Primordial Era: Reborn as a Qi Immortal, Steadily Cultivating

Chapter 165 Thirty-Six Grade Five-Colored Lotus Platform (4.4K)

On the immortal island of Penglai, myriad paths resonate, and wondrous phenomena unfold.

On one side is the Jade Void Immortal Light evolved from Guang Chengzi, cold and majestic, illustrating the strict order of "following the will of Heaven and responding to the needs of the people, and distinguishing between the pure and the impure."

Its orthodox lineage and high status make it a place that countless extraordinary beings yearn for.

On the other side is the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, jointly built by Maitreya and Bhaisajyaguru, which is full of compassion and promises the supreme vow that "all beings are equal and everyone can be liberated".

Its desire to save all living beings has given hope to countless wandering cultivators who had long lost their way on the path of cultivation, allowing them to see a brand new path.

Disciples of the Chan Sect and the Western Sect gathered here, each expounding their own doctrines and engaging in fierce debate.

Its power was so great that it had already completely suppressed the strange phenomena of the Daoist arts of the thousands of rogue cultivators.

Upon seeing this scene, a shadow of gloom flashed across the eyes of the Canghai Ancestor, who was sitting high on the central cloud platform.

He has invited like-minded people from all over the world to hold a grand gathering to discuss the Dao and exchange treasures on this Penglai Immortal Island.

The original intention was to gather together the scattered power of the East Sea cultivators, which had long been like a pile of loose sand, invisibly after the arrival of this era of saints.

By gathering the wisdom of countless independent cultivators, they can verify and inspire each other, attempting to find a path of freedom beyond the reach of saints on the predetermined chessboard of the Heavenly Dao.

Little did he expect that his painstaking efforts would become the very place these two great sects of saints used to win over people's hearts and recruit disciples!

Although he was dissatisfied, he remained outwardly calm.

He was well aware that this was a struggle over the fundamental principles.

It should be done openly and fairly, with each person relying on their own abilities.

Moreover, both Guang Chengzi and Maitreya had the lofty and supreme Hunyuan Saint standing behind them.

Even with his near-saintly cultivation, he wouldn't dare to openly disrespect the saints in front of everyone.

If I were to intervene forcefully, I would likely be branded as bullying the weak.

Furthermore, this would unnecessarily create boundless karmic ties with the two major sects of saints, resulting in more harm than good.

With this thought in mind, the Old Ancestor of the Vast Ocean had no choice but to suppress his displeasure.

His expression returned to its usual calm and collected state, as he observed the situation.

It was precisely at this moment, when all the immortals and gods were attracted by the Taoist arts of the two great sages, their minds wavering and unable to control themselves, that they were captivated.

Only the figure in a blue robe, seated in the highest seat, remained calmly seated on the prayer mat throughout.

His eyes were slightly closed, and his aura was barely perceptible, as if he were completely isolated from the atmosphere of the debate around him, which had already reached its peak.

Like a true hermit, he guards a quiet corner amidst the bustling world.

This person was none other than Ma Yuan.

Unlike the other rogue cultivators, he did not manifest his Dao fruit to participate in this grand gathering of myriad laws and compete with the two great saintly sects.

Instead, it silently divided its vast, ocean-like divine thoughts into three parts.

Firstly, it quietly merged into the Jade Void Immortal Light evolved by Guang Chengzi.

He calmly observed the solemn scene of "the order of heaven, the distinction between all things, and the separation of purity and turbidity."

It allows the inherent laws of "order" within it to corroborate the creation order established by the Order God Tablet and the three gods within its own Purple Jewel Heaven.

Although the Jade Void Path has an extremely high threshold, it also has its unique aspects in the methods of sorting out the world, dividing levels, and establishing a strict order.

Ma Yuan absorbed its essence and used it to make up for his own shortcomings. He felt that his understanding of the word "order" had been subtly elevated to a whole new level.

Secondly, it transformed into a gentle breeze and drifted into the illusory Western Paradise that was jointly created by Maitreya and Bhaisajyaguru.

He walked slowly through that supreme pure land, where the ground was paved with gold and the ponds were filled with eight treasures.

Quietly contemplate the profound methods of "power of great vows" and "incense faith" created by the two Western saints based on the forty-eight supreme great vows.

Compared to his own nascent incense-burning and religious practices, he felt a sudden sense of clarity.

Many previously obscure and unclear obstacles in spiritual practice are now easily resolved!

Its last wisp of divine thought, like the most ordinary swimming fish, freely roamed through the complex Daoist rhythms evolved by countless rogue cultivators.

He took the essence and discarded the dross.

He integrated all the supreme principles contained in those myriad methods into his own vast and boundless Taoist system.

This is to compensate for any possible shortcomings in one's own path.

"The path of immortals and the path of sages are indeed profound and mysterious. This trip has not been in vain."

Ma Yuan nodded inwardly.

His mind was completely immersed in this supreme enlightenment, which was like a feast for the senses, and he forgot himself and the world.

