Meanwhile, in the chaotic lands of the West.
Upon hearing the Footprint Emperor's announcement, Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin exchanged a glance.
"This time, the storyteller Su Yang is going to tell us about the Mythical Primordial World. Elder brother, should we also set off for Qingshan City to listen to him?" The Daoist Jieyin looked at the Daoist Zhunti and asked in a deep voice.
Upon hearing this, Daoist Zhunti slowly exhaled a long breath and then said in a deep voice, "There has never been any deep connection between the West and that storyteller Su Yang. If we rashly go to the inn in Qingshan City to listen to his stories, who can predict what kind of changes might occur?"
Upon hearing this, the Daoist Jieyin sighed softly and nodded in agreement, saying, "Elder brother, the karmic ties between us have already been settled in the battle of the Outer Chaos."
"Although the storyteller Su Yang destroyed our Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit, almost damaged the Green Lotus Precious Banner and the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree Branch, and caused minor injuries to both of us."
"However, the grudges have been settled, and the cause and effect have been cleared. Going to listen to the storyteller is merely a courtesy, a way of showing respect to the storyteller Su Yang. What's wrong with that?"
Upon hearing this, Daoist Zhunti frowned slightly and pondered for a long time.
However, after careful consideration, one must ultimately admit that what Jieyin said makes sense.
He took another deep breath and focused his mind, then said, "Very well, since that's the case, let's go ourselves to the inn in Qingshan City and listen to the storyteller Su Yang recount the legendary tales of the Mythical Primordial World."
The Daoist Jieyin nodded slightly, and before he finished speaking, the figures of the Two Sages of the West had already quietly vanished, leaving only a faint light that swept past before disappearing without a trace.
In the Primordial World, in the Earthly Immortal Realm, in the Western Ox Continent!
At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva had returned to the sacred Spirit Mountain of the Western Spirit Mountain and reported all the strange phenomena she had noticed in Tang Sanzang Great Sun Tathagata.
Upon hearing this, a solemn expression appeared on the face of the Great Sun Tathagata.
Golden Cicada was his direct disciple, and Tathagata knew his temperament, character, and past very well.
That is why Golden Cicada was chosen to be the reincarnation of the pilgrim to retrieve the scriptures, shouldering the important responsibility of spreading Buddhism.
Having heard what Guanyin Bodhisattva said, Tathagata understood in his heart: Tang Sanzang may have changed his ways.
Moreover, this turn of events is by no means ordinary.
According to Guanyin, Tang Sanzang's words and actions seemed as if his soul had been taken away and his body had been taken over.
However, neither Guanyin Bodhisattva, nor any of the Buddha, nor even the entire Buddhist community responded in the slightest.
Not to mention, if someone were to Seize Body Golden Cicada, how could the two Western Saint, Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin, be completely unaware?
It is evident that Golden Cicada did not suffer from Seize Body, but Tang Sanzang, who is now the Ten Generations of Goodness, does have a hidden story.
His cultivation had reached the seventh rank of the Daluo Golden Immortal, a level that even Golden Cicada before his demotion had never reached.
Even more astonishingly, according to Guanyin, Tang Sanzang actually possessed a supernatural power called " Great Power Heavenly Dragon "!
Its power was terrifying; even Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) had to concentrate and not dare to be careless when facing it.
This is why Great Sun Tathagata was filled with doubts and could not find a solution.
What could have caused such a drastic change to occur so silently and without warning, given that the people chosen by the Buddhist community to go on the pilgrimage were originally selected?
The Great Sun Tathagata a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Guanyin Bodhisattva, and slowly said, "This matter should not be publicized for the time being. Now that Tang Sanzang has embarked on his journey to obtain the scriptures according to our plan, everything is still under control."
"Even if his cultivation level far exceeds expectations, and there are slight discrepancies, since you have pointed out the advantages and disadvantages, he should know to restrain his sharpness and conceal his strength."
"However, this matter involves many aspects, and a final decision must be made after consulting the Saint."
Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and replied, "In that case, World Honored One, would you require me to secretly accompany you and monitor the journey?"
Go ahead.
The Great Sun Tathagata calmly said, "The journey to the West has just begun. Although many plans may need adjustment, the beginning must not be compromised."
Where is Tang Sanzang now?
Guanyin Bodhisattva quickly calculated and then reported, "Reporting to the World Honored One, Tang Sanzang is currently approaching the Earthly Realm the Five Finger Mountain."
"Are we almost at Five Finger Mountain?"
The Great Sun Tathagata nodded slightly, and then said, "Over the past five hundred years, our Buddhist sect has continuously persuaded that Spiritual Stone Monkey, and now it seems that he is much more compliant than before."
Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded in agreement, and then replied, "That Spiritual Stone Monkey, Sun Wukong, has now grasped the profound meaning of Buddhism!"
Even if he still has moments of disobedience, we still have the power to restrain him.
Great Sun Tathagata Buddha gently shook his head and slowly said, "If the Monkey is inherently obedient, why use the golden headband to control it?"
"Hurry to Eagle Sorrow Ravine and wait. The pilgrim and the Spiritual Stone Monkey will soon be joined by their key companion on their journey to the West, the Third Prince of the Western Sea Little White Dragon."*
Dongsheng Shenzhou, at the foot of Five Finger Mountain.
At this moment, the Spiritual Stone Monkey Sun Wukong is still suppressed here, and can only quench his thirst with sweet dew every day.
Fortunately, young shepherd boys often passed by and would pick some fruit from a distance and hand it to him.
At least he no longer had to watch helplessly as the nearby peach tree bore abundant fruit, unable to taste a single one.
Finally, we were spared the agony of longing for our country but being unable to do anything about it.
