Heavenly Court, Hall of Celestial Supremacy

"Big Brother truly defied fate and surpassed Hongjun!"

Purple Cloud Palace!

Tongtian's heart trembled with shock, unable to believe it.

Who could possibly accomplish such an earth-shattering feat?

Tongtian had no idea, but it no longer mattered.

At this moment, a glimmer of hope rose in Tongtian's heart!

The Heavenly Dao was supreme—was Hongjun truly one with it?

Though Hongjun was regarded as the Heavenly Dao, the Dao was not entirely under his control.

The Heavenly Dao had its own laws of operation. While Hongjun had reached the pinnacle of merging with the Dao and achieved the status of the Heavenly Dao, in truth, it was the Heavenly Dao that bound Hongjun, not Hongjun who commanded it.

Thus, Hongjun had always sought to truly break free from the shackles of the Heavenly Dao!

In the Daluo Heaven of the Taiqing Realm, Grand Pure One Laozi smiled faintly, watching the rapidly increasing luck value on the System Panel, his mood excellent.

He then glanced toward the direction of Purple Cloud Palace, his spirits even lighter.

Hongjun sought to escape the fetters of the Heavenly Dao, scheming for eons with the intent to steal the Dao itself.

Thus, Hongjun secretly suppressed the growth of the Primordial World.

The more the Primordial World developed, the more blurred the Heavenly Dao's own rules became, its origin gradually weakening, and the world naturally descended into the Dharma Ending Age.

Therefore, Hongjun was a thief of the Dao.

The Grand Pure One now knew everything and would never let Hongjun succeed.

The Heavenly Dao could bestow the authority of a Dao Seat upon Hongjun, but it could also grant it to others.

However, this was extremely difficult, for only Hongjun in the Primordial World could influence the Heavenly Dao.

But now, the situation had changed.

The Grand Pure One had already bound himself to the Primordial Origin and was well-versed in the Heavenly Dao's rules. Apart from his Dao Seat and strength being temporarily inferior to Hongjun's, he surpassed him in every other aspect.

Thus, helping Zhen Yuanzi gain the Heavenly Dao's recognition and obtain the authority of the Earthly Immortal Realm's Dao Seat was a simple task.

As the luck value grew, the changes in the Primordial World became evident.

The radiance of the Great Primordial World grew ever more dazzling!

Grand Pure One Laozi stared at the system panel, a slight ripple in his heart.

Perhaps after two more evolutions, the Primordial World could return to the ranks of a high-level Greater Chiliocosm.

Just then, the system's voice rang out clearly:

The Primordial World has successfully upgraded!

Congratulations, Master, on receiving the rewards!

Xiantian Supreme Treasure: Godslaying Spear, forged from the root of the Chaos Green Lotus fused with boundless Sha Qi. It is the Primordial World's foremost killing divine weapon, unmatched in power—any strike means certain death, and it can even wound a Saint!

Top-Grade Primordial Treasure: Twelfth Grade Black Lotus of Destruction, born from a seed of the Chaos Green Lotus, imbued with demonic Sha Qi, its defensive capabilities peerless!

The Law of Cause and Effect is complete.

The Law of Artifacts is complete.

Grand Pure One Laozi gazed at these rewards, his heart filled with joy.

These rewards were truly astonishing.

The Godslaying Spear's killing power was unmatched in the Primordial World, surpassing even the Immortal Slaughtering Sword and the Pangu Banner.

Back then, Rahula wielded the Godslaying Spear, single-handedly intimidating the entire Primordial World. Even Hongjun was no match for him, and in the end, he had to join forces with reincarnated devas like Yang Mei and Yin Yang to subdue Rahula.

This spoke to its unparalleled might.

The Twelfth Grade Black Lotus of Destruction was also an immensely powerful artifact.

It was originally the Devil Ancestor Rahula's supreme treasure, perfectly complementing the Godslaying Spear!

One for offense, one for defense—shaking the Primordial World!

Grand Pure One Laozi pocketed the Godslaying Spear and the Twelfth Grade Black Lotus of Destruction.

He also received two rewards of complete laws.

The Law of Cause and Effect was one of the four supreme Daos—needless to say, its power was obvious!

The Law of Artifacts was the way of artifact forging, a highly practical auxiliary law.

The Grand Pure One was quite satisfied. The laws rewarded by the system could be perfectly comprehended upon receipt, making them extremely convenient.

He had already completed the Law of Alchemy, and with this new reward, he now had five completed laws.

Among them were the four supreme Daos, and in the future, he might even master the Three Thousand Great Daos.

What a formidable existence that would be—even the Heavenly Dao might have to yield.

Just then, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Thank you for your aid, Taiqing Saint. Zhen Yuanzi is grateful to the core."

