Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Kong Xuan fixed his gaze seriously on Jiang Liu, saying, "The teachings of the Buddhist Sect have always been about self-sacrifice to help others. While it is important to pursue personal enlightenment, I, in my heart, have already forgiven you. If you insist on staying, the guilt in my heart will persist. How can you bear that?"

"I hope Master Xuanzang can fulfill this old man's wish..." As he finished speaking, Kong Xuan slightly bowed his head to Jiang Liu, displaying a sincere manner.

Seeing Kong Xuan's pleading demeanor and hearing his well-spoken words, Jiang Liu pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Amitabha, if that's the case, let's fulfill the old man's wish!"

As the saying goes, haste makes waste.

Being the coordinator of the Journey to the West, Jiang Liu knew that Kong Xuan was unwilling to let him delay for long.

If he could delay for a few more years, it would certainly be delightful. But seeing Kong Xuan's posture, Jiang Liu thought it better to seize the opportunity and not overplay his hand.

For each calamity, he managed to dawdle for about half a year, which was already a gain.

Thinking about the latest calamity in the Calamity Book—"The Fifty-Fifth Calamity, Planting Flowers"—Jiang Liu pondered silently.

Daunting as the Eighty-One Calamities are, even though the last one is the battle among Immortals and Buddhas, there are eighty calamities before it.

Thus, it seems there are still twenty-five calamities waiting for him.

Should he be able to delay each calamity by half a year, could he not postpone things for over ten years?

With so much time, perhaps everyone in his Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team would already have advanced to the Quasi-Saint level.

Picturing five Quasi-Saints arriving at the Western Heaven and starting a fight with Immortals and Buddhas with no holds barred, Jiang Liu felt it could be achievable.

Listening to Jiang Liu's words, having already agreed, Sun Wukong and the others glanced at Jiang Liu, but none spoke.

Their trust in Jiang Liu left no room for dissent.

"Phew..." Likewise, hearing Jiang Liu had indeed agreed, Kong Xuan breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

"If that's the case, continue your journey. I have important matters to attend to, so let's part for now. I hope we will meet again..." Fearing that Jiang Liu might go back on his word, Kong Xuan nodded and spoke.

Without further ado, with the battle between Zhu Bajie and Little White Dragon, Kong Xuan had no desire to stay for a hot pot feast, bidding farewell briefly before turning away and quickly disappearing into the horizon.

"Alright, the old man has left. Let's have our meal ourselves, master and disciples..." Following Kong Xuan's departure, Jiang Liu beckoned Sun Wukong and the others.

"Hehehe, Master, I, Old Sun, will go fetch Bajie and Xiaobai!" The situation had concluded, and Sun Wukong grinned as he spoke, then turned to call Zhu Bajie and Little White Dragon.

Watching Sun Wukong, the corner of Jiang Liu's mouth curled into a smile.

Regarding the relationship between Sun Wukong and his fellow disciples, Jiang Liu certainly hoped for harmony. Firstly, Sun Wukong indeed values loyalty, and secondly, it was Jiang Liu's deliberate intent.

Therefore, even though Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie liked to bicker with each other, whenever Zhu Bajie made a mistake or at other times, Jiang Liu tacitly allowed Sun Wukong to intercede on their behalf.

For example, when Jiang Liu tasked them to eliminate the demons who had escaped from the Eastern Temple, he properly punished Zhu Bajie, yet it was Sun Wukong who brought Zhu Bajie back during the holiday...

Jiang Liu and others, having gone through the fifty-fifth calamity, continued their westward journey. This matter will be set aside for now.

On the other side, an old man left Flower Valley, flying through the air, transforming into a young and aloof man—Kong Xuan's true form.

After leaving Flower Valley, culminating half a year later, a calamity was finally completed. Yet, Kong Xuan's face showed no hint of delight.

Although the calamity was finished, the unfolding events completely defied Kong Xuan's expectations, wasting half a year, making it impossible for him to feel pleased.

By rights, having completed a calamity, he should have immediately gone to continue the second one.

However, Kong Xuan bore no such intention.

Flying through the air, Kong Xuan did not head west to pre-arrange the next calamity. Instead, he flew eastward.

A moment later, he arrived at the new Donglai Temple in the Eastern Shengshen State.

"May I ask who you are?" As Kong Xuan landed at the Donglai Temple, Yuanling happened to see and approached respectfully, asking.

"Oh?" Seeing Yuanling before him, Kong Xuan's brows slightly raised; he could easily tell that this Novice Monk had uncommon aptitude.

However, it wasn't the time to focus on the Novice Monk, so Kong Xuan spoke straightforwardly, "I am Vidyaraja Kongxuan, here to seek out your Maitreya. Have him come see me!"

If Maitreya Buddha held the honorable title of Three-World Buddha, perhaps Kong Xuan would defer to him. But now, having been removed from the Three-World Buddha, speaking of identity and status, Kong Xuan naturally need give no courtesy.

