Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 471 - 426 Bodhi Ancestor Meets His Eldest Disciple Again_2

Chapter 471: Chapter 426 Bodhi Ancestor Meets His Eldest Disciple Again_2

After Sun Wukong had finished speaking, Saint Zhunti slowly said, "I know, it was your elder brother who told you, wasn’t it!"

Sun Wukong remained silent, not answering.

Seeing this, Saint Zhunti continued with a smile, "Wukong, do you actually know, from the moment you were born, you were destined to be the Great Saint Protector of the Dharma of Buddhism, including your emergence in this world, which was all arranged by me, your master!"

"The same goes for Xuanzang! The difference is that Xuanzang is Tathagata’s disciple, the Golden Cicada, while you can be said to be a direct disciple of this Saint. In terms of status, you and the Tathagata are not much different!"

"Previously, due to the Journey to the West being a divinely predestined major event, I, as your master, could not reveal the details to you. Hence, I could only silently observe. Now that the Journey is complete and you have attained Buddhahood, I have summoned you to tell you the truth!"

"Today I ask you, are you willing to assume the position of protector of Buddhism?"

"Protector of Buddhism?"

Sun Wukong raised his head, looking somewhat puzzled at Saint Zhunti.

Saint Zhunti nodded and said indifferently, "Indeed, protector of Buddhism. You should know, Buddhism has the Eight Divisions of Divine Protectors, five hundred Arhats, Wrathful Vajras, and all such Buddhas belong to the ranks of protectors of Buddhism!"

"If you take on the role of Buddhism’s protector, in the future the Eight Divisions and the many Arhats and Vajras will all be under your jurisdiction, in charge of guarding Buddhism’s authority!"

In the great hall, Saint Zhunti looked pleased with himself as he watched Sun Wukong, waiting for his kneeling bow!

He believed no one could refuse such a generous gift.

For Sun Wukong, Saint Zhunti was undeniably attentive, and the position offered was in line with this attention.

The reason for this was because Sun Wukong incidentally counted as a disciple of Saint Zhunti, compared to Ancestor Buddha Jieyin who had an outstanding disciple like Maitreya Buddha.

Since the Primordial Continent till now, in his service for Buddhism, disciples of Zhunti’s caliber have been few and far between; the impoverishment of the Western Direction in those days was no mere talk.

Even the few he cultivated in his spare time, when compared to the disciples of other Saints, were often found wanting.

Of course, Sun Wukong was indeed disobedient, almost affecting the fated calamity of Journey to the West, so at that time, Zhunti also entertained the thought of replacing Sun Wukong.

However, Sun Wukong’s strength was beyond what he had anticipated, with even the Six Eared Macaque being easily eradicated.

Now, Saint Zhunti could only hope to win over Sun Wukong and have him become the Great Saint Protector of the Dharma of Buddhism.

He even wished for Sun Wukong to take up his own mantle and become one of the pillars of Buddhism.

However, Saint Zhunti was disappointed that after his words had fallen, he did not immediately receive Sun Wukong’s reply.

But Zhunti was not anxious; he believed Sun Wukong should know how to choose.

In the great hall, Sun Wukong closed his eyes, recalling his past experiences.

In Mount Huaguo, he frolicked like a child with newfound freedom!

Above the vast sea, crossing the boundless waves on a simple bamboo raft!

Inside the Cave of the Three Stars, learning his arts with pride and ambition!

Forced to rebel at the Gates of Heaven.

Ultimately, he could only seal himself within the mountain at Two-Realm Mountain.

Later, it was the Journey to the West, growing with every step!

Scene by scene, they passed through his mind like frames of a film!

So, from his coming into this world, for what had he done all this?

Merely for the Journey to the West? Just to be treated by Buddhism as a marionette?

From his birth till now, he had always been treated like a puppet on a string, and now Buddhism wanted to continue pulling his strings?

Sun Wukong opened his eyes and, looking at Bodhi Ancestor and Saint Zhunti, suddenly grinned.

"Ancestor Master, today Sun Wukong hereby bows three times to you, thanking you for imparting your arts!"

Having spoken, Sun Wukong respectfully kowtowed three times to Bodhi Ancestor, full of piety.

After the three bows, Sun Wukong rose to his feet and slowly said to Saint Zhunti, "Saint, I understand, my coming into the world as Sun Wukong was for the significant cause of Buddhism’s Journey to the West. Initially, I was taught by the Ancestor Master, later nourished by Immortal Pills and Flat Peaches, thus shaping the awe-inspiring Great Sage Equalling Heaven."

"However, Old Sun too was confined for five hundred years, and now has also protected Xuanzang to seek scriptures in Western Heaven, which should fulfill the mission of my birth! Now, Sun Wukong does not seek the revered position of protector of Buddhism, but only wishes to return to Mount Huaguo, to live as the true Sun Wukong once more!"

