Chapter 1990 Arhat Status, the Incompetent Li Changsheng!

Facing Li Changsheng's gaze, Zhang Ling hesitated for a moment before saying, "I know a little!"

"How much do you mean by 'somewhat knowledgeable'?"

"If I were willing to enter the Buddhist order, I would most likely be able to attain the Arhatship."

"The Arhatship in Theravada Buddhism?"

"If it's Mahayana Buddhism, do you think I can still be a successor of Taoism?"

Looking at the calm Zhang Ling in front of him, Li Changsheng said speechlessly, "Buddhism has Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism."

"Among them, the attainments of Hinayana Buddhism are divided into four: Stream-enterer, Once-returner, Non-returner, and Arhat."

"The Arhatship is the highest attainment pursued in Theravada Buddhism."

“All the Buddhist masters who have attained the Arhatship are top-notch practitioners in the current spiritual practice world.”

"You, a disciple of Taoism, can attain the Arhatship? Don't you think there's something wrong with that?"

"Besides, I've never seen you use Buddhist methods before!"

Li Changsheng's tone was full of doubt.

Seeing this, Zhang Ling clicked his tongue and said, "If this happened 100,000 years ago, of course such a thing would be impossible."

"But the divisions between sects are not as strong as they used to be."

"The academy's library contains not only Taoist classics, but also many Buddhist scriptures."

“These scriptures are not only Buddhist classics, but also commentaries by countless Bodhisattvas and Buddhas. As long as you study them diligently, you will naturally learn a lot.”

"As a successor of the Taoist sect, I naturally want to outdo the Buddhist sect, even if it's just for personal reasons."

"As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' I don't understand Buddhism, so how can I defeat Buddhism at its root?"

Upon receiving this answer, Li Changsheng immediately clapped his hands and said, "That's good. With a Buddhist master like you, I believe this journey to save people will be much smoother."

"This idea probably won't work."

Zhang Ling shook his head and rejected Li Changsheng's idea.

"why?"

"Because I am a successor of Taoism, and I also study Theravada Buddhism."

"The fact that a Taoist disciple uses Buddhist teachings to debate in a Buddhist country will cause conflict between Taoism and Buddhism."

"It's like someone using a magical technique called 'seal magic' to challenge your Li family and defeat countless of your masters."

"Can your Li family tolerate something like this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Changsheng frowned and said, "It seems that it really won't work."

"The fact that Taoist disciples came to the Buddhist kingdom to debate Buddhist teachings is clearly a mockery of Buddhism's incompetence."

"Moreover, the odds of winning a debate between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism are indeed quite low."

"Why didn't you study Mahayana Buddhism back then? If you had, things would be much easier for us now."

Hearing Li Changsheng's complaints, Zhang Ling almost couldn't resist punching him.

"I almost attained Arhatship by studying Theravada Buddhism. If I study Mahayana Buddhism, do you want me to become bald?"

"It's easy for you to talk when you're not the one suffering. Why don't you study Mahayana Buddhism?"

Zhang Ling directly shifted the blame to Li Changsheng.

Seeing this, Li Changsheng said with difficulty, "I really only know a little about this. I can talk about it when I communicate with fellow Daoists."

"But if I were to actually debate with a great Buddhist master, I estimate I would be utterly humiliated."

"Furthermore, aristocratic families are bound by blood ties, unlike your sects and churches."

"Your need for offspring is basically optional. If we don't have offspring, we will be ostracized by the family."

After saying that, Li Changsheng and the other person fell silent.

One was only half-baked in Buddhism and couldn't use it at all, while the other was well-versed in Buddhism but couldn't show it due to his status.

The two were caught in a dilemma right from the start of their mission.

"How about you give it a try?"

In desperation, Li Changsheng asked Zhang Ling again.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ling glanced at Li Changsheng and said, "If you're not afraid of death, I can give it a try."

"I believe that the topic of a Taoist disciple defeating a Buddhist monk with Buddhist teachings will soon ignite the entire Longevity Era."

"At that time, countless Buddhist masters will come looking for the two of us."

"According to normal procedure, they usually debate with us first, and then decide who is better."

"Young Master Li, how many rounds of Buddhist attacks do you think you can withstand?"

Looking into Zhang Ling's eyes, Li Changsheng said awkwardly, "So what if we lost? They're not going to kill us, are they?"

"Of course not. Buddhism is based on compassion, and this matter has become known to the whole world, so naturally we will not be in danger of losing our lives."

"But if I'm not mistaken, after this happens, we'll most likely be converted."

How to convert them?

"Of course, I will use profound Buddhist teachings to enlighten you."

"Once your resolve to follow the Tao can no longer withstand the impact of Buddhism, you will turn to the Buddha and take refuge in Buddhism."

"What if my resolve to follow the Dao is firm enough?"

"I will still guide you, but I will guide you through cultivation."

"First, we'll arrest you and lock you deep inside a Buddhist pagoda, forcing you to listen to sutras and chant Buddhist scriptures every day. If, after thousands or tens of thousands of years, you still haven't been converted by the Dharma..."

Zhang Ling paused deliberately halfway through his sentence.

"Will they release me like this?"

"wrong!"

“They will lock you up until you are completely converted by Buddhism.”

Li Changsheng: “…”

Upon receiving this answer, Li Changsheng was utterly speechless.

"No, the three religions of your Eternal Life Era are too domineering."

"They keep asking people to convert to Buddhism; it's practically a form of suppression."

"hehe!"

"You aristocratic families are even more disgusting. You rely on seniority and take pride in being the eldest son. You're capable of anything from scheming and plotting to murder and framing."

"If anyone offends you, then needless to say."

"Killing just one person is already the greatest favor you can do. The real consequence will most likely be that you wipe out their entire family."

"Compared to you, and to the entire spiritual community, Buddhism's methods are described as compassionate, and I don't see anything wrong with that."

"At least after you've been converted, you'll still have the status you deserve."

"As for the Taoist sect, our methods are..."

"Definitely!"

Before Zhang Ling could finish speaking, Li Changsheng interrupted him.

"I was just expressing my feelings briefly, why are you bringing up old grievances?"

"Every family has its own troubles, and that's just how it is in the spiritual world. There's no need to delve too deeply into it."

Li Changsheng ended the topic, and just as the two were pondering how to rescue Lin Yao.

A figure appeared in front of them.

"Do you two even want to save me? You've been dawdling here for ages. I thought you were just here for a vacation."

Lin Yao's sudden appearance surprised Li Changsheng and Zhang Ling greatly.

Weren't you locked up?

"Yes!"

"Then why did you come out?"

"It's not that I've gotten out, it's that you've walked into the cage."

Li Changsheng was speechless upon receiving this answer.

He thought his plan would go unnoticed, but in reality, the higher-ups had already taken notice.

......

P.S.: I'm so busy! Chapter 2 will be released in an hour!