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

The Seven Treasures Tree in the hands of the Daoist Zhunti radiated seven-colored light, each ray containing earth-shattering power.

The entire space of Taiqing Palace began to distort, and countless golden Sanskrit characters emerged from the void, transforming the surroundings into a pure Buddhist land.

"Zhunti, are you going to make a move on my Qinglian Island? Then don't blame me for not giving you any face."

A cold light flashed in Yuanshi Tianzun's eyes, and the Pangu Banner instantly soared into the sky, spreading a chaotic aura.

Wherever the chaotic aura passed, the golden Sanskrit characters crumbled, and the distorted space instantly returned to normal.

Upon seeing this, the Guide was greatly alarmed. He knew that the Primordial Heavenly Venerable's cultivation was unfathomable, but he never expected that he had reached the realm where words could become law and a single thought could determine the fate of the world.

He immediately grabbed Zhunti Daoist and transmitted his voice, saying, "Junior brother, you must not be reckless! This place is an important Taoist site, and we will not gain any advantage here."

Zhunti Daoist's expression shifted between light and shadow, and the light from the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand flickered. He knew all too well that taking action now would be counterproductive, but the conditions Laozi had proposed were simply too outrageous.

If the Spiritual Stone Monkey truly attained 50% of the virtues and returned to Taoism, wouldn't Buddhism have been left with nothing?

A score of 50% is barely acceptable to Buddhism. After all, the key to the eastward transmission of Buddhism and Taoism this time lies in the prevailing fortune, not in the accumulation of merit.

But if we let the Spiritual Stone Monkey return to the Taoist sect, wouldn't that be equivalent to taking away its destiny as well? If we can't even protect this destiny, how can Buddhism and Taoism awaken?

Just as tensions were about to rise, Laozi, standing to the side, spoke up expressionlessly: "My two fellow Daoists need not give an answer. You may go back and discuss it properly. My brother and I can afford to wait."

Seeing that Laozi was actually preparing to see his guests off, the two Western Buddhist monks couldn't help but feel anxious. After all, the Taoist sect could wait, but the Buddhist sect couldn't.

If they were given more time, the Spirit Stone Monkey's cultivation would likely break through to the Quasi-Saint level. And that's a consequence they couldn't afford.

Finally, the guide spoke up, saying, "The Spiritual Stone Monkey can return to the Taoist sect, but he must stay in the Buddhist sect for five hundred years."

"For the past five hundred years, the Spiritual Stone Monkey has been the Buddha of our Buddhist sect. After five hundred years, he can shed his Buddha identity and return to the Taoist sect."

Lao Tzu nodded slightly and stroked his beard, saying, "The Spiritual Stone Monkey is a unique species of heaven and earth, and it is destined to have great fortune. If we forcibly suppress its cultivation, it will not only violate the laws of heaven, but also damage its foundation."

Laozi not only ignored the guide's words, but also steered the conversation back to the cultivation level of the Spirit Stone Monkey.

The two Western Buddhist monks weren't fools; how could they not understand the meaning behind Lao Tzu's words? It meant that Lao Tzu disagreed with the condition he had proposed.

Finally, he could only say, "A hundred years is the limit that our Buddhist sect can accept. After all, if the Spiritual Stone Monkey leaves the Buddhist sect after completing the pilgrimage, the great prosperity of our Buddhist sect will not be possible."

Little did they know that the two Western Buddhist sects had already fallen into the trap set by Lao Tzu. After all, Taoism also needed the awakening of Buddhism and Taoism.

Moreover, Chen Xuan only said that the Spiritual Stone Monkey would return to the Daoist sect. He didn't say when it would return; this timing was naturally up to Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun to decide.

So Lao Tzu finally nodded and said, "Very well, our Daoist sect can afford to wait a hundred years. We can even help with the calamities on the journey to the West."

Seeing Laozi agree, the Guide Daoist breathed a sigh of relief. However, when he heard that Laozi intended to create difficulties on the journey to the West, a sense of worry arose in his heart. The Zhunti Daoist even spoke directly, saying, "Doesn't the Daoist sect look down on Heavenly Dao merit? Why are you forcibly interfering?"

Laozi smiled and shook his head, saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhunti, you misunderstand. Our Daoist sect was only worried that the Spirit Stone Monkey's cultivation was too high, and that your Heavenly Dao Saints could not arrange a calamity to match it, so we stepped in to help."

Zhunti Daoist wanted to argue further, but Jieyin Daoist secretly transmitted a message to Zhunti, saying, "Junior brother, the situation is beyond our control. Agree to it for now, and we can make further plans later."

Zhunti Daoist took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "We shall do as Fellow Daoist Laozi says. However, the Spiritual Stone Monkey must embark on the journey to the West on time and must not be delayed."

Lao Tzu smiled slightly: "That's natural."

Just as the two sides were about to reach an agreement, a commotion suddenly arose outside the hall. Immediately afterwards, a clear voice came from afar: "Master, your disciple has brought the Spirit Stone Monkey."

Then, Master Yuding led Liming into the main hall. He even paid his respects to Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun. As for the two Western monks, Master Yuding subconsciously ignored them.

This inevitably made the Westerners grit their teeth in hatred, but they were powerless against the odds. They probably couldn't afford to dwell on it any longer and turned their attention to the Spiritual Stone Monkey.

The monkey's eyes were bright and its body exuded a powerful aura. It had already reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, and was only one step away from the Primordial Golden Immortal realm.

Upon seeing this, Daoist Zhunti almost lost his composure again. This was no ordinary spirit stone monkey; it was clearly a primordial deity on the verge of sainthood. If he were truly allowed to participate in the Journey to the West, how could Buddhism maintain control of the situation?
The Guide was also shocked, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he smiled and said, "This is the Spirit Stone Monkey? It is indeed extraordinary. I wonder if it has been named?"

Master Yuding said directly, "There's no need for the Sage Jieyin to worry about the name of the Spiritual Stone Monkey. Our Grandmaster has already bestowed upon him the name Sun Wukong."

The Guide Daoist nodded. "The name Wukong does indeed align with Buddhist teachings. It seems the Azure Lotus Saint has a good heart."

In the original primordial universe, the name of the Spiritual Stone Monkey was Sun Wukong. However, that name was given by the Patriarch Bodhi, but now it has been given by the Taoist sect.

There is naturally a difference between the two, but the Guide Daoist did not see this. Therefore, he gladly accepted the name Sun Wukong.

Afterwards, the two Western monks chatted for a few more minutes with Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun, while also praising Sun Wukong. Then they took their leave.

Watching the two Western monks leave, Master Yuding finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then said to Sun Wukong beside him, "Now that they're gone, you should also stop your transformations."

As soon as Jade Cauldron Immortal finished speaking, Sun Wukong's appearance changed. He was actually the Six-Eared Macaque, Yuan Futong, in disguise.

As for why the Six-Eared Macaque was transformed into Sun Wukong, the purpose was to make the two Western monks believe that Sun Wukong's cultivation had reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

At this time, Sun Wukong's cultivation level was still at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. After all, the Daoist sect would not do something like forcibly using pills to enhance a disciple's cultivation level without considering their foundation.

Then Master Yuding spoke up, saying, "My two masters, I have already accepted Sun Wukong as my disciple. I wonder how I should proceed with his instruction?"

Yuanshi Tianzun looked at Laozi, then said to Yuding Zhenren, "Go to the Nine Netherworld first and get a drop of Ancestral Witch essence blood from your Uncle Houtu."

"Then go to the human capital and find your Uncle-Master Di Jun, and ask him to prepare thirty-six drops of ancient demon blood for you." (End of Chapter)