Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 170 Wukong: I Sealed Myself for 5000 Years

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Wukong: I Sealed Myself for 5000 Years

Sakyamuni Tathagata looked at Sun Wukong, gathering the Buddha Power around him slowly.

He was already preparing to make his move against Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong slowly stood up.

Without waiting for Sakyamuni Tathagata to say anything, Sun Wukong gave a slight Daoist Sect salute to Sakyamuni Tathagata.

Then he turned and, without hesitation, saluted in the direction of the Ninth celestial Palace.

Seeing Sun Wukong suddenly change like this, everyone present was taken aback.

Especially those celestials watching the situation within the Mystic Light Mirror in the Ninth celestial Palace, they had originally thought that Sun Wukong would surely make a big deal out of his recent victory, but to their surprise, Sun Wukong actually behaved like this.

Even the Jade Emperor was taken aback and looked at this scene with some puzzlement.

While everyone was wondering, they saw Sun Wukong begin to speak, "May I report to the Jade Emperor and Ancestor Buddha Tathagata, this disciple Wukong knows he trespassed in the feast at Yaochi, destroyed the Peach Garden, not to mention stealing many treasures of the Grand Ancestor of the Supreme Way!

"This disciple has committed heavy sins!"

Upon hearing these words, everyone looking at Sun Wukong was stunned.

They really couldn’t see what Sun Wukong was up to now.

It was one thing to cause a commotion before, but why was he suddenly admitting his mistakes now?

Could it be that this monkey had suddenly reformed?

No one could see through what exactly Sun Wukong wanted to do, but Taibai Jinxing in the crowd couldn’t help but frown, as if he had understood something.

This feeling was all too familiar; it seemed he often experienced it, and it likely wouldn’t end well.

At that moment, Sakyamuni Tathagata was also looking at Sun Wukong with a face full of astonishment.

He was still ready to take action at that time.

How could Sun Wukong start saying such things now, was he thinking of confessing his wrongs and then using his victory to escape?

Even so, he could not let Sun Wukong go under any circumstances.

However, now that Sun Wukong had admitted his mistakes, naturally, he couldn’t be too harsh, and he slowly began to speak.

"Amitabha Buddha, do you have a heart of repentance? Present whatever request you have!"

With that, Sakyamuni Tathagata’s voice calmly emerged, and his face once again showed compassionate purple.

Seeing Sakyamuni Tathagata like this, Taibai Jinxing in the Ninth celestial Palace twitched the corners of his eyes, feeling a stronger sense of foreboding.

"Heh heh, thank you, Ancestor Buddha!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but grin, looking at Sakyamuni Tathagata and giving another Daoist Sect salute.

"This disciple knows he has committed heavy sins and has even won over the Ancestor Buddha by no small feat, knowing that the Ancestor Buddha, bound by the bet, probably cannot punish this disciple anymore!"

"This disciple has no face to return to Mount Huaguo, so this disciple only asks the Ancestor Buddha to permit this disciple to self-seal for five thousand years to cleanse the sins committed!"

Sun Wukong, as he spoke, had accounted for everything, understanding the dilemma of Ancestor Buddha Tathagata not being able to punish him, and also wanting to settle his wrongdoings in the celestial Court.

So, as they heard the first part of what Sun Wukong said, not only did Sakyamuni Tathagata’s expression relax, even the Jade Emperor couldn’t help but look relieved.

But upon hearing the latter part of Sun Wukong’s words, they were all taken aback.

Self-sealing was something they hadn’t expected, but it was acceptable; after all, being suppressed by anyone would still be a suppression, but a self-sealing for five thousand years?

How could their prediction of the Calamity of Measurement for Journey to the West proceed?

And if he were to self-seal in the celestial Court, after five thousand years, how many years would have passed in the Earth Immortal Realm, where the world might already have changed greatly.

Buddhism would probably not need to flourish anymore.

Sakyamuni Tathagata looked at Sun Wukong, and though his face was still full of compassion, apart from compassion, there was also a hint of conflict.

Having attained such a level of cultivation and being the head of Buddhism, if he could avoid outright confrontation, who would intentionally disgrace themselves?

Thus, when Sun Wukong spoke up, Sakyamuni Tathagata had no intention of taking action.

Yet, this self-sealing for five thousand years truly depressed him.

He immediately started telepathy with the Jade Emperor, hoping to calculate how to proceed.

After all, they couldn’t well make a move now that Sun Wukong had admitted his guilt.

Just then, an overwhelming presence descended.

Upon hearing the words of this mighty presence, both the Ancestor Buddha and the Jade Emperor couldn’t help but show satisfaction.

And the Ancestor Buddha looked at Sun Wukong and slowly began to speak, "The monk has already discussed it with the Great celestial Venerate. Although you, a macaque, are mischievous and have caused a tremendous disaster, considering you took the initiative to admit your mistake today and have a sincere heart for repentance, I naturally can agree to your request for self-sealing!"

Having said this, Sakyamuni Tathagata paused for a moment before continuing, "Considering the virtue of heaven to nurture all living things, since you, a macaque, still have a heart for repentance and are willing to change, five thousand years is too long; five hundred years will suffice!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata spoke slowly, with Buddhist chanting surrounding in such a way that one couldn’t refuse.

The Calamity of Measurement for Journey to the West, which had already been pushed back years due to Sun Wukong’s various actions, now meant they naturally couldn’t accept Sun Wukong self-sealing for another five thousand years; five hundred years was already the limit.

