Upon entering the residence of the Great Emperor Zhenwu in Heavenly Court, Xu Xiao, with an air of familiarity, sat down with the monkey and began sipping tea.
Zhenwu wasn't in a hurry to get to the point. Instead, he spent a long time chatting and drinking tea with the two of them, until the monkey finally lost his patience.
"Your Majesty, please stop keeping us in suspense. Are you aware of how the Western Sect intends to make things difficult for us brothers on this journey to the Journey to the West?"
Throughout the myriad realms where the monkey and Xu Xiao's true spirits have reincarnated, they have generally addressed each other as brothers, and their bond has only grown stronger over time. Now, the monkey has even started calling Xu Xiao "elder brother."
" Wukong, do not be rude to your senior brother, and do not be impulsive."
Xu Xiao feigned a reprimand to Wukong, then proceeded to pour a cup of tea for the Great Emperor Zhenwu.
"It was my senior brother who told me to intervene in this journey to the Journey to the West, saying that he wanted to show them the power of our Daoist Sect. Now that the time has come, my senior brother will certainly not abandon us."
"Haha! Alright, you're making fun of me, aren't you?" The Great Emperor Zhenwu laughed, holding a teacup in one hand and pointing at Xu Xiao with the other.
"No, no, I absolutely didn't mean that, it's just that you..." Xu Xiao said with a forced smile.
"I joined the Journey to the West to the West as my senior brother advised. Now that the Journey to the West has begun, my senior brother should also reveal to me the rules and regulations of the elders in this sect, so that I can act accordingly."
"Alright, alright. Although the specific details of the calamity cannot be revealed, now that the calamity of the Journey to the West has begun, I can offer you a few pointers."
"Besides, as a recluse, how could you not know the ins and outs of this calamity on your journey to the Journey to the West?" Zhenwu said with a smile.
"I was just afraid that my actions might interfere with the future. The cause and effect of countless worlds are interconnected, let alone this important matter concerning the Journey to the West journey of our two religions. Please enlighten me, senior brother." Xu Xiao stood up and bowed respectfully.
"You, you..." Zhenwu stood up and pressed Xu Xiao down, refusing to accept his bow. "We brothers don't do these things. In truth, it's the sect that's making you bear this karma."
"This Journey to the West is essentially the same: to send Jin Chanzi, who was reincarnated in the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, to the Western Sect to seek Buddhist scriptures and enlighten the world. It is a great and meritorious deed."
"However, because of your intervention, the person most destined to face this calamity has changed."
As he spoke, Sovereign Lord Zhenwu turned his gaze to the monkey, then looked at Xu Xiao, "You haven't told him the specifics of the Journey to the West yet, have you?"
"Of course not. Although Wukong is destined to enter this tribulation, he is entangled in boundless karma. I only gave him a slight hint once, and did not add anything unnecessary."
Xu Xiao was aware of the implications. He had only told the monkey about how Buddhist Sect was using him to complete the Journey to the Journey to the West, but he hadn't gone into details.
On the one hand, cause and effect are unpredictable, and once it is spoken, it will change, thus causing even greater trouble; on the other hand, Xu Xiao himself also wants to see if this journey to the Journey to the West will ultimately lead back to the pilgrimage route.
A familiar story is always easier to manage and more likely to be changed at crucial moments than a completely unfamiliar development.
Gaining the Power of Variables is important, but one shouldn't turn against the Buddhist Sect too early for it.
"That's good. Knowing too much isn't a good thing for him." Zhenwu nodded, then looked at Xu Xiao.
"According to the instructions of our elders, this Journey to the West will still primarily focus on escorting Jin Chanzi to the Western Sect to retrieve the scriptures. However, originally, Wukong was required to act as his protector, subduing demons and monsters along the way to obtain the true scriptures."
"Just because of the conflict five hundred years ago, neither you nor Wukong would probably want to serve as protectors for the Western Sect anymore, right?"
"What the hell! Those bald monks are plotting against Old Sun, Old Sun! I wish I could ruin their pilgrimage!" the monkey said viciously.
Having learned some about future karma from Xu Xiao, he was naturally extremely unhappy about others controlling his destiny. It would be difficult for him to serve the Western Sect now.
" Wukong, watch your words, trouble arises from the mouth..." Xu Xiao instinctively pressed down on the monkey. Having reincarnated through multiple worlds, he already treated the monkey like a younger brother.
"Alright, alright, you can only say that here with me, you can't say it outside." Zhenwu shook his head, the monkey's reaction was exactly what he expected.
All the Celestials hate being schemed against and controlled, becoming a pawn in someone else's plot. This is something that any cultivator fears.
"Neither of you can genuinely contribute to the cause of the calamity on the Journey to the West, Western Sect is naturally well aware of this."
"But Wukong is the one destined to face this tribulation, so he will definitely be a part of this journey to the Journey to the West. It's just unknown how the Western Sect plans to arrange for him to enter this tribulation."
"The only thing that can be said for sure is that Wukong will not have any life-threatening worries. As the one destined to face this calamity, he represents the destiny of this Journey to the West."
But only you!
Zhenwu looked at Xu Xiao with a serious expression. This was the pawn that the Daoist Sect had planted to interfere in their scheme.
"Since they promised the Western Sect they would let you enter the tribulation, this time, they will most likely have a fierce battle with you."
"Whether you are arranged to embark on the journey to the Journey to the West, or to become a calamity on that Journey to the West, you are destined to be plotted against."
"If the Western Sect were to use the pretext of calamity to settle scores with you, even we wouldn't be able to easily intervene. Are you frightening?"
Fear? Of course I'm afraid! But I already agreed, and besides, the feud has already been formed, so what's the use of being afraid now?
Xu Xiao naturally wouldn't show weakness at this moment. If he couldn't win, he could still run away; he just needed to be careful of the Western Sect members in the future.
"That's nothing to worry about, Senior Brother. Unless the Buddha Tathagata takes action against me, Junior Brother is not someone anyone can easily bully."
"Since I've already promised the elders of the Daoist Sect sect that I would be the one to cause trouble, I will inevitably bear the corresponding risks."
Xu Xiao spoke confidently. Although he had not yet attained the Daluo Fruit, he was no longer an ordinary Golden Immortal. Only Half-Sage could easily defeat him.
"Indeed, it seems Junior Brother has made further progress on the Great Dao. Congratulations in advance, Senior Brother." Zhenwu nodded, then solemnly said:
"We, the elders of the Daoist Sect, are always watching over you in the heavens. No matter how the Western Sect schemes against you, we guarantee that no being above the Daluo level will interfere."
"However, on the remaining journey Journey to the West, it is up to you to discern whether it is the work of demons and monsters or the schemes of the Western Sect."
"When necessary, do not be soft-hearted, and do not forget that you can seek our help."
"Since this is a calamity on the Journey to the West, it is only natural that some gods and Buddhas may perish or disappear."
Zhenwu's words made it clear that no matter how the Western Sect plotted against them during this Journey to the West, it would not exceed the prescribed limits.
At the same time, it also tells Xu Xiao that if he has the means, he doesn't need to hold back anymore; he can use the excuse of the calamity of the Journey to the West to send them to their deaths.
Of course, the Western Sect also have similar plans; it remains to be seen which side will prevail.
"I thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me." Xu Xiao nodded.
" The Western Sect will likely arrange for you to enter the tribulation within the next couple of days. Exercise caution."