Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The Eastern Temple holds extraordinary significance for the Buddhist Sect; after all, it is the Taoist Arena of Maitreya, the Future Buddha!

Although it does not quite match the status of the Great Thunder Monastery, it is only slightly inferior.

However, with the fall of Maitreya Buddha, transformed into Maitreya, the status of the Eastern Temple naturally plummeted!

Despite his status as Future Buddha being unrevoked by the two Sage Sect Masters, his cultivation level fell to that of a Daluo Golden Immortal, memory lost, and his temperament changed completely...

So, from a fundamental perspective, is the current Maitreya really the same as the former Maitreya Buddha?

This issue is indeed quite ambiguous.

Nonetheless, since Maitreya still possesses the cultivation level of the Great Luo Golden Immortal Peak, second only to Randeng Buddha and Tathagata, the status of the Eastern Temple, despite its rapid decline, still holds an exalted position above other Buddha Taoist Arenas within the Buddhist sect.

Jiang Liu and Sun Wukong watched the magnificent and solemn Eastern Temple from a distance, neither in a hurry to act.

The Buddhist forces are concentrated mainly in the western Niuhe State, making the eastern Shengshenzhou Continent the least influential area for Buddhism.

Hence, although the Eastern Temple is extraordinarily grand, its power compared to the Great Thunder Monastery is significantly lacking.

As far as the eye can see, both the number of people and their cultivation levels are far inferior.

"Master, should we directly go in and search?" Not knowing what Jiang Liu is pondering, Sun Wukong, impatient as ever, couldn't help but ask Jiang Liu.

"Of course not!" Jiang Liu shook his head upon hearing Sun Wukong's words.

Even though Maitreya's cultivation level is only at level 90, still within the bounds of a Daluo Golden Immortal, the two of them combined could put up a fight.

However, seizing the Calamity Book without anyone noticing is crucial.

Therefore, avoiding direct confrontation if possible is preferable.

"Wukong!" After rejecting Sun Wukong's proposal, Jiang Liu pondered for a moment before speaking, "I have a plan to divert Maitreya. You sneak into the Eastern Temple to find the Calamity Book and steal it. How about that?"

Upon saying this, Jiang Liu paused slightly and then handed a Treasure-Seeking Mirror to Sun Wukong, "I believe you can manage it, as this is a task you excel in!"

"Master, what nonsense are you spouting? I, Old Sun, am straightforward and honorable and would never be good at thievery!" Sun Wukong protested, naturally denying Jiang Liu's insinuation.

Nevertheless, despite his verbal denial, Sun Wukong's eyes shone brightly, and he quickly grabbed the Treasure-Seeking Mirror from Jiang Liu's hand.

Seeing Sun Wukong's reluctant yet eager demeanor, Jiang Liu smiled knowingly, refraining from exposing his true skills.

But does Sun Wukong's aptitude for such tasks need further explanation?

Stealing peaches, drinking imperial wine, pilfering golden pills, and even stealing the ginseng fruit in the original narrative—weren't these his forte?

"Alright, go ahead, leave it to you!"

Delegating specialized tasks to specialized individuals, Jiang Liu, being a righteous person, knew such thievery was beyond him, making Sun Wukong the perfect candidate.

"Certainly, relax, Master!" Sun Wukong nodded, accepting the mission to find and steal the Calamity Book from Jiang Liu.

Stowing away the Treasure-Seeking Mirror, his figure transformed into a tiny mosquito, flying directly towards the Eastern Temple.

"Hmm, this Art of Transformation is indeed a convenient ability!" Jiang Liu secretly admired as he watched Sun Wukong morph into a mosquito.

With Sun Wukong infiltrating the Eastern Temple, Jiang Liu's task was naturally to distract Maitreya Buddha.

A level 90 Great Luo Golden Immortal poses a significant threat. Who knows if he would detect Sun Wukong's presence?

To divert Maitreya Buddha, what method should be employed?

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Liu opened his friend list and sent a message to Yuanling.

"Yuanling, what is Maitreya Buddha currently doing? I have arrived near the Eastern Temple, preparing an excuse to distract him!"

"Holy Monk, Maitreya Buddha himself is searching for the Calamity Book, personally leading the effort and mobilizing everyone!" Yuanling quickly replied.

