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

An intense, overwhelming stench of blood rose into the sky, even drowning out the lingering demonic energy and Buddhist light in the center of the battlefield!

The eight hundred Arhats, the backbone of Buddhism, suffered heavy losses! More than 70% of the Arhats either took the brunt of the attack while presiding over the formation or were unable to dodge in time, and perished under Sun Wukong's staff, leaving no trace of their bodies!

Only a few Arhats who had reached the Golden Immortal level, reacted quickly, and were lucky managed to escape, but they were all injured, still in shock, and had long lost the courage to fight again.

The surviving Buddhist soldiers and Arhats placed their last glimmer of hope on the supreme commander of this army—Venerable Ananda.

They hoped that this Venerable One, a mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal, could turn the tide and stop the terrifying demon monkey.

However, when they turned their gaze to where Venerable Ananda had originally stood, they witnessed a scene that filled them with despair and suffocation.

The dignified Venerable Ananda, who had recently shouted "Slay the demon monkey!", was now facing west with his back to the battlefield. His body was flashing rapidly with Buddhist light, and auspicious clouds were already gathering beneath his feet. Judging from his posture... he was clearly preparing to... run away!

He didn't even look back at the horrific battlefield, nor at the remnants of his defeated army who had pinned their hopes on him; he only thought about escaping this hell on earth as quickly as possible!

The last hope has been extinguished.

Sun Wukong's colossal ape body, towering ten thousand feet tall, stood tall and imposing, exuding a fierce and overwhelming aura. His fiery eyes, burning with golden flames, instantly locked onto Venerable Ananda, who was preparing to flee! Seeing that this bald monk actually wanted to escape without a fight, the anger that had been suppressed in Sun Wukong's chest for five hundred years surged straight to his head!

"Ananda, you old fool! Where do you think you're going! Stay here, you old man! I haven't settled the score with you from five hundred years ago yet!!"

Sun Wukong roared, and the sound wave was like a real shockwave, making the remaining rocks in the distance tremble!
However, Venerable Ananda was now terrified, and there was not a trace of the "prestige" he had shown when he led the pursuit of Sun Wukong five hundred years ago. He had already clearly seen the situation on the battlefield.

The Immovable King, facing Lin Zhu, had already been battered and bruised, his Dharma form teetering on the verge of defeat and death; meanwhile, on their side, hundreds of millions of Buddhist soldiers had been decimated by the mad monkey's blows, with eight hundred Arhats suffering heavy casualties and utterly routed! In this battle, Buddhism had suffered a complete defeat, with absolutely no chance of a comeback!

Stay? Staying meant certain death! What dignity, what Buddhist mission—all became meaningless in the face of life and death! He now had only one thought—escape! Escape as far as possible! Get away from these two monstrous figures!

"Humph!"

Venerable Ananda snorted coldly, completely ignoring Sun Wukong's roar. Without even turning his head fully, he poured all his remaining magical power into his escape technique. The auspicious cloud beneath his feet burst forth with dazzling golden light, ready to tear through space and escape!
"Want to run?!"

Sun Wukong's eyes flashed with a fierce light. Although his giant ape body was enormous, his movements were as fast as lightning! He suddenly took a step forward!
This step, seemingly simple, was like shrinking the distance to an inch, instantly traversing dozens of miles, and the enormous shadow directly enveloped the fleeing Venerable Ananda! At the same time, the golden cudgel, like a towering pillar, was already smashing down on Venerable Ananda with the terrifying power to tear apart the sky and destroy the world!
"Get down here!!"

The staff didn't strike directly, but swept across with a mysterious trajectory, blocking all possible escape routes for Venerable Ananda! Wherever the staff's wind passed, space was easily torn apart like fragile cloth, revealing a chilling black void behind it!
Venerable Ananda was terrified, feeling his entire body's energy locked by the blow, and his escape techniques were disrupted, making it difficult for him to use his full strength!
He had no choice but to turn around hastily, holding the Demon-Subduing Staff that had accompanied him for countless years above his head. At the same time, he burned his essence and blood, urging all the magic power of a mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal to set up layers upon layers of golden Buddhist light barriers in front of him, trying to resist this devastating blow!
"boom--!!!!"

The golden cudgel struck Venerable Ananda's defenses squarely!

There was no stalemate, only a crushing defeat!
Those layers of Buddhist light barriers collapsed like soap bubbles under the sun! The demon-subduing staff in Venerable Ananda's hand groaned under the strain, cracks instantly spreading across its surface, almost breaking off completely!

"puff--!"

