Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

A brilliant sun-like halo appeared behind Jiang Liu's head, and the Buddhist light emanated from his body...

All these anomalies show that the current Jiang Liu has indeed been successfully conferred as a Buddha.

"Sandalwood Merit Buddha, huh? It seems to be the same as the original title..." Jiang Liu murmured to himself, feeling he had successfully been conferred as a Buddha.

At the same time, a large amount of destiny began to gather, enveloping his body.

The appearance of this destiny made Jiang Liu understand that it's part of the Buddhist Sect's destiny bestowed upon him.

As a Buddha of the Buddhist Sect, having the sect's destiny surround you after being conferred is naturally expected.

If one wishes to gain more destiny, naturally it would require being conferred a higher status, or for the entire Buddhist Sect to flourish greatly.

However, this destiny of the Buddhist Sect entangled with Jiang Liu only made him shake his head secretly.

He was destined to overturn the myriad of Immortals and Buddhas, so this destiny held no substantial use for him and would inevitably dissipate later.

"Is this it? The Heart Calming Pill Tathagata gave me was just prematurely conferring me as Buddha?" Seeing Tathagata conferred him as Sandalwood Merit Buddha and then did nothing else, Jiang Liu pursed his lips inwardly.

Originally, he thought he would receive some tangible benefits, but it was just this?

Of course, considering it from Tathagata's perspective, sealing him as a Buddha to reassure him and prevent any worry of being cast aside like Jiang Ziya, was indeed a reasonable move.

"Master, congratulations, you have become a Buddha!" At this moment, Zhu Bajie came forward with a happy face, congratulating Jiang Liu.

"Amitabha, thanks to the Buddha!" Although he pursed his lips inwardly, Jiang Liu had to smile and thank Tathagata outwardly.

"Oh, Buddha..."

Meanwhile, Zhu Bajie said to Tathagata, "Look, even my master has become a Buddha. Why don't you do a good deed to the end? Seal all of our rankings at once?"

"Amitabha, Xuanzang's conferral was not due to the merit of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, but for his merit in eliminating demons and saving sentient beings..." Tathagata explained after casting Zhu Bajie a glance.

"So that's how it is..." Zhu Bajie mumbled softly after hearing Tathagata's explanation.

"Hehehe..." Sun Wukong, understanding Jiang Liu's intention, didn't feel much about this Buddha conferral, but hearing Tathagata's explanation, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Instantly, Sun Wukong asked Tathagata, "May I ask Buddha, now that my master has become a Buddha, when we reach the Great Thunder Monastery and settle the merits of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, can my master's ranking be further advanced?"

"You rascal monkey..." Hearing Sun Wukong's words, which seemed to be seeking benefits for Jiang Liu, Tathagata laughed and scolded.

Then, he nodded, "Indeed, if we reach Western Heaven and the scripture-seeking mission is complete, Xuanzang can be conferred as Sandalwood Merit King Buddha!"

The Buddhist Sect naturally holds the Three-World Buddha in highest esteem, and below the Three-World Buddha are three King Buddhas: Great Power King Buddha, Medicine King Buddha, and Lapis Lazuli King Buddha.

Today, with Tathagata making this promise, it is evident that when the scripture-seeking mission ends, if Jiang Liu is conferred as Merit King Buddha, he would be the fourth King Buddha, ranking just below the Three-World Buddha.

Such a promise is indeed enough to move anyone.

"The Journey to the West for Scriptures is the lifelong aspiration of this disciple. Even without rewards, this disciple would remain steadfast!" Jiang Liu slightly lowered his head, stating his position.

A King Buddha? Indeed, a high status, but Jiang Liu's ambition does not lie here.

Moreover, with the Quasi-Saint level getting closer, a mere King Buddha ranking? Jiang Liu surely doesn't care about it.

Seeing Jiang Liu state his position in this manner, Tathagata nodded slightly and naturally made some praises.

For Tathagata, the purpose this time was considered accomplished, so he had no intention of staying longer. After chatting a few more words, Tathagata turned and returned to the Great Thunder Monastery, accompanied by two Buddha chasing demons.

"The sixtieth-first trial: Three Tests of the Zen Mind"

Meanwhile, in the Purple Bamboo Forest, the Golden Hair Lion held the Calamity Book, nodding to himself as he observed the latest recorded calamity.

So, the eighty-one tribulations have now completed sixty-one, indeed a step closer to success.

"Twenty more calamities to go, huh? I hope the days ahead can complete smoothly!" Looking at the number of calamities on the Calamity Book, Golden Hair Lion murmured to himself, slowly closing the Calamity Book.

For Jiang Liu, this Buddha conferral didn't seem to grant him any tangible benefits. What did a Buddha conferment bring to him? His cultivation level hadn't improved.

Moreover, although the Buddhist Sect's destiny had some benefits, they were temporary after all.

