Great Demon Sun Wukong-Chapter 676 - 618 Sun Wukong’s Doubt
Almost at the same time, Sun Wukong felt a peculiar sensation rise within his heart. However, this feeling was so sudden and fragmented that for a moment, Wukong couldn't discern anything from it. Nevertheless, he wasn't in a hurry, as he still had time. Sitting cross-legged beside Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong began to methodically sort through what he knew and the numerous mysteries arising from the memories he had yet to recall.
First and foremost, Wukong's initial puzzlement wasn't about the current situation of his brother-disciple Bajie or their master, but dated even further back, to when he was patrolling the Nine Heavens. He had heard from Nuwa's doppelganger about previous affairs in the Pangu Realm. At that time, Wukong harbored his first unresolved mystery—that once, a significant change had occurred within the Heavenly Dao of the Pangu Realm, which led to many subsequent events, including direct conflicts between Buddhism and Taoism and many more.
During that time, according to Nuwa's narrative, there was a very special individual, whose name Wukong had since forgotten. But he knew that the peculiarities in the Pangu Realm's Heavenly Dao were all arguably orchestrated by this person. Yet, afterwards, this individual seemed to vanish into thin air. Who exactly was this person? This was the first puzzle in Sun Wukong's mind.
The second enigma involved the sudden emergence of many powerhouses from Taoism during the last great battle in the Patrolling Celestial World, such as Jiang Ziya and Li Jing. Their Cultivation levels were initially that of Daluo Golden Immortals, but they appeared later with Cultivation at the cusp of the Great Path. How did their strength improve so drastically? Wukong had thought it might have been Chang'er using some method to forcibly enhance their prowess, but now it seemed that wasn't the case. Chang'er was only a Saint of the Great Dao herself, and the physical bodies and talents of Jiang Ziya, Li Jing, and the others could not withstand the power of Half-step Great Path. Yet, not only were they elevated to this Realm, but they also wielded the power with ease. Who, then, was the one who uplifted their strength?
The third doubt concerned himself. He had been killed by Chang'er in the Pangu Realm, but his soul appeared in the Netherworld World. Such a thing was utterly impossible. Upon regaining consciousness, Wukong had thought it was because of the Jingu Bang, but now realized that was implausible, too. Jingu Bang became ownerless with his death, and since he had never visited or heard of the Netherworld, it couldn't have taken him there. So, how exactly did his soul traverse the endless Void from a minor world and reach the Netherworld World?
The fourth mystery was about Sha Wujing. Wujing disappeared during the battle in the Patrolling Celestial World, only to reappear later in the Ancient Primordial World and subsequently partake in the trials of the Patrolling Celestial World, eventually reuniting with him. Wukong had always thought it was the doing of the Crimson Army, but after the battle, Yi Xuan of the Crimson Army clearly informed Sun Wukong in a conversation that Wujing's situation wasn't their doing. They merely manipulated events to include him in the trials, without any further interference. How did Wujing vanish, why did he appear in the Ancient Primordial World, and where did his Ultimate Water Stele come from? About all these, Wujing had not the slightest recollection.
The fifth puzzle involved Master Tongtian and the Twelve Ancestral Witches. The Ancestral Witches were the forebears of the Witch Clan and should not have been reduced to puppets of Master Tongtian during the great battle. Each of the Twelve Ancestral Witches was incredibly powerful and not someone Master Tongtian could subjugate on his own, especially since their descendants had been missing for tens of thousands of years, and Xing Tian and others had died in battle long ago. How did Tongtian obtain their bodies? Furthermore, how did he suddenly appear in the Patrolling Celestial World, how did his strength surge so dramatically, how did he come to possess Burning Fire No. 9, and how were all the Twelve Ancestral Witches' powers enhanced?
The sixth conundrum was about Bajie. Although Wukong had not found concrete evidence regarding the situation with Bajie, his instincts told him something was off with Zhu Bajie.
The seventh doubt pertained to his current master, Tang Sanzang. Wukong was well aware of the origin of the Void Transcendence Flower; although it existed since the dawn of the Patrolling Celestial World, it couldn't possibly possess the formidable power it now displayed, which surely transcended the categories of Unity Dao and Dao Transformation. What exactly had happened to the master? Moreover, the circumstances of Bajie and Sanzang were strikingly similar, both suddenly manifesting unprecedented potent abilities. And these abilities were so powerful that even Sun Wukong felt a measure of dread.
The eighth and final puzzle was related to the White Dragon. Was the mysterious golden seal really stumbled upon by White Dragon by chance? Could something from a minor world influence and alter the environment within Wukong's World Within the Artifact? Even with his Heaven and Earth Fire Eyes, Sun Wukong could not see through that golden seal, yet it seemed intrinsically linked with White Dragon's intentions. Was this truly just a coincidence? It seemed as if all five of them, disciple and master alike, had experienced numerous bizarre incidents. Each incident might not have seemed significant individually, but collectively, especially concerning the five of them, it was indeed very strange.
