"Everyone says that if a tiger doesn't show its strength, it will be bullied like a sick cat."
"A single Sun Wukong, despite his special destiny, would still not dare to defy the heavenly law and cause chaos in the Journey to the West. What right do those people have to challenge me?"
"I disdain to deal with Rahu's successor, firstly because I am too lazy to bother, and secondly, I must guard against other enemies from the chaotic void who might cause trouble during the Journey to the West."
"I never expected that there would actually be three guys who don't know life from death and are looking for trouble. Since that's the case, I might as well make some small moves to reciprocate!"
While appearing serene and neutral in front of others, the Ancestor Hongjun, the Grand Dao Patriarch, had a hidden side that was unknown to many.
As soon as this thought arose.
It was seen that above the Zixiao Palace, in the chaotic void, waves of astonishing lightning and tribulation clouds appeared, mirroring his changing mood.
These were not ordinary lightning and tribulation clouds.
They were at the Heavenly Dao level.
Even if the Six Sages were to come, they would be at a loss and cry out in pain!
The next second.
Ancestor Hongjun regained his composure, as placid as an ancient well. Without further ado, he summoned the attendant who had just served him and instructed him to descend to the mortal realm to invite the Five Sages and two other important guests.
"First, invite the other five Sages. After I have spoken with them, half an hour later, I will summon the Lord of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism, Tathagata Buddha, and the Lord of the Three Realms of the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor."
"The order must not be disrupted."
"And the time must not be delayed!"
After speaking, Ancestor Hongjun fell silent again, returning to his meditative state.
Seeing this.
The attendant did not dare to delay, immediately took the token from Ancestor Hongjun's hand, and returned to the Heavenly Realm.
An hour later.
Laozi, Yuanshi Tianzun, Tongtian Jiaozhu, Jieyin Daoren, and Zhunti Daoren, the five of them, were summoned by the attendant and brought to the Zixiao Palace.
After a thorough lecture from Ancestor Hongjun, the five of them finally understood some of the major recent events that had been beyond their perception.
It was actually related to the Demon Ancestor Rahu!
"So, has the demon race truly revived?"
"Could it be that the previous trouble caused by Sun Wukong was also related to this?"
"May I know what your plans are, Ancestor?"
Zhunti Daoren, whose Western Sect occupied Rahu's territory, was the first to speak.
But no one paid him any attention.
Because at this moment, the others were filled with even greater worries.
"May I ask, Ancestor, is there any way to shield the influence of the demon race's revival on the Tribulation of the Journey to the West? At the very least, don't let them affect Sun Wukong."
"This Sun Wukong is the most anticipated senior disciple for the Journey to the West by us Six Sages and various factions. He must not be harmed!"
"In addition, Tongtian is also very concerned. Sun Wukong's current actions seem to be permitted by the Heavenly Dao. Will something happen later..."
On the other side, Tongtian Jiaozhu, who had recently reached a cooperation agreement with Sun Kong, also hurriedly spoke up to ask a few questions.
But after they finished speaking, the other three Sages also followed with their questions, all of them worried about the demon race, Sun Kong, and the Journey to the West.
Hearing this, a hidden cold smile flashed in Ancestor Hongjun's eyes, but on the surface, he maintained the calm he had cultivated for eons, and comforted them.
"With the imminent revival of the demon race, they will undoubtedly seek to seize the merit of the Journey to the West Tribulation five hundred years from now. The five of you must be extremely careful and vigilant, do not be careless."
"As for the specifics, I am currently comprehending the Heavenly Dao in detail and trying to deduce them. However, due to the will of heaven, I cannot forcibly intervene. Therefore, I will only know more after the Journey to the West begins."
"For now, the two tasks for you Sages are as follows."
"First, ensure that the ninety-nine eighty-one tribulations are carried out according to the original plan. However, if the will of heaven changes, do not forcefully intervene; everything must follow heaven."
"Second, as for Sun Kong and the others, although their destinies are predetermined, due to the changes in the new heavenly numbers, the reasons for which are difficult for me to elaborate."
"In short, you must ensure that Tang Sanzang, his four disciples, and the White Dragon Horse in the Journey to the West Tribulation are safe. As for the rest, act according to the circumstances."
"Let me repeat, originally, the Journey to the West Tribulation was merely a minor tribulation after the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation, transitioning to the next major tribulation."
"But now, with Sun Kong possessing special destiny, the demon race seizing the opportunity to rise, and the origin of the new Six-Eared Macaque being unknown, you must all be highly vigilant and avoid repeating the tragic state of the ancient conflict between the Dao and the Demon."
"Thus, esteemed Sages, you may return. I must continue my closed-door meditation, striving to learn more about the new heavenly numbers as soon as possible!"
The Five Sages dared not disobey Ancestor Hongjun and could only suppress their further surprise and doubts, returning to their respective abodes.
Following this.
The five of them issued their orders one by one.
Inadvertently, this matter became somewhat serious.
Initially, Ancestor Hongjun had only instructed the Six Sages not to interfere with the Journey to the West, but to concentrate their efforts on dealing with the revival of the demon race.
However, after the messages were passed down through the second-generation disciples of each faction, it turned into a constant monitoring of the Journey to the West and a close watch on Sun Kong to prevent further disturbances.
And after being further exaggerated by the third-generation, fourth-generation, and subsequent disciples, it transformed into an imperative to guard against Sun Kong, who might disrupt the Journey to the West and harm everyone's interests.
In an instant.
Xuandu Da Shi, the chief disciple of the Human Sect, and the Eight Immortals, his second-in-command, rushed out to settle accounts with Sun Kong.
The Eight Great Golden Immortals and third-generation disciples such as Nezha and Yang Jian from the Chan Sect also took action one after another.
As for the Jie Sect, having suffered greatly in the past, there were no disciples of any caliber in the Jade Immersion Palace on Jin'ao Island. Coupled with the agreement between Tongtian Jiaozhu and Sun Kong, they became the only ones who did not send anyone to track him.
In the Western Sect, although Jieyin Daoren and Zhunti Daoren greatly valued Sun Kong, they were also afraid that Ancestor Hongjun's words would come true.
Thus.
Word spread from one to another.
Each retelling became more exaggerated than the last.
When the news reached the Buddhas of Lingshan from the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the current Buddha, Dipankara Buddha, could no longer sit still, yet he was wary of Sun Kong's power.
In the end.
He simply dispatched Bodhisattva Guanyin, who had the most karma with the Journey to the West, to be responsible for this matter!
"Why is everyone coming to bully me?"
"Although I have a deep connection with the Journey to the West, this merit belongs to everyone. Why... damn it, it would have been better to let Tathagata be the Buddha."
"Making me track that Sun Wukong is like seeking death!"
Despite her deep reluctance, even beginning to curse, Guanyin dared not disobey the order.
She dutifully began to track Sun Kong.
However.
Even before breaking through to the intermediate stage of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, Sun Kong could already defeat all the Buddhas of Lingshan and the Immortals of the Heavenly Court. After his breakthrough, he became even more formidable.
How could a Bodhisattva Guanyin possibly monitor him?
Just as Guanyin believed her tracking was going smoothly, Sun Kong, in front of her, accelerated with a Chaotic Somersault Cloud and arrived beside her.
He pulled her out!
"Sun Kong, you must not... I am the one who will guide you in the future..."
Guanyin still tried to struggle.
But Sun Kong, without any explanation, took her mount, leaving her utterly stunned on the spot!