I'm Dreaming of a Journey to the West

Li Chen was holding a stout staff, his eyes firm and cold. He took steady and powerful steps, approaching the Golden-winged Roc not far ahead. Every step he took seemed to carry endless pressure and anger.

At this moment, the Tathagata Buddha, who had been watching the battle in silence, could no longer contain himself and spoke hurriedly, "Donor Li, since you are determined not to join our Buddhist sect, I will not force you any further. I only ask that you be kind enough to hand over this golden-winged Roc to me for disposal. When I return to the Great Leiyin Temple, I will definitely discipline him strictly and show no mercy!"

Hearing the Buddha's words, Li Chen couldn't help but sneer, a hint of sarcasm on his face. He stopped, turned to look at the Buddha, and shouted angrily, "Discipline it?! Are you kidding me? This evil creature has wreaked havoc on the world before, even destroying an entire city in a single blow. With such a multitude of evil deeds, where is your so-called 'discipline'? Moreover, every time someone performs a good deed, you require them to first offer sacrifice to this demon who has slaughtered countless lives. Is this what you call 'discipline'? It's absolutely ridiculous!"

At this point, Li Chen's anger grew increasingly uncontrollable. He felt that the almighty Tathagata Buddha before him was the height of hypocrisy. He allowed the evil demon to commit such atrocities, and then pretended to discipline it. Who knew if he would actually punish the Garuda Dapeng after returning to the temple? Perhaps he would still treat it like a guest of honor, pampering it with delicious food and drink. Thinking of this, Li Chen was filled with suspicion and disdain for the Tathagata Buddha's words.

"My apologies, Tathagata Buddha! Since none of my close friends have the intention to join Buddhism, I can't stay here any longer. I'll just leave now!" Gonggong's voice was loud and resolute, echoing among the gods and Buddhas. He fearlessly stepped out from among the gods and Buddhas and headed straight for Li Chen.

Ever since the last time Li Chen willingly accepted him as a friend, Gong Gong had made a vow deep in his heart: no matter when and where, even in the face of countless difficulties and dangers, life and death tests, he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Li Chen, live and die together, and never leave him.

At this moment, the Tathagata Buddha's once solemn face gradually darkened, his brow furrowed, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes. Because Li Chen resolutely refused to join the Buddhist sect, not only did they fail to recruit this powerful individual as they had hoped, but they also lost the support of an ancient deity like Gonggong. It was truly a loss.

"Gonggong?! It's you..." Li Chen exclaimed in surprise, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. Then, without hesitation, he opened his arms and rushed towards Gonggong like a gust of wind. The two of them embraced each other tightly, as if time had frozen in that moment.

Their faces were filled with indescribable joy, and the excitement of reunion made them forget everything around them. It had been quite a long time since their last meeting in Putuo Mountain, and so many things had happened in the intervening time, but this deep friendship had never changed.

However, the nearby Golden-Winged Dapeng couldn't help but secretly rejoice upon seeing this. He had thought that taking advantage of Li Chen and Gong Gong's long-awaited reunion, he might be able to escape. But who would have thought that after a warm embrace with Gong Gong, Li Chen had no intention of letting him go. Instead, he turned around and took another step, heading straight for the Golden-Winged Dapeng.

"My dear Gonggong, after I kill this demon, we can drink and chat about the past!"

Li Chen spoke while holding the weapon and continued to approach the Golden Winged Roc. The reason why he did this was to slowly make the Golden Winged Roc feel despair and the slowly approaching death, but you cannot avoid it.

"Li Chen, let me tell you, Kong Que and I's mother is a phoenix. If you kill us, my mother will definitely come after you!"

The Golden-winged Roc continued its frantic threats, but Li Chen didn't feel the slightest bit of fear or retreat because of his threats. His steps became more determined, and he walked in front of the Golden-winged Roc in a few steps. Li Chen grabbed the Golden-winged Roc's beak with his hand. The Golden-winged Roc was in great pain, and the light of despair flashed in its eyes.

"Do you know why your mother didn't come to save you? The same goes for the peacock!" Li Chen said slowly with an extremely cold smile on his face.

Hearing this, the Golden-Winged Dapeng trembled all over, his eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, and he asked in shock: "What did you say?! How is this possible..." He really couldn't accept this fact. He couldn't understand why the Phoenix mother, who was the king of birds and extremely noble, would watch him and the peacock die without saving them.

Li Chen held his head high and chest puffed out, explaining righteously, "The phoenix is ​​a symbol of spiritual energy and auspiciousness between heaven and earth, a truly auspicious beast. It cares for the world, benefits all people, and treats all living beings with kindness. However, you and that peacock are cruel and brutal, wantonly slaughtering innocent people simply to satisfy your own appetites, even committing such brutal acts as massacring cities and destroying nations. Such actions are simply against the will of heaven! How could she help such evildoers as you?"

With that, Li Chen's arms suddenly bulged, veins bulging, as if imbued with boundless power. With lightning speed, he thrust out his hands, firmly grasping the Roc's beak. Then, with a forceful tug, a horrifying tearing sound ripped the beak and abdomen from its body. Blood splattered everywhere, creating a bloody scene.

The Golden-Winged Dapeng was severely injured and in excruciating pain, but his eyes remained fixed on Li Chen, and tears gradually welled up in his eyes. At this moment, no one knew whether these tears were because he truly understood what Li Chen said and felt remorse in his heart; or whether they were simply flowing out of fear of impending death.

"Master Li, it seems that you have been invaded by the evil spirit of Yuan Xie! You are so cruel and despicable, and you have no regard for life. It seems that I can only save you today!"

When Tathagata Buddha saw that Li Chen actually tore the Golden Winged Roc into pieces with his bare hands, he was so angry that he could no longer tolerate it. He had forgiven Li Chen repeatedly in order to save the Golden Winged Roc. But now Li Chen was ungrateful and killed the Golden Winged Roc in front of him. His crime was unforgivable!

As soon as he finished speaking, the Buddha Tathagata released an astonishing pressure. The four great Bodhisattvas, five hundred Arhats, and three thousand Jie Di gods around him also released powerful auras, trying to kill Li Chen and his group.