According to history, in the most primordial of times, known as the Origin period. Pangu split heaven from earth and resisted their remerger for eighteen thousand years. Subsequently, the first generation of innate gods warred against the primordial beasts of old.

In the Primitive Ancient period, the Dragon Sovereign, Phoenix Sovereign, and the Qilin Sovereign warred for supremacy before a long lasting peace. In the following Disaster Ancient period, the Devilish Dao went to war with those empires.

This was collectively known as the Primordial Era. In its ashes, the ancient gods and latter saints rose up to inhabit the Archaic Era. This time of antiquity would last until the Jade Emperor ascended his throne, beginning the Heavenly God Era which has yet to end.

In the Eastern Dongshen continent, the core of Daoism stands as the largest orthodoxy of cultivation. In the absence of the Three Pure Ones, their eldest disciples opted to set aside their differences and merge their schools for a cohesive unit.

The remaining chief disciples, Guang Chengzi, Duobao, and Xuandu shifted their base to the peaks of Kunlun. Under the Dao council's purview, this sect remained as steady as the most imposing of mountains. Regularly sending prospective disciples to work in the Heavenly Court, as well as expanding their lineages to the lower realms.

In the Western Niuhe continent was very different. A long time ago, it was the Western Continent, birthplace of the Devilish Dao. The brutal war of ancient times shattered the Great Wilderness, but the scars remain on the remains of the west.

Founded with the coming of the enlightened one in the early days of the Heavenly God Era, Buddhism was the dominating cultivation lineage. The former Western Heavenly sect was a memory of the past, while the Devilish Dao remains as tales to frighten children.

On the slopes of Mt Meru, where the Western Heavenly sect once stood, the Deva race ruled by Di Shitian made their home. Outside of humans, and Asuras, they were the most populous race in the west.

At the summit of Mt Meru, an entirely different dimension existed. This was the Holy Land of Dharma. Monks from all walks of life resided here to cultivate.

Unlike their eastern counterparts, they believed in the Dharma. Their understanding of the laws of the world inhabits their golden physiques, culminating in the manifestation of a nirvana world. To do so was to achieve freedom as a buddha.

But such things was uncommon. And even when asked, many who have created nirvana worlds would deny the title of Buddha. It all depended on the sect in the end.

Upon the summit of Mt Meru, a fiery crow shape bursted onto a square platform inside of stupa. In it, the briefest glimpse of demonic power was felt, until it gave way for vast Buddhist light.

The monks chanting mantras within the stupa did not react in the slightest, too immersed in their group cultivation. This was another exercise that benefited monks, large groups chanting together to enter a shared state of zen that would better their pondering of the universe.

"Amitabha," the fiery Buddha muttered softly. It was a greeting to his fellows who resided within Mt Meru. He was the Vairocana Cosmic Buddha, a special existence who was not only recognized as a Buddha, but also held the title Tathagata.

"The far eastern land of Nippon is responsive to the sangha," Vairocana Buddha communicated to the other Buddhist powerhouses. "Godking Amaterasu and I have finalized the agreement."

"Their people have endured much to come here. Hopefully, they could find some semblance of peace." Another Buddhist powerhouse answered. This was the Manjursi Boddhisatva, a former Daoism perfected immortal.

He did not lose out in cultivation to Vairocana Buddha, but he was also one to reject the title of Buddha.

In terms of common wording, any monk who becomes an immortal was recognized as a Dharma Master. But it was only by becoming a Golden Immortal could they be granted the name of Arhat as that was the state where one breaks out of reincarnation.

An Arhat who'd become creating their nirvana is a Boddhisatva. And a Boddhisatva who's manifested their nirvana land was a Buddha. By right, Manjursi Boddhisatva and those like him were Buddha.

"Junior brother Kakusanda, benefactor Ratnasambhava, and benefactor Acalantha have returned from their journey in the Chaos Sea. You should meet with them latter."

"Understood. How were the junior disciples while I was gone?"

On Mt Meru, this lineage of Buddhism held five supreme techniques which imparted the purest of dharma, manifested the eight fold path, and illuminated the four noble truths. They were collectively referred to as the Five Tathagata of the Compass.

Vairocana's, who was once the demon prince Luya, own technique was placed among them. He represented the centre and was integral to many disciple monk's cultivation.

"They performed well during their latest meet with the Dao sect."

"No conflicts arised I hope?"

"Unfortunetly," it was Samantabhadra Boddhisatva who answered instead. "Our more zealous disciples erupted into an argument with some Dao children."

Vairocana Buddha did not react outwardly. "Who started it?"

"According to them? The Dao children were arrogant and pushed them around. They merely responded in kind."

"What is your take?"

