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

In the Great Thunder Temple, the Buddha sat on a lotus throne with his eyes slightly closed.

But his brows furrowed even more deeply.

The Investiture of the Gods was shattered.

Tongtian has emerged.

The Jie Sect has been rebuilt.

These news reports were more shocking and more deadly than the last.

He opened his eyes and looked at the Buddhas in the hall.

Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Ksitigarbha...

The three thousand Buddhas and five hundred Arhats all wore solemn expressions at this moment.

Guanyin stepped forward:

"World Honored One, the reconstruction of the Jie Sect is a blow to our Buddhist sect..."

The Buddha raised his hand to stop her.

"No need to say anything more."

He rose, his purple-gold cassock billowing in the breeze.

"I am aware of this matter."

Guanyin said softly, "That man in black robes..."

Tathagata's gaze narrowed slightly: "That person is someone we cannot afford to offend."

There was a dead silence in the hall.

Three thousand Buddhas bowed their heads in unison.

The Buddha continued, "I hereby issue my decree: from this day forward, Buddhist disciples shall not engage in conflict with the Jie Sect."

"If you see any members of the Jie Sect, take a detour."

"If anyone doesn't listen..."

He paused, his eyes turning icy cold:

"Expelled from Mount Ling, never to return."

All the Buddhas said in unison, "We will respectfully obey the Buddha's decree."

Guanyin stood still, seemingly wanting to speak but then stopping herself.

The Buddha looked at her: "Is there anything else?"

Guanyin took a deep breath: "World Honored One, regarding the Journey to the West..."

The Buddha remained silent.

Journey to the West.

This is a game he has been planning for a thousand years.

It was the key to the eastward transmission of Buddhism and the unique preeminence of Mount Ling.

But now, Sun Wukong has been rescued, Xuanzang has changed his course, and Tianpeng has been killed.

How can we continue playing this game?

The Buddha closed his eyes.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"The matter of the Journey to the West shall be put on hold for now."

Guanyin was taken aback: "Set aside?"

Buddha nodded: "With that man in black robes still here, the journey to the West is blocked."

"He saved Sun Wukong because he didn't want things to go our way."

"Forcing our way in now will only anger him."

"Mount Ling cannot bear this."

Guanyin's face was deathly pale.

The three thousand Buddhas all changed color.

The Journey to the West was put on hold.

The opportunity for Buddhism to flourish was lost.

That thousand-year-old plan was thus rendered useless.

But they knew that the Buddha was right.

That man in the black robe is someone we can't afford to offend.

Even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun knelt down, let alone them.

The Buddha sat down again, his hands clasped together in prayer:

"Everyone, you can leave now."

"Focus on your spiritual practice and observe the situation calmly."

The Buddhas rose and silently departed.

In the Great Thunderclap Temple, only the Buddha remained.

He gazed at the empty space outside the hall and murmured to himself:

"Master...you've found a good vice leader."

"It seems the Jie Sect is really going to return."

The sound was so soft that only the speaker could hear it.

But there was a hint of bitterness in his words that he himself did not realize.

heaven.

The Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor slumped on his dragon throne, his face ashen.

The Investiture of the Gods was shattered.

All those primordial spirits were taken away by Tongtian.

The foundation of Heaven was destroyed overnight.

The four Celestial Masters knelt before the hall, trembling all over.

Venus stepped forward and said softly:

"Your Majesty, with the reconstruction of the Jie Sect, we..."

The Jade Emperor raised his hand to stop him.

"I know."

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down:

"By imperial decree, all celestial beings in Heaven are forbidden from clashing with the Jie Sect."

"When you meet members of the Jie Sect, be polite and courteous."

"If someone causes trouble..."

He paused, his eyes turning icy cold:

"cut."

Venus bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

He turned and strode away.

The Jade Emperor, watching his retreating figure, suddenly spoke:

"Taibai".

Venus turned around: "Your Majesty?"

The Jade Emperor was silent for a moment: "Tell me... just who is that man in black robes?"

Venus shook his head: "Your Majesty, I do not know."

"All I know is that he is very strong."

