Back when the Buddha Tathāgata used the Book of Time and Space to bring Ye Tian here, he hadn't anticipated a temporal disruption occurring at that moment. As a result, another version of himself was sent two hundred years into the past.

That version of Ye Tian found the Book of Time and Space in this world and discovered that another version of himself would arrive two hundred years later. So he left behind a letter—and now, Ye Tian was finally opening that letter.

"So everything is clear now. It seems the me from the other timeline was truly remarkable. At last, I can return."

"Granny, thank you—truly. Without your help, I might never have found a way back."

"There's no need to thank me. In truth, everything was destined. If you're able to return now, it's because of your own efforts."

"All right."

Ye Tian nodded, then took out some silver from his belongings and said, "I don't have much to offer in return, so please accept this as a token of gratitude."

"I couldn't possibly accept this."

"Just take it. Please."

After leaving the money, Ye Tian turned to Shadow and said, "You've worked hard these past days. I'm sure you've gone to great lengths to help me find a way back."

"That's right. It took me a long time and a lot of effort to discover this place."

Ye Tian took out an antidote and handed it to him. "This is the antidote to the poison in your body. Once you take it, the venom will be neutralized. I also have a cultivation manual here—take it. Think of it as my repayment."

Shadow received the cultivation manual from Ye Tian, feeling incredibly moved. He hadn't expected Ye Tian to give him such a gift.

"I really can't accept this…"

"It's fine. I'm giving it to you—just take it."

After Ye Tian returned, he told Han Zhengyun that he would be leaving. Upon hearing this, she was reluctant to let him go. "You're leaving?"

"Yes. I must return. This world was never truly mine, so I have to go back. But once I'm back in my world, I'll definitely miss you."

"Can't you stay?"

"No. I was never meant to belong here, so I must go."

Han Zhengyun's heart ached with reluctance. After a moment, she said, "If you're going… can I come with you?"

"You want to come with me?"

"Yes, I do. I want to be with you."

"But you have your family here. If you come with me, can you really leave them behind? I don't think you can."

"I…"

Ye Tian was right. She had family here—she couldn't just leave them behind. As much as they didn't want to part, Ye Tian had to return to his own world, and Han Zhengyun had to stay, because she couldn't bear to leave her mother.

"I'm leaving now. I hope we'll meet again someday if fate allows."

With that, Ye Tian opened the Book of Time and Space. A brilliant light burst from its pages, and he entered it.

Soon, he vanished.

Traveling through the Book of Time and Space, he successfully returned to the Journey to the West world. When he landed on a patch of grass, he instantly felt the familiar air surrounding him.

The rich spiritual energy confirmed it—this was indeed the world of Journey to the West. He had finally returned.

"Tathāgata, for everything you've done to me… one day, I'll make you pay it back in full!"

Now that he was back, Ye Tian gave a small smile. He wasn't planning to seek revenge right away. Having just returned, his priority was to resume cultivating and regain his strength.

After a period of cultivation, his strength finally began to recover. At that moment, Ye Tian decided it was time to confront the Buddha Tathāgata.

Soon, Ye Tian made his way to the Western Heaven. There, Tathāgata, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and several arhats were in meditation when his voice rang out.

"Heh… Tathāgata, take a good look—do you recognize me?"

"You're…"

Tathāgata stared at Ye Tian in disbelief. How had he returned?

"Ye Tian? How did you get back?"

"That's right. You must be shocked, wondering how I returned. Well, I'll tell you: I was only able to come back because of a series of fortunate encounters. Without those opportunities, I probably would've been stuck there forever."

Indeed, Ye Tian's return was thanks to a lucky turn of fate. But at that moment, Tathāgata replied coldly, "Hmph, so what if you've returned, Ye Tian? Do you think you can cause trouble here? Don't forget where you are—this is the Western Heaven. You won't be able to throw your weight around here."

"Oh, I intend to throw my weight around right here, right now. What are you going to do about it?"

Ye Tian's fury burned inside him. Tathāgata's arrogance only added fuel to the fire.

Since the Buddha had once wronged him, now it was Ye Tian's turn to stir up some trouble. He chuckled and said, "Tathāgata, I challenge you to a one-on-one duel. Do you dare accept? If you're too scared, just admit it now."

"This…"

Tathāgata hesitated. He wasn't sure if Ye Tian's strength had surpassed his own. If he accepted the challenge and lost, he would suffer a major defeat.

Yet if he refused to accept, it would be a huge loss of face—especially with the Bodhisattvas and Arhats watching. He was the Buddha of the Western Heaven. If he didn't even dare to accept a challenge, how could he keep his dignity?

So now, even if he had to grit his teeth and force himself, he had no choice but to accept.