Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 151: Tathagata Wants the Monkey, Haotian Adds a Man
Golden Spirit shook her head, her long hair dancing, and a beautiful smile graced her face with a hint of glee from another’s misfortune, as she spoke with suppressed excitement, "This Crystal Ball actually requires a tenth of my cultivation!"
Chen Nuo’s face was a study in frustration, Big sister, isn’t that expression a bit off!
For those who cultivate, isn’t cultivation supposed to be of paramount importance, like the expression on Nezha’s face when he gave up his cultivation, which was like he was suffering from constipation.
Why does it seem like Golden Spirit has just won the lottery?
"Cultivation!!!" Zhao Gongming was shocked all of a sudden, his face showing a thick look of envy, he also wanted to be like that!
Bixiao and Qiong Xiao felt the same, only Yunxiao and Wudang didn’t understand the meaning.
"Sister, shouldn’t this be a bad thing?" Wudang asked doubtfully.
"You don’t understand." Golden Spirit’s lips curled slightly, she looked somewhat sinister.
"You haven’t been on the Investiture of the Gods, so your cultivation has to be cultivated by yourselves."
"As for those of us listed, our cultivation depends on the replenishment of the Investiture of the Gods. Once on the list, your cultivation cannot change, this is known throughout the Three Realms."
"But conversely, it means your cultivation can’t go up or down, any decline in your state will be replenished by the Investiture of the Gods."
Golden Spirit narrowed her eyes, a trace of schadenfreude spilling from them.
Chen Nuo twitched the corner of his mouth, he now understood what the Golden Spirit was planning.
Goodness, she’s exploiting a bug in the Investiture of the Gods, quite something, eh.
No wonder Nezha’s reaction was the exact opposite, he achieved Physical Body Sanctification, his cultivation was his own, naturally he’d be heartbroken if he lost it.
Yunxiao and Wudang were also quick on the uptake, and immediately responded.
Worthy of being the eldest sister, so brave!
The Investiture of the Gods, though a Divine Object, its energy isn’t inexhaustible but accumulated over time.
The cultivation of Sister is that of a Quasi-Saint, a slight drop in that would require a tremendous amount of energy.
Golden Spirit, without any hesitation, handed over a tenth of her cultivation.
The entire aura of her being suddenly fell a notch; normally, one’s cultivation couldn’t drop in such an abrupt manner.
Yet Chen Nuo’s Crystal Ball was just that powerful; there was no fee it couldn’t collect.
Heavenly Court.
Inside a small palace, Haotian pondered over the Investiture of the Gods in his hand.
This was the place where he handled his private affairs.
Although the Heavenly Court now had all three hundred sixty-five proper gods in place, it did not seem strengthened by it; instead, the affair of the Investiture had made its strength convoluted and complex, to the point that even he could not completely grasp it.
"Your Majesty, the Tathagata Buddha requests an audience with you," Taibai Jin said as he held a horsetail whisk and quickly walked to the palace entrance, bowing as he spoke.
Buddhism? 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Haotian’s brow quirked, his heart filled with a touch of pride, Tathagata is becoming impatient!
"Announce him," Haotian said, putting the Investiture of the Gods away.
However, what he did not notice was the subtle glow from the Investiture of the Gods at the moment it was put away, and the slight decrease in the accumulated energy within the Magical Treasure.
"Your Majesty, this humble monk greets you," Tathagata approached the hall, giving a slight bow towards Haotian seated in the high position.
It was a respectful bow, yet devoid of fawning, showing no difference in rank or status.
Haotian wasn’t annoyed; soon enough, Tathagata would have headaches of his own!
"Venerable Tathagata, if you’re not busy expounding scriptures on Spirit Mountain, what brings you to my Heavenly Court for a visit?" Haotian said imposingly, and even poured a cup of tea, pushing it towards Tathagata with his mana.
Tathagata didn’t drink.
"Your Majesty, this poor monk has come for a matter," he said.
Haotian, unhurried, also poured himself a cup and sipped leisurely.
Only when he had emptied his cup did he slowly say, "Speak, there’s no harm."
Tathagata belonged to those with excellent composure, not affected in the slightest.
