Chapter 1065: Chapter 1065: The Green Lotus Buddha Robe has returned

Conflict.

Yet facing the Jade Emperor’s powerful olive branch, Tathagata truly felt that the situation was extremely troublesome.

In the face of the prestigious status of the Four Royal Lords, what kind of promise must I make to show sincerity?

Xuanzang, after all, is someone within the Buddhist Sect. If my sincerity is not as good as that of the Jade Emperor, then what will others think?

Is it that, as the head of the Buddhist Sect, my resolve is lesser than that of the Jade Emperor? Or do I have less authority than the Jade Emperor?

Or is it something else? But regardless of what it is, it would give everyone an impression that the Buddhist Sect is inferior to the Heavenly Court, wouldn’t it?

Jiang Liu showed no intention of hastily expressing his stance, merely turning his head and fixing his gaze on Tathagata, watching what kind of bargaining chips he could offer.

And as Tathagata noticed Jiang Liu’s gaze upon him, his mood further sank.

Judging from Xuanzang’s manner, he was completely acting on a wait-and-see basis, showing no intention of loyalty toward the Buddhist Sect.

Who would have thought that Xuanzang would be such a person as well?

Nonetheless, even though feeling displeased, Tathagata wasn’t in a position to criticize him for being wrong.

After all, humans strive upward, as do Immortals and Buddhas.

Now Tathagata found himself in a difficult position, pondering on what to offer to express his sincerity.

But found himself empty-handed.

As the head of the Buddhist Sect, he possessed many treasures, but the Jade Emperor directly offered the status of the Four Royal Lords; he had no equivalent treasures to present.

Buzz! Just as Tathagata stood awkwardly, caught in a dilemma, suddenly, the void twisted, and then, a Buddha Seal appeared, falling from the mid-air.

Tathagata’s expression shifted slightly as he reached out to catch the Buddha Seal.

To be able to throw down such a Buddha Seal into the Lingxiao Hall, including himself, none of the four Quasi-Saints could see how this Buddha Seal appeared. Tathagata naturally understood that this could only come from the hand of a Saint.

After accepting the Buddha Seal, Tathagata glanced at it and a look of surprise surfaced on his face.

Nevertheless, as the head of the Buddhist Sect, he had the presence of mind; the look of surprise on his face merely flashed by, hardly noticeable unless one was watching him closely.

“Is it Jieyin or Zhunti, the two Saints? Are the Saints intervening?” The Great Jade Emperor’s expression also became more solemn, and he murmured to himself.

As a Saint, to actually intervene in these matters here, truly shows a lack of decorum.

However, considering the temperament of the two Saints from the Western Religion during the Ancient Desolation Era, doing such things today is indeed within the realm of expectation, isn’t it?

“Xuanzang…” After reading the content on the Buddha Seal, Tathagata silently put it away, then turned his gaze onto Jiang Liu.

“Disciple here!” Hearing Tathagata calling him, Jiang Liu bowed his head slightly, responding with a respectful demeanor.

“Though the Journey to the West for Scriptures, a daunting journey of 108,000 li, has yet to be completed, you are indeed getting closer to the Western Spirit Mountain…” Tathagata spoke to Jiang Liu.

With that said, Tathagata paused slightly, then continued, “Through the hardships you have endured on this journey, I am fully aware; thus, within the Buddhist Sect, the title of Merit King Buddha has been especially established! Once you complete the journey westward, you shall also sit on the Lotus Platform!”

“Merit King Buddha?” Hearing what Tathagata said to him, Jiang Liu displayed a look of confusion.

Since when has there been such a title of Buddhahood within the Buddhist Sect?

Wait a minute? Was this especially set up for me?

Just like how a position of Great Sage Equalling Heaven was specially set for Sun Wukong during his Journey to the West?

King Buddha? Seems rather unusual; for instance, Tathagata’s right-hand man, Medicine Buddha, is addressed in this manner, correct?

It seems Tathagata saw the confusion on Jiang Liu’s face, so he spoke, “Merit King Buddha is equivalent to Medicine Buddha, Great Power King Buddha, and Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, being the King among Buddhas, second only to the Three-World Buddha!”

Hearing Tathagata’s words, the Jade Emperor beside him secretly smirked and murmured, calling it stingy.

It seems to be only second to the Three-World Buddha.

But below the Three-World Buddha, there are the Four King Buddhas, who, although of extraordinary status, are still somewhat inferior to the status of the Four Royal Lords, aren’t they?

It appears Tathagata understood that the identity of the so-called Four King Buddhas is somewhat lesser compared to the Four Royal Lords, so he followed up saying, “Xuanzang, furthermore, previously you had a Green Lotus Buddha Robe, although lost then, today it shall be returned to its rightful owner!”

“What? Green Lotus Buddha Robe, returned to its rightful owner!?” Hearing Tathagata’s words, Jiang Liu widened his eyes, feeling secretly incredulous.

Indeed, others might not know, but Jiang Liu was very clear; the first time, after using the Max Level Experience Scroll to kill Maitreya Buddha, later, he assumed the identity of the man in black; due to the Calamity Book, he encountered Maitreya again. At that time, Maitreya held the Green Lotus Treasured Flag for defense.

