I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

These words struck like a thunderbolt. Guanyin felt a tightness in her chest, and a mouthful of golden blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

She struggled to her feet and said in a trembling voice, "The Tai Chi diagram... the Pangu Banner... what does he intend to do?"

Kasyapa's expression was grave as he slowly said, "We speculate that he intends to fuse the two treasures to refine a chaotic spiritual treasure—the Heaven-Opening Axe!"

"The Heaven-Opening Axe..."

Guanyin muttered to herself, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

That is a legendary treasure capable of creating the world; if it falls into Jiang Wang's hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Buddha spoke, his voice booming like a bell, carrying a hint of determination: "The threat of Jiang Wang should not be underestimated."

Last time, he used the Weak Water of Wutian to detoxify himself and escaped disaster.

This time, we must first eliminate Wutian and cut off his retreat, then set an ambush at Pingdingshan to lure Jiang Wang into a trap!

Patriarch Bodhi nodded, his gaze sharp as he swept over the crowd: "The Lotus Cave on Pingdingshan Mountain is a secluded spot, perfect for an ambush."

Guanyin, you should take the lead in this plan, and you must keep it a secret.

The return of the people of Lingshan must not be revealed!

He paused, a flash of anger crossing his eyes, and gritted his teeth, saying, "That scoundrel Jiang Wang has gone too far in bullying me! If we don't get rid of him, how can Buddhism find peace?"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin felt a pang of anxiety, knowing that this battle concerned the very survival of Buddhism.

She suppressed the surging blood and qi within her body and said in a deep voice, "I will obey the decree."

The atmosphere inside the secret chamber was as heavy as a mountain. Everyone discussed the details of slaying the demon, while Laozi and Yuanshi occasionally whispered a few words, as if they were deducing the secrets of heaven.

Guanyin felt a vague unease in her heart; the disappearance of Tang Sanzang weighed heavily on her mind.

She couldn't help but ask, "Venerable One, since Jiang Wang is not dead, is Tang Sanzang's disappearance related to him? If the pilgrimage team cannot reach Pingdingshan in time, the ambush plan may be subject to change."

Upon hearing this, Bodhi's anger intensified, and he said in a deep voice, "Jiang Wang is a man of deep cunning and ruthless methods. Tang Sanzang's disappearance may be his doing."

However, the journey to the West is ordained by Heaven. You only need to follow the plan, and fate will take its course!

Guanyin bowed her head in agreement, but her heart grew heavier.

She recalled Jiang Wang's mocking smile and felt a chill run down her spine, as if he were hiding in some corner, watching everything.

Outside the secret chamber, the Sumeru Boundless Array continued to circulate, its golden light faintly revealing a chilling aura.

At the summit of Lingshan Mountain, the wind rises and the clouds surge, a storm is quietly brewing.

Jiang Wang sat atop a high mountain in the center of the hidden realm. Clouds and mist swirled around the summit, and spiritual energy surged like a tide, faintly outlining a profound Tai Chi diagram.

His eyes were slightly closed, his breath was long and deep, and the magical power within his body surged like a river, circulating endlessly. Everything within the hidden realm seemed to be under his control.

For months, he has devoted himself to transforming this hidden realm, expanding it from a barren wasteland in the beginning of chaos into a vast world with a diameter of 100,000 miles.

The land and sea are formed, the mountains and rivers are arranged in a well-ordered manner, the vegetation is lush, and birds and beasts dot the landscape, just like a real little world.

However, Jiang Wang's brows furrowed slightly, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, revealing his inner turmoil.

The transformation of the hidden realm was far more difficult than he had anticipated.

Although the art of manipulating creation can simulate the vitality of the primordial world, each step requires him to expend enormous magical power and mental energy.

The vast expanse of 100,000 li seemed magnificent, but it was merely the initial prototype of his plan.

He had tried to adjust the flow of time in the hidden realm to its maximum to accelerate his cultivation, but when he attempted to use "time dilation"...

When he tried to use the technique, he found that his magical power was drained away like a flood breaking through a dam.

With the hidden realm's volume increasing a thousandfold, its strength also increased accordingly, and maintaining a time flow rate a hundredfold was already his limit.

Jiang Wang slowly exhaled, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

He originally thought he could push the flow of time a thousand or even ten thousand times, but he did not expect the consumption to be so terrifying, far exceeding what his current cultivation level could withstand.

He stood up, hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the hidden realm.

In the distance, the vast blue sea shimmered under the sunlight, and clouds and mist swirled among the mountains, where cranes could be seen soaring and deer running about.

Although the hidden realm has begun to take shape, it still appears empty, like a painting that has not yet been filled with color.

With a thought, Jiang Wang's figure swept across thousands of miles like a streak of light, arriving at the far eastern part of the Hidden Realm.

This is a vast and boundless sea, dotted with islands. The largest island is only a hundred miles in circumference, yet it is full of spiritual energy, and the faint sound of dragon roars can be heard coming from the island.

He chose this island as his place for secluded cultivation.

Jiang Wang sat down cross-legged, made hand seals, and his magical power surged toward the island like a tide.