However, it was precisely at this moment!

In that illusory world of ultimate bliss, Maitreya expounds the supreme Dharma to countless sentient beings.

The gentle smile on his face faltered slightly without warning!
His vast Buddhist divine sense keenly sensed something amiss at this moment!
He realized that within his own Pure Land of Bliss, formed by the power of his supreme vow, an uninvited spectator had appeared at some unknown time!
The mystery of his divine sense was such that he could move freely within his own sage's Daoist teachings, without being tainted by any cause or effect!
Maitreya's mind stirred slightly, and his gaze quietly fell on the Taoist in green robes who was lost in thought.

The gentle smile that had never changed on his face became even more meaningful at this moment.

"It turns out it was him..."

Maitreya suddenly realized that after not seeing him for several eons, this mysterious Taoist from Skull Mountain had already reached such a profound level on that unknown path.

His divine sense could silently infiltrate his own Dao Fruit world, which was formed by the power of his great vow, as if he were in an empty place, and calmly observe it. It was truly incredible!

Upon realizing this, Maitreya's Dao heart, which had long been as still as a deep well, was unusually stirred by a slight ripple and an even stronger interest.

He knew that the mysterious Taoist in green robes before him was a true unpolished gem!

Although the path he cultivated was strange, it also proved that his talent and comprehension were one in ten thousand in this primordial world!
Such talented individuals, if they could be brought into our Western Religion, would surely be a great help to the great prosperity of our religion!
Maitreya no longer hesitated even a little!

He knew that today, on this Penglai Immortal Island where ten thousand immortals gathered, was the perfect opportunity for him to test the true nature of this fellow Daoist Ma Yuan and guide him onto the right path in the West!

With a slight thought, the wondrous phenomenon of the Blissful World, which had been evolving ever more realistically in the void, suddenly burst forth with dazzling light without warning!
Within that world, in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, countless illusory golden lotuses, imbued with supreme power of salvation, quietly coalesced into form!
In an instant, they were freed from the constraints of that blissful world.

It transformed into countless strands of brilliant Buddhist light, filled with compassion and peace, and slowly drifted down into the void!
Its target was the Taoist priest in green robes who still had his eyes slightly closed!

It was precisely at this moment, when thousands of golden lotuses fell, that the event occurred!

Maitreya's supreme Buddhist voice, filled with boundless compassion, resounded throughout the entire Penglai Immortal Island at this moment, clearly reaching the ears of every immortal and deity!

"Fellow Daoist Ma Yuan!"

“I observe that your path, though transcending worldly affairs and untouched by cause and effect, is ultimately a solitary tree that cannot form a forest, and solitary practice rarely leads to fulfillment.” “Why not enter my Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss for a visit?”

"Here, there is no strife, no endless eons, all beings are equal, and all things are in harmony. This is the true meaning of 'great freedom' and 'great ease'!"

These words stirred up a huge wave in the otherwise relatively calm meeting room!

All the immortals and gods present unanimously focused their gazes on Ma Yuan!

Their eyes were filled with uncontrollable astonishment and shock!

Everyone saw through Maitreya's true intentions!
This is an open conspiracy! It is also an unavoidable struggle of principles!

Now, with all the immortals as witnesses, Maitreya invites Ma Yuan to discuss the Great Dao.

If Ma Yuan avoids seeing them or remains silent...

Then one's Dao heart will inevitably be clouded, and one's cultivation will stagnate from then on, with no possibility of further progress!
Upon seeing this scene, Guang Chengzi, who had been quietly observing from the side, narrowed his eyes slightly.

He felt somewhat dissatisfied when he saw this Western religious follower who overshadowed his own Jade Purity Dao with his empty and grandiose vow of equality for all beings.

But before he could make a move, Maitreya beat him to it.

They launched an attack on the mysterious rogue cultivator who was on par with Zhao Gongming and others.

He showed no intention of interfering whatsoever.

Instead, a smile of interest appeared on his lips.

He also wanted to see for himself who this mysterious rogue cultivator was, who could be treated with such seriousness by Maitreya and who even took the initiative to initiate a Daoist debate at the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly!
However, in the face of Maitreya's supreme Buddhist teachings.

Ma Yuan finally withdrew his released divine sense and slowly opened his eyes.

He did not get up, nor did he show the slightest panic.

His gaze calmly pierced through the dazzling Buddhist light that filled the sky, landing on Maitreya, who already seemed to have victory in his grasp. He smiled serenely and nodded from afar.

"I appreciate your kind invitation, Fellow Daoist Maitreya."

"However, although your Pure Land is good, there is no suffering, all beings are equal, and it is indeed a place of carefree joy."

Ma Yuan paused, his voice carrying a profound meaning.

"But ultimately it is a grand ambition that is placed on external things and relies on the faith of all living beings, and cannot be considered a true perfection."

