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

Inside the dilapidated temple, the candlelight flickered.

Xuanzang's chanting echoed softly, like a babbling brook or a gentle spring breeze.

The woman huddled in the corner, head down, shoulders trembling slightly.

I don't know if it's the cold or the fear.

Sun Wukong stared at her intently, never letting his guard down for a moment.

The golden cudgel rests across his lap, his fingers on the shaft, ready to strike at any moment.

Sha Wujing sat on the other side of Xuanzang, his demon-subduing staff standing upright beside him, his eyes half-open and half-closed.

During his time as a general in Heaven, he witnessed far too many disguises.

A demon is a demon; no matter how well it disguises itself, there will always be flaws.

An hour passed.

Two hours passed.

The woman remained motionless, curled up, occasionally letting out soft sobs.

Sun Wukong gradually became impatient.

He stood up and walked up to the woman:

"Hey, say you're a villager from down the mountain, being chased by bandits."

"Then tell me, what's the name of that village down the mountain?"

The woman raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears:

"It's called... it's called Liu Family Village."

Sun Wukong asked again:

How many households are there in the village?

The woman was stunned.

"How many households... I... I don't remember..."

Sun Wukong grinned:

"Don't you remember? You're from the village, don't you remember how many households there are in the village?"

The woman's expression changed slightly:

"I...I've lived at the far end of the village since I was little, and I rarely go out, so..."

Sun Wukong interrupted her:

"At the end of the village? There's a big locust tree at the end of the village, isn't there?"

The woman nodded quickly:

"Yes! There's a big locust tree!"

Sun Wukong's smile widened even more:

"There's a well under that locust tree, isn't there?"

The woman nodded again:

"Yes! There's a well!"

Sun Wukong laughed heartily:

"Unfortunately, there are no locust trees or wells at the end of Liujia Village."

"I, Old Sun, was just bluffing you."

The woman's expression changed drastically.

She abruptly stood up, her resentment vanishing from her eyes, replaced by a chilling killing intent.

"You stinky monkey, you ruined my plans!"

She swayed and transformed into a white snake, opening her mouth to bite Xuanzang.

Sun Wukong swept his golden cudgel across the room.

boom!

The white snake was smashed and sent flying, crashing into the wall, and the dilapidated temple was on the verge of collapse.

She landed, transformed into human form, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with resentment and venom.

"You stinking monkeys, you just wait! I won't let you get away with this!"

She turned around, transformed into a wisp of white smoke, and escaped through the broken window.

Sun Wukong was about to give chase.

Xuanzang spoke:

"Old Sun, stop chasing."

Sun Wukong stopped and turned around:

"Monk, the snake demon has escaped!"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"They ran away, so they ran away."

"She's injured and won't be coming for a while."

Sun Wukong stomped his foot:

"You're always so soft-hearted! I should have just beaten her to death with this stick!"

Xuanzang looked at him:

"Killing her is easy."

"Even if you kill her, there are other monsters."

"You can't kill them all."

Sun Wukong was speechless.

Xuanzang continued:

"If she wants to come, then let her come."

"Come once, experience it once."

"Once she stops coming, everything will be fine."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and stopped talking.

Sha Wujing sat to the side and watched from beginning to end.

He looked at Xuanzang, and the indescribable feeling in his heart intensified.

Isn't this monk afraid of death?

He remained unfazed even when facing monsters.

Faced with life and death, remain calm and composed.

Is he truly unafraid, or is there something in his heart that is more important than life and death?

Sha Wujing didn't know.

But he knew that this monk was worth following.

The night grew deeper.

Inside the dilapidated temple, the candlelight was almost extinguished.

Xuanzang closed his eyes again and continued chanting the sutra.

The chanting was softer, yet more steady, than before.

Like a thin thread, delicate yet unbreakable.

Sun Wukong leaned against a pillar, holding his golden cudgel in his arms.

His eyes were half-open, but his ears were perked up.

He was listening.

Listen to the wind outside the temple, listen to the insects chirping in the grass, listen to the faint, eerie aura.

Sha Wujing sat at the doorway, his demon-subduing staff resting across his lap.

He is guarding.

Guard this door, guard this threshold, guard the three people in this temple.

In the distance, in the darkness.

Those venomous eyes lit up again.

The snake spirit hid in the grass, gazing at the dilapidated temple with eyes full of resentment.

She had cultivated for three thousand years and had never suffered such a great loss.

That monkey is powerful; she can't beat it.

There were people around that monk, so she couldn't get close.

