Simultaneous Transmigration: From Douluo Continent to the Pinnacle

The trouble that Chenxiang and Sun Wukong caused in the Heavenly Court was like a thunderclap, shaking the Three Realms.

Various forces, including Buddhism, were involved. In an instant, the entire realm was shaken, and the political landscape changed dramatically.

Especially the demon race, which had been swept away during the journey to the West to obtain the scriptures, were now on edge, fearing they would become one of the sacrifices in this great event. Those old demons who had experienced that catastrophe still remembered how Sun Wukong had single-handedly defeated their kingly kin, scattering their souls to the winds. Now, history seemed poised to repeat itself.

The great and small demon kings banded together for mutual support. Even the powerful demons who used to work alone began to humble themselves and actively form alliances with other demon kings. Small hills disappeared, while large hills were filled with second and third kings. Demon kings who used to fight tooth and nail for territory now sat together drinking and eating, calling each other brothers, all for a better chance of survival in the coming storm.

Taking advantage of Guanyin's intervention in Chenxiang's affairs, and leveraging Sun Wukong's status as the Victorious Fighting Buddha, Buddhism began to extend its reach. Those demons blocking Chenxiang's path to rescuing his mother were targeted for elimination. Buddhist Arhats and Vajras launched attacks everywhere, eliminating the demon kings who hindered Chenxiang's progress. At the same time, following past practice—those with powerful backers were spared, while those without were beheaded as a warning. Demons backed by powerful figures from Buddhism or Heaven were politely asked to leave; while those without support were executed on the spot, their heads displayed on the city walls.

Subsequently, the mounts and attendants of the powerful beings "slipped away" and descended to the mortal realm to become demons, imitating the events of the past. A green ox escaped from Laozi's Tushita Palace and became a mountain king; a golden-haired lion ran away from Guanyin Bodhisattva's lotus throne and stirred up trouble in the human world; several other immortal attendants also secretly descended to the mortal realm, each forming their own group. The grand scheme of Chenxiang rescuing his mother was about to take shape.

Zhongnan Mountain was not spared either.

It just so happens that both old and new grudges have been settled—the Dharma Protector Vajra was defeated and forced to retreat by Lin Yao, a debt that the Great Thunderclap Temple of Buddhism has always held. Now, taking advantage of the imminent start of the Chenxiang Incident, the Great Thunderclap Temple has dispatched the Bodhisattva Weituo, leading Buddhist troops to besiege Zhongnan Mountain.

Although Buddha hadn't initially intended to attack Lin Yao—after all, Lin Yao's background was mysterious, and a hasty action might cause unnecessary trouble—now that the Incense Offering was about to begin, many at the Great Thunderclap Temple were thinking of testing Lin Yao. If he had no background or ability, they'd kill him; if he had a background, they'd deal with him later. Anyway, testing him wouldn't cost them anything.

On this day, suddenly, Buddha's light shone brightly over Zhongnan Mountain, and chanting resounded throughout the heavens.

The Bodhisattva Weituo, leading three thousand Buddhist soldiers, descended majestically upon the Zhongnan Mountains. He wore golden armor, wielded a vajra, stood on a lotus platform, and possessed a dignified countenance. Behind him were thirty-six Arhats, seventy-two Dharma Protectors, and three thousand elite Yaksha Buddhist soldiers. Bathed in the Buddha's light, the clouds above the Zhongnan Mountains were dyed golden.

"Lin Yao!" The voice of Weituo Zuntian Bodhisattva rang out like a great bell, echoing throughout the entire Zhongnan Mountain. "You injured my Buddhist Dharma Protector Vajra, seized the mountain as your own, and resisted the Buddhist path of salvation. Your crimes are unforgivable! Today, I have personally come here. Why don't you come out and surrender immediately!"

On Mount Zhongnan, Lin Yao was meditating in his cave. Hearing the commotion outside, he opened his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Finally here." He stood up, stretched his limbs, and strode out of the cave.

He stood atop Zhongnan Mountain, looking up at the densely packed Buddhist soldiers in the sky, his expression unchanged. Behind him, the Iron-Eating Beast also emerged, crouching beside him, baring its teeth at the Buddhist soldiers in the sky and letting out a low roar.

