Ye Fan was now a Great Saint, with a host of Sage Kings under his command. The Ancient Race no longer dared trouble him.
After bringing back the Silver-Blooded Twin Emperors, Ye Fan decided to try courtesy before force. He sent word to the Buddhist Sect of the Western Desert, demanding that they release his disciple from the mountain, to test their response first.
But the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Desert rejected Ye Fan's demand outright. They even said that Huahua had already joined the Buddhist Sect, and his bond as Ye Fan's disciple had been severed.
Ye Fan found himself with a headache. The Tractor would not act, and the Straw Hat Emperor Weapon only offered protection. With just Celestial Venerable Lingbao's two Immortal Swords, he probably could not breach Mount Sumeru.
The Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Jar and its lid had also disappeared without explanation decades ago. Ye Fan knew they were the Ruthless Great Emperor's Emperor Weapon. Naturally, she was now reclaiming everything that belonged to her. Even the Bronze Ring Ji Ziyue wore had vanished decades ago.
Ye Fan dearly wanted to rescue Huahua peacefully. After all, the Ancient Buddha of Lantuo Temple had once shown him kindness, and he did not want to embark on a slaughter.
So Ye Fan came up with a plan: rally the world to condemn and punish them, forcing the Buddhist Sect to release Huahua. The Western Desert had many Buddhist temples—the Great Thunderclap Temple, Lantuo Temple, the Hanging Temple, and the Divine Rosy Clouds Temple—all ancient Buddhist holy grounds.
Ye Fan learned that the Fighting Victory Buddha had already left Mount Sumeru for the stars, and a mysterious new master had taken his place. The monks who had abducted Huahua belonged to the Great Thunderclap Temple, and the mountain's