"Thank you, Buddha Ancestor, for your high regard, but alas, Old Sun dares not accept it!"

Having said this, Sun Wukong turned and walked toward the exit of the great hall!

"How audacious, this monkey really doesn’t know what’s good for him, Buddha Ancestor, this monkey was created by our Buddhism. Now with such a heart, not thinking of repaying Buddhism, might as well eliminate him to prevent endless future troubles!"

Just then, a stern voice came forth, soon followed by a fierce-looking Buddha who stepped out from the side, blocking Sun Wukong’s way with a stern look, and spoke coldly.

Sun Wukong’s face changed, and he looked at the Buddha in front of him with equal ferocity.

In Mount Meru, there were already Wrathful Vajras, some fierce Buddhas, who served as the powerful protectors of the sacred mountain.

But the Buddha before him was imbued with a sky-high blood energy, which upon appearance made Sun Wukong’s hair stand on end.

This Buddha was certainly not of the benevolent sort.

Yet, how could such a fierce presence emerge from the sacred land of Buddhism, Mount Ling of the Western Paradise?

Seeing this Buddha step forward, Saint Zhunti frowned slightly, but then he sighed softly.

"Wukong, the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back to find the shore!"

Upon hearing Saint Zhunti’s words, a scornful smile appeared on Sun Wukong’s face.

"Buddha Ancestor, I too have a saying that I’ve held in my heart for a very long time!"

Saint Zhunti’s eyebrows rose slightly, he looked at Sun Wukong curiously and asked calmly, "What saying?"

Sun Wukong turned his head, laughed arrogantly, and said, "We are born free, who dares to lord over us!"

"How bold of you, monkey, you really do not understand the immensity of heaven and earth, Buddha Ancestor, I think this demon’s nature is untamable, it would be better to let me devour him!"

The Buddha spoke sharply at this moment,

Like a wail, which made Sun Wukong even more irritable and his blood energy surged.

At this moment, Saint Zhunti shook his head slightly, knowing from Sun Wukong’s words that the Buddha-nature inside him had not gained much ground, on the contrary, it was his Demon Nature that predominated.

Originally, he had already known that this Sun Wukong might not be cultivable.

Starting with the training of the Six Eared Macaque, Buddhism had been searching for a plan B.

Therefore, after the Six Eared Macaque met its demise, Buddhism sought another person.

The Mosquito Daoist who had consumed their sect-defining treasure, the Twelve-Rank Merit Golden Lotus.

Naturally, if possible, he would have preferred Sun Wukong to come to a sudden awakening and become their Great Saint Protector of the Dharma.

However, to his surprise, Sun Wukong remained as stubborn and unyielding as ever.

The Mosquito Daoist had terrifying talent, but his very existence didn’t quite align with the teachings of Buddhism.

But now, Sun Wukong had ultimately chosen to defy Buddhism, and although the Mosquito Daoist wasn’t suitable, he was, after all, inclined towards Buddhism in his heart.

Instead of rejecting what is near and seeking what is far, why not...

"Ask the Bodhisattva why he sits reversed, lamenting that sentient beings refuse to turn back!"

Within the great hall, Saint Zhunti sighed softly, and then closed his eyes.

On the other side, the Buddha, who was the Mosquito Daoist, revealed a bloodthirsty and excited expression.

He stared at Sun Wukong with malice, subconsciously swallowing his saliva.

With his profound foundation, the Immortal Spirit and Daoist Rhyme contained within Sun Wukong were, to the Ant-like person, an extravagant feast so delicious.

Devouring him might just break the shackles of the almost Quasi-Saint that hindered the Mosquito Daoist.

This was the reason the Mosquito Daoist stood forward to stop Sun Wukong, even with Saint Zhunti present.

It was a rare opportunity!

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong stared back at the Mosquito Daoist with an equally hostile expression. Although he was unaware of the Mosquito Daoist’s background, the blood energy he concealed could not be hidden from Wukong’s eyes.

The opponent was a peerless villain, but this did not frighten Sun Wukong, who had long wanted to fight here.

Besides, this was just a clone anyway.

With the Jingu Bang appearing in his hands, Sun Wukong glared viciously at the Mosquito Daoist, waiting for the looming great battle.

However, just at that moment, an incredibly powerful presence suddenly emerged from the void.

Saint Zhunti’s face changed, and upon feeling this might, joy rose in Sun Wukong’s heart.

In front of the great hall, a figure suddenly descended, appearing before everyone.

This person, with a face as handsome as jade, looked towards Patriarch Bodhi with a slight smile and said, "Ancestor Master, I never thought we would meet again!"

"It’s you, Wang Yang!"

Patriarch Bodhi’s face changed upon seeing the person.

Although they had already had their suspicions, feeling the aura emanating from him, they couldn’t help but reveal shock.

Their once least talented chief disciple had actually reached such heights.