"Weituo, the Venerable Heavenly Bodhisattva?" Lin Yao crossed his arms, his tone indifferent. "I've heard of you. A guardian deity of the Great Thunderclap Temple, in charge of Buddhist military affairs. But what do you intend to do by bringing so many people to my Zhongnan Mountain?"

"Lin Yao, don't be so arrogant!" Bodhisattva Weituo said coldly, "You injured my Buddhist Dharma Protector Vajra, stole Buddhist techniques, seized a mountain as your own, and resisted the Buddhist path of salvation—each and every one of these acts is a capital offense! Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and capture you!"

"Acting on behalf of Heaven?" Lin Yao laughed. "You Buddhists always speak so sweetly. You're clearly here for revenge, but you have to make it sound so noble. If you want to fight, just fight! Why all this nonsense?"

The Bodhisattva Weituo's expression darkened. Without another word, he waved his hand and commanded, "Form the formation!"

Three thousand Buddhist soldiers moved in unison, setting up the Great Array of Light to Trapped Demons. Golden rays of Buddhist light rose from the soldiers, weaving into a vast net of light in mid-air, enveloping the entire Zhongnan Mountain. Within that net of light lay immense Buddhist power, seemingly capable of purifying all evil.

Thirty-six Arhats and seventy-two Dharma Protectors simultaneously unleashed their Buddhist power into the great formation, amplifying the power of the light net. In an instant, the sky above Zhongnan Mountain was filled with Buddhist light like a sea, and chanting like a tide, as if the entire mountain was about to be melted by the Buddhist light.

However, Lin Yao stood unharmed amidst the Buddha's light. A layer of chaotic light appeared on his body, isolating him from the Buddha's light. He looked up at the net of light and shook his head.

"this one?"

He reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Then, he drew his sword.

A chaotic sword light shot into the sky, like a bolt of lightning, slashing towards the net of light. Wherever the sword light passed, the Buddhist light melted away like ice and snow, and the chanting stopped abruptly. The great array of light that bound demons, jointly set up by three thousand Buddhist soldiers, thirty-six Arhats, and seventy-two Dharma protectors, was easily torn apart like paper before that sword.

"boom--!!!"

With a deafening roar, the Bright Demon-Trapping Array collapsed. The three thousand Buddhist soldiers simultaneously coughed up blood and were sent flying backward. The thirty-six Arhats and seventy-two Dharma Protectors also turned pale and retreated hastily.

The Bodhisattva Weituo's expression changed drastically. He had not expected Lin Yao's strength to be so terrifying, breaking his proud Bright Demon-Trapping Array with a single sword strike.

"How dare you!" Bodhisattva Weituo roared angrily, taking action himself. He wielded the Vajra pestle, transforming it into a golden streak of light as he hurtled towards Lin Yao. The Vajra pestle contained vast Buddhist power, seemingly capable of suppressing all evil spirits.

Undeterred, Lin Yao drew his sword and charged forward. The two engaged in an earth-shattering battle in the skies above Zhongnan Mountain.

As a guardian deity of the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Bodhisattva Weituo is naturally a force to be reckoned with. His Buddhist supernatural powers are endless—sometimes he uses the Vajra Dharma Form, transforming into a golden giant a hundred feet tall, wielding the Vajra Pestle to smash Lin Yao; sometimes he uses the Heavenly Dragon Chant, disturbing Lin Yao's mind with Buddhist chants; sometimes he uses the Lotus Seal, condensing golden lotuses with Buddhist light to trap Lin Yao's movements.

Lin Yao was initially overwhelmed and forced to retreat. The Buddhist supernatural powers of the Bodhisattva Weituo were indeed profound, leaving him unable to find a way to counter them for the time being. However, he did not panic. Instead, he continued to learn and adapt during the battle, searching for his opponent's weaknesses.

After hundreds of rounds, Lin Yao gradually figured out the style of the Bodhisattva Weituo. His swordsmanship became more ruthless and precise. He began to counterattack, sword after sword, forcing the Bodhisattva Weituo to retreat repeatedly.

The Bodhisattva Weituo was greatly alarmed. He realized that he was being suppressed. This Lin Yao, despite his young age, had extremely rich combat experience, and his power was extremely strange—neither Buddhist nor Taoist power, but a power he had never seen before, which seemed to be able to restrain all magic and supernatural abilities.

