"I don't mind helping you, but I'm afraid that when the time comes, it won't just be the outsiders eyeing you that you'll have to worry about, but also..."

Sun Wukong sat on a large rock nearby, raised his head slightly to gesture outside, and chuckled, "Hey, those Buddha sons and grandsons of yours outside, won't they also become part of your tribulation?"

To obtain the cultivation of the Awakened, how many can resist this temptation without feeling envious, and how many dare say they never thought of replacing you?

The Buddhist scriptures say those who leave the secular life should see through the emptiness of all things, but in this world, how many monks don't dream of becoming a Buddha or Patriarch?

Becoming a Buddha is the hardest hurdle for those who have left the secular life to overcome.

The Awakened, upon hearing this, retracted his smile, sighed lightly, and said, "A hundred years ago, the Mazer wanted to cleanse the Buddha Country and thus agreed to the dissemination of Buddhist teachings to the east. Originally, it was to discern the temperament of the monks, but who would have expected that the Pure Land Sect, which went to propagate the teachings, would actually advocate that killing is enlightening, causing chaos in Yong Province. The desire of the human heart reached such a degree of madness, causing even the Mazer to sigh with lamentation."

"Back then, the Mazer had designed the past life of the Heavenly Monarch, intending him to kill the Daoist Lord. It was meant to be an opportunity to cleanse the Buddha Country and then ascend, but it resulted in a ripple in the mental state due to this matter, which was detected by the Daoist Lord who arrived in the Buddha Country soon after. At that time, the Daoist Lord told the Mazer, if you ascend, among the bodhisattvas in the Buddha Country, who would be Buddha? And how many would be Demons?"

Those who were weaker might be able to restrain their thoughts due to self-awareness, but how could those bodhisattvas closest to the Awakened, especially the then third-grade strong Manjusri, endure?

It's unspeakable, but Manjusri's ambition would definitely make him take action.

When even your own people are ready to strike, not to mention those third-rank "Sixth Brothers".

Therefore, the ascension ceremony of the Awakened eventually met its demise before it even began, directly confronting Karma Tathagata without even unleashing the Demon Tribulation.

"That question exposed a flaw in the Mazer's mental state, and subsequently, the Daoist Lord struck with Zhuang Zhou's Dao Fruit, brought forth the thoughts born in the Mazer's heart, allowing these thoughts to use the ability of Zhuang Zhou's Dao Fruit to turn illusion into reality, becoming Karma Tathagata."

With a look of reminiscence, the Awakened narrated the events of a hundred years ago, his words tinged with a faint regret and lament, but ultimately settled into tranquility.

"A hundred years have passed, and the monks today are no better than a hundred years ago, which has led the Mazer to make a decision. When the ceremony takes place, the Mazer will calm the crowd's minds. If under such circumstances there are still those who wish to turn into a Demon Tribulation to block the path, then it's up to everyone to eliminate the demons."

This means that the Awakened intends to set the ascension ceremony during the upcoming Dharma assembly.

By that time, apart from Guanyin and Tan Wuwei, those obsessed with the Summoning Technique, who don't hesitate to take action, and those harboring malice out of covetousness, a trust will also be found for the Buddha Country.

In this way, the Awakened can cut off the final attachments in his heart, and after overcoming the Demon Tribulation, he can ascend.

All the causes and effects will be resolved at this Dharma assembly.

'Ascension...'

Jiang Li calculated the upcoming matters in his heart, thinking to himself: 'I wonder if the Awakened can overcome the True Spirit in the Dao Fruit.'

This can also be seen as paving the way for himself. With the Awakened as a precedent, Jiang Li will have more reference when he ascends in the future.

Besides, the Awakened has given so much, so Jiang Li must make an effort this time.

It would be best to eliminate some strong opponents in this ascension ceremony of the Awakened, like Guanyin, Tan Wuwei, and perhaps the Heavenly Monarch!

Of course, even if the Heavenly Monarch is eliminated, Shen Hou won't be able to return.

If the Heavenly Monarch isn't dead, then Shen Hou will have to continue undercover under the Heavenly Monarch. If the Heavenly Monarch dies...

Wouldn't that mean Shen Hou can even bring down the Heavenly Monarch?

