That world-shaking melee that erupted at Lingshan was finally temporarily quelled under the deterrence of the mysterious light.
However, Subodhi's determination to seek justice for his beloved disciple remained as steadfast and brilliant as the eternal stars, never wavering in the slightest.
Leaving Lingshan behind, Subodhi resolutely set out on the long journey of the Journey to the West.
His expression was as cold and stern as frost, his heart filled with endless concern for his disciple, Wukong.
On this day, he traveled alone to a desolate mountain ridge.
The surroundings were as quiet as if forgotten by the world, save for the occasional breeze that swept past like a ghost whispering, making a subtle and eerie sound.
Suddenly, an extremely eerie gust of wind howled past like an evil demon's roar.
The mountain-sized figure of the Demon God Qiongqi suddenly materialized in the darkness.
Evil energy rolled off Qiongqi like billowing black smoke, surging violently.
It grinned wildly, its voice seeming to come from the abyss of hell: "Subodhi, quickly hand over Wukong's true spirit, and perhaps I can spare your pathetic life!"
Subodhi let out a cold snort, his gaze as cold and sharp as a winter star: "With mere trash like you, you actually dare attempt to block this Patriarch's path? Pure daydreaming!"
With that, with a wave of his hand, a mighty and majestic powerful spell—as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth splitting apart—erupted with a crash, blasting straight toward Qiongqi like an angry dragon.
Qiongqi sidestepped in a flash, its twin claws lashing out fiercely like bolts of black lightning.
In an instant, it engaged Subodhi in a thrilling, life-or-death battle.
On Qiongqi's claws, black demonic flames burned fiercely, each strike seeming to tear the void apart into endless Hundun.
Yet Subodhi's expression remained calm and composed, his figure shifting unpredictably like a phantom as he skillfully evaded Qiongqi's ferocious and tempestuous attacks.
His hands formed seals at lightning speed, sending radiant runes carrying world-destroying power shooting outward like falling stars.
After a fierce and grueling battle, Qiongqi gradually began to show signs of defeat. Suddenly, it opened its maw wide and spewed out a thick, ink-like black poisonous fog that seemed capable of devouring everything.
Caught off guard for a moment, Subodhi was instantly and completely enveloped by the toxic mist.
"Ha, let's see how you put on a brave face now!" Qiongqi cackled with utter triumph. The sound echoed through the valley, making one's hair stand on end.
Yet how could Subodhi be defeated so easily?
He immediately channeled his magic power, and dazzling light—as bright as the blazing sun—suddenly burst forth from his entire body, dispersing the poisonous fog into thin air in the blink of an eye.
Immediately after, he pressed his palms together and began chanting incantations under his breath, sounding like a low Buddhist chant.
A huge golden magic seal descended from the sky, carrying the momentum to crush everything in its path, and smashed fiercely down toward Qiongqi with the overwhelming force of Mount Tai.
Too slow to dodge, Qiongqi let out a miserable scream and fled in injury like a kite with a broken string.
Without a moment's rest, Subodhi pressed on. Before long, he encountered the Demon God Taotie.
No sooner had Taotie appeared than it opened its blood-all-devouring maw, spewing billowing black flames.
The surrounding air was instantly scorched and distorted, as if space itself was about to melt.
Subodhi's gaze was as cold as frost, his hands dancing rapidly to instantly trace a mysterious magic array.
The array burst into brilliant light, rising like a golden sun to form an incomparably solid shield that completely blocked the black flames.
Seeing this, Taotie let out a furious roar, its massive, hill-like body lunging forward with the force of an avalanche to crash straight into Subodhi.
Subodhi flicked his figure, dodging the ferocious impact as easily as a wisp of smoke.
Refusing to give up, Taotie lashed out with sharp claws accompanied by fierce gales capable of tearing the firmament apart.
Subodhi sidestepped to avoid them, a fly whisk instantly appearing in his hand, which he whipped forcefully toward Taotie's claws like a nimble snake.