Evidently, his Green Lotus Buddha Robe was taken away by Kong Xuan, and then Zhunti gifted it to Maitreya Buddha.

But now? They say they’ll give him back the Green Lotus Buddha Robe?

Under Jiang Liu’s gaze, the Tathagata reached out his hand, and a green light gathered in his palm. Soon, a green Buddha robe appeared in the Tathagata’s hand.

On this green Buddha robe, one could see green lotuses blossoming, appearing lifelike.

With a simple gesture, this Green Lotus Buddha Robe flew directly towards Jiang Liu.

Without any words, Jiang Liu reached out and naturally caught this Buddha robe. Then, lowering his head, he glanced at it, and the attribute information of the Buddha robe appeared before him.

Green Lotus Buddha Robe (Divine Level): No level requirement, Defense +1 billion, never wears out.

Alright, the attributes of this Green Lotus Buddha Robe are extremely straightforward, as always.

However, looking at the attributes before him, Jiang Liu understood that the one before him was indeed the Green Lotus Buddha Robe.

But the question arose, now that this Green Lotus Buddha Robe was in his hands, was it taken back from the hands of Maitreya Buddha?

Or did the Buddhist Sect manage to find a second Green Lotus Treasured Flag?

Thinking about it carefully, it was naturally only the first possibility.

“So in order to win me over, the Green Lotus Treasured Flag that was originally given to Maitreya Buddha was taken back, huh? I really wish I could see Maitreya Buddha’s face at this moment!” Realizing the truth, Jiang Liu thought to himself with amusement.

It must be said, although the identity status of the so-called Merit King Buddha thrown out by the Tathagata is a half step lower than the status offered by the Jade Emperor’s Four Royals identity.

But supplemented with this innate spirit treasure, the Green Lotus Treasured Flag, the value is still extremely high.

Comparing solely the Four Royals identity, there is almost no difference in their value.

In the Lingxiao Hall, these immortals’ hearts were secretly astonished.

The confrontation between the Tathagata and the Great Jade Emperor in vying for one person, and the urgent olive branches they extended, such a scenario, since the establishment of the Heavenly Court, or the establishment of the Buddhist Sect, had truly never been seen before.

However, considering Xuanzang’s value, it seemed reasonable, perhaps understandable, for such big shots to battle over him.

“Amitabha, this humble monk thanks Your Majesty for your esteem, but as a person of the Buddhist Sect, I can only accept your good intentions…” As the words reached this point, both sides had cast out their olive branches, and Jiang Liu naturally knew what choice to make.

No matter the Merit King Buddha or the Four Royals identity, to Jiang Liu, these were insubstantial.

What truly mattered were the tangible benefits.

After all, when he reached the Great Thunder Monastery, it would be the time to officially break off, and those promises of status and position were essentially empty.

The Green Lotus Treasured Flag, this veiled benefit, indeed had real value, so Jiang Liu naturally knew how to choose.

Upon hearing this choice, the Tathagata’s face carried a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded slightly with approval.

Though it seemed that offering the Buddhahood of a Merit King Buddha and the Green Lotus Treasured Flag was necessary to retain Xuanzang within the Buddhist Sect.

But on reflection, it seemed there was no actual loss?

The Merit King Buddha? His position warranted a Buddhahood anyway, so giving him a Merit King Buddha status was within reason.

Even without the Jade Emperor contending with him, it would have been essential to present these offers.

As for the Green Lotus Treasured Flag? It originally belonged to Xuanzang.

Now, it was merely returned to him!

With the rebirth of his second disciple, Golden Cicada, who might later receive a conferring of the Merit King Buddha, coupled with the Pharmacist who remained loyal, two of the four King Buddhas were within his faction.

As the head of the Buddhist Sect, his position became even more unshakeable.

Reflecting on the pros and cons, not only was there no loss, he seemed to have profited!

Leaving aside the thoughts in the Tathagata’s mind, after obtaining the Green Lotus Buddha Robe, this robe with a defense power of 1 billion, Jiang Liu naturally put it on, replacing his Great Mercy Kasaya.

Donning the Green Lotus Buddha Robe, he looked even more extraordinary.

“Wait…”

As Jiang Liu made his choice, at that moment, the Empress seemed to have thought of something and spoke to Jiang Liu: “I recall, at the time of Long Eyebrow’s death, you were with us enjoying the Dreamlike Udambara Flower in the Glycyrrhiza Garden, weren’t you? How did you find the time to resurrect Long Eyebrow?”

The Empress’s words gave Jiang Liu a sudden shock.

Indeed, was this a lapse on his part?

At that time, he was in the Glycyrrhiza Garden with the Empress and the Jade Emperor. Now that the Empress questioned it, this indeed seemed like a loophole?

“Ah? Wait a moment…”

However, just as Jiang Liu was uncertain of how to respond, suddenly, a thought crossed Jiang Liu’s mind.

Then, Jiang Liu’s gaze fell on the Empress, and he said, “When did Long Eyebrow die? Why are you so clear about this, Empress?”