Chapter 23: The Seven Saints

  After Sun Wukong hid his body, he slowly approached the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. However, he didn't dare to get too close, although Sun Wukong was very confident in his own strength, but the people in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall were not simple at all. Although with Sun Wukong's current strength, even if he was detected, he could still escape. But that would alarm the enemy and might even lead to the Tathagata discovering the whereabouts of his master and second brother. That would be very bad.

  So Sun Wukong just launched a rough investigation with his fiery eyes. With the current state of his fiery eyes, unless it was an intentional investigation by someone like Laojun or other powerful beings, ordinary Buddhas and Arhats would find it hard to detect. However, when Sun Wukong's gaze swept across the Bodhisattvas and Arhats sitting or standing on either side of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, his whole body suddenly shook violently. A fierce killing intent burst forth, and in less than half a second, Sun Wukong knew something was wrong. He hastily withdrew his gaze. But it was too late.

  Just as the murderous intent flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes, the Tathagata on the dragon throne of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall immediately sensed it. This murderous intent was so familiar that it made the Tathagata sleepless all night. When no one noticed anything, the Tathagata on the dragon throne had disappeared. When he reappeared, his position was exactly where Sun Wukong was originally standing. However, Sun Wukong had already retreated far away with a swift somersault.

  The Tathagata's face sank like water, and the hatred and anger in his eyes were evident. "Notify all heavenly soldiers of the Heavenly Court to seal off the Heavenly Court immediately. And at the four great heavenly gates, set up the Grand Spirit- Locking Array. Sun Wukong has appeared."

  The voice had just fallen when he disappeared from view again. It was clear that he himself went to capture Sun Wukong.

  The last great war, with over 200 million Buddha soldiers and almost the entire top-level Buddhist masters, was actually let Sun Wukong escape. And many Buddhas and Arhats were injured. Those who were injured have not recovered yet. This shame and hatred, how can it not make the Tathagata want to go crazy? He would like to swallow Sun Wukong's flesh and blood. Although, Buddhism does not eat meat.

  But unexpectedly, so soon, Sun Wukong appeared again, and even brazenly peeked into the Great Yuanyang Temple. It's as if he sees nothing in the Buddhist gate. This time, if Sun Wukong is allowed to escape again, then this heavenly court will not be able to stay. Even if he wants to, he won't have the face for it. Moreover, perhaps even the position of the Buddha Patriarch may not be secure.

  So, this time, no matter what, Sun Wukong must be kept in the heavenly court. Otherwise, the price he would have to pay would be unbearable for him. Fortunately, soon after, Tathagata sensed Sun Wukong's aura. Suddenly, a more terrifying aura burst out from Tathagata's body, and with a speed even faster than before, he rushed towards Sun Wukong's aura. Tathagata knew that even if the heavenly soldiers could stop Sun Wukong for a moment, it would be impossible to last long. A few breaths were already the limit. Unless they found out which Buddhas discovered Sun Wukong, but since the last time, those Buddhas were probably afraid of him and avoided him.

  It seems that this matter is settled, and this batch of Bodhisattvas will also be replaced. A Buddha who was frightened by a demon monkey has no great significance. Thinking quickly, the Tathagata himself had already appeared at the North Heavenly Gate.

  At the moment when Tathagata appeared, what was seen was just Sun Wukong's stick, after flying over several golden bodies of Arhats, and was about to make a somersault to leave.

  "You monkey, you've gone too far, coming and going from my heavenly court as if it were nobody's territory. Today, you'll stay here." As soon as the words were spoken, Tathagata Buddha made over a hundred hand seals with both hands. After a brief moment of half a breath, a gigantic golden arm suddenly appeared out of thin air. Then, at a speed far exceeding the speed of sound, it shot towards Sun Wukong. This one strike alone used 80% of the Buddha's power, leaving 20% in reserve to deal with any other changes that might occur.

  "You dare to say that this heavenly court is yours? Today, let you remember, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong will return at any time."

  In the golden giant hand that was sent out by Tathagata, after a slight delay of one breath, Sun Wukong also clenched his right fist and then struck out with an enormous yellow fist that didn't belong to Tathagata's golden giant hand. The next moment, a mighty wave of energy burst forth in all directions. The Buddhist soldiers who had been swept away by Sun Wukong's golden hoop earlier instantly turned into dust filling the sky. Even the majestic Golden Body Arhat couldn't withstand the residual waves of the two men's attacks.

  After the breath stabilized, he looked at the two again. Sun Wukong remained motionless on the spot, only his right sleeve was slightly damaged from the previous attack. The rest of him didn't have a single wound. Looking at Tathagata, however, he had retreated three big steps, with disheveled clothes and turbulent blood in his body. This one move revealed their strengths and weaknesses.

  Looking at the still majestic Sun Wukong, Tathagata felt a wave of horror in his heart. During the previous great war, Sun Wukong's strength had suddenly increased several times over, allowing him to break out of the encirclement. However, Tathagata knew that this sudden surge of power was absolutely unsustainable and would definitely have severe aftereffects.

