Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

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Chen Jiao stood still. The melodious Buddhist chants, powerful enough to shake the will of a Nascent Soul cultivator, vanished without a trace as soon as they touched him within three feet.

His eyes were deep and unwavering, as if he were only hearing the mountain breeze.

After Zen Master Baoxiang finished speaking, Chen Jiao raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over him calmly, his voice clearly suppressing the lingering echoes of the chanting:

"Bald monk, a clay Buddha, cannot suppress a real dragon."

His words were brief, yet as cold as ice falling to the ground, directly dismissing Zen Master Baoxiang's promise of "attaining enlightenment through refuge" as vain.

The compassionate smile on Zen Master Baoxiang's face froze slightly, and a look of surprise flashed deep in his eyes.

His "Lotus Flower in His Tongue" supernatural power is so powerful that even cultivators of the same level are rarely unaffected by it, yet this dragon demon before him seems completely unaware.

This demon's resolve and foundation far exceeded expectations!

After the initial shock, Zen Master Baoxiang felt an even stronger greed and determination.

This demon is extraordinary. If it can be brought into the temple, it will surely become a powerful protector, bringing immeasurable merit. Excellent!

In a flash, he quickly suppressed his shock and his expression returned to its solemn and dignified state.

Since supernatural powers cannot easily penetrate, we should change our approach.

Buddhist teachings are profound and extensive, and are most effective at dismantling the defenses of those who follow unorthodox paths, especially against such arrogant and wicked rulers.

If we can persuade them with reason, blunt their arrogance, and destroy their faith, then when we try to convert them, we will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"Amitabha."

Zen Master Baoxiang chanted a Buddhist prayer, his tone shifting to a calm, philosophical discourse:

"The benefactor is deeply attached to appearances and does not realize that all beings are equal and that Buddha-nature is inherent in all beings."

The Buddha is not a clay sculpture, but the mind and nature of all beings; the dragon is not an ordinary creature, but also subject to reincarnation.

Although your supernatural powers are wonderful, you are unaware that there is supreme enlightenment in the world that can transcend the sea of ​​suffering and attain great freedom.

Since you have some misunderstandings about Buddhism, I would like to discuss the Dharma with you to clear up your doubts. What do you say?

If your reasoning surpasses mine even slightly, I and my disciples will depart immediately and will not linger.

Zen Master Baoxiang expounded on Buddhist principles, intending to engage in a literary debate with Chen Jiao in an attempt to break Chen Jiao's resolve to follow the Dao.

Little did he know that his actions were exactly what Chen Jiao wanted.

Chen Jiao realized that the group of bald monks were secretly following him, and knew that they must have a wonderful way of hiding, otherwise it would be difficult to deceive the Bull Demon King and his own spiritual senses.

If one were to act suddenly and, upon realizing the situation was unfavorable, use the hidden Buddhist treasure to retreat, it would surely become a hidden danger in the future.

His silence just now was not because he was being controlled.

In reality, he spared a wisp of his mind to connect with the energy of the mountains, rivers, and water veins of this place, and silently set up a [Mysterious Water Forbidden Array] under the watchful eyes of everyone, trapping the void and isolating the aura.

Zen Master Baoxiang wanted to abandon martial arts and pursue literature, engaging in lofty discussions. This verbal exchange was extremely complex, perfectly concealing the subtle spiritual energy flow as he finalized the formation.

Chen Jiao was happy to deal with him.

He feigned hesitation, then said indifferently, "Oh? What does this old bald monk wish to discuss?"

"Benefactor, do you understand the true meaning of the word 'letting go'?"

Zen Master Baoxiang's eyes shone with compassion, and his words fell like pearls onto a jade plate as he spoke gently:

"Letting go is not giving up, but seeing through. Just as the tighter you hold sand, the faster it slips away; but if you open your palm, you will find freedom."

He gently turned the Buddhist prayer beads in his sleeve and continued:

"Your attachment to this fire and this path is like being trapped in a cocoon. Why not break free and see the vastness of the Buddha's teachings?"

These words are full of hidden meaning, pointing directly to the fundamental issue of spiritual practice: "attachment." If one's resolve to follow the Way is not firm, one is easily misled by these words and begins to doubt one's own path.

Upon hearing this, Ruyi Zhenren's eyes grew even more bewildered.

Chen Jiao seemed oblivious to his manipulative words, his gaze sweeping calmly over him as he said indifferently:

"You old bald monk, you're too attached to appearances. The sands may flow away, but they don't belong to you; wherever the Way lies, even if I suffer countless calamities, I will still go."

His words were calm, yet they were like a stabilizing force, effortlessly deflecting the Zen master's sharp wit.

