The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 211 - 206: Rushing to Shushan to Resolve the Crisis

Chapter 211: Chapter 206: Rushing to Shushan to Resolve the Crisis

The Daoist Equal to Heaven had been brought back from the World of Heavenly Demons by Wusheng using the Demon-avoiding Divine Shuttle, and this trip triggered a Heart Tribulation. Far from being disadvantaged, it actually turned out to be quite beneficial.

Therefore, having attained Supreme Right Enlightenment through this Heart Tribulation, and having transformed a million Heavenly Demons, what’s more, among them was a Heavenly Demon King. This Heavenly Demon King was a master of the Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer, nearly equal in rank to Bodhisattvas like Guanyin! However, this Heavenly Demon King was definitely no match for a Buddhist sect Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal, as their methods were too overwhelmingly restrained.

When the Daoist Equal to Heaven returned to his physical body, Wukong finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had sensed something ominous during the time that the Daoist Equal to Heaven was experiencing the Illusory Realm, always feeling as if he was about to forget something, but that feeling eventually disappeared.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed, "This inadvertent trip to the Outer Domain Demon World indeed put me through many ordeals, but the benefits I received were extraordinary!"

He had now attained Right Enlightenment and forged a Buddha Kingdom within his body, making a million Heavenly Demons recite scriptures and pray within it every day. Although the Wish Power and Incense Power provided by the Heavenly Demon King was not immense, it was still considerable. These Heavenly Demons offered Wish Power and Incense Power that was pure but somewhat sparse compared to humans. He had initially wanted to subdue more Heavenly Demons, but his efforts were thwarted by the Great Freedom Demon.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven had also reached the Indestructible Realm by now, just a step away from reaching Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer. However, the key lay with Wukong himself. If the original self could also undergo Heavenly Tribulation and refinement, he would naturally be able to cultivate to Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal. However, the original self was still suppressed under the Five Elements Mountain and would need several more centuries, until the time of the Tang Dynasty, to be freed.

"I remember that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty is Emperor Taizong of Tang, seems like he’s the second emperor, and the first was Li Yuan. Hmm, guess I have to wait a few more centuries! I wonder if I really change this history, how long will my original self remain suppressed under the mountain?" Both of them couldn’t help speculating.

Changing history was too difficult; the inertia of the Heavenly Dao was too strong. Although they could nudge history slightly off its course, it would inevitably correct back. Through various mishaps, history continued to develop along its intended path.

The way of heaven, diminishing the abundant and supplementing the deficient, perhaps it had already changed during the time of the Heavenly Dao reversal. Wukong tried various means to change history, while it tried maintaining its original trajectory relentlessly.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven needed to properly retreat and digest his gains this time. Landing in Flower-Fruit Mountain, he found his Cave Abode and sat down cross-legged, beginning his closed-door cultivation.

This period of seclusion was of uncertain length, fortunately, Wukong didn’t need to retreat and could stay active outside.

"Hm?" Wukong suddenly saw a Jade Talisman flying towards him, grabbed it with one hand, and upon closer inspection, was shocked.

Mount Shu was being besieged by Demon Path Sects. Among the vast and diversified Four Great Continents, there were orthodox Daoist sects as well as deviant demon paths. Mount Shu was a paragon of orthodox sects. Taking advantage of Yuan Shi’s lecture, where many masters had gathered, the Demon Path Sects made their move, besieging Mount Shu.

There were traitors within Mount Shu who covertly removed a Jade Talisman from the Mountain-Protecting Sword Formation, causing the formation to be incomplete, allowing the Demon Path Sects to invade Mount Shu.

Now the disciples of Mount Shu had retreated to Sword Cliff, inscribed with the characters of Song Lun and Wukong, resonating with each other, preventing the Demon Path Sects from advancing.

Wukong thought to himself, "These members of the Demon Path Sects are like rats, many of them in Uttara Kuru Kingdom, where they were beaten into hiding by Great Emperor Zhenwu! Now that the orthodox masters have gone to listen to the Taoist teachings, these guys have emerged."

Most of these crooked paths resided in Uttara Kuru Kingdom. Known as Demon Banishing, Great Emperor Zhenwu would naturally act against some wild demons, having killed countless Demon Heads! While the Southern Toad Continent was ruled by Daoist, with too many orthodox sects, how could they dare to show up? Dongsheng Immortal State also had Daoist influence and many fierce demon races, preventing them from intervening, so they could only hide in Uttara Kuru Kingdom, some covertly lurking in the Southern Toad Continent, waiting for opportunities. Occasionally, unusual incidents in the mortal realm might be their doing.

Wukong had left a Jade Talisman at Mount Shu, instructing them to summon him by raising the talisman if needed.

Now the Head of Mount Shu, Green Duckweed Daoist, had gone to listen to the lecture, immersing himself in deep contemplation and enlightenment, and those Jade Talismans couldn’t even get into Jade Pure Sky. With an insider betraying them, causing the Mountain-Protecting Sword Formation to break, this time the Demon Heads had come prepared, causing a massacre at Mount Shu.

Wukong thought to himself, "I shall take a trip to Mount Shu and see these Demon Path masters in action! This will also give me a chance to help resolve the crisis at Mount Shu."

Wukong had fully received Song Lun’s Sword Dao heritage in Mount Shu and had a certain karmic connection with it. The attack on Mount Shu by the Demon Path Sects meant he was duty-bound to help! Mount Shu was once a great sect, but it began to deteriorate after the Middle Ancient Times, and recently suffered losses due to an emerging arm, weakening it further compared to before. The Demon Path Sects indeed chose a wise moment to strike, seizing their momentum during Yuan Shi’s lecture, launching a surprise attack on Mount Shu and forcing them into Sword Cliff.

