Square Mountain and Starry Oblong Cave.
Enwreathed in clouds and mist, the tranquil and secluded spot was brimming with immortal Qi.
Inside the Slanted Moon and Three Stars Cave, Subodhi sat with his eyes tightly closed, in deep seclusion as he prepared to face the world-destroying tribulation lightning meant for breaking through the Perfect Realm of the Dao Realm—the sixth Dao Tribulation Lightning.
Meanwhile, far away in the Western Paradise, the conflict between the true and false Wukong had reached a life-or-death juncture. Under Buddha Tathagata's scheming, Wukong's true spirit was flickering and on the verge of scattering.
At this critical moment, Subodhi, deep within his immortal cave, suddenly felt unsettled.
An ominous premonition welled up in his heart, and before he could even react, the seventh Dao Tribulation Lightning suddenly struck down.
The terrifying and earth-shattering power instantly blasted this supreme master beneath the Dao into scatter and ashes.
Yet at that very threshold of life and death, a modern soul—Xiao Tian—merged into Subodhi's body, causing him to miraculously be reborn.
After absorbing Subodhi's memories and learning of Wukong's plight, Xiao Tian burned with fury.
"How dare you bully my beloved disciple! Even though I am currently bearing the injuries of the Dao Tribulation and holding up Fangcun Mountain in my palm, I remain invincible across the heavens!"
With a roar, he broke through the array restrictions of the cave, transforming into a streak of light as he charged straight toward Lingshan.
Along the way, winds and clouds changed color, and the heavens and earth trembled. Fury burned in Subodhi's eyes, and a terrifying aura radiated from his entire body.
Wherever he passed, fierce winds howled, pebbles and sand flew, and the sun and moon lost their light.
Atop Lingshan, Buddha Tathagata sat leisurely and contentedly on his lotus throne, stealing the essence of the Dao and digesting it to cultivate. Little did he expect Subodhi to strike like lightning, instantly shattering his tranquility.
"Old man Tathagata, hand over Wukong's true spirit! Otherwise, today I shall turn your Lingshan into scorched earth and reduce the Buddhist Sect to ashes!"
Subodhi's voice exploded like thunder, causing the entire Lingshan to tremble.
Buddha Tathagata frowned slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, but he feigned calmness and laughed, "You madman, how dare you run wild in Lingshan? Do you truly believe my Buddhist Sect has no one who can handle you?"
Tathagata swiftly swept the Dao essence into the Buddhist realm. Fearing that his actions would be exposed, he failed to notice that a tiny fraction of the Qi separated from the Dao essence had flown away.
Standing above the Great Leiyin Temple, Subodhi didn't waste words and struck immediately. In an instant, divine light flared, magical arts collided, and deafening roars echoed across Lingshan.
Subodhi unleashed his ultimate techniques, every single move carrying boundless power akin to falling stars and shattered mountains and rivers.
Buddha Tathagata rapidly cast supreme Buddhist arts, the light of the Buddha illuminating the universe as he engaged in a fierce battle with Subodhi.
However, Tathagata's magical power was profound, and it was difficult for Subodhi to gain the upper hand for a moment. Yet his obsession to seek justice for Wukong was unshakable; he would stop at nothing, even if he had to risk everything.
Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Subodhi's mind flashed as he unleashed a mysterious ultimate technique—the Chaos Divine Art.
This move possessed boundless power, startling even Buddha Tathagata, whose expression grew grave and sweat seeped from his forehead.
At this moment, several mysterious figures quietly emerged in the shadows of Lingshan—they were the awakened Primordial Demon Gods.
The Demon God Gonggong, tall, mighty, and surrounded by churning water vapor, roared, "Such a great battle is the perfect opportunity for the fisherman to profit!"
The Demon God Zhurong, ablaze with scorching, intense flames, laughed wildly, "Once they both suffer and exhaust each other, the treasures of Lingshan will all belong to us!"
As for the Demon God Xingtian, he brandished his shield and axe, brimming with fighting spirit.
At this tense moment, a hearty laugh rang out from the sky: "Hahahaha, with such a lively spectacle, how could Donghuang Taiyi be left out!"
Donghuang Taiyi was seen stepping on a Three-Legged Golden Crow, radiant with boundless light as he descended upon Lingshan.
Scanning the crowd, Donghuang Taiyi proclaimed loudly, "I've come to join in the bustle of this Lingshan dispute!"
Subodhi glared at Donghuang Taiyi and shouted, "Don't meddle in other people's business, or I'll deal with you together with them!"