"So powerful that even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun knelt down."

"So powerful that even the heavens would willingly submit to him."

"So strong..."

He paused, then didn't continue.

The Jade Emperor retorted, "So powerful that I don't even have the right to look up to them?"

Venus remained silent.

Silence is consent.

The Jade Emperor smiled wryly.

That smile was bitter, full of self-mockery.

"I have been the Jade Emperor for so many years, and I thought I was the supreme being in the Three Realms."

"But little did they know, in their eyes, I was nothing more than an ant."

Venus whispered, "Your Majesty..."

The Jade Emperor waved his hand: "No need to say more."

"I know my own worth."

"From this day forward, the Heavenly Court will withdraw and refrain from provoking the Jie Sect."

"Let's not talk about the Journey to the West anymore."

Venus nodded: "Your Majesty is wise."

The Jade Emperor leaned back on his dragon throne, gazing at the empty space outside the palace.

Suddenly, something came to mind.

"And where is Sun Wukong now?"

Venus said, "I have discovered that Sun Wukong and Xuanzang are heading east."

"We will not take the westward route, nor will we go to Mount Ling."

"I don't know where to go."

The Jade Emperor frowned: "Go to the east? What's in the east?"

Venus shook his head: "I don't know."

"Xuanzang has regained Jin Chanzi's memories, it seems... he has other plans."

The Jade Emperor remained silent for a long time before slowly saying:

"Keep a close eye on it."

"If they don't move, we won't move either."

"If they move..."

He paused, then added, "We can't stop them either."

Venus smiled wryly: "Your Majesty is right."

The hall fell silent once more.

The Jade Emperor gazed into the void and murmured to himself:

"It seems that the world is about to change."

Jin'ao Island.

Inside the Jiejiao Hall, Tongtian sat upright on a high platform.

The disciples sat on both sides, their imposing presence overwhelming.

The Investiture of the Gods was shattered, the primordial spirit returned to its place, and the Intercepting Sect was rebuilt.

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

But Heaven knows that this is only the beginning.

He looked toward the figure in black robes beside the palace gate:

"Fellow Daoist, what should we do next?"

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly:

"First secure internal stability, then deal with external threats."

"The disciples' cultivation has not yet recovered and they need time to recuperate."

"Even the sect leader needs to stabilize his realm and return to his peak."

"It's not advisable to cause trouble during this period."

Tongtian nodded: "Fellow Daoist is right."

He looked at his disciples:

"From this day forward, you will all cultivate on Jin'ao Island."

"I will personally guide you to restore your cultivation."

"Anyone who slacks off will be expelled from the Jie Sect."

The disciples replied in unison, "We will obey the Master's decree!"

Tongtian nodded slightly.

Just as he was about to continue speaking, he suddenly frowned.

He gazed at the chaos beyond the island, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Kong Xuan also sensed it.

He turned and looked out of the island.

From the chaos, two figures arrived together.

A man with snow-white hair, wearing a Tai Chi robe, exuding Taoist charm.

One person had a cold and stern face, radiating a pure and ethereal aura, and exuding an imposing aura.

Lao Tzu.

The beginning of time.

Kong Xuan's lips curled slightly.

They arrived quickly.

Tongtian stood up, his expression slightly somber.

These two, when they were conferred the titles of gods, joined forces to break his Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

One was his eldest senior brother, and the other was his second senior brother.

But after that battle, the bond between the brothers was broken.

It was cut off cleanly and completely.

Jinling, Wudang, and Wuyunxian all stood up and stood in front of Tongtian to protect him.

Zhao Gongming clenched his fists, and the three Xiaos' faces turned ashen.

Three thousand worldly travelers, their eyes filled with hatred.

Lao Tzu and Yuan Shi landed on the island.

Yuanshi looked at the rebuilt Jiejiao Hall and frowned slightly.

Lao Tzu gazed at the heavens, his eyes calm.

The two walked to the front of the hall and stopped.

Yuanshi spoke: "Junior Brother."

The two words were uttered in a clear, cold voice.

