Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 128: Xuan Ming’s Chance Encounter with a Meditation Cushion

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Xuan Ming’s Chance Encounter with a Meditation Cushion

Speaking of Xuan Ming achieving sainthood, they resolved the crisis at Water Curtain Cave and captured the Nine-Headed Worm.

The Nine-Headed Worm was thrown directly to Wukong for handling. Wukong recited an incantation that tormented the Nine-Headed Worm half to death until he forced its true form out, and then he stopped. Wukong asked, "Would you care to serve as my mount?"

The Nine-Headed Worm cursed, "Pah! The enmity of killing my father is irreconcilable!"

Wukong gave a peculiar smile and said, "Clearly, it was I who spared your life last time, yet you had your parents come trouble me and then your father was killed by someone else. Yet you blame me? Heh, you truly are stubborn! Back then, I, Old Sun, suffered greatly under this Tightening-Crown Spell, completely subdued by that bald monk without any temper left!"

Upon hearing Wukong’s words, the Nine-Headed Worm was about to curse loudly, but before he could start, he heard Wukong recite the incantation.

The Nine-Headed Worm immediately writhed in pain on the ground, screaming as if being slaughtered.

Wukong let out a strange laugh and said, "Do you submit now?"

The Nine-Headed Worm was tormented by the Tight Band to the point of fainting multiple times, but each time, Wukong revived him by splashing cold water on him.

After being tortured over and over again about seven or eight times, the Nine-Headed Worm completely lost its temper and prostrated itself, saying, "I submit."

Just as Wukong was about to speak, the Nine-Headed Worm suddenly lashed out! But Wukong seemed to be prepared, and he recited the incantation again.

The Nine-Headed Worm once again fell to the ground.

The Tight Band had another marvelous use, which was that if the person restricted by the Band harbored any intent to kill, its master could clearly feel it. This was also why Wukong, despite his dissatisfaction with Tang Sanzang in the past, couldn’t kill him—he was utterly subdued by the Band.

"Heh, you’re quite cunning," laughed Wukong, as he fiercely struck the Nine-Headed Worm with the Creation Heavenly Mechanism Staff, almost knocking the creature unconscious.

******

"Another sage has arisen in this world!" exclaimed the Lord of Primordial Beginning, suddenly opening his eyes in astonishment.

The path to sainthood was extremely arduous. Over the past 120,000 years, those who had achieved Dao were few, and some had even perished. Unexpectedly, at the cusp of the impending Calamity of Yuan Meeting, someone had achieved sainthood. This was indeed a cause for great joy, as the combat power of a saint was not to be underestimated.

Some days earlier, he had already received Hong Jun’s divine decree.

The decree stated, "With the Calamity of Yuan Meeting imminent, all saints must not attack each other. The fortunes of Buddhism and Taoism are to be contested by their respective followers. Any violators will have their Heavenly Heart Seal destroyed and be cast down from sainthood."

Hong Jun was anxious, fearing that if the saints fought amongst themselves, it would not just be about collapsing mountains and wailing spirits. Being injured by another saint required a long period of recuperation. Hong Jun announced the imminent Calamity of Yuan Meeting; the realm of Earth Immortals needed to preserve its strength.

He understood that the competition for the fortunes of Buddhism and Taoism might give rise to a Great Dao Sage, so he did not hinder the conflicts among his followers, as long as the saints remained aloof, strategizing without direct involvement.

Not only the Three Pure Ones but also the Buddhist Three Sages and Luo Hou had received Hong Jun’s decree. Xuan Ming, having just achieved sainthood, had not yet received it.

Amitabha was secretly alarmed but also started speculating inwardly. Initially, he did not believe during the time Hong Jun had not clarified the so-called Calamity of Yuan Meeting; he felt that with Buddha in his heart, all could be well. But now, the divine decree explicitly stated that the Calamity of Yuan Meeting was imminent!

The Three Pure Ones had gathered at Jade Void Palace, along with Buddha’s Amitabha, Zhun Ti, and Lu Ya.

Later, Laozi called over his mount, the Green Ox, removed its bridle, and turned it into human form, saying, "Go to the Reincarnation Netherworld and ask Lady Pingxin to come up here."

The Green Ox couldn’t help but ask, "Master, who is Lady Pingxin? How come I’ve never heard of her before?"

Laozi then said, "That is Xuan Ming, who has now achieved sainthood and taken control of the Reincarnation Netherworld, assuming the title of Lady Pingxin."

The Green Ox accepted the decree, descended from the Thirty-Three Heavens, and headed to the Reincarnation Netherworld.

The gatekeeper Yin God stopped the Green Ox, saying, "Dead may enter, the living shall not!"

The Green Ox then said, "I am the Green Ox, mount of the Revered Laozi of the Jade Purity Heaven, specially here from the Reincarnation Netherworld to summon Lady Calm Heart to the Thirty-Three Heavens for a grand congregation. You must announce this swiftly to prevent any delay in vital matters!"