The fly whisk collided with the claws with a deafening crash, sparks scattering like fireworks.
Stung by the pain, Taotie attacked with even greater madness, like a beast driven to frenzy.
Its massive tail swept horizontally, whipping up a violent gale in whose wake mountain rocks shattered and split.
Subodhi leaped into the air, chanting a mysterious incantation as countless golden rays shot from his body, raining down upon Taotie like a dense meteor shower.
Though struck by the light and covered in horrifying, bone-deep wounds, Taotie remained fiercely tenacious, like an indomitable beast of prey.
It opened its maw and spewed a powerful wave of black energy. This energy surged like a black tsunami, rushing menacingly toward Subodhi.
Subodhi pressed his palms together, and huge runes instantly materialized before him. Glowing with a mysterious light, the runes effortlessly absorbed and neutralized the energy wave.
"Taotie, you stubborn beast, you are blind to reason. Could it be that you truly believe this Patriarch cannot thoroughly subdue you?"
Subodhi shouted in a voice like a great bell, his momentum soaring abruptly until he resembled an invincible god of war.
Amidst the fierce combat, Subodhi perceived that although Taotie was inherently evil and gluttonous, it possessed extraordinary innate talents. If properly guided, it might yet become a major asset.
Thus, Subodhi unleashed a powerful divine ability, his fly whisk blooming with dazzling light that intertwined to form a massive barrier, trapping Taotie securely within.
Taotie struggled desperately inside the barrier, yet proved utterly unable to break free from this inescapable net.
"Taotie, if you are willing to follow me on the Journey to the West, turn over a new leaf, and reform your ways, I can spare your life and take you as a disciple."
Subodhi spoke with majestic authority, his voice brimming with irresistible power.
Though reluctant in its heart, Taotie ultimately submitted under Subodhi's overpowering pressure: "This disciple is willing to heed Master's teachings."
Bestowing upon it the Dao name "Sha Wujing", Subodhi led it onward.
At that moment, the sky was covered with heavy, ink-stained clouds, lightning flashing and thunder rolling as if the end of the world had arrived.
The Demon God Qiongqi fell from the sky, sneering viciously: "Subodhi, today you shall not fly away!"
Faced with the joint siege of multiple demon gods, Subodhi's pressure increased drastically, yet his conviction grew even firmer than iron: "I am determined to resurrect Wukong, and no one shall stop me from eradicating Buddhism and propagating the Dao!"
With a wave of his hand, he executed the Hundun Divine Art, unleashing a mighty power like a volcanic eruption that temporarily drove back Qiongqi.
Yet before he could even catch his breath, more demon gods followed on each other's heels, flooding in like a tidal wave.
Gritting his teeth, Subodhi plunged once more into the fierce battle, like a warrior trapped in a desperate plight who would never utter the word defeat.
He knew full well that the Journey to the West was fraught with countless perils and obstacles, yet he would not retreat so much as half a step; even if mountains of blades and seas of fire lay ahead, he would march straight on.
Amidst the fierce combat, Subodhi was suddenly struck by an epiphany and decided to split his Three Corpses.
The first was the Good Corpse, Wutian. Surrounded by Buddhist light, Wutian possessed unfathomable Buddhist dharma and peerless Buddhist-Dao power.
Subodhi secretly transmitted a voice message to Wutian, ordering him to infiltrate the Buddhist Sect and bide his time.
The second was the Evil Corpse, the Sword God Li Chungang. Qi soared from Li Chungang in a tangle of swordsmanship, his sword intent piercing the firmament, and his comprehension of the Dao of the Sword reached the ultimate peak. Subodhi sent him to travel across the heavens and myriad realms, propagating the Dao and imparting teachings.
