Journey to the West: Deer Power Immortal, Starting from Becoming a Disciple of the Supreme Lord Tais

Lu Qingxuan withdrew his senses, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

He never expected that the people of Shicun would actually build an ancestral hall for the three brothers, something that never happened in the original story.

However, this also gave him an idea. The three demons in the original work met a tragic end largely because they were just spirits in human form and had no powerful backing.

If one can cultivate virtue and improve one's appearance, it might be a way to preserve one's life.

Thinking of this, Lu Qingxuan stood up and walked towards the front yard.

The sunlight was just right in the courtyard.

Tiger Power Immortal and Sheep Power Immortal have also emerged from seclusion and are sitting at the stone table drinking tea.

Compared to three months ago, the two demons' auras are much stronger. Although they haven't broken through to a higher realm, they have still made a significant improvement.

"Third brother, you've finally come out. I've been waiting for you for a long time." Tiger Power Immortal laughed heartily when he saw Lu Qingxuan.

Lu Qingxuan naturally understood the meaning behind Tiger Power Immortal's words, and immediately sat down, smiling, "Brother, don't be impatient. I wonder if you two brothers sensed anything different during your seclusion?"

"Third brother, are you referring to the power of incense and prayers?" asked the Great Immortal Yangli.

Lu Qingxuan nodded.

Tiger Power Immortal scratched his head, looking bewildered: "What are you talking about? Incense offerings and prayers? I don't feel anything."

Lu Qingxuan and Yangli Daxian exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.

Although their eldest brother had the highest cultivation level, his senses were the most dull.

"Brother, calm down and carefully sense your body. See if there is any faint power besides your magic power?" Lu Qingxuan guided.

Tiger Power Immortal closed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly exclaimed, "There really is!"

"My two elder brothers, the opportunity I mentioned earlier is related to the power of incense offerings and vows," Lu Qingxuan said, taking a sip of tea.

"Oh? Third brother, please speak," said Tiger Power Immortal.

"Do you two brothers know what other uses this incense and prayer offerings have besides enhancing cultivation?"

Tiger Power Immortal and Sheep Power Immortal exchanged a glance and shook their heads in unison.

"People offer incense because we saved their lives. This is essentially a good deed. If we make good use of it and continue to do good deeds, this good deed will bear good fruit and turn into merit."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the two demons' faces, his tone becoming serious.

"And merit is the greatest talisman for cultivators. With merit by your side, even the heavens will protect you. If someone wants to harm you, they should think twice about whether they can withstand the karmic backlash."

Tiger Power Immortal gasped, realizing what Lu Qingxuan meant.

He had seen karma in other great demons who had taken human form. At first, when the karma was thin, it was fine; at most, it would just make it difficult to improve one's cultivation. But in the end, it would lead to death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.

It can be said that no cultivator would be willing to take the risk of attacking a cultivator who has merit and protection.

Lu Qingxuan was unsure about one thing: whether their actions would steal the incense offerings from the mountain gods and local deities. Although they were not afraid of trouble, they were worried that the other party might secretly sabotage them.

It's true that it's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings.

...

Western sacred mountain, Great Thunder Temple.

Auspicious clouds swirled, chanting Buddhist hymns resounded, and golden Buddhist light shone in all directions, enveloping the entire sacred mountain in a solemn and peaceful atmosphere.

Inside the main hall, five hundred Arhats, eight Vajras, four Bodhisattvas, and other attendants remained silent in their respective positions.

An old monk arrived riding on clouds, followed by a golden-nosed white-haired rat.

"You shall wait here." The old monk turned and glanced at the rat demon, his tone calm and leaving no room for doubt.

The golden-nosed white-haired rat nodded repeatedly, huddled in the corner of the mountain gate, not daring to breathe.

The old monk climbed the steps, passed through one hall after another, and finally arrived in front of the Mahavira Hall.

At this moment, the palace doors were wide open, and on the lotus platform in the very center, the World-Honored One, Tathagata, sat solemnly, his countenance dignified.

The old monk entered the hall, clasped his hands together, and bowed respectfully: "This disciple has received the World Honored One's decree and has brought back the rat demon from the lower realm. He is now waiting outside the gate."

The Buddha nodded slightly, a glint of something imperceptible to others flashing in his eyes: "Bring it in."

The old monk secretly accepted the order and went out, soon bringing the golden-nosed white-haired rat into the hall.

As soon as the rat demon entered the main hall, it was so frightened by the Buddhist light that it knelt down on the ground.

"This lowly demon...this lowly demon begs the Buddha! This lowly demon is gravely sinful, I beg the Buddha to spare my life!"

The Buddha looked at the kneeling rat demon with piercing eyes, as if he could see through its three lifetimes of karma.

After a moment, Buddha smiled slightly and said, "Do you know why I sent someone to bring you back?"

The rat demon stammered, "This little demon...this little demon doesn't know."

"You spread plague in the mortal realm, causing many deaths, which is a great evil. However, judging from your character, you are not an irredeemable villain. Moreover, you have an unfinished karmic connection with Mount Ling."

The Buddha's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority: "I am giving you a chance to repent and reform. Are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, the rat demon kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "I'm willing! I'm willing! This little demon is willing!"

The Buddha nodded and said, "The incense, flowers, and candles on Mount Ling are often worn out and need to be looked after and kept in order. You shall go and take charge of the incense and candles."

"Thank you, Buddha! This little demon will do his best and will not dare to slack off in the slightest!" The rat demon was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly.

The Buddha waved his hand, signaling the rat demon to step aside. Then, looking at the bodhisattvas and arhats in the hall, his tone became solemn: "You may all step aside as well. Manjushri and Samantabhadra, please stay."

After the others had left, Manjushri Bodhisattva stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said, "World Honored One, I have a question. Why did you personally inquire about this little rat demon? In the Three Realms, there are countless demons with better potential than it. Why did you choose to favor it?"

The Buddha did not answer directly, but instead looked at Samantabhadra Bodhisattva: "Samantabhadra, tell me, how are the preparations for the pilgrimage to the Tang Dynasty in the East progressing?"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva respectfully replied, "Reporting to the World Honored One, Jin Chanzi has already begun his reincarnation and cultivation. He will appear in the Eastern Land in his tenth incarnation. The protectors of the Dharma, the monkey under the Five Elements Mountain, have been suppressed for a long time and his wild nature has been subdued. The great plan to obtain the scriptures will soon begin."

"The journey to obtain the scriptures is a grand undertaking for the Three Realms. It requires overcoming eighty-one tribulations to acquire the true scriptures. Each tribulation must be carefully planned, neither too dangerous, lest the pilgrims give up halfway, nor too easy, lest the true scriptures be diminished," Buddha nodded.

Manjushri Bodhisattva seemed to understand something: "Does the World-Honored One mean that this rat demon will cause a trouble in the future?"

"Although this demon is small, it has a connection with Mount Ling. I will let it listen to the scriptures and cultivate here. When its cultivation has greatly improved, I will release it to the mortal world to set up a challenge on the journey to the West. In this way, we can both fulfill the merits of the pilgrims and eliminate the demon's own karmic obstacles."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said, "The World Honored One has a profound and far-sighted plan, but this demon's cultivation is still shallow, and he may not be able to gain any real power in the mortal realm at that time."

"It's alright," said the Buddha. "I already have a plan for this matter, so there's no need to worry..."