Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 196 - 197 The Person Who Initiates the Calamity of Measurement in Journey to the West

Chapter 196: Chapter 197 The Person Who Initiates the Calamity of Measurement in Journey to the West

"It seems you have forgotten the words I once said, Macaque. Although your strength has greatly improved, that is merely all it has done."

Of course, Wang Yang could understand to some extent. Sun Wukong’s nature was fearless, both of heaven and earth. Initially, it was because his strength was not great that he had changed due to Wang Yang’s guidance.

As his cultivation grew stronger, Sun Wukong’s inherent nature naturally revealed itself.

Wang Yang continued to speak, clarifying for Sun Wukong the foundations of the Celestial Court and the Western direction even further.

This required starting from Daoist Ancestor Hongjun.

From the Creation of Heaven and Earth, when Hongjun became the first Saint of the Primordial Continent and took Haotian as his disciple.

Following Haotian’s trials, he was appointed as the Lord of the Celestial Court, and then onwards to the Divine Enthronement Calamity.

Each event clearly demonstrated the strength of the Celestial Court’s Daoist Sect.

"What? The foundation of both the Buddhist and Daoist sects is so profound?"

As Wang Yang explained, Sun Wukong finally snapped back to reality, his face showing a look of astonishment.

Although he had heard from Wang Yang that the reason he could cause Havoc in Heaven was merely because the deities wanted to facilitate Journey to the West.

And he had not really felt that the deities were that powerful.

It was for this reason that after his cultivation improved, he felt that with such a vast world, he could freely explore it.

However, after hearing these words from Wang Yang, Sun Wukong realized that he might have underestimated the deities.

The strength of the deities he initially saw was merely what they intended for him to see, not their true strength.

"Since both the Celestial Court and Western Direction are so powerful, what should Old Sun do?"

Knowing the true strength and foundations of the two religious doors, Sun Wukong no longer harbored any contempt.

Luckily, he had first sought his elder brother; otherwise, he might have really been sealed rather than having sealed himself.

Thinking of the confidence he had after his cultivation improved, Sun Wukong also felt a chill of fear.

"Right now, your urgent task should still be to diligently cultivate rather than thinking of other things. The day you reach the Saint Realm, the vastness of heaven and earth cannot obstruct you!"

"Even Saints would be utterly unable to sway you then!"

Seeing Sun Wukong in this state, Wang Yang sighed and finally decided to set a goal for Sun Wukong.

Indeed, the Saint Realm.

If Sun Wukong could become a Saint, then everything else would be easy to discuss.

In truth, it is doubtful that anyone in the Three Realms could stop Sun Wukong’s strides.

However, whether Sun Wukong could become a Saint was extremely unlikely, considering that since the age of Primordial Continent, only a few had ever achieved it over countless millennia.

Furthermore, the absence of Hongmeng Purple Qi had almost cut off the path to becoming a Saint.

Whether or not Sun Wukong could become a Saint was truly up to his own fortune.

Wang Yang did not believe that Sun Wukong could achieve it.

"Elder brother, you’re right, your words are like enlightening baptism, instant enlightenment!"

Sun Wukong spoke with utmost respect, overwhelmed with emotion.

Indeed, the reason he was manipulated was simply because his cultivation was insufficient.

Even unable to foresee what his enemies might do. Now, although his cultivation had grown slightly stronger, it was clearly not enough.

Were he to reach the Saint Realm, he would naturally be able to see through others’ schemes against him.

Then, no matter how big the world or what schemes, he could easily see through them, rendering everything else unimportant.

At this moment, Sun Wukong held his elder brother, Wang Yang, in even higher regard than he had always done.

For guiding him through confusion and saving his life.

Clearly, he was still too arrogant, too impatient, unable to be like his elder brother Wang Yang. Even though Wang Yang’s cultivation was profound and his Cultivation Techniques encompassed everything, he was still so low-key.

He too should learn more from his elder brother to prevent any further upheavals.

"Now that you understand, go back and cultivate!"

Wang Yang naturally did not know Sun Wukong’s inner thoughts and only hoped that Sun Wukong would use these five hundred years to cultivate well and gradually change his destiny through Journey to the West.

Upon hearing Wang Yang’s words, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Thank you for your guidance, elder brother. Old Sun will leave now to cultivate diligently. I won’t consider anything else until I achieve sainthood."

As he spoke, Sun Wukong’s form flashed, transforming into a strand of monkey fur that slowly drifted down.

After seeing Sun Wukong leave, Wang Yang couldn’t help but shake his head.

"However, both Sun Wukong and Xuanzang have found their way here. This place is no longer safe. It’s better to remain hidden in plain sight. Perhaps after Xuanzang’s passing, I may be able to harness some power to observe the reincarnation of Xuanzang!"

Wang Yang murmured to himself and then left the mountain.

As Wang Yang departed, the wooden hut behind him disappeared, as if it had vanished into thin air.

Wang Yang by then had appeared outside the city, and his appearance underwent a radical transformation in an instant, turning into an old Daoist.

He started to reflect on life, traveling among the common folk.

Incidentally, he kept an eye on Xuanzang.

Time blinked away.

