Investiture of the Gods: I am Bigan, the Master of Conspiracy

At this moment, Sun Wukong was filled with excitement, and the enormous fog began to dissipate.

Fragmented information is now being pieced together, barely managing to merge countless fragments of information into one.

“I, Old Sun, am on par with you, the Three-Eyed One, but you, Yang Jian, are not even ranked in the Three Realms. So what makes me, Old Sun, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?”
Those people are probably laughing at me, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, behind my back, aren't they?
Are you kidding me for my legendary havoc in the Heavenly Palace back then?

You all laugh at me, Old Sun, for daring to wreak havoc in the Underworld, don't you? But what right do I, Old Sun, have to wreak havoc in the Underworld? And what right do I have to cause chaos in the Heavenly Palace? Why are you all condoning me, Old Sun? Who is really playing tricks on me, Old Sun?

Deep within the chaos, the two sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, gazed at each other.

Jieyin looked worried and couldn't help but sigh, "Junior brother, Wukong knows the truth and can't hide it anymore. If this continues, I'm afraid it will eventually come back to you."

The words of the guide carried a heavy and helpless tone; even though he knew this day would come, it still arrived.

Zhunti pondered for a moment, his eyes flickering uncertainly, before slowly saying, "The fact that Chechi Kingdom failed to replace Wukong inevitably leads to the investigation of this humble Taoist. However, regardless of the circumstances, the most urgent task is to ensure that Wukong completes the pilgrimage to the West. The greater good is paramount."

Jieyin was slightly taken aback and asked, "Junior Brother, do you mean to send your clone to appease Wukong so that he can continue to retrieve the scriptures?"

Zhunti nodded slightly, his expression calm, and said, "That's right. Although Wukong has realized that someone is playing tricks on him, he still trusts me to some extent. As long as I send someone to comfort him, I can definitely calm him down."

When Sun Wukong faced a desperate situation, it was Subhuti who gave him a golden elixir to save his life, and he successfully survived Laozi's Eight Trigrams Furnace.

It can be said that this incident made it absolutely impossible for Sun Wukong to suspect that his revered master was the one who plotted against him.

When Sun Wukong investigates this matter, it is not easy. First, he suspects, then he looks for evidence, and he firmly believes in his suspicions. Only step by step can he dispel the fog of mystery.

Sun Wukong is now unable to even have a basic doubt, so only Subhuti can calm him down now that he is in this state.

Jieyin frowned, his face showing worry: "I'm afraid the Jie Church will take the opportunity to expose us, or even use this matter to plot against us."

Zhunti smiled faintly, his smile revealing composure: "It's alright. The Jie Sect is not yet ready to fight us. They are currently busy plotting for Bai Suzhen to take over the demon race and sending Yang Chan to promote the human race. These plans all need time to be perfected. If Wukong abandons the journey to the West at this time, it will not be a good thing for the Jie Sect. As for Ziyu, with his wisdom, he would not be so irrational."

After listening, Jieyin nodded slightly and agreed, saying, "Junior Brother is quite right. The decisive battle and the restoration of the order of the Three Realms after the battle need to be carried out in parallel. They are indeed not ready yet. In that case, let's do as Junior Brother says and send my clone to appease Wukong as soon as possible."

…………

In the Jade Pure Heaven, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable gazed at the Supreme Pure Heaven and asked, "Elder brother, now that Wukong has basically learned the truth, can the Journey to the West still proceed smoothly?"

Lao Tzu, the sage, remained calm and showed no panic. He slowly said, "It's alright. Wukong is now beyond the reach of ordinary means. Neither Guanyin nor Tathagata can do it. Only Subhuti can resolve this situation. Furthermore, Yin Ziyu will not easily expose him, so we can keep Wukong stable for a while."

Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly, acknowledging Laozi's statement, and then asked, "In that case, where should this decisive battle take place?"

Lao Tzu pondered for a moment, as if deducing the grand scheme of things, and then slowly said, "Although the three tribulations of Wuji Kingdom, Chechi Kingdom, and Tongtian River have passed, they have caused irreparable damage to Buddhism. However, it is still possible to transmit the eighty-one scriptures. Ziyu's plan is to obstruct one of the tribulations and prevent it from being completed smoothly. Now, the demons of Jiju Mountain are waiting for Wukong to arrive, and with Wukong's help, they will attack Lion Camel Kingdom. The decisive battle against this tribulation will obviously take place at Lion Camel Ridge."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun nodded again: "If one tribulation is missing, the whole thing will not be complete. Furthermore, the Buddhist sect cannot tolerate the Bull Demon King's attack on Lion Camel Kingdom. If that happens, Xiniu Hezhou will inevitably fall into the hands of the demon race. Therefore, Lion Camel Ridge should set up the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation."

Laozi replied, "That's right, the decisive battle will take place in the Lion Camel Kingdom. Ziyu will not fail to take advantage of the Lion Camel Kingdom's power. Clearly, he is accumulating power in the mountains and waiting for Wukong."

