realm fell into silence. Ever since the sermon in the Purple Cloud Palace was over, all the Immortal Emperors had been holding back their strength to break through to the Zenith Heaven Realm.

In particular, the first three Zenith Heaven Immortals would obtain the supreme treasure of the Dao Ancestor. That was a huge opportunity!

A Heavenly Spirit Treasure sounded very powerful!

While the Immortal Emperors of the Zenith Heaven Immortal Realm were working hard towards the Zenith Heaven Realm, the Taiyi Immortal Realm far away in the Endless Void was experiencing its own excitement.

The Taiyi Immortal Realm was too vast. Therefore, the first million years of the Immortal Dao Era were spent rebuilding order, giving many prodigies and ambitious people space to realize their ambitions. More and more influential figures and prodigies were born.

The most famous one was the imperial bloodline of the Jiang Clan.

The imperial bloodline of the Jiang Clan had surpassed the status of the Heavenly Jing imperial family. After all, Heavenly Jing was only a Luck Dynasty in the Kunlun Field. Moreover, the emperor of Heavenly Jing could join the imperial bloodline of the Jiang Clan after he conceded the throne, and the peerless geniuses of the Jiang Clan could also enter the imperial bloodline. Therefore, Heavenly Jing and the other branches were all suppressed under the imperial bloodline.

The Lord of the Jiang Imperial Bloodline was Jiang Lu, an ex-emperor of Heavenly Jing. This emperor had already become a Taiyi Golden Immortal and had once helped the Imperial Bloodline. His name was known throughout the Taiyi Immortal Realm and he had become one of the most powerful existences in the Endless Void after the calamity.

The vast sea changed and the stars moved. The myriad races of the Immortal Dao began to expand from the Taiyi Immortal Realm. The world hidden in the depths of the void was invaded and the turbulence in the Endless Void rose again.

Hell, the eighteenth level.

The sky was covered by dark clouds, and countless heavenly flames fell to the lava-covered ground.

Jiang Yi sat on a boulder. He wore broken black armor and was surrounded by fire ropes that destroyed his physique. His white hair fluttered in the wind, making him look desolate.

A figure appeared out of thin air beside him. It was Elder Tianji.

Elder Tianji was protected by the light blue barrier and was not affected by the hellfire.

Seeing that Jiang Yi was still suffering, Elder Tianji sighed and asked, “Do you want me to plead for leniency with His Majesty? I can tell that His Majesty is still worried about you.”

Jiang Yi did not look up and answered in a hoarse voice, “There’s no need. This is what I deserve and what the Dark Imperial Court deserves. Even though my original intention was to end the calamity as soon as possible, I have indeed shouldered too many sins, and they must be washed away.”

Elder Tianji sighed. Many times, he could not understand Jiang Yi and felt that he was too contradictory. He was like a madman when he killed, yet he could still be calm and benevolent.

“Why haven’t you ascended yet? There’s no need to wait for me. Go ahead and I’ll find you myself.” Jiang Yi raised his head and asked, still not revealing his face.

Elder Tianji said, “There’s no hurry. Furthermore, I am not an Immortal Emperor. Even with the support of His Majesty, the Celestial Emperor, it is against the rules.”

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. “Your Majesty the Celestial Emperor? You’re clearly my subordinate, so how are you going to follow His Majesty the Celestial Emperor?”

Elder Tianji said helplessly, “Don’t humans have a saying? It’s important to know one’s limits. I’m useless to the Dao Ancestor. Instead of annoying him, it’s better to assist his son and grandson. Find my own position, and maybe the

Dao Ancestor will take notice.”

Even though his tone was helpless, he said it with a smile. He had truly witnessed and participated in the construction of the Immortal Dao, unlike in the Martial Dao era. Back then, he was like an outsider. Even if he could not follow the Dao Ancestor now, he was satisfied and had great expectations.

“Alright, let’s not talk about me anymore. I’m here mainly for another reason. Recently, some powerful immortals have their eyes on your strength and are secretly plotting against you. I don’t know who it is for the time being, but I’ve learned that they will plan an invasion of Hell, and their target is you.”

Elder Tianji said in all seriousness, his tone filled with worry.

No one questioned Jiang Yi’s strength. He was even proud of it. However, Jiang Yi’s physical body had been destroyed and only his soul was left. His soul had also been tortured for hundreds of thousands of years and his strength was no longer as strong as before.

Hearing Elder Tianji’s words, Jiang Yi smiled. He suddenly raised his head and his handsome and pale face was covered with blood patterns. The vertical eye on his forehead exuded a deathly aura.

“They want to seize my power? It seems like the younger generation is very confident. In that case, let them come. Don’t interfere in this matter and don’t stop them!”

Jiang Yi said fiercely. The Dark Emperor in the Martial Dao calamity had displayed the dominance he showed during the calamity.

Even though he had been suppressed for so many years, his arrogance had not subsided. In fact, it had become even stronger.

He was already burdened with the sins of the Immortal Dao. In his eyes, there was only the boundless world and nothing in the Endless Void. He would not show mercy to anyone who dared to provoke him!

His heart was also accumulating hostility and anger!

Elder Tianji looked at Jiang Yi and smiled. He was completely relieved and believed that no one could threaten Jiang Yi.

The two of them chatted for a while before Elder Tianji left.

Jiang Yi lowered his head again and continued to endure the flames of Hell. From time to time, afterimages of vengeful souls would fly out of his body and rise into the sky before dissipating.

