Guanyin had suffered a tremendous loss of face; her Daoist temple had been flipped upside down, what a slap in the face was that? Since she became the Merciful Transporter under the Lord of Primordial Beginning, she had never experienced such a loss of face. But now, the killing of Tang Monk and the overturning of her temple were like two incredibly loud slaps, echoes of which were heard throughout the Three Realms.
Over the past seven years, after Guanyin entered Mount Putuo, she had never emerged again, even when summoned by others, she would decline, citing ill health.
It was not just a strike on Guanyin, but also on the Buddhist Sect, to the extent that Buddhism in the Eastern Divine Region had fallen behind in competition with the Taoist Sect. The incense offerings received by Buddhism had been dwindling by the day, while the likes of the Three Pure Ones Temple, Qingyang Temple, and other Taoist Temples saw their incense offerings thrive, shrouded in the auspicious mist.
Di Lin had also heard of the notorious Heaven-Defying Taoist, reportedly, it was he who killed the envoy to the Western Heaven, then demolished the Golden Mountain Temple, killing over twenty Buddhist disciples before the temple, and finally flipping over Guanyin's Daoist temple, before proceeding to the Water Curtain Cave where he struck down the Dharma Bodies of the Eight Divisions, revitalizing Water Curtain Cave. Such fierce face-slapping left bystanders like him utterly astonished, and Buddhism seemed completely unable to do anything about him.
"Are you the Heaven-Defying Taoist?" Di Lin sized him up for a long moment before speaking.
"It is indeed me," Wukong said with a smile, he waved his sleeve, releasing Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing was still sitting in meditation, with Three Flowers Gathering at the Top and Five Qi directing toward Yuan. A gleam flickered between her brows, and her crown chakra occasionally emitted an essence that she firmly controlled, absorbing back into her body. For a small snake demon like Xiao Qing, a single Ginseng Fruit was a great nourishment from heaven and earth. Had the Ginseng Fruit not been gentle in nature, she might have been stuffed to death.
Di Lin exclaimed in surprise, "Taoist Master's arrival is an honor—please forgive my lack of courtesy!"
Wukong, however, said, "In and beyond the Three Realms, power is revered. Buddhism has been so brazen because of its inflated power. Brother Di Lin, with your formidable strength, such behavior is only fitting."
Southern Ridge Demon Mountain was a place of survival of the fittest. And not just Southern Ridge, even in the Eastern Divine Region, weren't there tyrants bullying others? By saying this, Wukong made a point that seemed reasonable and apt. He managed to save face for Di Lin and smoothly handled the awkwardness. Wukong had himself died once, wandering between life and death, and had attained great wisdom in the process; otherwise, with his previous disposition, he would not have rested until the mountains crumbled and the earth split.
Wukong recalled how he had once been just a High Immortal protecting Tang Monk on their journey, against all kinds of monsters who had not cultivated a Golden Core, yet had great origins: Golden Horn, Silver Horn, Green Ox, Princess Iron Fan... Weren't each of these individuals connected to the always benevolent and kind Supreme Elderly Lord? It seemed that the leaders of the Taoist Sect and the top echelons of the Buddhist Sect had made a gambit out of the Journey to the West.
Had the Elderly Lord truly intended to kill him, he would have turned to ash in the Alchemy Furnace long ago; how could he have possibly developed Fiery Eyes with Golden Vision? Thinking about it, Wukong found it amusing how he once arrogantly thought he was unrivaled in heaven and earth, only to realize he was but a pawn in a game, easily manipulated at the whim of others.
Di Lin too realized the extraordinariness of this person and hastily bowed to apologize.
"Formalities are unnecessary; aren't people from the Demon Tribe most straightforward? Why bother with so many ceremonies?" Wukong said with a smile.
"At first, I did not recognize the senior, I apologize for any offense; please forgive me," said Di Lin.
"I have some history with your ancestor; he was gracious to me, so don't trouble yourself with formalities," replied Wukong.
Only then did Di Lin feel reassured.
Di Lin said, "This is not the place to talk. Let us go to the mansion and discuss in detail."
