Chaos Spirit Field

The next morning, Zhao Shanhe stretched himself and had just emerged from his net when Sun Wukong and Sha Seng arrived, leading their white horses. Seeing the scene before them, they were both stunned, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment. Long Shisi asked jokingly, "Master, why did you go to sleep in a tree? Are you comfortable?"

Zhao Shanhe replied unhappily, "It's okay, much more comfortable than in the house. I'll try to hoist you up there later. Wukong, Bajie is in front, go and put him down." After that, he turned over and rode on the white horse, then stretched out his hand and hit Long Shisi's head. The ordinary mount instantly upgraded to a higher level and turned into a noble unicorn.

Long Shisi felt aggrieved and didn't dare to say a word, as if he had spoken rudely again.

Sun Wukong took a few quick steps and saw Zhu Bajie hanging from the tree like a dumpling, not only soaking wet but also covered in lumps. He couldn't help but laugh out loud and teased him, "Fool, you and Master are both sleeping in a tree, why are you in such a mess?"

Zhu Bajie said with a bitter face, "Brother Monkey, can you please put me down first before you make such sarcastic remarks? This night has been really hard on me! Not only was I drenched to the bone by the rain, but I was also pounded all over by the hail. The gods in heaven are also picky and only bully an honest person like me. They become cowards when they meet our master."

Zhu Bajie obviously saw how Zhao Shanhe was treated. After all, they were not far away from each other, and there was no harm without comparison.

Sun Wukong blew gently, and Zhu Bajie fell from the tree and landed heavily on the ground. He emerged from the net bag, his magical powers restored. At this moment, Zhao Shanhe rode over on a white horse and said earnestly, "Bajie, be more careful in the future. Remember that trouble comes from the mouth."

Zhu Bajie said aggrievedly: "Master, I didn't say anything!"

Zhao Shanhe then remembered that it was his inappropriate assumption that had displeased Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had punished Zhu Bajie. To mask his embarrassment, he clasped his hands together and said solemnly, "Amitabha, Buddha is everywhere. It's getting late, we should be on our way."

Zhu Bajie thought that the Buddhist sect was monitoring the team, but he didn't know that it was caused by the unscrupulous master Zhao Shanhe.

Ten days passed unnoticed. Zhao Shanhe and his group were on their way when Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly appeared and said, "Xuanzang, something bad has happened. The Tathagata Buddha has lifted the restrictions on the three thousand disciples of Jiejiao. They might come looking for trouble with you."

Zhao Shanhe asked in confusion, "Bodhisattva Guanyin, what's wrong with Tathagata Buddha? Even if he wants to bring disaster to me, he can't let all those monsters go, right? Is he planning to destroy the human world?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "Xuanzang, I don't know why the Tathagata Buddha did this. The Buddha Mother asked me to inform you to be careful and not take it lightly."

Zhao Shanhe replied, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, for your guidance. You should also be careful. Something must have happened in the Buddhist sect. Don't return to the Great Leiyin Temple for the time being, so as not to be affected."

"I know."

In the Great Leiyin Temple of the Western Heaven, the Taoist Zhunti and the Tathagata Buddha stood facing each other. He said angrily: "Master Tongtian, I didn't expect that the Tathagata Buddha would be your good corpse."

The Tathagata Buddha smiled and said, "Master Zhunti, everything is unpredictable. Is this surprise big enough? Now that the great calamity has arrived, the saints are not allowed to take action. The Tathagata Buddha is only a pseudo-saint and is not within the scope of restrictions."

Zhunti Taoist said: "Master Tongtian, you have a very good plan. It's a pity that Jiejiao's fate has run out. If I knew your plan in advance, there would still be a chance to save the situation."

The Tathagata Buddha smiled and said, "Mother Buddha, who is Tongtian Patriarch? I am the Tathagata Buddha. Tongtian Patriarch is facing the wall in the Green Wandering Palace, reflecting on his mistakes. How can I be confused with him?"

Zhunti Taoist felt somewhat helpless. If Tathagata Buddha admitted that he was Tongtian Sect Master, then things would be much easier. He and Jieyin Taoist could then attack him. However, the other party did not fall for his trick, and he was helpless. He could only persuade him earnestly: "Tongtian Sect Master, your plan has been exposed. If we continue to fight, others will only take advantage. It is better to shake hands and make peace. We can discuss everything."

The Tathagata Buddha said disdainfully, "After the Conferred Gods War, I have come to understand a truth: one person alone cannot support the whole. The rise of Jiejiao is a joke, and the rise of Buddhism is also a joke. You are indeed wise to choose Zhao Shanhe as the one to obtain the scriptures, but you overlooked the conflict between him and the Emperor of Heaven."

Zhunti Taoist shouted loudly: "Master Tongtian, I have said all the good things, but you still refuse to listen. You will pay the price for going against the will of heaven!"

"The price? Even if we fail, the most we'll lose is this incarnation. I can still afford to lose. On the other hand, if we really fail, Jiejiao may not be without a chance."

Zhunti Taoist seemed to have thought of something and said in shock: "Master Tongtian, you are so cruel! Aren't you afraid that I will tell the truth to the Emperor of Heaven?"

"Hahahaha... The Emperor of Heaven has been possessed by the poison and can't extricate himself. He hates you to the core, so how could he still believe you? If you don't tell him, there's still a chance to turn the tide; if you tell him, the Buddhist sect won't stand a chance. Let me remind you, saints are selfish. No one wants to put their life in the hands of others. You and Zhunti, two idiots, are exceptions."

Tongtian Patriarch's words plunged Zhunti Taoist into deep thought. He had assumed he had everything under control, but he hadn't expected the other party to have been orchestrating this all ten thousand years ago. No wonder Duobao Taoist had so easily betrayed Jiejiao. Did Ran Deng Taoist, the deputy leader of the Chan Sect, truly defect? The answer was probably no. The Three Sects were truly calculating. He and Jieyin Taoist had indeed been fools, thinking they'd gotten a bargain, only to find it was all poisoned bait.

"Amitabha." Zhunti Taoist chanted the Buddha's name. He no longer dared to think about it and said, "Master Tongtian, I was almost intimidated by you. The Heavenly Dao promised that Buddhism would flourish. All your calculations are ultimately in vain. Let's wait and see."

The Tathagata Buddha sneered, "Mother Buddha, the Tathagata Buddha may be an incarnation, but does that mean Zhao Shanhe must be his true body?"

Taoist Zhunti smiled and said, "Master Tongtian, there's no need to sow discord. If Zhao Shanhe was the incarnation of a saint, why would the Queen Mother of the Earth commit herself to him? It might be more plausible to say he's the reincarnation of Pangu. You've forgotten that a saint can still take action."

Tongtian Patriarch thought of Nuwa, the troublemaker who always stirs up trouble during great calamities. This time, she must have reached an agreement with Zhunti Taoist, so he had to find a way to kick her out.

Taoist Zhunti is now at his wit's end, but he still has some confidence in Zhao Shanhe, the son of destiny. No matter how good the plan is, it can never escape fate.