Indeed.
This was what Sanzang truly thought.
Saving all living beings, embracing compassion-these were nothing more than a fig leaf.
He, Golden Cicada, had reincarnated to cultivate for a Dao fruit, for status, for a place in Primordial World Heaven and Earth. As for those mortal creatures kneeling at his feet, chanting the Buddha's name?
What did their belief or disbelief have to do with him?
The corners of Sanzang's mouth curved slightly, carrying a measure of smugness, a measure of calculation, and a measure of contempt for the ignorant beings of this world.
A moment later, he reined in his thoughts.
A gentle, jade-like compassion returned to his reasonably handsome face, as though those fleeting dark calculations had never existed.
He coughed softly, turned his head, and spoke warmly to Sun Wukong behind him:
"Wukong, it is getting late. Let us set out and pay a visit to that immortal mountain ahead."
With that, he slowly lifted his foot, ready to continue onward.
However.
Just then...
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Several piercing sounds suddenly rang through Heaven and Earth, like thunder tearing through the sky and shaking the wilderness!
They came so swiftly that, before Sanzang could even withdraw the compassionate smile on his face, waves of soul-shaking might descended with the force of toppling mountains and overturning seas!
Boom!
The void shook violently, and clouds and mist rolled backward.
The spiritual qi of Heaven and Earth within a thousand li seemed to freeze solid in an instant. The blessed immortal mountain, where gentle breezes had brushed their faces and cranes had cried, fell into deathly silence beneath this terrifying might.
Sanzang's expression changed drastically!
All color drained from his previously composed face. His pupils contracted sharply, and a bone-piercing chill shot from the soles of his feet straight