Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 226: Palm 219: Buddha and Demon Face Off in Front of Spiritual Mount

Chapter 226: Palm 219: Buddha and Demon Face Off in Front of Spiritual Mount

The Demon Tribe’s massive army of eighty million pressed onto the borders, endless to the eye—neither beginning nor end could be seen, their banners stretching across the sky, blotting out the sun.

When Wukong saw Kong Xuan catch up, he asked, "Did you get the Ginseng Fruit Tree?"

Kong Xuan nodded and replied, "Zhen Yuanzi wouldn’t recognize what was good for him. His fate was already sealed, and I had only intended to borrow it. Who knew he would be so unreasonable? I had no choice but to conform to destiny and send him to the Deification Platform."

Ever since Guanyin and others took the Ginseng Fruit from Zhen Yuanzi, his fortune had been in decline. Now, with the battle between Buddha and demons drawing him in, his fate came to an absolute end. Kong Xuan had thought to spare him, but since the man failed to appreciate it, Kong Xuan had no choice but to go along with the changes dictated by the Heavenly Dao, and send him to the Deification Platform. It was lamentable that Zhen Yuanzi couldn’t see the situation clearly—remaining a frog in a well, he wasted tens of thousands of years of cultivation and so many Ginseng Fruits all in vain.

Wukong sighed and said, "Well, it’s all the same. If his tribulation was not to happen at your hands, it would have occurred at the hands of the demons in the Demon Abyss of the Northern Region."

The Ginseng Fruit was an exotic treasure, but all along, Zhen Yuanzi had been holed up in the Western Heavenly Buddha Land. With notable abilities, if someone with high mana came for it, the Buddhas would naturally refuse; those with weak powers would be neatly disposed of by his spell that controlled the universe from his sleeve. Thus, for tens of thousands of years, there had been no disasters, but now with the battle between Buddha and demons occurring, his time was up, and he was destined to face his trial on the Deification Platform.

Kong Xuan stated, "I will refine the Ginseng Fruit Tree into my Five Elements Spirit Root so that it may produce twice the fruits."

Wukong replied, "Hmm, it’s still three to five days’ journey to Spiritual Mount from here. You should go into seclusion and refine it."

Kong Xuan nodded, deployed his Escape Technique, and went away to seclude himself and refine the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

Kong Xuan had not been gone for long when Supreme Holy Mother came to meet them.

The Supreme Holy Mother greeted with a smile, "Wukong."

Wukong hurriedly went up to meet the Supreme Holy Mother and said, "Supreme Holy Mother, I offer my respects."

The Supreme Holy Mother replied, "There’s no need for such etiquette. Now that we share a common enemy, we stand on the same front lines."

Before long, Daoist Duo Bao arrived with the Six-Eared Macaque and the Black Bear Spirit. The moment the Supreme Holy Mother saw Daoist Duo Bao, she flew into a rage.

Daoist Duo Bao hastily said, "Supreme Holy Mother, don’t be reckless! I’m not that Tathagata guy—I am the real Duo Bao."

Daoist Duo Bao had long since passed away. He claimed to be Daoist Duo Bao, yet he wasn’t entirely so—he was merely an evil manifestation cut out by the Tathagata. Nonetheless, he always considered himself Daoist Duo Bao and had never been disrespectful to the Tong Tian Sect Master in speech. Hearing this, the Supreme Holy Mother thought it over and understood, thus she stayed her hand.

Daoist Duo Bao bowed slightly to Wukong and said, "Fellow Daoist Wukong, it’s been a long time. Today I am here by the decree of Ancestral Demon Luo Hou, bringing the Six-Eared Macaque and the Black Bear Spirit to assist in the fight."

Luo Hou was well aware that the battle between Buddha and demons was a major ordeal filled with extreme danger. Only Duo Bao had a karmic connection with Wukong, which was why he alone was sent. Otherwise, great demons like Mo Yu would have come as well. Luo Hou’s actions were due to two reasons: one, to resolve karma, and second, to establish a good relationship with Wukong.

The attaining sainthood by Kunpeng involved the intentions of all the Saints and created great chaos.

Wukong was by no means a narrow-minded person. Although that once, Daoist Duo Bao had injured him severely with a palm strike, he didn’t care much about it. Delighted, he said, "Brother Duo Bao, so you are here to help me against the Buddhist Sect?"