They, the followers of Buddhism, can’t wait.

Especially given that there could be many changes, which might lead to more complications the longer it drags on.

By then, who knows how many variables might come into play.

So at most five hundred years.

This is the intention of Sakyamuni Tathagata, as well as that of the Two Saints of the West.

At that moment in the Helmet Armor Palace, the Grand Elder of the Supreme Way, who had been meditating in front of the Pill Furnace, also couldn’t help but open his eyes.

A hint of amusement flickered through his age-old eyes.

"You, this macaque, are quite cunning!"

In fact, even he would find it difficult to see through Sun Wukong’s art of Transformation, especially with the addition of Monkey Fur creating such duplicitous clones.

But after realizing that this was merely a diversion, he naturally understood what Wukong was planning.

Although the Daoist Sect had a part in the Calamity of Measurement and schemed to obtain considerable merit for the Dao, the event was, after all, a grand occasion for the flourishing of Buddhism.

Despite the Daoist plotting, which did secure much merit for the sect, Buddhism was ultimately the principal concern and would inevitably grow stronger — a fact that could not be changed.

Thus, now that Wukong sought to delay the Calamity of Measurement, he naturally enjoyed watching the commotion.

Therefore, after understanding Wukong’s plans, he not only helped boost Wukong’s strength but also concealed the celestial Secret of Wukong’s clone.

To prevent the Two Saints of the West from discovering this abnormality in Wukong.

And the Grand Elder’s concealment, of course, went undetected by the Two Saints of the West, who at the moment were still worried about the infirmity of Golden Cicada’s Buddha Mind.

Upon hearing the words of Sakyamuni Tathagata, Wukong couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, yet his face remained impassive as he spoke to Sakyamuni Tathagata, "The Buddha Ancestor is merciful, and I am deeply grateful. However, I am aware of the severity of my sins, and fear that a mere five hundred years of self-imposed punishment will not suffice to cleanse my transgressions. I hope the Buddha Ancestor grants my request to confine myself for five thousand years, to cultivate my conduct and my mind, until my merit is perfected and I finally attain the Supreme Dao Fruit."

Wukong spoke with a face full of earnestness.

After saying this, he bowed respectfully to Sakyamuni Tathagata and said, "I hope the Buddha Ancestor will consent!"

Upon hearing these words, even the composure of Sakyamuni Tathagata couldn’t prevent his mouth from twitching slightly. Not to mention his countless years in the Cutting Teachings Sect, since he had taken control of Buddhism after his transformation and had seen numerous years pass by.

He was well-tempered and steadfast in nature; otherwise, the Two Saints of the West would not have entrusted him with the task of promoting the Calamity of Measurement.

Yet, he had not expected Sun Sui Kong to make such a statement.

Most people would hope to lessen their punishment if they were to be disciplined.

Yet, when it came to Wukong, he was actively seeking greater punishment.

Had it been any ordinary Immortal asking thus, Sakyamuni Tathagata wouldn’t have spared them a second glance, choosing to suppress them directly instead.

But the person before him was Sun Wukong.

The one to initiate the Calamity of Measurement, who would also be pivotal during the great calamities of Buddhism in the days to come.

After the Calamity of Measurement, Buddhism would flourish but also decline, and when the calamity of the stars descended, Sakyamuni Tathagata too would enter extinction, to be reborn through calamity with the hope of attaining the rank of Supreme Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal.

However, as he faces death and reincarnates as a spiritually endowed child, it would be of the utmost importance for Wukong to protect his path.

If Wukong were to be offended now, his future tribulations might not go smoothly.

So, whether for the prosperity of Buddhism or for the future ordeal, he would show immense tolerance towards Wukong before him.

Even the Two Saints of the West probably couldn’t compare with the Tathagata in terms of forbearance.

Previously, if not for Wukong’s going beyond their control, he would not have wished to oppose Wukong directly.

This scene was also well within the grasp of the Two Saints of the West.

Upon hearing Wukong’s request, their faces twisted slightly with a twitch of their mouths.

What was Wukong up to?

Insisting on sealing himself for five thousand years?

Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti exchanged glances, and after a moment of silence, Zhunti’s mouth moved slightly, already beginning to communicate telepathically.

A highly abstruse telepathic message melded into the Void.

At the same time, at the Southern Heaven Gate, a complex aura reached the ears of Sakyamuni Tathagata.

"Amitabha Buddha, I shall heed the will of my Buddha!"

Upon receiving this complex mental message, the eyes of Sakyamuni Tathagata flickered with a trace of surprise as he gazed westward with hands clasped together in salute.

Then, regarding Wukong, he finally said, "Heaven has the virtue of all that is good. My Buddha once said, ’Lay down the butcher’s knife, and you will instantly attain Buddhahood.’ Though you have committed a great error and incurred an innumerable amount of karma, in light of your sincere repentance, I, the poor monk, am willing to point you towards a great merit."

As the words of Sakyamuni Tathagata fell, the area near the Southern Heaven Gate shone brightly with Buddha’s light, and indistinctly, it seemed as if thousands of Buddha Lands were converging, sacred and majestic.

Even the compassionate expression on Sakyamuni Tathagata’s face seemed to deepen.

However, upon seeing this display, Wukong inwardly sneered, with no change showing on his face, and curiously asked, "May I know what great opportunity the Buddha Ancestor refers to?"