Chapter 422 -422: Convert? Never in this lifetime! (1st update!)
“Sun Wukong, where did your divine beast come from?”
The Tathagata Buddha’s eyes flashed as he looked towards Sun Wukong and asked.
“Tathagata, why do you ask about this?”
Sun Wukong raised his eyebrow, thinking that Tathagata Buddha would have some morally upright words to say, yet unexpectedly, his focus was on the Dragon Cat.
“You wouldn’t be scheming against the Dragon Cat, would you?”
Sun Wukong suddenly became alert, “That is my contracted divine beast, Tathagata, even if you obtain it, it will be of no use to you!”
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“Dragon Cat? Indeed aptly named! It indeed resembles both a dragon and a cat!”
The Tathagata Buddha nodded, his gaze towards Sun Wukong was complex. After a moment of silence, he began speaking in a deep voice, “Sun Wukong, you are indeed a rare talent seen once in ten thousand years, it’s hard for me to stand by and watch such talent wither. I will give you one last chance, convert to Buddhism and pledge yourself under me. I will bestow upon you all the knowledge I acquired throughout my life. In the future, in the Western Heaven Buddhist realm and even the entire Three Realms, you will be second only to me, above millions!”
“If you do not agree, then I will have no choice but to take drastic measures. Weigh the lighter and the heavier, and choose wisely for yourself!”
Having said this, the Tathagata Buddha did not continue speaking. He quietly watched Sun Wukong, waiting for his final decision.
Since becoming the Lord of Buddhism in Western Heaven Spiritual Mountain, the Tathagata Buddha had seen many talents but he had never been so lenient with anyone. Those who were disobedient were directly suppressed by force, then assimilated with Buddhist teachings and sounds. The few times he had repeatedly tried to persuade someone like Sun Wukong were indeed rare!
Sun Wukong’s eyes narrowed. It was somewhat unexpected that the Tathagata Buddha would once again try to persuade him; however, there was not the slightest sway at the bottom of his heart. If he were still the person from his previous life, not knowing the true face of the Tathagata Buddha, perhaps he would really consider it. But after experiencing the conspiracy of the “crown prince change” at the peak of Spiritual Mountain in his past life, he had seen through the true face of the Tathagata Buddha.
To pledge under Tathagata was completely like making a deal with a tiger—it was uncertain when one could be devoured completely, bones and all. He was not that foolish!
“How about it? Are you willing to accept my proposition and convert to Buddhism?”
Sun Wukong did not speak for a long while, just quietly floating above the clouds, his eyes flickering as though he was seriously contemplating. After a long wait, the Tathagata Buddha could not help but speak again.
“Convert? I will never convert in this lifetime!”
Sun Wukong let out a slight chuckle—the reason he had not spoken until then was that he was cultivating to recover his Chaos Primordial Force. The immense consumption of Chaos Primordial Force from unleashing both Heaven-Breaking Eighteen Rods and Heaven-Breaking Nine Rods against the Tathagata Palm of the Tathagata Buddha was not minor, and he needed to take the opportunity while the Tathagata Buddha was waiting to fully recover, as there was still a tough fight ahead!
“Sun Wukong, do you dare to deceive me?”
A flash of anger passed through the Tathagata Buddha’s eyes. As the Lord of Buddhism, from the moment Sun Wukong spoke, he had discerned Sun Wukong’s intentions, and a strong surge of murderous intent rose from within him. It seemed that Sun Wukong, like the Six-Eared Macaque and others, would not surrender!
Since Sun Wukong could not be utilized, it was imperative to eliminate him as soon as possible, to deny this demon monkey any further chance to grow!
“Amitabha, the demon is just a demon, not heeding teachings nor recognizing sage advice! Since you are obstinately incorrigible, do not blame me for not showing courtesy today! My Buddha is merciful, universally saving all beings, but also possesses Vajra wrathful gaze, subduing demons and quelling evil. I must play the role of Demon-Subduing Vajra today!”
Tathagata Buddha’s aura suddenly surged, concentrating the domain power of the Immeasurable Buddha Nation in his palms, firmly locking onto Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong’s domain power had also reached a sovereign level. Tathagata Buddha couldn’t possibly deploy the Immeasurable Buddha Nation like he dealt with Leng Xuan and others, enveloping Sun Wukong, as it would be futile. The only way was as now, focusing the domain power for a strike designed to kill!
“Subdue the demon? Well, let’s see if you have what it takes. Old Sun isn’t made of clay!”
Wukong flicked the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod in his hand, spinning it a few times before grasping it with both hands. The Chaos Fire entwining it suddenly soared, and his figure transformed into a golden light as he fiercely charged towards Tathagata Buddha, striking first!
“What a demon monkey, I cannot let you go! Be suppressed by this seat—Tathagata Palm!”
“Even the skies cannot suppress me, Old Sun, nor can you, Tathagata! Heaven-Breaking Eighteen Sticks!”
Thunderous noises erupted in the sky once again, marking the resumption of the great battle between Tathagata Buddha and Sun Wukong.
In the Heavenly Court, at the Jade Pond Water Pavilion in the Lotus Pond.
The crystal coffin that had always held Zi Lan Fairy suddenly moved, and wisps of purple halo manifested, emerging from within. Zi Lan Fairy, who had been in a deep slumber without any reaction, suddenly opened her eyes. The crystal coffin flew out from the base of the pond to the surface, the lid opened, and Zi Lan Fairy floated up and landed on the nearby ground.
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“Zi Lan, you’ve finally awoken!”
A figure appeared beside the pond; the Queen Mother walked over, accompanied by a few palace maids.
Ever since Zi Lan Fairy had heard the news of Sun Wukong’s fall into the Endless Abyss and demise, which led her to faint from anger and panic, the Queen Mother had placed her in the crystal coffin in the Lotus Pond. Her body was nurtured by the rich Immortal Spirit Qi to maintain her vitality. Zi Lan Fairy had been unresponsive all along, so how had she suddenly awakened now?
“My lady, I have worried you!”
Zi Lan Fairy bowed gracefully towards the Queen Mother. She was well aware of these arrangements by the Queen Mother. The reason she had suddenly awakened was entirely due to sensing Sun Wukong’s presence!
Sun Wukong was still alive, and he must have returned safely!
“It’s good that you’re awake!”
The Queen Mother looked at Zi Lan Fairy with a touch of emotion in her eyes, “You sensed Wukong’s presence, didn’t you?”
The Queen Mother was well aware of the intricate destiny shared between Zi Lan Fairy and Sun Wukong. The essence blood that Sun Wukong had once infused into her body allowed them to sense each other, which was not surprising at all.
The Queen Mother, although residing in the Heavenly Court’s Jade Pool, was still aware of the happenings in the Three Realms. She had been particularly attentive to the Heavenly Army’s million-strong siege of Flower-Fruit Mountain and had even spoken out against it beforehand. However, the Jade Emperor was set in his ways, and the Queen Mother couldn’t persuade him.
The battle conditions of the Heavenly Army at Flower-Fruit Mountain were clear to the Queen Mother through the Water Mirror Technique, including the Jade Emperor’s request for Tathagata Buddha to subdue the demon, the collective resistance of the Flower-Fruit Mountain’s strong against Tathagata Buddha, and Sun Wukong’s appearance where he blocked Tathagata Buddha’s Tathagata Palm and fought against him—all were closely observed by the Queen Mother, and naturally, she was greatly amazed.
Zi Lan Fairy waking from her deep slumber at this time pointed to one thing—they all knew Sun Wukong had returned!