Saint Golden Body, the Western Journey Should Begin

The Dao Palace was quiet and peaceful.

No one knows what the Great Celestial Venerable is waiting for.

Second by second,

Footsteps came from behind, and everyone subconsciously turned around to look. They could see a dark and shadowy figure, bowing with each step, heading straight into the Eight Sceneries Palace.

"Homage to the Boundless Heavenly Venerate!"

Shi Zhengyuan is shouting.

The Celestial Venerable nodded.

All Seats breathed a sigh of relief, while Kong Shentong curiously sized up the person who had suddenly arrived.

Huang Qiuxian, the Third Seat immortal, asked a question:

"Fourth Seat, did something happen to you?"

"That's right."

Shi Zhengyuan nodded readily, then consulted the Celestial Venerable and the True Person. After the True Person indicated that they could freely communicate,

He then briefly recounted the whole story.

"Among the Supreme Treasure I possess, a fragment of true spirit from the old world has revived and returned; I was nearly robbed."

The All Seats were alarmed, especially Kong Shentong, who felt a pang of fear as he recalled the powerlessness he felt when facing the terrifying will of the Buddha statue that day.

The Miss Mingyue couldn't help but ask:

"A trace of true spirit from the old world, can you describe it?"

Shi Zhengyuan nodded and said:

He claimed to be a supreme being who roamed the heavens and walked the earth as a savior, born by divine mandate, from the ancient past.

"He said he once presided over an ancient temple and forged a golden statue in the fire."

All Seats was startled. Kong Shentong couldn't help but lick his lips. The supreme being in heaven, the savior on earth.

Miss Mingyue frowned in thought, unable to think of a corresponding character.

Shi Zhengyuan continued:

He also claimed that he would be the protagonist of a major event, replacing a man named Tang Sanzang.

"Tang Sanzang?" Miss Mingyue asked in surprise.

All Seats eyes turned to this mysterious Eighth Seat, Shi Zhengyuan's eyes lit up slightly:

"Eight Seats, you come from the old world, do you know this name?"

Kong Shentong raised an eyebrow again, his expression turning serious as he looked the so-called Eighth Seat up and down.

The Miss Mingyue nodded:

"I know him. We met several times in a previous life. He was once a disciple of the Buddha Ancestor of Mount Ling and later attained the Buddhahood of Merit, and his status was very special."

The All Seats were abuzz with discussion.

A Buddhist disciple asked out of curiosity:

"Fourth Seat, beings from the old world, how did you escape danger?"

Shi Zhengyuan looked at the quietly flowing chaotic mist and bowed:

"It was the World-Honored One who saved me."

Kong Shentong immediately perked up his ears, and All Seats looked towards that great Celestial Venerable, for earlier, a celestial sound had swept across the entire Mother Star.

Now everyone knows that the World Honored One came from the Above High Heaven and built the Gaotian City and the Other Shore World in the Mortal World.

The Great Celestial Venerable remained silent; it was the True Person who spoke:

"The Celestial Venerable once said that only Laozi could transform into the Tathagata. The World-Honored One is Laozi, and Laozi is a manifestation of the Great Celestial Venerable walking among humans."

All Seats understood, but a question mark appeared on Kong Shentong's forehead.

Yuan Feidao, sitting in the corner, swallowed hard.

Shi Zhengyuan noticed the extra members and asked curiously:

"Speaking of which, who is this gentleman?"

The expressions of All Seats became somewhat strange. Finally, Yuan Tiandao, the Ninth Seat holder, spoke up to explain:

"A newcomer, but in reality, he holds a very high status and position; he is the Grand Pope of the Ancient Sage Faction."

"Oh, so that's it??" Shi Zhengyuan's eyes widened suddenly. Who?

Ancient Sage Faction? Pope?

Kong Shentong also came to his senses at this moment, and glanced warily at the Great Celestial Venerable in the mist.

Then, smiling, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Shi Zhengyuan:

"Once we enter the high heavens, we are all fellow Daoists."

Shi Zhengyuan remained dazed, which was understandable; the Elder Venerable of various religions and sects were already considered extraordinary individuals by their standards.

Moreover, what about a pope?

A pope-level figure represents a [Great Divine Ability User]!

That's the person at the very top of the entire Federation!

Shi Zhengyuan quickly regained his composure and cautiously bowed to the newcomer. Kong Shentong smiled and nodded.

But Zhang Fusheng, amidst the chaotic mist, frowned slightly.

He could sense that after Kong Shentong ascended to the Above High Heaven, he had looked at him more than ten times.

Moreover, their gazes showed more fear than reverence.

This guy has a wild and ambitious heart.

Zhang Fusheng immediately snapped out of his daze. No matter what, this old Kong was a true [Great Divine Ability User].

In the old world, he would be True Lord or Bodhisattva-level being, and he would also control an entire Ancient Sage Faction!

Such people are all ambitious beyond measure; they may not be invincible, but they are probably pretty much like that.

Zhang Fusheng suddenly realized what was happening.

