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

What a vicious scheme! What a cruel heart!
What is she planning?
Who sent her?

Is it a rival within Buddhism who is jealous of my position? Or those Taoist priests who can't stand the rise of Buddhism? Or perhaps... some forces under the Tang Emperor who don't want to see Buddhism grow too powerful, deliberately setting this trap to frame me?

Countless suspicions and resentments grew wildly in Chen Xuanzang's heart like poisonous weeds!
He was convinced that all of this was a conspiracy by that "crazy woman" to destroy everything he had worked so hard to achieve!
At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva, who was in the eye of the storm, was also suffering in silence and was so anxious that she was about to explode!

The scene grew increasingly chaotic. The loyal guards didn't care who she was; they only knew to carry out His Majesty's orders and capture this "madman who had assaulted the high monk." Several strong, powerful hands had already gripped her arms and tattered monk's robes, trying to drag her away from the altar.

If she were to use her true magical power, she could easily shake off these mortals, but that would inevitably expose her identity!

The original plan was to make a grand appearance when Chen Xuanzang was at his most triumphant and glorious, and then bestow the true scriptures upon him. That would have been the perfect ending, and everyone would have been happy.

But now... what is this? When the pilgrim he personally selected was unleashing his demonic energy and making a complete fool of himself, he was forced to appear as a bald-headed monk who had "attempted to molest a high monk"?

This scene is so beautiful that even Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't imagine it!
She felt a surge of frustration stuck in her chest, making her feel like she was about to vomit blood!

Just when she was in a difficult and embarrassing situation, a lewd hand, which seemed to come out of nowhere, actually... actually groped her buttocks, which she had transformed into as an old beggar!
"Uhhh-!!!"

This was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, completely igniting Guanyin Bodhisattva's long-suppressed anger and shame!
She couldn't hold back any longer!
"enough!!!"

A clear shout, not from the hoarse throat of the bald-headed monk, but seemingly emanating from the heavens above, carried supreme majesty and vast magical power, instantly overwhelming all the noise and chaos in the arena!
Immediately afterward, under the gaze of countless astonished eyes, a magnificent and auspicious light suddenly burst forth from the "bald-headed monk" who was being pulled by the crowd!
The dazzling yet gentle Buddha light bloomed layer by layer like a golden lotus, instantly washing away the dirty and tattered image of the beggar!
Auspicious clouds rose from beneath his feet, carrying a solemn and sacred figure as he slowly ascended into the sky.

He was adorned with a jeweled crown and celestial robes, with jeweled necklaces dangling from his body. His face was compassionate and solemn. In his left hand he held a jade vase, and in his right hand he held a green willow branch. His entire being was enveloped in immeasurable light, immeasurable life, and immeasurable wisdom!
Who else could it be but the compassionate and merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva of Mount Putuo in the South China Sea, who saves people from suffering?!
"I am Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Greatly Compassionate and Merciful Savior from Suffering and Calamity, from Mount Putuo in the South China Sea!"

The grand and majestic voice, like the resounding tolling of a great bell, echoed deep within the soul of every person, carrying a comforting power while containing an unquestionable authority.

"What you are proclaiming today is the Hinayana teaching, which cannot liberate the deceased from suffering; it can only serve to blend in with the world. I have the Mahayana Buddhist Tripitaka, which can liberate the deceased from suffering, deliver those in distress from their pain, enable them to attain immeasurable life, and allow them to transcend coming and going. It can resolve all grievances and eliminate unwarranted calamities. It originates from the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Great Western Heaven of India, from the Buddha Tathagata!"

The Bodhisattva's appearance was solemn and his voice was loud. He directly belittled Hinayana Buddhism and promoted Mahayana Buddhism, intending to reverse the awkward situation and draw everyone's attention to the important matter of "seeking the true scriptures".

Sure enough, the Bodhisattva appeared in the world, the Buddha's light shone everywhere, and the sound of chanting filled the air. This sudden and sacred scene plunged the entire Huasheng Temple Square into a deathly silence!
Everyone was stunned and speechless by the legendary descent of the Bodhisattva!
Even Chen Xuanzang, who was struggling in pain, seemed to forget the excruciating pain and the burning of demonic energy. He stared blankly at the majestic Guanyin Bodhisattva in the sky, his eyes filled with extreme shock and... a trace of bewilderment.

Those Five Directions Protectors who had fled in panic out of fear of Lin Zhu were nowhere to be found. However, the Arhats and Dharma Protectors who remained, who were stronger and had better mental fortitude, all breathed a long sigh of relief when they saw the Bodhisattva finally reveal his true form. They felt that they had found a pillar of support.

