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

"Hahahaha! Tathagata! I have remembered today's ceremony!"
The day our lord breaks free of the seal, he will surely stain Mount Ling with blood and settle this score! We... will meet again!

Poof! That wisp of demonic energy, as thin as a hair, was ultimately mostly swept away by the Buddha's light and vanished without a trace.

However, that tiny, remaining trace of demonic energy, weakened by ninety-nine percent by the edge of the Buddha's light, stubbornly and strangely burrowed into Xuanzang's brow, as if it possessed a life of its own!

"No!"

The Buddha appeared instantly in the meditation room, supporting the collapsed Xuanzang. Vast and pure Buddhist power surged into his body like a torrent, attempting to force out that trace of demonic energy!

However, it's too late!

The demonic energy, though seemingly weak, contained the unique, foul power of the South China Sea Demon Cave, nurtured for hundreds of millions of years! As soon as it entered Xuanzang's body, it did not erode his physical body, but rather, like a maggot clinging to his bone, it instantly entangled the pure and flawless true spirit of Jin Chanzi, representing ten lifetimes of reincarnation, deep within his primordial spirit!

*Sizzle sizzle sizzle*
Like a scorching hot iron branding pure white silk! A fine yet incredibly clear, ominous black demonic pattern was instantly branded onto Jin Chanzi's true spirit! No matter how much Buddha Tathagata urged his Buddhist power to wash and purify it, the demonic pattern remained unmoved, as if it had grown on the true spirit itself. On the contrary, under the stimulation of Buddha's light, it faintly revealed a light of resistance and contamination!

"Buddha! This...this is?!"

Upon witnessing this scene, the three great bodhisattvas and arhats following behind turned deathly pale!
They sensed the true nature of that demonic energy—a filthy power capable of corrupting the sacred origin and directly targeting the core of the primordial spirit! Unless they were cleansed day and night for decades by the supreme merit water of the Eight Treasures Merit Pool of the Buddhist holy land of Mount Ling, there might be a sliver of a chance for purification.

Otherwise... ordinary methods simply cannot remove it!

“Unless…unless a sage intervenes and uses his supreme power to directly purify the true spirit…” Manjushri Bodhisattva’s voice was dry and filled with despair.

"But...but the Dao Ancestor decreed that sages are not allowed to enter the Three Realms..."

Pfft!
Beside him, Elder Faming, whose golden body was on the verge of collapse after exhausting his last bit of strength, looked at the glaring demonic markings on Jin Chanzi's true spirit and tears streamed down his face.

His eyes were filled with endless self-blame and grief, as if all his vitality had been drained away in an instant.

"This old monk... has failed the Buddha's trust... has failed Jin Chanzi... I deserve to die a thousand deaths..." Elder Faming's voice was weak as a whisper, filled with endless regret. Before he finished speaking, his sixteen-foot-tall golden body suddenly shone brightly, then quickly dimmed and dissipated like a candle flame in the wind.

Golden rays of light scattered, leaving behind only a cracked, dull relic and a simple monk's robe. He passed away peacefully, atoning for his sins with his death!
"Brother Faming!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva cried out in sorrow, tears streaming down her face.

The Buddha held the unconscious Xuanzang, whose brow was shrouded in dark energy, his face so grim it was almost dripping with anger! A burning rage raged within him! Maitreya!
Lin Zhu! Gu Yang! And everything behind the scenes! If someone hadn't acted recklessly and added unnecessary complications, how could such a catastrophic disaster have occurred?!
"Buddha!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva, suppressing her grief, quickly reminded her.

"The commotion here is too great, and has already disturbed the mortal realm! Although the Human Emperor has not manifested his divine power, the backlash against the human race's fortune is no small matter! If we provoke the Human Emperor's wrath, and he uses the fortune of human offerings to devour the fortune of our Buddhist sect... the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Upon hearing this, the Buddha's heart sank even further.

The human realm is the foundation of humankind, and the Human Emperor holds a position equivalent to the Jade Emperor and Buddha, wielding immense power over the destiny of humanity.

While the rise of Buddhism is an inevitable trend, if the Jinshan Temple incident triggers a backlash and rejection from the entire human race's fortune, then the journey to the West will inevitably be fraught with countless unpredictable twists and turns!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his overwhelming anger and boundless frustration. His voice regained its usual grandeur and majesty, but carried an undeniable chill.

"Reveal my decree!"

"First, immediately mobilize Buddhist troops and rebuild Jinshan Temple as quickly as possible! We must restore it to its original state and eliminate all traces of the battle!"

"Secondly, you (looking at the Arhats) will personally oversee Jiangzhou to secretly protect Xuanzang... monitor his every move! If there is any unusual movement of demonic energy within him, or any abnormal behavior, report it immediately!"

"Thirdly," the Buddha's gaze swept over the devastated Jiangzhou city and the terrified people, a hint of helplessness and decisiveness flashing in his eyes.

