Primordial Era: Starting by overwhelming the Sages, Hongjun was stunned!

The Buddha said in a deep voice:

"Can you see clearly who did this?"

Guanyin shook her head:

"Never."

"That aura vanished in a flash; by the time I tried to investigate, it had already disappeared without a trace."

"This disciple dares not rashly pursue them, so I have returned to report first."

The Buddha remained silent.

He looked out of the palace, towards Chang'an in the east.

His eyes were filled with solemnity.

Sun Wukong, peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm.

Who exactly was the person who saved him?

Such incredible, heaven-defying methods!

Seeing that the Buddha remained silent, Guanyin said softly:

"Venerable One, what should we do?"

The Buddha slowly spoke:

"wait."

Guanyin was taken aback:

"wait?"

The Buddha nodded:

"Wait for the pilgrim to set off."

"Wait for the monkey to appear on its own."

"Since he is the protagonist destined by fate, he cannot escape the fate of Journey to the West."

Even with a surge in cultivation, one cannot escape.

Guanyin clasps her hands together in prayer:

"Your disciple obeys."

heaven.

The Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor sat regally on his dragon throne, his face majestic.

Venus stood in the hall and reported on the events in Chang'an one by one.

After hearing this, the Jade Emperor frowned slightly:

"Peak of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm?"

"That monkey?"

Venus nodded:

"Exactly."

"Although that aura was fleeting, I sensed it clearly."

"It is undoubtedly him."

The Jade Emperor remained silent.

He looked out of the palace, towards the surging sea of ​​clouds in the heavenly court.

His eyes flickered, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

a long time.

He spoke slowly:

"Issue my decree."

"Keep a close eye on the westward journey."

"If you hear any news about the monkey, report back immediately."

Venus bows:

"I obey your decree."

He turned and strode away.

In the Lingxiao Palace, only the Jade Emperor remained.

He sat upright on the dragon throne, gazing into the void.

self-mumbling:

"Peak of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm..."

"interesting."

"That's really interesting."

Changan.

Night was falling.

Inside Huasheng Temple, a solitary lamp flickers.

Xuanzang sat cross-legged on a futon, holding prayer beads in his hands, silently reciting scriptures.

Unbeknownst to him, a monkey was watching him from not far away.

He was unaware that the monkey had just broken through to the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm.

All he knew was that from this day forward, his fate would be completely changed.

The journey to the west is about to begin.

outside the window.

Moonlight is like water.

Sun Wukong hid in the shadows, gazing at the solitary lamp and the figure chanting scriptures.

Scratched his head.

This monk is indeed diligent.

It's so late, and they're still chanting scriptures.

He yawned and leaned against the wall.

who cares.

If the senior tells me to follow, then I will follow.

Anyway, I'm just idling around.

He gazed at the night sky, at the bright moon.

Suddenly I thought of Flower and Fruit Mountain.

I think of those monkeys and their offspring.

I recall the glory of his rampage in the Heavenly Palace back then.

But all of that is in the past.

He is now at the peak of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm.

It is a new life bestowed by our predecessors.

He grinned.

Who cares about the Western Paradise or the pilgrimage?

If a senior instructs me to protect someone, then I will protect them.

Anyone who dares to lay a finger on this monk will be beaten to death by me, Old Sun!

under the moonlight.

The disappearing figure's eyes flashed with a hint of arrogance.

There was also a trace of unwavering determination that was hard to put into words.

The journey to the West is about to begin.

And the monkey was ready.

Outside Chang'an city, the official road winds its way.

The morning light was faint, and a thin mist hung like gauze.

Xuanzang, carrying his bundle and holding his staff, walked step by step out of the city gate. Behind him, the majestic city of Chang'an gradually blurred in the morning light. Before him, there was a road that seemed to have no end.

He didn't know how long the road was.

I wonder how many demons and monsters are on the road.

I don't know if I'll ever come back.

But he walked with unwavering resolve.

Every step was taken steadily and firmly.

On the city wall, Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, watching the receding figure.

"Master..."

He murmured to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Beside him, Wei Zheng said softly, "Your Majesty, the monk's journey is fraught with peril."

Li Shimin remained silent.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"I know."

"But some things just have to be done by someone."

"If he is willing to go, I will send him off."

"If he returns, I will personally go out of the city to welcome him."

"If he doesn't come back..."

He paused:

"I then built a temple and erected a stele for him, to be worshipped for all eternity."

outside the city.

Beside the official road, there was a tea stall.

Kong Xuan sat by the window, holding a rough porcelain teacup, his gaze calm.

The tea stall owner was a kind-hearted middle-aged man, busy boiling water and brewing tea. He glanced at the man in the black robe by the window and wondered: This man has been sitting here since last night, drinking a cup of tea all night without saying a word or sleeping. It's very strange.

But he didn't dare ask.

Although the man in the black robe didn't speak, the aura emanating from him sent chills down his spine.

We can't afford to mess with them.

Stay away.

Kong Xuan didn't care about these things.

He simply gazed out the window, watching the figure gradually approaching.

Xuanzang.

The pilgrim on the pilgrimage.

Jin Chanzi.

Through ten lifetimes of reincarnation, my original aspiration remains unchanged.

In this life, he left Chang'an.

Heading on the 108,000-mile westward journey.

They walked towards the covetousness of countless demons and monsters.

To walk towards that destiny that was predetermined in the dark.

Behind Kong Xuan, the void trembled slightly.

A figure quietly appeared.

Sun Wukong.

He scratched his head, his face full of confusion:

"Senior, why did this monk leave all by himself?"

"He didn't bring a single guard or attendant."

"Just carrying a small bundle and a broken stick."

"Can this really get you to the Western Paradise?"

Kong Xuan did not turn around:

"He brought it with him."

Sun Wukong was taken aback:

"Bringing? Bringing what?"

Kong Xuan said calmly:

"belief."

Sun Wukong scratched his head:

"Can belief defeat monsters?"

Kong Xuan's lips curled slightly:

"cannot."

"But if he didn't have faith, he wouldn't be able to leave Chang'an."

Sun Wukong pouted:

"I, Old Sun, still don't understand."

"Why send this weak monk on the pilgrimage when there are so many generals with superb martial arts skills and so many accomplished Taoist masters?"

Kong Xuan picked up his teacup and took a small sip:

"Because it's him."

Sun Wukong was stunned.

Kong Xuan put down his cup:

"For Buddhism to spread eastward, someone needs to go and retrieve the true scriptures."

"That person must possess great compassion, great perseverance, and great wisdom."

"One must be able to sacrifice oneself to feed tigers and cut off one's own flesh to feed eagles."

"One must be able to face demons without fear, and face life and death without retreating."

"There aren't many people like that."

"Jin Chanzi, count him in."

As Sun Wukong listened, his eyes gradually brightened:

"Now that you mention it, senior, this monk is indeed quite interesting."

Kong Xuan nodded slightly:

"So, protect it well."

Sun Wukong patted his chest:

"Don't worry, senior!"

"With me, Old Sun, around, no one can lay a finger on him!"

The words fell.

He flickered and disappeared.

on the official road.

As Xuanzang walked, he suddenly stopped.

He looked back.

There was no one behind him.

Only the winding official road and the distant city of Chang'an gradually disappearing into the morning mist remained.

Xuanzang frowned slightly.

He felt it again.

That gaze.

That unseen, subtle gaze.

The Water and Land Assembly has been ongoing since it began yesterday.

Sometimes near, sometimes far; sometimes hidden, sometimes visible.

But it has never disappeared.