He gritted his teeth and summoned his lotus platform magic weapon. The lotus platform was entirely golden, with twelve petals, radiating thousands of golden rays that enveloped Lin Yao. Within the lotus platform lay the cultivation of the Bodhisattva Weituo for thousands of years; once enveloped, it would be purified by the Buddhist light and reduced to ashes.

Lin Yao was enveloped by the lotus platform, and he felt a terrifying suppressive force surging from all directions, as if it would crush his body. He took a deep breath, and the power of the five elements within his body suddenly erupted.

"Qilin—Break!"

He let out a low shout, and the Qilin Five Elements Power within his body erupted like a volcano, transforming into a five-colored pillar of light that shot into the sky. Under the impact of the Five Elements Power, the lotus platform let out a mournful cry, and the golden light on its surface quickly dimmed, revealing cracks.

"boom--!!!"

The lotus platform shattered, turning into countless golden fragments that scattered in all directions. The Bodhisattva Weituo spat out a mouthful of golden blood, his face ashen. His natal magic weapon was destroyed, and his vital energy was severely depleted.

"Attack!" Bodhisattva Weituo shouted sternly, clutching his chest.

Although the Arhats and Dharma Protectors were terrified, they dared not disobey orders and attacked Lin Yao encircled him.

Lin Yao sneered, his figure blurring as he transformed into a streak of light, plunging into the crowd. His longsword flashed, chaotic sword light crisscrossing, each strike felling an Arhat or Dharma Protector. On his armor, the power of the five elements flowed alternately, dissolving the Buddhist spells one by one.

He moved like a tiger among sheep, charging in and out of the Buddhist soldiers seven times, leaving a trail of blood. The Arhats and Dharma protectors were no match for him, cutting them down like vegetables. The Yaksha soldiers couldn't even touch the hem of his robe before being sliced ​​in two by his sword light.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, less than one-tenth of the three thousand Buddhist soldiers remained. The thirty-six Arhats and seventy-two Dharma Protectors also suffered more than half their casualties. The remaining Buddhist soldiers could no longer maintain their formation and scattered in disarray.

Seeing this, the Bodhisattva Weituo was both shocked and furious, yet helpless. He knew he was no match for Lin Yao. If the fight continued, he feared he too would perish here.

"Retreat!" he gritted his teeth and gave the order to retreat.

The remaining Buddhist soldiers, as if granted a pardon, fled Zhongnan Mountain in a sorry state. The Bodhisattva Weituo, supported by two Arhats, also fled back to the Great Thunderclap Temple in a disheveled state.

At the Great Thunder Temple, the Great Sun Tathagata sat on his lotus throne, listening to the report from the Bodhisattva Weituo.

"Lin Yao, you shattered your Bright Demon-Trapping Array with a single sword strike and destroyed your Lotus Platform magic treasure?" Tathagata's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Yes..." Bodhisattva Weituo bowed his head, overwhelmed with shame. "Lin Yao's strength far exceeded my expectations. His power is extremely strange, neither Buddhist nor Taoist, yet it seems to be able to restrain all magic and supernatural powers. This disciple is incompetent, please punish me, Buddha."

The Buddha remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "This matter is not your fault."

He tried to deduce Lin Yao's origins by calculating with his fingers. But the secrets of that day remained shrouded in mystery, as if shrouded in a layer of mist, making it impossible for him to see clearly. He could sense that behind Lin Yao, there seemed to be an extremely powerful force protecting him, preventing him from getting to the bottom of it.

The Buddha's brow furrowed slightly. He suspected that Lin Yao was connected to the Heavenly Court—otherwise, how could he dare to be so arrogant in the face of the overwhelming pressure from Buddhism? After all, even the Bodhisattva Weituo was only a mid-level figure within the Great Thunderclap Temple. If Lin Yao wasn't absolutely certain he could handle the even greater pressure that lay ahead, how could he dare to so openly break ties with the Great Thunderclap Temple?