The moment the words fell!
Ma Yuan did not rise. Above his head, a magnificent lotus platform, as large as a canopy and composed entirely of five-colored Daoist charms, quietly appeared!
The lotus platform is divided into thirty-six petals, and each petal seems to carry the hazy phantom of a world in the beginning of chaos, where earth, water, fire, and wind surge endlessly!

The illusory images of the thirty-six worlds slowly rotated around the lotus platform.

They are interconnected, their vital energies flowing endlessly.

It was as if, without being visible, it had formed a supreme cycle that was already a world of its own, not subject to the primordial Heavenly Dao!

However, those thirty-four directions were still surrounded by the illusory images of a world in a state of chaos and ignorance.

However, there were two middle-thousand worlds that had already evolved to perfection, with their internal laws complete and their Daoist charm self-generated. At the core of that lotus platform, they radiated a dazzling divine light that did not belong to this world!
Firstly, its entire body is purple-gold, and within its world, purple energy rises, and the sacred mountain is majestic!
Furthermore, there are the three sacred messengers—Ah Xingwei, the god of war and punishment; Ciyu, the god of education and reproduction; and Tianheng, the god of law and order—who are formed from the wishes of all living beings. They guard the heavens and the earth, regulate yin and yang, and are revered and worshipped by all spirits on the summit of that sacred mountain!
Secondly, it is entirely azure blue, and within its world flows a vast and boundless expanse of mysterious water!
Even more so, the newly born dragons frolicked and soared freely among the azure waves. Their roars were devoid of any repression or resentment, only the exhilarating joy that came from the depths of their true spirits after breaking free from the shackles of the Heavenly Dao!

Furthermore, the three dragon elders, Baxia, Qiuniu, and Chiwen, who had already attained the Great Luo Dao Fruit, transformed into majestic Dharma forms and suppressed the four poles of that world, calming its earth veins and stabilizing its origin!

Thirty-six grades of five-colored creation lotus platform!

As soon as this lotus platform appeared, a Daoist aura that had long surpassed the realm of ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortals erupted from within Ma Yuan's body!

"Buzz!!!!"

Those were originally countless dazzling golden lotuses that had long covered the entire sky and were filled with supreme power of salvation, but the moment they came into contact with this otherworldly Daoist charm that did not belong to the primordial world!
It froze inch by inch in mid-air without any warning!

It contains a compassionate Buddhist chant that is enough to make even ordinary Golden Immortals fall into its trance.

Under the crushing force of these thirty-six primordial wills, it vanished in an instant, unable to stir up even the slightest ripple!
This is not a contest of magical power, nor a competition of supernatural abilities!

Rather, it is the most fundamental dimensional reduction attack between "Tao" and "Tao"!

Maitreya's Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss originates from the forty-eight supreme vows made by the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, under the primordial heavenly way!

Although it is mysterious, it is ultimately entrusted to this chessboard of the Heavenly Dao that has already been determined!

Ma Yuan's thirty-six-petaled five-colored lotus platform contains the Dao of the Outer World, which has long since transcended the chessboard and was personally created by him in the boundless chaos, and which he personally wields the power of the Heavenly Dao!

Its high status and transcendent nature are now incomparable to what they were before!

All that could be seen were countless dazzling golden lotuses, right behind the five-colored creation lotus platform above Ma Yuan's head!

The supreme laws of salvation contained within the myriad golden lotuses were forcibly obliterated inch by inch from this world by the crushing force of the thirty-six directions of the self-contained creative will!

Finally, under the horrified gazes of countless immortals and gods...

It transformed into a sky full of dazzling light rain, silently dissipating into nothingness!
It was precisely at that moment, when all those golden lotuses were completely obliterated, that the event occurred!

That was Maitreya, who stood in the void, his face still bearing a gentle smile.

His body suddenly trembled violently without warning!
The brilliant Buddha light behind his head, which was already perfectly harmonious and flawless, almost dissipated on the spot!

"puff--!"

A mouthful of golden Buddhist blood, containing immense vows and the essence of Buddhism, could no longer be contained and slowly overflowed from the corner of his mouth!

"This...how is this possible!"

Maitreya's eyes were now completely filled with unprecedented horror!
He simply couldn't understand his Dao Fruit World, which had integrated the supreme power of the Western religion.

To think that he would be defeated so decisively and thoroughly by this Taoist priest in green robes!
Even its protective Daoist aura could not be broken through.

In the midst of this struggle for the origin of the Great Dao, his Dao Fruit was forcibly damaged!

That was an absolute crushing power originating from the highest level of the Dao!

It was as if he was not facing a Great Immortal of the same generation as him.

Instead, he was a transcendent sage who had attained the supreme primordial Dao fruit in another vast world!

"Amitabha……"

The sorrow on the face of the Taoist priest who had been silent beside him grew even more intense.

He immediately stepped forward, his body radiating Buddhist light, transforming into a phantom of the Medicine Buddha's Pure Land, filled with endless purity and the essence of crystal.

They carefully protected Maitreya, who was already completely disoriented, inside.

(End of this chapter)