"If ever you have need, I will brave fire and water without hesitation."

Zhen Yuanzi conveyed his gratitude through voice transmission.

He knew well the depth of the karmic debt he now owed Taiqing.

Taiqing responded with calm openness, saying that when the time came, he would call upon him, and for now, Zhen Yuanzi could cultivate in peace.

His forthright attitude brought Zhen Yuanzi relief. "I await your summons, Saint." He felt that the karmic debt he owed even surpassed what the Two Sages of the West owed Hong Yun, and he had no idea how to repay it.

Yet, the fact that Taiqing had clearly stated he would need him was actually a good thing.

Zhen Yuanzi sighed inwardly—truly, everything was within Taiqing's control.

Even when facing Dao Ancestor Hongjun, he had felt despair, never imagining that Taiqing could contend with him and even gain the upper hand.

Such an unfathomable scheme filled him with admiration.

Within Daluo Heaven.

Inside the Eight Sceneries Palace, Grand Pure One Laozi sensed something and cast his gaze toward East Sea Flower-Fruit Mountain.

"Sun Wukong is about to be born."

At the same time, Nüwa's voice echoed in his ear.

"Senior Taiqing, the Sky-Patching Stone is about to take form."

Grand Pure One Laozi smiled faintly.

"It's time to prepare a grand gift for Hongjun and the Buddhist Sect."

Beyond Chaos, in the Western Paradise, on Mount Sumeru.

Receiver and Cundi exchanged glances.

Neither had expected the situation to develop to this point.

It was truly hard to comprehend.

After a long silence, Cundi asked, "Brother, will Zhen Yuanzi interfere with the Calamity?"

Receiver shook his head gently. "The Master has already made it clear: Zhen Yuanzi must not intervene in the Buddhist Dharma Eastward Transmission."

Cundi nodded. "Good. The Buddhist Dharma Eastward Transmission is of utmost importance. The Heaven-Ordained Scripture Seeker should be ready by now, yes?"

Receiver smiled. "Indeed. Let us go and make preparations."

"Well said."

On the Primordial Wilderness, at the Western Sacred Mountain.

The gods and buddhas of the Sacred Mountain were all discussing the matter of Zhen Yuanzi.

It was utterly unexpected.

Just then.

At the peak of the Sacred Mountain.

A golden light descended.

A supreme buddha manifested, one hand pointing to the heavens, the other to the earth.

"Above the heavens and below the earth, I alone am the honored one."

Shakyamuni Buddha was born!

The entire Buddhist Sect rejoiced.

Even the Sub-Saint-level buddhas were delighted at the appearance of a Saint's Good Corpse—the Buddhist Sect was about to usher in an era of prosperity.

Only Many Treasures Tathagata was filled with worry.

He had originally hoped to take control of the Buddhist Sect, perhaps to turn the tide for the Jie Sect's plight.

But now, with the Saint's Good Corpse descending, he feared his own position would be hollowed out.

And indeed.

Shakyamuni pressed his palms together, and Sanskrit chants echoed across the entire Sacred Mountain.

"I, Shakyamuni, now become Tathagata Buddha, to lead the Buddhist Sect."

Tathagata means one who attains true enlightenment through the true path, and also a sage who grasps absolute truth and delivers all beings. Thus, Tathagata, Buddha, and World-Honored One are titles for all buddhas.

But now, with the Saint's Good Corpse Shakyamuni as Tathagata Buddha, no other Buddhist disciple could ever again be called Tathagata.

All the gods and buddhas bowed to him.

"We pay homage to Tathagata Buddha."

Tathagata Buddha smiled and nodded. His gaze swept over Many Treasures Tathagata but did not linger.

"This Seat shall journey to the Heavenly Court to discuss important matters with the Heavenly Emperor. Joyful Buddha and Many Treasures may accompany me."

Fixed Light Joyful Buddha was overjoyed.

"Many thanks, World-Honored One."

This was a fine chance to share in merit!

Many Treasures Tathagata, however, lowered his brows and closed his eyes.

"Many thanks, World-Honored One."

Tathagata Buddha then rode on golden auspicious clouds, heading to the Heavenly Court with Guanyin and Many Treasures.

In truth, the so-called discussion of great affairs was merely the Buddhist Sect negotiating cooperation with the Heavenly Court.

After all, the Journey to the West Calamity could not proceed without the Heavenly Court's involvement.

Yet this cooperation was only meant to use the Heavenly Court. In Receiver and Cundi's plans, the rise of the West did not require the Heavenly Court's intervention.

At Spirit Platform Mountain, a Daoist with an immortal bearing arrived.

He held a whisk, a smile on his face, and gave a light flick.

