In the heavenly realm of Tusita Palace on Lihen Tian, a sudden explosion shattered the long-held peace. The alchemical furnace, undisturbed for thousands of years, had erupted, leaving the palace in disarray. The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, however, remained composed. With a gentle wave of his dust whisk, he restored the palace to its original state, as if nothing had happened.
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord paused his alchemy work and cast a deep, contemplative gaze toward the Monkey King, trapped below Five-Phased Mountain.
"Five hundred years have passed. What will you choose to do now?" he murmured.
The events of five hundred years ago felt as vivid as if they had just happened. Due to the karmic debt incurred during the Great God-Emperor Wars, The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord was obligated to support Buddhism's eastward spread. In the guise of punishment, he had brought the rebellious Monkey King back to Tusita Palace, ostensibly to penalize him but actually to help him refine the vast array of divine pills he had devoured.
Everything had been going as planned. However, the moment the Eight-Trigram Furnace opened, things changed unexpectedly. When Monkey King emerged, instead of immediately charging into battle, he looked at The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord with a strange expression and asked, "Old Lord, is it truly inevitable for Buddhism to flourish?"
Startled, The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord examined the heavenly paths carefully. To his astonishment, the unshakable mandate for Buddhism's rise was now shrouded in a peculiar shadow.
"You… have become an anomaly?" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord whispered in shock. As the First Saint under Hongjun since the dawn of creation, it was the first time he had encountered such an occurrence.
"Old Lord, is the grand plan of the Journey to the West truly irreversible?" Monkey King pressed.
"The grand path cannot be reversed!" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord shook his head and sighed. Were it not for his karmic debt to Buddhism, he would have made sure they paid dearly for such unchecked ambition.
But the present reality was different.
After the Great God-Emperor Wars, the Intercepting Sect led by Tongtian had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self, and Tongtian himself was imprisoned in Zixiao Palace. The Orthodox Unity Sect had disintegrated, with its Deputy Leader Lantern-Carrier Daoist defecting to Buddhism, taking a significant portion of their disciples and leaving the sect weakened. As for the Human Sect, it remained intact but largely without disciples, limiting its impact.
If only the three sects had joined forces to resist Buddhism's encroachment, there might still have been hope. But after the Great War, the Intercepting Sect and Orthodox Unity Sect had become bitter enemies, making alliance impossible. This internal conflict within Daoism allowed Buddhism to gain the upper hand effortlessly.
"The grand path cannot be reversed. But what about the smaller path?" Monkey King asked.
After a moment of contemplation, The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord replied, "It can be changed."
"What if Golden Cicada Spirit does not wish to become a Tathagata?" Monkey King proposed.
A flash of insight appeared in The Grand Supreme Elderly Lords eyes, but he shook his head. "That would be difficult."
"What if I, the Great Sage, intervene?" Monkey King suggested, his tone resolute.
"What do you mean by that, Wukong?"
"I want Heaven to no longer obscure my vision! I want Earth to no longer bury my heart! I want all beings to understand my will! I want all Tathagatas to vanish into smoke!"
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord considered his words carefully before finally responding, "Excellent."
"Old Lord, is this goal achievable?" Monkey King asked.
"It is," The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord affirmed with a nod, "but it will require careful planning over time."
"Will five hundred years be enough?"
"You already knew?" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord said, casting a knowing look at Monkey King.
"But I lack the strength," Monkey King replied, frustration apparent.
"What you aim to accomplish greatly benefits our Daoist path. I will personally conceal your intentions from Heaven's gaze; even the Two Western Saints won't perceive your true plans!" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord said. "Moreover, I'll pass on this art to you. In five hundred years, don't let me down."
As he spoke, The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord pointed a finger, and a violet beam of light shot into Monkey King's mind.
"The Nine Revolutions Mystical Art! Thank you, Great Saint, for this gift!" Monkey King exclaimed, bowing deeply.
"Now go. Follow the original script and cause the intended uproar!" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord commanded as his figure gradually faded away.
"Forgive me!" Monkey King shouted before taking out his golden-hooped rod (golden staff) and overturning the Eight-Trigram Furnace.
After trampling Tusita Palace, Monkey King charged toward the South Heaven Gate, eager to test Tathagatas strength.
"An anomaly? A destined variable? Boundless Heaven!" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord murmured after Monkey King left, reappearing in Tusita Palace, and restoring it with a wave of his dust whisk.
Five-Phased Mountain
Beneath the mountain, the Monkey King had been imprisoned for five hundred years. A century ago, he had already achieved the pinnacle of Taiyi Golden Immortal level and could have ascended to Da Luo at any moment. After practicing the Nine Revolutions Mystical Art for four centuries, he had the physical strength to break free of the mountain's seal with ease.
But he refrained from doing so. The Five-Phased Mountain was constantly under Buddhist surveillance, and any premature action would be suicide. The Western Sect had countless means to eliminate him if he revealed himself too early.
And so, Monkey King continued to train diligently beneath the mountain, waiting for his opportunity.
Today, however, Bodhisattva Guanyin finally arrived.
"Wukong, you have been imprisoned for five hundred years. Have you repented?" she asked.
"Yes, Bodhisattva. I understand my mistakes. Please, release me," Monkey King replied, a glint of intelligence in his eye. If he was going to act, he would play the part thoroughly to fool the Western powers.
"Very well. Soon, a pilgrim will pass by. Swear to serve him as your master, and he will set you free. Escort him to the Western Paradise, and all your sins will be erased. You will gain your freedom and may even achieve Tathagatahood."
"Rest assured, Bodhisattva. I will ensure the pilgrim reaches the Western Paradise!" Monkey King promised with a respectful bow.
As for becoming a Tathagata?
Heh! That would never happen in this lifetime!
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