Ksitigarbha understands that he cannot become a Buddha, and as long as hell is not empty, the grand vow he made will ensure that hell becomes his eternal path marker.
Even if he doesn't become a Buddha, his bodhisattva path fruit is more steadfast than a typical Buddha!
This is best illustrated by the former ancient Buddhist corpse at the Dharma Master's seat, an excellent negative example.
Outside the Ghost Gates, Ksitigarbha seemed to notice Xu Qing's gaze, his brows furrowed, looking sideways.
Although the appearance of the Goddess Ruan has changed somewhat, it is not much different from when she was a celestial maiden. As for the youth beside her...
Beside them, the divine beast Listening blabbered, "Bodhisattva, that person is the Great Luo Sect Leader who ruined the Dharma Master's plan. Previously, the Celestial Road was destroyed due to Goddess Ruan removing the General from Zhuoshui Dojo, and this Sect Leader took advantage, leading to Kong Ren's irreversible disaster!"
Listening spoke carelessly, while Xu Qing discreetly used his all-hearing skill, hearing everything clearly.
This beast...
Xu Qing's face darkened. He possessed the heavenly-grade Heaven Concealing Skill, and under normal circumstances, not even Ksitigarbha, or even Buddha himself, could deduce the cause and effect of his actions at the Yin River.
But despite all his precautions, he did not guard against there being a nosy beast in the Underworld who eavesdrops across the realms, stealing peaches everywhere!
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stepped on the red karma fire lotus platform, towering above Xu Qing.
"You disturb the peace of the three realms, causing harm to all beings, deserving countless deaths that cannot redeem your offenses. However, as a monk, I always embrace compassion. If you agree to return with me to the Senluo Sacred Hall and receive judgment from the Dharma Master, I can recite sutras for you, purifying your boundless sins."
"Kong Ren destroying the Celestial Road, what does it have to do with others? Today, even if it was truly Sect Leader Xu who caused the destruction, as long as I am here, I will never allow you to take him!"
Goddess Ruan stepped forward, blocking Xu Qing, warning coldly.
Listening, seeing the situation, blabbered again, "Bodhisattva, this celestial maiden indeed has some affection for that Great Luo Sect Leader, otherwise she wouldn't protect him so!"
Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, but his gaze directed at Listening was even colder than at Ksitigarbha.
This beast stays quiet, but once it speaks, every word dances at the edge of danger.
To prevent Listening from saying anything more earth-shattering, Xu Qing decisively stepped in front of Goddess Ruan and spoke:
"I am Sect Leader Xu of the Great Luo Sect. I've long admired the Bodhisattva's reputation, and seeing you today, it truly lives up to the name!"
Grinning at Ksitigarbha, Xu Qing continued, "Some say you are like a stray dog, lost on the path, eternally unable to become a Buddha; some say you bear the name of a Bodhisattva yet are controlled by the Three Poisons, envying King Yama's sacrifice and others' stronger resolve to save the world."
"Does the Bodhisattva think there's any falsehood in these rumors?"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's eyelids twitched, his view of Xu Qing changed.
His countless years of cultivated composure showed signs of collapse after Xu Qing's provocations.
"Amitabha..."
Ksitigarbha uttered the Buddha's name, but before he could refute, the young man provocatively continued:
"Bodhisattva, don't rush to defend yourself. I've heard you have a divine beast that can eavesdrop across the realms, discern good from evil, and distinguish truth from falsehood. How about letting this divine beast swear on your future path to judge the truth of these words?"
"..."
Listening, standing beside Ksitigarbha to watch the drama, instantly widened its eyes.
How could this man be so wicked?
Is this something it can say?
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's face sank, his understanding of the youth increased.
This man respects neither gods nor Buddha, fears not the Underworld's authority, and to subdue him, only forceful measures can be employed!
"Cunning speech! Your reckless words, full of enchanting rhetoric, violate core precepts. A monk must send you to the Tongue-Pulling Hell for repentance and confession!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stepped forward, reaching out for Xu Qing.
Xu Qing looked at the seemingly infinitely extending arm, instantly recognizing Ksitigarbha's divine technique.
Sumeru Vajra Manifestation, Heavenly Arm Web Technique!
Xu Qing also knew this method. As Ksitigarbha reached out, he nearly raised his arm simultaneously, planning to engage in a cross-space discussion of martial arts principles.
However, before Xu Qing could reveal his divine technique, Goddess Ruan first summoned the coffin's divine sword, repelling Ksitigarbha's heavenly arm.
