Despite only learning one-tenth, Tathagata's move still earned him considerable sympathy and astonished everyone inside and outside Jade Void Palace.
"Hooray, our Tathagata Buddha is still the most capable! He used the other's methods against them, subduing that Sun Monkey in minutes. Fantastic!"
Guanyin, whose complexion had recently become haggard from Sun Kong's torment, was the first to voice her support and admiration for her number one idol. If this time period had a Bilibili, she would have willingly become Tathagata Buddha's first super fan, liking and subscribing daily!
"Bodhisattva Guanyin, speak a little softer, lest those eight ancient Golden Immortals overhear and think we at Spirit Mountain are petty and narrow-minded."
"Before, they didn't believe us when we said we were here on orders to attend the lesson, thinking we weren't qualified. Now, watch this: even the Sun Monkey, whom the Jade Emperor can't control, is being educated by our Buddha."
"For this alone, shouldn't those eight ancient Golden Immortals be more polite when they speak from now on? It shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
The second to side with Tathagata was Dipankara Buddha, the second-in-command at Spirit Mountain, second only to Tathagata Buddha. His words carried significant weight. Not only did Guangchengzi and the other seven turn ashen-faced and break into a cold sweat, immediately bowing in apology, but even Yuanshi Tianzun, the sect leader of the Chan School, had to agree with Dipankara's statement to some extent.
Why?
There were probably two reasons.
Firstly, long before Guanyin, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Kabandha joined the Western Teachings in accordance with fate during the Investiture of the Gods war, there was an even more senior and special figure. That was the current Dipankara Buddha. He was also the former Vice Sect Leader of the Chan School! Yuanshi Tianzun had always greatly respected Dipankara Buddha, not treating him as a disciple of the Twelve Golden Immortals but promoting him to Vice Sect Leader. From this perspective, it was an acknowledgment of Dipankara's origins and strength. Although many years had passed and they were no longer on the same side, when Dipankara Buddha implied that his eight disciples had gone too far, Yuanshi Tianzun surprisingly acted with exceptional fairness. He immediately reprimanded the eight. This stunned Dipankara Buddha and the others. Everyone knew that among the Sages, Yuanshi Tianzun was the most protective of his disciples, followed by Daoist Zhunti. Yet, this time, he directly rebuked Guangchengzi and the other eight for the sake of their past connection. This alone demonstrated Dipankara Buddha's standing in the hearts of the Sages!
Secondly, it had to be about the sore spot of the Eight Golden Immortals. Back then, during the Investiture of the Gods war, the Three Pure Ones all suffered losses, while only the Western Teachings profited immensely, virtually winning at every turn. Among them, the Chan School lost four disciples who joined the Western Teachings and became four of the eight great Bodhisattvas of Spirit Mountain today: Guanyin, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Kabandha. That wasn't all. Because the Sanxiao Maidens of the Jie Teachings deployed the terrifying Nine-Curving Yellow River Formation, they severed the "three flowers on the head and five qi in the chest" of Guangchengzi and the other twelve Golden Immortals, causing their cultivation to plummet and their strength to be greatly weakened. They suffered heavy losses. As the saying goes, every family has its own troubles. Afterward, although Guanyin and the other four gained the qualification to join the Western Teachings, re-cultivate, and achieve the astonishing realm of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal through supreme Buddhist dharma, Guangchengzi and the other eight, who remained in the Chan School, were not so fortunate. Despite cultivating diligently for millions of years, their progress was minimal. Consequently, they were not only far behind the former Vice Sect Leader Dipankara Buddha, nor compared to their former four junior brothers Guanyin and the others, but even lagged far behind Sun Kong, a third-generation disciple of Spirit Mountain. Sun Kong had recently broken through to the lower grade of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal by virtue of the tribulation. And them? They were still Golden Immortals. Nominally, they held the imposing title of Grand Perfection Golden Immortal, and with the innate spiritual treasures in their hands, their combat power was not inferior to Taiyi Golden Immortals. But in reality, compared to Sun Kong, they were utterly weak, reduced to scum. How could this not pain Yuanshi Tianzun? Therefore, the habitually double-standard Yuanshi Tianzun made a decision that went against his ancestral teachings. He did not protect Guangchengzi and the other eight disciples who had spoken disrespectfully but instead made excuses for the suffering Buddhas of Spirit Mountain!
"Guangchengzi, how dare you eight speak like that?"
"In my opinion, that Sun Monkey, although not simple and having some fortuitous encounters, is at most an uncultivated beast. How can he be compared to Tathagata Buddha?"
"You eight are only verbally admitting fault, but may not be truly convinced. How about this: go out quickly and sweep the courtyard for me, and tend to the branches."
"If that Sun Monkey is sensible and dares not contend with Tathagata again, acting against the heavenly way and human relations, then we won't say anything."
"Otherwise, you eight must not let the guest labor. Go and capture the Sun Monkey yourselves."
"This way, it will both conform to heavenly principles and human relations, and showcase the demeanor of our Chan School. This is the proper course of action!"
As Yuanshi Tianzun spoke these words, he once again astonished the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, bestowing upon them an unimaginable high level of treatment. At the same time, he secretly gave a look to Guangchengzi and the others.
Soon, Guangchengzi understood. So, Yuanshi Tianzun wasn't changing his nature at all, but was coveting his former four disciples, the current four great Bodhisattvas, whose cultivation had surged. He wanted to use this opportunity to pave the way for Guangchengzi and the eight. This involved some secret matters of the Three Pure Ones, which will not be elaborated on for now. In short, Yuanshi Tianzun had not been idle over the years; he had spared no effort to help Guangchengzi and the other eight. Unfortunately, the effect was zero. Therefore, he clearly saw through Tathagata's lie but still chose to use this opportunity to build a bridge with the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism, indirectly begging the two Sages of the Western Teachings to intervene and guide Guangchengzi and the other eight. What he said was not for himself at all. It was purely for his eight disciples!
"Disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master. That Sun Monkey, having just broken through to Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, will surely have unstable cultivation. Moreover, he has traveled far and is weary. We eight will definitely have the advantage of being well-rested!"
After Guangchengzi understood Yuanshi Tianzun's painstaking efforts, his heart was filled with emotion. Without further ado, he led the other seven out. Their demeanor suggested they were truly going to act as Tathagata's temporary enforcers.
Behind them, Yuanshi Tianzun showed a hint of relief.
Among the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, apart from the five top figures like Dipankara Buddha and the Four Great Bodhisattvas, the others could not discern the underlying situation for the moment. However, they were all moved by Yuanshi Tianzun's exceptionally courteous attitude. They thought that regardless of the outcome later, Yuanshi Tianzun would definitely not let Sun Kong win. They, these old unlucky ones and minor unlucky ones, finally had a safe place to survive. Thinking about how Sun Kong had driven them mad recently, it was like two different lives!
...
"Vice Buddha, that arrogant Sun Monkey surely can't defeat the Eight Golden Immortals, right? Behind them is Yuanshi Tianzun, the Jade Pure Sage."
Guanyin and the other three quietly asked Dipankara Buddha. Hearing this, Dipankara Buddha gave a cryptic smile without speaking, indirectly indicating that he did not expect Sun Kong to seek his own demise.
However, the next moment.
Dipankara, who was "vice" everywhere, could no longer smile!