From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 324 Guanyin's Negligence, the Buddha's Decision

Xiniuhezhou, a sacred mountain, and the Great Thunder Temple.

Inside the main hall, the Buddha Tathagata is expounding the profound teachings of the Three Vehicles and the Shurangama Sutra on the lotus throne. Heavenly flowers rain down, golden lotuses spring from the ground, and the sound of chanting cleanses the universe.

Outside the main hall, a young monk in gray robes stood beside a giant bell, his hand on the bell pestle, his expression solemn, as if he were one with the solemn Buddhist chanting.

It's a tough job, striking the giant bell in front of you day after day, year after year. It's monotonous and arduous, far from the core, and you can't see any possibility of the future.

But there's no other way; this is the right path.

Although he was a dragon, he did not come from a high social class. If it weren't for his mother's connections and his uncles' favors, he would not have been able to keep the bell on Mount Ling.

Inside the Great Buddha Hall, the Buddha paused slightly, raised his gaze, and a subtle yet overwhelmingly powerful thought pierced through the glazed tile roof of the Great Buddha Hall, silently descending upon the futile dragon!

"Om-!"

Fu Laolong's body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning! The bell pestle he was holding slipped from his grasp and crashed heavily onto the huge bronze bell!
"clang--!!!"

A deafening bell rang out, and it exploded without warning!

Its sound was powerful and majestic, far surpassing that of ordinary sounds.

The solemn sermon abruptly ceased. The falling blossoms paused, and the surging golden lotuses rippled. The astonished gazes of countless Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajras, and Bhikkhus pierced through the layers of golden light, focusing on the pale-faced, bewildered young dragon of the Giant Bell Emperor!

On the lotus platform where the Buddha preached, his eyes, which seemed to contain the three thousand great chiliocosms, slowly opened, and his gaze, devoid of sorrow or joy, fell upon the futile dragon. That gaze, seemingly peaceful, made the futile dragon feel as if he were being stared at by the entire universe, and his soul trembled.

"World Honored One, please forgive me! Your disciple...your disciple..." Fu Laolong hurriedly knelt down, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick, his heart filled with utter horror. He had no idea what had happened!
The power that surged into his body in that instant was vast and boundless, carrying a majesty that made his blood boil yet filled him with extreme fear—it was far beyond his control! This power triggered a certain resonance deep within the dragon bloodline, causing the bell to go out of control and commit a catastrophic disaster!
The Buddha did not punish him.

His gaze was deep, and he uttered a Buddhist chant in a powerful voice, instantly calming the ripples in the hall caused by the sound of the bell. "All things arise and cease due to causes and conditions; all phenomena are impermanent. Futile dragon, your bloodline is disturbed, and the bell's sound is a warning, which is also a cause and condition. Rise and step down for now."

"Thank...thank you for your mercy, World Honored One!" Fu Laolong felt as if he had been granted a pardon. Trembling, he rose and staggered away under the gaze of countless complex eyes. Only after leaving the suffocatingly oppressive area did cold sweat pour down his face, soaking his monk's robes. He touched his wildly beating heart; the lingering power from before still surged through his veins, carrying a strange, icy, and majestic feeling, as if it originated from the very beginning of creation.

Inside the main hall, the sermon continued, but the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

This is Lingshan Mountain, and this is the Mahavira Hall.

Those who can listen to the Buddha's teachings are all great masters of Buddhism. Although the thought just now was subtle, it was not deliberately concealed.

The powerful beings in the hall could clearly sense that the subtle intent that had awakened the bloodline of the Futile Dragon originated from the Buddha, who was currently preaching.
but why?
Guanyin Bodhisattva lowered her eyes, and the willow branch in the jade vase between her fingertips trembled slightly. She vaguely felt that this matter might be related to her. At the same time, a thought came and instantly intersected with her consciousness, allowing her to understand the cause and effect...

The underworld...

Jinghe Dragon King...

The position of senior brother...

New Dragon Clan!!!
At this moment, even someone as serene as Guanyin was moved, and even felt a little apprehensive.

This was her oversight; she had revealed a flaw. She thought no one could, or rather, no one would dare to, tamper with this flaw, but Ao Qian seized upon it.

Datang!

Although this Journey to the West project involves a wide range of people, what is actually on the surface is the connection between Mount Ling and the Tang Dynasty.

