CHAPTER 555: CHAPTER 493: LOOK OUT FOR YOURSELF.

Yang Jian suddenly paused in his steps, turned his head sharply to gaze towards a distant grand hall, and involuntarily furrowed his brows as his expression changed twice, unable to help himself, he asked, "Cunxin, do your West Sea and Buddhism still have connections?"

Ao Cunxin said puzzledly, "Buddhism? I don’t know about that!

However, some of my uncles went to Buddhism in ancient times and became the Eight Heavenly Dragons. I’m not clear whether there’s still any connection.

Erlang, why do you suddenly ask this?"

Yang Jian said gravely, "Just now, I felt a trace of Buddha intent that contained overbearing qualities; could it be that the Eight Heavenly Dragons have returned?"

Ao Cunxin replied with a smile, "That’s possible too! After all, it’s the grand wedding of the West Sea. With shared origins, it’s possible they have come back to have a look."

Yang Jian nodded with a trace of a smile and said, "That must be it; let’s go check out the other places!" The two walked towards another direction.

...

Within a festively decorated red grand hall of the West Sea, the Third Prince Ao Lie stood.

In front of him was the West Sea Dragon King, holding a box in his hands, a protective barrier enveloping it, isolating the inside from the outside. Inside the box, a relic emitted an auspicious golden light.

The West Sea Dragon King sighed and said, "The Judicial Celestial is indeed extraordinary; it was only leaked for a moment, but he almost detected it."

Prince Ao Lie, filled with anticipation, asked, "Father, what is this?"

"This is an ancient relic given to me by Buddhism. According to them, it comes from an Ancient Quasi-Saint Buddha. With the help of this relic, your father may have the chance to step into the Quasi-Saint Realm."

Prince Ao Lie exclaimed excitedly, "It would be fantastic for Father to become a Quasi-Saint.

Buddhism has actually given such a grand gift; indeed, Buddhism is good to us; our Dragon Clan’s future lies with Buddhism."

Then, suppressing his anger, he said, "Look at Emperor Gouchen, he only gave some vine, a bird, two pieces of inferior jade pendants, under the pretense of what ’joyful union, flying side by side, and the dragon and phoenix auspiciously appear together,’ that’s clearly disdain for our West Sea."

The West Sea Dragon King closed the box and calmly said, "You went too far just now; you shouldn’t have questioned Shen Gongbao, and you shouldn’t have delayed accepting the gifts."

"Father, he is humiliating our West Sea."

"No matter whether he’s humiliating the West Sea or not, you have to endure it; this is an essential ability for a Dragon King." Ao Qin said sternly.

Ao Lie opened his mouth, then lowered his head and replied, "Yes!"

Ao Qin’s tone softened slightly as he said, "After the grand wedding, everything will be fine, and the West Sea will be incorporated into Buddhism. Remember not to cause unnecessary complications at this critical moment; it’s not too late to settle scores with them after the dust has settled."

Excitement shone in Ao Lie’s eyes, Will I also be able to become a Bodhisattva?

The Heavenly Court is really unfair; why can Ao Bing that brat become the Judicial Celestial, while I have no office nor rank? Once I am in Buddhism and have become a Bodhisattva, I will show them.

A hum—A Buddha Light blossomed within the great hall, and amidst the Buddha Light, a figure slowly emerged, standing on a Lotus Platform, wearing white garments, and holding a Willow Branch in hand.

Ao Qin and Ao Lie both bowed respectfully and said, "We have seen Guanyin Bodhisattva!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said with a smile, "Ao Lie, are you all prepared?"

Ao Lie nodded solemnly, "Everything is ready. Having worshipped the Heaven and Earth, the West Sea will merge into Buddhism."

"Ah..." West Sea Dragon King Ao Qin let out a deep sigh.

Guanyin Bodhisattva with a smile inquired, "Why does the Divine Dragon King Buddha sigh?"

Ao Qin said with concern: "I fear that the Heavenly Court will not let this matter rest easily after the fact. Many troubles lie ahead for our West Sea!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke gently: "Your worries are needless, Dragon King. Since the West Sea has become part of Buddhism, its Qi Fortune is naturally linked to that of Buddhism. We share both prosperity and decline. Buddhism will protect the West Sea."

