Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"This matter is strange. The demonic energy that trapped the disciple is extraordinary; I'm afraid..."

"You mean, there's a powerful force pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

The Buddha's golden eyes narrowed slightly, his anger turning into deep thought.

Guanyin nodded solemnly.

"This disciple suspects that the Heavenly Court is protecting a demon. Lin Zhu's origins are unknown, Xiao Qiong's strength is astonishing, and he is also aided by mysterious demonic energy. This is no coincidence."

In the Western Paradise, the Great Thunder Temple is bathed in Buddha's light, and golden lotuses bloom in the Eight Treasures Merit Pond.

The Peacock King stood beneath the Buddha's throne, and suddenly opened his eyes, which contained five-colored divine light, and his voice was like the clinking of gold and jade.

“World Honored One, I have recently observed the fortunes of the Three Realms and recalled that Lin Zhu once suppressed demonic energy on the shores of the South China Sea for four hundred years. Now, the calamity energy is surging, and I fear there is a sign that a great demon will be born.”

On the lotus platform, the sixteen-foot-tall golden body of the Tathagata Buddha moved slightly, and the golden wheel of merit behind his head spun, his voice as loud as a bell.

"What the King of Light says is absolutely right. However, the journey to the West is ordained by Heaven and is crucial to the great prosperity of our Buddhist sect. As for Lin Zhu..."

At this point, Buddha's eyes flashed with anger.

"How dare you seduce Yin Wenjiao, causing the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi to almost die in the womb!"

In the hall, the wisdom sword in the hand of Manjushri Bodhisattva trembled slightly, and the six-tusked white elephant under the seat of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva roared softly.

Guanyin Bodhisattva holds a vase, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed something strange about this matter. Yin Wenjiao was originally a mortal woman, how could she be involved with Lin Zhu, who suppresses demonic energy?"

The Buddha snorted coldly and lightly patted the lotus platform with his palm.

"No need for further words! Ananda, ring the Buddha Gathering Bell! Today, our Buddhist community will demand an explanation from the Heavenly Court!"

"Dong Dong. Dong."

The three tolling of the bell shook the three realms, and the Buddha's light soared into the Western Paradise.

The future Buddha Maitreya still smiles, but there is no smile in his eyes; the past Buddha Kshatriya manifests as a three-headed, six-armed form; the sun disc behind the head of the central Vairocana Buddha shines brightly; the medicine pot in the palm of the Eastern Medicine Buddha emits a misty aura.

Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Avalokiteshvara, Mahasthamaprapta and other bodhisattvas each held their ritual implements, and five hundred arhats formed a great demon-subduing formation, flying majestically towards the Heavenly Court.

Wherever the Buddha's light passed, the sea of ​​clouds surged and the rosy clouds shone brightly.

The mortals looked up at the sky and saw golden light like a tide in the western sky. They all knelt down and chanted Buddhist prayers.

Meanwhile, inside the Heavenly Palace of Lingxiao, Venus descended rapidly on a cloud, his white beard flying wildly.

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! The Buddha and his followers from the West have crossed the Milky Way!"

The glass cup in the Jade Emperor's hand shattered with a "crack," and the nectar spilled all over his dragon robe.

The immortals in the hall were in an uproar. The pagoda of Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, trembled, and the flames of Nezha's Wind-Fire Wheels surged.

"What a wonderful Buddha!"

The Jade Emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet, causing the beaded curtain on his nine-dragon crown to sway.

"Do you really think my Heavenly Court is without capable men? Issue my decree! The three emperors, Ziwei, Changsheng, and Qinghua, must immediately muster your troops! The Twenty-Eight Constellations shall form the Great Celestial Array! The Five Directions of the Heavenly Gate shall guard the four corners of the Heavenly Gate!"

The Purple Star Emperor's crown shone brightly, and a Purple Star Divination chart flew out from his sleeve.

"Your Majesty, do not worry. We will go and meet these bald Buddhist masters."

After saying this, he, along with the Longevity Emperor and the Azure Flower Emperor, transformed into three streams of light and headed straight out of the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, the sea of ​​clouds has been dyed in two colors: gold and red.

Celestial music filled the eastern sky, and purple clouds rose from the east, stretching for 30,000 li; Buddhist chants echoed in the western sky, and Buddha's light shone for 3,000 li.

The two immense forces collided in mid-air, forcing the chaotic energy beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens to retreat.

The Tathagata sits serenely on a nine-tiered lotus throne, with various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appearing behind him in their respective forms.

His eyes shone with golden light, and his voice resounded throughout the thirty-three heavens.

"Your Majesty, how have you been?"

The Jade Emperor arrived at the front of the battle in his nine-dragon chariot, with the three emperors Ziwei, Changsheng, and Qinghua standing on either side. Upon hearing this, he sneered.

