Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

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The Demon-Subduing Mantra, although also a skill that enhances abilities, is after all just a skill from the novice period before the job change. Even if Skill Points are maxed out, it would only increase a few hundred points of Attack Attribute at most.

Before reaching level 20, this increase is quite significant. However, as the level continues to rise, the effectiveness of this increase diminishes.

But the Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra is different. It's an Attack effect that increases in proportion, and after all, the Compassionate Bodhisattva's profession is primarily focused on pure support categories.

Therefore, as the skill of the Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra was activated, Sun Wukong could feel an invisible force surge within him, suddenly elevating his strength to a new level.

"This feeling, this feeling is really great..." Under the form of the Law of Heaven and Earth, Sun Wukong felt the endless power emerging from within, he was overjoyed, and at the same time, his gaze discreetly swept over Jiang Liu.

He certainly understood that this ability was displayed by him.

Although his Cultivation Level wasn't impressive, the wisdom and various unique abilities Jiang Liu had shown made Sun Wukong increasingly feel that his master was unfathomable, as if he could never see through him.

At the same time, Sun Wukong felt increasingly wise about his decision to leave the Five Elements Mountain.

In fact, when he was suppressed under Five Elements Mountain, the words Jiang Liu said about coming out together to overthrow Heaven and Buddha, although in line with Sun Wukong's temperament, after harboring resentment for five hundred years, how could Sun Wukong so easily trust him?

What truly touched the bottom of Sun Wukong's heart was Jiang Liu's words, "To be placed in a deadly situation and then to survive; if I could cultivate to an earth-shattering level in just a few years, why can't you?"

Back then, when he was cultivating under Ancestor Bodhi, nobody said anything, and Sun Wukong believed that no one within the Three Realms and Six Paths knew whom he had taken as his master.

But, how did Jiang Liu know that he had cultivated on the Spirit Platform of Square Inch Mountain? And even knew that he had only cultivated for just a few years?

This proved his extraordinariness.

Such a mysterious man journeying to the West to seek the scriptures, and even intending to overthrow the entire Heavenly realm?

Even though Jiang Liu's Cultivation Level was extremely low, almost negligible, Sun Wukong still took a gamble in his heart.

Sure enough, along the way, Jiang Liu's Cultivation Level soared rapidly, advancing a large realm and beyond, and the mystery and wisdom he showed made Sun Wukong feel even more that his master was unfathomable!

"Hahaha! Old man! I, Old Sun, won't hold back!"

With the boost from the Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra, both Sun Wukong's Attack Power and confidence surged immensely. The Jingu Bang in his hand transformed into the Sky-Supporting Giant Pillar and he smashed it fiercely down on Zen Master Wuchao.

However, Zen Master Wuchao turned into a golden Flame, descending from the sky like a bright sun, crashing down on Sun Wukong with force.

This descent was as if the sun itself was falling.

Vajra Mantra!

Watching this scene, Jiang Liu's hand moved again, the Skill of the Vajra Mantra was cast, landing on Sun Wukong's body.

With a thunderous rumble that shook the heavens and the earth, it felt as if the very ground was about to shatter. This earth-shattering scene was astonishing.

As the tremors subsided, Jiang Liu looked intently to find Sun Wukong laying on the ground, reverted to the form of a little monkey, with his body scorched in places, looking utterly miserable, his I, Old Sun form retracted.

Looking at his Health Bar overhead, only about half remained.

Zen Master Wuchao was also hovering in mid-air, the dazzling golden light around him disappearing, his expression calm.

As Jiang Liu's gaze fell on him, he could clearly see that Zen Master Wuchao's Health Bar was almost completely full.

"You're kidding, right? The power of this Zen Master Wuchao..." Watching this scene, Jiang Liu couldn't help but take a sharp intake of breath.

The Vajra Mantra could negate up to 80% of the damage, yet just with that hit, about a quarter of Sun Wukong's Health Bar was gone?

If it weren't for the Vajra Mantra's Defense, wouldn't he have been killed instantly?

In the Three Realms and Six Paths, how could there be such a powerful being?

"Roar! I, Old Sun, haven't lost yet!"

Though he looked miserable, with over half of his Health Bar left, Sun Wukong's injuries weren't particularly severe. With his fighting spirit undiminished, he let out a roar and sprung back to his feet.

"Oh? You, this Monkey, are indeed to this old man's liking. Since that is the case, let me show you the greatness of heaven and earth," said Zen Master Wuchao, who seemed to appreciate Sun Wukong's spiritedness. He smiled faintly.

In the midst of speaking, he took out a gourd and raised it into the air. A strand of Knife Qi, sharp beyond compare, as if it could slice through heaven and earth, started rising from the mouth of the gourd.

The Knife Qi was incredibly sharp, yet it was a tangible thing. As this strand of Knife Qi rose, the atmosphere between heaven and earth was filled with a threatening aura, as if entering the Asura Path.

After raising the gourd, Zen Master Wuchao bowed to it in mid-air and opened his mouth to speak, "Please, my treasure, turn..."

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"No way! Could this gourd be—!?" The sight struck Jiang Liu like a bolt of lightning, and he uttered in disbelief, suspecting the true identity of Master Wuchao.