Venerable Ananda was struck as if by lightning, his entire body flying backward like a kite with a broken string. While in mid-air, he coughed up a mouthful of golden blood mixed with fragments of his internal organs! His once radiant golden body, which was sixteen feet tall, was now covered with spiderweb-like cracks, its light dimmed to the extreme, as if it would collapse at any moment!
Even more terrifying was that Sun Wukong's blow contained not only physical force, but also a violent demonic power specifically designed to destroy the golden body and primordial spirit of Buddhist monks! Venerable Ananda felt as if his primordial spirit had been struck by a heavy hammer, experiencing excruciating pain and nearly fainting!
"hiss--!"

Venerable Ananda gasped, his heart filled with boundless fear! How could this demon monkey's strength have increased so dramatically?! This was no ordinary mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal!

He dared not linger any longer, and without even bothering to stabilize his injuries, he forcibly gathered his last breath of vital energy, wrapped his tattered primordial spirit with his almost disintegrating physical body, and transformed into a miserable and wretched golden streak of light, fleeing desperately towards the western horizon without looking back! His speed was even greater than when he came, leaving only a trail of drifting golden blood mist.

His heart was filled with lingering fear and despair, utterly terrified of Sun Wukong's terrifying power. At the same time, a deeper gloom loomed over his mind.

The Journey to the West plan completely spiraled out of control the moment the pilgrim was killed by Sun Wukong's staff! What will become of it? Is there even a future left?

"Pah! You're lucky you ran fast!"

Seeing Venerable Ananda vanish into the sky in a streak of light, Sun Wukong did not give chase. Instead, he spat in that direction and grinned maliciously.

"If I, Old Sun, ever see you again, I'll smash your bald head a hundred and eight thousand miles away!"

The remaining Arhats and scattered Buddhist soldiers, seeing even Venerable Ananda suffer such a miserable defeat and flee, completely lost their last shred of will to resist.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with boundless fear. How could they dare to face Sun Wukong, this god of death, any longer? Someone shouted first, and the remaining Buddhist soldiers scattered like sparrows from a nest, crying and begging for their lives, abandoning their armor and weapons, and fleeing in all directions in a chaotic mess.

Sun Wukong was too lazy to chase after these small fry. He slowly withdrew his Heaven and Earth Transformation Divine Power, and his ten-thousand-foot-tall giant ape body rapidly shrank back to its original form as the Monkey King. However, the surging demonic power and soaring murderous aura around him still made people's hearts tremble.

Leaning on his golden cudgel, he turned his gaze to the other side, to the more advanced and awe-inspiring main battlefield.

Over there, the chaotic demon god phantom that Lin Zhu had transformed into had completely taken control of the battle!

Guanyin Bodhisattva had already been severely injured by him. The light of her jade bottle had dimmed, her willow branch was broken, and she herself was weak and collapsed on a broken cloud. Her face was pale and blood was spilling from the corner of her mouth. She was obviously no longer able to fight, and she could not even get up to help. She could only watch helplessly.

Lin Zhu's main target—Fudo Myo-o—was now in an extremely miserable state!

The once towering, majestic, indigo-blue image of the King of Light was now incomplete. Its left arm was almost completely gone, its chest had several large, translucent holes, its head was missing a small portion, and its entire body was covered with golden cracks, like a piece of porcelain about to shatter! The image's light had dimmed to the extreme, and it seemed precarious to even maintain its basic form.

Lin Zhu's chaotic demon god phantom, wielding the God-Slaying Spear, was chasing after the broken Dharma Image like a duck being herded, relentlessly stabbing it! Each thrust precisely sliced ​​off a piece of the Dharma Image's "flesh and blood," or added a new crack to it!
The Immovable King had long lost his initial arrogance, leaving only boundless fear and humiliation.

He manipulated the tattered Dharma form, desperately trying to escape, but his speed was laughably slow under the lock-on of the God-Slaying Spear and the suppression of Lin Zhu's absolute strength. He was like a duck stuck in the mud, thrashing about, but unable to escape the hunter's grasp.

"Run away? Why aren't you running away anymore? Weren't you shouting so loudly just now?"

Lin Zhu's icy voice emanated from the illusory image of the Chaos Demon God, carrying undisguised mockery. Sun Wukong, witnessing this scene, was utterly shocked! That was the head of the Buddhist Dharma Protectors, a being at the half-step Quasi-Saint level! Before Lin Zhu, he was like a chicken waiting to be slaughtered, utterly powerless! What a difference in strength! What an overwhelming and domineering power!
Shocked, an incredibly strong desire and fighting spirit ignited in Sun Wukong's heart!

He must become stronger! He must become as strong as Lin Zhu! No, even stronger! Only by possessing such power, enough to overturn everything and control his own destiny, can he truly escape the tragic fate of being manipulated and controlled by all sides like a puppet on a string for the past five hundred years or even longer!

"I, Old Sun... must become such a strongman!"