"The humble monk requires an Immortal Official, to be precise, a monkey."
"Which one?" Haotian still feigned ignorance, playing dumb.
After all, the Heavenly Court still had the Long Armed Ape Monkey Yuan Hong!
"Sun, Wu, Kong."
The voice of Tathagata Buddha was majestic, pronouncing each syllable deliberately.
"Great Celestial Lord, you couldn’t possibly be unaware of who he is, right? Moreover, you have a commitment to our Buddhism." Tathagata said again, his words carrying a warning tone.
Up hearing this, Haotian’s expression turned cold; submitting to the Two Saints of Buddhism was a humiliation he bore in his life.
"That monkey chose his own path, no one can blame me," Haotian sneered without mercy, "In the end, it’s your Buddhism’s failure to keep an eye on that monkey that caused him to have the temperament he has today, which is nothing like what you had in mind. How can he obediently follow your desires?"
The expression of Tathagata Buddha froze. The Buddha Energy that was unintentionally radiating from his body solidified.
Yes, the current situation was indeed related to Buddhism’s negligence.
After all, they couldn’t even keep the monkey in check, letting him be taught by someone else for ten years. Now, there wasn’t a single matter concerning this monkey that had been resolved successfully.
If he found out who the mastermind ruining Buddhism’s plans was, he would demand an explanation.
"Yet Sun Wukong is ultimately the individual designated by our Buddhism for this calamity," Tathagata Buddha implied that the monkey must be handed over.
Haotian spread his hands, the imperial majesty now tainted with a hint of shamelessness.
"Then, there’s nothing I can do about it."
"The Great Celestial Lord simply needs to expel the monkey from the Heavenly Court," Tathagata Buddha continued.
"Impossible!" Haotian’s eyes widened, he stood up with a bang, his imperial authority manifesting itself.
"The rules of heaven are strict! Even I cannot make an exception! Sun Wukong hasn’t committed any offense; I have no reason!"
Haotian spoke with justified fervor, his aura grand and compelling.
The complexion of Tathagata Buddha turned ugly. At this juncture, he found himself in a dilemma. The rules of heaven allowed for no exceptions, and Haotian had indeed upheld them!
Even Haotian’s sister, Yao Ji, died because of these heavenly laws. To merely instigate verbally and expect Haotian to violate these laws was nothing short of a fool’s dream.
"The humble monk is willing to offer three Daluo Golden Immortal level Spiritual Treasures as compensation," Tathagata Buddha said after contemplation, revealing his bargaining chips.
However, Haotian was utterly disdainful.
"Such a grand Buddhism, with vast holdings, surely must have more than just this to offer."
The everyday items that he casually used were of Daluo Golden Immortal level.
Seeing the mockery in Haotian’s eyes, Tathagata Buddha knew he wouldn’t be so easily appeased.
"Two Magical Treasures of the Great Luo level," Tathagata Buddha’s face showed a trace of pain.
He was also known as Duo Bao Tathagata, not just deriving from his former incarnation as Taoist Duo Bao, but also because of the literal meaning of being in possession of many treasures.
But having many treasures didn’t mean he was willing to give them away freely, especially to his arch nemesis.
However, circumstances were stronger than his own will.
"Venerable Tathagata, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help your Buddhism."
"Who would dare defy the will of Heaven?"
Haotian’s imposing aura had diminished considerably, indicating that he was rather satisfied with this compensation.
But... it was still far from enough!
With a solemn and resolute look, Haotian spoke firmly again: "But are you unaware that Sun Wukong is an official member of our Heavenly Court’s formal structure and shone brilliantly at the Flat Peach Banquet, enhancing the prestige of our Heavenly Court? Indeed, he is a pillar of the realm, a cornerstone of the Heavenly Court!"
Tathagata Buddha took a deep breath, impatience evident on his face, "Great Celestial Lord, do you truly value this individual?"
Could it be that Haotian was really planning to prolong this standoff with his Buddhism?
Despite his many years of cultivating his temper, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat affected, a surge of nameless anger rising in his heart.
"So what is your intention, Great Celestial Lord?"