Meanwhile, Sun Wukong was silently calculating the days ahead.
"The five hundred-year period has arrived. That peach tree has blossomed and borne fruit for a full five hundred years. Could it be that Buddhism deliberately used this as a marker, allowing this This Old Sun to witness the passage of time?"
Sun Wukong thought to himself, "Over the years, those bald monks have never stopped trying to convert This Old Sun."
"But what they don't know is that I, This Old Sun, have already learned of the hypocrisy and treachery of your Buddhist sect from Mister Su!"
"Even if you pretend to be compassionate and upright, in This Old Sun eyes, you are nothing but a bunch of disgusting bald monks."
" This Old Sun, will never forget the humiliations I have suffered over the years. Once I leave this mountain, I will surely seek revenge!"
" This Old Sun, never lie. If I ever escape this predicament, I will surely storm your Western Spirit Mountain and overturn your temple!"
Just as Sun Wukong was pondering this, a figure slowly approached from afar, wearing a cassock and holding Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff; he was a young monk.
Their swift movements startled Sun Wukong, filling him with doubt!
Is this the pilgrim on his journey to the West?
Su Yang had explained cultivation realms to Sun Wukong back then, and he knew that he was now at the seventh level of the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal!
Su Yang once warned: If you encounter someone whose cultivation is unfathomable, then that person has at least reached the fifth rank of the Daluo Golden Immortal!
If even the Fiery Eyes Golden Gaze cannot see through the opponent's true strength, it means that the opponent's power is far above that of a fifth-grade Daluo Golden Immortal!
At this moment, the pilgrim approached step by step, and even with Sun Wukong's Fiery Eyes Golden Gaze activated, he could not discern the depth of the pilgrim's cultivation level at all!
Then look at him, his feet seem to fly across the valley in a few steps, leaping over cliffs as if walking on flat ground!
Such skill is beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Could this pilgrim's strength truly have reached at least the fifth rank of Daluo Golden Immortal?!
"Are those Buddhist monks crazy? This Old Sun, am just a seventh-grade Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, yet they expect me to protect a master who is at least a fifth-grade Daluo Golden Immortal?"
Sun Wukong whispered in disbelief.
However, seeing the person getting closer, he took a deep breath and called out repeatedly, "Master! Master! Master!"
Three urgent calls finally drew the attention of the pilgrims.
Tang Sanzang should have followed Guanyin Bodhisattva's instructions and traveled slowly, disguised as an ordinary person.
However, he felt that walking in his mortal form was too slow, so he simply used some of his true energy to speed up his journey.
Sun Wukong gazed at Tang Sanzang's face, a sudden doubt arising in his heart. "Didn't Guanyin say that the pilgrim would ride a white horse at a slow pace? Where is the horse? Master, where is your white horse?"
"So you are the disciple that the Buddhist sect has arranged for this humble monk? Not bad. Although your appearance is a bit rough, you are still worthy of being taught."
Tang Sanzang nodded slightly, then said, "Please rest assured, this humble monk will rescue you from your predicament immediately."
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong could only nod blankly, still not understanding how Tang Sanzang had come to his rescue.
Just as he was about to remind the other party that he could regain his freedom simply by tearing off the Buddhist seal on Five Finger Mountain.
Unexpectedly, Tang Sanzang quietly gathered his vast magical power and suddenly unleashed a palm strike towards the Five Finger Mountain!
"Holy crap! This pilgrim has such a fiery temper?!" Sun Wukong's eyes widened in shock!
What happened to the promise of Ten Generations of Goodness?
If you were to strike with that palm, you might just smash me, This Old Sun, into the ground along with you! Is that what you call being a good person?
This Old Sun, am more like a law-abiding citizen than you!
"Hmm? This is interesting. This mountain is so mysterious. How could a mere Five Finger Mountain withstand a blow from this humble monk without being harmed?"
Looking at the immovable mountain, a hint of interest flashed in Tang Sanzang's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong hurriedly said, "Master, Master! There's a Buddhist seal suppressing the peak of Five Finger Mountain!"
"If you just take down the talisman from the mountaintop, This Old Sun, will regain my freedom!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on Tang Sanzang's face, and he slowly said, "Disciple, don't panic, this humble monk will rescue you from your predicament!"
"Wait a moment, it seems I'll have to show some of my skills today!"
Sun Wukong's eyes widened. Was this pilgrim out of his mind?
He clearly stated that the bondage could be broken simply by removing the seal at the mountaintop, so why was this monk planning to smash the entire mountain?
Aren't the plants, trees, birds, and beasts on the mountain also living beings?
Can you really call yourself Ten Generations of Goodness? You'd be more like a hungry ghost who has lived ten lifetimes!
"How dare a mere Five Finger Mountain rival the brilliance of the Mingyue?"
Tang Sanzang leaped into the air, his cassock swirling as he landed, revealing the dragon totem coiled around his body!
" Great Power Heavenly Dragon! Grand Unity Dharma Spell! Prajna All Buddhas! Prajna Eight Emptiness!"
He formed a hand seal, and vast magical power instantly gathered in his palm, which he then unleashed towards Five Finger Mountain!
A violent force poured down, causing Five Finger Mountain to tremble violently, as if it could not withstand such pressure!
In an instant, the earth within a radius of hundreds of thousands of miles trembled, the mountains resonated, and the sky and earth changed color!
"It's confirmed, this monk is definitely mentally unstable."
Sun Wukong sighed inwardly. He wouldn't listen to a single word of advice. Besides, with such cultivation, did he really need This Old Sun protection?
With such strength, let alone the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, probably no one could stop them if they directly stormed up Spirit Mountain!