With the Bodhisattva here, all crises can be resolved and this out-of-control situation can be brought back on track!
However, the expressions on the faces of the monks, Taoists, and some soldiers who had just rushed up to "protect" Chen Xuanzang with righteous indignation now became extremely strange and interesting.

They looked at each other, whispering like mosquitoes. Although they dared not speak loudly, their suspicious and inquisitive gazes kept sweeping back and forth between the Bodhisattva in the air and Chen Xuanzang, who was still faintly shrouded in demonic energy below the stage.

"Buddha?
Why...why did she look like that just now?

"They...they even rushed up and tore off Master Xuanzang's clothes?"

"Were these robes and staffs a gift from the Bodhisattva?"

Why did Xuanzang look like that after wearing it?

"Could it be... that there really is some hidden story we don't know about?"

Although these whispers were faint, they were like invisible needles, piercing Chen Xuanzang's eardrums and mind!
Listening to the whispers of the crowd, and combining them with the clues he had just "untangled," a "truth" took shape in his mind and became indestructible!

Yes! There's absolutely no mistake!

It's Guanyin Bodhisattva!
She first disguised herself as a scabies-ridden monk and, through the Tang Emperor, presented him with the tampered cassock and staff that were specifically designed to suppress demonic energy!
She wanted to make herself wear this death warrant-like cassock at this grand water and land assembly, in front of everyone, so that her demonic energy would erupt and she would lose face!

Why did she do this?
Is it to control me? To use me? Or is it that she simply dislikes me, is jealous of the status and glory I'm about to gain, and wants to destroy me with her own hands?!

Yes! That must be it!

Is she afraid that I will become too powerful and threaten her position in Buddhism? Or perhaps she is in cahoots with certain people to completely destroy me, the "Great Master of the Buddhist Order"?
The thought that he had worked so hard for so many years to finally reach this position, and was about to reach the pinnacle of his life, was ruined by this seemingly compassionate bodhisattva using such insidious and vicious means filled Chen Xuanzang with overwhelming resentment and a crazy desire for revenge!
"Guanyin...Bodhisattva...Good! Very good!"

Chen Xuanzang kept his head down and squeezed out these words through gritted teeth in a voice only he could hear. His blood-red eyes, hidden in the shadows, were filled with endless resentment and madness.

"You have ruined my future and humiliated my dignity today... I, Chen Xuanzang, swear I will not rest until I avenge this! You just wait! One day, I will make you pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price for what you have done today!"

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms. In his body, which was still trembling slightly due to the conflict between demonic energy and Buddhist light, a seed filled with hatred and darkness had been quietly planted and had begun to take root and sprout wildly.

Just as Chen Xuanzang's heart was being consumed by endless resentment and madness, and the lurking demon was about to break free of its restraints, Guanyin Bodhisattva in the sky also realized that the situation was not good.

She suppressed her frustration and anger, trying to get the situation back on track.

With a gentle wave of her jade-like hand, the verdant willow branches, glistening with the radiant glow of celestial dew, were lightly sprinkled upon Chen Xuanzang on the altar.

The gentle yet vast power of Buddhism descended like sweet rain. The brocade robe and nine-ringed staff that had been clinging tightly to Chen Xuanzang seemed to be drawn away by an invisible force, automatically detaching from his body and swirling to the side.

Guanyin Bodhisattva's intention in doing this was to relieve Chen Xuanzang's suffering, to bestow grace upon him, and to make him appreciate the compassion of Buddhism, thus making him naturally accept the mission to go to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures.

With her dignified appearance and resonant, compassionate voice, she spoke again, drawing everyone's attention to the profound and unfathomable Mahayana Buddhism.

"Xuanzang, now that you have witnessed the limitations of Hinayana Buddhism, are you willing to make a great vow, spare no effort, travel thousands of miles to the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Paradise, to seek the Mahayana Buddhist Tripitaka scriptures that can resolve all grievances and eliminate unwarranted disasters?" However, the scene of Chen Xuanzang being moved to tears and kneeling in gratitude, as expected, did not occur.

On the altar, Chen Xuanzang, now freed from the constraints of his cassock, was still surrounded by demonic energy, but the searing, bone-corroding pain seemed to have lessened considerably.

He lowered his head, and the long shadow obscured his face, making it impossible to see his expression; only his slightly trembling shoulders were visible.

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on him, awaiting his answer.

Guanyin Bodhisattva frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing through her mind. She thought that the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi was still throwing a tantrum because of his previous embarrassment, or that he was too deeply affected by demonic energy.

She patiently asked again in a resounding voice, with an air of unquestionable authority.

