Chapter 2: Three Realms Tremble! The Veil Over Ling Shan Is Torn Apart!

The blood letter from Ling Shan not only shattered the floor tiles of Da Lei Yin Si.

It also spread like it had grown wings, instantly reaching all Six Paths of the Three Realms!

Heavenly Court.

Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

The Jade Emperor was bored, watching a celestial maiden dance.

Suddenly.

The Haotian Mirror violently shook, projecting a beam of blood light.

It was exactly the tragic scene of Ling Shan's Da Lei Yin Si at that moment.

When the blood characters in the sky were seen clearly, and the phrase "Where is my disciple Sun Wukong?" was heard.

Puff—

The Jade Emperor just swallowed a mouthful of jade nectar, then spewed it out, dousing Tai Bai Jin Xing beside him.

But he had no time to wipe his mouth, his eyes bulging like copper bells, and he immediately burst into an earth‑shaking laugh:

Hahaha—!

Good! Good!

Old Tathagata, you have your day too!

The Jade Emperor laughed until tears welled up, then slapped the armrest of his dragon throne.

I've long found those bald donkeys unsightly!

All day they hang compassion on their lips, yet behind the scenes they commit those deeds—do they really think I'm blind?

From the start with the True and False Monkey King, I sensed something was off.

That monkey was so arrogant—how could he suddenly become so obedient, like a puppet?

So… he was really killed long ago!

Tai Bai Jin Xing, wiping wine from his face, cautiously drew near:

Your Majesty, speak carefully.

If this gets out, will our Heavenly Court also have to… after all, that monkey once caused a ruckus in the Heavenly Palace, and we merely played along…

The Jade Emperor's face hardened, then he let out a cold snort:

What are you afraid of?

It was Tathagata who killed Sun Wukong, and Guanyin who swapped in the Six-Eared Macaque for the pilgrimage.

I am merely a spectator!

Now Bodhi comes knocking, grievances have cause and debts have owners; smashing his Da Lei Yin Si is just smashing it, what does it have to do with my Lingxiao Hall?

At that, a glint of schadenfreude flashed in the Jade Emperor's eyes.

Issue my decree!

From now on, close the Nan Tian Men, and activate the Zhou Tian Star Array!

They call it… to prevent demonic Qi from leaking, to safeguard the Heavenly Court!

In fact… no one is allowed to aid Ling Shan! I will enjoy this grand drama!

…

Meanwhile.

In the mortal realm, Jili Mountain.

Niu Mo Wang is drinking stale wine in his cave dwelling.

Since that parting at Flaming Mountain, he was captured and taken to Ling Shan; although he has been released now, his former vigor is long gone.

Suddenly.

A blood‑colored transmission talisman exploded in the air.

Niu Mo Wang was stunned.

He stared at the message, and hot tears instantly welled up in his huge bull eyes.

I knew it…

I knew it!

Niu Mo Wang sprang to his feet, flipping the wine table before him.

I kept saying that monkey changed his temperament!

Back then, when we swore brotherhood, how joyous were the Seven Great Saints!

That old Seventh may have been a scoundrel, heartless, but he kept his loyalty! He is a true hero!

Later on the pilgrimage, that… who was that?

He was a servant who only recited sutras, only kowtowed, only called for the Master to rescue him!

He was a fake!

Niu Mo Wang let out a long, skyward howl, his voice filled with utmost grief.

Old Seventh! Brother wrongly blamed you!

So you died long ago!

Died unjustly!

At this moment.

Not only Niu Mo Wang.

Zhenyuan Great Immortal of Wuzhuang Temple stroked his beard and sighed, "What a pity for a pure heart."

Er Lang Shen Yang Jian of Guanjiangkou wiped his double‑edged three‑pointed blade, sneering, "I wondered why that monkey later couldn't even defeat me; turns out he's a counterfeit."

All the mighty beings of the Three Realms boiled over at this moment.

The plot of the True and False Monkey King was like a fig leaf, ruthlessly torn apart by that blood‑stained letter.

Everyone was watching the joke.

Watching the joke of Ling Shan.

Watching the joke of Rulai Buddha.

……

At this moment.

The rear hall of Da Lei Yin Si.

The Six‑Eared Macaque huddled in the corner, his whole body shaking like chaff in a sieve.

His brocade monk's robe was soaked through.

That was cold sweat.

"Buddha Patriarch… Buddha Patriarch, save me!"

The Six‑Eared Macaque saw the Rulai Buddha walking in, fell to his knees with a thud, and clung to the Buddha's thigh.

"Didn't you say it was foolproof?"

"Didn't you say that Bodhi Patriarch had long hidden away, a timid coward?"

"He's here! He's coming to kill me!"

"That aura… is too terrifying! More terrifying than that blow back then!"

The Rulai Buddha looked down at the miserable Six‑Ears, a flicker of disgust crossing his eyes.

This monkey, after all, is merely a substitute.

He lacks the backbone of the Spirit‑Stone Monkey, and also the spirituality born of heaven and earth.

But now, this is the face of Fómén.

Moreover, it is the key to the completion of the Journey to the West calamity; it cannot be lost.

Rulai Buddha drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the unease in his heart, and spoke in a low voice:

"What's there to panic about!"

"You are the Victorious Fighting Buddha, a fruition recognized by the Heavenly Dao!"

"This is Ling Shan! It is my Western Pure Land!"

"There is the foundation left by the Two Saints, guarded by the Myriad Buddha Formation."

Although the Rulai Buddha was comforting the Six‑Ears, his tone betrayed a hint of guilt he himself did not notice.

He paused, then continued:

"Although Bodhi is mysterious, he has hidden away for far too long."

"Now the Heavenly Dao sides with Buddhism, and fortune lies in the West."

"If he dares to appear in his true form, that is defying Heaven!"

"Furthermore…"

The Rulai Buddha narrowed his eyes, gazing toward the western horizon, where two faint auras of Saints lay dormant.

"Behind this Ling Shan, it is not just me alone."

"Even if Bodhi is strong, can he really surpass the Heavenly Dao? Can he surpass a Saint?"

Upon hearing the two words "Saint,"

the Six‑Eared Macaque felt slightly relieved.

Yeah.

"Behind Fómén there are two true Saints!"

"At most Bodhi is just a peak Quasi‑Saint; could he even overturn the heavens?"

"Right… right!"

"I am the Victorious Fighting Buddha!"

"I have the protection of Fómén!"

"He dares not kill me! He absolutely dares not!"

The Six‑Eared Macaque climbed up from the ground, forcing out a grim smile to bolster his courage.

However.

Just as his words fell,

a faint voice suddenly sounded in his ear, in the Rulai Buddha's ear, and in the ears of everyone in Da Lei Yin Si.

That voice was very soft.

It was as light as a breeze brushing over a hill.

But the chill within it instantly collapsed the Six‑Eared Macaque's newly erected mental defense.

"Who told you…"

"I have never become a Saint?"