Zen Master Baoxiang's gaze narrowed slightly, knowing he had met his match, but he remained calm and changed the subject:

"Do you know, benefactor, that there was once a stubborn stone at the foot of Mount Ling, which, after years of being immersed in the Buddha's teachings, finally gained wisdom, took refuge in the Buddha, and attained the Vajra fruition?"

All things possess Buddha-nature; why cling to your demonic form and suffer the torment of reincarnation?

His words were even more venomous, using the story of "converting a stubborn rock" to imply that the dragon demon was also a type of stubborn rock, and could naturally be converted.

Chen Jiao laughed sarcastically, saying, "Stones are inherently ignorant, but change when immersed; I have my own spirit, why should I need human intervention?"

The two exchanged words, seemingly discussing philosophy peacefully, but in reality, their words were full of hidden wit and sharp wit.

Zen Master Baoxiang was profound in Buddhist philosophy, and his words were like cotton wool concealing a needle. He constantly tried to lead Chen Jiao into his Buddhist system to debate, using Buddhist light and chanting to erode his will.

Chen Jiao, on the other hand, was concise and to the point, always getting straight to the heart of the matter, or taking a different approach by asking questions instead of providing answers.

By firmly adhering to the fundamental principle that "the Way is in my heart and does not need to be sought externally," the power of Zen Master Baoxiang's salvation was like encountering an impenetrable wall, making it difficult for him to advance even an inch.

Chen Jiao secretly guided the spiritual energy, which quietly unfolded like a spider web, slowly covering an area of ​​several miles in radius.

Upon hearing his words, Zen Master Baoxiang's eyes showed even greater surprise.

Chen Jiao's words directly pointed out the fundamental difference between the Buddhist "reliance on other-power" and the Taoist "cultivation of oneself," and his steadfastness of his Taoist resolve far exceeded expectations.

This demon has a connection with Buddha!

Zen Master Baoxiang remained calm and continued to quote scriptures and classics:

Only by breaking free from attachment to self and attachment to phenomena can one see that the five aggregates are empty and transcend all suffering…

Chen Jiao interrupted calmly, his gaze sharp as lightning, piercing the Zen master, and he sneered:

"Since you have said that all dharmas are empty of inherent existence, why are you so insistent on liberating me now?"

Why cling to that wisp of fire? Where is your "emptiness"?

This question was incredibly sharp, directly pointing to the inconsistency between the old bald monk's words and actions.

Zen Master Baoxiang's breath hitched slightly, and Biancai paused for a moment. Chen Jiao choked him, causing his blood to surge and his face to turn from white to red, his Buddhist heart rippled slightly.

Chen Jiao, however, persisted, his gaze icy, his tone calm yet each word like a knife, adding another sentence:

"Old bald monk, you claim to be compassionate, but you're actually quite cunning."

"You can't even fathom the wisdom of a clay Buddha, yet you try to enlighten me?"

One after another, the phrase "old bald donkey" struck the solemn facade that Zen Master Baoxiang was trying so hard to maintain, like a cold iron awl.

He had cultivated himself for hundreds of years, and had never been subjected to such blunt and vulgar insults.

Especially after his most prized Buddhist debate was directly exposed and its flaws were pointed out!

A surge of intense heat, a mixture of shame, indignation, shock, and rage, rushed to the top of his head. The mask of compassion and peace could no longer be maintained, and his face instantly turned bright red.

Zen Master Baoxiang's hand holding the prayer beads trembled violently, his knuckles turning white from gripping them so tightly. A low, inhuman growl escaped his throat, and finally, he uttered a string of curses:

"Arrogant monster! How dare you commit such blasphemy!"

This angry shout was extremely piercing.

The originally peaceful Buddhist light around him suddenly became intense and chaotic, with a faint hint of dark red.

His anger nearly destroyed the meditation skills he had cultivated over many years.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao remained unmoved, treating it merely as the barking of a dog.

At the height of this verbal exchange, when the tensions were at their most intense.

His fingers, which were hanging in his sleeves, curled inwards.

"Buzz!"

A very faint, low hum, seemingly originating from the void itself, quietly arose.

Within a radius of 100 feet.

The flowing mountain breeze suddenly stopped, and the drifting clouds froze in mid-air.

An impenetrable barrier of water and light has silently and completely sealed off this space!

The formation is complete!

The expressions of Zen Master Baoxiang and Vajra Subduing Demons changed drastically. They clearly felt that the surrounding world had been completely isolated.

Chen Jiao slowly raised his head, looked at the Zen Master Baoxiang whose expression had changed drastically, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

He stopped calling him "old bald donkey".

"Zen Master, the discussion on the Way is finished."