Sun Wukong always felt that someone seemed to be stealthily guiding or manipulating everything behind the scenes. If his feeling was true, then who could this person be behind it all? The Crimson Army? The Underworld God Army? Or perhaps the Law Enforcers or the Domain Lord of the Divine Kingdom? As he pondered, Sun Wukong couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. When had he become entangled in these matters? The Pioneer who looked exactly like himself, that mysterious scene, the ancient battle, the heart of the Pioneer, the chains of the Underworld God Army—all these seemed like countless fragmented pieces messily scattered on the ground. Sun Wukong could make out individual pieces, but he was unable to piece them together, for he simply didn't know what the original picture was supposed to be, and what he knew himself was far too little.
As Sun Wukong was trying in his mind to sort and assemble these pieces, he suddenly sensed that the surrounding spiritual energy was not right. The moment he opened his eyes, Sun Wukong saw that among the dozen or so Dao Transformation Primary Grade powerhouses present, two had actually broken through their realm. Although their cultivation remained at the Dao Transformation Primary Grade, their own realms had already reached the Dao Transformation Intermediate Grade. As long as they had enough Spiritual Power, their promotion would be a natural progression. Right after these two people broke through, the strange power fluctuation emanating from Tang Sanzang, who was sitting in the center of the hall, suddenly receded. To everyone's surprise, Tang Sanzang's cultivation had already advanced from the Unity Dao Primary Grade to the Unity Dao Intermediate Grade.
This was not merely a breakthrough in realm but a simultaneous breakthrough of both realm and cultivation. But what had Tang Sanzang done? He hadn't practiced cultivation, entered seclusion, consumed any Heaven and Earth Treasures or any elixirs that could enhance cultivation—so why did he suddenly break through? Could cultivation be improved without doing anything? How could that be possible? No, that's not right—Master did do something, and that was to continuously expound the Buddhist Law here. And Master's improvement in cultivation happened right after those two people advanced in realm. Could there be some special connection?
Sun Wukong could not be certain, but one thing was very clear: the two individuals who had advanced in realm now displayed an even more profound level of respect for Master Tang Sanzang, bordering on subservience rather than mere respect. Moreover, Sun Wukong noticed a faint petal-like pattern on the foreheads of the two individuals. After just one glance, he recognized it—it was undoubtedly the petal of a Transcendence Bloom. This was puzzling; why did the foreheads of these two individuals bear the petal pattern of a Transcendence Bloom? Could it be because their realms had been elevated due to that strange power fluctuation?
This was the only reasonable explanation Sun Wukong could think of, and moreover, when those two lifted their heads, Sun Wukong saw a trace of hollowness and determination in their eyes, but it was very subtle. Could this be the ability of the Transcendence Bloom? This too could be considered a kind of transcendence, right? Was Master's action intentional or unintentional? Was it a special ability that the Void Transcendence Flower inherently possessed, or was there some other reason?
All these questions, for the time being, would not find any answers. After Tang Sanzang's cultivation had advanced, he also seemed a bit surprised, but he soon fully accepted it, without showing too much astonishment. Waving his hand, Tang Sanzang said to the people below, "That will be all for today. I, this humble monk, am about to face the Tribulation!" Yes, after the inexplicable advancement in cultivation, it was time to face the tribulation. Although Tang Sanzang knew very little about cultivation matters, he was aware of the concept of crossing tribulations.
The others showed no displeasure or other emotions; they respectfully saluted, then rose and slowly exited. After everyone had left the Lotus Cloud Courtyard, Sun Wukong finally had the chance to speak with his master.
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"Master, what is happening?" Sun Wukong had many questions to ask, but for the moment, he didn't even know how to begin. Tang Sanzang simply smiled and said, "First find a place for your teacher to face the tribulation, we'll discuss the rest afterward." Although Sun Wukong wanted to ask more, he could sense that at this moment, his master was already being locked onto by the energies of the Heavenly Tribulation. From Unity Dao Primary Grade to Unity Dao Intermediate Grade, one needed to cross a Minor Heavenly Tribulation, which consisted of only three waves of tribulation thunder. From Intermediate Grade to High Grade, one had to face the Great Heavenly Tribulation, with six waves of tribulation thunder.
It's only with advancement to a Great Realm that one faces the Great Nine Heavens Tribulation, consisting of nine waves of tribulation thunder.
So Sun Wukong had no choice but to take Tang Sanzang to the deserted island where Zhu Bajie had previously faced his tribulation. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly passes at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
