Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 525 - 519: A Great Future [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Sha Chen laughed heartily. "Master, you jest. How could I possess such great capabilities as to be involved in this matter?"

"As for what you said, about the scripture-seeker appointed by Buddhism not having undertaken the Journey to the West, that has even less to do with me."

His eyes flickered, and he suddenly added, "Besides, people are born free. They have their own choices. I remain secluded here at the Flowing Sand River, unable to prevent their choices and decisions."

"Furthermore, they were appointed by Buddhism; with such a strong mandate, I am even less capable of influencing them. However, there is one thing I am quite puzzled about—what right does Buddhism have to appoint others for the Journey to the West?"

Ji Gong fell silent. He, too, had drunk too much and inwardly berated himself for the slip-up.

Sha Chen continued, "We are all born free. Why does Buddhism dare to position themselves so high above us, even to the point of speaking of ’appointments’?"

"Moreover, if everything is predestined, why should any mishaps be blamed on me!?"

Ji Gong hurriedly said, "Buddhism appoints them because they see promise in them and intend to grant them a bright future."

Sha Chen replied, "Based on what you, Master, mentioned earlier about the candidates for the Journey to the West, the list includes me, Tianpeng, Ao Lie, and Sun Wukong, not to mention the most important one, Jin Chanzi."

"Master, what do you think? How much benefit can Buddhism truly offer us, and how bright a future can it provide?"

Tianpeng, who was also present, turned displeased. "Exactly! What benefits can Buddhism offer us?"

Ji Gong said, "They can allow you to become Bodhisattvas, or even attain the Great Buddha Position, to elevate your spiritual realms and gain true spiritual freedom."

Sha Chen laughed out loud. "How do you know we aren’t free now? We live unfettered, eating when we want, drinking when we please. When you return to the West, can you still eat, drink, and be merry?"

Ji Gong remained silent.

Sha Chen continued, "As for the Bodhisattva positions you promise us, that is an even greater insult. Do you think the position of a Bodhisattva is worthy of us?"

With their strength, the position of a Bodhisattva was indeed inadequate.

Ji Gong said, "Then you can strive for the Great Buddha Position."

Sha Chen replied, "Being given the Great Buddha Position—wouldn’t that deviate from Buddhism’s predestined path? Buddhism holds the Great Buddha Position in very high regard. Neither you nor The Goddess of Mercy are Great Buddhas yet, so how can we believe we could attain such a rank?"

"I suspect that if the Journey to the West truly succeeds, they might offer two Great Buddha Positions. One would be destined for Jin Chanzi, merely allowing him to reclaim the position he held in a past life. The other would likely be for the renowned Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong."

With a chuckle, he added, "The rest of us would merely be supporting characters, at most becoming Bodhisattvas, or perhaps even Arhats. What, do you think we’re so lowly as to debase ourselves?"

Ji Gong remained silent, inwardly shaken. He knew Sha Chen spoke the truth; as a former high-ranking member of Buddhism, the erstwhile head of the Arhat Hall, he was privy to the arrangements for Buddhism’s great undertaking of the Journey to the West. Every aspect, from the beginning of the journey to each of the eighty-one tribulations, had been planned. Consequently, Buddhism had begun to contend for the karma associated with these tribulations. Beyond the eighty-one trials, Buddhism had long since decided on the candidates and had even prepared their rewards. After all, the eighty-one trials in the mortal realm, spanning a mere two to three decades, were but the blink of an eye to beings like them. It was inconceivable that Buddhism would wait until the pilgrims had accumulated their merits and reached Lingjiu Mountain to suddenly announce their investitures. These things had to be prepared in advance. Once Tathagata decreed it and the assembly of Buddhas consented, it was set in stone—it became destiny. Once their merits were perfected, all the prearranged rewards would be bestowed. Even if unforeseen variables emerged during the process, the overall outcome wouldn’t significantly change. Take Sha Chen, for instance. Buddhism was actually still planning to make an exception and offer him a Great Buddha Position; this was beyond doubt. As long as Sha Chen was willing, he could claim a Great Buddha Position from Buddhism at any time. But for others, such as Ao Lie and Tianpeng, the changes to their fates wouldn’t be substantial. This held true even though both of them had already become incredibly powerful, far surpassing Buddhism’s initial predictions for them. Their strength was already sufficient to warrant a Great Buddha Position, but such positions were limited and not bestowed lightly.