On the cliff terrace, a cave heaven appeared, named Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave.

This Daoist was none other than Cundi's Good Corpse, Patriarch Bodhi.

Sun Wukong was about to be born. Bodhi was in high spirits, his gaze fixed toward East Sea Flower-Fruit Mountain.

"That Lingming Stone Monkey has extraordinary roots and origins. He is destined to be a great vessel of the Buddhist Sect. Truly, this is the Heaven-ordained rise of the West."

"He should be emerging soon, right?!!"

Patriarch Bodhi suddenly widened his eyes.

He stared at Flower-Fruit Mountain in disbelief.

That Sky-Patching Stone was gone!

What was going on?!

Bodhi couldn't help rubbing his eyes, staring intently at that spot!

Now he was completely dumbfounded.

Where had my great disciple Sun Wukong gone?

How could he have vanished so suddenly?!

Patriarch Bodhi hurried to Flower-Fruit Mountain to investigate.

Flower-Fruit Mountain was empty. No matter how he deduced, there was no result at all.

Bodhi was thoroughly panicked and had to send a thought to his Original Body.

When the Two Sages of the West, Cundi and Receiver, learned of this, they too were stunned.

They exchanged glances, both unable to believe it.

Why had Sun Wukong suddenly disappeared?

This was absolutely impossible!

Sun Wukong was the Heaven-Ordained Scripture Seeker, the destined Calamity Protagonist.

Even his name was a gift from Heaven.

How could such a person deviate from the path of the Heavenly Dao?

The Two Sages of the West had originally believed there would be no mishap, and so were quite at ease.

Who would have thought that even the path of the Heavenly Dao could encounter an accident?

"Elder Brother, I have searched the entire Primordial Wilderness, but I cannot find the Lingming Stone Monkey's whereabouts."

"He seems to have vanished into thin air!"

Cundi Sage, after surveying the Primordial Wilderness, grew even more astonished.

Sun Wukong had a destined karmic bond with the Buddhist Sect. It should have been easy to deduce, yet the result was nothing at all!

"I cannot find the Scripture Seeker either."

Receiver Sage furrowed his brow, his worry deepening.

The two sages looked at each other.

Suddenly, Cundi spoke:

"Elder Brother, could it be that another sage has interfered?"

As Cundi spoke, his gaze unconsciously turned toward Taiqing's Daluo Heaven.

"You mean Taiqing?"

Receiver, hearing this, also grew suspicious and looked toward that heavenly domain!

Though sages could perceive all things, they could also be disturbed by external forces.

Only a sage can influence another sage.

Even if the Two Sages of the West can find no clues, they can deduce that something must be hidden.

After all, in the Primordial Wilderness today, sages are forbidden from setting foot in the mortal world.

But Taiqing had spread his teachings across the land earlier, exceeding everyone's expectations.

Thus, Taiqing's suspicion is heavy.

After a moment of silence.

The two sages withdrew their gazes and exchanged looks, but words failed them.

Because they truly could not understand.

How did Taiqing know of Sun Wukong's existence?

The great tribulation had arrived, the heavenly mechanisms were in chaos—Taiqing could not possibly deduce it.

Moreover, the Three Pure Ones had taken the Saintfall Pill; the Primordial Wilderness no longer had a place for them, and the Dao Ancestor would not tell them of the tribulation.

"Elder Brother, Taiqing cannot have such power. Could there be a hidden force trying to meddle in the tribulation?"

"I do not know. Let us search first. If we fail, we may have to seek the Dao Ancestor's help."

"Good."

The Primordial Wilderness.

Heavenly Court, Hall of Celestial Supremacy.

Zhao Gongming and the other Jie Sect disciples looked grim at the sight of the three Buddhist figures.

Especially Duobao—how could their Eldest Brother join the Buddhist faith?

Duobao lowered his head in silence.

But Fixed Light Joyful Buddha sneered as he surveyed the Jie Sect immortals of the Heavenly Court.

"A bunch of inflexible trash. Truly laughable."

These words enraged Zhao Gongming and the Three Heavens Maidens.

"Fixed Light, you've gone too far!"

"If the Master were here, how dare you be so arrogant!"

If Fixed Light had not defected and handed over the Six Souls Banner, even if the Jie Sect had failed, they would still have had the strength to counterattack!

They would not have fallen so quickly!

Yet Fixed Light Joyful Buddha, upon hearing Tongtian's name, felt not a shred of guilt—only greater smugness.

"What of Tongtian? Just a fool locked away in the Purple Cloud Palace!"

"If you've got the guts, let him out!"

At Fixed Light's words.

The Jie Sect disciples burned with fury.

"Too far!"

"Infuriating!"

Duobao's expression was complicated, and he remained silent.