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

Although the Great Tribulation of Journey to the West has already begun in secret, apart from the leaders of various forces, very few people know about it.

At the very least, no more than five people in the entire Heavenly Court know about this. And Daoist Ran Deng is clearly not among those five.

A hint of displeasure flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes. After all, how could he not know what the true purpose of the Taoist Ran Deng was in stopping Marshal Tianpeng from sending troops to Flower Fruit Mountain?

He immediately said, "I hereby order Marshal Tianpeng to lead an army of 100,000, along with the Four Heavenly Kings, the Nine Luminaries, and the Giant Spirit God, to join the battle. The army will march on Flower Fruit Mountain in three months."

Seeing that the Jade Emperor was already angry, Daoist Ran Deng naturally dared not speak any further. He could only obediently retreat to his position, his gaze sweeping over the other disciples of the Chan Sect who were also on the list.

……

Lingshan, Daleiyin Temple.

The Buddha sat upright on his lotus throne, listening to the reports from the Five Directions Protectors, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow.

The Five Directions Protectors bowed to the Buddha and said, "Buddha, after Sun Wukong left Cuiping Mountain, he visited the five great demon kings, including the Jiao Demon King and the Peng Demon King. It seems that he intends to form an alliance."

Guanyin Bodhisattva gently twirled a willow branch and said thoughtfully, "That monkey's association with various demon kings is in line with the arrangements of our Buddhist sect."

"But Sun Wukong's cultivation level has far exceeded our plans. If we allow him to unite the demon race, I'm afraid..."

Before Guanyin Bodhisattva could speak, Buddha Tathagata directly said, "It's alright. The demon race's fortune has declined, and they can't cause any major trouble. However, the relationship between that monkey and the Fire Cloud Cave is more worthy of attention."

His gaze was deep and unfathomable, as if piercing through the thirty-three heavens and looking directly at Flower Fruit Mountain. After a long while, he finally spoke, "What exactly is Nuwa's intention in making this move? This humble monk truly cannot understand it."

"After all, the human race has now become the master of this primordial world, and the human way was awakened during the Investiture of the Gods. Logically speaking, the human race should not have interfered in the Journey to the West."

Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke to the Buddha, saying, "This humble monk believes that this matter may be related to the fate of the human race. Since the Investiture of the Gods, the human race has prospered, and the demon race has even gone to the human race to atone for their sins."

"Therefore, this humble monk is worried that the human race wants to take this opportunity to completely integrate the demon race, making the demon race a vassal of the human race, and the opportunity is this eastward spread of Buddhism and Taoism."

The Buddha nodded slightly and said, "Guanyin Bodhisattva's concerns are not without merit. However, this matter cannot be rushed; we must continue to observe."

"The great calamity of the Journey to the West is approaching, and anything is possible. What our Buddhist sect needs to do is to complete the eastward transmission of Buddhism and enable our Buddhist sect to flourish."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and then arranged for the Five Directions Protectors to continue monitoring Sun Wukong's every move. For safety's sake, she even dispatched several Buddhist protectors to monitor the six demon kings who came into contact with Sun Wukong.

……

The Netherworld Blood Sea, with its turbid waves reaching the heavens.

Sun Wukong stood with the Bull Demon King on the shore of the Blood Coast, gazing at the boundless crimson sea before them. Countless vengeful spirits floated on the surface, emitting mournful howls that sent chills down their spines.

"Brother, are you really confident you can persuade that Styx Ancestor?" The Bull Demon King rubbed his hands together, his bull eyes filled with apprehension.

Sun Wukong patted the Bull Demon King on the shoulder, a sly glint in his golden eyes: "Brother Bull, don't worry, I, Old Sun, have a brilliant plan."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sea of ​​blood suddenly surged, and a ten-thousand-foot-high blood wave shot into the sky. Standing on the crest of the wave was an old man in red robes, with a sinister face and surrounded by blood-red light; he was none other than the Styx Ancestor.