Ji Gong found it utterly incredible. How could Sha Chen know all these details? Had the upper echelons of Buddhism intentionally revealed their entire plan just to persuade Sha Chen!? But that would be tantamount to self-sabotage, like shooting themselves in the foot. This meant Sha Chen must have deduced it all himself. If that were the case, it was even more terrifying. Lingjiu Mountain was bathed in Buddha’s light, enveloped by the radiance of Saints; outsiders couldn’t possibly fathom its secrets. What virtue or ability did Sha Chen possess that he could actually deduce Buddhism’s preordained plan for the Journey to the West!? Inconceivable!

Seeing Ji Gong silently brooding, Tianpeng grew increasingly discontent. "Just to become Bodhisattvas? Buddhism actually expects us to undertake the Journey to the West for that? How shameless! Do they really think we would debase ourselves so willingly!?"

To think that becoming a Bodhisattva was considered debasing oneself! Anyone else would probably have been thoroughly incensed by such a statement. But knowing Tianpeng’s true capabilities, one would understand he indeed had the right to say so.

Ji Gong said, "Buddhism never anticipated that the ones who had been initially chosen would undergo such drastic changes. Each of you has become so powerful, which indeed caught Buddhism by surprise."

"However, if you aspire for the Great Buddha Position, I, this humble monk, can plead on your behalf with Buddha to make an exception."

Sha Chen then said, "Master, your strength surpasses that of both Tianpeng and Ao Lie, yet you are still not a Great Buddha. Although your status might be higher than some Great Buddhas, you are not one yourself. Do you think the other Great Buddhas would agree to this?"

Ji Gong replied, "As long as you bear the tribulations of the Journey to the West, anything is possible."

"I am a monk who is at odds with the upper echelons of Buddhism and often confronts the orthodox Buddhist Law, which is why I am not favored by those above. Furthermore, I haven’t accrued significant merit for Buddhism, so I haven’t become a Great Buddha. If you embrace the karma of the great tribulations of the Journey to the West, you will undoubtedly succeed."

Sha Chen and Tianpeng exchanged glances and both burst into hearty laughter.

Ji Gong, realizing he had touched upon a crucial point, felt he had to strike while the iron was hot. He was determined to win Sha Chen and Tianpeng over for Buddhism.

He stood up, solemnly pressed his palms together, and said with great earnestness, "Amitabha. I, this humble monk, implore you, River Lord, and you, Marshal Tianpeng, to consider the common people of this world, for the sake of all sentient beings, and join the great tribulations of the Journey to the West. If, after enduring these trials, you still feel that Buddhism is not suitable for you, you may choose to leave. If you find it fitting, then you may join Buddhism."

"Whether or not you ultimately join Buddhism is entirely up to your personal will. Our Buddha is merciful and never forces anyone!"

Sha Chen and Tianpeng exchanged another glance and burst into laughter once again, laughing so hard that tears welled in their eyes.

Siti scoffed.

Discovered: The Host has been requested by the Grand Destiny Carrier, Ji Gong, to join the great tribulations of the Journey to the West. You have the following choices:

Option One: Agree to Ji Gong’s request, join the great tribulations of the Journey to the West, and receive the reward: Palm Attacks to defeat Dragons. Palm Attacks to defeat Dragons is one of the three thousand Great Divine Powers, immensely powerful. Cultivated to its peak, it can rival Tathagata’s Palm.

Option Two: Refuse Ji Gong’s request and receive the reward: Blood of Zulong. Blood of Zulong is the heart’s blood of the ancient Zulong, containing boundless Divine Power and the hereditary memories of the Dragon Clan.