Daoist Duo Bao replied, "I have to settle a great deal of karma with Tathagata. Indeed, I’ve come to assist you!"

The Supreme Holy Mother sighed, "You are better than that Tathagata. Once this is over, come with me to visit our master."

Daoist Duo Bao nodded and said, "All right, then I will trouble you, Sister."

The Six-Eared Macaque had fought with Wukong before when they killed Guanyin. He nodded at Wukong and said, "Long time no see."

Wukong also gave a slight bow in return.

At this moment, Yuan Hong and Wu Zhiqi stepped forward. Seeing the Six-Eared Macaque, they couldn’t help but express their amazement, "I fear this may indeed be the Six-Eared Macaque from among the Four Divine Monkeys! Tsk tsk, now all four Divine Monkeys are gathered."

The Six-Eared Macaque said, "I have long heard of the great names of the Long-Armed Ape General Yuan Hong and the North Sea Water God, the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey Wu Zhiqi."

Since many in the Demon Tribe’s army were lesser demons, the experts could only slow down their pace. After all, war is a battle of soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals. Not everyone is Bai Qi, willing to burden themselves with such heavy bloodshed. For those who inflict great slaughter, karmic retribution is bound to follow."

After traveling for a day, the eleven Ancestral Witches also arrived.

The Ancestral Witches came prepared. Over the past year, they had crafted many Magical Treasures and Divine Thunders. Once the war commenced, the heavens would shatter and the earth would split. One could only imagine the grand spectacle when so many Primordial Golden Immortals fought.

"Tsk tsk, such a scene has not been witnessed since the Great War between the Witches and the Demons. Many years have passed since last it was seen. Seeing it now, I can’t help but recall the former glory of our Witch Clan," Gonggong commented with unrestrained approval.

The Demon Tribe’s will to fight was fierce, with war clouds obscuring the sun; each and every one was as fierce as dragons and tigers, impatient to reach Spiritual Mountain and engage in a grand battle with the Buddhas.

Wukong greeted the newcomers, and of course, there were the necessary formalities — introducing each other, after which they were done.

On the third day, Kong Xuan had finished refining the Ginseng Fruit Tree and returned to the camp of the great army.

On the fourth day, they pitched camp and began to rest and reorganize; they were less than three hundred miles from Spiritual Mountain and could reach it within an hour.

Scouts from the Buddhist Sect reported that the Demon Tribe’s large army was now only three hundred miles away, making everyone tense.

This night passed amidst the tension, and the atmosphere of the impending battle made everyone’s heart clench with anxiety.

"Boom boom boom!"

On the Buddhist side, they heard the rumbling of war chariots and the furious roars of the demons, with tiger-like and wolf-like sounds incessant. The sky was covered with the demons’ dark aura, matching the Vajra forces on the Buddhist side. Then, a streak of blood light inserted itself, separating the golden and cyan lights—Nether River had arrived!

Wukong’s expression became solemn. Nether River had indeed made his move and was now prepared to face him together with the Buddhist Sect!

"This day has finally come, Tathagata; this karmic debt must now be settled," Wukong said, gazing at the expanse of golden light from the Buddhist Sect. He could not see Tathagata himself, but he felt his presence.

He had been waiting for this day, and so had Tathagata.

On this day, whether victory or defeat, everything would come to a conclusion; there would no longer be endless hatred, no more bone-deep enmities! All would end within this battle.

The Nether River’s Blood River spanned across the void, and he stood at the forefront of the Blood River, watching the Demon Tribe’s army with cold eyes.

From the Buddhist side, Buddhas stepped forward—Immeasurable Light, Immeasurable Life, Tathagata, the Glazed Light King Pharmacist...

Wukong swung his Buddha Beating Staff, then slammed it fiercely onto the ground, raising a shower of stones. His eyes brimmed with barely concealed murderous intent as he shouted, "Tathagata, I’ve waited a long time for this day! Today is the day I will level your Spiritual Mountain."

Tathagata did not reply. Leveling Spiritual Mountain wasn’t as simple as declaring it; it required strength.

Xi Fenglie!

War clouds rise!

How the battle will turn out, please listen to the continuation in the next Chapter. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)