But she was not reconciled.

The flesh of the cicada is said to grant immortality.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

She cannot give up.

The snake spirit gritted her teeth, turned around, and disappeared into the darkness.

She needs to find help.

If one person can't beat them, they call on a group.

She refused to believe that the monkey could stop them.

Inside the dilapidated temple.

Sun Wukong suddenly opened his eyes.

He felt that the eyes had disappeared.

He didn't leave; he went to find someone.

He frowned.

This snake spirit is quite persistent.

He stood up and walked to Xuanzang:

"Monk, that snake demon has gone to find help."

Xuanzang opened his eyes:

"Know."

Sun Wukong said:

"So we're still going to wait here?"

Xuanzang nodded:

"Wait."

"Wait for her to come."

"Wait for her to bring people."

Sun Wukong was taken aback:

"Monk, what are you doing?"

Xuanzang smiled slightly:

"Du Yao".

"Saving one person is the same as saving a group."

"Why not do it all at once?"

Sun Wukong stared at him, speechless for a long time.

This monk is incredibly audacious.

A group of monsters, and he, a mere mortal, how can he possibly save himself?

Using scriptures?

With compassion?

Sun Wukong shook his head:

"Monk, I, Old Sun, am convinced by you."

"Alright, you wait here, I'll keep watch."

"I'll take as many as they come."

Xuanzang nodded and closed his eyes again.

Sha Wujing sat at the door, listening to the conversation between the two, and the feeling in his heart intensified.

This monk wasn't fearless of death.

They don't take death seriously.

In his heart, there were things more important than life and death.

That thing is called Buddhism.

The true Dharma.

It's not about reciting a few scriptures or worshipping a few Buddhas.

It was something they risked their lives for.

Sha Wujing gripped his demon-subduing staff tightly.

His life was given by the Jade Emperor, and it was also meant to be taken away by the Jade Emperor.

Now, following this monk means entrusting one's life to him.

The monk wanted to exorcise the demon, so he stood guard.

If the monk was waiting to die, he would stay with him.

Anyway, this life is worthless now.

The night passed by, minute by minute.

A faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the horizon.

A commotion arose outside the dilapidated temple.

Sun Wukong opened his eyes.

Sha Wujing gripped the magic staff tightly.

Xuanzang continued to chant sutras with his eyes closed.

The temple door was kicked open.

Outside, a dark mass of monsters stood.

The leader was a snake spirit, followed by a centipede spirit, a gecko spirit, and a toad spirit.

Each of them possessed profound skills and exuded a murderous aura.

The snake spirit pointed at Xuanzang:

"That's him! Jin Chanzi! Eat a piece of his flesh and you'll live forever!"

The monsters' eyes lit up, and they all pounced on them.

Sun Wukong stood up and swept his golden cudgel horizontally.

boom!

Several minor demons in the front row were smashed and killed instantly.

But the monsters kept coming, endlessly.

Sun Wukong frowned.

These monsters are weak, but there are too many of them.

Kill one batch, and another batch comes.

He wasn't afraid, but the monks behind him couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Sha Wujing also moved.

With a swing of the demon-slaying staff, he struck one monster at a time, smashing their brains until they splattered.

But there are too many monsters.

They can't be defeated, they can't be killed all of them.

The snake spirit, hiding behind, sneered:

"You stinking monkey, today is your death day!"

Sun Wukong gritted his teeth and wielded his golden cudgel with impenetrable force.

But the monsters are increasing in number and getting closer.

suddenly.

Xuanzang opened his eyes.

He got up and walked to the temple entrance.

Looking at the monsters covering the mountains and fields, he clasped his hands together.

Close your eyes.

Reciting scriptures.

The chanting was different from last night's.

It wasn't low, it was loud and clear.

Like a bell, like a drum, like thunder.

It echoes through the mountains and forests, resounding in the ears of every monster.

The monsters shuddered.

There is a power within that scripture.

It is not the power of killing, but the power of salvation.

Gentle, yet irresistible.

Like a spring breeze and gentle rain, like the warm sun melting snow.

It lands on your body and then seeps into your heart.

Once it settles in your heart, it takes root and sprouts.

The centipede demon was the first to stop.

He stood halfway there, motionless.

The murderous intent in his eyes vanished, replaced by confusion.

who am I?

where am I?

What am I doing?

The gecko spirit also stopped.

He lay on the ground, trembling all over.

The power of the scripture is washing away his demonic aura, his murderous intent, and his thousand-year-old obsession.

