These words were already harsh enough.
Unexpectedly.
The Jade Emperor uttered even harsher words next!
"It is said that those who serve the Heavenly Dao, upon success, can become Buddhas and Ancestors, Immortals and Gods."
"I hereby declare that anyone who serves the Demonic Dao, regardless of race, location, or cultivation level, can still become Demons and Ancestors, Immortals and Gods."
"The difference is, after today, the disciples of the Demon Race, the Heavenly Court, and the Jie Sect will no longer be bound by any so-called Investiture of the Gods, but by the Investiture of Demons."
"Are Heavenly Dao Gods and Buddhas inherently superior?"
"Heaven born, you are all inherently free and unrestrained, why be bound by the Heavenly Dao? Join the Investiture of Demons early, become a overlord early, and live a life of joy and freedom, wouldn't that be delightful?"
This time, the Jade Emperor seemed truly determined to oppose the Heavenly Dao, and even Patriarch Hongjun. He even dared to speak of tearing up the Investiture of the Gods and establishing a new Investiture of Demons.
As soon as the words fell.
Countless beings in the Three Realms of the Great Desolation were shocked and stunned on the spot.
Even more so than the shock Sun Kong had brought them before, the shock brought by the Jade Emperor this time was no less, almost making everyone gasp for air!
In this instant.
Even the weakest of flowers and grasses knew that with Sun Kong and the New Six-Eared Macaque as representatives, coupled with the confrontation between the Heavenly Dao and the Demonic Dao behind them, the Three Realms of the Great Desolation were truly about to change.
Not a small change.
But a great change!
...
The Immortal Realm.
Dongsheng Shenzhou.
Upon hearing these words, billions of minor demons became instantly excited.
Not for any other reason.
It was because they had been bullied too much by the Heavenly Court over the years, and captured too fiercely by the Spirit Mountain Buddhas, always being treated as alien beings, never considered normal sentient beings.
And now.
Hearing the Jade Emperor's intentions, it seemed that the Demonic Dao, in support of the Demon Race representatives, would stand alongside the Heavenly Dao, and even grant demonic merit rewards equivalent to heavenly merit.
Wasn't this their chance to turn things around?
Although both gods and Buddhas had acted against them, if they could choose, many would prefer the more entrepreneurial and rebellious Sun...
The Jade Emperor!
Thus.
The entire Dongsheng Shenzhou began to bustle.
Many people drew their own territories, and immediately announced their allegiance to the combined forces of the Demon Race, the Heavenly Court, and the Jie Sect.
They would go to the mortal realm to help the New Six-Eared Macaque complete the second round of the Journey to the West.
Striving for that so-called demonic merit.
And they would also find ways to disrupt Sun Kong and the others' first round of the Journey to the West!
As the greatest means of retaliating against the injustice of the Heavenly Dao.
"Let's go, let's go, let's defect to the Heavenly Court, defect to the Demon Race, defect to the Jie Sect. Let's not be demons bullied by Buddhism and Immortals anymore. Our lives these past few years have been too miserable."
"Exactly. These past few years, the gods and Buddhas in the heavens have long forgotten about equality for all beings and great compassion. For their own power, they don't hesitate to snatch resources from us. What kind of beings are they?"
"Especially the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Handsome Monkey King Sun Monkey back then! This guy, clearly like us, is also a demon, yet he defected to Buddhism, shamelessly becoming a deputy Buddha, truly shameful."
With these words spoken, over a hundred million minor demons actually searched everywhere for entrances to the Demon Race, the Heavenly Court, and the Jie Sect.
Attempting to change their own destiny.
And incidentally, denigrating Sun Kong, who was overly enthusiastic about Buddhist endeavors, as a traitor to the demon race!
Of course.
Just as there were those who disliked Sun Kong, there were naturally those who admired him.
After this group of minor demons who opposed Sun Kong had left, some others who supported Sun Kong, and like Sun Kong, wished to change their identities and join Buddhism as soon as possible, becoming Buddhas was impossible, but being a Buddha's son or grandchild would be better than being a demon.
They then rushed towards the New Flower Fruit Mountain.
Their resolve varied, some firm, some not, but no one could stop their desire to emulate Sun Kong!
"Those minor demons before were truly ungrateful! Although Great Sage Sun did move to Spirit Mountain back then, he indirectly brought us many benefits."
"Exactly. Think about the past five hundred years. Because the demon king Great Sage Sun was so powerful, many Immortals and Buddhas dared not easily deal with us, for fear we were his friends."
"Right, right, I think so too. Great Sage Sun can elevate his monkey descendants and won't forget us. What kind of demonic race is that? They are villains who eat people without spitting out bones. Why would we mess with them?"
The number of minor demons with similar thoughts was not small, so they formed groups and left Dongsheng Shenzhou, heading towards Xiniu Hezhou, towards the New Flower Fruit Mountain.
Although they could see now that the Demonic Dao supported the New Six-Eared Macaque, and the Heavenly Dao supported Sun Kong, and that there would be constant conflict, no one dared to forget the scene from back then when Sun Kong achieved his own enlightenment in Dongsheng Shenzhou, and those around him prospered!
Similar situations were happening elsewhere in the Immortal Realm and the Mortal Realm, and even among the many rogue Immortals in the Heavenly Realm, there were various idols and stances.
Therefore, around Sun Kong and the New Six-Eared Macaque, a fan base that no one could have imagined was actually formed!
The lines between friend and foe were clear.
The factions were distinct!
...
At the same time.
The various Immortals and Buddhas, including the six Sages, after the Jade Emperor finished speaking, and since the Heavenly Dao did not punish him at all, seemingly tacitly approving this confrontation, all made their own choices!
"This humble one is not talented, but is willing to join with Empress Nuwa to continue to uphold the Heavenly Dao and justice, and support Sun Great Sage and the others' Journey to the West. Any insignificant beings who dare to be hostile to Great Sage Sun will be considered hostile to this humble one."
"The Chan Sect and Wa Huang Palace will never forgive lightly!"
The first to speak was none other than one of the Three Pure Ones, the Grand Pure One, Sage Yuanshi Tianzun, whom no one would have expected!
And.
He, who had always disliked beings born from wetness and eggs, actually changed his attitude towards them because of Sun Kong.
He immediately won the praise and respect of countless non-human beings!
"Second Brother Yuanshi, how dare you be so arrogant? Don't think you have hope just because you've rallied our junior sister Nuwa. Remember how you went from twelve Golden Immortals to eight Golden Immortals, and how weak you were."
"Instead of reflecting properly, you are actually making arrangements for that damned Sun Monkey. Others may not dare to provoke you, but I, Tongtian, will be the first to defy you!"
The second to speak was none other than the Sect Master Tongtian, who was the most at odds with the Chan Sect and Sage Yuanshi Tianzun.
Everyone had heard a little about their grievances.
And found it unsurprising.
Only a very few people, like Sun Kong, Lao Zi, and Jie Yin, saw the demonic energy entering Tongtian Sect Master's body, his severe demonization, and how he had shed his original identity as the Upper Pure One!
"Is Third Brother intending to sever all ties with us Three Pure Ones?"
Lao Zi exclaimed in shock!
"This Upper Pure Sage has truly been... alas!"
Jie Yin Daoist sighed!
"Well done, Tongtian. You cooperated with me back then. I thought he would be an important ally, but I didn't expect... even he has betrayed the Heavenly Dao?"
Sun Kong was slightly surprised. He activated his Fiery Golden Eyes, combined with the "Martial Lord Seven Star Array," and saw through everyone's alignments!