"Why did the Buddha not preach on Mount Ling, but lead his followers to my Heavenly Court?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva, holding a willow branch, stepped out from the crowd on a lotus platform.

"Why does the Jade Emperor ask a question he already knows the answer to? Lin Zhu tempted the reincarnated mother of Jin Chanzi, almost ruining the Journey to the West. Shouldn't the Heavenly Court give an explanation for this?"

"Hahaha!"

The Purple Star Emperor suddenly burst into laughter, and the Milky Way in his sleeves billowed outwards.

"What a blatant distortion of the truth! Lin Zhu suppressed the demonic energy of the South China Sea for four hundred years, accumulating immeasurable merit. It is you Buddhist sects who, in order to complete a calamity, forced Jin Chanzi into Yin Wenjiao's womb, and now you're blaming others?"

The Buddha's eyes were slightly closed, and the swastika symbol in his palm rotated.

“Fellow Daoist Ziwei, you are mistaken. The Journey to the West is a predetermined destiny of Heaven. Lin Zhu interfered with the great calamity, and his crime deserves to be punished.”

Before the words were finished, five-colored divine light suddenly shot into the sky from within the Buddhist formation.

The Peacock King spread his hundred-foot wings and spoke in a sharp voice.

"Why waste words! What Lin Zhu suppressed wasn't demonic energy at all, but rather..."

The words abruptly stopped there, as if some force had choked them.

The Medicine Buddha gently shook the medicine pot in his hand, and a drop of nectar flew into the mouth of the Peacock King before continuing.

"The King of Light has recently encountered a mishap in his cultivation and is speaking incoherently. Please forgive him."

A glint flashed in the eyes of the Longevity Emperor, and he exchanged a subtle glance with the Medicine Buddha before speaking loudly.

"If you want war, then let's fight! Do you think the Heavenly Court is afraid of us?"

The clash of the two armies on the battlefield had reached a fever pitch.

On the Buddhist side, Maitreya Buddha raised the Human Seed Bag, and Julusun Buddha held six arms, each wielding a Vajra pestle; on the Heavenly Court side, the Ziwei Emperor unfolded the Zhou Tian Star Chart, and the Changsheng Emperor had three flowers gathered on his head.

The two forces collided in mid-air, tearing the space itself apart with cracks!

Manjushri Bodhisattva drew his wisdom sword, and its light multiplied into three thousand.

"I have long heard that Fellow Daoist Ziwei's path to the Starry Sky is unparalleled in the Three Realms. Today I would like to seek your guidance!"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's six-tusked white elephant roared, and the golden hook in his hand cleaved through the sky.

"Fellow Daoist Changsheng, do you dare to take my attack?"

Emperor Ziwei sneered, and the Big Dipper flew out from his sleeve, transforming into seven immortal swords.

"I'm afraid you won't succeed!"

The Emperor of Longevity opened his mouth and exhaled a wisp of primordial pure energy, which transformed into a ten-thousand-foot-long azure dragon.

"Well done!"

The Jade Emperor sat atop the Nine-Dragon Golden Chariot, his three-thousand-foot-long imperial aura swirling like dragons, illuminating the entire Lingxiao Palace with dazzling golden light.

His expression was solemn, and his gaze swept across the assembled immortals and gods in front of the hall like lightning.

"Your Majesty, the Nine Luminaries, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, and the Twelve Divine Organs have all arrived!"

Venus, holding a whisk, bowed and reported.

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly and turned his gaze to the left.

The three quasi-saints, Emperor Ziwei, Emperor Changsheng, and Emperor Donghua, stood side by side, their bodies radiating Daoist energy and exuding extraordinary power. However, the absence of Gouchen among the Four Emperors made their union incomplete.

"Report"

A heavenly general rushed into the palace.

"The Western followers have arrived outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, and the Buddha himself has arrived!"

The immortals inside the hall tensed up.

A cold glint flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes, and he said in a deep voice.

"Prepare your carriage at the Southern Heavenly Gate! I want to see what kind of show the Western Religion will put on today!"

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, auspicious clouds rolled.

The Buddha sat regally on a nine-tiered lotus throne, with golden light shining behind him. Three thousand Buddhas and eight hundred Arhats lined up on both sides, creating a magnificent scene.

Guanyin Bodhisattva holds a vase, with Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas standing on either side, and eighteen Arhats glaring angrily at them.

"The Jade Emperor has arrived!"

Someone let out a soft cry.

From the direction of the Heavenly Court, the Nine-Dragon Golden Chariot emerged from the clouds, with the Jade Emperor seated upon it, banners waving behind him, exuding an aura of immortality.

