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

He is the last of the Five Great Vidyarajas, yet the only one to be given the title "Vajra"—the Northern Vajra Yaksha Vidyaraja! His cultivation is also at the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, and he is in charge of subduing all evil beings and formidable obstacles.

In addition, more than ten Buddhas and Arhats, some with solemn appearances and others with angry glares, and varying degrees of aura strength, hovered at a slightly further distance. Among them were the two renowned Arhats, Subduing Dragon and Taming Tiger, who were renowned for their formidable combat power. Their eyes were piercing as they stared intently at the movements of the Snowstorm City opposite.

However, the most eye-catching figure was a blurry one hidden further behind this group of Buddhist experts, shrouded in a thick, swirling black smoke that seemed to devour light.

The black smoke was extremely strange; it could coexist with the pure and peaceful Buddhist light around it without being dispelled, and instead seemed to be in a state of rivalry.

From within the black smoke emanated a chilling aura, a mixture of the indestructible power of Buddhism and an indescribable ferocity and tyranny. Its oppressive force even subtly surpassed that of the two wrathful deities, Vajrayana and Vajra Yaksha, causing the Buddhas and Arhats present to subconsciously keep their distance, their eyes filled with deep apprehension.

The reason why this group of powerful figures gathered here was naturally because the Western Heaven Spirit Mountain sensed the soaring, resolute will to declare war and the overwhelming force of humanity from the Southern Continent.

In the Great Thunder Temple, when the Buddha received the news that the White Lotus Boy had used the Azure Lotus Banner to slaughter 140,000 soldiers and civilians at Iron Wall Pass, successfully "enraging" the Tang Dynasty and triggering a full-scale war, he almost vomited blood again!

His initial plan was merely to use the turmoil in the mortal realm to pressure the Heavenly Court and Lin Zhu, forcing them to hand over the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill, and ideally, to bring Sun Wukong back. Who could have imagined that the White Lotus Prince, this murderous scoundrel, would be so ruthless, pushing the situation directly to the point of an irreversible all-out war!

The massacre was carried out because the Blue Lotus Banner was "untainted by karma." Although the Buddha felt it was inappropriate at the time, he did not explicitly oppose it due to the decree of the sage and the special status of the White Lotus Child. Perhaps he still harbored a sliver of hope that he could "cut the Gordian knot."

However, the White Lotus Boy's sneak attack on Lin Zhu failed and he was severely injured instead. A catastrophe had already been brewing in the world, and the war machine of the Tang Dynasty to avenge the world was rolling on... This situation had completely slipped out of Tathagata's control!

He cursed the White Lotus Child a thousand times in his heart, deeply resenting that he did not understand the delicate balance of the situation in the Three Realms and only knew how to solve problems with the simplest and most brutal killing.

But it's too late for regrets now. Journey to the West has stalled, Jin Chanzi's primordial spirit is weakening day by day, Sun Wukong is still in the hands of the Heavenly Court, and the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill is nowhere in sight... Time waits for no one!

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and throw more fuel into the already burning fire—send more powerful warriors to support the Buddhist Kingdom of Tianzhu, and make sure to gain the upper hand on the battlefield, or at least force Lin Zhu and the Heavenly Court to return to the negotiating table!

Therefore, the two guardian generals, the Three-World-Transcendental King and the Vajrayaksa King, along with more than ten Buddhas and Arhats, as well as the "secret weapon" shrouded in black smoke and exuding a terrifying aura, were dispatched. Nominally, they were to obey the orders of the White Lotus Child, but in reality, they were also there to monitor and check them.

At this moment, although the White Lotus Child's injuries had not yet healed and his primordial spirit was damaged, the wound on his left shoulder, pierced by the God-Slaying Spear and still bearing the remnants of annihilating demonic energy, was constantly causing him excruciating pain and depleting his essence, his eyes were unusually excited as he stared intently in the direction of Snowstorm City.

"The time has come!"

The White Lotus Child's voice was hoarse, yet it carried an undeniable ruthlessness. He suddenly raised his hand and pointed at the billowing black smoke.

"Let him go! Slay the first one to emerge from Wind and Snow City, whoever it may be! The first battle must be bloody! It must be cruel and shocking enough! Let Lin Zhu see the consequences of defying the Emperor's decree and opposing my Western Heaven!"

Behind him, the three wrathful expressions of the Vajrapani King, his brows furrowed slightly, and he spoke in a deep voice, offering his advice.

"White Lotus Boy, isn't this move too hasty? The entity within that black smoke... is the ultimate weapon of this operation. Revealing it too early might give Lin Zhu time to prepare, potentially putting us at a disadvantage later. Moreover, it's rumored that Lin Zhu seems to have some old acquaintance with this... A hasty move might be..."

Vajrayaksha also spoke with a humming sound, like the clash of metal.

“Indeed. The way of military operations is to engage with the enemy through conventional means and win through unconventional tactics. Right now, the two armies are facing each other, their energies intertwined. The right way is to first use the Buddhist soldiers and Vajra monks to test the strength of the enemy's mortal army formation, and then wait for the right opportunity to strike, kill the enemy generals and capture their flags. Letting 'him' make the first move is a bit... like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and it will easily give others something to criticize.”

