They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 218 You and I are Destined

A dead silence.

The lightning had just struck, instantly reducing the once invincible three demons of Lion Camel Ridge to ashes. The shock of the scene far surpassed any supernatural power or magic.

Even the golden light on the lotus platform seemed to freeze for a moment at the moment the lightning erupted.

In the center of the battlefield, only Chen Guangrui's slowly withdrawn fingers and his upright yet incredibly lonely figure remained.

On the lotus platform bathed in golden light, the enormous golden image of the Buddha Tathagata gazed across the smoke-filled valley, over the scorched earth and mountains of bones, finally settling on Chen Guangrui. Those deep golden eyes, as vast as the ancient starry sea, were now devoid of compassion and solemnity, filled only with an indescribable coldness, as if they wanted to pierce through Chen Guangrui entirely.

The True Martial Emperor and his heavenly soldiers had already withdrawn, and the West Sea Dragon King and his aquatic army had also fled. The vast battlefield seemed to be left only with the Buddhist sect and Chen Guangrui's group. Even the Yellow Wind Monster's palms, gripping the steel fork, were sweating.

Everyone held their breath, awaiting the possible thunderous wrath.

However, the anticipated storm did not materialize. The Buddha simply closed his eyes slowly, his lips barely moving, and a deep, resonant chant echoed throughout heaven and earth.

"Namo Amitabha Buddha..."

This Buddhist chant seemed to mark the end of everything. The immense Buddhist light that had enveloped Lion Camel Ridge began to silently recede, the enormous lotus platform slowly rotated, and the Buddha's colossal form also slowly turned around, as if to depart.

The oppressive feeling, as large as a mountain, gradually lessened, and the Yellow Wind Monster dared to exhale a long-held breath, his shoulders relaxing.

But just as Tathagata turned around completely and was about to disappear into the golden light, his gaze seemed to sweep across unintentionally and landed on the small figure next to Chen Guangrui.

The little monk Tang Sheng was hiding behind Chen Guangrui, peeking out with half his head and blinking his big, dark eyes curiously.

The footsteps paused slightly, and a grand yet calm voice rang out clearly, carrying a strange charm, resonating in everyone's ears, especially Tang Sheng and Chen Guangrui.

"You and I are destined to meet."

hum!
Chen Guangrui felt a chill instantly rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and the hairs on his body stood on end! Only one thought occupied his mind: Oh no!

He knew all too well the unusual nature of Tang Sheng's origins, and even more so what the Buddha's power meant. The fact that the Buddha uttered the words "destined" was definitely not a good omen; the old monk must have sensed something amiss and begun to deduce Tang Sheng's background.

Chen Guangrui's mind was in turmoil, cursing Laozi for his cruel and ruthless ways. If this old man hadn't forced him to be the first to speak out, he wouldn't have ended up in direct conflict with Buddha.

Now things are really messed up. Not only have they completely offended him, but the other party has also set their sights on Tang Sheng. This old monk might have been too lazy to bother with my meager skills before, but now that he's seen Tang Sheng, who knows...

He was so nervous that his hands were getting cold, and he instinctively wanted to completely protect Tang Sheng behind him.

Not only was the Buddha calculating, but Guanyin Bodhisattva beside the lotus throne was also focused on Chen Guangrui, her gaze filled with scrutiny and understanding. Clearly, as a top-tier Buddhist master, she had probably also vaguely sensed something amiss.

The air seemed to freeze. The Buddha remained silent, the Bodhisattvas gazed intently, and everyone felt an invisible pressure.

Just then, Tang Sheng showed no stage fright whatsoever. He crawled out from under Chen Guangrui's arm, took two steps forward with his short legs, tilted his little face up, and stared at the golden figure on the lotus platform with bright, intelligent eyes.

Amidst Chen Guangrui's terrified heartbeat and the astonished gazes of everyone else, Tang Sheng suddenly grinned, revealing an expression of "sudden realization," and opened his arms to shout at the Buddha.

"Father, you've finally come to find me?"

The voice was crisp and clear, with the innocence unique to children, but the content was earth-shattering.

Everyone was stunned, including the Buddha who was about to leave. The outline of the golden body seemed to freeze almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Immediately afterward, Tang Sheng's little face changed, adopting a mournful expression. She stretched out a chubby little hand, palm up, and skillfully gestured...

“Father, where have you been all these years? Leaving me all alone, do you know how hard life has been? You have to give me some pocket money, right? I'm not greedy, just give me 100,000 taels of gold to calm my nerves, plus the interest I owe all these years…”

Upon hearing this, Nezha, who was panting and leaning on his Fire-Tipped Spear, couldn't help but burst out laughing. He knew this "mischievous kid's" nature all too well; he knew that this boy was a master of empty talk and deception. Watching Tang Sheng try to extort money, he found it absurd and comical, shaking his head repeatedly. Yellow Wind Monster was dumbfounded, his burly face etched with "My God!" He looked at Tang Sheng, then at the imposing Buddha on the lotus platform, feeling his brain was about to explode. This kid's got some nerve!