If it truly was whom he suspected, Sun Wukong was now truly in a life or death crisis.

However, before Jiang Liu could even warn Sun Wukong to flee for his life, suddenly, the world was awash with brilliant Buddhist Light, and promptly, a twelve-petal Golden Lotus appeared out of nowhere, shielding Sun Wukong from Master Wuchao.

The Golden Lotus shone brightly, radiating the Supreme Yang Buddhist Power throughout the heavens and earth, answering the Knife Qi from within the gourd from afar, confronting each other.

"Hahaha, it was merely a little jest with the junior, why so serious!?"
Continue your journey with empire

Seeing the sudden appearance of the twelve-petal Golden Lotus, Master Wuchao laughed heartily and put away the gourd that hung midair.

As Master Wuchao withdrew his gourd, the twelve-petal Golden Lotus in midair also transformed into a streak of light and vanished.

"Old man, let's continue!" Glancing at the disappearing Golden Lotus, Sun Wukong, high in his fighting spirit, was not willing to stop just yet. He swung the Jingu Bang and pointed at Master Wuchao, shouting loudly.

"Wukong, come back here!" Jiang Liu was startled upon hearing Sun Wukong still daring to taunt Master Wuchao and quickly spoke up with a stern expression.

Turning to look at Jiang Liu and seeing his solemn demeanor, Sun Wukong hesitated slightly, retracted his Jingu Bang, and landed beside Jiang Liu: "Master, I, Old Sun, could still fight him for three hundred more rounds; it's still uncertain who would win at the end..."

"Alright, your teacher knows you're capable, okay?" Without saying Sun Wukong was inferior to the other, Jiang Liu merely whispered soothing and complimentary words.

While speaking, he raised his palm and performed the Guanyin Mantra Skill, infusing a misty light into Sun Wukong's body, which almost instantly healed his injuries, even the scorched marks on his body fading away.

"Old Zen Master, apologies, we disciples were ignorant of your grandeur and may have bothered you…" After casting the Guanyin Mantra on Sun Wukong, Jiang Liu turned around, brought his palms together in a sign of respect, and apologized.

There was no other way, facing such a powerhouse, it was he who instigated the issue, what else could he do if not apologize?

"You, Little Monk, have some insight!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Master Wuchao smiled faintly, seeming more interested in Jiang Liu.

"I have heard some things about the Old Zen Master's gourd!" Jiang Liu did not conceal his knowledge and spoke softly.

"Hahaha, interesting, truly interesting. You, Scripture Seeker, have indeed surprised this old monk. Go ahead, I'm quite eager to see the spectacle on Spirit Mountain…" Master Wuchao laughed loudly in response to Jiang Liu's answer.

Hiss...

Master Wuchao's remarks caused Jiang Liu to inwardly draw a sharp breath.

What did he say? He's eager to see the spectacle on Spirit Mountain? Was that an offhand remark or was it deliberate?

If it was deliberate, does it not mean that he knew of Jiang Liu's purpose in going to Spirit Mountain?

"Old Zen Master!" This was a matter potentially concerning his life or death, and naturally, Jiang Liu wanted to probe and clarify before proceeding.

However, as Jiang Liu began to speak, Master Wuchao did not entertain Jiang Liu's intention; his figure shifted, transforming into a blazing sun, and he flew straight back to the Foutu Mountain Peak.

Master Wuchao's words were like a needle pricking Jiang Liu's heart. Unfortunately, he showed no intention of elaborate discussion, which led Jiang Liu's thoughts into a whirl.

If Master Wuchao truly knew his purpose, then did the Tathagata also know?

Logically, the Tathagata's strength should be nearly equal to Master Wuchao's, right?

All along, Jiang Liu believed he had fooled the Tathagata and Guanyin by feigning ignorance of the Buddhist Sect's schemes, but if Master Wuchao truly knew, then did the Tathagata also know?

If Master Wuchao was aware of it, through what means did he come to know? And more importantly, is there a possibility that the Tathagata also knew?

Or did the Tathagata already know, but since Jiang Liu's current power was meager, the Tathagata simply did not consider him a threat?

"Master, who is that old man? You seem to recognize him!?"

As Jiang Liu silently pondered, his disciple Sun Wukong asked him with curiosity.

"Hmm, that is a powerful being. Bajie is not wrong, his capability does not fall short of the Tathagata Buddha!"

Hearing Sun Wukong's inquiry, Jiang Liu momentarily suppressed the myriad of thoughts in his mind, deciding to plan for the long term and to investigate slowly.

Given that Master Wuchao had clearly shown no willingness to elaborate, Jiang Liu naturally would not cling to the issue. After briefly explaining Master Wuchao's identity to Sun Wukong, they did not linger, hastening through Foutu Mountain without delay, and even Zhu Bajie did not complain of fatigue along the way.

Atop Foutu Mountain, at the pinnacle of the Fusang Tree, within the grand bird's nest, Master Wuchao sat cross-legged, perched high as he watched Jiang Liu and his disciples fade into the distance, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.

"Duobao, you sit outside the chess game, wielding the black piece, yet have you considered whether the color inside and out is as you expect?"