Ao Lie immediately said: "Father King, what are you hesitating for at this point?

With Buddhism on the rise, this falls in line with the grand trend of Heaven and Earth. Joining Buddhism is unarguably the correct choice for our Dragon Clan’s future."

Left with no other option, Ao Qin nodded his head. His heart was filled at once with a mix of emotions as this decision would steer the West Sea Dragon Clan onto a wholly different path.

Guanyin Bodhisattva said with a smile: "Your Majesty Dragon King, the Jade Emperor has sent the King’s Divine Pearl as the ultimate recognition of your identity as the Dragon King. You may use it as the core of the array to manipulate the Qi Fortune of the West Sea."

"I understand!" Ao Qin responded.

Guanyin Bodhisattva brought her hands together and bowed, speaking ritualistically: "We are grateful to you, Divine Dragon King Buddha!"

Ao Qin also brought his hands together and returned the bow, saying: "Thank you for your guidance, Bodhisattva."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded with a smile and her figure faded away into the Buddha Light and disappeared.

...

Inside the Crystal Palace, Shen Gong was moving amongst the many Immortal Gods, greeting almost every one of them with a smile and laughter, just like a fish in water. He subtly inquired about news of the West Sea from the many Immortal Gods. Yet, he couldn’t garner even a sliver of information, to the point even Shen Gong himself started to wonder, is there really an issue with the West Sea? Could the Emperor have misunderstood?

"Haha~ Fellow Shen Gong!" A loud laugh broke out.

Shen Gong wore a smile and turned to look, spotting a middle-aged Taoist approaching. His eyes lit up, and he eagerly went over to greet him with joy: "Immortal Ruyi? You’re still alive? I thought you had perished!"

Wearing his horsetail whisk on his shoulder, Immortal Ruyi stepped forward and gripped Shen Gong’s arm tight, also speaking excitedly: "In the battle of the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, I was gravely injured and fell into the mortal world, where I’ve been recovering in the Three Realms.

Today, invited by the Old Dragon King of Emerald Waves Lake, I’ve come to attend the wedding of Wansheng Princess, and unexpectedly encountered Fellow Daoist here. This is truly a cause for celebration!"

Shen Gong sighed and said: "Many fellows fell during that battle. Alas, let us not speak of it and add to the sorrow.

By the way, since Fellow Ruyi is still well, why don’t you return to the Jie Sect?"

Immortal Ruyi shook his head slightly and lamented: "The Jie Sect? What Jie Sect is there now!"

"Fellows of the Jie Sect are all in the Heavenly Court. Fellow Ruyi might as well go to the Heavenly Court and seek a position."

Immortal Ruyi repeatedly shook his head, saying: "Forget it, forget it, the constraints of the Heavenly Court are too much for me.

In the Lower Realm, there are also former fellows from the Jie Sect. The two of us brothers support each other, and we live quite freely."

Shen Gong asked curiously: "There are former Jie Sect fellows in the Lower Realm? May I ask who?"

"The Kui Niu, mount of the Sect Hierarch, is now reigning as a king of his territory in the Lower Realm."

"It’s him!"

Immortal Ruyi said apologetically: "Thus, I can only fail to live up to your good intentions, Fellow Daoist."

Shen Gong spoke cheerily: "Everyone has their aspirations; one cannot insist. Should you find leisure in the future, Fellow Daoist, feel free to ascend and join me for a hearty drink."

Immortal Ruyi laughed heartily as he responded: "That sounds great, great indeed!"

As Shen Gong’s gaze casually swept over Immortal Ruyi’s figure, it suddenly sharpened, zeroing in on the cuff of Immortal Ruyi’s sleeve. He laughed softly and patted Immortal Ruyi’s sleeve, saying: "Fellow Daoist, this here is the West Sea Dragon Palace, filled with great powers. You must prioritize your safety and avoid stirring up trouble."

Immortal Ruyi chuckled and replied: "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Brother. I understand."