Tongtian looked at him and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Yuan Shi paused for a moment, then said, "I've come to see you."

Tongtian sneered, "Look at me? Look to see if I'm dead or not?"

Yuanshi frowned slightly: "Junior brother, regarding the Investiture of the Gods..."

Tongtian raised his hand to stop him:

"The matter of the Investiture of the Gods need not be mentioned again."

"What are you doing here? Just say it."

Yuan Shi's expression darkened slightly.

Lao Tzu stepped forward and slowly began to speak:

"Junior brother, we have come to reconcile."

reconciliation.

The two words were uttered, and the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Tongtian looked at Laozi, at that aged yet serene face.

Suddenly he laughed.

That smile was extremely cold, so cold that Yuan Shi's expression changed slightly.

"reconciliation?"

"During the Investiture of the Gods, the two of you joined forces to break my Immortal Slaughtering Formation and kill my disciples of the Intercepting Sect."

"Now you're talking about reconciliation?"

"Senior Brother, do you think it's possible?"

Lao Tzu remained silent.

Yuanshi said coldly, "Junior brother, the Investiture of the Gods is a predetermined fate of Heaven."

"The destruction of the Jie Sect was not the fault of the two of us."

"If you are not satisfied, you can go and find the Dao Ancestor Hongjun."

He burst into laughter.

The laughter shook the entire Jiejiao Hall.

"Hongjun? He knelt down."

"Don't you know?"

Yuan Shi's expression changed slightly.

Of course he knew.

The man in black robes stormed into Zixiao Palace, and Hongjun knelt down.

This matter is known throughout the Three Realms.

Hearing Tongtian say it aloud still gave him a jolt.

Tongtian continued, "Hongjun knelt down, the Investiture of the Gods was shattered, and the Jie Sect was rebuilt."

"You have not come for reconciliation."

"We've come to probe their strength."

The Primordial One remained silent.

Lao Tzu remained silent.

Silence is consent.

Tongtian looked at them and said, word by word:

"I'm telling you, the Jie Sect has returned."

"The debts we incurred back then, one by one, must be repaid."

"If you want to do it, you can do it now."

"I have connections to the heavens, and I'll fight to the bitter end."

Yuan Shi's face turned ashen.

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

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me.

There was anger, resentment, and a hint of indescribable guilt.

But he did not back down.

He is Yuanshi Tianzun, the Jade Purity Saint.

He will not back down.

Lao Tzu raised his hand and stopped the beginning of the universe.

He gazed at the towering peaks and slowly spoke:

"Junior brother, I didn't come here today to argue."

"This is for the peace and tranquility of the three realms."

"The reconstruction of the Jie Sect caused turmoil in the Heavenly Court and the shrinking of Mount Ling."

"The格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall structure and overall situation) of the Three Realms has completely changed overnight."

"If you continue to expand, the Three Realms will surely be thrown into chaos."

Tongtian looked at him and asked, "So?"

Lao Tzu said, "Therefore, rules must be established."

"The territory of the Jie Sect, the territory of the Heavenly Court, and the territory of Mount Ling."

"Each should guard its own territory and not invade the other's territory."

Tongtian remained silent.

He looked at Kong Xuan.

Kong Xuan stood with his hands behind his back beside the palace gate, without saying a word.

Seeing Tongtian looking over, he slowly spoke:

"Rules can be set."

Laozi and Yuanshi both looked at him.

Kong Xuan said calmly, "But the rules cannot be set by you."

Yuanshi's expression changed slightly: "Then who will decide?"

Kong Xuan looked at him and said, "Me."

Upon uttering the single word, Yuanshi's face turned ashen.

When has he, a dignified saint of the Jade Purity Realm, ever been treated like this?

But he dared not retaliate.

Because he couldn't see through this person.

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

Kong Xuan continued, "The territory of the Jie Sect is Jin'ao Island and the surrounding chaos spanning tens of thousands of miles."

"Disciples of the Jie Sect will not proactively infringe upon others."

"But what if someone attacks..."

He paused, his eyes turning slightly cold:

"Kill without mercy."

