Chapter 723: Helping the Buddhist Sect

Master also doesn't want to speak for the Buddhist Sect, but Master owes the Buddhist Sect a favor, so I must help them this once. Just this once, I hope you can do Master this favor and escort Tang Sanzang to the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures.

Hearing Patriarch Bodhi's plea, Sun Wukong's facial expression kept changing. The faint black aura emanating from him shows his mind is not calm at the moment.

Sun Wukong pondered for a long time. Finally, he made a decision.

He looked at Patriarch Bodhi and said solemnly, "Master, when you taught me the Dao back then, I keep this favor in my heart. To repay your kindness, I agree to escort Tang Sanzang to the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures. But Master, helping the Buddhist Sect is only this once. If you bring it up again next time, I won't be happy!"

Hearing Sun Wukong say that, Patriarch Bodhi's mood became somewhat complex. After a moment of silence, he said, "Wukong, rest assured, this is the only time; there will definitely not be a next time."

Sun Wukong nodded and said to Patriarch Bodhi, "Master, let me make this clear upfront: I am only responsible for protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures. Acting as his disciple is absolutely out of the question. Moreover, if anything happens on the road, I won't listen to Tang Sanzang; I will handle things according to my own wishes."

Regarding Sun Wukong's request, Patriarch Bodhi had no objection. He nodded and said, "Wukong, as long as you guarantee Tang Sanzang's safety and let him reach the Western Heaven safely, that's enough. For other matters, you may act as you see fit."

After reaching an agreement with Sun Wukong, Patriarch Bodhi and Sun Wukong exchanged a few words of old times, then left.

After Patriarch Bodhi left, the Six-Eared Macaque said to Sun Wukong, "Wukong, you really plan to protect Tang Sanzang? You are a mighty Quasi-Sage Powerhouse; guarding a mere mortal like Tang Sanzang would be far beneath your status!"

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Six-Eared Brother, I merely promised Master to ensure Tang Sanzang doesn't die; I have no other intentions. This trip, I'll just treat it as a leisurely outing—nothing serious."

Hearing Sun Wukong say that, the Six-Eared Macaque nodded and said, "All right, Wukong, if you have any matters, remember to contact me."

After finishing his talk with the Six-Eared Macaque, Sun Wukong somersaulted on a cloud and instantly arrived at the place where Tang Sanzang was. This location is a temple near the ruins of Two Boundaries Mountain.

When Sun Wukong descended from the sky, everyone in the temple was startled. Tang Sanzang recognized Sun Wukong, and after recovering from his fright, he stammered, "You… you are the monkey demon imprisoned under Five Fingers Mountain by Buddha! I've been waiting here for a long time, and you have finally come. Great, I can now continue my westward journey to seek the scriptures!"

"'The monkey demon imprisoned under Five Fingers Mountain by Buddha?' Upon hearing Tang Sanzang's words, Sun Wukong's face darkened, his eyes revealing displeasure."

With a "Boom," the As-You-Wish Golden Hooped Staff smashed heavily onto the ground, as if an earthquake had occurred, causing the ground to shake violently. Tang Sanzang lost his balance in the tremor and fell sitting on the ground.

Sun Wukong's eyes flashed with menace as he gripped the As-You-Wish Golden Hooped Staff and pointed it at Tang Sanzang, saying, "You bald donkey, if you dare mention the Five Fingers Mountain again, don't blame me for being rude!"

Tang Sanzang trembled with fear from Sun Wukong's words and hurriedly said, "I won't say it, I won't say it…"

Then, Tang Sanzang seemed to recall something and said to Sun Wukong, "Right, the Bodhisattva previously told me that you are the disciple arranged for me by Buddha…"

Sun Wukong again set the As-You-Wish Golden Hooped Staff down on the ground. With a "Boom…," the entire temple instantly collapsed.

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang was frightened nearly senseless. After displaying such strength, Sun Wukong said to Tang Sanzang, "Bald donkey, with you alone, you're not even qualified to be my disciple! I'm only doing this out of respect for my Master, to serve as your scripture guardian. I will protect you and keep other demons from harming you. But if you dare call me your disciple again, I'll beat you to death with a single staff!"

"I understand, I understand…" Tang Sanzang nodded shakily in agreement.

His heart felt extremely bitter. Guanyin Bodhisattva wasn't giving him an assistant; it was clearly giving him an ancestor! Sun Wukong is too ferocious!

Tang Sanzang was utterly unwilling to travel with Sun Wukong, but there was no choice. Without Sun Wukong, he could not reach the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures. Thus, Tang Sanzang could only nervously set out on the scripture-seeking journey together with Sun Wukong.

After setting out, Tang Sanzang grew increasingly gloomy. Though he was merely an ordinary mortal, walking on flat ground was fine, but when encountering mountain paths he could only lead his horse forward with difficulty. Sun Wukong, however, sat leisurely on a white cloud, utterly carefree.

Without comparison, there is no harm. Compared to Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang's heart held only bitterness.

