Chapter 181 The Bodhisattva Rank!
"Unless you complete your journey to the West, this headband will naturally disappear."
"What? It was made by the two saints?"
Erming's smile froze.
Although he had never met Zhunti and Jieyin, he had heard of the names of these two Western saints.
That's the most powerful being in the entire prehistoric world!
He didn't think he had the ability to meet the other party, let alone get them to take back the tight band.
"Then...what should we do?"
Erming looked miserable:
"I can't wear this thing for the rest of my life, can I?"
Never mind.
If you can't remove it, then you can't remove it.
Erming touched the golden headband on his head, thinking that since he would never have anything to do with Tang San again, this thing was just for decoration, so he might as well wear it.
He raised his head and looked at the Moonlight Bodhisattva:
"By the way, Bodhisattva, where is my Xiao Wu? That bastard Tang San kidnapped her to Mount Ling. Where is she now?"
He paused, his tone softening slightly:
"It was wrong of me to trespass on Mount Ling back then, but I've already been punished and imprisoned. Now, it's not wrong of me to go and bring her back, is it?"
Moonlight Bodhisattva shook his head:
"Little Wu has entered the Buddhist order and severed all worldly ties."
"And she was bestowed the title of Heavenly Consort by the Buddha and ranked among the Arhats."
He smiled slightly:
"Perhaps in a few days, your cultivation level will far surpass yours. Fellow Daoist Kongming, you should not disturb the Heavenly Consort's cultivation and ruin her opportunities."
"What?!"
Erming's eyes widened:
"Impossible! Xiao Wu was forcibly brought to Mount Ling by Tang San; she definitely didn't do it willingly!"
The words of the Moonlight Bodhisattva were like a knife, stabbing deeply into his heart.
He was both angry and anxious, wishing he could storm Mount Ling again and tear down the temple of those bald monks!
But looking at the smiling face of the Moon Bodhisattva...
He fell silent.
Last time, those bald monks, for some unknown reason, collectively made fun of him.
If he went again this time, he couldn't guarantee that he would come out unscathed.
"Then...how can I bring Xiaowu back?"
He gritted his teeth and asked:
"And what exactly is this Arhatship?"
Moonlight Bodhisattva patiently explained:
"If you complete your journey to the West, it will be a great achievement for the West. At that time, you will naturally be able to accompany the Buddha like the Heavenly Princess."
"As for the fruition—that is a reward from the sage to those who make outstanding contributions, which can improve their understanding and cultivation aptitude."
"In Buddhism, there are four levels of attainment: Vajra, Arhat, Bodhisattva, and Buddha, which correspond to the Golden Immortal, Taiyi, Daluo, and Quasi-Saint in the cultivation of immortality, respectively."
"When one's understanding of Buddhism reaches a certain level, one can advance rapidly."
He gave Erming a meaningful look:
"If such a great undertaking as the journey to the West is accomplished successfully, based on this merit, your status in our Buddhist community will certainly be no less than mine."
"Fellow Daoist, you acted far too impulsively this time."
Erming was stunned.
Xiao Wu has been granted the Arhat status?
Doesn't that mean her cultivation will soon reach the Taiyi realm?!
A Taiyi Golden Immortal!
At his peak, his cultivation level was only at the mid-stage of the Profound Immortal realm.
Suppressed under Mount Mo for hundreds of years, he even regressed to the early stage of the Xuanxian realm, almost dropping a level.
That's a whole two major realms higher!
What an incredible opportunity!
A complex emotion suddenly welled up in Erming's heart.
I'm genuinely happy for Xiao Wu.
But then he remembered what the Moonlight Bodhisattva had said: that upon completing the journey to the West, he too would attain the status of a Bodhisattva…
Buddha.
Great Golden Immortal.
In the primordial world, those would be truly important figures!
If I could reach that level, who would dare to stop me from taking Xiao Wu back?
But just thinking about Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's faces made him grit his teeth in hatred.
"Bodhisattva, please don't tell me these useless things."
He turned his face away:
"Firstly, I don't get along with those two treacherous masters and disciples."
"Secondly, I was kicked out long ago. What's the point of saying all this?"
Moonlight Bodhisattva shook her head:
"In this matter, Sanzang did indeed act somewhat unfairly."
"But the journey to the West is of paramount importance to our Buddhist community, concerning all living beings in the primordial world. How can we easily give up?"
He looked at Erming, his gaze gentle yet firm:
"Fellow Daoist Kongming, you still need to keep up the good work."
"But..."
Erming was somewhat tempted, but the thought of facing Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's ridicule upon returning made him absolutely unwilling.
"I know what you are worried about, fellow Daoist."
The Moonlight Bodhisattva smiled slightly:
"But times have changed."
"Now, your master has been kidnapped by a fish-headed monster and is in great trouble. If you go back, it will be a timely help. He will definitely change his opinion of you."
"What?!"
Erming's eyes widened:
"That little punk is going to die?"
He couldn't help but feel schadenfreude:
"Hahahaha! Wasn't he trying to kick me out? Now you're happy? You're pleased?"
"Why didn't you send that good-for-nothing idiot to save him?"
Moonlight Bodhisattva shook his head:
"It was all a misunderstanding. That fish-headed monster has a connection with our Buddhist sect. Like you, it was a protector arranged by the sage to travel west to retrieve the scriptures."
Erming's smile froze instantly.
"Why is it the protectors again?"
His voice had changed:
"How many people were on this pilgrimage?!"
"That's all, that's all."
Moonlight Bodhisattva smiled and waved her hand:
"Just the four of you, master and disciples."
As he spoke, he took out a gleaming golden hoop and handed it to Erming:
"Take this item and go to the bottom of the Tongtian River; you will naturally be able to subdue that fish-headed monster."
"Go quickly. If you're too late, your master will be in danger."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Moon Bodhisattva transformed into a wisp of moonlight and disappeared from the spot.
Erming held the golden hoop, his hands trembling.
Fearing that this thing might take root and grow on his hands, he quickly conjured a cloth bag.
He carefully put the golden hoop in, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
The surroundings were empty, with only the sound of the wind.
Erming stood there, hesitating for a long time.
Should we go back or not?
He raised his head and looked towards the distant west.
Finally, he sighed.
It's all because of insufficient strength.
If I had the cultivation of a Great Luo Golden Immortal or a Quasi-Saint, what would I be afraid of about Mount Ling? I would have snatched Xiao Wu back long ago!
...
Bottom of the Tongtian River.
A crystal coral palace stands silently, its surface shimmering with a faint light in the dark river.
Pearls, agate, crystal, and various other treasures are inlaid within, making it as exquisite and luxurious as a work of art.
This was built out of boredom when Void Devouring Flame was sealed away.
Since I can't go out anyway, I have to find something to do.
At this moment, inside the main hall.
Tang San was tied to a crystal pillar as thick as a millstone, his hands and feet firmly bound, unable to move.
The Void Devouring Flame circled around him, looking him up and down, seemingly contemplating where to begin its attack.
"Let me go!"
Tang San struggled, his face showing an air of utter confidence.
"I am a disciple of the Sage Zhunti! I am entrusted with the important mission of obtaining the scriptures from the Western Paradise!"
"You...you dare to touch me? Do you want to make an enemy of the entire West?!"
"To be an enemy of the West?"
The Void Devouring Flame stopped in its tracks, its single eye narrowing slightly:
Are you threatening me?
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