Manjushri froze at the words and stopped in his tracks, casting a reluctant look back at the passageway. By now, the group from the Western Paradise had already entered, and Rulai withdrew the magic sustaining the portal, causing it to close in an instant.
Reluctant as he was and as eager as he was for merit, Manjushri had no choice but to obey Rulai's command. Compared to accumulating merit, making personal progress mattered far more to him.
As if sensing what was on Manjushri's mind, Rulai immediately dangled a carrot. "Manjushri, now that Guanyin is missing, her fate unknown, someone needs to shoulder the burden of the Journey to the West. I have been watching your performance all along; although you are in no way inferior to Guanyin, you still need further seasoning."
Chapter 281