Meanwhile.
At this moment, Jin Chanzi and his group were chatting and laughing. After leaving Chang'an city, they traveled westward, passing through several prefectures and counties, covering tens of millions of miles.
Finally, on the morning of the tenth day, they arrived at Fu'an Temple, located in Hezhuowei, one hundred and eighty million miles west of Chang'an city.
According to the original storyline, beyond this point lay the border between the Great Tang Empire and the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions in South Zhanbu Continent.
It was also the location of the fifth tribulation.
However.
Due to the rapid changes in the situation, and the fact that Fu'an Temple was one of the properties of the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, Jin Chanzi and his group were not so stubbornly pedantic as to insist on offering them merit.
Instead, they did not even enter Fu'an Temple.
They bypassed it directly and headed towards Baihu Ridge!
Baihu Ridge, while not particularly famous, was only a few hundred zhang high and spanned several thousand miles in area, yet it was also beautiful and tranquil.
This was none other than the territory of the White Tiger spirit from the original fifth tribulation.
Alas, this White Tiger spirit had long been killed by Longxuhu and his four companions.
Therefore.
By the time Jin Chanzi and his group arrived, there was no threat from this place.
Instead, there was a peculiar serenity with birds singing and flowers fragrant.
It was refreshing and invigorating.
It also seemed to remind Jin Chanzi that, so far, all five tribulations of the Journey to the West had been passed safely. The subsequent calamities would depend on him and his future four disciples.
The Heavenly Dao might be unable to focus due to the revival of the Demonic Dao, thus indulging their previous recklessness, but this did not mean that the remaining seventy-six tribulations would also be treated so casually.
Therefore, he had to be serious!
Thinking this.
Seeing that Master Wuchao and others seemed inclined to escort them all the way to the end, Jin Chanzi quickly spoke.
"My esteemed guests, why don't we take a brief rest? Anyway, we are full of confidence for this Journey to the West and need not worry about any danger. Why not relax our minds and bodies?"
"I am able to proceed on my journey so quickly, thanks to the support of the Patriarch of the Chan Sect and Empress Nuwa, as well as the assistance of Grand Sage Sun, Master Wuchao, the Eight Immortals of the Chan Sect, and the two great kings of the New Flower Fruit Mountain."
"Here, I have nothing more to say. I offer a cup of wine to express my gratitude."
"It is thanks to your diligent care along the way that certain individuals were unable to target me. However, the Heavenly Dao has its rules. After passing Baihu Ridge, external assistance will no longer be permitted."
"Therefore, I implore you not to provoke the Heavenly Dao by helping me any further, lest we invite trouble."
Since following Sun Kong, Jin Chanzi's original capricious and rebellious personality had gradually disappeared, replaced by the composure of a true eminent monk.
He was indeed worthy of being personally chosen and arranged for reincarnation by Sun Kong as the Tang Monk.
Hearing this.
Master Wuchao and the others immediately showed reverence.
And they agreed wholeheartedly!
Although they wished they could protect Jin Chanzi all the way to their final destination, the Great Thunderclap Temple on Spirit Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou, they also understood that Jin Chanzi's words were not an exaggeration but the truth.
Setting aside the current conflict between the Demonic and Heavenly Daos, the Heavenly Dao would certainly not easily spare those who violated the rules. Even without this matter, they could not blindly protect Jin Chanzi.
As the saying goes.
The Journey to the West tribulation is presided over by the Heavenly Dao, supported by the two Sages of the Western Teachings, Empress Nuwa, and Primeval Lord of Heaven. It was originally led by the former Buddha Tathagata, and is now the great tribulation undertaken by Sun Kong, Jin Chanzi, and their disciples.
It is not something that can be trifled with.
The five calamities that Jin Chanzi had encountered before leaving the Great Tang Empire, while seemingly tumultuous, were in reality child's play.
The Heavenly Dao's tacit permission for Sun Kong's reckless actions and for Master Wuchao and others to provide assistance beyond their purview was insignificant.