"Our disciples rage baited the Dao children," Samantabhadra said flatly while Manjursi nodded from their corner of Mt Meru.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Conflict between the two religions was not rare, very common in fact. But direct conflict tended to be avoided. The histories and leadership of both factions were closely intertwined. The Heavenly Court would also have none of it.

"Forget it, let the wisdom kings discipline them," Vairocana Buddha informed the two.

…

Mt Meru was the epicentre of Buddhism. Often times it was also the face of the Sangha. Its leadership was also thought to be the strongest, possessing powerful Buddhas and Boddhisatvas who regularly taught. But further west was a different story.

As one reaches the edge of the Western Niuhe continent, once would find themselves in a sea of lotus flowers. Reality began bending in all sorts of weird ways. The hard arid landscape would change into a green paradise where the hyma of countless monks could be heard.

This was the furthest west one could go in the Heavenly realm, the Western Pure Land.

In reality, this was a nirvana land. One so big and astronomically powerful, that one could not fathom the depths of it. Sukhavati was its name, the manifestation of Amitabha.

He may be listed in the Five Tathagata of the compass due to his scripture, he may be largely remembered as a form of greeting for monks. In reality, everyone in the Three Realms trembled at the mention of him. For he was also the saint, Jieyin.

Sukhavati was not just a sect, it was the domain of an apex existence. He may not reveal himself anymore, but it was a constant reminder that a saint could easily found in the Three Realms.

At the centre of the Western Pure Land, a grand monastery sat as the centre of learning. Numerous Arhats, and Boddhisatvas used it as a peaceful spot for meditation. It was safe, unbothered, far away from the conflicts of the secular world.

They were not like those who cultivated up on Mt Meru, these monks almost never descended to the wider world. Sukhavati was true paradise for them. Amitabha shielded them, repelling everyone unwelcome.

In the monastery were three large golden Buddha statues. Each of them were over fifty thousand kilometres in height. Three plaques hung above each one.

"Past, Amitabha Buddha."

"Present, Shakyamuni Buddha."

"Future, Medicine Buddha."

These statues irradiated boundless light. No prospect of devil could exist in their presence. In fact, Buddhist light was the natural counter to the Devilish Dao.

The middle way of Buddhism having emerged from the extreme indulgence of decil mentality. Amitabha, combined his own teachings with those brought back by the reincarnation of his junior brother to transform into the Western Pure Land.

"Senior Dipankara, you are saying that neither the Ziwei Emperor, nor the Longevity Emperor is within the Heavenly Court?" A blue skinned buddha with his hair tied in a bun, asked for confirmation.

"Indeed Medicine Buddha, the Heavenly Court is expanding their forces more than they should. Already, they are overstretched and understaffed. Now, this problem is further intensifying."

A crowned bronze skinned man, Dipankara Buddha who had once been the Burning Lamp Daoist who assisted the two founders of the Western Heavenly sect. He stroked his aged chin with a small smirk.

"You would have the Pure Land volunteer its members into the court. You want to suggest to the Jade Emperor to expand his roster of gods," Medicine Buddha guessed his colleague's intentions.

The two stood opposing each other in front of the golden statues. Nobody was participating in a session today, so the two leading Buddhas had free time. Medicine Buddha found it difficult to look at the Dipankara Ancient Buddha.

"I cannot agree to this. The Pure Land is a safety net, a paradise for pilgrims. The saint did not intend for this place to be its own political entity," Medicine Buddha said.

"There are many things Amitabha intended. Not all of them panned out," Dipankara said with a shake of his squarish head. "The Tathagata Buddha already goes against this notion of isolation. Why hold back?"

The use of Tathagata here, did not refer to any of the five mentioned in the compass, not even Amitabha who was a genuine saint. All the top experts meant one man when using that title.

The revered Shakyamuni Buddha in the Western Pure Land, known as the Gautama Buddha on Mt Ling. The real founder of Buddhism.

"It is inevitable. We are fated to walk this path," Dipankara said with a tone of finality. Medicine Buddha may be a revered leader, but Dipankara was respected more for his age and connection to Amitabha. In the end, if he said go, most would follow.

"The will of heaven also desires for the Heavenly Court to succeed in managing the realms. Is it not better for more Buddhist members to assist instead of sitting in the Pure Land all day?" Dipankara wisely said.

"Involving ourselves in karma, could we even call ourselves Buddha?" Medicine Buddha chuckled. He gazed out at a green lotus resting in the middle of a pond in a sealed off area.

"Master, did we not accomplish the spreading of our teachings when Tathagata invited Meritous Sandlewood Buddha west?"

He received no answer from Amitabha. Some part of him was hopeful for the Saint to reply. Yet he also expected this. The saints rarely appeared, fading into the background to support the Heavenly Dao.

They were weapons more than they were ruling bodies. Equivalent to Nuclear deterrents for any Chaos lifeform who wanders too close to the Three Realms.

