CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 291 JOURNEY TO THE WEST MOBILIZATION CONFERENCE

After the demonic aura gradually dissipated, the two brothers were still wandering. Wherever there was spiritual energy, the two of them would cultivate for a while. Once the spiritual energy was fully absorbed, they would move to another place.

Zhunti’s penchant for scouring every corner for resources might very well be his way of healing his ’childhood’.

Once the Daoist Ancestor attained sainthood, he began preaching and preparing for Harmonization. The barrier in the flow of Qi Fortune between the East and the West had remained unresolved for years. Perhaps the Daoist Ancestor had forgotten, didn’t care, or had other plans in mind.

In any case, the spiritual energy of the East could not flow westward, and the West grew increasingly impoverished.

Now that the Daoist Ancestor had decreed the flourishing of the Western Sect, Jieyin and Zhunti convened this meeting to address precisely this issue—unlocking the blockage in Eastern and Western Qi Fortune to bring prosperity to the West.

The Buddhas gathered together, their Tuo Ta Treasure Light reflecting as they sat atop their Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotuses, holding pagodas in their hands.

"Everyone, I have a significant matter to discuss with all of you,"

Old Li began straightforwardly, immediately diving into the subject of breaking the blockage in Qi Fortune between the East and West.

This matter was beneficial to all living beings of the West, so everyone grew attentive and engaged.

"World Venerable, what must we do to unblock the obstacle? Should we head to East Earth to spread the Buddhist Law?"

An Arhat said this. Life in the Western Sect was hard—so dire that even clothing was soon unaffordable!

Li Jing shook his head,

refraining from playing any rhetorical games.

"The Buddha Mother has decreed that breaking the obstruction requires the help of Human Dao Qi Fortune. Disciples of our Buddhist Sect must venture into East Earth, relying on great wisdom and great perseverance to reach our Great Leiyin Temple. By uniting the Eastward journey with the spreading of our Western Buddhist Law in East Earth, the East and West can be interconnected, making the West prosperous once more."

Nezha, who had been silently listening all this time, began to understand. This was the start of Buddhism’s plans for the Journey to the West. But wasn’t it still far too early for Monkey’s birth?

He scanned the gathering again. Among those present, there was no trace of Jin Can Zi. Most likely, Jin Can was still struggling in the cycle of reincarnation.

The others, unaware that the Sutra Collectors had already been predetermined, were hesitant for now.

Giving up one’s cultivation to undergo reincarnation was no trivial matter for an Immortal. It wasn’t as though one could reattain their previous level as a Golden Immortal—or even surpass it—after reincarnation.

What if you were reincarnated as a pig? Then what?

Before you even awakened your past wisdom, you’d already be served on someone’s dinner table!

Old Li looked at the silent Bodhisattvas and Arhats and wasn’t surprised. Reaching their current state had been hard-earned for each of them; no one was eager to start over from scratch.

At this moment, it was Guanyin who stepped forward.

"World Venerable, this disciple is willing to go."

Nezha wasn’t overly surprised to see Guanyin volunteer. Their collaboration had been quite frequent, and he had already come to understand Guanyin’s character. If she had stepped forward, it was likely because she had truly resolved herself to enter reincarnation.

Li Jing nodded approvingly at Guanyin and said, "Now that the Demon Dao is on the rise, it is not yet the right time for the Journey to the West. Moreover, the destined Sutra Collector has yet to be born. We simply need to wait patiently."

This marked the conclusion of the meeting. Old Li had primarily intended to inform everyone of the situation, letting them know that this matter was advantageous for the West and encouraging them to lend a hand when the time came.

One by one, the Buddhas and Arhats dispersed, but Nezha and Guanyin remained, as Old Li still had tasks for the two of them.

The presence of so many people slowed the dispersal somewhat in order to maintain decorum.

Nezha sent a voice transmission to Guanyin, "Sister Guanyin, are you really daring enough to reincarnate and start all over?"