The Ziwei Emperor treads upon the Milky Way, the Changsheng Emperor is crowned with auspicious clouds, and the Donghua Emperor holds a jade scepter; these three quasi-saints exude an overwhelming aura.

“Tathagata!”

The Jade Emperor's voice was like a booming bell, causing the sea of ​​clouds to churn.

"What are your intentions in trespassing into my Heavenly Court?"

The Buddha slightly opened his eyes, and his light shone everywhere.

"Jade Emperor, this humble monk has come today to demand an explanation!"

"statement?"

The Jade Emperor sneered.

"My actions are upright and honest, why should I explain myself to you in the West?" Guanyin Bodhisattva stepped forward and said softly.

"Why is Your Majesty angry? The Buddha has come here because the journey to the West has been disrupted, and he has come to ask for an explanation."

"The journey to the West is ordained by Heaven; who dares to obstruct it?"

The Jade Emperor slammed his fist on the table and rose up, his imperial aura soaring to the heavens.

"Buddha, don't make false accusations!"

The Buddha's expression darkened.

"Why should the Jade Emperor pretend to be confused? Lin Zhu is stirring up trouble in the mortal world and hindering my journey to the West. If it weren't for the Heavenly Court's authorization, how could a mere rogue cultivator dare to be so presumptuous?"

The Jade Emperor's heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong.

Lin Zhu's affair was discovered by the West? But he didn't show it on his face; instead, he laughed in extreme anger.

"What a Buddha! You dare to slander the Heavenly Court without any evidence? Do you really think the Heavenly Court has no one to rely on?"

Before the words were even finished, the Star Sword in the hand of the Ziwei Emperor was already drawn, and billions of starlight converged.

"The Western religion has gone too far!"

Above the head of the Eternal Emperor, auspicious clouds rolled and transformed into countless auspicious omens.

"If you want war, then let's fight!"

With a wave of his jade scepter, Emperor Donghua summoned the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

"The majesty of Heaven cannot be insulted."

The three quasi-saints launched their attack simultaneously, their momentum earth-shattering.

The celestial beings of Heaven responded to the call of the Moon Goddess and the Sun Goddess, who unleashed their divine wheels of the sun and moon, causing the yin and yang energies to circulate. The Barefoot Immortal took a step, causing the void to tremble. The Heavenly Gang Great Sage under the command of the Four Saints of the North Pole wielded his halberd, the Nine Heavens Child-Slaying General unleashed his demon-slaying sword, and the Thunder Messenger summoned the divine thunder of the Nine Heavens.
In an instant, the area outside the South Heavenly Gate was ablaze with divine light, magical treasures gleamed, and a murderous aura soared to the heavens!

The Western believers' expressions changed slightly.

Manjushri Bodhisattva said in a low voice.

"Buddha, why is the Heavenly Court so forceful today?"

The Buddha was secretly alarmed.

He originally thought that the numerical advantage of the Western Sect's Quasi-Saints would be enough to intimidate the Jade Emperor, but he did not expect that the other party would adopt a posture of fighting to the death.

When major powers clash, the karmic consequences will cause turmoil throughout the three realms.
Guanyin Bodhisattva noticed that Tathagata hesitated and said softly.

"Buddha, this matter requires further consideration."

Just then, a purple aura suddenly appeared on the eastern horizon, stretching for 30,000 miles! Two figures arrived on clouds, one with white hair and a youthful face, holding a whisk; the other with a flowing Taoist robe and a mysterious aura above his head.

"It's Laozi!"

Venus exclaimed in surprise.

"And there's also the Void Emperor Dao Lord!"

The Barefoot Immortal retracted his large foot and bowed respectfully.

The two saints descended in their avatars, and the entire audience fell silent.

Laozi glanced at everyone and said calmly.

"What is the purpose of your gathering here?"

The Buddha quickly put his palms together in respect.

"Laojun, please forgive my thwarted journey to the West. I have come to seek justice from the Jade Emperor."

The Void Emperor Daoist Lord snorted coldly.

"Seeking justice? Bringing so many Buddhas and Arhats, are you here to seek justice or to start a war?"

The Jade Emperor seized the opportunity to step forward.

"Your Excellencies, please understand that the Western Sect has launched an unwarranted attack and slandered the Heavenly Court. We urge you to uphold justice!"

Laozi looked at Buddha.

"Is there any evidence?"

The Buddha was speechless for a moment.

Guanyin Bodhisattva quickly said.

"The bamboo grove has repeatedly hindered the pilgrims' journey to the West; there must be something behind it."

What is it?

"The Void Emperor Dao Lord interrupted."

"You dare to question the Heavenly Court with mere speculation?"

The situation reached a stalemate. Laozi sighed.