  But today, this battle, Sun Wukong's strength is actually stronger than himself by so much. His own seven-part force in one blow, and he used his own treasured secret method for a long time. However, the result was unacceptable to the Tathagata. One's own situation is known to oneself, although he retreated three big steps to a large extent alleviated the impact of this blow. But the surging blood gas inside the body was clearly injured. Although not serious, it was indeed injured.

  This was even more unbearable for the Tathagata than being killed. The little monkey demon that he could suppress with just one hand back then had today become an existence that made it difficult for him to resist. This made the Tathagata almost go mad.

  Just as Tathagata was summoning his full strength, preparing to fight Sun Wukong to the death, he saw Sun Wukong wave his hand and suddenly put away the Golden Cudgel in his right ear. Before Tathagata could say anything, Sun Wukong had already spoken: "Tathagata, today is not the day of our final battle. However, it won't be too long either. You just wait in your heavenly court. Wait for me, old Sun, to come again and cause great chaos in heaven!"

  After finishing speaking, he transformed into a faint golden light and floated away. Only the Tathagata was left standing in place, staring blankly at Sun Wukong's departing figure, slowly dispersing the Buddhist power that had just gathered. It wasn't that he didn't want to stop him, but rather he couldn't stop him. Just as he was about to make his move, he suddenly discovered that Sun Wukong's aura had vanished into thin air. This startled the Tathagata, but when he looked up, he saw that Sun Wukong was still right in front of him. However, he couldn't sense even a hint of Sun Wukong's aura, as if the person before his eyes was just an illusion. But, hadn't his own 70% power been pushed back three steps just now? What kind of illusion could be so formidable in this world?

  Tathagata did not believe it, nor dared to believe it. But the fact is that Tathagata can only stare at Sun Wukong with his eyes wide open and leave calmly. As for himself, he has no way to do anything. At this moment, a terrible thought rose from Tathagata's heart: originally, Sun Wukong was not unable to escape in time, but deliberately waited for him.

  This made the Tathagata take a cold breath. But, after a moment, the Tathagata was again with a look of despair. As if he had lost all his strength, at this moment, the Tathagata did not look like a Buddha, but rather like a fallen monk.

  At this time, Sun Wukong had also returned to the interior of the盘丝洞. Silently walking to the side of that huge flame giant egg, Sun Wukong called out: "Master, I'm back. This is a cassia tree branch I obtained from the广寒宫, it can help Bajie reduce some suffering and increase his chances." After speaking, he took out the branch from his bosom and handed it over to Tang Sanzang.

  Tang Sanzang nodded slightly, and the flame giant egg quietly opened a gap. Sun Wukong's right hand grasped the branch shook, and the branch was instantly shaken into a pile of powder. Then all of it floated into the flame giant egg through the gap. A small part fell on the rotating nine-toothed rake, and most of it fell onto Tang Sanzang's palm.

  As the cassia powder was sprinkled down, the nine-toothed rake seemed to have a reaction, and suddenly it began to throb like a Buddha's heartbeat. In an instant, the miniature nine-toothed rake stretched out and contracted, absorbing all the fallen powder into its body. After that, it calmed down. Seeing this, Sun Wukong knew that Pigsy had absorbed the cassia powder and didn't need to worry for the time being.

  I don't dare to stay here any longer, not because I'm afraid of that red lotus industry fire, but because I'm afraid of affecting my master. A tiny difference will bring unimaginable huge hidden dangers to Zhu Bajie.

  Like when he came, Sun Wukong quietly left again. However, Sun Wukong did not return to the stone room where he was practicing, but went straight to the entrance of the Panxi Cave.

  The original Panji Cave was filled with white bones everywhere, and the surrounding area of hundreds of miles was like a dead land. However, after so many years have passed, Panji Cave has become a lush and verdant primeval forest. People are no longer there, and things are no longer the same.

  At the entrance of the cave, a phantom array was added, and after several turns and jumps, it had already arrived at the top of the tallest ancient tree in the entire forest. Standing on the treetop, with hands shading eyes, gazing into the distance. In that direction, there was his home, called Huaguo Mountain.

  The four seasons on Mount Huaguo are always green, with all kinds of fragrant and delicious fruits everywhere, and the scenery is extremely beautiful, even if one's whole life is not enough to see it. Unfortunately, everything no longer exists.

  He slowly lowered his hand, which was holding onto the eaves of the roof, and then Sun Wukong sat down on top of an ancient tree that resembled a parasol. Letting the clear wind blow freely, the crimson cloak behind him fluttered wildly in the breeze. Like this, he gazed off in that direction for three whole days.

  Three days later, Sun Wukong suddenly reached out with his right hand towards the dawn clouds on the horizon. The brilliant sunlight flashed, and then a golden hoop appeared in his hand. With his left hand grasping the hoop, he raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and a golden needle condensed from his magical power appeared at the tip of his finger. With a few swift movements, two characters were engraved on the inside of the hoop. Then, slowly, he put the hoop on his head.