CHAPTER 796: CHAPTER 724, SANZANG RETURNS.

Do we of the Eastern Land really deserve such difference? Tang Sanzang’s face looked displeased, unable to resist the urge to retort.

Beside him, Zhu Bajie quietly tugged at Tang Sanzang’s sleeve.

Tang Sanzang, seeing the many Buddha Bodhisattvas around, still restrained himself from speaking. He thought, ’Let it pass, and once I have obtained the scriptures, I’ll take my leave and not tolerate your disdain.’

The grand voice of The Buddha echoed in the hall: "Anuo, Kasyapa, lead the four groups to the Treasure Tower, prepare a vegetarian feast first for them.

After the meal, open the treasure pavilion and from the thirty-five parts of My Sanzang Sutras, hand him a few volumes, teach him to spread them in the Eastern Land, and forever engrave My grace."

Anan Kasyapa respectfully accepted the order, leading Tang Sanzang away from the Great Hall to arrange the vegetarian banquet, which included all kinds of immortal dishes, immortal teas, and immortal fruits, a myriad of exquisite flavors.

After lunch, Anan Kasyapa and Tang Sanzang with his disciples walked along the garden path toward the Scripture Pavilion.

As they walked, Anan asked with a smile, "Is Mage satisfied with the lunch?"

"Thank you for the Buddha’s hospitality, I am very satisfied," replied Tang Sanzang.

Kasyapa, smiling, said, "Mage, you must have never eaten such fine food before!"

Tang Sanzang smiled and responded, "Venerable, I normally eat food prepared by the Heavenly Court’s Food God, which is not common mortal food. I have eaten these kinds of foods before."

Kasyapa’s expression stiffened—eating daily meals prepared by the Heavenly Court’s Food God, are all monks from the Eastern Land so extravagant? Even I would not dare to indulge like this.

Anan stopped walking, smiled, and said, "Saint Monk comes from the Eastern Land to here, have you brought any gifts for us? Take them out quickly, so we can pass on the scriptures to you."

Tang Sanzang was stunned and hurriedly said, "Disciple has come from a long way and hasn’t prepared any gifts."

Anan Venerable laughed beside, "Good, good, good! Passing on the scriptures empty-handed to posterity, the future generations will starve!"

"There~" Tang Sanzang hesitated for a moment and grew a bit alarmed. How could Buddhism openly demand gifts?

Sun Wukong suddenly grabbed Anan Venerable by the collar and pulled him forward, saying sharply, "We are on a mission commanded by Emperor Gouchen to the Western Heaven to seek the True Scriptures. What right do you have to demand gifts and deliberately make things difficult?

Little monk, you wait here; your elder brother Wukong will question The Buddha himself. He must give me an explanation; otherwise, this will not end."

Kasyapa Venerable quickly interjected, "Great Saint, please let go. Even if you question the Buddha, the reason will remain the same."

"Wukong, let go quickly," Tang Sanzang also urged.

Sun Wukong loosened his grip, eyeing Anan suspiciously and with disapproval.

Anan hastily stepped back two paces and adjusted his clothing, saying, "Saint Monk, do not be offended. It is not our greed for wealth, but it is necessary to establish a rule that the scriptures cannot be transmitted lightly, nor can they be taken for nothing.

In the past, when the monastic monks descended from the mountain, they recited the sutra once in Zhao Changzhe’s house in She Wei Country to assure his family’s living safe and the deceased transcending, only asking for three dou and three sheng of millet-sized gold in return. The Buddha even said they had sold themselves too cheap, leading their future descendants to lack money to use."

Unable to contain himself, Zhu Bajie said, "Reciting the scripture once and collecting three dou and three sheng of rice grain gold, truly the law must not be lightly transmitted, Buddha does not ferry the destitute."

The expressions of Anan Kasyapa instantly changed, and they couldn’t help saying, "Marshal, please be careful with your words!"

"Marshal, your words are mistaken; we are also ensuring that the Buddha’s sons and grandsons will have food to eat."