However, the Tang Dynasty was a mortal realm, and even the Tang Emperor didn't understand the significance of this or the benefits one could gain from it. Therefore, in the original story, after the deaths of the first two pilgrims, Tang Sanzang had no one from the Tang Dynasty by his side. Thus, the Tang Dynasty didn't actually benefit; no one attained enlightenment. Instead, a young white dragon from the dragon race attained enlightenment. This was Guanyin's arrangement; in other words, she brazenly allocated the benefits that should have belonged to the Tang Dynasty to the dragon race!

This is simply taking advantage of the fact that everyone in the Tang Dynasty is just an ordinary person with limited knowledge.

Ao Qian seized upon this flaw. Before sending the person, he obtained an imperial edict from the Tang Emperor. With this edict, the alligator dragon's entry into the pilgrimage team was legitimate, as he represented the Tang Dynasty, and neither the Heavenly Court nor Mount Ling could refuse him.

Therefore, this can be considered her oversight.

After a moment of contemplation, an idea struck her.

“World Honored One, what Ao Qian seeks is not merely the future of his offspring. His intention is likely to be the ‘new dragon clan,’ hoping to use the Heavenly Court and the position of the Spirit Mountain to enhance his power. It would be unwise to suddenly promote someone of such low dragon rank.”

"That's why we need to stimulate their bloodline."

The golden light of the Buddha's body flowed: "The Tuo Jie has entered the game, and the situation is already set. The Dragon's position is in vain, which is compensation for his retreat to the position of senior brother. The subsequent changes will require a new arrangement."

Guanyin's expression hardened slightly. "Yes."

"The matter of the White Dragon in Eagle's Sorrow Gorge shall be handled by the Heavenly Court; Mount Ling shall no longer interfere."

Guanyin seemed hesitant, saying, "The Dragon Palace of the Four Seas is still considered to know when to advance and retreat. But this Jinghe Dragon King acts arrogantly and recklessly, without any scruples. If he really gathers all the dragons in the Three Realms and replaces the Dragon Palace, the dragon race may cause trouble!"

"The Heavenly Court will not interfere in the internal affairs of the Dragon Clan, and neither should we at Mount Ling," said Buddha. "The problem of the Dragon Clan is not who controls the destiny or who is in charge, but that there is no successor. After the Ancestral Dragon, there is no one to carry on the legacy. Even if the destiny is long-lasting, what good is it? Moreover, the destiny of the Dragon Clan is now too deeply bound to that of the Human Clan. Their fortunes are uncertain. Let them make their own way!"

"I humbly obey the decree!"

※※※

Heavenly Court, Lingxiao Palace
The Jade Emperor agreed to Jing Zhonglong's request, and his expression suddenly changed. There seemed to be a moment of surprise in the eyes of the person behind the crown.

“Lingshan has agreed to your price. Your son on Lingshan has just suddenly awakened his bloodline and has now been relieved of his duties as the bell-ringer. Once he has stabilized his bloodline and mastered new supernatural powers and strength, we can begin the process of bestowing a title upon him.”

"So decisive?" Ao Qian was also somewhat surprised, but his face showed admiration. "The World Honored One, Tathagata, is indeed powerful. Even the events that happened in the Heavenly Court could not escape his prediction!"

This is what I said...

The Jade Emperor and the Buddha of Mount Ling both turned pale at the same time.

If you didn't have such powerful connections, I would have killed you right away!

"Your Majesty, I have another suggestion."

"explain."

"My nephew, Ao Lie, is imprisoned in Eagle's Sorrow Gorge for his disobedience. Although he has committed a grave error, he is not inherently bad, and his talent and pure bloodline far surpass those of his father. If Your Majesty would show mercy and pardon his crimes, transferring him to replace Jing Zhonglong in guarding the Huabiao (ornamental column), firstly, the harsh punishment at Eagle's Sorrow Gorge would be spared, demonstrating Your Majesty's benevolence; secondly, the Huabiao is the face of the Heavenly Court, and having it guarded by the legitimate son of the Four Seas Dragon Kings would further enhance its majesty and solemnity; thirdly, Ao Lie, receiving such an important position, would surely be grateful and repent, which would be far better than being confined to the gorge, only to breed resentment. This is a win-win-win strategy, and I humbly beseech Your Majesty's wise decision!"

"You certainly know how to consider my needs. Indeed, the ornamental column looks rather unsightly without its decorations. As for Ao Lie..." The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment, "Ao Lie is quite suitable. Not bad, killing three birds with one stone. He's a shrewd businessman."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I simply didn't want any worries about the future," Ao Qian said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)