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "In that case, Ziyu's Great Tribulation Battle is basically as described. Elder brother, since that's the case, then prepare to arrange the Great Tribulation Battle! Elder brother, bestow upon me your Taiji Diagram and Linglong Pagoda, so that everything will be foolproof. I will also bestow upon you the Pangu Banner, even the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation is no problem."

"good!"

At this moment, Sun Wukong was filled with rage, and his aura was chaotic like a raging torrent, churning wildly.

With its eyes wide open and bulging, the Chaos Demon Ape's origin manifested a crimson law of destruction that seemed capable of burning everything around it to ashes. The roar it emitted was like a thunderclap, causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly.

Seeing this, Guanyin quickly advised, "Wukong, please don't get so agitated."

Sun Wukong suddenly turned his head, his piercing gaze fixed on Guanyin, and questioned, "Bodhisattva, I, Old Sun, have always respected you, but now that things have come to this, can you tell me the truth?"

A hint of helplessness and pity flashed in Guanyin's eyes as she slowly said, "Wukong, once you have finished your journey to the West, this humble monk will remove the golden headband from you and tell you the whole truth."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's lips curled into a mocking smile, and he chuckled, "Is this Journey to the West so important to Buddhism? For this damned Journey to the West, they've made a fool of me and even put this deadly headband on me?"

Guanyin sighed helplessly and said, "Wukong, it's not that I meant to tease you, but if you knew everything in advance, you wouldn't have the courage to embark on the journey to the West."

Sun Wukong suddenly chuckled again, his laughter full of suspicion: "Now I, Old Sun, no longer know whether what you say is true or false! You gods and Buddhas, you keep claiming to be for the sake of all living beings, yet you're full of such scheming. What have I, Old Sun, been doing all this way, subduing demons and monsters? Are you worried that I, Old Sun, am afraid of your opponents? When I, Old Sun, fought the Six-Eared Macaque, Buddha rushed over to stop me from killing him, wasn't he? That female immortal who blocked Buddha's path must have been your opponent, right?"

"Hey, if the Bodhisattva doesn't explain it clearly, I, Old Sun, won't go on this sutra-reading journey!"

Sun Wukong immediately threw out a series of questions, and if he didn't explain now, things would probably not end well.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was immediately very anxious. If this matter was not handled properly, the great mission of obtaining the scriptures might be ruined.

The Bodhisattva looked up anxiously towards Mount Ling: "Buddha, I have tried my best, but I cannot appease Wukong. Now he is full of doubts, and our journey to obtain the scriptures may be hindered as a result!"

A moment later, the Buddha's calm and peaceful voice came: "Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, do not be anxious, the Holy One Zhunti has a plan!"

Just as Sun Wukong was filled with resentment and confusion, a faint voice rang out: "Wukong!"

Upon hearing this sound, Sun Wukong trembled and instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.

The next moment, Sun Wukong's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, and then, his joy erupted like a volcano.

A Taoist priest with an otherworldly air appeared, as if stepping out from a misty fairyland. Dressed in a simple robe, he stood in the sky, his clothes fluttering in the wind. He was surrounded by a dreamlike and ethereal aura, otherworldly and untouched by the mortal world.

Sun Wukong was initially shocked, then overjoyed, and excitedly shouted, "Master, Master!" Before he finished speaking, he rushed forward like an arrow, knelt down with a "plop," and his eyes were already filled with tears.

At this moment, Sun Wukong, who had suffered countless grievances, finally found a backer and could finally confide in someone.

Subhuti, with a loving expression, gently helped Sun Wukong to his feet, calling out, "Foolish child."

Sun Wukong was filled with grievances, which poured out like water from a burst dam. He couldn't wait to recount how he had been tricked by the gods and Buddhas, his words filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Subhuti listened quietly, a look of utter helplessness on his face, and said softly, "Wukong, I am aware of this matter."

At this moment, Subhuti's thoughts were complicated. He could not gain such respect from his disciples if he did not destroy his source. But if he destroyed his source, he would mess things up and the truth would be revealed sooner or later.

Sun Wukong was taken aback, his eyes filled with doubt, and he asked urgently, "Master, if you knew, why didn't you stop it?"

Subhuti, with eyes that could see through the cycle of reincarnation in the three realms, slowly said, "Wukong, this is a trial for you. Now you have completed half of your journey to the West, and your state of mind has greatly improved. Go on your journey to the West well, cultivate diligently. I will watch over you on your journey. Consider this a cultivation task I have given you. After you have completed the journey, I will tell you the whole truth. Foolish child, I have always been watching over you silently. Do not overthink it."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong felt a sense of peace, as if as long as his master was there, he would be that carefree monkey on Fangcun Mountain.

Sun Wukong nodded vigorously and said, "With Master here, I'm at ease. I'll listen to Master."

Subhuti nodded slightly, his eyes full of expectation, and said, "Foolish child, go."

"."