"Dreaded Demon Woman! How dare you, with your condemned existence, aid in wickedness?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qing was immediately displeased.
"Who is wicked? Who is evil?"
Xu Qing cursed and said, "Although the celestial maiden and I have fallen to such a state, we have always adhered to the righteous path. Unlike you, vile monk, who looks human, speaks with a semblance of humanity, yet chooses to debase yourself and follow the Dharma Master to harm all beings!"
"What is the Dharma Master? A fallen entity of the Three Corpses! What are the Three Corpses? Greed, aversion, and delusion! Refuse deemed worthless by the Gods and Buddhas, trash akin to dirt, you follow the Three Corpses Dharma Master and walk the path of the three poisons of evil, yet dare speak of others as wicked and evil?"
"I am embarrassed for you!"
King Ksitigarbha's aura visibly fluctuated. Hearing this, the Di Ting beside him was tempted to cover its ears, pretending not to hear Xu Qing's vicious words.
This Great Luo Sect Leader is undeniably audacious!
Even back in the day, the groom who breached the Underworld was no more audacious.
"With demonic influence rising and the Dao waning, even if the celestial maiden isn't here, it won't be easy for the Bodhisattva to keep me. I have heard of immediate enlightenment in Buddhism, so why not this day let the Bodhisattva transform immediately into a demon? It might even turn the tide..."
As Xu Qing grew more impassioned in his speech and just as Ksitigarbha seemed ready to act, the nearby demon woman couldn't help but tug at his arm.
"Why are you pulling me? It's one thing for him to accuse me of wickedness, but it's another to say you assist in evil! When you sacrificed yourself to save the world and vanquished the General, how great was that merit? How can you be wronged like this!"
Hearing this, the demon woman's eyelids quivered. Through countless ages, Xu Qing was the first to say such words to her face.
Were it any other time, upon hearing such words, the demon woman would surely have let Xu Qing act as he pleased and pound Ksitigarbha into the ground!
But now was not the right time.
Forcing Xu Qing to her side, the demon woman indicated for him to look toward the end of the heavenly path.
Following her gaze, Xu Qing saw the heavenly gate, with auspicious five-colored clouds descending. Behind the clouds, there was a mass of mystical energy accompanied by a host of Celestial Soldiers and Generals descending to the River of Shadows.
Atop the auspicious clouds stood the leading western celestial official, Western Tai Bai.
On the mystical cloud stood a burly man, long-eared and snub-nosed, dressed in a robe of eight-treasured brocade with a swine-like face.
Beside the man was a gaunt, monkey-like Buddha in a kasaya, humorously following along.
"Why did you insist on descending with me today, Brother? Though I am the Pure Altar Envoy, this barren River of Shadows doesn't offer dragon liver or phoenix marrow, nor celestial peaches for you to feast on..."
The Buddha spat and rebuked, "All you think about is eating! This time I'm descending to the mortal world for official business."
"Official business? What do you mean, official business? Are you hiding something delicious and fun from everyone to enjoy on your own...?"
"What nonsense are you blabbering! When have I ever hogged anything? I'm not telling you for your own good. If you don't want to believe it, feel free to follow me, but let me make this clear: if you decide to get involved, you'll have to see it through till the end, no backing out halfway."
The ugly-faced man felt a shiver in his heart and immediately shook his head and waved his hands, saying, "No, no! I've just taken on a task from the old Celestial Emperor, I don't have any spare time to frolic with you, Brother! I really can't go!"
The man descended along the heavenly path to the River of Shadows but did not follow the white-robed elder to the front of the Ghost Gate; instead, he jumped into the Sanzu River, clutching his rake, dredging up various treasures and artifacts that had fallen into the river's toxic waters, which deities feared like the plague.
In front of the Ghost Gate, the white-robed celestial being pressed down on his cloud, inviting with a smile:
"Greetings, celestial maiden, so the Bodhisattva is here too, which makes this much easier!"
King Ksitigarbha's expression eased slightly, as he clasped his hands and recited a Buddhist prayer.
Standing beside the demon woman, Xu Qing whispered, "Who is this old man?"
Before the demon woman could answer, the white-robed elder turned and replied:
"I am the Western Star Tai Bai, here on the mandate of the Celestial Venerable to handle these affairs," he said, "and truth be told, Sect Leader Xu is the most important person in my current mission..."
Xu Qing was slightly taken aback, then quickly realized.
The content of his conversation with King Ksitigarbha had likely reached this old man's ears.
"So it was an angel descending!"
"Please, take a seat, I also have some matters I wish to discuss with you."
At the site of the heavenly gate,