Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

Chaos surged.

Jin'ao Island hangs alone in the void, like a forgotten speck of dust.

On the island, there are two or three thatched huts, with bamboo fences forming courtyards.

Tongtian sat cross-legged on the futon, his eyes slightly closed, and his body was surrounded by flowing blue light.

The blue light was extremely faint, so faint that it was almost invisible.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the island, gazing at the churning chaos.

He didn't turn around, but he saw every change in Tongtian's body.

The Fallen Saint Pill shattered.

The three soul seals were broken.

However, Tongtian had been imprisoned for countless years, and his cultivation had long since declined to the extreme.

Recovery will not happen overnight.

Kong Xuan was not in a hurry.

He has plenty of time.

He had only just made his move in this game.

Tongtian suddenly opened his eyes.

Those eyes were still incredibly bright.

"Fellow Daoist."

He spoke, his voice hoarse:

"I sensed someone just now."

Kong Xuan turned around:

"Who?"

Tongtian looked eastward, towards that vast, primordial land:

"Duobao".

The two words were uttered with an indescribable complexity.

That was his eldest disciple.

Chief of the Jie Sect.

When all the immortals came to pay homage, Daoist Duobao stood at the very front, taking charge of the Jie Sect on his behalf.

Before the Immortal Slaughtering Formation, Duobao went to block Taishang Laojun for him, but was captured in one move and sent to the Eight Views Palace.

Later, Duobao entered the Buddhist order.

He became a Buddha.

He became a disciple of the Buddha, the "Many Treasures Tathagata".

Tongtian closed his eyes.

Does he remember me?

The voice was extremely soft, so soft it sounded like a question to oneself.

Kong Xuan looked at him:

"What if I remember, or what if I don't?"

Tongtian remained silent.

Kong Xuan continued:

"He entered Buddhism and became a Buddha; that was his own choice."

"If you want him to come back, let him choose for himself."

"A forced relationship will not be sweet."

Tongtian opened his eyes and looked at Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist is right."

"But I..."

He paused:

"I want to see him."

Even just a glance.

"Let's see if he's doing well."

"Look at him... does he still remember the Jie Sect?"

Kong Xuan nodded:

"Then let's go see him."

Tongtian was taken aback:

"Now?"

Kong Xuandao:

"Your cultivation level has not yet recovered, so there's nothing you can do there."

"However, it's still possible to meet and exchange a few words."

"I'll go with you."

Tongtian looked at him, his eyes slightly red:

Thank you.

Kong Xuan shook his head:

"You're welcome."

"I am the vice leader. If the leader wishes to see his disciple, I will accompany him."

Tongtian laughed.

That smile was bittersweet, yet it radiated warmth.

Kong Xuan helped him up:

"Let's go."

"However, we can't go too far."

"Your body can't take it."

Tongtian nodded.

The two turned and walked towards the edge of the island.

Lingshan.

Great Thunder Temple.

The Buddha's light shone brightly, and the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The Buddha sat serenely upon a nine-tiered golden lotus, his eyes slightly closed, his face filled with compassion.

He is waiting.

Waiting for the pilgrim to retrieve the scriptures.

Waiting for Xuanzang.

Waiting for Sun Wukong.

But those two people didn't come.

They went to Wuxing Mountain.

They took the five-colored stones.

They met Nuwa.

Then... he left.

We took a route that wasn't heading west.

Tathagata opens his eyes.

A shadow crossed his eyes.

He waited for ten lifetimes.

The plan spanned ten generations.

That Jin Chanzi was supposed to be his pawn.

Sun Wukong should have been his vanguard.

That journey westward should have been part of his game.

But now.

The chess piece has moved.

The game is in chaos.

The Buddha took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart.

Not afraid.

He still has a backup plan.

The Jade Emperor in Heaven will not let this go easily.

Tianpeng is dead, but the curtain remains.

The Liusha River is an unavoidable route.

Xuanzang did not take the route westward, but he wanted to find "his own path," so he could not bypass the Liusha River.

The roller shutter was waiting for him there.

Behind the rolled-up curtain lies the Heavenly Court.

Behind the Heavenly Court is the Jade Emperor.

Behind the Jade Emperor...

The Buddha's lips curled slightly.