The toad spirit squatted on the rock, tears streaming down its face.

He remembered when he was a tadpole, swimming carefree in the water.

At that time, there was no spiritual practice, no killing, and no attachment.

At that time, he was just a small thing, and it was good enough that he was alive.

The snake spirit's expression changed drastically.

She sensed that her cultivation level was rapidly declining.

A thousand years of cultivation, vanished into nothingness.

She exclaimed in horror:

"No! No! I don't want to!"

She tried desperately to cover her ears, but the sound of the scriptures was everywhere.

It burrows into the ears, into the brow, into the heart.

The snake spirit collapsed to the ground, trembling all over.

She looked at Xuanzang, her eyes filled with fear:

"Who...who exactly are you?"

Xuanzang opened his eyes and looked at her:

"This humble monk is Tang Xuanzang."

"A pilgrim on a pilgrimage."

The snake spirit shook her head:

"No...you're not...you..."

She couldn't continue.

Because the power of that scripture had washed away all her thousand years of resentment, greed, and obsession.

She turned into a small white snake, only as thick as a finger, curled up on the ground.

In his eyes, there was no hatred, only confusion.

Xuanzang knelt down and picked her up:

"From now on, do not harm anyone."

"Cultivate yourself diligently, and you will naturally attain enlightenment."

The little white snake looked at him, tears streaming down her face.

She nodded, turned around, and disappeared into the bushes.

The centipede spirit, gecko spirit, and toad spirit also transformed back into their original forms and dispersed.

Those little demons ran away completely.

Silence returned before the ruined temple.

Sun Wukong put away his golden cudgel and looked at Xuanzang:

"Monk, how did you develop such skills?"

Xuanzang shook his head:

"It's not a matter of skill."

"It is the power of will."

"Ten lifetimes of reincarnation, ten lifetimes of arduous practice, ten lifetimes of making vows."

"The power of aspiration, when accumulated, becomes the power of this scripture."

Sun Wukong seemed to understand, but not quite:

"Wish power? Is it just making a wish?"

Xuanzang smiled slightly:

"almost."

"If you make a wish for ten lifetimes, even Buddha will have to give you face."

Sun Wukong laughed heartily:

"Alright! Then I, Old Sun, will go make a wish too!"

"I wish I wouldn't have to fight monsters in my next life, I'd just eat peaches!"

Xuanzang shook his head and said no more.

Sha Wujing stood aside and watched from beginning to end.

As he looked at Xuanzang, the feeling in his heart finally became clear.

This monk is not human.

It is Buddha.

The true Buddha.

It is not like the Buddhas sitting on lotus thrones in Lingshan, receiving incense offerings from people.

It is a Buddha walking on the ground with blood flowing from his feet.

He is a Buddha who does not use weapons when facing monsters.

He is a Buddha who would rather die himself than not save all sentient beings.

Sha Wujing knelt down:

"Master."

The two words were uttered in a hoarse voice.

Xuanzang turned around and looked at him:

"stand up."

"The ground is cold."

Sha Wujing did not rise:

"This disciple's life belongs to Master."

"From now on, wherever Master goes, this disciple will go."

"If Master wants to exorcise a demon, then this disciple will stand guard."

"Since Master is going to retrieve the scriptures, I will follow."

"If my master is going to die, then I will die before him."

Xuanzang looked at him, his eyes slightly red:

Get up.

"The ground is cold, don't kneel and hurt your knees."

"The road ahead is long, but my knees are injured and I can't walk anymore."

Sha Wujing stood up and stood behind Xuanzang.

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"Monk, you're quick to take on disciples."

"I haven't even called him Master yet, but he's already doing it."

Xuanzang smiled slightly:

"You don't need to call me Master."

"You were entrusted to me by my senior, and we are friends."

Sun Wukong grinned:

"Friends? Sure! I, Old Sun, like that!"

He patted Sha Wujing on the shoulder:

"Junior Brother Sha, from now on call me Senior Brother and him Master."

Sha Wujing nodded:

"Senior Brother."

Sun Wukong laughed heartily:

"Let's go! Let's hit the road!"

The three of them walked out of the dilapidated temple.

The morning light shone down on the three of them.

Xuanzang walked ahead, his monk's robe billowing in the wind.

Sun Wukong followed behind, carrying the golden cudgel on his shoulder.

Sha Wujing walked at the back, holding the Demon-Subduing Staff in his hand.

Three figures, one in front and two behind.

Heading west.

In the distance, atop the mountain peak.

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

Kong Xuan gazed at the three figures, the small white flower on her lapel swaying gently.

