"This is Shariputra."

In Shuilian Cave, Jin Chanzi handed Shariputra to Sun Wukong.

Gouchen followed closely and apologized to Sun Wukong.

He was unable to stop the Eastern Buddha from taking the little monk, which, despite being unforeseen, was still a regret.

"No matter, this matter does not concern you."

Sun Wukong replied.

"What should we do next?"

The Immortal of Colossal Spirit asked.

"Mind your own duties."

Sun Wukong answered, "When the time is right, I will inform you."

Everyone was stunned and, after retreating from Shuilian Cave, they each discussed this setback.

"I've never heard of Shariputra and a reincarnation existing simultaneously."

Full of curiosity, the Immortal of Colossal Spirit asked Gouchen, "God, who exactly is this World Venerable?"

"I have never heard of him."

Gouchen replied that it must be someone more ancient than himself.

"Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad must know."

"I know as well."

A timid voice answered, and everyone turned to look, finding it was the Tiger Demon King of this journey.

"You know?"

"I read it in this book."

The Tiger Demon King took out a book, and everyone looked at it, seeing the cover boldly titled "Chatty Buddha."

All present fell silent.

"Has the day finally arrived?"

"I always knew Qing Yuanzi was a courageous person!"

"Hurry and see what it says inside!"

Someone urged the Tiger Demon King to open the book, and Gouchen God also looked over.

The first page of the book depicted a giant infant standing tall, with a written introduction below.

——Many, many years ago, Buddha was born on the eighth of April under a midnight star. As soon as he was born, he took seven big steps, then pointed one hand to the sky and the other to the ground, declaring: 'In the heavens above and earth below, I alone am honored!'

Buddha's actions caught the attention of a passing World Venerable: 'This child shall surely become great—'

"What excellent writing!"

The Immortal of Colossal Spirit was overjoyed, "Next year, we'll burn incense for Qing Yuanzi!"

Everyone shook their heads, saying, "No need to wait until next year, let's give him a farewell tomorrow!"

"A true warrior indeed!"

Gouchen praised Qing Yuanzi inwardly.

In Lingshan, Buddha's energy surged.

In the Great Heroic Treasure Hall, Buddha was chanting sutras. The hall was silent, and everyone was watching a little monk in the center.

The scriptures flowing from Buddha's mouth circled him, and together with seven Shariputras emitting golden light, illuminated the monk brilliantly.

"Turns out those seven Shariputras brought by Buddha were to awaken the World Venerable."

Manjusri Bodhisattva said, "I thought he was going to use them himself."

"Not just you."

The other Bodhisattvas said.

Everyone assumed that those Shariputras were tools to enhance Buddha's mana, but they did not expect Buddha to use them to awaken this World Venerable.

The infusion of seven Shariputras into one person aroused the Bodhisattvas' curiosity about his identity.

Everyone watched the little monk at the center of the hall. His flesh absorbed the power of the Shariputras and rapidly transformed into a young man with a fair complexion, visible to the naked eye.

"Amitabha."

He suddenly spoke, opening his eyes. Instantly, Buddha Light shone all around, revealing eyes that had seen much of the world.

Buddha ceased his chanting, "After countless reincarnations, Youpoluo Buddha, welcome back."

"I sought only restful sleep, indifferent to worldly matters across lives. Why have you pulled me back?"

The young man stood and bowed to Tathāgata, "Buddha, long time no see."

"Indeed, it has been a while."

Tathāgata nodded slightly, "I did not wish to disturb you, but the prophesied one has appeared."

"The prophesied one?"

World Venerable was surprised, then seemed to understand, turning to look outside the Great Heroic Treasure Hall.

Boundless Buddha Light gathered before his eyes, and the World Venerable employed his Dharma Eye, seeing the northern Dragon Qi surging, its momentum seeming to tear the sky asunder.

The World Venerable's face showed astonishment.

"The Three Realms… are incubating."

*He was utterly shaken, pondering what could have happened during the eons he spent in slumber.*

"Buddha, why have the Three Realms undergone such vast changes?"

The World Venerable asked.

"A unique anomaly has emerged in the Mortal World."

Tathāgata replied, "He caused chaos in the Heavenly Palace and seized the Heavenly Emperor Jade Seal."

He briefly recounted Sun Wukong's deeds.

The World Venerable listened and could not recover for a long time.

"Such a formidable variable."

Long after, the World Venerable sighed, "How long has that demon monkey emerged?"

"A hundred years."

"A hundred years!"

The World Venerable could not believe his ears.

For Immortals, a hundred years was but the blink of an eye.

In that blink of an eye, Sun Wukong accomplished what could not be achieved in tens of thousands of years?

"What is Sun Wukong's origin?"

The World Venerable asked.

Buddha did not mention Sun Wukong's birth, as there seemed to be nothing noteworthy to say.

"Sun Wukong has no father or mother, born of heaven and earth."

Buddha said.

"Then it is destiny."

The World Venerable said gravely.

Such a heaven- and earth-born being, with such abilities, could not be dealt with easily, as if aided by providence in every action.

"You awakened me, yet I cannot defeat him."

The World Venerable continued.

Though he hailed from beyond the Three Realms, in terms of Divine Skills, he was far inferior to Buddha.

"I wish to borrow the World Venerable's wisdom to handle him."

Tathāgata said.

The World Venerable nodded, "This is easy. What do you wish to know?"

"When I first set foot on Lingshan, you told me not to pursue Jile, as this place is Jile."

Buddha asked, "Is there disaster beyond the Three Realms?"

"Ah, so this is your opportunity to surpass Sun Wukong."

The World Venerable understood.

Buddha could hardly stop Sun Wukong by strength alone, so he must rely on wisdom, and information from beyond the Three Realms might change the situation.

"Your guess is not wrong. Beyond the Three Realms is not peaceful."

The World Venerable answered, "Once people know the truth, they will not side with Sun Wukong."

Buddha nodded, "If that is so, then nothing could be better."

"The Three Realms are a paradise."

The World Venerable continued, "Once outside, all beings turn to ashes. There is disaster beyond, which we cannot contend with."

"What kind of disaster?"

Buddha inquired.

The World Venerable looked at him, "Do you remember your birth?"

"I naturally remember."

Buddha nodded.

"Upon your birth, Buddha Light filled the heavens."

The World Venerable chuckled, "You strode seven paces in the ten directions, pronouncing: 'In the heavens above and earth below, I am supreme, I am victorious, and I will deliver all beings from the suffering of the Three Realms.'"

Laughter arose in the Great Heroic Treasure Hall.

Buddha shot a glance at the assembled Buddhas in the hall, and immediately, no one dared to laugh anymore.

The World Venerable then asked, "Do you know why you spoke those words?"

Buddha was puzzled, "Was there a reason?"

"That reason…"

The World Venerable answered, "is the answer beyond the Three Realms."

"You ask what the disaster is, and I tell you…"

The World Venerable lowered his eyes and said, "That disaster is like all Buddhas embarking on the true path to ultimate enlightenment…"

Buddha suddenly stood up.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.