"Make a 'trace'! Say... a thousand-year-old demon coveted the incense offerings of Jinshan Temple and launched a surprise attack on the temple last night. Fortunately, Buddha manifested and repelled the demon. However, the demon was fierce and caused some casualties. The monk Xuanzang was also frightened into unconsciousness by the demonic aura. Inform the prefect of Jiangzhou of this 'truth'! Be sure to... appease the people and quell the panic!"

The Arhats understood immediately and bowed to accept the order.

"I will obey the Buddha's decree!"

The Buddha took one last deep look at the unconscious Xuanzang, noticing the faint, venomous demonic mark between his brows. With a flick of his sleeve, he carried the relics left by the three great bodhisattvas and Faming, transforming into golden light and soaring into the sky, returning to Mount Ling.

All that remains is the ruins of Jinshan Temple, and the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, whose true spirit has been corrupted by demonic energy and whose fate is now shrouded in a huge shadow.

A grand spectacle sweeping across the three realms, a bloodbath and carnage, seems to have only just begun.

Meanwhile, the Buddhist community quietly began its efforts to cover up the truth and appease the world.

On the South China Sea, the blue waves ripple, the sunlight shines down, and the sea surface glistens with golden light.

Lin Zhu contentedly put away the Heavenly Origin Demon Stone, which had absorbed a massive amount of demonic energy, grown to the size of a fist, was pitch black and deep, and exuded a terrifying aura of origin. Although the God-Slaying Spear had not yet returned to its peak, the dark light flowing over its body was even more restrained and profound, and its ferocious power was even greater.

"Get the job done!"

Lin Zhu clapped his hands and smiled at the Fairy Ni Chang, whose aura had reached the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal and whose fairy appearance was even more magnificent, as well as Xiao Qiong, who was curiously looking around.

"Now that this matter is settled and the demonic energy has been cleared, it's time for us to return to Heaven to report back."

Looking at the much clearer sea before her, and feeling the almost completely vanished chilling demonic aura, Fairy Ni Chang's beautiful eyes were filled with admiration.

"My lord has truly performed immeasurable merits, purifying the South China Sea and bringing blessings to all living beings."

Xiao Qiong nodded vigorously.

"Brother is the best!"

Just as the three were about to ride away on the clouds, a dark streak of light, carrying a strong stench of blood and overwhelming demonic power, tore through the sky like a meteor and crashed onto the sea not far in front of them, stirring up towering waves!
The visitor was none other than Gu Yang, who had just "returned in triumph" from Jinshan Temple!

At this moment, although Gu Yang's breathing was slightly disordered, and his body was still covered with undried blood and several marks from the Buddha's light burns, his face was filled with an unprecedented excitement and pride. His scarlet demonic eyes shone brightly, as if he had just completed a world-shaking feat.

He spotted Lin Zhu and the other two as they were about to leave, especially Lin Zhu, whose face seemed to carry a hint of guilt and a sense of impending escape (in Gu Yang's view), which made him even more certain.

"Hahaha! Young friend Lin! Don't be in such a hurry to leave!"

Gu Yang burst into laughter, his laughter filled with smug satisfaction and a sense of "I've seen through you." "What? You just revealed a huge secret of Buddhism, and now you're feeling guilty and trying to slip away?"

Lin Zhu paused, raising an eyebrow slightly.

It wasn't that he was afraid of Gu Yang. With his current strength and trump cards, he could fight Gu Yang even in his prime. Moreover, Gu Yang had clearly just experienced a major battle and was not in his best condition.

He was just a little surprised that the old devil had returned so quickly, and that he seemed to be in an unusually good mood.
Seeing Lin Zhu remain silent, Gu Yang assumed that he had guessed Lin Zhu's thoughts and laughed even more heartily.

"What are you feeling guilty about? I said I wouldn't pursue this matter, and I mean I won't! You've done a tremendous service this time! A truly great service!"

He took a few steps closer, lowered his voice, and spoke to Lin Zhu with a mixture of excitement at sharing a secret and a sense of vengeful pleasure.

"I have good news for you! I've succeeded! That Jin Chanzi, who possesses the merits of ten lifetimes... hehe, his true spirit has been tainted by the demonic energy of the Demon Cave! Unless a sage intervenes, those demonic markings will accompany him through ten lifetimes, never to be erased! The Western Paradise wants to rely on him to greatly promote Buddhism? Dream on! Hahaha! This great gift is enough to make those bald monks in Buddhism drink their fill!"

He waved his hand dismissively, appearing extremely "magnanimous".

"As for those little fish and shrimp you 'snatched' from the seabed... oh, and maybe some flowers and plants? What's that! I keep my word, and if I say I won't blame you for it, I absolutely won't! Consider it your errand fee!"

Gu Yang patted his chest, looking like he was "very generous".

