Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

Upon hearing that they were to go to Qinglian Island, Daoist Zhunti felt a deep-seated aversion. After all, it was an existence that even Hongjun couldn't overcome; if they went there, they would only be able to grovel before him.

But there was no other way now, so he could only sigh and follow the guide to leave the Pure Land and head towards the primordial wilderness.

Just as Jieyin and Zhunti entered the prehistoric world, several streaks of light came from afar and blocked their way.

Looking around, he saw five saints blocking his way. Although their cultivation was not as high as that of the two Buddhas of the West, they were still saints in every sense of the word.

Importantly, Daoist Zhunti had already recognized who these five were. They were the Five Emperors, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of the human race, with Zhuanxu as the leader.

He immediately spoke up, saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhuanxu, why did you come here and block my brother's path if you are not cultivating in the Fire Cloud Cave?"

Zhuanxu sneered and said, "It is bound to be bad news for a Heavenly Dao Saint to enter the Primordial World. As a Human Dao Saint, I, Zhuanxu, will naturally keep you out of the Primordial World."

"Unless you can convince Zhuanxu that your journey to the prehistoric world is without malice, I'll have no choice but to ask you all to return to where you came from."

The Guide Daoist spoke up, "Then, Fellow Daoist Zhuanxu, how do you think I can prove that I have no ill intentions in going to the prehistoric world?"

Zhuanxu replied without hesitation, "That's simple. Each of you leave behind a top-grade innate spiritual treasure as collateral, and I will believe you have no ill intentions."

Zhuanxu's words nearly made Zhunti Daoist's nose twist with anger. "A top-grade innate spiritual treasure? Why didn't you just say you'd leave the Indra's Pagoda behind?"

The Seven Treasures Tree immediately appeared in his hand, and he coldly snorted, saying, "Do you really think that the five of you saints can stop us brothers by fighting each other?"

Zhuanxu smiled and shook his head. "The five of us might not be able to manage, but with the Primordial River Luo Grand Formation, I wonder if you two fellow Daoists think it would be feasible?"

As he spoke, the Hetu Luoshu appeared in Zhuanxu's hands.

This inevitably made the two Western monks frown. After all, if the Five Emperors really set up the Primordial River Luo Formation, breaking the formation would not be an easy task for them.

Most importantly, there are a total of thirty-six sages in the Human Path. If a major battle were to break out, the Human Path sages would quickly come to the rescue.

At that time, let alone entering the primordial world to reach Qinglian Island, they would probably have to lose their armor and flee back to the Pure Land in a sorry state.

Finally, left with no other choice, he simply followed Zhuanxu's instructions and left behind two top-grade innate spiritual treasures. Only then was he allowed to proceed to Qinglian Island.

Watching the two Western monks leave, Zhuanxu couldn't help but laugh and say, "The Holy Mother is indeed incredibly wise; these two Western monks really did pay the toll."

After speaking, the Five Emperors returned directly to the Fire Cloud Cave. As for whether the two Western Buddhist monks could take back the two top-grade innate spiritual treasures they had acquired, that was something to be discussed later.

In fact, the two Western monks were well aware that handing over these two innate spiritual treasures would be like throwing meat buns to a dog—gone and never to be returned.

However, for the sake of spreading Buddhism eastward, they had no choice but to comply, even though it pained them deeply. After all, if they lost a top-grade innate spiritual treasure, they could always ask Hongjun for one.

They didn't even dare to think about what would happen if the Spiritual Stone Monkey fell into the hands of the Taoist sect.

Soon, the two Western monks arrived above Qinglian Island. However, they did not dare to enter directly, but spoke from outside Qinglian Island: "The two Western monks have something to ask of the Qinglian Saint."

The voices of the two Western monks reached Qinglian Island, and Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun simultaneously opened their eyes. They immediately went to Qinglian Palace to meet Chen Xuan. Laozi said, "Master, the two Western monks have come for the Spiritual Stone Monkey. How should this matter be handled?"

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "The stone monkey is clearly destined to be the chosen one of the Journey to the West tribulations. But we must never let him enter the Western Buddhist sect."

"But we can promise them that the Spiritual Stone Monkey will go to retrieve the scriptures as agreed and complete the eastward transmission of Buddhism from the West."

"However, Buddhism must show sincerity and contribute 30% of the merits accumulated during the Journey to the West. At the same time, after the Spiritual Stone Monkey completes the eastward transmission of Buddhism, he will not be a disciple of Buddhism and must return to Taoism."

Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun nodded, then bid farewell to Chen Xuan and stepped out of the Qinglian Palace.

At the same time, the gates of Qinglian Island swung open. A dragon's roar resounded through the sky. Then, Ao Ping appeared in mid-air.

Ao Ping gestured to the two Western monks, inviting them to enter. He then said, "Ao Ping is here on the orders of my senior brother Laozi to invite the two Western monks to Qinglian Island."

The two Western monks initially felt disrespected upon seeing Ao Ping greet them. However, upon closer inspection, they were greatly surprised to find that Ao Ping's cultivation had also reached the level of a Primordial Golden Immortal.

Even now, the two Western monks couldn't help but think to themselves, "The original six saints of Qinglian Island had already caused us Heavenly Saints a lot of suffering."

"Now, in addition to the original six saints, Qinglian Island has also gained the Styx Ancestor and Ao Ping. Isn't its strength even greater than before?"

In fact, the two Western Buddhist monks overlooked two people: Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi, who have now become Chen Xuan's disciples.

However, these two are not on Qinglian Island now, but have gone to the human race as agreed to atone for the sins they committed by slaughtering the human race in the past.

With trepidation in their hearts, the two Western monks followed Ao Ping into Qinglian Island. Upon entering, they were utterly shocked by what they saw.

The density of innate spiritual energy on the entire Qinglian Island surpasses even that of Zixiao Palace. Countless rare flowers and herbs abound, and there are countless top-grade innate spiritual roots.

Shocked by the two Western monks, Ao Ping led them to Taiqing Peak, Laozi's Daoist temple.

At this moment, Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun were sitting upright in the Taiqing Palace. They did not rise when the two Western Buddhas entered.

Ao Ping spoke up, saying, "Senior brothers, I have brought the two Western monks with me."

Lao Tzu nodded, then pointed to the two prayer cushions below him, indicating that the two Western monks could sit there.

This inevitably enraged Zhunti Daoren, but knowing that his cultivation was inferior to Zhunti's, he could only swallow his anger.

After taking their seats, Lao Tzu did not order tea to be served. He simply said calmly, "Why have you two come to my Green Lotus Island instead of enjoying yourselves in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss?"

There was no need for further politeness in this situation, so Daoist Zhunti directly said, "Why does Fellow Daoist Laozi ask questions he already knows the answer to?"

"That Spiritual Stone Monkey was originally destined to be the one for the Great Tribulation of Journey to the West. Now, he has been forcibly brought to your Green Lotus Island. Shouldn't you give this humble monk an explanation?"

Yuanshi Tianzun snorted coldly and said, "Then I wonder what kind of explanation you, Zhunti Daoist, want from my Daoist sect?" (End of this chapter)