Just as Tang Sanzang struggled forward, the Little White Dragon from Shepan Mountain Yingchou Gully gazed at the azure sky, filled with sorrow.

Think of Ao Lie: he was originally the Third Prince of the West Sea, of extremely noble birth. Moreover, he was a genius rare in ten thousand years among the Dragon Clan, having actually awakened the Triple Ancestor Dragon Bloodline! Know that even in the Honghuang era, awakening even a trace of Primordial Dragon Blood would already be considered a genius. How much more so now, when the Dragon Clan has declined to an extreme degree.

The Four Seas Dragon Kings valued Ao Lie greatly; to continue his excellent bloodline, they early on arranged a marriage for him. Ao Lie was to marry the daughter of the Myriad Saints Dragon King, the Myriad Saints Princess, a renowned beauty in the Dragon Clan, whom Ao Lie also cherished dearly.

However……

However, Ao Lie actually discovered that the Myriad Saints Princess was secretly colluding with a monster called the Nine-Headed Snake!

Ao Lie instantly flew into a rage, setting fire to the bridal chamber the West Sea Dragon King had painstakingly prepared for him, burning it to ashes. Who could have predicted that the blaze would spiral out of control, spreading to the main hall and even consuming the Night-Shining Pearl bestowed upon him by the Jade Emperor!

Now look at that: the fate of the once noble Little White Dragon Ao Lie underwent a drastic upheaval in an instant, ending in a miserable plight!

This ordeal is truly tragic and lamentable!

Ao Lie looked back on the past, heaved a deep sigh, and said, "Although Guanyin Bodhisattva saved my life, I was forced to surrender my Dragon Pearl and henceforth submit to the Buddhist Sect. Moreover, I, the exalted Third Prince of the West Sea, am now reduced to a white horse serving as a mount for an ordinary mortal! Alas, if the Primordial Dragon Ancestor were still alive, how could he tolerate others bullying our Dragon Clan like this?"

Ao Lie's heart was filled with longing for the glorious ages of the ancient Dragon Clan. But no matter how he yearned for it, that was merely a thing of the past.

The Primordial Dragon, in order to perpetuate the Dragon Clan's bloodline and eternally guard the seas, has long since completely perished. Now the Dragon Clan lacks a powerful guardian and can only be bullied and slaughtered at others' whim!

After sighing thus, Ao Lie slowly closed his eyes, hoping to escape this harsh reality through sleep. But little did he expect that, upon entering the dream realm as the Little White Dragon, he would be astonished to find himself in a vast, unfamiliar space.

In this space there was a winding staircase that stretched upward without end. At its base stood a massive stone tablet inscribed with the six golden characters 'Holy Court Trial Staircase'.

When the Little White Dragon gazed at the tablet, he felt an immense, boundless pressure surge from those six golden characters, making his whole body tremble and nearly causing him to collapse in a sorry state. Had he not promptly averted his gaze, he would surely have been unable to bear it.

"'What place is this exactly?' the Little White Dragon's heart brimmed with bewilderment."

Just then, a man clad in a golden robe, his whole body emanating a chilling, domineering aura, appeared before him.

As soon as the golden-robed man appeared, the Little White Dragon's bloodline was subjected to tremendous suppression, and a feeling of deep reverence and worship welled up from the depths of his blood.

"'This feeling…'"

"'Could he… be the Primordial Dragon Ancestor?'"

Although the young Ao Lie had never seen the Primordial Dragon, that wonderful sensation in his bloodline cannot be deceived!

Relying on the bloodline connection, the Little White Dragon could determine that the golden-robed man before him was indeed the Primordial Dragon, the ancestor of the Dragon Clan!

"'Wasn't the Primordial Dragon Ancestor supposed to have perished in ancient times? Why am I seeing him in my dream? What on earth is going on?!' The Little White Dragon's heart churned like an overturning river, utterly shocked."

But now the Primordial Dragon Ancestor was right before his eyes, and the Little White Dragon had no leisure to think further.

"'Plop…'"

He immediately knelt before the Primordial Dragon Ancestor and performed the great kowtow, saying, "Junior Ao Lie, I pay my respects to the Primordial Dragon Ancestor!"

The Primordial Dragon lightly nodded and said to the Little White Dragon, "Ao Lie, rise."

Upon hearing that, the Little White Dragon stood up, full of doubt, and asked the Primordial Dragon Ancestor, "Primordial Dragon Ancestor, junior Ao Lie, my heart is filled with confusion; I truly do not know what has happened to bring me here to see you. I dare to hope that the Primordial Dragon Ancestor can dispel my doubts for me."

Seeing the Little White Dragon's puzzled expression, the Primordial Dragon began to explain, "Ao Lie, the strangest thing in your mind should be: though I have long since perished, why would I suddenly appear in your dream? Actually, I have recently been resurrected!"

The Primordial Dragon Ancestor… resurrected?!

Upon hearing the Primordial Dragon's words, the Little White Dragon could scarcely believe his ears. The greatest being in Dragon Clan history—the Primordial Dragon Ancestor—had actually been resurrected?