Donghuang Taiyi sneered, "Such arrogance! Let's see what skills you have!"
With that, Donghuang Taiyi actually joined the battle, teaming up with Buddha Tathagata to fight Subodhi.
Subodhi's pressure instantly multiplied, yet he grew ever bolder the more he fought.
At this time, Goddess Nuwa, who had been lurking in the shadows, revealed herself, her red lips parting slightly: "Cease this struggle; all things have their destined course."
Everyone was shocked, wondering how this chaotic melee would end.
Suddenly, a black shadow sped over—it was none other than Ancestor Styx. He smiled insidiously, "How could an event so grand lack my Styx?"
Subodhi shouted angrily, "All who come are enemies, I shall fight you all at once!"
For a time, various magical lights intertwined, and chaos erupted atop Lingshan.
Just as the combatants were locked in an inextricable deadlock, the melodious chime of a bell echoed from the western horizon.
Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin arrived stepping on auspicious clouds.
Daoist Zhunti said, "Fellow daoists, commit no more sins of killing. This Western land of mine is not a place for you to run wild."
Daoist Jieyin pressed his palms together: "Namo Amitabha, let go of wrath, and only then shall you attain liberation."
Subodhi remained completely unmoved, his offensive fiercely pressing on.
At this moment, Yuanshi Tianzun and Master Tongtian also rushed over upon hearing the news.
Yuanshi Tianzun's expression was grave: "Such chaos, what kind of behavior is this! Fellow Daoist Subodhi, you are trying to instigate a war between the Dao and the Buddha."
Master Tongtian laughed heartily, "Splendid! Today I too shall come to settle who is superior! Not a single one of these bald donkeys is any good."
The situation grew increasingly chaotic, and though Subodhi was trapped in heavy encirclement, he showed no intention of retreating.
Suddenly, a mysterious beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping everyone within it.
From within the light came an ancient and majestic voice: "None of you shall act presumptuously! This is decreed by the Mandate of Heaven and cannot be defied!"
Everyone was shocked, wondering who the master of this mysterious voice could be.
Just then, Zhenyuan Daxian hurried over as well. Waving his sleeve, he said, "Do not be rash, everyone. Why not hear a word from me."
Subodhi gave an angry snort: "What do you have to say? Wukong is your sworn brother; don't force me to beat you up as well."
Zhenyuan Daxian slowly said, "Wukong's affair may have hidden depths. A melee like this might not solve the problem."
However, how could Subodhi let the matter rest so easily? He shouted, "Hidden depths? I only know that my beloved disciple is suffering, and if I do not get justice today, I swear I will never stop!"
With that, he once again unleashed his full strength, plunging back into battle with the others.
Just as the fierce battle was at its height, an aura of auspiciousness descended—it was the Jade Emperor in person.
The Jade Emperor proclaimed loudly, "Immortal lords, do not let Lingshan become a realm of chaos; cease your hands at once!"
Yet how could anyone listen to him? The battle only grew more intense.
Subodhi's eyes bulged wide, and brilliant light erupted from his entire body as he roared, "No one is stopping me today!"
Before his voice had even faded, the magical light in his hands grew even more intense, fiercely attacking Buddha Tathagata and the others.
Buddha Tathagata and his allies also defended with all their might. For a time, the light atop Lingshan was dazzling, and the peaks tottered as if about to collapse.
Amidst this thoroughly chaotic situation, a mysterious figure quietly appeared on the distant clouds.
This person exuded a bizarre aura, their features obscured, yet they cast an invisible pressure upon all.
They watched the battlefield coldly, plotting goodness knows what.
Suddenly, the figure flashed, launching a sneak attack directly at Buddha Tathagata's back.
Seeing this, Subodhi shouted, "Shameless wretch, don't even think about succeeding!"
He instantly flashed forward, blocking in front of Buddha Tathagata and exchanging a palm strike with the mysterious figure.
The mysterious figure was knocked back dozens of steps, letting out a cold snort: "Subodhi, you've ruined my good deed! Put another way, I was helping you deal with them, wasn't I?"
Subodhi glared at him: "A rat hiding its head and tail, this poor daoist disdains to associate with you. If you have the guts, state your name!"
The mysterious figure laughed heartily: "I am the foremost of the Chaos Demon Gods, Luo Hou! Since you are so ignorant of how to advance or retreat, today shall be your doom!"
With that, he attacked the group once more.
Smoke and dust filled the air above Lingshan, and the brilliance of magical arts intersected and crossed.
Subodhi's battle with Buddha Tathagata, Donghuang Taiyi, and the others was already fierce, and the appearance of Luo Hou, the chief of the Chaos Demon Gods, plunged the situation into extreme chaos.