Behind the Jade Emperor is Hongjun, the Dao Ancestor.

No matter how strong that man in black robes is, can he contend with the Heavenly Dao?

No.

Absolutely not.

The Buddha's mind was somewhat at ease.

He was about to close his eyes and enter a meditative state.

suddenly.

He sensed a presence.

It's very light.

So faint as to be almost negligible.

But it does exist.

That aura came from outside Mount Ling.

From...

In front of the Great Thunder Temple.

The Buddha's pupils constricted slightly.

He looked up and gazed in the direction of the temple gate.

Outside the temple gate.

Two figures stood side by side.

A man in a black robe with black hair stood with his hands behind his back.

A man in a green robe, old and pale-faced.

Kong Xuan.

Reaching the heavens.

The Buddha suddenly stood up.

The nine-tiered golden lotus trembled violently, and Buddhist light surged like a tide.

His face turned deathly pale instantly.

The Master of Heaven?!

The Sage of Shangqing?!

The leader of the Jie Sect?!

Wasn't he... wasn't he confined to Zixiao Palace by the Dao Ancestor?

How did I end up here?

Why are you with that man in the black robe?

The Buddha trembled all over.

He recalled the time of the Investiture of the Gods.

It reminded me of the Battle of Zhuxian.

I recalled those four swords, the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation, and the scene of the Jie Sect disciples surging in like a tide.

I was reminded of Daoist Duobao.

His eldest disciple.

Now, he is the Tathagata of Many Treasures, who sits beneath the Tathagata.

Buddha took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.

He got up and walked towards the temple gate.

His steps were somewhat unsteady.

Outside the Great Thunder Temple.

The Buddha's light enveloped the area, and golden lotuses covered the ground.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at this majestic Buddhist holy site.

His gaze was calm and unwavering.

Tongtian stood beside him, gazing at the temple gate, the Buddha's light, and the golden plaque of the Great Thunderclap Temple.

His gaze was complex.

He's been here before.

A long time ago.

At that time, Duobao had just entered Buddhism and had just become a Buddha.

He secretly came to take a look.

I glanced at it from afar.

Duobao sat on a lotus platform, wearing a kasaya and holding prayer beads, with a dignified and solemn appearance.

He stared at it for a long time.

Then he turned and left.

He returned to Zixiao Palace and continued to sit in his cage.

Now, he's back again.

Standing in front of the Great Thunder Temple.

Open and aboveboard.

The temple gate slowly opened.

The Buddha stepped forward.

Behind him followed Guanyin, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and three thousand Buddhas.

The Buddha's light shone brightly, and his awe-inspiring power was as imposing as a mountain.

But when Tathagata reached the door, he stopped.

He gazed at Tongtian, at that aged yet serene face.

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

He's called the Tongtian Sect Master?

Call him the Sage of Shangqing?

Call......

He couldn't say anything.

Tongtian looked at him.

Looking at that familiar yet unfamiliar face.

a long time.

He slowly opened his mouth:

"Duobao".

The two words were uttered in a hoarse but clear voice.

The Buddha's body trembled slightly.

Duobao.

This name hasn't been used for many years.

He is the Buddha.

He is the ancestor of all Buddhas.

He is the master of Mount Ling.

It's not Duobao.

It wasn't that leader of the Jie Sect.

It wasn't the disciple who shielded his master from the sword.

He took a deep breath and clasped his hands together:

"The Sage of Shangqing".

The four words were uttered with respect, yet with a sense of distance.

Tongtian looked at him.

Looking into those calm, still eyes.

A wave of sorrow welled up in my heart.

He nodded:

"it is good."

"What a sage of Shangqing!"

The Buddha remained silent.

Tongtian continued:

"I came to see you."

"Let's see how you're doing."

The Buddha remained silent for a moment:

"Your disciple is very good."

Tongtian nodded:

"That's good."

"That's good."

He turned to leave.

Kong Xuan raised his hand and pressed down on his shoulder.

"No rush."

Kong Xuan spoke, his voice calm.

He looked at the Buddha, his gaze calm:

"Duobao, I have a few questions for you."

The Buddha's expression changed slightly.

The man in the black robe addressed him by his given name.

But he dared not retaliate.

Because he couldn't see through this person.

It's impossible to see through even the slightest bit.