Princess Iron Fan had returned to Banana Leaf Cave, and the minions of Ox Demon King transferred the news to Cave Moyun, prompting him to hurry from Cave Moyun to Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Princess Iron Fan was somewhat disheartened by the death of Tao Yao, thinking she had been too harsh on Ox Demon King and decided to be more lenient in the future to avoid true loss and learn to cherish. After all, the two had been a couple for a long time and had grown up together, sharing a deep bond.

Wukong informed his brothers that he intended to head to Mount Shu to resolve the situation, but his brothers continually shook their heads, saying, "The Demon Path Sects are besieging Mount Shu, and you alone might be overwhelmed."

Enlightenment Dao said, "If you all come with me, the target would be too large, and the Buddhist sect will obviously keep an eye on Flower-Fruit Mountain."

Peng Demon King said, "Exactly, we’ve caused a stir at Mount Meru, and there’s no way those Bodhisattvas and Buddhas wouldn’t keep an eye on us. Seventh Brother had to move stealthily to avoid detection. If we all go to Mount Shu together, we will definitely be discovered."

The Macaques King couldn’t help but wave his hand and said, "Seventh Brother, Mount Shu has nothing to do with us; why bother helping them out?"

Enlightenment Dao chuckled, "There’s always some karma involved. I inherited the swordsmanship of Mount Shu’s Sword Ancestor, Song Lun, and I also have a good relationship with their sect leader. Now that Mount Shu is in trouble, of course, I should make a trip there."

He had inherited Song Lun’s swordsmanship at Sword Cliff and owed a favor to Mount Shu. No matter what, he had to visit Mount Shu and help out.

Peng Demon King said, "The higher the cultivation, the more cautious one should be of binding karma. Since you have such significant karma with you, and Mount Shu has even sent you a Jade Talisman, you indeed need to make a trip there. But be very careful and not lose your life at Mount Shu. After all, we ultimately have no relation with Mount Shu; one’s own life is more important."

Enlightenment Dao nodded repeatedly. His mana had significantly improved, and he had also collected the Nine Dragon-Consuming Steles. When all nine steles were activated, their power would be absolutely terrifying! There weren’t many masters in the mortal world, and Mixed Yuan Golden Immortals were extremely rare. Most well-known Mixed Yuan Golden Immortals were either from the Buddhist or the Daoist sect. Thus, Enlightenment Dao was not too worried about this trip.

This time, the high-level experts of the Demon Path laid siege to Mount Shu, seizing a perfect opportunity, and Mount Shu could only admit its bad luck.

Enlightenment Dao thought to himself, "Even if we can’t defeat them, when the time comes, I’ll just call my senior sister to help, and see which demon head can withstand her?" Yet, he couldn’t help thinking, "Such a mindset is not suitable; too dependent on my senior sister. How can I improve my cultivation in the future? The Dao of Immortals is perilous; one must rely on oneself! Depending on others is eventually an external path."

Enlightenment Dao bowed to his brothers and said, "Brothers, I’m heading off first!"

As he spoke, he already mounted the clouds, turning into a breeze and departed very quickly, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"What has come over the Demon Path sects this time? They were severely suppressed by the Great Emperor Zhenwu in the Uttara Kuru Kingdom, and now they suddenly jump out to attack Mount Shu, I wonder what’s the reason?" The Macaques King scratched his head, clueless.

"There must be some conspiracy. These madmen of the Demon Path appear without a trace and disappear just as mysteriously, rarely showing themselves. The moment they do, everyone shouts to attack them. There’s definitely some scheme this time; otherwise, they wouldn’t attack Mount Shu," said Yu Rong King, baring his teeth.

"I guess someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes!" Macaques King speculated, "Maybe they also want a share of the destinies in the Eastern Land?"

"Very likely!" said Peng Demon King.

Meanwhile, at Mount Shu, thousands of disciples had already retreated into Sword Cliff, where Song Lun’s words and spiritual imprint remained, preventing the high-level experts of the Demon Path sect from invading Sword Cliff.

"We must find a way to break into this Sword Cliff. As far as I know, the secret realm is hidden inside it!" said a man whose body was pitch black, with Witch Clan runes that looked like scribbles all over his body.

"Are you sure Shennong’s Secret Realm is in there? And that Shennong’s ochre whip is hidden in the secret realm?" Green-robed Ancestor snorted coldly.

"Would I, Flying Liann, deceive you? If it weren’t for my recent emergence from seclusion and Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch’s teachings, who would bother attacking Mount Shu?" The man covered in pitch black with Witch Clan runes sneered.

"Fine! But can you break through this Sword Cliff? Song Lun’s Sword Intent is too terrifying. Just approaching it almost rips apart one’s Primordial Spirit. This spirit has almost developed its own consciousness, and we from the Demon Path are attacked the moment we approach it!" Green-robed Ancestor’s eyes glinted coldly, his long nails clicking continuously as an attendant brought a tray with a woman’s hand on it. He picked it up, chewed it a couple of times, and swallowed it.

Flying Liann said, "A spiritual imprint can eventually be worn down. Just send your men to die one by one; after all this time, how much damage can his spiritual imprint still do?"

"Good!"

Green-robed Ancestor grinned cruelly and waved his hand, sending waves of Demon Path followers into Sword Cliff. The entrance to the cliff was already piled with corpses.

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next part. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)