Endless evil aura radiated from Luo Hou, every single move imbued with destructive power.
He laughed wildly, "Today, this Lingshan shall be your burial ground!"
Subodhi glared with wide eyes and shouted, "Luo Hou, stop your raving! How could I, Subodhi, fear you!"
With that, the magical light in his hands grew even brighter as he engaged in a fierce duel with Luo Hou.
Seizing the opportunity, Buddha Tathagata cast a powerful Buddhist divine ability, attempting to suppress Subodhi.
Seeing the Buddhist faction acting so shamelessly—having just been rescued by Daoist Subodhi a moment ago, yet still desperately attacking him—Donghuang Taiyi commanded the Three-Legged Golden Crow beneath his feet to spew scorching flames, attacking the crowd.
At that moment, Demon Gods like Gonggong, Zhurong, and Xingtian also joined the fray, each displaying their divine abilities.
Gonggong manipulated surging torrents of water, attempting to submerge everyone;
Zhurong's flames were scorching hot, turning wherever they passed into scorched earth; Xingtian brandished his shield and axe with peerless bravery.
Goddess Nuwa frowned deeply, lightly waving her sleeve in an attempt to pacify the chaos: "Fight no more, or heaven and earth will plunge into irretrievable doom."
However, blinded by the killing intent, how could anyone listen?
Yuanshi Tianzun and Master Tongtian also unleashed their respective ultimate techniques; Yuanshi Tianzun's Pangu Banner emitted a mysterious light, and Master Tongtian's Immortals-Slaying Sword Array possessed astonishing might.
Zhenyuan Daxian shouted anxiously, "Such a chaotic melee will only cause Lingshan to be utterly destroyed! The Earth veins will collapse, and the Great Tribulation will descend!"
But his voice was quickly drowned out by the roar of battle.
Ancestor Styx waited on the sidelines for an opportunity, hoping to seize benefits in the chaos.
Seeing the situation spiraling further out of control, the Jade Emperor roared, "All of you, cease your hands at once!"
Yet the crowd continued to fight relentlessly.
With only the obsession to seek justice for Wukong in his heart, Subodhi fought desperately against attacks from all sides, shouting, "Even if I die in battle today, I will make you pay the price!"
Just as everyone was locked in an inextricable battle, a strange fluctuation suddenly swept across the sky.
A mysterious rune flashed, instantly enveloping everyone within it.
Everyone felt their bodies grow sluggish, unable to cast their magical arts.
An ancient and majestic voice resounded: "For you to act presumptuously here is to provoke the Heavenly Dao. If you do not stop at once, retribution from the heavens is certain!"
Luo Hou gave a cold snort: "The Heavenly Dao? How could I, a Chaos Demon God, feel fear!"
However, the moment he tried to break free from the restraint, he was violently repelled by a powerful force.
Taking the opportunity to catch his breath, Subodhi thought to himself: "Did the Dao Ancestor Hongjun make a move? Before my Dao Tribulation injuries, I might have gone toe-to-toe with him, but now I'm afraid..."
Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin exchanged glances and spoke in unison, "We are willing to obey the Heavenly Dao and cease our contention."
The crowd gradually quieted down, though wariness still lingered between them all.
The mysterious voice sounded once more: "Wukong's affair has its destined course. Fellow Daoist Subodhi, if you insist on having your way, you will inevitably trigger an even greater disaster."
Subodhi gritted his teeth and said, "I care nothing for destined courses! Wukong is suffering, and I will have my justice!"
The mysterious voice fell silent for a moment before saying, "Very well. Since that is how it must be, you shall embark upon the Journey to the West, enduring the eighty-nine trials. If you succeed, Wukong shall naturally be resurrected.
Yet along this path, Demon Gods will block your way, and life and death will be uncertain. Do you dare?"
Showing no fear whatsoever, Subodhi shouted loudly, " brat Hongjun, I once instructed you in the Daoist teachings; what does this Patriarch not dare to do!"
With that, he turned and headed eastward, his figure looking resolute beyond compare.
At that exact moment, a familiar aura appeared in the micro-world of Subodhi's sea of consciousness. Surprised, Subodhi realized it was a wisp of Wukong's true spirit, and joy welled up in his heart.
Though weak, this wisp of true spirit was brimming with vitality, filling Subodhi with great joy.
The people on Lingshan gazed at the direction of his departure, their expressions varying.
This earth-shattering battle had temporarily drawn to a close, but Subodhi's Journey to the West had only just begun...