Upon arriving at the Donglai Temple, it was indeed expected for Maitreya Buddha to personally greet him.

"Well, my master is currently in seclusion, cultivating to break through..." Listening to Kong Xuan's words, Yuanling's face showed a hint of difficulty.

Vidyaraja Kongxuan? Within the Buddhist Sect, he could be considered a complete newcomer, so Yuanling did not recognize Kong Xuan.

"Seclusion for cultivation? Even if his cultivation level increases, he merely barely steps into the Quasi-Saint Realm, which, in my view, is not worth mentioning..." However, before Yuanling could finish speaking, Kong Xuan sneered and said.

After saying this, Kong Xuan no longer paid any attention to Yuanling's thoughts and directly stepped into the New Donglai Temple.

"Just a Quasi-Saint?" Listening to Kong Xuan's words, Yuanling was dumbfounded.

A Quasi-Saint, someone who is a significant figure in the Three Realms and Six Paths! Yet this so-called Vidyaraja refers to them as "just" a Quasi-Saint?

What kind of divine being is this person? It seems that even if Maitreya Buddha reached the Quasi-Saint level, he wouldn't be considered significant?

"Maitreya, your prestige is indeed remarkable now. I'm here to see you, and you won't even come out to meet me?" After entering the New Donglai Temple, Kong Xuan loudly declared.

Completely acting like he wasn't an outsider, his piercing and sonorous voice resounded throughout the New Donglai Temple.

"Greetings to Vidyaraja!" As Kong Xuan spoke and stepped in, naturally, many in the temple saw Kong Xuan. Taoist Boy Huangmei's face changed, hastily bowed, and paid his respects reverently.

"Vidyaraja, my master is in seclusion and cannot be disturbed..." Unlike Huangmei and the others, Yuanling, not fully aware of Kong Xuan's identity or status, cautiously followed beside Kong Xuan, speaking up to stop him.

"Yuanling, this is Vidyaraja! The Sect Hierarch's mount! Known as the strongest Quasi-Saint!"

Seeing Yuanling still unwittingly trying to stop Kong Xuan, Taoist Boy Huangmei was silently shocked and softly reminded Yuanling.

"The strongest Quasi-Saint!?" Hearing Huangmei's words, Yuanling was indeed secretly taken aback.

At the same time, Yuanling suddenly understood.

The strongest Quasi-Saint? That means someone more powerful than the Tathagata, the Great Jade Emperor, and even the Supreme Elder Lord? No wonder he spoke so arrogantly just now.

"Amitabha Buddha, so it's Vidyaraja who has come, forgive me for not welcoming you from a distance..." At this moment, a Buddha's chant sounded, followed by Maitreya Buddha walking out, his face full of smiles, speaking to Kong Xuan.

Looking at Yuanling, Maitreya Buddha felt even more satisfied.

When faced with Kong Xuan, Yuanling still chose to stand by his side, without showing a hint of retreat.

Looking at others, including Huangmei, who were all bowing and nodding to Kong Xuan, made Maitreya Buddha secretly purse his lips.

Indeed, when it comes to critical moments, only Yuanling could offer him a bit of reassurance.

"Maitreya, I came today with a matter to inquire about..." Seeing Maitreya Buddha emerge, Kong Xuan naturally focused his attention on him, taking the lead to move forward and unceremoniously seated himself at the head of the main hall in Donglai Temple.

And Maitreya Buddha? With a smile on his face, he respectfully accompanied from below.

"You all may leave now..."

At this time, Kong Xuan's visit could only be assumed by Maitreya Buddha to be related to the Journey to the West for Scriptures, so he waved his hand, dismissing everyone around to clear the vicinity.

"May I ask Vidyaraja, what business do you inquire about?" Maitreya Buddha spoke, questioning Kong Xuan.

"Firstly, regarding the Scripture Seeking Team, how much do you know?" Kong Xuan did not waste words, directly asking Maitreya Buddha.

At this point, pausing slightly, Kong Xuan continued to ask, "Also, as far as I know, an Immeasurable Kalpa appeared during the Journey to the West, accompanied by a Calamity Book, much like the Investiture of the Gods and God-Beating Whip during the deification tribulation. Do you know where this Calamity Book is currently located?"

"Vidyaraja, as you know, I haven't been resurrected long, though I've interacted with Xuanzang and his companions, I'm not particularly familiar with them!"

"As for the Calamity Book? I only know it fell into the hands of a mysterious person!"

In response to Kong Xuan's inquiry, Maitreya Buddha replied with a troubled expression.

Maitreya Buddha's words caused Kong Xuan to slightly furrow his brows.

Then, he carefully inquired further.

However, Maitreya Buddha hadn't been resurrected for many years, so his understanding of the Scripture Seeking Team was truly lacking.

Some aspects were even less known to him than to Kong Xuan.

"No wonder, given his current strength and the information at his disposal, it was anticipated that coordinating the Journey to the West would be challenging..."