Chapter 586: Chapter 585: Venerable Emperor Chong’en, Tathagata Buddha, and Confucius [Third Update]

"Congratulations to the Tathagata Buddha, returning to the world!"

The Eastern Venerable Emperor Chong’en stood deep within the starry sky, his gaze fixed on the distance.

There, a great river surged through the cosmos.

Above the river, a tree of radiant light shone magnificently, and beneath it, stood a solemn and sacred Great Buddha.

That was the legendary Seven Treasure Marvelous Tree.

And.

The Buddha Country’s contemporary World Honored One, Saint Tathagata Buddha, worshiped daily by countless Buddhist Disciples!

"Eastern Venerable Emperor Chong’en..."

The Tathagata Buddha, walking from the great river, also set his gaze upon the Venerable Emperor Chong’en. Clearly, he was not unfamiliar with this newly ascended Saint.

"Congratulations, Venerable Emperor Chong’en, on finally realizing your wish."

The Tathagata Buddha spoke calmly, expressing his congratulations to the other party.

"Heavenly Dao’s favor, achieved by chance," said the Venerable Emperor Chong’en, smiling modestly.

"The path to sainthood leaves no room for chance; you are too modest, Venerable Emperor Chong’en." Tathagata Buddha’s tone was serene, as if he had weathered many storms and seen through all things.

His face showed neither joy nor sorrow, making it impossible to fathom his inner thoughts.

"Did the Venerable Emperor Chong’en come to this cosmic river with a specific purpose?" Tathagata Buddha asked calmly.

"Indeed, Present Buddha lives up to the name of Present Buddha. To be truthful, my visit this time concerns the Daoist Celestial Court," Venerable Emperor Chong’en replied.

Tathagata Buddha’s eyes showed no emotion, as if he had already anticipated the purpose of the other’s visit.

His expression remained calm, and he did not speak.

Venerable Emperor Chong’en continued, "To be frank, I passed my recent Saint Tribulation with ease."

"The Heavenly Dao granted me great power, naturally expecting me to bear the responsibility of eradicating Daoism."

"However, having just attained the Dao, I am reluctant to take on too much karma and risk damaging my Undying Body."

"Besides, you, Buddha, have long been entangled with the karma of the Ancient Celestial Court."

"Therefore, I thought to ask you, Buddha, to help break the fortune of the Celestial Court, while I sever the Lord of Daoism."

"In doing so, we would be accountable to the Heavenly Dao."

Venerable Emperor Chong’en made no attempt to hide his goal and intention.

He was well aware.

He and the Buddha Country Saint could be considered in the same camp.

Yet, between Buddhist Dao and Daoism, they were arch enemies.

The Tathagata Buddha, already burdened with karma, taking on a little more, should not matter.

Moreover.

Daoism was being targeted by a tribulation from the Heavenly Dao.

By obliterating Daoism, they were serving the Heavenly Dao.

For Tathagata.

There wasn’t any reason to refuse!

However, what surprised Venerable Emperor Chong’en was that Tathagata actually shook his head in refusal?

"Buddha, why?" Venerable Emperor Chong’en frowned, unable to understand the other’s reasoning.

Tathagata simply looked towards the tide behind him.

Feeling something, Venerable Emperor Chong’en focused his gaze towards the head of the cosmic river.

Moments later.

An old scholar in a robe emerged, stepping over the water.

"Confucian Saint, Confucius!" Venerable Emperor Chong’en’s gaze narrowed, recognizing the old scholar’s identity.

He seemed to understand something, glanced at Confucius, then at Tathagata Buddha, and said:

"So, Confucius, do you intend to intervene in the affairs of the Heavenly Dao?"

Venerable Emperor Chong’en’s gaze turned chilly.

Standing at the head of the tide, Confucius neither nodded nor denied, but merely replied calmly, "In my early days of seeking knowledge, I once encountered the avatar of Taiqing Saint, Laozi."

"With his guidance, I gained sudden insight and understood the ultimate principles."

"Therefore, Taiqing Saint has the grace of instruction upon me."

"Now, with the fall of Yuqing Saint and Shangqing Saint after Taiqing Saint, and with Saint Luminous trading freedom with Tathagata Buddha, Taiqing Saint fears Buddha’s return may endanger Daoism, and has asked me to hold Buddha back for a hundred years."

"A gentleman stands in the world, he stands by faith and righteousness."

"Having received Taiqing Saint’s guidance, it stands to reason I should repay this favor."

"Therefore, in this century, I ask Buddha to rest and recuperate, not to incite warfare."

Confucius did not shy away from his reputation as the Most Sage Teacher; though he appeared to be an elderly scholar, his words were filled with transparency and dignity.

"But don’t you realize that it’s Heaven’s will to eradicate Daoism? Aren’t you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Heavenly Dao?" Venerable Emperor Chong’en’s voice was cold as he tried to use the Heavenly Dao as leverage against Confucius.

Yet Confucius merely smiled calmly, "Heaven has the Heavenly Dao, and humans have the Human Dao."

"Having taught people to stand by faith and righteousness, how could I abandon my Dao because of the Heavenly Dao?"

Upon hearing this, Venerable Emperor Chong’en squinted, a murderous aura emanating from him, causing ripples in the cosmic river.

He looked towards Tathagata Buddha, seeking to understand his thoughts.

But to his surprise, Tathagata Buddha just shook his head calmly and said:

"Confucius stands by faith and righteousness; having promised Taiqing Saint to obstruct me, I cannot allow Confucius to break his promise."

"A hundred years is merely a moment’s notice."

"I can wait."

The Tathagata Buddha’s concession left Venerable Emperor Chong’en somewhat anxious.

"That Lord of the Dao Court is extraordinarily formidable; giving him a hundred years might invite unforeseen changes!"

Having witnessed the rise of the Eastern Desolate Daoist Court from its inception and comprehended the power of that young Lord of the Dao Court, he deeply understood the opponent’s terrifying potential.

If it weren’t for the other’s choice to walk a different path.

This position for a Saint would never have fallen to him!

Giving the opponent a hundred years deeply worried Venerable Emperor Chong’en about potential changes.

However, Tathagata Buddha’s stance remained firm, and he replied indifferently, "Confucius only obstructs me, Venerable Emperor Chong’en, if you can’t wait, you are free to handle the Dao Court yourself."

"As for karma..."

Tathagata Buddha smiled slightly, "Whether sooner or later, ultimately, it must be faced."

Having said this, he folded his hands in a gesture of obeisance towards the two men, uttered a Buddha’s name, and fell silent, heading towards the Western Heaven Buddha Country of the world.

Venerable Emperor Chong’en clenched his fists, dissatisfied, glaring angrily at Confucius standing amid the great river.

"You assist Taiqing and thereby stand against the Heavenly Dao. Are you not afraid of ending up like those fallen Saints in the future?"

Confucius shook his head, "I assist not any person or matter but what I cultivate as my Dao."

"If the Heavenly Dao fails to understand reason, I have no fear either."

After speaking, he glanced lightly at Venerable Emperor Chong’en before disappearing into the great river.

In the depths of the cosmos, only Venerable Emperor Chong’en remained, with eyes forebodingly cold.

...

...

Meanwhile, in the world.

News concerning the Celestial Court and Saints had already swept like a storm across every corner, becoming the most sensational topic of recent times.

But on that same day.

The Western Buddha Country also spread news that shocked the world.

The Present Buddha, Tathagata, had returned!