The third was the Free Corpse, Kong Zhongni. Surrounded by a vast, righteous aura of Confucianism, possessing a benevolent heart and virtue, Kong Zhongni's attainments in the Dao of Confucianism were transcendent and saintly. Subodhi commanded him to travel to the mortal realm to preach and propagate the righteous path.
Having made these arrangements, Subodhi continued his bitter battle against the demon gods.
At that very moment, Nuwa suddenly manifested.
With a complex expression and worry and helplessness in her beautiful eyes, she said, "Fellow Daoist Subodhi, your forcible interference with Wukong's destiny has already constituted a grave mistake.
Yet, mindful of your deep master-disciple bond, I am willing to lend you a hand." As she spoke, she gently waved her slender hand, executing a divine ability. Brilliant light flashed, beating back a host of demon gods.
Subodhi cupped his fists and said, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Nuwa."
Nuwa shook her head lightly, her robes fluttering as she resembled a fairy descending to the mortal realm: "The path ahead is perilous; take care of yourself." With those words, her figure dissolved like a dream or a phantom illusion.
Subodhi pressed on, and before long, he encountered a chaotic immortal estate.
An eerie aura permeated the grotto-heaven, seeming to conceal endless secrets and dangers.
He stepped inside cautiously, every step fraught with vigilance.
No sooner had he entered than an eerie voice reached his ears, whispering like a ghost: "Subodhi, you have finally come."
A dark figure slowly materialized—it was none other than the leader of the demon gods, Luo Hou.
Luo Hou sneered, his voice seeming to come from the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds: "Today, don't even dream of leaving here alive."
Subodhi showed not a trace of fear, proclaiming aloud: "If you have the ability, bring it on! What reason does this Patriarch have to fear you!"
The two sides instantly clashed in a thrilling battle, light flashing and spells colliding as the entire grotto-heaven shook.
Luo Hou possessed formidable strength, every move fatal and every strike imbued with destructive power.
Subodhi exerted his utmost strength to parry him, his figure moving like lightning and his spells surging like a tide.
Just as Subodhi began to feel exhausted, one of his split Three Corpses, Li Chungang, suddenly appeared holding a precious sword. Sword qi surged across ninety thousand miles, casting a cold gleam over three thousand provinces with a single stroke.
Li Chungang shouted, "Sword, come!"
The sound shook the nine heavens, and countless precious swords appeared out of thin air, charging toward Luo Hou with fierce sword qi.
With the two of them joining forces, Luo Hou gradually fell into a disadvantage and ultimately fled in injury.
Subodhi and Li Chungang smiled at each other and continued their Journey to the West.
Walking along, they arrived at a bustling town.
Thinking they could rest and recuperate here, they unexpectedly found it hidden with profound mysteries.
As it turned out, this town was controlled by the Demon God Houyi.
Houyi's archery was supernatural and elusive, every single arrow carrying a fatal threat.
As Subodhi walked along, a hidden arrow whistled toward him like a shooting star.
Sidestepping to dodge it, he shouted angrily, "Houyi, you despicable villain!"
Houyi manifested, his sneer tinged with ruthlessness: "Little brat Subodhi, hand over the Dao essence soul, or today shall be your day of death!"
With that, ten thousand arrows were fired simultaneously, the rain of arrows blotting out the sun like a swarm of locusts.
Subodhi and Li Chungang hurried to respond, magical lights flashing as they fended off the barrage of arrows.
Just as they were hard-pressed to cope, Kong Zhongni arrived with his Confucian disciples to assist.
Kong Zhongni shouted aloud, "Righteousness shall prevail over evil! Little Houyi, cease your arrogance!"
His voice was sonorous and filled with the spirit of justice.
With Kong Zhongni's aid, the tide of battle turned.
Seeing that the situation was turning against him, Houyi attempted to flee.
Taotie launched a ferocious attack, blocking his retreat path.
"Well done, Sha Wujing."
How could Subodhi let him escape? He then unleashed a powerful spell, radiating brilliant light that trapped Houyi securely.