"The journey to the West is ordained by Heaven, and some setbacks are nothing to be surprised about. You should all take a step back and not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small things."

Knowing that he could not gain any advantage today, the Buddha could only put his palms together and say...

"I will remember Laozi's teachings."

Seeing this, the Jade Emperor also chimed in.

"Since Laozi has spoken, I shall obey."

At the confluence of the three realms, the sea of ​​clouds surges and the rosy clouds radiate boundless light.

The tense atmosphere suddenly froze the moment Bodhi Patriarch arrived on a cloud.

He was dressed in a plain white Taoist robe and held a whisk in his hand. With each step he took, a golden lotus flower would bloom beneath his feet. Every step he took was a lotus flower blooming, and his Taoist charm was natural.

"Bodhi Patriarch!"

Someone among the celestial beings in Heaven exclaimed in surprise.

A commotion also arose within the Western Arhat formation.

"He is an incarnation of the Sage Zhunti!"

The Bodhi Patriarch had a kind face, but his eyes contained unfathomable Taoist wisdom.

He lightly waved his whisk and said calmly.

"Fellow Daoists, why are you making such a fuss here?"

Laozi arrived riding a blue ox, his white hair and beard fluttering in the wind, his voice soft yet as resounding as a great bell.

"I was just about to ask you, what is the purpose of your gathering here, exuding such murderous intent?"

The Void Emperor Dao Lord also arrived from the east, riding on clouds. His purple aura stretched for 30,000 miles in the east, and his majestic presence caused all the immortals and Buddhas present to hold their breath.

The gathering of the three sages' incarnations caused a stagnation in the fortunes of the entire Three Realms.

The Buddha's golden body was enormous, with a halo of light shining from behind his head. Upon seeing this, one had no choice but to restrain one's imposing aura and put one's palms together in respect.

"Amitabha, Your Holiness, please forgive me. The Heavenly Court has violated the will of Heaven and secretly instructed Lin Zhu to forcibly marry Yin Wenjiao, thus disrupting the cause and effect of the Journey to the West. This humble monk has come to seek justice."

The Jade Emperor sat atop his nine-dragon chariot. Upon hearing this, he let out a cold laugh, and the nine dragons simultaneously emitted a low, mournful roar.

He was dressed in a nine-chapter ceremonial robe and wore a twelve-row pearl crown, his face dignified yet with a hint of mockery.

"Buddha, what makes you say that?"

The Jade Emperor's voice was not loud, but every word was like thunder, causing the sea of ​​clouds to surge.

"I have acted with integrity and uprightness. How could I have secretly instructed anyone? It is you, the Western Paradise, who prematurely enlightened Jin Chanzi, disrupting the natural order. Now you are the one who is falsely accusing me?"

The Buddha's expression darkened.

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken! The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi was ordained by the Heavenly Dao. How can there be any talk of pre-ordained enlightenment? As for Lin Zhu, he is merely a wandering immortal. Without the Heavenly Court's authorization, how dare he interfere with the cause and effect of the Journey to the West?"

The Jade Emperor remained calm and stroked his long beard.

"Oh? In the Buddha's opinion, why should I sabotage the Journey to the West? The Journey to the West is a grand undertaking for the Three Realms, and the Heavenly Court also benefits from it. Why should I cut off my own arm?"

This question hits the nail on the head.

Upon hearing this, all the immortals and Buddhas present showed thoughtful expressions.

The Buddha was speechless for a moment, then angrily said.

"If it weren't for the Heavenly Court's orders, how could Lin Zhu have..."

"What could this be?"

The Jade Emperor interrupted Buddha, his eyes gleaming.

"Buddha keeps saying that Lin Zhu was instructed by me, but where is the evidence? If there is no concrete evidence, it is slander against the supreme ruler of the Three Realms. Can Buddha bear this crime?"

Before he finished speaking, the Jade Emperor suddenly unleashed a terrifying pressure, and the nine golden dragons simultaneously raised their heads and roared, their voices shaking the thirty-three heavens.

The oppressive aura was as vast as the ocean, causing many Arhats and Heavenly Generals present to lose their footing and retreat repeatedly.

The Bodhi Patriarch looked surprised, while the Supreme Lord Laozi nodded slightly. The Void Emperor Daoist remained expressionless, but his gaze lingered on the Jade Emperor for a moment longer.

The Buddha's expression changed repeatedly, clearly not expecting the Jade Emperor to possess such cultivation.

His golden body shone with a burst of Buddhist light, barely withstanding the Jade Emperor's oppressive aura, and he said in a deep voice.

"Is the Jade Emperor trying to intimidate people with his power?"

The Jade Emperor sneered. (End of Chapter)