After talking with Sun Wukong, Subhuti left, while Sun Wukong was reluctant to part. However, Subhuti comforted Sun Wukong.

In Sun Wukong's heart, his master would never harm him. When his master caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace to save him, he had nothing to fear as long as his master was there.

At this point, the Journey to the West, which was originally a scheme by the gods and Buddhas, has become the mission of Subhuti.

The change in meaning prompted Sun Wukong to get up immediately, rouse his spirits, and finally successfully go to find Tang Sanzang.

After finding Tang Sanzang, a giant tortoise appeared to help, carrying the group across the Tongtian River so they could continue their journey to the West.

Meanwhile, in an unknown land, deep within an endless, swirling abyss of ink, a deathly silence and eeriness pervade the area.

The thick, almost tangible, inky mist twisted and coiled as if it were alive, seemingly about to devour everything.

A towering man in black robes, like a ruler of darkness, sat cross-legged on a black lotus that emitted a destructive glow.

This person held a divine spear tightly in his hand. The spear shaft was flashing with the light of the Great Dao of Destruction. The soaring killing aura could pierce the heavens and earth. Wherever the spear tip pointed, the mist in the Mo Abyss retreated as if it had encountered a natural enemy.

Beneath the Black Lotus Throne stood eight terrifying guardians, one of whom was surrounded by raging flames. These flames were extraordinary, an eerie black, and as they burned fiercely, they seemed to incinerate all life in the world.

"Master, your subordinates, based in the Lion Camel Ridge, have already swept across Xiniu Hezhou, but the demon race has already begun their conquest!"

The man in black, his gaze sharp as lightning, swept over the eight protectors before him. He spoke slowly, his voice low and seductive: "The Great Tribulation is the time when demonic thoughts arise in all beings. In this chaotic world, with people filled with fear and anxiety, this is my opportunity. You must do your utmost to allow the demons in all beings' hearts to fester. Only in this way can we help our sect rise again and return to the Three Realms. As for conquest, it is of no consequence. There are no saints in the world now, and how can we conquer those whose hearts are filled with demons!"

The eight people knelt on one knee in unison, cupped their hands, and replied in unison, "We respectfully obey the leader's decree!"

Eight terrifying voices echoed in the Ink Abyss like rolling thunder, causing the ink energy to surge.

The man in black nodded slightly, a sinister glint in his eyes. He muttered to himself, "Ziyu, I've been watching you ever since you started plotting the Investiture of the Gods. I never imagined you possessed such methods, capable of forcing the three religions to such a state. This vast calamity might just help me achieve the supreme Dao. Hmph, as long as there is demon in the hearts of all beings, that demon will never perish. In this life, I will surely attain the Dao!"

Several years have passed in the blink of an eye. The Journey to the West crossed the Tongtian River and the Women's Kingdom. After encountering some setbacks, they soon arrived at Jili Mountain. There is no Flaming Mountain here now, but the Bull Demon King's Jili Mountain is the famous gathering place of the demon race in Xiniu Hezhou.

In the past few years, since Yang Chan was conferred the title of the Third Holy Mother, she has walked between heaven and earth, which are ravaged by calamities, with compassion in her heart. The precious lotus lantern in her hand emits holy light, and wherever it shines, the gloom dissipates and hope is reborn.

From then on, countless young people who had just begun their cultivation were inspired by Yang Chan and followed her to save all living beings. Yang Chan used the purifying power of the Lotus Lantern to protect all living beings and eliminate disasters.

As Yang Chan's footprints spread throughout Xiniu Hezhou, her fame resounded like a great bell, spreading further and further. Gradually, the scales of faith in the hearts of the people began to tip, and they no longer blindly worshipped Buddha, but instead worshipped the Three Holy Mothers.

For several years, Yin Ziyu sat quietly in the depths of his mind, his aura restrained, like a serene ancient divine mountain.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, a transformation that will shake the three realms is quietly unfolding.

After years of accumulation, Yin Ziyu's brilliant mind suddenly burst forth with boundless white light.

The light was pure and dazzling, like the primordial light from the beginning of time, instantly illuminating every corner of the entire mind.

Within the light, the power of transcendence surged forth like a raging torrent, rushing wildly toward Yin Ziyu's exquisite heart.

The surging divine light seemed to be tangible, sweeping in like a tidal wave, forming a huge energy vortex around the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart.

In an instant, the sixth orifice opened, and boundless transcendent power burst forth from all six orifices.

This power is vast and boundless, containing supreme power that transcends the constraints of heaven and earth and surpasses the cycle of life and death.

At this moment, Yin Ziyu opened his eyes and smiled calmly: "The desire for transcendence has finally been fulfilled. The next step is to win the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West and plan for the Transcendence Realm!"

At this moment, Luo Shen arrived and, looking at Yin Ziyu before her, exclaimed with delight, "Ziyu, you've succeeded! You've truly stepped into a new realm, independent of the Corpse-Slaying Realm!" (End of Chapter)