Their partnership had been quite harmonious thus far. With Buddhism flourishing under Old Li’s personal promotion, as he sat atop the Twelve-Grade Merit Golden Lotus, its allure boosted by the Lotus Platform, both Nezha and Guanyin had reaped substantial rewards.

Reputation still mattered greatly for the Immortals in these times. If your presentation was subpar, you might even attract fewer incense offerings than others.

As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and gold adorns the Buddha." It held more than a kernel of truth.

"With my junior brother here, how could I let Sister fall into reincarnation without return?"

It had to be said, Guanyin was the most socially adept among the female immortals Nezha knew.

The Buddhas departed, leaving only Nezha and Guanyin behind.

"I wonder what instructions the World Venerable has for us?"

Even in the presence of just three people, Guanyin maintained impeccable decorum, a trait that had earned her recognition from Old Li.

"It concerns the Sutra Collector. On the day the Buddha Mother sealed the Demon Buddha, a drop of Holy Blood fell. I wish for the two of you to keep an eye on it for me."

Nezha and Guanyin exchanged a glance, both understanding that the greatest undertaking in Buddhism’s future was the establishment of the connection between the East and the West. Thus, the collection of scriptures would be their grandest project.

Being entrusted early on with such a matter ensured that they would have a portion of influence in this monumental affair.

With that, Li Jing said no more and left to tend to matters with Lady Yin. With the Buddhist Sect still in its infancy, there were indeed countless affairs to handle.

Li Jing’s ideal retirement life was forfeited, though the benefits and rewards were undoubtedly phenomenal.

This task being entrusted to Nezha and Guanyin owed first and foremost to their competence. Nezha was undoubtedly powerful, albeit slightly impetuous. Paired with Guanyin, they balanced each other out.

Secondly, it stemmed from personal connection. Old Li was well aware of who was near and far in relations.

Nevertheless, Old Li would never let personal favoritism hinder public duty.

As someone who had raised two children, Old Li firmly believed in the importance of having both ’father’ and ’mother’ figures in a child’s upbringing. This stood in stark contrast to growing up as an orphan.

Guanyin joined her hands together and recited a Buddha’s name. "So this is the joyous privilege of being a ’connection’? I feel it!"

Having spent so many years in the Chan Sect, diligently cultivating and managing her grotto-heaven, Guanyin had often found herself struggling. The sense of being a privileged and valued figure was something she had never experienced in the Chan Sect.

You couldn’t call her greedy for power or wealth. Everyone has dreams of living better.

"Nezha, why don’t we first go and see where the Buddha Mother’s blood has fallen?"

Nezha nodded in agreement. This must be where the future Sun Wukong would emerge. As a transmigrator, it was impossible for him not to harbor curiosity about Brother Monkey.

He just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon, considering the Divine Enthronement had only just ended.

Was the debt backlog so severe that they urgently needed Brother Monkey to settle the accounts?

The two departed Lingshan and headed east. Using a token from Saint Zhunti, they began their search. As it was still not yet time for Monkey’s birth, and given Monkey’s deep karmic ties with Saint Zhunti, ordinary Immortals would be unable to locate him.

They spent over half a month searching, eventually arriving at a divine mountain near the East Sea in the territory of East Lu.

From the outside, the mountain appeared as a sanctuary of verdant peaks and lush vegetation, suffused with spiritual energy and fragrant fruits—a rare treasure of feng shui. Yet Nezha and Guanyin both furrowed their brows slightly.

This was because both of them detected faint traces of Demonic Qi within the mountain.

Nezha rose immediately, ready to investigate, but Guanyin tugged him back.

"Junior Brother, do not rush. Let us first investigate the situation thoroughly."

Nezha halted, expressing his easygoing acquiescence. Perhaps due to his different upbringing, he did not regard the Demon Dao with the same trepidation as the Primordial Immortals.

Concealing their forms, the two entered the mountain.

The rich spiritual energy of this mountain had naturally attracted a group of little monsters to occupy it. Nezha extended his senses, and before long, he overheard the chatter of one of the little monsters.