"Chen Xuanzang, are you willing to travel to the Western Paradise to obtain the true scriptures?"

This time, Chen Xuanzang made a move.

He didn't bow respectfully, but rather suddenly, with a force that was almost self-destructive.

With a loud thud, his knees slammed onto the hard altar floor!

The dull, loud noise made everyone's heart skip a beat!
Upon seeing this, the Tang Emperor, seated on the high platform, frowned and instinctively wanted to say something.

However, Lin Zhu, who was next to him, slowly extended a finger, shook it gently, and transmitted his voice.

"Shh... Brother Tang King, watch the whole show, but don't be a glutton. Don't rush, let's see if this Great Chandu Monk can 'think it through'."

Upon hearing this, the Tang King immediately fell silent, gave Lin Zhu a knowing look, and then turned his curious gaze back to the altar.

However, when he saw Chen Xuanzang's appearance again, his expression changed slightly!
Suddenly, Chen Xuanzang, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head!
The moment he looked up, the lid of the seemingly exquisite brocade box he had been clutching slipped off his hand.

It fell to the ground with a "thud," and inside... it was completely empty!
Two bright red tears of blood, like a river bursting its banks, surged from his bloodshot eyes and streamed down his face, which was twisted by extreme resentment!

What's even more chilling is that on his pale skin, complex, ferocious, dark purple patterns that seem to contain the origin of ancient demonic arts spread rapidly like living things, covering most of his face—those are clear demonic markings!

“Buzz——!!!”

A terrifying demonic aura, ten or even a hundred times stronger than before, erupted from the center of Chen Xuanzang, like a world-destroying beast that had been dormant for countless ages.
The dark demonic energy was no longer wisps, but transformed into a massive, tangible torrent that surged into the sky, shattering the auspicious clouds and Buddhist light above Huasheng Temple!

"what?!"

The Guanyin Bodhisattva in the air suddenly contracted her pupils, and for the first time, a look of genuine terror appeared on her face!
"What...what did he take?!"

This demonic energy... how could it have surged to this extent?!

With her cultivation level, she should have noticed and stopped Chen Xuanzang the moment he took out the elixir.

However, all her senses were unknowingly interfered with and obscured by a more subtle and powerful force—the source of that force was Lin Zhu, who was sitting in a grand chair with his legs crossed and a faint, wicked smile on his lips!

For someone at the half-step Quasi-Saint realm, it would be incredibly easy to slightly influence the perception of Guanyin Bodhisattva, who is also a Quasi-Saint, without directly taking action.

All of this was, of course, a carefully orchestrated show by him, the "professional gossip spectator"!

"You wicked creature! Stop!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva was both shocked and furious. Without thinking twice, she transformed into a dazzling Buddhist light and rushed towards Chen Xuanzang to interrupt his dangerous demonization process!
However, there was absolutely no need for Lin Zhu to personally intervene!

In the center of that demonic aura, Chen Xuanzang, whose appearance had completely changed, suddenly raised his head. His scarlet eyes, which were filled with tears of blood, were fixed on the Guanyin Bodhisattva who was rushing towards him!
The hideous demonic markings on his face seemed to come alive, emitting a chilling, eerie light.

"Get out of here!!!"

A roar, like the simultaneous roar of a thousand demons, erupted from Chen Xuanzang's mouth!
He didn't even use any fancy moves, just a simple, violent wave of his hand!

"boom!!!"

That vast, dark demonic energy, like a tsunami propelled by an invisible giant hand, crashed headlong into the oncoming Guanyin Bodhisattva with the will to destroy everything!
"puff--!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva felt an overwhelming force that she could not resist. Her protective Buddhist light shattered instantly, like paper. She was sent flying like a kite with a broken string by this terrifying wave of demonic energy!
"Crack! Crack! Boom—!"

She crashed into seven or eight ancient trees on the edge of Huasheng Temple Square, each requiring several people to encircle, before she could barely release the force and steady herself, a trickle of golden blood seeping from the corner of her mouth!
She looked toward the altar, still shaken, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief and horror!

At this moment, the high platform built of solid jade could no longer withstand the terrifying pressure emanating from Chen Xuanzang. With a tooth-grinding "creaking" sound, it cracked inch by inch, and finally collapsed completely with a "bang"!

Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, Chen Xuanzang, shrouded in towering demonic energy, his face covered in hideous demonic patterns, and tears of blood streaming from his eyes, slowly floated into the air like a world-destroying demon king crawling out of the deepest hell!

He extended a finger wreathed in dark purple demonic flames, pointing it directly at the distant Guanyin Bodhisattva, whose mouth was bleeding and face was pale, and let out a hysterical roar. (End of Chapter)