Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The Wrath of the Golden Cicada, though this tribulation made Kong Xuan feel somewhat strange.

However, Master Golden Cicada is Xuanzang; why did Xuanzang become angry? For Kong Xuan, it wasn't a particularly important matter.

Therefore, when Kong Xuan's attention returned to the matter of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, what truly piqued his curiosity were Buddha's suspicion and the task of retrieving the Kongdong Seal.

After looking over the Calamity Book again and seeing the number of tribulations recorded, Kong Xuan thought for a moment, then moved directly toward the Scripture Seeking Team.

Since he had doubts in his heart, it was best to have a chat with the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.

Of course, he also knew that Xuanzang had a deep prejudice against him. Therefore, even when Kong Xuan decided to seek out Jiang Liu, he had no intention of appearing in his original form.

After pondering for a moment, Kong Xuan transformed into the appearance of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha and then approached the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.

The Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, ranked alongside the Medicine Buddha and the Great Power King Buddha, held a status that could be said to be second only to the Three-World Buddha.

Appearing with such status, surely Xuanzang and his entourage would treat this matter seriously?

The Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, as usual, continued westward toward Western Heaven, meandering along without any sense of urgency.

It was at this moment that a radiant Buddhist Light appeared, and then, in the guise of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, Kong Xuan slowly descended from midair.

"Greetings to the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha!" As Kong Xuan's figure descended from the sky, Jiang Liu and the entire Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team bowed in unison.

"Amitabha, Xuanzang, I did not expect that while passing by, I would encounter you; what a fateful meeting!" Kong Xuan, in the guise of the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, spoke, presenting it as a coincidence.

"Character Profile!" However, Jiang Liu, of course, would not easily believe his words, so while nodding on the surface, he stealthily examined the stranger's character profile.

Well, seeing the level 100 Golden BOSS profile, noticing even the Five-Colored Divine Light among the equipment.

This entirely revealed the true identity of the stranger—it wasn't the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, but Vidyaraja Kongxuan.

"He transformed into the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha to address the issues recorded in the Calamity Book, didn't he?" Upon recognizing Kong Xuan's identity, Jiang Liu's heart murmured softly.

When Jiang Liu had previously decided to send away the Calamity Book, he had mentally prepared himself for Kong Xuan's visit, so he wasn't surprised at the appearance of Kong Xuan disguised as the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha.

"To have the fortune of meeting the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha is a blessing for this disciple..." Though being fully aware of the situation, Jiang Liu maintained a calm facade and nodded in response to Kong Xuan's words.

"Xuanzang, although our encounter is a coincidence, even without such luck, I was intending to seek you out!" After a slight nod, Kong Xuan suddenly spoke.

"I wonder what the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha wishes to instruct me on? Feel free to speak!" Hearing Kong Xuan's words, Jiang Liu maintained a very good attitude and responded.

"Since you are so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush!"

Listening to Jiang Liu's words, Kong Xuan flipped his hand, revealing the Calamity Book, and asked Jiang Liu, "Do you know what this is?"

"This disciple does not know!" Jiang Liu shook his head and replied.

"This is the Calamity Book, recording all the tribulations you have encountered on the Journey to the West for Scriptures. These tribulations will later be credited as your achievements for being conferred the title of Buddha!" Kong Xuan replied.

Indeed, according to Kong Xuan, Jiang Liu and the others could all be conferred the title of Buddha.

With a Daluo Golden Immortal's cultivation level, there was originally the eligibility for becoming a Buddha, coupled with the merit of the Journey to the West for Scriptures…

In Kong Xuan's view, conferring the title of Buddha upon the five members of the Journey to the West Team was almost a certain outcome.

"So, he came because of the Calamity Book!" Hearing Kong Xuan's words, Jiang Liu's heart murmured with a sense of certainty.

"I see. I wonder how many tribulations this disciple has endured so far?" Jiang Liu kept a facade of naivety and asked in feigned ignorance.

"Hmm, you've already traveled more than half of the Journey to the West, so over half of the tribulations should have been overcome!" Without giving Jiang Liu a specific number of tribulations, Kong Xuan casually remarked.

In the middle of the conversation, Kong Xuan opened the Calamity Book and said, "Xuanzang, regarding the tribulations recorded in the Calamity Book, there are a few points I'm unclear about. Could you please explain them to me?"

Without waiting for Jiang Liu to respond, Kong Xuan directly said, "For instance, this Buddha's suspicion, who is the Buddha referred to here, and what are they suspicious of you about?"

As he spoke, Kong Xuan gazed intently at Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu's face remained calm, only showing a slight pensive expression before he spoke up, "This refers to the Maitreya Buddha at that time, who was skeptical about the disciple's firm resolve in the Journey to the West for Scriptures!"

Jiang Liu had naturally prepared responses for the tribulations that might cause Kong Xuan to suspect.