Moreover, Buddha had previously been unable to deduce Lin Yao's background, and he didn't want to provoke the Jade Emperor in Heaven for the time being—that old fox, the Jade Emperor, appeared indifferent but was actually very shrewd. If Lin Yao was indeed a pawn planted by Heaven, a hasty move could very well trigger a conflict between Buddhism and Heaven. At this critical juncture, with the Chenxiang Scheme about to begin, such a conflict would be detrimental to Buddhism.

After a moment's thought, the Buddha made a decision: "Let this matter be put on hold for now. Do not send any more troops to Zhongnan Mountain."

"But Buddha..." said the Bodhisattva Weituo, somewhat unwilling.

"I have my own plan." The Buddha's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Step down."

Although the Bodhisattva Weituo was unwilling, he dared not disobey the Buddha's command, so he could only bow and leave the Great Thunder Temple.

Buddha watched the departing figure of Weituo Bodhisattva with a profound gaze. After some thought, he decided to pass this hot potato to Erlang Shen and Yang Jian, the ones who orchestrated the Chenxiang scheme. In any case, they needed some "accidents" to make the whole thing more believable.

Erlang Shen Yang Jian was handling official business in the Zhenjun Temple when he suddenly received a message from the Great Thunder Temple.

He opened it and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Zhongnan Mountain? Lin Yao?" he murmured to himself, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He remembered that this Lin Yao seemed to be the celestial soldier who had been banished to the mortal realm from the Southern Heavenly Gate. At the time, he hadn't paid much attention, thinking he was just an ordinary unlucky fellow. Unexpectedly, this celestial soldier had actually made a name for himself in Zhongnan Mountain, and had even defeated the Buddhist Bodhisattva Weituo.

"Interesting." Yang Jian put down the intelligence report and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

He thought about it and decided to leave it alone. He didn't want to become a tool of Buddhism—Buddhism wanted to pass the hot potato of Lin Yao to him to deal with, but he wasn't that foolish. What he cared about most now was the growth of his nephew Chenxiang and that his sister, the Third Holy Mother, could finally break free from her cage. Everything else was unimportant.

As the saying goes, "He who is made is also broken by the God of Justice." It's precisely because of his status, and his uncle, that Yang Jian needs to go through so much. Some rules require specific procedures to be changed. Otherwise, overly simplistic understanding will only lead to endless trouble. When Erlang Shen Yang Jian split the mountain to save his mother, he didn't understand, but over the years he has. Especially after becoming an uncle and having Chenxiang as his nephew, he understands even more.

The thought flashed through Yang Jian's mind in an instant. He put away the message that had been sent, stood up, put on his cloak, and walked out of the True Lord's Temple. The Howling Celestial Dog was dozing at the door. When it saw him come out, it immediately stood up and wagged its tail.

"Howling Celestial Dog, summon the six brothers of Meishan and the three thousand grass-root gods," Yang Jian said in a deep voice. "It's time to get to work."

The celestial dog barked twice, then turned and ran off to relay the order.

Before long, the six brothers of Meishan and the three thousand grass-root gods had assembled. They stood in the square in front of the True Lord's Temple, their armor gleaming, their morale high.

Yang Jian stood on the steps, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "Our most important task now is to capture that stable boy who escaped from Heaven earlier, as well as Chenxiang and the others behind him. We can't let them continue to cause trouble like this. As for the commotion caused by the Great Thunderclap Temple in order to gain benefits from it, that's none of our business. Let them handle it themselves."

He paused, his voice growing even colder: "Come on, follow me up now. First we'll deal with the stable boy, then we'll take down Chenxiang, to show the majesty of the Heavenly Judge—the Heavenly Court is not a place where these people can run wild!"

"Yes, sir!" The Howling Celestial Dog, the six brothers of Meishan, and the three thousand grass-headed gods responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. They were the most loyal to Erlang Shen Yang Jian, always obeying their leader's commands without hesitation. Whatever Yang Jian asked them to do, they would carry it out without a second thought.

Seeing the loyalty of his men, Erlang Shen Yang Jian nodded slightly. With a flick of his cloak, he led his troops, transforming into a streak of light, towards the direction where Sun Wukong, Chenxiang, and the others were.

His shadow stretched long in the afterglow of the setting sun, appearing somewhat lonely and resolute.

This charade must continue. For Chenxiang, for Third Sister, and for himself.