Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Under the watchful eyes of the Tathagata, Jiang Liu and his companions had summoned the Exquisite Immortal Mansion and stayed for nearly half a month without continuing their westward journey.

This made the Tathagata's heart secretly weigh heavy.

Indeed, was it because Xuanzang feared he might be cast aside like Jiang Ziya after being worn out, that he now halted on the journey west and showed no intention to proceed?

The Tathagata concluded to settle Jiang Liu's unease and grant him the courage to continue westward.

But what kind of Heart Calming Pill would he need to swallow to have the courage to proceed?

"Perhaps, sealing Xuanzang as a Buddha beforehand is the only way?" After pondering for a moment, this thought suddenly popped up in Tathagata's mind.

Such a move was feasible, but awarding such an honor before the journey for scriptures was complete felt inappropriate.

Merely giving a verbal promise without formal conferral?

From Tathagata's perspective, Xuanzang seemed not so easily convinced.

Having grown wary of the Buddhist Sect, a mere verbal promise was not enough to ease his mind.

"Amitabha, it appears this might be the only option…" After brief deliberation, the Tathagata reached a general decision and then, with a swift motion, he released a demon detained within the Great Thunder Monastery.

As the master of the Buddhist Sect, he had the ability to release imprisoned demons and ghosts with formidable strength, which was no difficult task.

Once this demon was unleashed, simultaneously, the Tathagata issued an edict for two Buddhas to capture the demon fleeing from the Great Thunder Monastery.

On the surface, it seemed a pursuit, but in actuality they were driving it.

The Demon Head, at the Great Luo Golden Immortal level, was driven by the two Buddhas toward the direction of the Exquisite Immortal Mansion.

"Hmm? Where did this sudden surge of demonic qi come from?"

That day, after Jiang Liu and his companions finished their cultivation in the dungeon and had dinner, as Jiang Liu was preparing to enter the awakening menu, he perceived an immensely intense demonic qi emerging, causing him to feel secretly surprised.

In this Human Realm, particularly under the jurisdiction of the Buddhist Sect of West Niuhe State, how could such intense demonic qi appear?

Despite the doubt in his heart, Jiang Liu still left the Exquisite Immortal Mansion.

Looking in the direction where the demonic qi emanated from, he saw a demon flying swiftly in the sky, heading directly toward him.

Observing the demon, standing about ten feet tall, it towered over the usual man-demon height, with crescent moon-shaped horns on its head, a visage both ferocious and terrifying, from which the rolling demonic qi emanated.

Additionally, the health bar on this demon's head showed approximately 80%, indicating relatively healthy health points.

Besides the flying demon, Jiang Liu could also see the brilliance of Buddhist Light chasing the demon, clearly indicating someone in pursuit.

"Master, what's going on here?" At this point, Sun Wukong, Little White Dragon, and others emerged, observing the demon fleeing in mid-air, and asked.

"I don't know. I'll go see what's happening first!" With a thought, Jiang Liu took flight, intercepting the demon's path.

"Not bad, not bad, the demon's level has reached 87, equivalent to the Great Luo Golden Immortal Late Stage cultivation!" He blocked the demon's path and Jiang Liu first opened the character screen to check, nodding secretly at its level details.

"Are you from the Buddhist Sect?" Despite Jiang Liu's inward thoughts, the demon glared at Jiang Liu blocking its way, with crimson eyes flickering with murderous intent.

Then the demon raised its claw, swinging with fierce momentum toward Jiang Liu, evidently not holding back its attack.

"Xuanzang, please lend us a hand, this demon has escaped from the Great Thunder Monastery!" Concurrently, the two streams of Buddhist Light behind the demon revealed the two Buddhas from the Great Thunder Monastery arriving, who retaliated by launching their own attacks on the demon.

"Alas, perhaps at ordinary times, I might contemplate a method to subdue this demon, but now..." Observing the two Buddhas chasing, Jiang Liu sighed silently.

Being unable to capture the demon in front of the two Buddhas meant the demon held no worth.

As the demon's attack descended upon Jiang Liu, he blocked with the Green Lotus Buddha Robe's defense.

Simultaneously, flipping his palm, the Witch-Slaying Sword appeared in Jiang Liu's hand, and he swung it at the demon.

The exceedingly sharp Witch-Slaying Sword seemed capable of disregarding defenses.

The sword stroke fell, severing the horns from the demon's head.

The second sword fell, and the demon's chest was directly torn open.

Finally, after the third sword fell, a fine head flew directly into the sky, with demon blood splattering everywhere.

Naturally, the demon's head's health bar was emptied, and the desired system prompt sounded in Jiang Liu's mind.

"Prompt: Gained 82 million Experience Points, received 12,500 liang in money!"