However, the remaining seventy-six tribulations would be more complex, more difficult, and might even have been ambushed and orchestrated by the Demonic Dao alliance.
Consider this.
Under such competition, how could the Heavenly Dao permit them to cheat in such a manner?
To put it lightly.
The Heavenly Dao wished to personally uphold its dignity and strike down anyone who dared to break the rules again, and also hoped to use this opportunity to establish its absolute authority.
To put it severely.
In order not to give the Demonic Dao alliance any grounds for complaint, and to prevent the great undertaking of the Journey to the West from failing, thereby harming the Heavenly Dao itself, it would absolutely not spare anyone.
Whether it was Jin Chanzi and his group.
Or Sun Kong.
In the remaining seventy-six tribulations, acting in accordance with the rules and being a little reckless was fine, but any transgression exceeding one percent.
The Heavenly Dao would absolutely not forgive.
Because that would not only be a provocation to it, but also a reason for the Demonic Dao alliance to mock them, and it could even lead to the Supreme Great Dao intervening, rebuking the Heavenly Dao, and bringing shame upon it!
Upon this thought.
Master Wuchao and the Seven Immortals of the Chan Sect prepared to return, deciding to assess the situation further.
Unexpectedly.
Just then.
Wuzhiqi and Zhou Wuxian could not help but speak!
"Please, everyone, remain calm."
"Please stay a moment."
"Our elder brother Sun said that before we set out, he had performed some divinations and found that this fifth tribulation might not be as simple as it seems."
"Although the conflict between the Dao and the Demonic realms may cause the Heavenly Dao to strengthen its monitoring of each tribulation, we cannot let down our guard as long as we have not seen the seven celestial beings from the Heavenly Court leave."
"You must know that just ten days ago, the Jade Emperor and the Grand White Venus were publicly humiliated and unable to command the Old Dragon King of Jing River to serve as cannon fodder. They are indeed furious about this matter."
"If we leave just like this, I fear Jin Chanzi's situation will be precarious."
"It would be better to stay another day and see."
"After all, beyond Baihu Ridge lie the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. Once we reach there, these seven unlucky gods will not be able to meddle as they please. If they dare to act, the Heavenly Dao will not spare them first."
These words from the two, once again invoking the universally revered Sun Kong, made Master Wuchao and the Seven Immortals of the Chan Sect believe them.
These eight did not dare to delay.
They immediately made arrangements according to Sun Kong's instructions.
Master Wuchao, being of the highest status, naturally remained by Jin Chanzi's side to provide close protection.
And to coordinate.
Wuzhiqi and Zhou Wuxian took the initiative to search for celestial beings from the Heavenly Court everywhere.
Like exterminating earthworms and pests.
As for the Seven Immortals of the Chan Sect, although they had agreed to help, they were guests, and were thus assigned to maintain vigilance within a hundred-mile radius.
Everyone was satisfied with this arrangement.
They acted accordingly.
Initially, there were no major problems. It was merely the movement of other ordinary fierce beasts, which were not enough to frighten these immortals who were above the Golden Immortal level.
Another half a day passed.
When Jin Chanzi had recovered his strength and could walk out of Baihu Ridge on his own, no longer needing protection from others, everyone felt a little more at ease.
Just as they were about to depart.
Unexpectedly.
At this very moment, two strange footsteps echoed from the other end of Baihu Ridge, startling everyone into a state of high alert, and they immediately protected Jin Chanzi!
"Who's there?"
"It doesn't sound human, more like some kind of beast? Could it be one of those seven unlucky gods sent by the Jade Emperor?"
"If it's them, that's great. We'll finally have some fun today."
Wuzhiqi walked towards the approaching figures.
Before any fighting had begun.
Longxuhu and Xue Ehu behind the trees were so frightened that they tumbled out, appearing particularly comical. This made Xue Ehu's master,
Daoist Tianzun, want to die on the spot!