Red Boy, who had been keeping a straight face and still a little scared, was now so astonished by Tang Sheng's actions that he couldn't close his mouth, his little jaw almost dropping to the ground. He looked at Buddha, then at Tang Sheng, with a "Can you do that?" expression on his face.

Tang Sheng showed no sign of stopping. Her eyes darted around as if she had just spotted Guanyin, and she pointed again with her little hand, exclaiming in delight.
"mother!"

On the lotus platform, the ever-compassionate and dignified Guanyin Bodhisattva's expression showed a subtle crack. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and her ethereal voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"Young boy, stop talking nonsense."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sheng immediately put his hands on his hips, his little face puffed up with anger, and shouted at the sky:

"Nonsense? It was clearly that big...that dad who started talking nonsense! He came up with this 'fate' stuff, what else could it be but trying to take advantage of me? All talk and no action, he won't give me any money, and he wants to get a son for free? What kind of Buddha is this! Can I, such a smart and clever child, just be someone else's son? If he doesn't give me any money, we can't accept this fate."

He rattled off a string of words, speaking at a breakneck pace, yet his logic was remarkably "clear," with one central message: acknowledging kinship was fine, but money had to be sent first! His brash, street-smart demeanor was a stark contrast to his usual image as a young monk.

Who would have thought that a little child, only six years old, could learn so many slick words about eating, drinking, gambling, whoring, cheating, and deceiving so perfectly and use them so skillfully?

How... how was this taught?
The Yellow Wind Monster secretly moved closer to Sun Wukong, "Hey, I heard he just called you Master."

Sun Wukong was speechless: Damn it, you can even come to me about this? That kid is talented and skilled. He's only six years old and he's already so amazing. Why don't you ask me about these things? Why do you have to ask me? His father is over there!
Sun Wukong shook his head seriously, indicating that he hadn't taught him.

Yellow Wind Monster then asked, "Then why does his tone of voice sound so much like yours?"

Sun Wukong: This kid grew up on my Flower Fruit Mountain since he was a child, how could he not resemble me?

Oh no, this is hopeless, there's no way to explain this now!

On the lotus platform, the golden light had dwindled to a thin layer, making it almost impossible to discern the Buddha's true expression. He remained silent, not even glancing at Tang Sheng's absurd performance.

There was only one gaze.

A gaze, profound and deep, seemingly containing the workings of galaxies and seeing through the causes and effects of eternity, swept across the chaotic battlefield and finally landed on the pale-faced Chen Guangrui, giving him a deep look.

That glance, devoid of anger or intimidation, sent a chill down Chen Guangrui's spine more deeply than any words could have.

Immediately, the last bit of golden light faded away completely, and the lotus platform, the Buddha's image, Guanyin, and the Arhats and Vajras disappeared into the western sky like bubbles, as if they had never existed.

The desolate valley was finally left with only the smell of blood, burnt food, and... the heavy breathing of survivors.

"Ugh...oh my god!" Huang Fengguai was the first to break the silence. He wiped non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, then slapped Chen Guangrui hard on the shoulder, so hard that Chen Guangrui stumbled. His rugged face was full of lingering fear and admiration.

"Brother Chen, you've truly caught the eye of Buddha this time! Your name is on his mind, whether he looks at you directly or indirectly. This is something I can brag about for the rest of my life! It's too close, too close..."

Nezha also stepped forward, his youthful and spirited face filled with sincere admiration. He looked at Chen Guangrui, nodded vigorously, and his eyes gleamed. "Well done! That lightning strike was satisfying!"

In his eyes, it was Chen Guangrui who triggered the lightning tribulation, killing the three demons of Lion Camel Ridge.

The scene from just now is still fresh in his mind.

Only Chen Guangrui showed no sign of relaxation or joy. He stared in the direction where Tathagata had disappeared, his brow furrowed, his voice low and somber.
"Whether it's cool or not, whether it feels good or not, it's all irrelevant now. This feud is truly over. From now on..."

He paused, his voice filled with worry, "I'm afraid we'll have to walk with our heads on the line."

At this moment, Tang Sheng, who had been gazing at the sky seemingly lost in thought, suddenly turned his head. He reached out his small hand and tugged at Chen Guangrui's sleeve with a somewhat bewildered expression. He looked up, his bright black eyes filled with a deep confusion beyond his years, along with a hint of inexplicable familiarity.
"Dad, that bald monk who looked like a big golden statue..." He tried hard to recall, his brows furrowed into small knots, and in a child's voice that was both uncertain and instinctively intuitive, he softly added:
"I...I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"

(End of this chapter)