"That would be perfect," agreed Wukong.
Right at that moment, Xiao Qing had also finished her breathing exercises, opened her eyes that showed a lively luster, and said, "Thank you, Taoist Master!"
Wukong replied indifferently, "No need for thanks, you may go. I have matters to discuss with the gentlemen here."
Xiao Qing bowed to Wukong once again before leaving gracefully. Her cultivation level had improved significantly, and with many Magical Treasures to protect her body, she should be well defended unless she encountered an exceptionally powerful figure.
"Please."
"Please."
They entered the City Lord's Mansion in Heavenly Pillar City and took their seats.
The City Lord's Mansion was lavishly built, not to mention the rest, the grand hall centered around a Sun Crystal Stone was where the power of the sun overflowed, benefiting the entire mansion and greatly aiding in cultivation. The Sun Crystal Stone was indeed an Exotic Treasure, extremely rare and valuable.
After Wukong leisurely sipped some tea, Di Lin slowly began, "Heaven-Defying Taoist brother, you just mentioned some history with ancestor Di Jun. Di Jun met with foul play in Ancient Times, how come you speak of this?"
Wukong set down his teacup and said, "The Heavenly Emperor was born with the sun; as long as the sun doesn't perish, he does not die."
Upon hearing this, Di Lin and his son Di Chen couldn't help but widen their eyes and stood up, asking almost in unison, "Where is the ancestor now?"
Wukong waved his hand and said, "Don't rush, let me explain it slowly." Seeing the two sit down again, Wukong began, "That day, when I turned over Guanyin's Taoist temple, I found a piece of golden feather suppressed underneath it, so I took it. Little did I know, this feather was the very first feather from the top of the Heavenly Emperor's head, and it contained the Heavenly Emperor's divine sense. Afterwards, the Heavenly Emperor spoke to me about the ancient wars between the witches and demons, as well as the battles of the Saints... I have agreed to take revenge for the Heavenly Emperor, thus he imparted his Great Dao and divine skills to me."
Wukong spoke unhurriedly, with proper cadence, and it took a full incense stick's time to finish speaking.
Di Lin nodded and said, "Our ancestor has given you this opportunity, we might be envious, but it's not something we can force. In the workings of fate, there's a natural cause and effect."
The understanding of Di Jun's divine skill spells and Great Dao is highly sought after in this world! But upon hearing this, Di Lin was particularly calm, at least not as tense as Di Chen, who had clenched both fists, It seemed that Di Lin's Golden Core cultivation was also cultivated to a very satisfactory state, to the point that he could see some of the ties of karma.
Wukong laughed and said, "If everyone in the world had the understanding of Brother Di Lin, there wouldn't be so many disputes and wars in this world."
Di Lin laughed and said, "Brother Heaven-Defying is joking. What brings you to Southern Ridge?"
Wukong said seriously, "The matter entrusted to me by the Heavenly Emperor is no trivial one, and Heaven-Defying alone is weak and may have difficulty fulfilling the Heavenly Emperor's longstanding wish! Therefore, I have come to Southern Ridge to seek out the descendants of the Heavenly Emperor, to inform them of his entrustment, and to seek your support. Should a fight indeed reach the Celestial Palace, I ask for your aid."
Suddenly, Di Chen remarked, "What's so great about the Heavenly Court? That Sun Monkey alone managed to rout a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals into disarray."
That was just the surface strength of the Heavenly Court, at that time, many of the deities openly agreed but secretly opposed the Jade Emperor's orders, putting in appearances without putting in effort, which allowed Wukong to cause such a commotion. If at that time an Emperor Gou Chen or Ziwei Great Emperor had stepped in, wouldn't Wukong have been easily captured?
Di Lin scolded, "Rash and ignorant boy! Do not speak nonsense if you do not understand the situation. How deep is Heavenly Court's water? There are no few Taiyi Golden Immortals there, and if you went to heaven with your cultivation, I fear you'd barely reach the Southern Heavenly Gate only to be turned to ashes."
