Chen Tong's Request

Although he had no prior relationship with Chen Tong, they were even enemies. However, Chen Tong had fallen into such a state because of him, which made him feel somewhat guilty.

"Hahaha... Guanyin Bodhisattva rarely visits my Heavenly Court. Why not come in and have a seat before you go!"

A hearty laugh echoed from within the South Heavenly Gate, accompanied by a burst of purple light. A figure with a majestic gaze, like an emperor descending to the mortal realm, appeared before Guanyin.

"Amitabha!" Guanyin bowed deeply. "So it is Your Majesty the Jade Emperor."

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The surrounding gods, such as King Guangmu, immediately knelt on the ground in worship.

The Jade Emperor swept a glance over the gods before turning his gaze to Chen Tong, who stood beside Guanyin with vacant eyes. He smiled faintly and said, "I have seen and know why Guanyin has come. I thank Guanyin for your assistance."

"Your Majesty is too kind," Guanyin continued to bow. "This child has repeatedly disturbed my Spiritual Mountain. Following the Buddha Ancestor's decree, I should have apprehended him and brought him to Spiritual Mountain for punishment. Therefore, there is no assistance to speak of."

"Hahaha..." The Jade Emperor chuckled heartily. "What a coincidence! This child is also a major criminal in my Heavenly Court. He was just causing a ruckus at the South Heavenly Gate. Therefore, he should be handed over to my Heavenly Court for custody."

Guanyin's brow furrowed slightly. The Jade Emperor was clearly trying to snatch the person from her. Although Spiritual Mountain was not managed by the Heavenly Court, the Three Realms respected the Heavenly Court above all else. She had to give him this face. What should she do?

The Jade Emperor, with a faint smile and an air of confidence, awaited her decision. It was a joke; he was the ruler of the Three Realms, and this was his territory. There was no reason for him not to be confident.

Because of the stalemate between the two, Chen Tong was given time to recover some strength. This might also be his only chance to break free from this crisis. He rallied himself and said, "I have a secret, and I believe you both know it. I can hand over the secret, or I can destroy it. As for which I choose, it depends on what you do."

The Jade Emperor sneered coldly, "You are now a lamb to the slaughter. Do you think you are in a position to negotiate?"

"Heh!" Chen Tong let out a cold laugh. "The secret is in my possession, so I have this right. Otherwise, when I feel there is no hope of survival, neither of you will get it."

After a moment of thought, the Jade Emperor finally smiled. "You want to live, but unfortunately, you have no such opportunity or hope."

"No!" As soon as the Jade Emperor finished speaking, Chen Tong quickly denied it. "I don't need to live, but I want you to grant me one request."

"Hmm...?"

Both the Jade Emperor and Guanyin looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he was thinking at this moment.

"Alright! Tell me, if it's not too much, I will grant it."

Guanyin's expression gradually turned grim. She was the one who had captured him, and he was in her hands. The Jade Emperor was so openly deciding everything, as if ignoring her presence.

"Let... let Juanlian go!" Chen Tong said weakly.

"Hmm...!"

The Jade Emperor was stunned again, looking at Chen Tong with great interest. Guanyin, upon hearing this, finally frowned.

Juanlian's demotion was part of the plan at Spiritual Mountain; there could be no mistakes. Now, Chen Tong was making this request. Combined with the previous circumstances, had he already learned about the Journey to the West plan?

"No! Absolutely impossible!" Guanyin immediately dismissed this guess. She knew that in Spiritual Mountain, only she and her master knew about the Journey to the West plan. The other Buddhas did not know, let alone an outsider like him.

"What, is... is this request too much?" Chen Tong asked, using his last bit of strength as he saw the Jade Emperor hesitating.

"Heh heh...!" The Jade Emperor glanced at Juanlian below, who was still in a daze, then looked back at Chen Tong, gazing deeply at him.

"Alright! I...!"

"Wait!" Guanyin blurted out subconsciously, leaving the Jade Emperor confused. Chen Tong, however, gritted his teeth in hatred towards her! He was so close, just a little bit more, and he could have completed his mission. This damned Guanyin deserved a spanking.

"Does Guanyin have something to say?" the Jade Emperor asked.

"I have heard about Juanlian's mistake. Although the punishment might be a bit too harsh, His Majesty the Jade Emperor has already spoken. How can he retract it for such a small matter?"

The Jade Emperor looked deeply at Guanyin, wondering what she was up to. However, as an old fox who had cultivated for billions of years, he certainly did not believe her words.

Guanyin's unusual behavior suggested that there was some movement from Spiritual Mountain. But why would both of them care so much about a mere heavenly general like Juanlian? Chen Tong was understandable, perhaps due to their prior relationship, but what was Guanyin's situation...?

After a moment of thought, the Jade Emperor decided to grant Chen Tong's request. After all, compared to Spiritual Mountain, Chen Tong was truly insignificant.

"Guanyin's words seem reasonable, and I am deeply moved. However, they also serve as a reminder. Juanlian has served diligently all these years, with more toil than merit. To receive such severe punishment for accidentally breaking a cup is indeed my fault."

The Jade Emperor glanced at Juanlian below, waved his hand, and a golden light entered his body, restoring his original divine position.

Juanlian was stunned. Looking at his restored divine power, before he could react, the Jade Emperor's voice came from above.

"Juanlian, you erred first, but I, remembering your years of service, will spare your life, though not your punishment. Return to the Hall of Forbidden Light and face the wall for three thousand years."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you for your heavenly grace!" Juanlian knelt on the ground, kowtowing incessantly, almost weeping.

Chen Tong watched the scene below, but that was not what he cared about. He was now waiting for a voice, the heavenly sound that was his only hope.

"Hahaha...!" The Jade Emperor chuckled heartily. "Little friend, I have agreed to your request. Now, come back to the Heavenly Palace with me."

"Hold on!"

As the Jade Emperor's voice fell, Guanyin's voice rang out. But at this moment, a cold voice also sounded in Chen Tong's mind, a voice that made him forget everything else.

[Beep, congratulations to the host for completing the hidden quest]

[Beep, congratulations to the host for receiving the quest reward. The reward is a condition that the host can propose. Anything within the system's capabilities can be fulfilled.]

"Hmm...!" This reward made Chen Tong pause, then a surge of joy. This was the first time he had received such a reward, and he could make any request. Then, he could ask the system to elevate him to the level of a Heavenly Dao Ancestor. At that time, what so-called Jade Emperor, trash Guanyin, disgusting Tathagata, would be easily dealt with!

"System, can it really fulfill any condition?" Chen Tong asked again, suppressing his excitement. After all, this was related to his future, and he had to be careful.