This monk has converted another group of demons.

These monkeys got into another fight.

Sha Wujing finally called him "Master".

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

Kong Xuan turned around and headed towards Jin'ao Island.

He still has things to do.

The Jie Sect had just been rebuilt, and everything was in need of rebuilding.

The sect leader's cultivation has not yet recovered, and the disciples' foundations are not yet stable.

This world has not yet become what it should be.

And he will see that day come.

Kong Xuan took a step and disappeared into the morning light.

......

On Jin'ao Island, in front of the Jiejiao Hall.

Three thousand disciples sat cross-legged on the square, meditating with their eyes closed.

A blue light flowed, and spiritual energy surged.

Tongtian sat upright on the high platform, his eyes slightly closed.

He was preaching to his disciples.

It speaks of the true teachings of the Jie Sect, the Shangqing Immortal Method, the Great Dao that he comprehended day and night while trapped in the Zixiao Palace for countless years.

"The Tao follows the natural way and does not require external seeking."

"You have been trapped on the Investiture of the Gods for countless years, your primordial spirits have been damaged, and your foundations are unstable."

"If you wish to restore your cultivation, you must first calm your mind."

"When the mind is calm, the spirit will naturally find peace."

"When the primordial spirit is at peace, magical power will naturally recover."

The disciples listened silently, their hearts gradually settling down.

The Holy Mother of the Golden Spirit sat at the very front, her body radiating golden light.

She was the second disciple of the Jie Sect. She was killed by Jiang Ziya in the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation and was listed on the Investiture of the Gods.

Now that the list is broken and the person has returned, although the primordial spirit remains, the foundation is mostly damaged.

She has been practicing diligently day and night these days and has recovered quite a bit.

However, it is still far from its peak.

The Holy Mother of Wudang sat beside her, her whisk resting on her lap.

She was the only direct disciple who was not listed on the Investiture of the Gods.

During the time of the Investiture of the Gods, she narrowly escaped and hid in the deep mountains, avoiding the world.

Although she wasn't on the list, she spent those years in hiding, afraid to cultivate or break through her limits, fearing discovery by the Heavenly Court and persecution by the Buddhist sect.

His cultivation level not only failed to improve, but actually regressed significantly.

Now that she has returned to Jin'ao Island and to her master's side, she dares to let go and resume her cultivation.

Wu Yunxian sat beside Wu Dang, with the Hunyuan Hammer at his feet.

He was imprisoned in the lotus pond for endless years, his mind sealed, and he was transformed into a golden turtle for people to admire.

Those days were the darkest time of his life.

It has no intelligence, no memory, and no self.

He's just a beast.

Now, he's back.

His intelligence returned, his memories came back, but his cultivation level was far from what it used to be.

But he doesn't care.

It's enough that he can come back.

Zhao Gongming sat in the back row, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

He was the eldest disciple of the outer sect of the Jie Sect. He was cursed to death by Lu Ya's Seven Arrows Book of Nails, and did not even have the chance to be reincarnated.

A wisp of true spirit was listed on the Investiture of the Gods, and was driven by the Heavenly Court for endless years.

He hates.

He hated Lu Ya, he hated Jiang Ziya, and he hated everyone who had killed him.

But he hated himself even more.

He hated himself for not being skilled enough back then, hated himself for being betrayed, and hated himself for not being able to protect his junior sisters.

The three immortals sat beside him.

Yunxiao closed his eyes, his expression calm.

Qiongxiao bit her lip, her brows furrowed.

Bixiao was the most restless, opening her eyes one moment and closing them the next, sighing the next.

Tongtian opened his eyes and looked up at the azure sky:

"Bixiao, your mind is not at peace."

Bixiao bowed her head:

"Master, this disciple...this disciple can't calm down."

The Path to Heaven:

Why?

Bixiao gritted her teeth:

"This disciple harbors resentment."

"We hate that Primordial Heavenly Lord who personally suppressed and killed us sisters."

"I will never forget that day."

"I can't forget his cold, aloof face."

"I can't forget his light, airy slap."

Tongtian remained silent.

He knew the hatred of the Three Immortals.

During the Investiture of the Gods, the Three Immortals of Sanxiao set up the Nine Turns Yellow River Formation to avenge Zhao Gongming and captured the Twelve Golden Immortals.

The Primordial Celestial Lord personally intervened, breaking the Yellow River Formation and killing the Three Immortals of Sanxiao.

That is the deepest scar between the Jie Sect and the Chan Sect.