"The Maitreya Buddha?" Kong Xuan focused on Jiang Liu, emphasizing the word "Buddha."

Evidently, the title "Maitreya Buddha" originally referred to the genuine Buddha at the Quasi-Saint Level, whereas later "Maitreya Buddha" only suggested a Daluo Golden Immortal level, entirely different in concept.

"Yes, it was the Maitreya Buddha!" Jiang Liu nodded, affirming the identity of the Maitreya Buddha.

The words of the Maitreya Buddha, they can still be verified by others, but those of Maitreya Buddha himself cannot be verified now.

Moreover, the main point is that the person referred to in the calamity is Maitreya Buddha himself, yet the doubts are entirely different.

"Maitreya Buddha doubts your faith in the Journey to the West? What is going on? Why don't you tell us?" slightly nodding, Kongxuan then asked.

"That's because..." A hint of embarrassment and awkwardness appeared on Jiang Liu's face as he said, "Because I often met with Gaoyang on the way, and even had a daughter with the King of the Women's Kingdom, thus Maitreya Buddha suspects that the disciple's worldly desires are not severed..."

"So that's what happened!" Hearing Jiang Liu's explanation and combining it with what he knew, Kongxuan slightly nodded, expressing understanding.

The relationship between Xuanzang and Princess Gaoyang was never a secret, becoming intertwined on the Journey to the West, and with him even having a daughter with the King of the Women's Kingdom.

At the time, as the coordinator of the Journey to the West, it was entirely reasonable for Maitreya Buddha to suspect whether his intent to seek scriptures was firm.

As for whether this suspicion led to a calamity? It probably was that Maitreya Buddha harbored suspicion, thus testing Xuanzang once, bringing about a calamity?

After Kongxuan understood this "Buddha's doubt" calamity, he immediately continued, saying, "Xuanzang, aside from this, there is a 'Wrath of the Golden Cicada' calamity, could you explain it?"

Hearing the calamity of the Wrath of the Golden Cicada mentioned caused Jiang Liu's heart to skip a beat.

If there's any calamity among these that Jiang Liu most does not wish to be discovered, it is this "Wrath of the Golden Cicada".

From this calamity, the people of the Buddhist sect might infer that he is not Master Golden Cicada?

If that were true, then his situation would be exposed.

Opening his mouth, Jiang Liu had already prepared some excuses, ready to speak.

However, before Jiang Liu could speak, Kongxuan spoke first.

"Xuanzang, what exactly happened? How could you be so angry?"

"Uh, me?" When Jiang Liu heard Kongxuan's words, he was slightly taken aback.

From Kongxuan's words, it seemed that he didn't suspect that he and Master Golden Cicada were two different people?

This Wrath of the Golden Cicada, he thought it was Jiang Liu who was furious?

"Am I feeling guilty like a thief?" Surprised, Jiang Liu soon found himself unable to help but laugh at the situation.

Being the reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada was almost universally acknowledged across the Three Realms; without any reason, no one would doubt his identity, right? Yet he scared himself.

As thoughts raced through his mind, Jiang Liu thought over the location of this Wrath of the Golden Cicada.

It happened to be before the imprisonment in the Biqiu Nation calamity, following the blocking by Zhenwu calamity.

In this case, how should he explain it?

"What is it, Xuanzang? Back then, what happened, is there something you're hesitant to say?" Seeing Jiang Liu hesitate to speak, Kongxuan couldn't help but press further.

"It's nothing like that, it's just that the disciple committed the taboo of anger back then, hence, feeling a bit embarrassed to speak about it..." Hearing Kongxuan's inquiry, Jiang Liu shook his head and said.

As he spoke, Jiang Liu remained silent, showing no intention to explain.

Suddenly, faced with such a question, Jiang Liu hadn't yet decided how to respond, so it seemed better not to speak.

Otherwise, if there were any flaws in his words, it would be more harm than good.

Seeing Jiang Liu reluctant to elaborate on the topic, Kongxuan raised his brows slightly.

Has he made up his mind not to talk?

However, something that could make him so angry must have been significant, and his reluctance to discuss the past seemed understandable?

Who doesn't have a little secret of their own?

Thus, as Jiang Liu seemed determined not to talk further, Kongxuan, after a moment of silence, didn't insist on probing.

He nodded, choosing to respect Jiang Liu's little secret...

After asking about the two calamities, "Buddha's doubt" and "Wrath of the Golden Cicada", which he did not understand, Kongxuan took a deep breath and flipped the Calamity Book to the last page again.

"Xuanzang..." The expression on the Lapis Lazuli King Buddha's face, which Kongxuan had transformed into, grew much more serious.

At the same time, he seriously began to speak: "This fifty-fourth calamity speaks of retrieving the Kongdong Seal, so the Kongdong Seal, the supreme treasure of the Human Clan's virtuous destiny, is it now in your hands?"