"I see!" Upon receiving this information, Jiang Liu felt a sense of sudden realization.

It's been some time since Maitreya Buddha was resurrected, yet he hasn't designed any new calamities for the Journey to the West.

Recently, it seems Maitreya Buddha's focus has been on searching for the Calamity Book.

"Alright, I understand! Let's enact a play together..."

After a brief contemplation, Jiang Liu devised the next course of action and messaged Yuanling.

Simultaneously, he elaborated his plan to Yuanling.

...

At the Eastern Temple, Yuanling personally led over ten monks, searching for the whereabouts of the Calamity Book.

As Maitreya Buddha's close disciple, Yuanling, despite his modest cultivation, held significant status and respect among the monks.

"Search thoroughly, even if you must dig three feet deep to find it!" Although Yuan Ling appeared as a child, he was shrewd and serious in instructing the monks.

"Dig three feet deep? Are we supposed to excavate?" One of the monks asked Yuanling.

"Excavate!?" Yuanling's eyes lit up at the suggestion.

Patting his head, he said, "We've almost turned the entire Eastern Temple upside down but haven't found it. Could it really be buried underground? Come on! Let's start digging immediately!"

"We really have to dig?" The monks looked distressed at Yuanling's command.

Without wasting time, Yuanling fetched a small shovel and began digging.

Seeing Yuanling's actions, the monks couldn't stand idly by. After exchanging glances, they began to dig as well.

Digging here and there!

After approximately fifteen minutes, Yuanling reached a large tree.

Suddenly, there was a "ding" sound, indicating he had struck something.

Radiant energy burst forth, filling the area with dazzling treasure light!

The sight immediately caught the attention of all nearby monks, who turned to look at Yuanling!

Under the tree, Yuanling had dug a pit, from which the treasure light emanated ever more vigorously.

Yuanling reached into the treasure pit and pulled out a valuable item.

It was a blue-colored glazed lantern, resembling a lotus flower, intricately beautiful but bearing a clear crack.

"What is this? It seems extraordinary!" Yuanling muttered as he examined the blue glazed lantern.

"This! It looks like the Treasure Lotus Lantern of the Empress!" A knowledgeable monk expressed great astonishment.

"Treasure Lotus Lantern!?"

Upon hearing the name, all the monks' expressions changed dramatically, and they exclaimed in unison!

The incident of the Empress almost being killed by Sect Master Tongtian's disciple, with the Treasure Lotus Lantern being stolen, was well-known across the Three Realms.

Why would the Treasure Lotus Lantern suddenly appear here!?

Moreover, wasn't the Lantern stolen by Sect Master Tongtian's disciple? How did it end up here?

If this news leaks, how will it be explained?

Whoosh!

As everyone stared at the Treasure Lotus Lantern in shock, a figure swiftly appeared, snatching the Lantern from Yuanling's hands and rapidly fleeing!

"Damn! Stop him!" Yuanling cried out in horror, quickly chasing after the figure.

"Quickly! Notify the Buddha!" Amid the chaos, notifying the Buddha became imperative.

"What happened? What just occurred?"

At that moment, a familiar voice sounded, and the rotund Maitreya Buddha approached, asking.

Clearly, the radiant energy from the Lantern's unearthing had attracted Maitreya Buddha's attention.

"Buddha! There's trouble!" The monks quickly explained the situation to Maitreya Buddha.

"Treasure Lotus Lantern? Found underground in the Eastern Temple? How can it be?" Maitreya Buddha was stunned.

However, he quickly realized the gravity of the situation.

After confirming Yuanling's pursuit direction, Maitreya Buddha's figure sped off like lightning.

"Brothers, why would the Lotus Lantern be buried under our Eastern Temple?" A monk asked his peers.

"Could it be..." Another straightforward monk exclaimed.

"Watch your words!" Suddenly, Taoist Boy Huangmei appeared, speaking sternly.

"This news must remain unspoken. Pretend it never happened, understood?" Taoist Boy Huangmei commanded.

...

"Master's strategy indeed! He effortlessly diverted Maitreya Buddha!"

In midair, unseen, a mosquito flew by, unnoticed yet taking in everything.

Sun Wukong muttered to himself, his wings fluttering a few times before quickly flying away.