Houyi pleaded for mercy: "Patriarch, spare my life!"
Subodhi sternly declared, "No mercy for you! An archer like you trying to play at murder and plunder—you must suffer punishment!"
Ultimately, Houyi was subdued and sealed within Subodhi's miniature world—the Bodhi Realm.
The group continued their Journey to the West, and before traveling far, they stepped into a mysterious marsh.
Miasma filled the marsh like thick black ink, and the surroundings were chillingly quiet, as if countless unknown terrors were concealed within.
Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out as a gigantic nine-headed bird rushed out from the miasma, lunging straight toward Subodhi and his companions.
"This is the nine-headed bird Xiangliu! Its venom is extremely virulent, everyone be careful!" Kong Zhongni shouted a warning, his voice urgent.
Subodhi's gaze narrowed, and the magic in his hand blazed with radiant light as he prepared to meet the enemy, the light as dazzling as the sun at high noon.
Taotie leaped forward and bit off one of Xiangliu's heads, chewing greedily and swallowing it into its belly.
Screaming in rage, Xiangliu spewed venom from its remaining eight heads, blotting out the sky as the poison poured down like a torrential rainstorm.
Taotie roared, "Master, I'll help you!" With that, unleashing the Demon God Power, it bit off yet another of Xiangliu's heads and continued to devour it.
Yet Xiangliu was immensely powerful, and its seven remaining heads spewed raging karmic fire, plunging the group into gradual peril.
At that critical moment, immortal music drifted from the sky, melodious and pleasing to the ear as a fairy arrived riding colorful clouds.
"I am a fairy under the command of the Queen Mother of the West, here specially to offer assistance."
Wielding the colorful ribbon in her hand—which was as brilliant as a rainbow and radiated auspicious light—the fairy neutralized Xiangliu's venom one stream at a time.
With the fairy's aid, the group joined forces and finally drove Xiangliu back.
The fairy under the Queen Mother of the West smiled: "The road ahead is long; I hope the Old Patriarch will exercise caution." With those words, she drifted away, her figure as illusory as a dream.
After a brief rest, Subodhi and the others once again set foot on the Journey to the West.
Not long into their journey, they arrived at the banks of the turbulent Yellow River.
The river water surged and roared like ten thousand galloping horses, seeming to devour everything in its path.
Just as they were pondering how to cross the river, towering waves reared up from the water, and a massive figure emerged from the depths—it was none other than the Water God Gonggong.
With eyes wide in anger, Gonggong roared loudly, "Little brat Subodhi, unless you hand over Sun Wukong's true spirit, don't even dream of crossing this river!"
With a solemn expression, Subodhi said in a deep voice, "Gonggong, this river is the lifeblood of all living beings in the world. For you to obstruct us thus violates the Heavenly Dao."
Gonggong burst into loud laughter: "You are truly naive!
Sun Wukong is the Child of the Dao, and the Buddhist Sect's Journey to the West is nothing more than bestowing the power of the Dao essence soul. The Dao of this realm is incomplete, and if we wish to break through to the Dao Realm, we can only devour the Dao essence soul. With me here today, you shall not pass!"
Subodhi thought to himself: *When I used to read novels, it never said Sun Wukong was the Child of the Dao. Then again, 'Sequel to Journey to the West' seemed to say he was the boneless sarira.*
With that, Gonggong waved his hands, and the river water instantly transformed into countless water arrows, shooting toward Subodhi like a rainstorm.
Subodhi formed hand seals, and a golden shield materialized before him, shining with dazzling light to block the water arrows entirely.
Seeing this, Gonggong stepped upon the waves, moving like lightning as he charged toward Subodhi.
A massive water whip condensed in his hand, which he lashed viciously toward Subodhi.
Subodhi sidestepped to dodge it, the light in his hand transforming into a long sword that clashed against Gonggong's water whip, sending countless splashes flying like blooming fireworks.