Both of these wise kings were experienced warriors who had gone through countless battles and knew the importance of not revealing one's trump cards lightly.

More importantly, they vaguely knew the origin of the black smoke and its possible connection with Lin Zhu. They felt that Bai Lian Tong Zi's arrangement would not only fail to achieve the desired effect, but might also cause unnecessary trouble.

However, upon hearing this, the White Lotus Child suddenly turned around. His eyes, which were bloodshot from injuries and resentment, shot out a cold and arrogant light. He released a pressure belonging to the Quasi-Saint level without reservation, pressing down hard on the two Ming Kings!

"Hmph! You two, are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

The White Lotus Child's voice was shrill, filled with undisguised contempt and anger.

"Lin Zhu, the God of Hell? He's nothing but a clown who got lucky and became arrogant because of the Jade Emperor's protection! In my eyes, he's not worth mentioning! Since the Buddha has entrusted me with all the affairs here and bestowed upon me the Azure Lotus Banner, you only need to follow orders! If you say anything more, don't blame me for treating you as 'disobeying the imperial decree'!"

The two Vidyarajas, Trayastrimsa and Vajrayana, were so overwhelmed by this oppressive aura that their breath caught in their throats, and their expressions turned somewhat grim.

Although their cultivation was high, the White Lotus Child was, after all, a Saint Child, holding a Saint's token and having received explicit authorization from the Buddha, representing the dual will of the Saint and the Buddha.

Even though they harbored countless grievances and doubts, they dared not openly refute them at this moment.

The two Winged Kings exchanged a helpless and cryptic glance. The Third Winged King sighed inwardly.

"A flurry of actions, but the score is 0-5. The massacre of the city triggered a full-scale war, the sneak attack backfired and left him severely wounded, and now this kind of reckless command... I really don't know why Buddha is so lenient with this kid." Vajra Yaksha King shook his head inwardly, but could only bow in response.

"...I will obey the Child's decree." Seeing the two Ming Kings yield, the White Lotus Child snorted coldly, a satisfied look on his face. He then turned to the cloud of black smoke, his tone urging and commanding.

"What are you waiting for? Go! Tear the first one out to shreds! Be ruthless! Be fast!"

He was extremely anxious. The deadline given to him by Buddha was drawing ever closer; the journey to the West could not be delayed, and Jin Chanzi could not wait any longer.

He must defeat or even kill Lin Zhu as soon as possible, reclaim the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill, and reverse the tide of defeat! Military strategy and concealing strength are all outdated ideas to him! What he wants is immediate deterrence and victory! To this end, he will not hesitate to use any means and expose any trump cards!

Just as the White Lotus Child was forcibly ordering the "ultimate weapon" from the black smoke to fight—

From the direction of Wind and Snow City, the barrier of the city's protective formation rippled slightly. A figure, standing on auspicious clouds, wearing a tattered official robe, trying to straighten his back but unable to hide his unease, cautiously peeked half of his body out from inside the barrier. It was Li Jing!
Following his plan to "make a show first," Li Jing mustered his magical power and shouted his fierce but cowardly challenge towards the Indian army. Then, gritting his teeth, he tentatively stepped forward with his left foot, stepping out of the range of the Wind and Snow City's protective formation.

The instant his toes touched the outer void!

"Buzz—!!!"

A sudden change occurred! The White Lotus Child, who was prepared, flashed a fierce light in his eyes, and the hidden restrictions in the void activated instantly! Countless golden Buddhist binding runes surged forth like living things, transforming into a net that locked Li Jing and the surrounding space tightly! A terrifying suction and suppressive force erupted, attempting to drag this "first blood" spoil into their own formation!
"What?! Ah—!!"

Caught off guard, Li Jing screamed in terror as his body was pulled uncontrollably towards the core area above the Indian army, where the Buddhist light was strongest and the pressure was most terrifying!

At the same time, the thick black smoke that had been churning suddenly began to boil violently! It was as if the ferocious beast sleeping within it had been completely awakened!

"Roar--!!"

A terrifying roar, neither human nor beast, seemingly a mixture of sacred chants and hellish howls, exploded from the depths of the black smoke, causing the surrounding Buddhist light to ripple!
The next moment, the black smoke seemed to be torn apart by a pair of invisible giant hands, and a jet-black column of energy that reached the sky and covered the earth, carrying a ferocious Buddhist power that made people tremble with their souls, shot towards Li Jing, who was being restrained and dragged, like a demonic spear of destruction shot from the deepest hell! Its speed far exceeded the speed at which Li Jing was falling!

Wherever the black mist passed, the space groaned in agony, as if even light was being swallowed up!
Just as the dark column of energy was about to engulf Li Jing, the tip of the column suddenly twisted, contracted, and condensed! It transformed into a colossal Dharma image, hundreds of feet tall, with a solemn and dignified appearance, yet exuding boundless majesty and a murderous aura!

