Unstoppable Despite All Difficulties

Central Continent, Duleiyin Temple – The Great Hall.

The assembled Buddhas had gathered once more.

Yet the atmosphere this time was far less amicable than the initial meeting.

A wordless, oppressive pressure filled the magnificent hall, and Runan, seated upon the main throne, wore an expression of solemn gravity.

Runan's gaze swept over the assembled Buddhas as he spoke softly:

"Let the council begin."

As soon as the words fell, the Eight-Turn True Buddha spoke up:

"How long has it been since the Buddha's Child, Wukong, lost contact?"

The Eight-Turn True Buddha's tone was mournful as he continued:

"We initially thought Huang Miao's act of letting the Buddha's Child cross the Pudu River was a gesture of goodwill, and we waited patiently for months because of it."

"Even when contact was first lost, we merely made inquiries. But what about now?"

"Merely allowing the Buddha's Child to cross the river was our own act of goodwill, yet this is the result we face."

"The Buddhist Sect's constant forbearance will only lead to us being manipulated."

"One step behind, every step thereafter falls behind. To wait further is nothing but delusion."

"Even a clay statue has a temper. Huang Miao stands alone on the Pudu River. Even if he is a top-tier Tribulation Transcension cultivator, if we unite our strength, it is they who should fear us!"

The Eight-Turn True Buddha's voice was resolute, his demeanor fervent.

The Liupeng True Buddha shook his head slightly and said:

"Eight-Turn, do not be so hasty. The Buddha's Child Wukong's spiritual light still remains within the temple, showing no abnormality."

"It may be that Wukong is temporarily unable to contact us. The three sects' arrival in the Western Oxen Continent was itself unfavorable towards us, so naturally they would offer little help to Wukong."

"We must understand deeply that once we take action, there will be very little room for maneuver."

"It would be better to send a formal missive, demanding a reply from the Buddha's Child within two days. If there is no response, then we should discuss whether to act."

"After all, the Buddha's Child Wukong is still within the borders of the Western Oxen Continent."

The Eight-Turn True Buddha's expression turned stern:

"More forbearance?"

Liupeng True Buddha shook his head: "Not forbearance, but handling matters with deliberation leads to satisfactory outcomes. A complete rupture with the three sects offers us no benefit either."

The Eight-Turn True Buddha's face darkened.

Beside him.

Buddha Shi Yun wore a faint, seemingly mocking smile:

"It seems everyone in this council prefers to speak in half-truths, never laying things bare."

"When the Buddha's Child crossed the Pudu River, the words Huang Miao spoke should be known to all, should they not? Why has no one mentioned them?"

Shi Yun's gaze fixed directly on Runan:

"Does the Venerable Buddha Runan know?"

"Huang Miao said that even the Venerable Buddha could not have crossed the river that day, and the reason the Buddha's Child could go was because he was giving face to Chu Xingchen."

"Wukong has mostly cultivated within the Buddhist Sect, and his experiences have largely been in the Western Oxen Continent."

"Chu Xingchen has only recently risen to prominence; it's not even certain if he is a hidden genius of the Tianyan Sect."

"When did Chu Xingchen come to know the Buddha's Child, and when did their relationship become so close that Chu Xingchen would specifically grant him face?"

"In my estimation, it is not impossible that Wukong wishes to leave the Buddhist Sect."

"It's not that he cannot send a message, but that he simply does not wish to."

As these words fell, all eyes turned to Shi Yun.

The implication was deeply cutting.

Who did not know that the Buddha's Child belonged to the Buddhist Sect?

If he were to defect to the Daoist sects, it would be a significant blow to the Buddhist Sect's prestige.

Most importantly, this analysis was not without reason.

Hua Wu broke his silence, speaking calmly:

"The Buddha's Child grew up in Duleiyin Temple from childhood, recites Buddhist scriptures, is bathed in Buddha's light, and all his insights stem from Buddhist principles."

"For him to betray us so easily would mean the fault lies with all of us seated here."

"Eight-Turn True Buddha, what do you say?"

Wukong was the one recommended by the Eight-Turn True Buddha, so regardless, he bore some connection.

The Eight-Turn True Buddha nodded, his expression slightly displeased.