It is unknown how much time had passed, but Xuanzang, as Wang Yang had instructed, spent his lifetime spreading Buddhist teachings and understanding their true meaning.

He widely propagated Buddhist Law.

Thus winning the faith of countless people, gathering much incense offering, and finally, Xuanzang also became an abbot revered by tens of thousands.

Although his cultivation had reached the level of Heavenly Immortal, he could not avoid going to the West in the end.

Wang Yang, though he had known it for some time, still sighed as he watched Xuanzang being summoned by the Underworld Envoy.

In his confusion, Xuanzang remained lucid, as if he had understood the mysteries of his past and present lives; yet he did not resist but moved on to his next incarnation.

In the blink of an eye, ten lives passed, each seemingly unfolding according to the plans of the Western Direction, and Golden Cicada faced no further mishaps.

In this life, due to his parents’ misfortunes, he drifted in a river and was rescued by a high monk from the Golden Mountain Temple.

Subsequently, he took monastic vows at the Golden Mountain Temple and became Xuanzang once more.

It seemed that in every life, Xuanzang had an inseparable connection with Buddhism.

In this life as well, Xuanzang remained diligent and studious, demonstrating a profound comprehension of Buddhist doctrines. Among the monks in the temple, he stood out.

In an instant, he became a famed high monk far and wide.

However, while others praised Xuanzang, he often dreamt of a certain scene.

It was an ordinary tea house, where a handsome young man was teaching him about Buddhist laws, after which he witnessed countless scenes he could never have imagined.

Yet everything seemed incredibly foreign and vague, making it somewhat unclear to him.

It seemed it was just a dream.

...

Deep in the Posa Mount Sumeru Pure Land.

Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha sat facing each other.

As they looked up, their eyes revealed a hint of strangeness.

For people of their status and realm, it was rare for anything to affect them so.

But now, things were different.

"The time is now ripe, and it’s about time to initiate the Calamity of Journey to the West," Amitabha Buddha slowly began.

By now, Golden Cicada had undergone ten cycles of reincarnation and accumulated ten lifetimes of experience in spreading Buddhist teachings. Now, by representing the Great Tang on his pilgrimage to the Western Heaven to worship and seek scriptures, it wouldn’t take long for the Journey to the West to prosper.

Thinking of this, the normally unflappable Saints felt a surge of emotion.

They had been preparing for this specific calamity for an unknown amount of time, and finally, the moment to commence it had arrived.

Zhunti also could not help but show elation before he added, "However, to initiate the Calamity of the Journey to the West, a person is needed to guide King Tang to meet Golden Cicada and thereby start the Calamity on behalf of King Tang!"

"There is no harm, the celestial Court already has a candidate in mind. We just need to stay calm and wait," Amitabha Buddha said peacefully.

Upon hearing Amitabha Buddha’s words, Zhunti nodded in agreement.

As Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti eagerly awaited the celestial Court to initiate the Journey to the West, the celestial Court encountered some troubles.

Celestial Palace, Ninth Heavenly Hall.

"Now that the Calamity of Journey to the West is about to commence, has the chosen person to officially start it been confirmed?"

At this moment, the Jade Emperor, sitting atop the Golden Palace, displayed a hint of confusion, looking at the many Deities of the celestial Court before him.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the person to initiate the Calamity of Journey to the West has already been chosen and was about to start the journey, but..."

Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li, Li Jing, stepped forward hesitantly and began to speak.

"But what?"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor slightly raised his eyes.

At this moment, his face was expressionless, yet he carried an innate authority as he looked over the many celestial Deities.

"Your Majesty, for reasons unknown, the person has suddenly disappeared and is now untraceable!"

Seeing the Jade Emperor’s annoyance, Li Jing was somewhat helpless and had to speak up, despite feeling uneasy.

He had not anticipated that at this critical moment, such an incident would occur.

Meanwhile, Li Jing could not help but internally blame the Duty Officer for failing to keep track of a mere mortal. How could they explain this to the Jade Emperor?

"What? Suddenly disappeared? Untraceable?"

Li Jing’s words surprised the many celestial Deities present.

Although Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li was not well-liked personally, he was still very reliable in handling affairs.

It was shocking to them that such a mishap could occur today.

However, the power of the celestial Deities was intricately complex.

Buddhism, Expounding Teachings Sect, and Cutting Teachings Sect coexisted, each competing among themselves.

Their intentions regarding the Calamity of Journey to the West were all different.

The Cutting Teachings Sect was indifferent; unless the Jade Emperor instructed them otherwise, they were reluctant to involve themselves. The Expounding Teachings Sect even seemed to relish in creating disasters, as they represented the Daoist Sect and naturally did not wish to see Buddhism flourish.

As for Buddhism, they were exceedingly anxious.

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor frowned. He had not expected such an event to occur.

Though his face remained impassive, his thoughts were unknowable.

He observed the expressions of the many celestial Deities, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow, yet his heart was conflicted.

Given his awkward position with little actual power, he could hardly command any capable celestial Deity except for Li Jing, who was somewhat loyal.

After all, Li Jing was most enthusiastic about the affairs of the Journey to the West.

But with this person missing, how could the Journey to the West proceed?