The space around the island was slightly distorted, and the flow of time suddenly accelerated in this corner of the world, eventually stabilizing at 396 times.

He closed his eyes, feeling time flow quietly around the island like water, while the outside world seemed to stand still.

This feeling was incredibly mysterious, as if he were fighting against heaven and earth alone, and the secret of reversing time was entirely in his grasp.

Jiang Wang's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile.

This island will become his exclusive training ground for cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, and the terrifying speed of the seventh revolution of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique will help him climb to the peak of cultivation in the shortest time.

Before going into seclusion, Jiang Wang reviewed his plan once again.

Based on the seventh stage of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique, his cultivation speed can reach 4.78 million times. One hundred and twenty years in the Hidden Realm is roughly equivalent to one year and two months in the outside world.

If all goes well, he will be able to extend his cultivation from 400 million years to 999 million years during this period, just one step away from the Hunyuan Daluo realm.

After the ban on the human realm is lifted in twenty-eight years, he will prove his path through force.

"Proving the Way through the Law of Time"

Proving the Dao through the "Laws of Space"

Advancing through the three paths simultaneously, he achieved the supreme realm of the Three Paths in Harmony, standing atop the primordial peak.

Jiang Wang took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes.

This path was incredibly difficult, but only through this path could he truly establish himself in the primordial wilderness.

With a thought, an invisible barrier rose around the island, completely isolating him from the outside world.

He sat down cross-legged, his magical power flowing around him, and the Nine Revolutions Mystic Art was running at its peak.

Above the island, spiritual energy surged like a dragon, converging wildly and transforming into golden rays that merged into his body.

His aura gradually deepened, as if he had merged with heaven and earth.

Time flew by on the island; a year, a decade, a century passed in the blink of an eye, but Jiang Wang remained as still as a rock, immersed in the profound realm of cultivation.

Meanwhile, far away in the abyss of darkness, in the crevices where the human and earthly realms meet, four sages are traveling together. Laozi holds a Taiji diagram, from which the yin and yang energies flow, protecting his body; Yuanshi Tianzun stands on Jade Void Light, his body radiating boundless golden light; Jieyin Sage wears a compassionate expression, with golden lotuses blooming behind him, and Buddhist light shining everywhere; Zhunti Sage holds a Seven Treasures Tree, its precious light flowing, subtly sealing off the void.

The four walked on the edge of the Abyss of Darkness, with endless void beneath their feet. Floating in the void were specks of eerie light, like stars, yet they exuded a corrosive aura that sent chills down their spines.

The Abyss of Darkness is a forbidden area in the primordial world, located in the gap between the human and earthly realms, and is not bound by the power of the Heavenly Dao.

The Weak Water floats here, said to be the digestive fluid of Pangu when he created the world. Its corrosive power is so strong that even the Chaos God can digest it, making it the most poisonous substance in the primordial world.

The Four Saints' journey was to hunt down the Demon Ancestor Wutian, who had infiltrated the Abyss of Darkness.

Wutian's aura was extremely well concealed, but the Four Saints were formidable figures; with their combined efforts, they had already pinpointed his location.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable's gaze swept across the eerie light in the void, and he said in a deep voice, "The poison of the Weak Water here is so potent that even we saints dare not touch it lightly. Yet that scoundrel Bajie can treat it as if it were nothing. It is truly strange."

Upon hearing this, the Sage Zhunti's eyes flashed with curiosity, and he replied, "Indeed, Bajie is just a pig demon with mediocre talent, yet he is not afraid of the Weak Water, which is truly puzzling."

Lao Tzu stroked his long beard, smiled faintly, and said with a profound meaning in his tone: "What you all do not know is that Bajie's body was actually transformed from the roundworm in the belly of Father God Pangu, and he was born without fear of digestive juices."

In terms of seniority, he is far more ancient than any of us, comparable to a primordial demon god.

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi, Jieyin, and Zhunti were all taken aback, their eyes showing surprise.

How could Pigsy's adorable appearance be associated with the Chaos Demon God? Zhunti murmured, "No wonder... no wonder he can move freely in this Weak Water."

Jieyin frowned slightly and sighed, "So, it seems that Bajie's body hides a great secret."

Just then, a violent fluctuation came from the depths of the void. The four saints' expressions tightened, and they all looked in the direction from which the fluctuation came.

A ball of black light shot out from the depths of the void, transforming into a figure—it was none other than the Demon Ancestor Wutian.

His body was surrounded by surging demonic energy, but his aura was somewhat unstable, clearly indicating that he had suffered serious injuries in the Abyss of Darkness.

Upon seeing the four saints, Wutian's pupils constricted sharply, and he turned to try to escape into the Weak Water.

"Where to go!"

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly, waved the Pangu Banner in his hand, and the power of chaos transformed into an invisible giant wave, which crashed fiercely towards Wutian.

Wu Tian froze, spitting out a mouthful of black blood, clearly indicating that he had suffered a serious injury.