At the moment, Wukong felt somewhat like a "troublemaker," stirring up issues here and there. The pressing matter was to rally forces that belonged to himself. Even if he were stronger, how could he contend against the Heavenly Court and Western Heaven? After careful thought, figures like Hong Hai'er, the Black Bear Demon... powerful characters who were tightly controlled by the Buddhist Sect could be persuaded to break away from Buddhism and form an alliance with himself to stand against the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect in the future.
"Do you know about Emperor Gou Chen, who is he?" Di Lin asked.
"Who?" Di Chen asked.
"Gou Chen is the traitor of our Golden Crow Clan, Indra! This is a taboo for our clan, not to be mentioned, but today, with Brother Heaven-Defying here, I'll make an exception and talk about it," Di Lin said.
Di Chen was startled upon hearing this, and Wukong, who had no idea who Indra was, listened quietly to Di Lin's explanation.
It turned out that after the fall of Di Jun, the once might Golden Crow Clan began to decline. However, a talented figure named Indra emerged. When Jiang Ziya was establishing the Investiture of the Gods during the chaos of the Three Realms, with all the clans contending for that one chance at survival and not to be listed on the Investiture, Indra obtained favors from Buddhism, betraying demon tribe intelligence and contributing to the demon tribe's defeat in the Investiture battles.
Afterward, Indra was theologized by Buddhism as a Heavenly King and protector, but in the end, was also listed on the Investiture of the Gods, and became Emperor Gou Chen, who held a position second only to one and above tens of thousands in the Heavenly Court!
This was a taboo of the Golden Crow Clan, never to be mentioned to others, and even the Fifth Prince of the clan had not heard a word of it.
"What is the level of Gou Chen's mana?" Wukong was most concerned about this, having nearly encountered Gou Chen when fighting the Dharma Bodies of The Eight Divisions.
"I do not know, but ever since the Middle Ages Investiture, he has been a Taiyi Golden Immortal, and over such a long time, his mana must have surely increased. It is quite possible that he has now reached the level of a Daluo Golden Immortal," Di Lin sighed.
Wukong had cultivated the Golden Core and achieved the rank of Taiyi Golden Immortal, which allowed him to feel the vastness of heaven and earth. The Daluo Golden Immortals must represent an even more powerful level of cultivation! Hearing Emperor Gou Chen's voice that day had given him the chills, let alone the prospect of contesting in magic with him.
The Golden Crow Clan members were uniquely talented, absorbing and expelling the sun, and their cultivation progressed rapidly. Gou Chen was a figure who had achieved the status of Taiyi Golden Immortal during the establishment of the Investiture of the Gods, and his current cultivation was likely extremely formidable! If even one Gou Chen was so difficult to handle, not to mention Ziwei Great Emperor and True Martial Emperor, and as for the Longevity Emperor, Wukong had encountered him several times and always felt that the old man did not seem like a formidable figure, which is why he had the idea to seek him out for practice and gauge the standards of the four great emperors of the Heavenly Court.
Di Chen said with a bitter smile, "If Father had not said anything, I'm afraid I would have always underestimated the Heavenly Court. It turns out that Indra, the sinner of our Golden Crow Clan, is one of the four emperors of the Heavenly Court..."
Di Lin remarked, "Heaven-Defying friend, if you wish to overthrow the Heavenly Court, I'm afraid it won't be easy!"
Wukong was silent upon hearing this, having already envisioned the Heavenly Court as sufficiently powerful and thinking the cultivation of Taiyi Golden Immortal would allow him some recklessness. However, he hadn't expected the four emperors of the Heavenly Court to be so formidable... Nevertheless, having promised Di Jun and assimilated his Great Dao, he had already formed a connection of karma, and if he did not fulfill it, a great calamity would inevitably find him in the future.
Upon reflection, Wukong felt much more relaxed and thought to himself, "If Laozi could attack the Heavenly Court in the past, I can do the same in the future!"
Di Lin added, "However— our Golden Crow Clan does possess a treasure, specifically designed to counter that Indra."
On hearing this, Wukong's eyes immediately brightened.