Above the scarlet sea of clouds in the west, Jin Chanzi sat on the clouds with a fishing rod in his hand. The fishing line disappeared into the clouds.

An old and skinny Buddha flew over and landed by his side. He whispered, “Amitabha. Jin Chanzi, are you still unwilling to bow your head? With your talent, you will be able to comprehend the Mahayana Buddhist Dharma sooner or later. But now, you are being stubborn. This is delaying your future. The Buddha has already expressed his dissatisfaction.”

Jin Chanzi stared at the fishing rod without changing his expression and said, “Amitabha, why should I bow my head? Buddhism is about one’s heart. I feel that sacrificing myself and letting myself suffer for the peace of the common people is not difficult. However, leading by example may not have a positive effect.’

“Rather than letting all beings accept suffering and the Buddha Dao endure suffering, why can’t we resolve the suffering and stop it from happening?”

At the end of his speech, he turned to look at the old Buddha with a serious expression.

The old Buddha frowned and said, “There is so much suffering. As long as there are living beings, there will be suffering. Even if there are only two people in the world, they will bring suffering to each other because suffering is determined by the human heart. Unless you want to destroy all beings, but the Buddha Dao also belongs to all beings. Without all beings, what’s the point of everything? Jin Chanzi, suffering is relative.”

Jin Chanzi shook his head and said, “Suffering is indeed relative, so we need to take a stand. The Buddha Dao itself is a standpoint. Since we have a standpoint, why should we do things without a standpoint? There is Bodhi in the world, but there is no Bodhi. The Buddha Dao needs Bodhi, and Bodhi exists.”

The old Buddha sighed and stopped persuading Jin Chanzi.

Ultimately, the old Buddha left.

A few days later, a young monk came.

“Senior Uncle Jin Chanzi, you regard resolving the suffering of all beings as the Buddha Dao. But if you don’t have profound Buddhism, how can you resolve suffering? Why don’t you bow your head? This is also lowering your head for all beings. Before the Dao Ancestor founded the Immortal Dao Era, he also bowed his head and joined hands with the Martial Dao.” The young monk persuaded seriously.

Jin Chanzi did not even look at him and said, “You said it yourself. As the overlord of the Endless Void, the Martial Dao actually worked hand in hand with the Immortal Dao. Who is the one bowing down, the Dao Ancestor or the Martial Dao?”

The young monk frowned and said, “The Dao Ancestor only revealed his reputation after he became stronger and saved the common people. If you continue to be stubborn, when will you become stronger?”

“Amitabha. The Dao Ancestor is kind-hearted. I have heaven and earth hidden in my heart.”

“You…”

The young monk was furious. He said a few more words, but he could not persuade him. He could only leave with a flick of his sleeves.

In the years that followed, many Buddhas and Arhats took turns to persuade him. The stories of Jin Chanzi and the Buddhas discussing their sufferings also spread throughout the Taiyi Immortal Realm.

As a result, Jin Chanzi obtained great fame because his theory of suffering was more popular with people. Compared to his theory of suffering, the Buddha Dao’s theory of suffering was more ambiguous and difficult for the public to accept.

Kunlun Field, Dao Sect’s main dojo.

In a palace, seven Daoists sat side by side and faced a huge cauldron. The phantom of Dao Lord Nirvana appeared on the cauldron.

A female Daoist said, “Dao Lord, the struggle between the sufferings of the Buddha Dao has caused a huge reaction. Even though the cultivation world has some criticisms about the Buddha Dao, the Buddha Dao did not use force against Jin Chanzi. Instead, they gained a magnanimous reputation. After this incident, the name of the Buddha Dao has completely spread throughout the Taiyi Immortal Realm. I suspect that the Buddha Dao wants to promote Jin Chanzi as Buddha. After all, he is the disciple of the Future Buddha.”

Her words were agreed by the other Daoists.

“That’s right. The public has a bad impression of the Buddha Dao, but they have a favorable impression of Jin Chanzi.”

“I have to say, the Buddha Dao is indeed capable to use such a small matter to cause such a huge impact.”

“It’s mainly because Jin Chanzi came down to the mortal world to train. He was originally a prince, but he performed chivalrously and worked hard to become a hero of the country for the rest of his life. In the end, he was slandered by the royal family and died with an injustice. Coupled with his persistence and concepts, such a story is too easy to capture people’s hearts.”

“Daoism cannot fall behind. After all, we take the Dao as our name. How can we not be the number one sect?”

Dao Lord Nirvana had a calm expression as he listened to his disciples’ discussion.

After they finished speaking, the hall quieted down. Dao Lord Nirvana then said, “Since the Buddhist Sect is creating momentum, the Dao Sect should be making some moves. The Buddhist Sect uses the hearts of mortals as their strategy, and the Dao Sect will focus on creating prodigies. From now on, the Dao Sect will be divided into seven branches and will recruit prodigies from all over the world. There will be a battle between the Dao Sects once every ten thousand years, and the strongest one will be the Head Sect Master…”

The Daoists listened attentively and felt that the strategy of the prodigies was pretty good.

The Buddha Dao walked into the hearts of mortals, while Daoism walked into the hearts of immortal cultivators. Different directions made it easier to compete.

A middle-aged Daoist said, “Dao Lord, I thought of a suitable person. He is also from the imperial lineage of the Jiang Clan and is currently cultivating under my tutelage. He possesses talent similar to the Dark Emperor, but his reputation has been concealed by the Emperor due to his great talent..”

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