"Forget it, currently for me, the most important thing is still strength; having a stronger fist is the true hard truth!"

Thinking it over, although a bit disappointed, sealing as a Buddha wasn't a bad thing for now. After shaking his head silently, Jiang Liu cast these issues aside.

For Jiang Liu, this move by the Buddhist Sect was just a minor interlude. He cooperated with the Tathagata to put on a show, and the end result had no downsides for either side.

However, on the other side, the Jade Emperor lay alone on his cloud bed within the Heavenly Court, contemplating countless ideas in his mind.

Although the Supreme Elder Lord stepped out to save face for him during Jiang Ziya's execution, the situation in the Heavenly Court still seemed tumultuous, fraught with danger.

Therefore, he must turn the current situation around as soon as possible.

After much contemplation, the Jade Emperor gradually came up with a goal.

There are two ways to change the current situation.

First, to find the silver-robed person who initially took the God-Beating Whip, and regain it from him.

Secondly, to find the mysterious black-clothed person and locate clues about the last trace of Hongmeng Purple Qi.

To the Jade Emperor, dealing with the silver-robed person to retrieve the God-Beating Whip seemed comparatively easier.

However, upon careful consideration, the Jade Emperor didn't focus on the first point; instead, he set his sights on the second.

Although the mysterious black-clothed person is tougher to deal with than the silver-robed person, the Jade Emperor believed that while he'd have to handle the silver-robed person alone, he could seek help against the mysterious one.

For instance — the Supreme Elder Lord!

The Supreme Elder Lord's identity was the Good Corpse of Sage Laozi, head of the Six Saints, not only at the Quasi-Saint level of cultivation but also representing the will of Sage Laozi!

Imagine, that the mysterious black-clothed person possesses a treasure like the Tai Chi Diagram. Wouldn't Sage Laozi want to get to the bottom of this?

Furthermore, more importantly, if the Hongmeng Purple Qi is indeed on the mysterious black-clothed person, the Supreme Elder Lord likely wouldn't compete with him for it!

Any other Quasi-Saint acquiring Hongmeng Purple Qi would have a chance at becoming a Saint, but since the Supreme Elder Lord is an emulation of a Saint, obtaining it wouldn't make him a Saint!

Upon reflection, the Jade Emperor nods to himself in agreement. Considering the Supreme Elder Lord's two past interventions in his favor, the Jade Emperor thinks he should indeed discuss this with the Supreme Elder Lord.

With an idea in mind, the Jade Emperor didn't waste any time. He moved from his palace and headed toward the Doushuai Palace.

"Greet the Emperor!" Upon knowing the Jade Emperor's arrival, the Supreme Elder Lord greeted him at the entrance.

"No need for such formality, Supreme Elder, too courteous!" Seeing the Supreme Elder Lord bow, the Jade Emperor reached out and helped him up.

"Please, Your Majesty, come in!" Not remaining at the entrance to chat, the Supreme Elder Lord invited the Jade Emperor inside Doushuai Palace.

Naturally, the two boys of Doushuai Palace quickly prepared Immortal Tea for the reception.

"Ah, good tea!" After sipping lightly, the Jade Emperor nodded in praise.

"What brings Your Majesty to my Doushuai Palace?" The Supreme Elder Lord, calm in demeanor, asked after taking a sip himself.

"I'm not here to give orders. Today, I have two matters to discuss."

"Firstly, I must thank you, Supreme Elder, for saving the situation twice. Otherwise, as the ruler of the Three Realms, I'd have become the biggest joke of the Three Realms!" Setting down his teacup, the Jade Emperor stood up and gave a deep bow to the Supreme Elder Lord.

The Supreme Elder Lord didn't shy away from the Jade Emperor's gesture.

Having knelt and bowed to the Jade Emperor before so many, accepting a bow from him here in Doushuai Palace, with fewer eyes around, was something the Supreme Elder Lord felt at ease with.

"And the second matter, Your Majesty?" After accepting the gesture, the Supreme Elder Lord asked.

"The second matter concerns the mysterious black-clothed person!" Sitting back down, the Jade Emperor told the Supreme Elder Lord.

"Oh? Please do tell, Your Majesty!" The Supreme Elder Lord arched his brow and prompted.

"The identity of the mysterious black-clothed person remains unknown to this day. However, it is rumored the last trace of Hongmeng Purple Qi is upon him. I wish to request that you, Supreme Elder, join me in luring out this mysterious black-clothed person." The Jade Emperor got straight to the point.

"This..." On hearing this, the Supreme Elder Lord hesitated.

The power of the mysterious black-clothed person was known across the Three Realms. Though tackling him alongside the Jade Emperor should be manageable, it wasn't an easy task.

"Are you not curious, Supreme Elder, about the origin of the Tai Chi Diagram in that mysterious person's possession?" Seeing the hesitation, the Jade Emperor asked.