The two exchanged blows back and forth, locked in an evenly matched and intensely fierce battle.
Gonggong's water power was inexhaustible, every attack surging with the momentum of an erupting tsunami.
Subodhi responded with nimble footwork and powerful spells, not falling behind in the least as he strolled leisurely.
As the battle dragged on, Gonggong grew increasingly frantic, roaring as the surrounding river water formed a massive vortex attempting to suck Subodhi in.
With a steadfast gaze, Subodhi chanted incantations under his breath, causing mysterious runes to emerge that resisted the vortex's suction.
"Gonggong, do not ruin yourself! The Dao essence soul is sheer nonsense; you and I had no prior enmity, why be so persistent?"
Subodhi shouted aloud, his voice filled with majesty.
At that moment, Gonggong suddenly flashed behind Subodhi and threw a punch.
Reacting with extreme speed, Subodhi whirled around and delivered a palm strike that collided with Gonggong's fist with a resounding crash, causing the surrounding air to vibrate like a sudden thunderclap.
Subodhi thought: *This Gonggong's strength is passable. The path of eradicating Buddhism and propagating the Dao is fraught with danger; subduing him will save a lot of trouble later on.*
Having said that, he transmitted his voice to the Free Corpse and the Evil Corpse, setting up the Heaven-Earth-Man Three Immortals Array, which shone with brilliant and formidable power.
Li Chungang gave a light shout: "Sword, come!"
Instantly, flying swords filled the sky, surrounding Gonggong as countless terrifying, ultimate sword qis bound him. The sword qi was fierce enough to chill the soul.
Golden light surged around Kong Zhongni as he chanted under his breath: "At human birth, the nature is good..."
In an instant, a powerful wave of spiritual energy rushed toward Gonggong—who was suppressed by the sword might—its boundless majesty shaking the heart.
Subodhi descended from the sky, chanting: "The Dao that can be trodden is not the enduring and unchanging Dao..."
The might of the Dao pressed down from above, carrying terrifying, ultimate Dao lightning that struck Gonggong's body amidst roaring thunder and dazzling light.
"Little brat Subodhi, Dao Ancestor, Patriarch Subodhi, this subordinate dares no more! I submit, I am willing to follow you on the Journey to the West."
Gonggong pleaded, his voice filled with fear and awe.
Subodhi smiled: "Very well. From this day forward, you are my fourth disciple, with the Dao name Miefo (Extinguishing Buddha)."
The group continued their Journey to the West until, one day, they arrived at an eerie valley.
An eccentric aura permeated the valley, making one's hair stand on end as if stepping into a netherworld.
No sooner had they entered the valley than countless dark figures swarmed from all directions, drifting unpredictably like ghosts.
Taking a closer look, they saw a horde of demonic entities, led by a thousand-year-old Centipede Spirit.
The Centipede Spirit hissed: "Little brat Subodhi, I hear your true form is a bodhi seed—an innate spiritual root whose flesh and blood can greatly increase one's magic power. Today I shall taste a bodhi fruit! Haha, today shall be the burial ground for all of you!"
Subodhi sneered: "Mere monsters, how dare you utter such wild arrogance!"
The two sides instantly erupted into battle, lights intersecting and spells roaring.
Disciples like Taotie and Gonggong also unleashed their divine abilities, engaging the demons in a chaotic melee amid battle cries that shook the heavens.
Just as the battle reached a stalemate, a sharp bird cry resounded from the sky.
A gigantic Golden-Winged Great Roc descended from the heavens to join the fray.
"Haha, today is truly a feast; all of you shall become food in my belly!" the Golden-Winged Great Roc laughed wildly, its voice steeped in greed.
Subodhi knitted his brows, knowing this was yet another grueling battle.
Yet showing not a trace of fear, he shouted aloud: "Cease your arrogance, and watch how I subdue the lot of you!"
For a time, magical lights intersected, the valley roared incessantly, and the earth shook.