Laozi, Jieyin, and Zhunti attacked simultaneously, their four streams of primordial energy intertwining to instantly seal off the void within a radius of ten thousand miles.

Wu Tian was frozen in place, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes.

He gritted his teeth, and a black lotus suddenly bloomed within his primordial spirit, transforming into endless demonic light that swept towards the four saints.

"The self-destruction of the Primordial Spirit Black Lotus?"

Sage Zhunti's pupils contracted, and he retreated rapidly, with the Seven Treasures Tree positioned in front of him to block the demonic light.

Taking advantage of the moment when Zhunti retreated, the spatial confinement loosened slightly, and Wutian flashed away, attempting to teleport away.

Zhunti sneered, flicked his wrist, and the Six Pure Bamboos transformed into a beam of green light, instantly striking Wutian.

Wutian let out a miserable scream, lost all six senses, and his body swayed precariously in the void.

The Four Saints attacked again, unleashing their Primordial Chaos Power like a raging storm, crashing down on Wutian.

Wutian's body and primordial spirit rapidly collapsed under the repeated attacks, eventually turning into a wisp of black mist and completely dissipating.

The Sage who guided the way sighed and shook his head, saying, "We failed to eradicate the root of the problem. This fiend's primordial spirit split in two, and its remnant soul has already escaped into the Weak Water amidst the chaos."

Upon hearing this, Yuanshi Tianzun frowned slightly and said calmly, "It's nothing. It's just a wisp of a remnant soul. It will take a hundred or eighty years to recover. By then, Jiang Wang will have already perished. What's there to worry about?"

Zhunti snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over Yuanshi like a knife: "Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, you were closest to the Black Lotus when it self-destructed, why didn't you stop it?"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable remained calm and said indifferently, "This humble Taoist was unable to react in time and missed a good opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Zhunti's anger intensified, and he shouted, "Didn't have time to react? It's clear you deliberately let the remnant soul escape!"

Yuanshi Tianzun's gaze turned cold, and he was about to retort when Laozi waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Enough, let's put this matter aside for now and discuss it again when we return to the Primordial World."

The four saints remained silent, the atmosphere thick with tension.

The Weak Waters of the Dark Abyss still flow silently, concealing endless dangers and secrets.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wang, far away in the hidden realm, was completely unaware of this and remained immersed in cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.

His aura grew increasingly profound, as if he were one with heaven and earth, and the mysteries of time and space slowly unfolded in his heart.

The night was as dark as ink, and the wilderness outside Baoxiang City was so quiet that even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Jiang Wang, also known as Sun Wukong, stood alone under an old locust tree, his golden cudgel tightly gripping his hand, the cudgel gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

His gaze pierced through the sparse branches and leaves, looking towards the distant, rolling mountains. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes held an undisguised anxiety.

Three months have passed, a full three months. The three brothers have searched every mountain and river within three thousand miles of Baoxiang City, but they haven't found even a trace of their master, Tang Sanzang.

Bajie insisted that the vegetarian tiger was his master in disguise, but Jiang Wang's discerning eyes couldn't detect anything amiss.

He believed his own eyes and the words of Guanyin Bodhisattva, but now, the truth is like a thick fog, trapping him in endless doubt.

In the dilapidated temple behind him, Pigsy was leaning against the door frame, a dry blade of grass dangling from his mouth, humming an off-key tune.

His enormous body almost blocked half of the door frame, and the rake was casually stuck in the mud next to him, with a few withered yellow grass leaves still hanging on the rake teeth.

“Brother Monkey, we’ve been searching for so long and haven’t even seen a shadow of him. In my opinion, Master has probably transformed into that vegetarian tiger and been hidden away by the Bodhisattva.”

Bajie spoke lazily, his tone tinged with a mix of mockery and impatience, "How about we split our luggage and go our separate ways?"

I, Old Pig, am going back to Gao Village, Brother Sha is going back to the Flowing Sand River, and you, well, go back to your Flower Fruit Mountain and be the king, how carefree!

Jiang Wang suddenly turned his head, a flash of golden light in his eyes, which startled Bajie so much that the withered grass in his mouth fell to the ground.

"Bajie, if you keep talking nonsense, I, Old Sun, will make sure you can't go back to Gao Village with one blow!"

His voice was low and carried a hint of anger, but there was also a trace of helplessness in his tone.

Bajie pouted and muttered, "It's just talk, why are you in such a hurry... That tiger is obviously strange, you saw it yourself, yet you believe the Bodhisattva's words."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "Brother Monkey, do you think the Bodhisattva might be deliberately keeping this from us? That tiger, tsk tsk, a vegetarian, who's ever seen one?"

Sha Wujing came out of the temple, carrying his bag, and said in a low voice, "Brother, Second Brother, don't argue anymore."

I secretly went back to check a few days ago, and the tiger... was gone.

His voice was steady, yet carried a heavy tone. "I suspect that the Bodhisattva took it away, afraid that we would discover something."

Sha Wujing's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring ripples in Jiang Wang's heart.

He frowned as he looked at Sha Wujing, his fiery eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to discern something from his junior brother's face. (End of Chapter)