Even Above High Heaven, he won't actually prostrate himself before the [Great Celestial Venerable] like the All Seats before him.

He even directly revealed his identity as the Pope of the Ancient Sage Faction, probably because he had already planned to establish his own 'power' in the Above High Heaven.

Everyone will encounter great danger. Once the members of Above High Heaven ask Kong Shentong for help, they are easily 'controlled' by him.

Zhang Fusheng had a fleeting urge to kick this guy Above High Heaven, but he quickly stopped himself.

This guy is actually quite useful.

As long as it's useful enough.

He is capable of accepting 'infidelity'.

Through the thick, chaotic fog, Zhang Fusheng took a deep look at the composed Kong Shentong, and a warning bell rang in his heart once again.

To have reached such a state in this barren era is no less significant than becoming a celestial being, a Buddha, or even attaining the Daluo Fruit Position enlightenment in the past.

Such a person should never be underestimated.

So.

Let's squeeze as much money as possible first.

At the same time.

The group began exchanging the information they had gathered.

Chen Nuanyu said softly:

"Nothing has changed here. I use miraculous medicines and Heavenly Elixir for bathing every day. Around next month, a deity will meditate within my heart for forty-nine days."

Kong Shentong glanced at her.

Du Mingsheng, the second Du Mingsheng, said:

"There's nothing unusual here either. I've left the Golden Province and am currently on my way to Qinghe City, planning to visit the Qinghe Province."

Huang Qiuxian, the Third Seat, and Shi Zhengyuan, the Fourth Seat Shi Zhengyuan, both shook their heads, indicating that there was nothing special about it. The Buddhist disciple had originally intended to say something...

But after glancing at Kong Shentong without making a sound, he ultimately remained silent, shaking his head to indicate that there was nothing unusual on his side.

Yuan Feidao didn't speak, but Shen Baobao nodded and said:

"I am currently deep in space, following a starship engaged in hunting and surveying, in pursuit of a substance called Xuanhuang Fragment."

After pausing for a moment, she continued:

"This substance is said to be integrated with the Root Layer of the body. The Source Origin Research Institute has made a significant discovery within the Root Layer."

"The Root Layer?" Yuan Tiandao asked curiously, "I know this is the area that supports the entire Mother Star. Has something happened there?"

Shen Baobao shook her head:

"No, it was a line of spiritual writing left by an ancient figure from a bygone era that was discovered in the Root Layer."

After a moment's hesitation, she continued:

"This figure from the past, according to the Research Institute's survey, possesses a very special [status], hence the title 'Ancestor of Humanity.'"

The moment the words "Ancestor of Humanity" were uttered, All Seats was astonished. Kong Shentong narrowed his eyes, and Miss Mingyue's pupils constricted slightly as she asked:

What words were left at the Root Layer?

She didn't know what Root Layer was.

Shen Baobao paused for a moment, then answered truthfully;

"A strange line of text— 'Zhang Fusheng was here'—is said to come from the ancient past because the dating of that spiritual text exceeds 13 billion years, making it older than the entire universe!"

Chen Nuanyu was stunned for a moment, but then stopped thinking about it. She knew that it could only be someone with the same name.

The other All Seats knew Zhang Fusheng thought the same thing.

In the chaotic fog,

The Great Celestial Being sat quietly.

"In addition."

Shen Baobao continued:

"I also have some unexpected situations. The first is that while we were traveling in space, we encountered a level 4 star beast, Mixed-blood Solar Divine Bird."

"But a colossal hand, comparable to a star, descended from the void, capturing the divine bird and causing a planet to collapse and shatter."

"The second thing."

Shen Baobao's voice became serious:

"We have indeed discovered a Xuanhuang Fragment in the sea of stars. It is of the same origin as the Root Layer, but it is also somewhat different. It looks like it has been smelted."

Um?

Zhang Fusheng, his eyes still shrouded in mist, raised them slightly. Had he been smelted?

The Xuanhuang Fragment —he probably meant fragments of Buzhou Mountain, perhaps a refined version of the Buzhou Fragment Heaven-Turning Seal?

This thought flashed through Zhang Fusheng's mind, and then he heard Shen Baobao, the seventh seat attendant, continue:

"To be precise, it's like the residue left behind after the Xuanhuang Fragment were smelted into some kind of artifact and then shattered again."

After pausing for a moment, she continued:

"Originally, it wouldn't have been a problem, but the planet where the fragment is located seems to have buried ruins and remnants, which are still awaiting exploration, and we don't have any clues yet."

The All Seats didn't seem to care much; they considered it just a starry relic or ruin, perhaps left behind by some ancient human tens of thousands of years ago.

Only the Great Celestial Venerable, hidden in the mist, narrowed his eyes.

He kept it in his heart.

But now is not the time to go. Even if it is truly related to the Heaven-Turning Seal, He must wait until after Ascension to Divinity to discuss it.

After the exchange of All Seats, the True Person, as was customary, sketched out light and shadow, which Kong Shentong then offered as a sacrifice.

This guy wasn't stingy at all; with a heavy heart, he sacrificed a full five thousand years of his spiritual cultivation!