Lin Zhu looked at Gu Yang's "I understand you" and "I'll protect you" attitude, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

His mind raced, and combining his thoughts with Gu Yang's words, he instantly understood what had happened at Jinshan Temple.

A pang of pity for Jin Chanzi and a sense of absurdity that "this black pot is really well covered up" welled up in my heart, but more than that, I felt a sense of relief that "this plague god has finally been sent away."

He forced a complex expression onto his face, a mixture of pity and gratitude, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Gu Yang.

“Senior… Your magnanimity is truly admirable! In that case, I will not disturb your peaceful cultivation any longer. Farewell!”

After saying that, Lin Zhu took Fairy Ni Chang's hand, gestured to Xiao Qiong, and turned to leave this troublesome place quickly.

"and many more!"

Gu Yang suddenly called out to him again.

Lin Zhu's heart tightened, and he quietly circulated his internal magic power, slightly arousing the aura of the God-Slaying Spear.

The Fairy of Rainbow and Xiao Qiong also looked at Gu Yang warily.

Gu Yang's arrogant smile faded slightly, replaced by an extremely rare, even "sincere" expression.

He looked at Lin Zhu, his scarlet demonic eyes seemingly carrying a hint of... "appreciation"?
“Lin Zhu…” Gu Yang’s voice was lower, carrying an unprecedented “solemnity”.

"Thank you!"

These three words struck Lin Zhu like three thunderbolts, leaving him utterly visibly uncomfortable! An indescribable sense of embarrassment and shame (mainly out of sympathy for the other person) instantly washed over him!
He felt his face burning!
"Uh... Senior... You flatter me... Farewell! Until we meet again!"

Lin Zhu practically fled, transforming into a streak of light, carrying Ni Chang and Xiao Qiong, rushing out of the South China Sea without looking back, heading straight towards the Heavenly Court! That speed was more than twice as fast as when they came!
Watching Lin Zhu's "fleeing in panic," Gu Yang's "sincerity" vanished instantly, replaced by an extremely cold and mocking smile, as he sneered inwardly.

"Heh, still too naive! He's terrified by my simple 'thank you'? It seems betraying the core secrets of Buddhism has left him extremely anxious! Such a temperament is just what I need to exploit... Once my lord is born, with a few skillful maneuvers, I'll surely be able to bring this 'traitor of Buddhism' under my command and make him a sharp weapon against Mount Ling!"

He turned around triumphantly, preparing to return to his impregnable demonic cave lair to recuperate and await his master's reward.

However, when he dived into the sea and arrived at the entrance of the familiar demonic cave, the scene before him stunned him instantly!

Clear!

Clearer than ever before!
The vast sea, once shrouded in thick, inky demonic energy, where one couldn't see their own hand in front of their face, was now... crystal clear?! Sunlight shone through the seawater, and one could even clearly see the sand and swaying seaweed on the seabed! The suffocating, soul-corroding demonic pressure had vanished without a trace!
"Ok?"

Gu Yang rubbed his eyes, thinking that his divine sense had been damaged after the battle and he was hallucinating.

"Wrong turn? Impossible! The coordinates are correct!"

He swam suspiciously toward the cave entrance. The entrance, which had been filled with swirling demonic energy like a physical barrier, was now empty and unobstructed.

He swam in.

air!
Empty!

The area surrounding the cave, once teeming with ferocious, demonic beasts and bizarre magical plants, is now... spotless, as if it had been licked clean! There are no beast corpses, no remnants of magical plants, not even a fish bone or a scale to be found! The ground is smooth and clean, with only jagged rocks remaining!

"What...what's going on?"

Gu Yang was completely bewildered. Like a lost child, he looked around blankly at the empty, silent cave entrance.

"Where is my home? Where is my home, that eerie place where demons lurk? Who...who cleaned my home so thoroughly?!"

He even wondered if he had stumbled into a magical space created by a powerful being, a replica of a demon's lair.

Just then, a faint, suppressed cry filled with endless grief and despair (a demonic fluctuation) emanated from the thick, still-lingering core demonic energy barrier deep within the cave, like a wisp of smoke.

Following the "crying sound," Gu Yang swam to the core entrance. Although demonic energy still lingered in the core area, its concentration was more than ten times thinner! The entrance was completely barren, without even a decent-looking rock!

"Why cry!"

Gu Yang was already in a bad mood, and hearing the crying made him even more irritable. He roared at the core demonic energy barrier.

"Is this the Demonic Cave of the South China Sea Eye? How did it become such a horrible sight?! Where is my vast demonic energy? Where are my thousands of demonic beast minions?!"

The crying within the barrier abruptly ceased, and then, an even more violent and venomous demonic thought erupted forth, crashing against Gu Yang's mind like a raging storm.

"Dereliction of duty! Neglect of duty! Gu Yang! You idiot! Useless piece of trash! Open your dog eyes and look! This is your home! Our home! That damned Lin Zhu has emptied it all! Not a single hair is left!!!" (End of Chapter)