Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

In response to Qing Xia Fairy's interrogation, Ran Deng Buddha merely let out a sneer of disdain and did not answer. Perhaps he felt that such a naive question from Qing Xia Fairy didn't warrant a response?

Whoosh!

A figure flew from the distance and landed next to the Heart-Locking Pond; it was Tathagata Buddha.

"Ancestral Buddha, how come you are here?"

Ran Deng Buddha looked at Tathagata Buddha with some surprise. Wasn't the Ancestral Buddha supposed to be presiding over the Treasure Hall? Why had he suddenly, without any apparent reason, entered the Sukhavati Realm?

"Have you seen any suspicious individuals?"

Instead of answering, Tathagata Buddha counter-asked.

"Suspicious individuals? No, not at all. What's the matter, has something happened at Spiritual Mountain?"

Ran Deng Buddha shook his head in confusion but then his expression changed, and his eyes narrowed.

"Sun Wukong ascended to Spiritual Mountain, attacked the Barrier of the Sukhavati Realm's great hall, and then left. I'm concerned he might feign an attack in one place while striking in another, so I came to check things out. It's good that everything is fine!"

Tathagata Buddha let out a slight sigh of relief but still maintained a serious demeanor, "Be cautious—we cannot allow that Demon Monkey to take Zi Xia away; otherwise, we'll no longer have anything to hold over him in the future."

"Sun Wukong ascended to Spiritual Mountain?"

Ran Deng Buddha understood Tathagata Buddha's concern. It seemed Sun Wukong possessed a unique Pupil Skill that could break through various Barriers and Prohibitions. Tathagata was worried that Sun Wukong might have stealthily entered the area under the guise of having already departed.

Well, considering that Demon Monkey's cunning nature, it wasn't impossible!

"Isn't it very simple to find out whether that Demon Monkey has indeed entered the Sukhavati Realm or not?"

Ran Deng Buddha's lips curled into a vicious smile as he turned his gaze towards Zi Xia Fairy and Qing Xia Fairy. Suddenly, a flash of Buddha's Light appeared in his hand, and a Long Whip materialized, which he lashed fiercely at Zi Xia Fairy, who was trapped in the pond's water.

"Snap!"

"Ahh~!"

The crisp sound of the whip accompanied Zi Xia Fairy's scream.

Qing Xia Fairy shouted angrily, "Ran Deng, what are you doing? Stop it!"

"Stop? What right do you have to tell me to stop?"

Ran Deng Buddha spat out spitefully and continued to swing the whip towards Zi Xia Fairy, chuckling coldly, "I want to see if Sun Wukong, if he really is nearby and sees his woman suffering like this, will be able to bear it!"

"Amitabha!"

Tathagata Buddha chanted a sacred word, yet his eyes displayed not a hint of mercy. Instead, he lifted his gaze to look around in every direction, releasing his Divine Sense to probe the surrounding areas for any disturbance—no subtle motion could escape his perception!

"Damn it! Ran Deng, old monk, one day I will tear you to pieces!"

From a distance on a high ground, the small insect Sun Wukong had transformed into perched atop a treetop, staring at the scene from afar, his eyes almost bursting and teeth clenched with anger. He was of course aware that this was a scheme by Ran Deng Buddha to force him out by using Zi Xia Fairy, but seeing Zi Xia Fairy in pain and hearing her pitiful screams, Sun Wukong still felt as if his heart was being sliced and a fire of rage burned within him.

Still, he had to forcibly suppress the urge to rush out and forced himself to keep his breath hidden and stay concealed. Sun Wukong knew all too well that Ran Deng Buddha would not truly harm Zi Xia Fairy, for he needed her to threaten Wukong. What was happening now was merely a test to verify whether Wukong had actually entered the Sukhavati Realm.

If he rushed out now, not only would he not be able to save Zi Xia, but he would also trap himself. It didn't take much to know that Tathagata Buddha and Ran Deng Buddha must have already set up a Heavenly Net waiting for him!

He must endure, he must keep enduring!

Forcing himself not to listen to Zi Xia Fairy's screams, Sun Wukong suppressed all signs of his existence and remained motionless on the branch as he felt Tathagata Buddha's Divine Sense sweep over him without daring to make the slightest movement. He could not afford to reveal any flaws!

After meticulously scanning the surroundings several times, Tathagata Buddha withdrew his Divine Sense and gave Ran Deng Buddha a look. Ran Deng Buddha stopped whipping and ceased his actions.

"It seems that I have been overly concerned," Tathagata Buddha said. "That Demon Monkey must have seen the commotion and decided to leave Spiritual Mountain in a hurry for fear of being detected."

Tathagata Buddha glanced at Zi Xia Fairy and Qing Xia Fairy in the pond and sighed, "Zi Xia, if you are willing to swear to help me deal with that Demon Monkey, I can stop locking you and your sister up, release you, and provide you with my full guidance. What say you?"

"Sister, agree quickly! This is the only chance!"

Upon hearing this, Qing Xia Fairy's eyes lit up, and she turned her head and shouted toward Zi Xia Fairy.

However, Zi Xia Fairy merely gave a wry smile and shook her head, her face full of stubborn resolve, and remained silent.

"What's so good about that smelly monkey that you're willing to sacrifice so much for him, even your own life?"

Qing Xia Fairy, with intense hatred, gritted her teeth and said fiercely, "For the sake of a man, you are not only sacrificing yourself but also dragging your sister down with you?"

"Sister, I'm sorry! It's all my fault!"

A trace of pain flashed in Zi Xia Fairy's eyes, and she spoke with a hoarse voice, "But, I can't harm Wukong. Even if it means death, I cannot harm Wukong!"

"Fool! Idiot! You're beyond salvation! You've been poisoned by that stinking monkey!"

Qing Xia Fairy cursed loudly, but Zi Xia Fairy's eyes still held a resolute look. Seeing this, Tathagata Buddha's face grew even colder, "Stubborn to the end! Since it is so, don't blame me for being ruthless. Ancient Buddha, I leave this to you. Ensure they don't escape!"

"Rest assured, with me guarding, even if that Demon Monkey Sun Wukong comes, he won't be able to take them away!"

Ran Deng Buddha laughed, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes, "Besides, I'm actually hoping that Demon Monkey will come out soon, so he can taste the big surprise I've prepared for him!"

Tathagata Buddha nodded and rose into the sky on a cloud, leaving the Sukhavati Realm behind. Sun Wukong still did not move, but his Void-Breaking Divine Eye started to scan the surroundings of the Heart-Locking Pond. Ran Deng Buddha had said it himself; he had laid out the Heavenly Net around the Heart-Locking Pond specifically for him, so of course, he had to be extra cautious.

The Void-Breaking Starry Eyes were indeed capable of penetrating all the illusions of the world, and the Barrier Spell Formation set up by Ran Deng Buddha could not escape Sun Wukong's sight. However, if Wukong had not already been secretly hiding and overheard the conversation between Ran Deng Buddha and Tathagata Buddha, a rash rescue attempt at the Heart-Locking Pond might indeed have fallen into their trap!

But now...

A cold smirk formed on Sun Wukong's lips. Just wait and see, watch how I will deal with you!