Yuan Shi gritted his teeth: "You..."

Lao Tzu raised his hand to stop him.

He looked at Kong Xuan and slowly nodded:

"it is good."

"As you say, fellow Daoist."

Yuan Shi suddenly turned his head: "Senior Brother!"

Laozi didn't look at him, but only at Kong Xuan:

"Fellow Daoist, I entrust the peace and tranquility of the Three Realms to you."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly.

Lao Tzu turned around and walked towards the edge of the island.

Yuanshi stood still, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Finally, he flicked his sleeve and followed.

Two figures disappeared into the chaos.

The Jiejiao Hall was deathly silent.

Tongtian gazed in the direction where Laozi and Yuanshi had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long silence, he said softly:

"Fellow Daoist, you agreed too quickly."

Kong Xuan turned around: "Why?"

Tongtian said, "Laozi and Yuanshi are clearly here to test us."

"If you agree to the rules, they'll know we won't take action for the time being."

"This gave them time to prepare."

Kong Xuan said calmly, "I know."

Tongtian was taken aback: "Then why are you still..."

Kong Xuan looked at him: "Master, if we act now, can we win?"

Tongtian remained silent.

His cultivation has just recovered and has not yet reached its peak.

The disciples' cultivation was greatly damaged, and the three thousand mortal guests were even weaker.

Taking action now would undoubtedly result in defeat.

Kong Xuan continued, "Agreeing to the rules is giving them face, and it also gives us time."

"Wait until the leader returns to his peak, and until the disciples recover their cultivation."

"At that time, whether or not there were rules was no longer up to them."

Tongtian looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed far-sighted."

Kong Xuan shook his head: "It's not a well-thought-out plan, it's something we have no choice but to do."

"If you don't have the strength, you can only endure it."

"Wait until you've had enough before you take action."

Tongtian nodded: "Fellow Daoist is right."

He turned and looked at his disciples:

"Did you hear everything?"

"From today onwards, I will retreat into seclusion for spiritual practice."

"Anyone who slacks off will be expelled from the Jie Sect."

The disciples shouted in unison, "We obey the Master's decree!"

Peace has returned to Jin'ao Island.

But beneath that calm, undercurrents were surging.

The Jie Sect is gathering strength and waiting.

Waiting for the right opportunity.

Waiting for an opportunity that will shake the three realms.

Kong Xuan stood on the edge of the island, gazing at the churning chaos.

Suddenly, he spoke:

"Master, I'm going out for a bit."

Tongtian was taken aback: "Where to?"

Kong Xuan looked eastward: "Let's go see that monk and the monkey."

"They've been gone for so long, they should go and see them."

Tongtian nodded: "Okay."

Kong Xuan turned around, took a step, and disappeared into the chaos.

Kong Xuan left Jin'ao Island and headed east.

Chaos surged beneath his feet, and stars swirled around him.

He moved unhurriedly, his black robe fluttering gently.

The monk and the monkey have been gone for some time now.

It's time to go check it out.

Southern Jambudvipa.

An unnamed, desolate mountain.

The mountain is not high, but it is dangerous.

The forest is not dense, but it is deep.

Xuanzang walked ahead, his monk's shoes were already worn out, and his feet were wrapped with strips of cloth, which were soaked in blood.

But he kept going.

Step by step, steadily and surely.

Sun Wukong followed behind, holding a few wild fruits in his hands, chewing on one, and mumbled:

"Monk, take a rest."

Xuanzang shook his head:

"Not tired."

"I can still walk."

Sun Wukong pouted, "You're not tired, but I, Old Sun, am tired."

"I've been following you for so many days, and we haven't seen a single monster. I'm so bored."

Xuanzang smiled slightly:

"Isn't it good if there are no monsters?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head: "It's good, but I'm itching to fight."

Xuanzang did not answer.

Just keep going.

Sun Wukong sighed and followed.

He's not actually tired.

He was at the peak of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm; walking this short distance wouldn't even break a sweat.

He just felt sorry for the monk.

But he knew he couldn't persuade him otherwise.

This monk is as stubborn as a donkey.