Chapter 1366 Chapter 597: Lishan Old Mother: Qin Monk, Are You from the Qin Court? (2)

Lishan Old Mother and Guanyin's faces changed dramatically, completely unprepared for the probing to turn into infighting among the Buddhist Sect's disciples!

"You're crazy!" Guanyin exclaimed, immediately wanting to intervene.

However, someone reacted faster than her.

"Heh, finally couldn't hold back!"

A cold laugh sounded, and Sun Wukong's impatient facade instantly disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming battle intent.

His figure flickered, already standing in front of Xuanzang.

"Clang!"

The Ruyi Jingu Bang had somehow appeared in his hand, precisely blocking Samantabhadra's powerful arm.

A loud clash of metal rang out, causing the entire estate to hum.

A terrifying wave swept open, instantly turning the pavilions into dust, and the false illusions shattered in the face of pure strength.

The surroundings restored to the original barren mountain appearance.

"Wretched, dare to lay hands on my master, you're courting death!"

Sun Wukong glared furiously, his arm vibrating, wielding the Ruyi Jingu Bang— weighing thirteen thousand five hundred pounds— as if it were straw, forcefully pushing back Samantabhadra's double Dharma Body.

"Brother, I'll assist you!"

Manjusri Bodhisattva now also completely tore off the disguise, summoning his magical treasure— the Demon Binding Rope.

The rope transformed into a golden light, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, bypassing Sun Wukong, directly targeting Xuanzang at the back.

He knew very well that as long as he could seize Xuanzang, everything would be over.

Sun Wukong shouted without turning his head, "Idiot, protect the master!"

"Got it!"

Zhu Bajie now also dropped his playful demeanor, roaring, as the Nine-toothed Nail Rake grasped in his hand slammed toward the Demon Binding Rope.

Though he was lustful and greedy, he could still discern priorities.

For a moment, the scene erupted into chaos.

Sun Wukong battled against two, fighting both Manjusri and Samantabhadra.

These two Bodhisattvas were formidable peak Daluo Golden Immortals, renowned since the Divine Enthronement period, and had further increased their cultivation after joining the Western Teachings.

Their strength was extraordinary.

For a moment, they managed to suppress Sun Wukong, forcing him to retreat step by step.

Samantabhadra roared angrily, his face fierce and sinister, "You wretched monkey, though powerful, today we will have the flesh and blood of the Qin Monk!"

Sun Wukong, driven by fury from their joint assault, was burning with rage, "You two bald donkeys turned demon, dare to be arrogant before Old Sun!"

He stomped hard, transforming into thousands, with innumerable Sun Wukongs appearing simultaneously, surrounding the two Bodhisattvas in frenzied attack.

In an instant, he turned the tide.

On the other side.

Lishan Old Mother and Guanyin watched the four already fighting with bloodshot eyes, looking extremely grim.

"Stop!"

The Bodhisattva Guanyin's eyebrows raised, she summoned the Jade Purifying Bottle in her hand.

The bottle tilted, and the Three Light Divine Water streamed like a Heavenly River toward the battling Manjusri and Samantabhadra.

The divine water possessed the capability to purify all things.

Upon being doused with the divine water, the demon flames on the two Bodhisattvas were suppressed, their movements briefly stilled.

Lishan Old Mother saw the opportunity and pointed her staff forward.

The seemingly ordinary staff transformed into a massive azure Divine Dragon across heaven and earth, twisting its tail around Manjusri and Samantabhadra, immobilizing them.

"Stop it, all of you!"

Lishan Old Mother's body emanated oppressive force, revealing her terrifying Quasi-Saint level cultivation.

Sun Wukong, seeing this, also withdrew his divine skills, landing beside Xuanzang, his Jingu Bang pointing murderously at the bound duo, "Bodhisattva Guanyin, these bald donkeys have already gone mad, leaving them is a disaster, better let Old Sun kill them with one blow, send them to reincarnation, it's also a form of release!"

Bodhisattva Guanyin immediately halted him, her face changing drastically, "Impossible! Wukong, they were merely confused by tribulation qi for a moment, please show mercy on behalf of the Buddhist Sect and spare their lives."

Sun Wukong was adamant, coldly sneering, "Tribulation qi invaded the body, even immortals can't save them!"

"Let them go today, when their cultivation is restored, they'll only become worse, who will be responsible when they harm my master again?"

"You Bodhisattva, indeed overly sentimental!"

Sun Wukong spoke bluntly, causing Guanyin's face to alternate between blue and white.