This Dharma image has three eyes, with a vertical eye between the eyebrows that is half-open and half-closed, hinting at the arising and ceasing of thunder; the face is like a full moon, with a solemn and dignified expression, somewhat resembling the legendary Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, yet possessing a more fierce and wrathful Vajra-like appearance; it wears armor inlaid with gold necklaces, holds a Vajra pestle in one hand that shines brightly as if it could shatter stars, and the other hand is in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness);
Beneath his feet rode a six-tusked divine elephant, pure white as snow, exceptionally magnificent, with wind and clouds accompanying its long trunk as it twitched! Around the elephant's body, countless fine golden lightning bolts coiled and danced like dragons and snakes, crackling and exploding, emanating a terrifying aura that could purify all evil spirits and destroy all obstacles!
This is clearly a powerful guardian deity of Buddhism with a high status and unparalleled combat power, a powerful being at the level of a half-step quasi-saint!

The moment the Dharma form condensed, the majestic and grand voice, like thunder from the heavens, rolled out, carrying an unquestionable sense of judgment and destruction.

"You wicked creature! I am Indra, the chief disciple of the ancient Buddha Dipankara! By the decree of the Buddha, I protect the Buddha and the Way, and cleanse the evil spirits! You are a traitor to the Heavenly Court, aiding and abetting evil, and violating my Buddhist kingdom. Today, I will make you—destroy both your body and soul, and fall into eternal damnation!!"

As the voice faded, the "Indra" dharma image raised its vajra pestle high, endless Buddhist light and destructive lightning converging at the tip of the pestle, about to smash it down on Li Jing, who was imprisoned in the air and looked pale! If this strike hit, let alone Li Jing's Golden Immortal cultivation, even an ordinary Great Luo would probably be completely destroyed!
However, at this critical moment—

Lin Zhu, who had been hiding in the sky above the Snowstorm City, perfectly concealing his figure with the Heaven-Covering Talisman, suddenly had his pupils contract!

His gaze was fixed on the majestic image of "Indra" riding an elephant and holding a pestle, especially the vertical eye that was faintly visible between his eyebrows, and the golden lightning that wrapped around his body, which seemed sacred but actually exuded a familiar bloodlust and resentment!
"This aura...this Dharma form..."

A storm raged in Lin Zhu's heart.

"What Indra! This is clearly... Indra, the leader of the four demon generals under the Styx Ancestor, and a top expert among the Asuras! How could he be here? And why has he become the chief disciple of Dipankara Buddha? This Buddhist aura and supernatural powers... Could it be that... something happened to the Styx?!"

Below, Li Jing, who was trapped in the air and facing the devastating blow, was utterly horrified the moment he heard the name "Emperor Shitian" and saw the appearance of that deity. His eyes bulged out as if he had seen a ghost, and he let out a shrill scream filled with extreme horror, fear, and disbelief.

"Indra?! It's you?! How could you... Ahhhhhh!!!"

Li Jing's left foot, stepping out of the protective array of Wind and Snow City, felt not as if it were stepping into empty air, but into a thick, deadly spiderweb meticulously prepared for him. Just as his toes touched the outside world, and a fleeting thought of "let's just make a show of it first and then find an opportunity" arose in his mind—

"boom!!!"

A jet-black column of energy, seemingly gushing forth from the deepest depths of the netherworld, tore apart the peaceful Buddhist light and mist above the Indian army without warning. Like a venomous dragon eyeing its prey, it descended suddenly with a terrifying speed that surpassed even divine perception, locking onto him firmly!

The billowing black energy was not the filth of demonic forces, but rather exuded a forcibly transformed, cold, and violent Buddhist majesty. The tip of the energy column rapidly twisted and contracted, and a colossal Dharma image, hundreds of feet tall, with a solemn and dignified appearance but glaring eyes and soaring killing intent, suddenly materialized!

The Buddha has three eyes, with a golden lightning flashing between the eyebrows; his face is like a full moon, and his expression is majestic and close to that of a Buddha; he is clad in a dazzling golden armor and necklace, holding a vajra that shines with boundless light and seems capable of shattering stars in one hand, and forming the fearlessness mudra with the other; beneath him is a six-tusked elephant as white as snow, with wind and thunder accompanying its long trunk as it curls.

What's even more chilling is that the Dharma image is surrounded by countless crackling golden lightning bolts, each containing the dual meaning of purification and destruction! This is clearly a top-tier guardian deity in Buddhism, and its overwhelming power has reached the level of a half-step quasi-saint!

The resounding voice was like thunder rolling down from the heavens, carrying an unquestionable judgment.

"You wicked creature! I am Indra, the chief disciple of the ancient Buddha Dipankara! By the decree of the Buddha, I protect the Buddha and the Way, and cleanse the demonic forces! You are a traitor to the Heavenly Court, aiding and abetting evil, and have violated my Buddhist kingdom. Today, I will make you—annihilate both body and soul, and condemn you to eternal damnation!!" (End of Chapter)