"You stupid ox, you kidnapped my daughter and dare to come to my Netherworld Blood Sea. Do you really think I wouldn't dare to skin you alive and tear you apart?" Styx Ancestor roared, and countless Asura warriors flew out of the Blood Sea, surrounding the two of them.

Beads of sweat appeared on the Bull Demon King's forehead. Just as he was about to explain, Sun Wukong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Ancestor, please don't be angry. Your beloved Princess Rakshasa and Brother Bull are deeply in love. Why not grant them this happy union?"

The Styx Ancestor's gaze swept towards Sun Wukong like lightning. He sneered and said, "Who are you? Do you dare to interfere in my family affairs?"

Sun Wukong, neither humble nor arrogant, said: "Sun Wukong from the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain, entrusted by Princess Iron Fan, has brought the Bull Demon King to apologize to the Ancestor."

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's words, the Bull Demon King was so frightened that he took several steps back. A hint of worry crept into his eyes as he looked at Sun Wukong.

He was afraid that Sun Wukong had tricked him into coming so that the Styx Ancestor could vent his anger. But now that things had come to this, he dared not say anything more and could only stand quietly behind Sun Wukong.

The Styx Ancestor sneered and said, "It's simple to resolve this grudge. As long as this ox can withstand three of my sword strikes, I will acknowledge him as my son-in-law."

Based on the Bull Demon King's cultivation level, let alone the Styx Ancestor who was already a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, even the Styx Ancestor before the Investiture of the Gods could turn the Bull Demon King into beef sauce with a single sword strike.

Seeing the Bull Demon King's worried face, Sun Wukong remained calm, took out his golden cudgel from his ear, and slammed it into the ground. Instantly, a brilliant golden light shone, forcing the blood sea's malevolent energy back several miles.

The Netherworld Blood Sea, after all, is still a sea, and it is inevitably constrained by the Ruyi Jingu Bang (the magic staff). Therefore, when Sun Wukong unleashed his golden cudgel, the originally turbulent Netherworld Blood Sea instantly became calm and tranquil.

Then Sun Wukong flipped his left hand, and a blue lotus seed appeared in his palm, emanating pure energy of creation.

The Styx Ancestor's pupils contracted: "These are the lotus seeds of the Creation Green Lotus? Where did you obtain such a treasure?"

Sun Wukong smiled but did not answer. Instead, he asked the Styx Ancestor, "Since you recognize this lotus seed, you must also know my identity."

The Styx Ancestor looked at Sun Wukong and said, "No wonder you dared to bring this bull to my Netherworld Blood Sea. So you are actually a disciple of the Daoist sect."

"It seems you are aware of my identity, so there's no need to waste any more words. Tell me, whose disciple are you?"

Sun Wukong bowed directly to the Styx Ancestor and said, "I am Sun Wukong, a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Immortal. I pay my respects to my Grandmaster Uncle Styx."

Upon hearing that Sun Wukong was a disciple of Yu Ding Zhenren, the Styx Ancestor couldn't help but smile, "Come to think of it, you are already the fourth monkey that Yu Ding has taken in."

"Even if you are Yu Ding's disciple, this Azure Lotus Seed shouldn't have fallen into your hands. Tell me, was this Azure Lotus Seed given to you by your master?"

Sun Wukong smiled and nodded, "Nothing can be hidden from Grandmaster Styx. The Ancestor said that as long as Grandmaster Styx sees this Green Lotus Seed, he will definitely grant Brother Niu and his wife's wish."

"However, our ancestors also instructed that those who deserve punishment must be punished, and there must be no leniency. After all, even beating someone to death is not too much for someone who abducts another's daughter."

Now that things had come to this, the Bull Demon King had finally realized that the matter was settled. He immediately stepped forward and knelt down on the ground.

“What I did back then was indeed wrong, and over the years Rakshasa has often shed tears in secret. I also feel very sorry for her.”

"Now that I have come to see the Ancestor, my life and death are entirely in your hands. As long as the Ancestor forgives Rakshasa, I will have no regrets even if I die." (End of Chapter)