Chapter 791: 317. You Fall Into the Trap, I’ll Take the Opportunity (Combined Chapter)_2

It wasn’t until a few years ago, after Future Maitreya truly displayed his exceptional talents in the Southern Wilderness, that people began to compare his power and realm to that of Monk Jingshan.

Though some claimed Monk Jingshan was of a higher realm and more experienced, to the world, he could no longer suppress his younger martial nephew in the Buddhist Sect.

In recent times, Monk Jingshan had become much quieter. However, with Lei Jun in Luoyang just as the White Lotus Sect made a move, it was clear that the sect was poised to stir up trouble once again.

Was it because the White Lotus Sect Master, Jingjiu, who had made a fleeting appearance, hadn’t been seen for a long time?

Yet, it was somewhat bizarre that today, far from the Imperial Capital Luoyang, there was significant activity on Tiangu Ridge.

Were they targeting Crown Prince Zhang Hui?

Keeping the Crown Prince could lead to a split within the Tang Imperial Court and might even spark an uprising. This would undoubtedly align with some of the White Lotus Sect’s ambitions...

Lei Jun pondered this when his mind suddenly stirred again.

The Great Celestial Mirror tilted, reflecting the figure of another person approaching Tiangu Ridge from a different direction. As the person drew nearer, their features became clearer within Lei Jun’s sight.

The newcomer was young with a dignified and solemn appearance—clearly the White Lotus Sect’s Future Maitreya.

The moment Future Maitreya stepped onto Tiangu Ridge, the mountains trembled in unison. Streaks of pure Buddha light shot into the sky, enveloping the entire mountain range. From Lei Jun’s perspective through the Great Celestial Mirror, it was as if a giant white lotus bloomed on Tiangu Ridge and then closed in reverse, resembling two Buddha palms closing together in prayer.

The entire mountain range was enveloped within these Buddha palms. Besides Future Maitreya, the Eastern Palace procession carrying Crown Prince Zhang Hui, which had entered the mountain range, was also caught within.

Monk Jingshan and his group’s target was indeed not Crown Prince Zhang Hui and his party, but their fellow sect member, Future Maitreya.

Zhang Hui and the others, in contrast, were merely unfortunate bystanders.

Lei Jun stood motionless on Luping Mountain, silently observing everything happening in the distance. Although there was no sound, the Great Celestial Mirror’s luminosity became even more focused. Even through the closed White Lotus Buddha Palms, Lei Jun could still vaguely see what was happening inside.

Normally, such concentrated observation by the Great Celestial Mirror could potentially be perceived by an opponent with high spiritual awareness and insight. But with Monk Jingshan and Future Maitreya currently pitted against each other, they were compelled to focus their entire spirit on the conflict. Under these circumstances, Lei Jun’s observation with the Great Celestial Mirror could be somewhat more unrestrained.

Thus, at this moment, through Lei Jun’s vision, the clash between Future Maitreya and Monk Jingshan within the closed White Lotus Buddha Palms was intense.

And the Ninth-grade Lotus Platform, a treasured artifact of the White Lotus Sect that usually flanked Future Maitreya, now seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, showing signs of separating from him.

Lei Jun watched intently. He saw that within the closed White Lotus Buddha Palms, not only did streaks of white light shine, but countless Buddha stupas, Bodhi trees, Treasure Trees, Lotus Flowers, Treasure Banners, and Shariputras also flickered and gleamed. The entire scene resembled a miniature Buddhist Pure Land.

In the center of this Buddhist Pure Land sat a high monk of the White Lotus Sect. He had, just moments before, been hiding with Monk Jingshan on Tiangu Ridge. Now, he was seated cross-legged, silently closing his eyes and reciting scriptures.

Lei Jun found the monk’s face familiar. After recalling some pictorial records he had seen before, he identified him as Monk Jingsi, another high monk of the White Lotus Sect.

Monk Jingsi appeared somewhat aged, but at this moment, his whole body radiated with the luminous glow of wisdom and perfect enlightenment, like a giant white lotus, harmonizing with the surrounding Pure Land. He assisted Monk Jingshan in presiding over this Pure Land, continuously disrupting and drawing at the Ninth-grade Lotus Platform, preventing it from being used by Future Maitreya and even attempting to pull it away completely.

This is practically a schism, a rebellion... Lei Jun thought upon seeing this. Even if they can’t capture Future Maitreya himself, are they determined to seize the treasured Ninth-grade Lotus Platform? Such drastic actions... It’s as if they’re acting like the true White Lotus Sect Master, the Present Maitreya, no longer exists. Has the White Lotus Sect undergone some major upheaval recently?

Lei Jun’s gaze shifted from Monk Jingsi to Monk Jingshan.

Within the White Lotus Sect, Monk Jingsi cultivated the Buddhist Law of the Holding Vow Lineage, while Monk Jingshan cultivated the Zen Martial Lineage’s School of Dharma and Divine Skills. His movements seemed unhurried, yet each gesture implied the ingenuity of fitting the universe into a mustard seed, as well as the immense power to shift mountains and fill seas. Surrounded by flowing white light, he seemed to transform into a Jade Buddha, devoid of any sense of fragility or commonness. Instead, he evoked an artistic conception of great freedom—indomitable, unshakably firm, and eternally like vajra.

Since the fall of the top masters of Bodhi Temple, Monk Jingshan, hailing from the White Lotus Sect, was undisputedly the foremost expert in Zen Martial Arts of the Buddhist Sect. His attacks were as overwhelming as a mountain collapsing, making them difficult to withstand.

Although Future Maitreya also possessed mastery in the way of Zen Martial Arts, judging by the current situation, he could not claim victory through martial skill alone. However, Future Maitreya’s attainments in Buddhist Law were so profound that he had nearly reached the state where understanding one law meant understanding all laws. His understanding pointed directly to the true self, perceiving the Tathagata.

As Future Maitreya clashed with Monk Jingshan’s Zen fists, he seemed to utter something—perhaps chanting scriptures or making a vow. Consequently, the image of a white Peacock Bright King (Mahamayuri) appeared. Empowered by the peacock, Future Maitreya’s strength surged, allowing him to clash with Monk Jingshan—who was a minor realm higher than him—without being at any disadvantage.

At the same time, his other hand even managed to continuously form Dharma Seals.

The Dugu Seal manifested the profound meaning of an unshakably stable body and mind.

The Outer Lion Seal resonated with heaven and earth, manifesting the profound meaning of becoming even more valiant and resolute when encountering difficulties.

The Inner Lion Seal manifested the profound meaning of strengthening one’s grasp of oneself, while also strengthening the connection to and control over the related Ninth-grade Lotus Platform.