"Rest assured." Guanyin took a deep breath, promising, "I will take them back to Spirit Mountain, imprison them beneath the Lotus Platform,"

"Chant sutras day and night to expel their heart demons."

"I guarantee today's matter will never happen again."

Sun Wukong wanted to speak further, but Xuanzang raised his hand to stop him, "Since the Bodhisattva vouches, then this humble monk shall grant the Bodhisattva this face."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin bowed gratefully to Xuanzang, "Thank you, Qin Monk."

Immediately afterward.

She dared not linger, dipping the Willow Branch into the Three Light Divine Water, and touched the foreheads of Manjusri and Samantabhadra with it, temporarily sealing their minds. She then rode a cloud, taking the two hurriedly away, flying towards the Western Continent.

Sun Wukong walked beside Xuanzang and asked puzzledly, "Master, why let them go? This is unlike your usual style."

Xuanzang put his hands together, his expression serene, "To kill them would be easy. But after killing them, the Buddhist Sect would surely blame us, which is of no benefit to Qin's westward expansion."

"They haven't rid themselves of the Tribulation Qi, instead let them return and let the Buddhist Sect worry."

Sun Wukong was stunned, nodding as if he partly understood.

At this moment.

The silent Lishan Old Mother walked slowly in front of Xuanzang, "Qin Monk, are you from Qin?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie both looked at the enigmatic Lishan Old Mother with vigilance.

Xuanzang's expression remained unfazed.

He did not answer but instead smiled slightly and asked back, "This humble monk has a question too."

"Which side are you from?"

Lishan Old Mother chuckled and replied, "I am not beholden to anyone, just a mere Loose Cultivator surviving in this Primordial Heaven and Earth."

"However now, Qin's soldiers point westward, expanding along the way, their presence repelling demons and slaughtering countless."

"Qin Monk, as a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, what is your view on this?"

Faced with such a sharp question, Sun Wukong scratched his ears and Zhu Bajie put away his mischievous demeanor.

Xuanzang's expression remained unchanged, reciting the Buddha name, "Amitabha. Since you are a Loose Cultivator, surely you have seen the current state of Nan Zhanbu Continent?"

"Tribulation Qi like a sea, life and spirit are exhausted."

"Cultivators turning demon, feasting on humans."

"This realm has become a Purgatory."

"This humble monk travels westward, not to fetch scriptures but to spread teachings."

"To spread the teachings of Qin, the way of every person in Qin being like a dragon."

"Only Qin's Heavenly Fortune, only Qin's Nine Provinces Barrier, can protect all beings and dispel this omnipresent Tribulation Qi, returning this world to a bright Qiankun."

"Therefore, Qin's westward expansion is a deed that conforms to heaven's will, an act of salvation, where is the fault in that?"

Lishan Old Mother listened in silence, having survived countless Primordial Meetings, witnessed Dragon Han, Witch Demon, and Divine Enthronement, and experienced innumerable great tribulations.

Yet never had she seen such a robust, one might call reckless, way to break a tribulation.

With the strength of one nation against a great heavenly tribulation.

After a long while, Lishan Old Mother spoke again, "I wish to meet the Crown Prince of Qin."

Xuanzang smiled slightly, "If you wish to meet, you may head there. Qin welcomes all backgrounds, never refusing guests."

Lishan Old Mother nodded, "Thank you."

Her form blurred, disappearing from the spot.

Sun Wukong approached, "Master, this old lady is so mysterious, I can't tell if she's friend or foe."

"No matter." Xuanzang replied calmly, "If she heads to Qin, my father and the Crown Prince will decide. We just need to continue our journey."

He mounted his horse and continued westward.

…

Western Continent, Spirit Mountain Holy Land.

Great Leiyin Temple.

The Bodhisattva Guanyin returned riding a cloud.

Behind her, Manjusri and Samantabhadra whose minds were temporarily sealed by the Three Light Divine Water and the power of the Green Dragon Staff followed.

"World Venerable!"

Guanyin bowed to the Duo Bao Tathagata atop the Lotus Platform, narrating the events.

Duo Bao Tathagata opened his eyes, looking at the haggard-looking Bodhisattvas without anger, merely letting out a gentle sigh.

He raised his hand and pointed towards the two.

Two pure rays of Buddha Light instantly dove into the foreheads of Manjusri and Samantabhadra.

"Buzz!"

Their bodies trembled fiercely, and the grey Tribulation Qi surged again, even more ferocious than before.

…