"Mt Ling's teachings are questionable at best," Dipankara said with criticism. He placed his aged hand on Medicine Buddha's shoulder.

"Trust in me junior, this can only bring benefit to all living beings to reach salvation. The Dao sect only knows isolation, and keeping strictly to their small circle, constantly cultivating for 'their' own selves for the sake of 'their' own enlightenment. The Demon court only hold fondness for its bestial members. It is up to us to pick up the slack.

"After all, my senior brother, the Amitabha Buddha inferred the infinite boundless truth from the scriptures Tathagata brought back. The very heart of the Pure Land. Compassion."

Medicine Buddha considered his words for a moment. Indeed, compassion was why so many took up Amitabha's teachings. Sometimes even more so than the Gautama Buddha.

"No."

…

Further west then either holy lands, a great mountain stood near the entrance to the Western Niuhe continent. Mt Ling, where the Tathagata Buddha, Siddartha Gautama sat down to teach upon reaching the Three Realms.

The Thunderclap Temple was built here in his memory. His core ten disciples established the holy texts that contained the eightfold path, and the four noble truths. Now, it lay in Maitreya's leadership.

The small skinny boyish monk wore an ornate crown. He seated himself comfortably inside Thunderclap temple's main seat, surrounded by Buddhist experts. His form glowed golden, with eighteen arms spread around him in varying hand seals.

In the main hall, Maitreya led a group cultivation session. The mantras he uttered spread throughout the compound, creating an atmosphere rich in profound concepts. Any random animal who wandered in could even demonify and start cultivating.

As he finalized his chanting, Maitreya noticed a fat bald figure wandering in.

"Namo Amitabha," the fat monk made sure to greet his colleagues.

"Namo Amitabha," the buddhas and boddhisatvas inside the hall replied.

"Budai benefector," Maitreya addressed the fat monk. "You returned early?"

"The lower realms are experiencing turmoil. Had to run to not get caught in trouble," the fat monk chuckled. He appeared extremely jolly, very different from the expressionless, content, peaceful, benevolent looking monks.

"Tensions are rising again between different factions. Got chased out by a Daoist sect just now. This poor monk don't know about you lot, but I'm going to file a complaint to the Jade Emperor."

Maitreya frowned, while competition was always high between all the great powers, open hostility was frowned upon. In order for Buddhist teachings to persevere, it must not be stable. The possibility of a major battle was not impossible.

"Is something the matter Future Buddha?" A middle aged female boddhisatva named Pilanpo asked.

The heir/substitute head of the sangha shook his head. Two of his hands had formed the seal for divination. But he did not speak of what he inferred, or if he'd seen anything.

"Buddha Anada, should my master return, please inform me," Maitreya said to a Buddha sitting in the front. "It would appear that the trichiliocosm is in chaos again. Perhaps some fellow monks could bear the burden of imparting the dharma to those on the verge of vipralopa."

At his command, multiple Buddhas left Mt Ling. Their objective was to descend to the trichiliocosm to kindle the rise of Buddhism across strategic lower realms. Prime recruitment hubs

It had to be done for the betterment of the lineage. He won't go as himself, but in disguise. Telling tales of the Future Buddha would also benefit his sect in gaining incense merit.

The spread of Buddhism had long since come to a halt. Between the Demon Court, Daoism, and immortals who did not belong to any specific ideology, competition to spread their lineages was fierce.

'Sometimes, it's like master does not even care for the continuation of Buddhism,' Maitreya dared to wonder.

Siddartha Gautama did not manage the sect, did not defend the sect, did not fight for the sect. The man most qualified for the name Buddha appeared wholly detached from Buddhism, funnily enough.

As such, the Future Buddha dared to consider himself to be the true head of Buddhism. Not the ones sitting on Mt Meru who were foreigners from Daoism or the demon race taking on the name of Buddha. Not the Saint in the far west who was deeply rooted in Dao.

He alone held the torch as the Future Buddha.

…

The True Lord Great White Gold Star placed a scroll on Haotian's desk. His face full of concern. The Jade Emperor's back faced hum, his front being bathed with light from the Solar Star through the window.

Haotian turned himself around on his swivel chair, eyes still closed in his rest. "Just let them be. There's no harm in a little preaching."

"I'm personally more concerned about the daoist's reactions. You know how the new generations of the Dao sect is."

"If Xuandu, Guang Chengzi, Jinling and the others cannot control their juniors, then something would truly be wrong. A little conflict isn't such a bad thing, just so long as it doesn't spiral," Haotian said calmly.

In light, there existed darkness. If Haotian wanted his celestial order to continue to exist, then sacrifices are necessary. He wasn't going to waste time arguing with Maitreya, or the big shots in the Western Pure Land over small matters.

He'd rather extend them the freedom so long as they don't push too hard.

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