I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Old Luo also looked grave. Those who had previously progressed to this level had never witnessed the scene of being struck by lightning and pierced by ten thousand swords.

If we still can't kill that demon monkey, how can we possibly pass this test?

Ning Chen took a deep breath, looked up at the faint Buddha light appearing in the sky, and shouted in a clear voice:

"We, the pilgrims on our journey to the West, are blocked by 100,000 monkey soldiers on our way through this mountain. These ferocious monkeys are beyond our mortal strength to contend with. We beseech Guanyin Bodhisattva to appear and guide us!"

Ning Chen's voice echoed before the Two Realms Mountain.

However, all that answered him was the howling mountain wind and the occasional flash of golden Buddha light in the low-hanging, eerie clouds atop the mountain.

The compassionate and dignified white figure did not appear as he had summoned.

Ning Chen frowned slightly, but he already understood.

Guanyin Bodhisattva would probably only respond to the call of Tang Sanzang, the ninth reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, on his pilgrimage.

Our group was merely adventurers from Earth, not those truly chosen by Buddhism.

The absence of the Bodhisattva's presence is consistent with the Buddhist tradition of only guiding those with affinity.

Ning Chen pondered to himself.

"It seems that seeking help from Guanyin is no longer an option. Given Buddhism's attitude, it appears that we'll have to rely on their assistance to overcome obstacles like the Flowing Sand River, the Flaming Mountain, and the Lion Camel Ridge. The difficulty has increased dramatically..."

Sha Wujing, the Curtain-Rolling General of the Flowing Sand River, is still doing alright.

But there's also the Holy Infant King Red Boy of Flaming Mountain, and the Green-haired Lion Monster, Yellow-toothed Elephant, and Golden-winged Roc of Lion Camel Ridge.

These individuals, even if they cultivated to the Golden Immortal level, would likely be no match for them.

However, it was precisely because of this that Ning Chen's fighting spirit soared even higher. Without the help of the Buddhist sect, how could I possibly fail to overcome these eighty-one tribulations?

Without further hesitation, he glanced at the monkeys who were standing ready for battle.

"Where are Marshals Liu and Ma? Please show yourself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two red-bottomed macaques parted the group of monkeys and appeared before him, their deep, intelligent eyes fixed on Ning Chen.

Unlike the excitement that Generals Beng and Ba felt upon first meeting, the fleeting ripples in the eyes of Commanders Liu and Ma were quickly replaced by vigilance and solemnity.

They clearly recognized Ning Chen, the second king of Flower Fruit Mountain, but at this moment, the Five Elements Mountain was bathed in Buddhist light, and countless guardian deities and protectors of the Dharma were watching from the shadows. If they rashly recognized him, they might bring disaster upon Ning Chen and his group.

Ning Chen fully understood the other party's concerns, and he nodded slightly.

"We do not wish to cause any more trouble today, and only wish to pass through this pass. We implore the two marshals to do us a favor and allow us and our companions to pass through this mountain."

Marshal Liu and Marshal Ma exchanged a glance, their hearts understanding each other without needing to say a word.

They raised their ape arms and made a gesture towards the endless army of monkey soldiers that covered the mountains and plains.

There were no screams, no roars.

The 100,000 demon monkeys, like a well-trained army, silently parted to both sides, making way for a narrow passage on the treacherous mountain path, allowing only one person to pass at a time.

Countless pairs of crimson monkey eyes stared at Ning Chen and his group with complex expressions. "Second King, after this, we don't know when we will meet again. We hope you will come to rescue us from this predicament soon!"

"Walk!"

Ning Chen let out a low shout and took the lead in stepping onto the path cleared by 100,000 demon soldiers.

Luo Zhantian, Chen Feng, Sun Rongrong, and the others suppressed their shock and doubt and followed closely behind.

Every step they took felt like walking on a knife's edge, with a sea of ​​silent, murderous monkey soldiers on either side.

Ning Chen walked to the foot of Liangjie Mountain, paused slightly, and looked up at the mountain peak.

At the very top of the five-fingered peak, a plaque gleaming with solid golden light was firmly affixed to the highest rock.

The six large Sanskrit characters on the scroll seem to contain boundless power, and every stroke flows with abundant Buddhist light. It is the six-syllable mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" personally written by the Buddha!

Ning Chen's pupils contracted slightly.

He understood that this seemingly insignificant post was the manifestation of the Buddha's immeasurable power and the devout thoughts of millions of Buddhist believers. It was perfectly integrated with the Five Elements Mountain, suppressing his senior brother Sun Wukong's heaven-reaching supernatural powers. The chains and stone pillars were merely the surface; this true word post was the core of the suppression!

A strong urge surged through him; he even wanted to rush to the mountaintop and tear the post off.

But he immediately suppressed this impulse. Not to mention that countless gods and Buddhas were watching at this moment, with his cultivation at the Returning Void Realm, trying to shake this treasure that condensed the fundamental fortune of Buddhism would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, only to invite disaster and implicate the 100,000 loyal monkeys below the mountain.

