Tathagata returned to the Great Thunder Monastery and quietly sat on his lotus platform.
In his hand, he held the corpse of Master Golden Cicada!
His mind was racing; could it be that Master Golden Cicada is not Xuanzang?
This thought was too terrifying.
However, Tathagata had to admit, this idea seed plausible!
If his guess was true, then the Journey to the West for Scriptures would be a massive conspiracy.
It must conceal secrets unknown to him!
"How could this be!?" Tathagata sat on his lotus throne, eyebrows furrowed in distress!
The Heavenly Dao's decree is unchangeable and predetermined!
Heaven has ordained Xuanzang and his disciples to go on this journey for scriptures, which is vital for the flourishing of the Buddhist sect!
This is the grand trend of the Heavenly Dao, unchangeable by anyone!
Yet under such a grand trend, has soone secretly swapped the Crown Prince like a cat substituting for a prince? How could this succeed?
Moreover, the operation of all things in heaven and earth does not escape the Heavenly Dao, thus before the Heavenly Dao, there are no secrets!
Since soone has defied heaven's will, why does the Heavenly Dao not punish them?
Would it just allow the hidden manipulator to alter what the Heavenly Dao has decreed?
From this perspective, it seems unlikely that a hidden manipulator has quietly orchestrated all this.
Generally speaking, if the Heavenly Dao's decreed event gets altered, the Heavenly Dao would surely intervene and even issue heavenly retribution to punish!
Yet if all this is impossible, how then to explain that Master Golden Cicada's golden body has turned into a corpse?
Could it be that Master Golden Cicada's true spirit is not dead, yet his golden body perished?
No matter how you think of it, this seems highly improbable!
What is the true reality? Tathagata sat on his lotus throne, pondering for a long ti but couldn't co up with a conclusion, finally shaking his head and choosing not to think about it further!
Tathagata had to admit that this issue, relying solely on himself sitting there thinking, he would not uncover the truth.
Is his idea factual?
Tathagata found himself uncertain.
Thus, all this requires proper verification!
After so thought, Tathagata realized the implications were too significant, necessitating a foolproof plan to test them.
Thus, Tathagata spoke up.
"Buddha!" As Tathagata called, a Dharma Protector Vajra approached him and knelt in salute!
"Convey this Dharma decree from and summon Wisdom Buddha for an audience!" Tathagata declared.
"Yes!" Upon hearing this, the Dharma Protector Vajra nodded and retreated!
Soon, Wisdom Buddha arrived at the Great Thunder Monastery!
On the surface, Wisdom Buddha appeared calm, yet internally pondered.
Why had Tathagata summoned him now—it couldn't just be to chat idly?
Perhaps it was about the calamities of Journey to the West?
Currently, there were only a few remaining calamities on this journey, Wisdom Buddha knew this well!
However, he also knew the calamities were exceedingly dangerous.
Seeing how Venerable Master Mingxin had already perished attests to that!
Although he previously successfully arranged a calamity to protect himself,
would he be tasked with arranging another calamity? Wisdom Buddha thought it over, feeling he should refuse!
As the saying goes, walking too much at night inevitably leads to encountering ghosts!
Similarly, would a skilled ox be tirelessly exploited?
"Wisdom Buddha, sit down please..."
As Wisdom Buddha silently pondered his strategies, Tathagata smiled warmly, speaking politely to Wisdom Buddha!
"Thank you, Buddha, for granting a seat!"
Irrespective of his inner thoughts, seeing Tathagata's courteous deanor, Wisdom Buddha felt his guess was likely correct.
If not for wanting him to arrange more calamities for the journey, why would Tathagata be so polite!
"Wisdom Buddha, how have you been lately?" Tathagata wasn't eager to reveal the real topic, just asked after Wisdom Buddha!
"Thank you, Buddha, for your concern. I've been well, albeit quite busy recently. It seems I'm approaching a breakthrough and am considering retreating for a few years..."
Listening to Tathagata's inquiry, Wisdom Buddha answered.
First expressing his cultivation nearing a breakthrough, then his thoughts on retreat for refinent! Wisdom Buddha felt this explanation was well-crafted!
If Tathagata indeed wanted him to arrange another calamity, he could use this as a pretext!
"That's splendid news indeed!" Upon hearing this, Tathagata nodded, appearing genuinely glad for Wisdom Buddha!
Afterwards, Tathagata engaged in so casual conversation with Wisdom Buddha!
Wisdom Buddha seed very cooperative, chatting casually with Tathagata.
It seems like there's no sign of urgency at all.
Just like that, they chatted back and forth about many topics.
Such as certain matters about the Buddha, the current situation of the Buddhist Sect, and the nearing end of the Journey to the West for Scriptures.
"By the way..."