Perhaps Shen Hou's role in all this isn't significant, but it's better to be safe than sorry, so let Shen Hou continue to go undercover when the time comes. He's a Daoist and can go to the Daode Sect; he's smooth in handling matters and won't be bad in the Devil God Sect either.

In any case, just don't return.

Before Shen Hou even had a chance to leave the Buddha Country, Jiang Li had already decided his future. If Shen Hou knew, he would surely be moved to tears by the Family Master's trust in his ability.

"The longer the night, the more dreams; resolving it quickly isn't a bad choice."

Jiang Li said, looking at the Red Star in his palm, "Just right, use the next two days to fully refine Chi You's Flag."

"Then let the Mazer protect Jiang Tanyue," the Awakened smiled, "and a few days later, let Jiang Tanyue protect the Mazer."

······

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While Jiang Li and others were discussing the ascension with the Awakened, those who had a cause and effect connection with the Awakened also sensed something.

Regardless of whether they practiced Exchange Skill, no matter how chaotic the heavenly order at the moment, those located all over the world who have a cause and effect connection with the Awakened would have a certain feeling.

—In the west, some existence has moved their heart and mind.

The Awakened is adept in the Way of Cause and Effect, unlike Jiang Li, he has gradually disentangled the cause and effect entangled in him over the long years, and the few remaining causes linked no one less than strongest.

Under Kunxu Mountain, a Green Bull walked slowly. Atop its back, a Daoist lifted his head, seemingly trying to see across the vast mountains to someone in the Western Land.

"This time, the Awakened is determined to ascend," the Daoist mumbled to himself, "A hundred years of time have finally perfected his mental state, wanting to shake his heart again as in the past is impossible."

This time, perhaps it will be a matter of life and death.

With this thought, the Daoist couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

He was supposed to pass through Kunxu Mountain two days ago, but for a certain reason, he had to stop.

That reason—a Jade Scroll, currently held in the Daoist Lord's hand, bore an unexpected message.

—[If the Daoist Lord passes through Kunxu, this Palace will lower its head and admit defeat to the Immortal Queen.]

This was a letter from Tianxuan.

Two days ago, when the Purple Qi came from the east, the Daoist Lord arrived at Kunxu Mountain, only to be handed an ultimatum from Tianxuan by a Divine Travel Grand Protector.

This threat was straightforward and simple, yet the Daoist Lord could not but come to a halt.

Once Tianxuan bows its head, the Immortal Queen would be released from the final shackle. By then, if the Immortal Queen ascends, perhaps the Queen Mother of the West would return to the world.

Yet it was at this time when the Sixth Brothers all went to the Buddha Country, providing the Immortal Queen with an opportunity.

"The Gongsun Family Master, truly..." the Daoist Lord thought of this and couldn't help but shake his head.

Such actions wouldn't escape the notice of the two forces on Kunxu Mountain, the Immortal Palace and Yuxu Temple both know the Daoist Lord had come. Seeing the Daoist Lord suddenly halt like this would naturally give rise to concerns.

Yuxu Temple wouldn't worry too much, being both Mystic Sect sects from the Three Pure Ones Sect, but the Immortal Palace was different.

Everyone knows that over the years, the Daoist Lord has repeatedly obstructed others from ascending to the second grade. The Azure Dragon King of the Dragon Palace perished at his hands for this reason. And the Immortal Queen, now very close to ascending, was highly motivated.

The Daoist Lord's halt could very well be a warning to the Immortal Queen.

Thus, the Immortal Queen is also ever vigilant of the Daoist Lord.

This way, both the Daoist Lord and the Immortal Queen are held in check.

"The plan is simple, but quite effective."

The Daoist Lord could not help but express admiration, gently patting the bull's back, saying, "Go to Yuxu Temple, little bull."

The Green Bull under him hummed, flicked its strong tail, snorted two streams of white mist from its nose, stepped onto the ground, and rose on auspicious clouds, taking the bull and man toward Yuxu Peak.

And back at the original place, a human figure remained, turning into a wisp of Pure Qi, flying towards a nearby peak, keeping a distant watch on the movements of the Immortal Palace.

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