This Yin God was startled, not expecting such an eminent origin, indeed it was Laozi’s mount. He dared not delay and immediately entered the Reincarnation Netherworld to report to Di Jiang. After hearing this, Di Jiang pondered for a moment. Learning that a saint had summoned them for a council, he naturally did not wish to act rashly. He thought it best to leave the matter to Xuan Ming, and so he went to awaken Xuan Ming who was in seclusion.

Xuan Ming, having been in seclusion for just two or three days, aimed to achieve Perfection in the Primordial Dao Fruit. This Dao Fruit, to reach Perfection, might take years or even decades. Awakened by Di Jiang, Xuan Ming felt slightly displeased, but Di Jiang did not dare provoke this formidable figure, and said, "There is a decree from the saints in the Thirty-Three Heavens, inviting Lady Calm Heart to discuss important matters."

Xuan Ming nodded and responded, "Thank you, elder brother!"

Di Jiang smiled and said, "No worries. Go quickly, and if there is danger, send a message, and we will rush to assist immediately."

Xuan Ming replied, "Then I shall depart."

With those words, she tore through the void and emerged directly outside the gates of the Netherworld.

Upon perceiving Xuan Ming, the Green Ox felt the sacred aura, which ordinary people could not sense, but the Green Ox, being Laozi’s mount and having accompanied him for many years, naturally had come to recognize the mysterious aura of the sacred Dao.

He could not afford to neglect Xuan Ming, for she was a saint after all. He respectfully said, "Lady Calm Heart, my master invites you to the Jade Void Palace for a council."

Xuan Ming slightly nodded and responded, "Let us go, you lead the way."

The Green Ox said, "Please follow me."

With that, he ascended into the sky and headed straight for the Thirty-Three Heavens, the Green Ox’s mana being formidable, being a Daluo Golden Immortal. Back during the Journey to the West, he was somewhat lenient; otherwise, he alone could have slain the four disciples. Moreover, he possessed Laozi’s Vajra Bracelet. It was only a pity that Wukong, at that time, remained unenlightened despite repeated hints.

Ascending to the Thirty-Three Heavens, heading toward the Jade Purity Heaven, they entered Lord of Primordial Beginning’s Jade Void Palace.

"Limitless aeons! Lady Calm Heart, this Taoist bows to you." Upon seeing Xuan Ming led by the Green Ox, the Three Pure Ones, standing from their meditation cushions, greeted Xuan Ming with a bow, and Xuan Ming reciprocated.

"Aeons unending! I have seen Lady Calm Heart," said Lu Ya, Amitabha, and Zhun Ti, also bowing towards Xuan Ming.

Being saints themselves, yet they are exceedingly courteous to each other. Aside from the Three Pure Ones, who are thoroughly familiar siblings, customary salutations and bows are seldom omitted when they meet other saints.

Xuan Ming said, "Greetings to all revered Taoists and Buddha Ancestors."

Then everyone took their seats, and suddenly, a cushion descended from the sky. This cushion, known as the Originating Cushion, was a treasure from ancient times of Goddess Nuwa, which disappeared after she sacrificed herself to mend the heavens, but now suddenly appeared, landing in the hands of Xuan Ming.

"Wonderful indeed, this Originating Cushion vanished for a hundred thousand years, and now, as Lady Calm Heart attains sainthood, obtaining this cushion speaks of a deep karmic fortune," laughed Lord of the Primordial Beginning.

Upon seeing this cushion, Lu Ya couldn’t help but feel slightly envious. Laozi has a cushion of wind and fire, Lord of Primordial Beginning possesses an Earth and Heaven Cushion, Tong Tian Sect Master has a Primordial Cushion, the Cushion of Annihilation is held by Zhun Ti Taoist, and the Cushion of Supreme Bliss belongs to Amitabha Buddha. And now, the last cushion fell to Xuan Ming and not himself.

Indeed, it is all about destiny, not even saints can escape this so-called fate, no wonder disputes between the Buddha and the Dao are so fierce.

Xuan Ming, knowing the might of the six innate cushions, was very glad to have obtained this Originating Cushion. Upon seating herself upon the cushion, she felt a surge of mana. Inside the cushion, there was a vigorous vitality, ceaseless and torrential, supplying her with mana. The marvelous use of it, however, would be a matter she would ponder meticulously in days to come.

All seven saints took their seats, only Lu Ya had no cushion, but he also crafted a semblance of these innate cushions, forging one known as the Great Sun Cushion, which when invoked, appeared like a sun. Lu Ya also cultivated with the power of the sun, and some said he was the Golden Crow, which was not so. He merely obtained a drop of innate solar power, much like the Green Emperor who had received a shard of primordial Chaos.

"Heavenly Dao has issued a decree, and I presume everyone has received it. Since Lady Calm Heart has only recently become a saint, she may not yet be aware," said Laozi slowly, his voice calm and steady. Listening closely, Xuan Ming felt that his words resonated mysteriously with the Dao.

Xuan Ming gently nodded and said, "I pray for guidance from Supreme Revered Taoist."

This gathering of the Seven Saints surely meant that a significant event was to occur. Xuan Ming vaguely sensed something, trying to calculate it, yet even she could not divine its nature. It was rare indeed for something to remain inscrutable even to saints.

What will happen next, please listen on in the next episode.