When the topic shifted to the Journey to the West for Scriptures, suddenly, Tathagata changed the subject.
Seemingly rembering sothing, he said, "Wisdom Buddha, you have also interacted with rit Buddha, do you see any difference between rit Buddha and Master Golden Cicada?"
"Difference?" Upon hearing Tathagata's inquiry, Wisdom Buddha's heart sank slightly.
Was this it? Going in circles, was the topic still leading back to rit Buddha?
Next, it would be about appointing once again to the role regarding the difficulties during the Journey to the West for Scriptures, wouldn't it?
Of course, since Tathagata hasn't explicitly ntioned it yet, Wisdom Buddha certainly wouldn't rush to refuse imdiately.
He rely shook his head and said, "rit Buddha is the reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada's True Spirit, this is known throughout the three realms, what difference could there be?"
Saying this, he paused for a mont, then continued, "Reincarnation brings changes in nature and cultivation level, isn't this natural?"
"Many Immortals and Buddhas' reincarnations are like this!"
While answering, Wisdom Buddha kept his gaze fixed on Tathagata, clearly curious about the true aning behind Tathagata's question!
"Wisdom Buddha, do you think Xuanzang is truly Golden Cicada?"
Faced with Wisdom Buddha's expression, Tathagata could discern the aning and after a brief silence, he spoke with noticeably more frankness and seriously asked!
"Ah!?"
Suddenly, upon hearing such words from Tathagata, Wisdom Buddha's eyes widened in shock, staring at Tathagata.
His speech seed a bit flustered: "Buddha, Buddha, what do you an by these words? Why would you say such a thing for no reason?"
Questioning whether Xuanzang isn't Golden Cicada? That's too exaggerated, right?
Or is it Tathagata deliberately saying this to trap ?
To make take on the creation of another set of difficulties for the Journey to the West for Scriptures?
"Wisdom Buddha, what I'm going to say next involves the prosperity and decline of our Buddhist Sect, and possibly a trendous secret, now, I confide only in you..."
Tathagata's face grew much more serious, and he spoke, focusing intently on Wisdom Buddha!
Despite Tathagata's earnest words, there remains so doubt in Wisdom Buddha's mind regarding Tathagata's true intentions.
Thus, Wisdom Buddha retained a slightly skeptical attitude in his heart, keeping his gaze fixed on Tathagata!
"Take a look at this..." Tathagata extended his hand, speaking to Wisdom Buddha!
Upon hearing this, Wisdom Buddha's gaze fell upon Tathagata's palm!
A thumb-sized Six-Winged Golden Cicada lay quietly in Tathagata's palm.
Wisdom Buddha could recognize at a glance that this was indeed Master Golden Cicada's Golden Body!
However, this Golden Body was devoid of aura, and it's rely a corpse?
"Buddha, is this...?"
Staring at the corpse of Master Golden Cicada in Tathagata's palm, Wisdom Buddha's face showed a stunned expression!
"That's right, this is exactly Master Golden Cicada's Golden Body!" Tathagata earnestly nodded in acknowledgnt!
"This... how can this be..." Looking at the corpse of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada in Tathagata's palm, Wisdom Buddha was utterly bewildered!
Originally, Wisdom Buddha felt that Tathagata's words were rely a ploy to make him comply, to deceive him into crafting a new set of difficulties.
But now, seeing the corpse of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, with the real evidence right before his eyes, Wisdom Buddha felt sowhat perplexed!
Master Golden Cicada's Golden Body had already turned into a corpse?
Does that an Master Golden Cicada's True Spirit has dissipated?
But, if Master Golden Cicada's True Spirit has dissipated, then who is the current Xuanzang?
"No wonder..." Secretly shocked, Wisdom Buddha simultaneously had a sudden realization!
No wonder Tathagata suddenly asked earlier what would I think if Xuanzang wasn't Golden Cicada.
In this regard, Tathagata's suspicion is indeed grounded in reason!
"Buddha, you an you suspect Xuanzang's identity isn't a reincarnation of Golden Cicada?"
After a mont of silence, Wisdom Buddha responded with a question!
The most crucial part is, of course, clarifying Tathagata's thoughts first!
"Indeed, having seen Master Golden Cicada's corpse, do you, Wisdom Buddha, not have similar doubts?"
After a slight nod, Tathagata followed up with a question to Wisdom Buddha!
"Having seen Master Golden Cicada's remains, I naturally share the sa thoughts as you!"
After so silence, Wisdom Buddha earnestly nodded, responding candidly!
"This matter is of great consequence! I haven't told anyone; currently only the two of us know!"
"Even the Little Demons and Dharma Protector Vajras who originally knew have been silenced!"
"Wisdom Buddha, your wisdom is unparalleled in our Buddhist Sect, what are your recomndations for the current situation?"
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