Tang Sanzang sighed inwardly, yet respectfully said on the surface, "Venerable speaks very truly, but this monk was in a hurry and did not bring any gifts."

From his bosom, he took out Three Realms Mall: "This humble monk is willing to donate five hundred thousand Xuanhuang Coins as a devout Buddha’s son’s contribution to the incense money for our Buddha. May I know if it is permissible?"

Anan Venerable’s eyes revealed a look of surprise, five hundred thousand Xuanhuang Coins was indeed much better than any personal matters, he quickly responded, "Of course, it’s permissible."

"And what about this monk’s matter regarding the scriptures?"

"It’s settled, Kasyapa, hurry and arrange for the Powerful Warriors to organize the scriptures for the Saint Monk."

"Alright~" Kasyapa briskly departed.

Anan, with a smile brimming on his face, extended his hand and said, "Saint Monk, please follow me!"

Tang Sanzang followed Anan towards the Scripture Pavilion and subsequently collected several Mahayana Sutras. After bidding farewell to the Buddha, he rode a cloud towards the Nan Zhanbu Continent. The journey there involved crossing mountains and rivers, which was arduous, but he returned riding on a cloud, from mountains in the morning to rivers by dusk.

Because various unexpected events frequently occurred during the westward journey, The Buddha no longer dared to create difficulties. It was already a great fortune that the westward journey progressed smoothly, thus the Scripture without Words was also omitted.

Within the Netherworld Yin Mountain, the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva sat atop the mountain, chanting the True Scriptures, rays of Buddha Light illuminated the Yin Mountain, transforming the resentful souls and Fierce Ghosts.

Suddenly, a burst of Buddha Light exploded, and a Buddha appeared within the Buddha Light.

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva immediately stopped chanting, and all the resentful souls and Fierce Ghosts below fled, leaving the Yin Mountain instantly filled with cries and howls.

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Hail to the Merit Buddha, you are not supposed to be waiting in Buddhism for the Sutra Taker to fulfill his merit, why have you come to the Underworld?"

Namaste Merit Buddha landed on the cloud head, somewhat anxiously said, "Ksitigarbha, you wouldn’t deceive me, right?"

"Why would you say such a thing, Merit Buddha?"

"The Bodhisattva told me that after obtaining the scriptures, it would lead to the formation of the Eastern Earth Ling Mountain, and Buddhism would be split into two, birthing another Eastern Earth Buddha."

"That is indeed true."

Merit Buddha worriedly said, "Bodhisattva, I have staked all my worth on you, and also persuaded many of my friends to invest together in the New Ling Mountain.

But why is there still no news about the New Ling Mountain? Can Tang Sanzang truly become the new Buddha?"

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva patted Merit Buddha’s shoulder, chuckling said, "Just trust me when I handle matters!

As for why the New Ling Mountain has not appeared in the world yet, it is because we need to avoid The Buddha’s awareness. Once he knows there’s another Eastern Earth Ling Mountain, he will definitely try to destroy it."

"The Bodhisattva’s words hold true, yet I still have some worries."

"Haha, don’t worry, Tang Sanzang is much stronger than you think. Once Tang Sanzang assumes his position and is endowed with the True Fruit, you will be the greatest contributor in front of the new Buddha, you will be the Guanyin Bodhisattva, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, and Manjusri Bodhisattva of the Eastern Ling Mountain," the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva made a sweeping promise.

Namaste Merit Buddha couldn’t help but show joy, then somewhat embarrassed said, "Bodhisattva, actually I wouldn’t mind becoming the Eastern Maitreya Buddha, Randeng Buddha."

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva laughed heartily, "Ambitious indeed, with your merits, attaining the position of a Buddha is sufficient. I will speak to Tang Sanzang for you."

"Thank you, thank you, Bodhisattva~" Namaste Merit Buddha repeatedly bowed in gratitude.

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva paused thoughtfully and said, "Namaste Merit Buddha, I have not been on Ling Mountain recently, has anything happened there?"

"Lord Buddha, why do you ask this?"