Despite his emotions, on this point he could only concede.

Runan looked at Hua Wu, giving a slight nod of agreement, and said:

"We must maintain some trust in the Buddha's Child Wukong."

"However, continuing to take no action is also unwise. I propose we follow Liupeng True Buddha's suggestion: first send the missive, giving only these two days. We will have done all we can to show goodwill."

A trace of that seemingly mocking smile still lingered on Shi Yun's face, but he said nothing more, merely giving a slight nod.

The other Buddhas also voiced their agreement.

Just as this grand council was about to conclude.

The tightly shut, heavy gilded jade doors were gently tapped with spiritual power.

The sound was soft, almost inaudible, but all present were Tribulation Transcension cultivators; how could they fail to hear it?

During such a grand council, unless the doors were opened, or unless Duleiyin Temple was under siege and on the brink of destruction, such a discreet reminder would never come.

It signified a matter of utmost urgency.

Runan's expression instantly turned grave. He formed a hand seal with a light gesture and waved.

The great doors swiftly opened.

An Arhat, bowing deeply and holding a jade slip, hurried forward.

Runan glanced up, and the jade slip materialized in the air before him.

The gazes of all the Buddhas converged upon it.

Runan did not read it alone. Instead, he closed the great doors once more and then activated the jade slip in his hand.

Several lines of dignified script, formed by spiritual power, appeared.

[An Evil Buddha has emerged in the Western Oxen Continent.]

[Preaching what is called the Great Vehicle Dharma.]

[Establishing teachings across the Western Oxen Continent, deceiving followers, the momentum already formed.]

[The Evil Buddha is named—Bright Buddha.]

The three sects are almost tacitly approving of the Evil Buddha's actions, even seeming to abet them.

[Unconfirmed intelligence—Buddha's Child Wukong may be involved.]

The expressions of all the Buddhas changed, including Runan's.

The Eight-Turn True Buddha looked down at the Arhat and demanded sternly:

"This so-called Evil Buddha, is it the one suppressed beneath the Zhengyin Dharma Temple?!"

The Arhat immediately replied:

"It is precisely that one."

The Eight-Turn True Buddha rose from his golden lotus, his gaze fixed on Runan:

"We extend goodwill, yet they plot against the very foundation of our Buddhist Sect. Venerable Buddha Runan, do you still wish to wait two days for a missive?"

The smile vanished from Shi Yun's face, replaced by solemn gravity:

"And let us not forget Nan Zhongfo of the Zhengyin Dharma Temple. Though he wavered in the past, he ultimately took personal charge of the suppression. But if he were now misled by that wicked Buddha..."

"Venerable Buddha Runan, this matter is grave. There is no room for hesitation. Whether to wage war or pursue another course, a decision must be made today!"

Voices of agreement rose in unison.

Hua Wu's face also showed shock, as if he had not anticipated events unfolding to this extent.

Runan's expression remained stern and grave, as if he heard nothing, staring at those lines of message for a long time.

Finally, he made his decision.

Runan's voice was firm as he stood first and issued the order:

"Cross the river! Let no difficulty halt us!"

All the Buddhas rose together, even Hua Wu, and they bowed in unison:

"We obey the Buddha's decree."

Dong!

The Qingfo Great Bell, silent for centuries atop Duleiyin Temple, rang out once more.

The profoundly deep sound of the Buddhist bell resonated from Duleiyin Temple.

Splendid lights were shaken into halos, flowing clouds were dispersed.

All other Buddhist chants fell silent, leaving only the long, enduring toll of the bell.

All Buddhist cultivators ceased their activities and returned to their respective courtyards.

The Arhats moved first, transforming into streams of golden light and clouds heading towards the Pudu River.

Following them, the various Buddhas set forth.

Golden lotuses leaped forward, amidst radiant splendor and jeweled canopies like morning clouds.

Runan sat upon his golden lotus, leading the vanguard of the Buddhas, his gaze fixed distantly on the Pudu River.

The light in his Buddha's Eye glowed faintly, as if he could already see the Pudu River from ten thousand miles away.

The Buddhist Sect, Duleiyin Temple.

Runan personally issued the decree.

Cross the river. Let no difficulty halt us.