"Not bad, not bad, as expected of a Great Luo Golden Immortal Late Stage cultivation level, the Experience Points and money rewards are quite decent!" Hearing the system prompt, Jiang Liu nodded to himself in satisfaction.

"Three swords? Master Xuanzang only struck three times, and this Great Luo Late Stage demon fell at his hands?" The two demons who had been chasing looked at Jiang Liu's actions, exchanging glances, their faces full of astonishment.

Although they had long known that Master Xuanzang's strength was incredibly powerful, seeing a Great Luo Late Stage demon fall at Jiang Liu's hands firsthand was still very shocking to them.

"Amitabha, I stepped in, hoping not to interfere with the two of you..." After slaying the Great Luo Late Stage demon with three swords, Jiang Liu immediately clasped his palms together and spoke to the two Buddhas who had chased after him.

"Xuanzang, why do you speak like this, this ultimate demon is exceedingly evil by nature, if he had escaped, he would have caused untold suffering, Xuanzang, you stepping forward to eliminate this demon can be said to be a great deed!" Hearing Jiang Liu's humble and courteous words, the two Buddhas quickly spoke.

"That's good then!" Jiang Liu nodded slightly, looking somewhat relieved.

However, just as Jiang Liu was about to say more, suddenly, a sound of celestial dragon chanting arose, and simultaneously, flowers fell from the sky, Earth-Spawned Golden Lotuses emerged, and a figure sat on a grand Lotus Throne.

The Tathagata's figure slowly descended from mid-air.

"We greet the Buddha!" Suddenly, with the Buddha's appearance, the two Buddhas saluted and said.

At the same time, Jiang Liu also returned to his senses and followed suit, bowing to the Tathagata.

In the dungeon, Jiang Liu had encountered the Tathagata countless times and was well familiar with him, but the power of a Quasi-Saint level Tathagata was naturally incomparable to the Tathagata of the Great Luo Realm in the dungeon.

"Xuanzang, you stepping forth to eliminate this ultimate demon is a great merit, what reward would you like?" The Tathagata, overlooking Jiang Liu, spoke resonantly as a great bell.

"Isn't this too hasty!?" Watching the Tathagata before him, hearing him ask about the reward he wanted now, Jiang Liu's mouth slightly twitched.

He had been living peacefully in the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, only to suddenly see a demon being chased over by two Buddhas.

Then, wielding the Witch-Slaying Sword, he eliminated the demon in just a few moves.

Yet, before he could even exchange a few words, the Tathagata had jumped out, declaring he had accomplished a great deed, and asked what reward he desired...

Although Jiang Liu knew full well that everything had been orchestrated by the Tathagata long ago, the arrangement was too blatant!

"Amitabha, with the demon appearing, eliminating it is my duty, and I dare not ask for any reward!" Jiang Liu, regardless of his inner thoughts, on the surface still portrayed a respectful demeanor, responding to the Tathagata.

"Hmm..." Seeing Jiang Liu's at least outward respect towards him, the Tathagata looked secretly pleased, nodding slightly.

Then he began, "Now, the Journey to the West for Scriptures is nearing completion. In due time, all merits will be accounted together, but today, I believe it should be handled separately!"

"Thank you, Buddha!" Upon hearing the Tathagata's words, Jiang Liu bowed his head in gratitude.

Although he was unaware of the reward the Tathagata intended to bestow, since the Tathagata seemed determined, he realized a simple thank you would suffice.

"Xuanzang, heed the decree!" Suddenly, the Tathagata's expression turned solemn, addressing Jiang Liu with authority.

"Disciple here!" Taking two steps forward, Jiang Liu slightly lowered his head, the picture of respect and reverence.

"Is the Tathagata going to confer a title on Master now?" Nearby, Sun Wukong and the others exchanged puzzled glances, not anticipating the development taking this turn, expressions of surprise manifesting on their faces.

"Xuanzang, you were originally my disciple, the reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada, and now, fulfilling the heavenly mandate, embarking on the Journey to the West for Scriptures. As for this great merit, wait until you reach the Great Thunder Monastery for the reward! But today..."

Pausing momentarily, the Tathagata continued, "Previously, endless demons appeared at the Eastern Temple, causing chaos to the world. Thankfully, Xuanzang, you took a great vow to quell these demons one by one! This is a merit between heaven and earth!"

"Secondly, today this demon escaped from the Great Thunder Monastery, originally beyond the grasp of the two Buddhas, and it was only because of your assistance that disaster was averted!"

"Therefore, as the Master of the Buddhist Sect, I confer upon you the title of Sandalwood Merit Buddha! As a token of reward!"

Saying thus, the Tathagata announced loudly, while raising his palm to gently wave at Jiang Liu.