Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

One must admit, the Jade Emperor's words struck a chord with the Supreme Elder Lord.

The Tai Chi Diagram is a treasure obtained by Laozi from the Taoist Ancestor Hongjun long before attaining saintliness, and is considered one of the most powerful innate supreme treasures, transformed from fragments of the Chaos Divine Artifact, the Pangu Axe.

In theory, the Chaos Treasure, the Pangu Axe, should be unique in the world, hence the Tai Chi Diagram should also be unique.

But the mysterious figure in black actually possesses a second Tai Chi Diagram?

Just the thought of it is hard to believe!

If anyone is most puzzled, it would be Laozi, the foremost among the six saints.

The Jade Emperor's words left the Supreme Elder Lord silent — to investigate the origins of the Tai Chi Diagram and join forces with the Jade Emperor against the mysterious figure in black?

After much consideration, the Supreme Elder Lord found the proposal rather agreeable.

Firstly, from a standpoint, the Supreme Elder Lord hopes the Jade Emperor can securely hold his position as ruler of the Three Realms; otherwise, he wouldn't have intervened twice.

Raising his reputation by stepping over the mysterious figure in black indeed sounds like a good thing.

Secondly, if the mysterious figure in black can be defeated and the origins of the Tai Chi Diagram are revealed, that would provide an answer for himself.

Finally, and most importantly, this alliance is led by the Jade Emperor, with his own assistance; even if the mysterious figure in black is strong, with his abilities, self-preservation is not a problem.

Thus, pondering for a while and having carefully thought it through, the Supreme Elder Lord nodded and said, "In that case, I shall join forces with you!"

"Very well! The cause and effect of today, I shall repay in the future!" As the Supreme Elder Lord nodded in agreement, a broad smile appeared on the Jade Emperor's face as he nodded.

"Do you have any plans, Jade Emperor?" Although he agreed to the alliance with the Jade Emperor, the specific operation of this matter still requires a suitable plan.

"The identity of the mysterious figure in black remains unknown; we only know of his good relationship with Gaoyang. Recently, he has been reclusive, rarely appearing. To strike against him, we must first think of a way to draw him out!" With a thoughtful expression, the Jade Emperor said.

Recently, the mysterious figure in black has seldom appeared. Waiting passively for his unknown appearance to join forces against him?

Of course, it is best to find a way to draw him out and then deal with him.

"Your Majesty speaks indeed, but how to draw him out?" Slightly nodding in agreement, the Supreme Elder Lord followed up with a question to the Jade Emperor.

"Well..." The Jade Emperor opened his mouth, but couldn't find the words immediately.

Although he had a general direction in mind, he truly lacked a corresponding plan and strategy.

Seeing the Jade Emperor's expression, the Supreme Elder Lord could roughly guess his current situation. Therefore, he did not pursue further after a slight nod.

The two quasi-saint-level leaders convened together, slowly began discussing, formulating a plan targeting the mysterious figure in black.

About the Jade Emperor and the Supreme Elder Lord joining forces to deal with him, Jiang Liu was naturally unaware. At this time, Jiang Liu was still walking on the Journey to the West for Scriptures as usual, his pace neither urgent nor slow.

However, after the Buddhist Sect announced Jiang Liu's conferment of the Sandalwood Merit Buddha title, the news quickly spread throughout the Three Realms and Six Paths, prompting many to discuss privately.

"The Hierarch was conferred the Sandalwood Merit Buddha title? This has no impact, right? The Ming Sect will eventually overthrow the overwhelming Immortals and Buddhas; achieving Buddhahood has no meaning..." Upon learning this news, the Mysterious Bird of the Ming Sect curled his lips and said.

"That's hard to say; achieving Buddhahood signifies a change in identity now. Surely it will be easier for the Hierarch to accomplish things now?" Nearby, the Scorpion Demon shook her head, offering a different opinion.

The Scorpion Demon was once at the Great Thunder Monastery; she knows more about the Buddhist Sect.

Thus, she understands the power of a Buddha's fruition position.

"Achieved Buddhahood?" On the other side, the Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Demon Realm, upon learning this news, looked somewhat lost into the distant view.

In just a few years, even Xuanzang has achieved Buddhahood?

Looking back now, it seems that guiding Xuanzang onto the path of Journey to the West for Scriptures in Chang'an City was just yesterday, deeply evoking a sense of changed circumstances.