Sun Wukong gripped his golden cudgel tightly, his eyes blazing with golden light, and he made an unwavering vow in his heart.

Just then, Lin Zhu finally had enough fun.

The Chaos Demon God phantom suddenly swept the God-Slaying Spear in its hand, the spear light like a black crescent moon, piercing the sky!

"Crack!"

Two distinct cracking sounds rang out almost simultaneously!

The remaining legs of the tattered form of Fudo Myo-o were severed cleanly by this spear! The form could no longer maintain its balance and flight, letting out a shrill wail, and like a giant bird with broken wings, it crashed down towards the ruins of the collapsed Five Elements Mountain below!

"Boom!"

The image of the Buddha statue crashed down, stirring up clouds of dust.

Before the dust had settled, Lin Zhu's figure had already returned to its normal size. He stepped out from the illusory image of the Chaos Demon God and landed in front of the fallen Immovable King Dharma Image.

The cold, dark tip of the God-Slaying Spear in his hand was firmly pressed against the vital spot of Fudo Myo-o's neck, which was covered in cracks but barely intact.

With just a gentle push, this guardian deity of Buddhism will completely "pass away".

Lin Zhu looked down at the fearful and pleading phantom of the Immovable King in the Dharma Image, a cold smile curving his lips. He slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly resounding in the ears of everyone watching.

"Now, can you declare your defeat, you blue goosebumps?"

As Fudo Myo-o felt the chilling killing intent and destructive aura at his neck, his very soul trembled! He could no longer care about dignity or face, and hurriedly begged for mercy in a hoarse voice.

"I've lost! I've lost! This humble monk... no, I surrender! Lord Lin! Grandpa Lin! Spare me! Spare me! I was blind and offended you! I beg you to show mercy and spare my life! I swear a solemn oath to my heart's demons, and I will never dare to be your enemy again! I will avoid you whenever I see you! Please!!"

Seeing the once arrogant and domineering Fudo Myoo, who was now begging for mercy like a stray dog, Guanyin in the distance closed her eyes, unable to bear to watch any longer, her heart turning cold.

Lin Zhu seemed to be moved by his "sincerity," and a hint of "hesitation" and "reluctance" appeared on her face. She sighed softly, and her tone seemed to soften a little.

"Sigh, seeing you like this, I... feel a little sorry for you. It seems... rather cruel to let you live out the rest of your life in such a miserable and cowardly manner."

Upon hearing this, Fudo Myoo thought that things had taken a turn for the better, and his eyes immediately lit up with hope. He quickly said...

"Not cruel! Not cruel! This humble monk is willing! This humble monk is completely willing! As long as you, God of Hell, spare this humble monk's life, this humble monk is willing to do anything!"

"is it?"

The "reluctance" on Lin Zhu's face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling grin. He slowly leaned down, close to the terrified face of Fudo Myoo, and spoke clearly, word by word.

"Since you don't think it's cruel... then I'll send you on your final journey, giving you complete relief and sparing you from this suffering of swallowing your anger!"

The hope on Fudo Myo-o's face froze instantly, turning into boundless despair and fear.

"Do not--!!!"

He realized that Lin Zhu had never intended to let him go from the very beginning! Her so-called "soft heart" was nothing but a trick!
Lin Zhu's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he was about to thrust the God-Slaying Spear forward to end the life of this Buddhist King!

At this critical moment, when Fudo Myoo's life hung by a thread—

"Amitabha!"

A grand, clear, and resonant Buddhist chant, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul and carrying an undeniable majesty, resounded from the horizon like a morning bell and evening drum!

Immediately afterwards, a dreamlike, clear, and translucent radiance appeared on the horizon! The radiance was not dazzling, but it seemed to be able to purify all filth and killing, carrying a unique, pure and immaculate meaning, instantly dispelling most of the blood and murderous aura above the battlefield!

Three figures slowly emerged from the shimmering light.

The leader, clad in a jeweled robe and wearing a five-Buddha crown, possessed a compassionate and solemn face. He radiated a pure and flawless jeweled light that seemed to heal all pain and suffering. He was none other than Bhaisajyaguru, the lord of the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli! Behind him stood the Bodhisattvas Suryaprabha and Candraprabha, equally majestic in appearance.

As soon as the Medicine Buddha appeared, his gaze fell on Lin Zhu's God-Slaying Spear pressed against the neck of the Immovable King. His brows furrowed slightly, and his voice carried a hint of coldness and warning.

“Benefactor Lin Zhu, please be lenient when you can. Although Fudo Myoo has offended you, his crime does not warrant death. Please…stop now.”

His voice wasn't loud, yet it seemed to contain some strange, powerful law, clearly reaching the ears of everyone on the battlefield, carrying a calming yet unyielding authority. (End of Chapter)