If this is true, does it mean that the days of the Dragon Clan suffering oppression are finally coming to an end?!

The Little White Dragon's heart surged with excitement!

Before, he had dreamed countless times of the Primordial Dragon returning to the Dragon Clan, leading it to regain its former glory. But that was merely a phantom dream.

But now, through the bloodline connection, the Little White Dragon can be absolutely certain that the Primordial Dragon appearing before him is not a figment of his imagination, but a real existence!

The Little White Dragon was momentarily dazed.

Afterwards, he excitedly said to Ancestor Zu Long: "Ancestor Zu Long, you don't know, in these days when you were absent, our dragon clan has suffered endless humiliation! Our dragon clan's supreme treasure, the Dragon Transformation Pool, was seized by the Buddhist Sect, and our kin have become food for immortals and gods! Even I, a junior, am about to be executed just for inadvertently burning a night pearl that the Jade Emperor gave to the West Sea! Ancestor Zu Long, please appear quickly and save the dragon clan!"

Upon hearing Xiao Bailong's words, Ancestor Zu Long's eyes flashed with a chilling gleam.

How could his dragon clan tolerate being bullied by others? He will soon settle this score with the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court!

But for now…

Ancestor Zu Long collected himself and said to Xiao Bailong: "Ao Lie, I am fully aware of the dragon clan's current situation. The Buddhist Sect and Heavenly Court dare to bully the dragon clan; I will soon make them pay the price they deserve! However, right now, your matter is more urgent!"

My matter?

Hearing Ancestor Zu Long's words, Xiao Bailong couldn't help but stare in surprise.

What could he possibly have that is more important than the rise and fall of the dragon clan?

Xiao Bailong's mind was filled with confusion; he looked doubtfully at Ancestor Zu Long and asked: "Ancestor Zu Long, what could a junior like me possibly have that would make you so concerned?"

Seeing Xiao Bailong's puzzled expression, Ancestor Zu Long replied: "Ao Lie, I told you before, this place is called the Holy Court Trial Space. Seeing your puzzled look, you probably don't understand what this name signifies… Let me tell you, it is the Holy Court that resurrected me! Not only me, but Emperor Di Jun was also resurrected by the Holy Court!"

Upon hearing Ancestor Zu Long's words, Xiao Bailong's heart was shaken to the core, and he couldn't help but exclaim: "Ancestor, what kind of organization is this Holy Court, to be so formidable!"

Seeing Xiao Bailong ask about the Holy Court, Ancestor Zu Long's expression instantly turned to utter awe: "Ao Lie, the Holy Court's might is such that even I am amazed! To put it without exaggeration, there is nothing in the world that the Holy Court cannot do! The Holy Court is truly mysterious and immensely powerful! Even a sage may not necessarily have the chance to join the Holy Court! Ao Lie, you are extremely fortunate to have the possibility of joining the Holy Court!"

Can anything in the world be done?

Not even a sage can necessarily join?

Ancestor Zu Long's description of the Holy Court left Xiao Bailong's mind and spirit shaken.

Such a powerful organization, and I actually have a chance to join it?

Xiao Bailong only felt his head buzzing, as if he were in a dream.

He struggled to steady his mind.

After a moment, Xiao Bailong said to Ancestor Zu Long: "Ancestor Zu Long, you previously said this place is called the Holy Court Trial Space… Does that mean that as long as I can pass the trial here, I can join the Holy Court?"

Ancestor Zu Long nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon the imposing Holy Court Trial Staircase before him, and he said slowly: "Exactly! Ao Lie, as long as you can smoothly ascend this trial staircase and successfully reach the Holy Court Hall, you will be qualified to join the Holy Court."

"I solemnly remind you, the Holy Court contains a tremendous opportunity; you must firmly grasp it and never let it slip, otherwise you will surely regret it deeply!"

In fact, even if Ancestor Zu Long did not emphasize it, Xiao Bailong clearly understands in his heart that what lies before him now is an enormous opportunity.

He knows that after Emperor Di Jun's resurrection, he waged war against the Heavenly Court and won a complete victory.

Just imagine, the Holy Court can resurrect Emperor Di Jun, who was capable of defeating the Heavenly Court—what kind of mighty organization must it be!

If I could become a member of the Holy Court just like Ancestor Zu Long and the Yao Emperor Di Jun…

Although Xiao Bailong cannot imagine what earth‑shattering benefits it would bring him, he can be certain of one thing—

His destiny will surely be changed by the Holy Court, and his future will undoubtedly be brilliantly splendid!

Xiao Bailong's eyes shone with determination as he solemnly told Ancestor Zu Long: "Ancestor Zu Long, rest assured, I will give my all and strive to pass the Holy Court Trial Staircase!"

After making his promise to Ancestor Zu Long, Xiao Bailong respectfully bowed and said: "Ancestor Zu Long, I am going to take the trial now……"

Having said that, Xiao Bailong lifted his foot and stepped onto the Holy Court Trial Staircase. (End of chapter)