"It is lamentable that I, a humble monk, once slandered the Buddha's teachings of Tathagata, believing myself to have attained profound understanding. Little did I know that the Great Desolation's Three Realms are far from peaceful, filled with hidden dangers at every turn."
"It is also fortunate that, with the help of Great Sage Sun, I am able to witness firsthand the conflict between the Dao and the Demon, the hypocrisy of the Jade Emperor, and the indifference of the Sages."
"Now, I, Jin Chanzi, should no longer harbor any doubts about Buddhism as I did in the past. Instead, I must cast aside my former arrogance and focus solely on the Journey to the West. No matter the great hardships or the multitude of schemes, nothing shall deter my resolve!"
After this experience, Jin Chanzi was transformed, showing no fear and none of the timidity of the Jin Chanzi from other timelines in the Journey to the West. Instead, his eyes shone with an even greater determination.
Subsequently, following the guidance provided by Sun Kong, Jin Chanzi rode his precious steed through the devastated ruins spanning hundreds of thousands of miles. Although the sight of the shattered flora, fauna, and scattered remains in the ruins brought him heartbreak and stirred his original compassion, these were insufficient to shake Jin Chanzi's will.
On the contrary, witnessing the ruthlessness and injustice of the Jade Emperor, the lord of the Three Realms, who would sacrifice three tribulations in one go to thwart Sun Kong's grand plan, leaving both sides without merit, only deepened Jin Chanzi's hatred for the demonic path. It further solidified his conviction in Sun Kong's warnings from the past.
"The Dao is not the Dao, the Demon is not the Demon. All below the Sages are but straw dogs. Only the Buddhist teachings of my lineage, the Tathagata, can save the countless beings of the Great Desolation's Three Realms."
"Not the indifferent Western Sect's Mahayana Buddhism, which watches from the sidelines."
"Nor the Lesser Vehicle Buddhism of today, which has fallen under the control of Venerable Dipankara and others, content with equivocation and lacking the will to personally dispense compassion and save sentient beings."
"Only the Tathagata's Buddhism is the true path to salvation, the true great path to transcendence."
"Venerable Tathagata Buddha, over five hundred years ago, I underestimated your Buddhist teachings and dared to slander you. Now, you have passed away for many years; I wonder if you can be reborn."
"In this life, I shall adhere to your Buddhist teachings and the guidance of Great Sage Sun as my principles. No matter how many conspiracies and open schemes lie ahead, no matter how many people try to harm me amidst the conflict between the Dao and the Demon, I shall persevere to the end."
"May the Buddha reign supreme!"
"Great Sage Sun, immeasurable longevity!"
After a few heartfelt exclamations, Jin Chanzi's resolve for the journey to obtain scriptures became even stronger. Without further ado, he passed through Baihu Ridge, the site of the original fifth, sixth, and seventh tribulations. From there, he scaled mountains and traversed ridges, exiting the western border of the Great Tang Empire and entering the domain of the eighth tribulation.
According to the narrative, he was to travel all the way to the Two Realms Mountain, thirty-six million li away from the Great Tang Empire. Several key figures were expected to appear here.
The first, of course, was none other than the Great Sage Sun, Sun Kong, whom he admired and trusted most. With their special connection, he believed it would not be difficult to take him as his first disciple. However, other aspects remained uncertain.
The second was Liu Boqin! He was the hunter from the original timeline who, for generations, had provided food for Sun Kong and who was supposed to welcome Jin Chanzi, offer him hospitality, and remind him that after passing the Two Realms Mountain, he would enter Tartarian territory.
Initially, everyone believed this eighth tribulation would be simple, with Sun Kong himself present, thus posing no unexpected challenges. Consequently, the Chan Sect, Wa Huang Palace, and the Western Sect's Greater and Lesser Vehicle Buddhism had few disciples willing to compete for a mission with such minimal merit rewards. Therefore, to this day, they remained unaware of who Liu Boqin belonged to, aside from Sun Kong.
If he were merely an ordinary person, it would be much simpler and less concerning. However, if there was another instance of the Jade Emperor orchestrating events, acting without regard for consequences, and resorting to destructive measures if things went awry, then no one would be able to account for it.
"This humble monk only needs to find Great Sage Sun; who else is there to fear?"
"Horse, continue westward. Let us see together who dares to plot against an ordinary hunter!"
With an optimism reminiscent of Sun Kong, Jin Chanzi, the man and his horse, pressed onward. The journey from Baihu Ridge to the Two Realms Mountain was no short distance, spanning over thirty million li. Yet, he traveled with unwavering confidence and composure. Lacking primal spirit cultivation, despite possessing a Celestial Immortal's physical body, Jin Chanzi's pace naturally could not match Sun Kong's, nor that of ordinary celestial beings. It could only be said that he was significantly faster than the Tang Monk of the original timeline, and with a Celestial Immortal's physique, he was not afraid of arduous travel day and night.
After an estimation, this journey of over thirty million li would take him at least three years. During these three years, various factions in the outside world would have ample time to act not just once or twice!
...
The Heavenly Court.
The Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
The Jade Emperor held the Demon Sealing Tablet, gazing at the seven individuals, including Longxuhu, whose physical bodies had been destroyed and whose primal spirits had been forced to return. His face was contorted with rage, which then turned into disdain. Subsequently, just as Jin Chanzi and the others had predicted, he summoned Taibai Jinxing and gathered the celestial beings and gods of the Heavenly Court for a meeting, to put on a show. Meanwhile, he actually revealed the primal spirits of the seven individuals in front of everyone, denying them any opportunity to heal, and imposed severe punishments!
"All celestial beings and gods, listen! Since I have control over the Three Realms and have formed an alliance with the demon race and the Jie Sect to promote the second Journey to the West, I shall not tolerate any incompetence or betrayal."
"Furthermore, I shall not tolerate anyone daring to betray me."
"Do not rush to pledge your loyalty. I know many of you come from the Chan Sect, Jie Sect, Ren Sect, and even other factions, and may not be truly willing to obey. But I am not afraid. Those who dare to betray me, betray me. Today, I am merely demonstrating the fate of traitors."
"Do not think that this Demon Sealing Tablet is similar to the Investiture of the Gods, which preserved the primal spirits of all gods, allowing them to become immortal and cultivate anew."
"I can tell you that the Demon Sealing Tablet can indeed achieve this, but it is even more powerful than that wretched Investiture of the Gods, and it allows me to punish you in a different way."
As he spoke these words, this demonic Jade Emperor, under the apprehensive gaze of the assembled gods, treated Longxuhu and the others as food. He swallowed them down, one by one!
That's right. These celestial beings, originally protected by the Investiture of the Gods and rendered immortal by their primal spirits, could now be devoured by him because the Investiture of the Gods had been transformed into the Demon Sealing Tablet.
In an instant, all the gods and celestial beings were stunned. Even Taibai Jinxing and the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, the Jade Emperor's staunch subordinates, vomited! The Jade Emperor was punishing them by devouring celestial beings. In the future, perhaps even more...
"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's command, we shall never dare to betray, nor shall we dare to be negligent. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"
"Long live Your Majesty!"
"Long live the Heavenly Court!"
For the first time, everyone felt utter terror and could only repeatedly shout their allegiance! And at this moment, the Jade Emperor did not seem like the lord of the Three Realms. He truly resembled a Demon Lord of the Three Realms, more demonic than the demonic path itself!
...
At the same time.
At the New Flower Fruit Mountain.
Sun Kong finally had his next plan in motion!