"The matter of the Journey to the West for Scriptures isn't over yet, and Tathagata can't wait to confer Buddhahood on Xuanzang? Looks like Xuanzang's recent actions have embarrassed the Jade Emperor and greatly boosted the Buddhist Sect's prestige. I'd really like to see the Jade Emperor's expression at this time!" The Giant Scorpion beside him revealed a gloating smile.

"But, with the Journey to the West for Scriptures not yet completed, Xuanzang has already achieved Buddhahood. When the Journey is finally over, how will Tathagata reward him?" The Black Robe showed a hint of doubt on his face, muttering softly.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Demon Realm.

The demon possessing the Dijiang Ancestral Witch bloodline is carrying a mountain entirely relying on the strength of his own body, step by step leaving footprints as he walks away, sweating profusely.

The Black Bear Demon, with Rushou bloodline, is carrying a sword with a rusted appearance. Step by step, the sword's edge rubs against a massive grindstone.

As he endlessly walks in circles, the sword continuously grinds against the stone, its rust seeming to flake off bit by bit.

Then there's the White Mouse Demon, possessing the Xuanming Ancestral Witch bloodline, releasing endless cold air, condensing out ice needles thin as cattle hair. Every needle must strike a falling leaf.

With the strength of the White Mouse Demon, she could freeze thousands of miles with ease, but can only condense fine ice needles, a truly uncomfortable training for her.

Because if not careful, the creation might not be an ice needle, but an ice rod!

It's like forcing a Divine Power Warrior with hundreds of pounds of strength to place his hand on an electronic scale, exerting just 1-gram strength each time, requiring extremely detailed and nearly perverse control.

"Very good, continue training like this for the next three months!" After assigning their training tasks, Zhu Jiuyin in Taoist Body form waved his hand saying.

"Wait, you, are you leaving?" Hearing the tone indicating departure, the Black Bear Demon couldn't help but ask.

"Me? I'll come back to check in a month, to see your training results and whether adjustments are needed!" Hearing the Black Bear Demon's inquiry, Zhu Jiuyin smiled slightly.

After these words fell, Zhu Jiuyin's innate divine ability activated.

In his eyes, the surrounding scenery played out swiftly and dazzlingly ahead. For Zhu Jiuyin, it was but a few breaths, yet the entire world had passed a full month.

Looking around, the demon with Dijiang bloodline was still bearing a mountain, the Black Bear Demon was grinding a sword, and the White Mouse Demon was still training her ice needles...

After thoroughly observing, although the progress wasn't particularly notable, after a month's time, achieving this level of progress made Zhu Jiuyin nod satisfactory inwardly.

"You, you've finally appeared again! Did you jump here from a month ago?" Asked the Black Bear Demon, seeing Zhu Jiuyin almost appear out of thin air.

"Indeed, it's a month for you, just a blink for me!" Nodding, Zhu Jiuyin openly admitted his innate divine ability.

"What a convenient ability!" Hearing Zhu Jiuyin's response, the White Mouse Demon couldn't help but sigh.

"Right now, my task is solely to train you; am I supposed to train day by day with each of you?" Zhu Jiuyin shook his head, responding to the White Mouse Demon's sentimental words.

Alright, that reasoning makes sense, especially since he has such a convenient ability, there's really no blame to place!

"By the way, has anything significant happened in this month's time?" After rendering the White Mouse Demon speechless, Zhu Jiuyin asked.

"We've been training here unwaveringly; how would we know if anything significant occurred?" Hearing this inquiry, Dijiang couldn't help but retort.

"This..." Zhu Jiuyin paused, realizing the demon had a point?

"Indeed, this was a deliberate test to check if you've been slacking off. Seems you've all been diligent, it pleases me greatly!" After a brief silence, Zhu Jiuyin expressed sincere satisfaction to Dijiang and the others.

Yet, hearing these words, their expressions turned somewhat peculiar.

Was it surely to test us? It seemed more like his own intellectual oversight, merely overlooking this detail?

Of course, despite their inner retort, such comments wouldn't dare be spoken aloud, for upsetting Zhu Jiuyin might double their training consequences.

After offering a few words of encouragement to Dijiang, Zhu Jiuyin turned and departed, seeking other members of the Witch Clan to inquire about any major events over the past month within the Three Realms and Six Paths.

"Lord Ancestral Witch, if talking major events, there's surely been one! Jiang Ziya was captured by the Jade Emperor..." Listening to Zhu Jiuyin, the questioned Witch Clan member began narrating the story of how Jiang Liu rescued Jiang Ziya.

"And, just a few days ago, Tathagata prematurely granted Master Xuanzang Buddhahood!" The Witch Clan member continued to say.