During this gathering in the heavens, the Great Celestial Venerable remained silent throughout, simply observing quietly.

As light and shadow painted the scene, and spiritual cultivation was stripped away, the True Person spoke in a clear voice:

"From this day forward, you shall be the Tenth Seat."

Kong Shentong's shouts of "Boundless Heavenly Venerate" were not particularly devout; they only showed fear and awe of the stronger being.

It's coming to an end.

"I'll say it again," Kong Shentong said with a smile, "Since we can gather Above High Heaven, and since we can worship the Heavenly Venerable together, then it is fate."

"If any of you encounter danger, those of the Ancient Sage Faction may directly address him as 'Pope,' followed by the title 'High Heaven.' The rest of you should High Antiquity Saint' before 'Pope.'"

"In this way, I will be able to sense it and lend a helping hand."

The All Seats the table looked at each other, and apart from Miss Mingyue, everyone else bowed and paid their respects to Kong Shentong.

It was at this time.

The Celestial Venerable raised his eyes and softly said:

"Retreat."

Tenth Seat in a row were subsequently lost and expelled from the Dao Palace.

The Dao Palace returned to its tranquil state.

"Kong Shentong," the Heavenly Venerable murmured in a low voice.

The World Plateau.

Above the Other Shore World.

Kong Shentong sat upright in the celestial dome, his lowered eyelids slightly raised, and he glanced discreetly at the assembled All Gods.

He pondered for a moment, his thoughts returning to his true form—what was here was merely a luminous incarnation of himself.

As for the real body, it is currently in the capital.

"Reveal my Imperial Decree."

Kong Shentong summoned his attendants and calmly instructed them:

"Have the Research Institute submit me a copy of their latest research report on the Root Layer. Also, have them provide me with a list of the Probe Team they've recently dispatched to space."

"Yes, sir." The attendant nodded and was about to leave when Kong Shentong called him back.

"In addition."

After a moment's hesitation, Kong Shentong waved his hand, and a hazy mist enveloped the area, isolating it from the outside world and eliminating any possibility of being spied on.

He then said:

"Issue my secret order: send two ministerial-level officials and one deputy director from the Investigation Department to the World Plateau to investigate that Buddha."

"If necessary, a hunt can be conducted."

The Investigation Department oversees all Investigation Bureau in the Forty-Nine Provinces. It comprises one division and thirty-six departments, each headed by a highly respected figure.

The deputy directors are all highly capable individuals.

The attendant asked in surprise, "World Honored One? Which World-Honored Tathagata?"

Isn't this Evil God listed by the council? Why does Your Excellency need to issue a secret decree? Wouldn't it be just as effective to simply give a direct order?

Although the attendant was puzzled, he did not ask any questions, but simply responded respectfully.

Kong Shentong stroked his chin:

"Finally, we'll use some of the Investigation Department's spies embedded within the Western Sect to investigate whether there's anything happening within the Western Sect where someone's heart is used as a dwelling place."

"Yes, sir." The attendant took his leave again and quietly departed, leaving Kong Shentong sitting alone, his gaze unfathomable.

"Above High Heaven."

He murmured softly, then took out the High Heaven Token that had been isolated in the void, and gently stroked it.

"Heavenly Venerable One above," Kong Shentong murmured to himself.

A divine realm.

The ten sacred Cave Heaven rotate, and as the [Huangtian Heavenly Position] merges with the last sacred Cave Heaven, the Ten Sages Scripture rejoice.

The Saint Golden Body is nearing completion.

Zhang Fusheng's face showed no joy; he remained extremely calm and indifferent.

The ten sacred Cave Heaven shone ever brighter.

The World Honored One, the Central Pole, and then the Eight Great Heavenly Positions: Ksitigarbha, the Green Emperor, Meng Po, the Ghost Emperor, the Judge, and Impermanence, plus the later Heavenly Huangtian Heavenly Position.

Although the Buddha did not attain heavenly status, he still possessed physical form.

Thus, with each of the ten Cave Heaven enshrining a celestial position, the Ten Sages Scripture were Perfection.

The Saint Golden Body, his words carry the law, Golden Mouth Jade Words.

Zhang Fusheng felt neither sorrow nor joy, silently sensing the earth-shattering changes within himself, still recalling the words of that creature upstream.

Will I become someone else?

He muttered to himself, and suddenly a sense of agitation arose—his spiritual awareness was giving him a warning.

Zhang Fusheng exhaled a breath of stale air and squinted his eyes:

"Someone is plotting against me. Is it Kong Shentong? Or the Ancestor of Land Immortals? Or some other being?"

The radiant golden body was forged bit by bit.

Judging by the time, Lin Changle should be returning to the [Other Shore World] soon, carrying her Nine-Ringed Zen Staff and Brocade Cassock.

The Beginning of the Journey to the West began at this very moment.

As for February 9th?

"Why must we wait until February 9th?" Zhang Fusheng muttered to himself, his eyes growing increasingly gloomy.

He is going to Ascension to Divinity.