Ning Chen took one last look at the gleaming golden post, then led the group through the monkey-blocked area, their figures gradually disappearing into the mist on the other side of Two Realms Mountain.

Only after he had completely left the area of ​​the Two Realms Mountain did the familiar divine realm notification sound clearly ring in his mind.

[Journey to the West: Divine Realm Level 3 - Defeat the Demon Monkey at the Two Realms Mountain - Level Completed!]

[Clearance Rating: Due to the failure to recruit Sun Wukong, a key member of the Journey to the West team, the rating is B!]

[Due to the presence of 100,000 demon monkeys, the difficulty of Two Realms Mountain has greatly increased, resulting in a grade increase of one level, ultimately reaching A!]

[Clearance Rewards: Ning Chen, the Divine Realm Walker: Gained +10 to Root Bone, +10 to Physique, +10 to Comprehension, and +2 years to Dao Cultivation.]

A notification also popped up in front of Teacher Luo and the others.

[Gained +1 year of True Qi cultivation, +5 to Root Bone, +5 to Physique, and +5 to Comprehension.]

"It's done!"

"Safety guaranteed!"

"My God, those 100,000 demon monkeys really didn't make a move! Brother Ning, you're amazing!"

Tang Hao swung his fist, feeling the sudden surge of true energy within his body and the obvious improvement in his physical fitness.

"Attributes! They've increased by the equivalent of five years of arduous training!"

Qian Quan, Zhou Tao, Wu Dajin, and others were also overjoyed, high-fiving each other in celebration.

This time, not only were everyone safe and sound, but their gains far exceeded expectations!

A year's worth of true qi cultivation and a five-point increase in all attributes would require years, or even decades, of hard work to achieve on Blue Star or in the Zhengyi Sect!

Chen Feng rubbed the substitute talisman hidden in his chest, secretly glad that he hadn't had to use it. After his aptitude improved, his master would definitely value him even more, and the path to the Great Dao would be within reach!

Just then, Ning Chen suddenly heard the voice of his senior brother, Sun Wukong.

"Junior brother, this item is of no use to me for now. Take it for self-defense, and remember to tell my past self from five hundred years ago to be careful!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an extremely dazzling and domineering golden light shot out from beyond the nine heavens like a comet striking the moon!

The golden light was incredibly fast; it was already right in front of us when we first heard it!

This object, carrying the force of wind and thunder that tears through the void, with boundless pressure, is like a pillar of heaven collapsing, descending with the mighty power of countless ancient stars!

The golden light's target was none other than Ning Chen, who was standing at the very front!

"Watch out!" Luo Zhantian exclaimed, trying to push Ning Chen away, but it was too late.

Ning Chen neither dodged nor avoided the golden light that tore through the sky, but instead slowly raised his right hand to meet it!

A golden light arrived in an instant!

When it was still an inch away from Ning Chen's palm, the golden light suddenly contracted and condensed, revealing its true form.

This is a dark gold rod with purple-gold rings at both ends and mysterious runes engraved all over its body!

Others may not know, but how could Ning Chen not know?

The iron rod before us is none other than the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the very same rod that once stirred up the Heavenly Palace and struck fear into the hearts of 100,000 heavenly soldiers!

It hovered in Ning Chen's palm, barely an inch away, trembling slightly and emitting a low hum.

The staff shimmered with a dark golden luster, and the aura of the Sea-Stabilizing Abyss naturally permeated the air, making the surrounding air seem to freeze.

Ning Chen looked at the divine weapon before him with a complex expression. It carried the indomitable will of his senior brother five hundred years later. Deep in his eyes were sorrow, respect, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

He slightly spread his five fingers and gently grasped the golden cudgel that was suspended in mid-air.

hum!

The golden cudgel did not resist; instead, it let out a joyful chime and fell directly into Ning Chen's palm.

The staff, which was strong enough to support the sky and the earth, began to shrink like molten gold the moment it fell into Ning Chen's hands!

In the blink of an eye, this mighty weapon, capable of stirring up the East China Sea, shrank to the size of a grain of rice, becoming as translucent as a glass needle, under the horrified gazes of the crowd!

In the third level of the Journey to the West Divine Realm, Ning Chen did not achieve a perfect completion rating.

But the nine-thousand-year-old peaches and golden cudgel that his senior brother gave him far exceeded his perfect evaluation.

Senior brother, oh senior brother, you really...

Ning Chen sighed and gently picked up the golden needle with his left thumb and forefinger.

The next moment, the golden needle leaped up on its own, drawing a golden arc in the air, and precisely and silently pierced Ning Chen's left ear.

.......

Not far above in the sky, Mahagateti was reporting to Avalokiteshvara.

"Bodhisattva, they have passed the third trial..."

The Bodhisattva remained expressionless and spoke calmly.

"good!"

"The journey to the West has finally been reenacted! Let's wait and see!"