103: Chapter 103 Gou Chen’s Ambition 103: Chapter 103 Gou Chen’s Ambition Sun Wukong, accompanied by fifty Heavenly Generals, left the Purple Forbidden Enclosure and descended to the Eastern Continent.

He handed the fifty Heavenly Generals over to Ksitigarbha, who was overjoyed at the arrival.

They were now expanding territory and had taken control of quite a few places.

However, relying solely on their own power, it would naturally be difficult to compete with Tathagata.

Grouping the fifty Heavenly Generals into groups of five, they were stationed in ten different locations.

When they took action, some minor demons were simply no match for them.

Even for Demon Kings who had cultivated to the level of Celestial Immortals, it wasn’t easy to defeat them.

Moreover, Ksitigarbha provided them with some Jade Talismans, instructing them to crush the jade if they encountered any issues, and he would arrive in the shortest time possible.

Ksitigarbha’s strength was such that even if Tathagata personally made a move, he could hold him off for a while.

This greatly ensured the safety of these Heavenly Generals.

This was a conflict among subordinates; if Tathagata personally intervened, it would become uncontrollable.

The incident of Sun Wukong assaulting Mount Ling could very well happen again.

As for whether Mount Ling could withstand the wrath of Sun Wukong a second time, that was uncertain.

In any case, whenever Sun Wukong made a move, it was certain that someone would perish.

Not long afterward, Gold Star Taibai also descended to the Lower Realm.

He arrived at the Great Sage Temple and decreed it an official doctrine.

The incense visitors, seeing an immortal descending and proclaiming the will of the Great Emperor, had even more faith in the Great Sage.

Upon completing all this, Gold Star Taibai explained, “The Great Sage Equalling Heaven is one of the most exalted immortals in the Three Realms, his status on par with the God of the Heavenly Court, Equal to Heaven, and capable of resolving all hardship and suffering.”

Upon hearing these words, the incense visitors grew even more fervent.

In the courtyard of the Li Family, Bi Lian returned from outside, holding an ox’s head in her hands.

Li Ling glanced at it, his expression slightly stiff.

“What happened?

Why did you kill an ox?”

Bi Lian threw the ox’s head on the ground, sneering, “This was an Ox Demon, coercing living beings into worshipping it.

I have slain it.”

Li Ling’s mouth twitched slightly, the Ox Demon seemed familiar.

“You did well, truly worthy of being a Female Sword Immortal,” Li Lin complimented.

An Ox Demon was nothing significant after all.

However, he would need to notify the Macaque King later, to prevent such minor demons from coming here again; this way, they wouldn’t end up being killed by Bi Lian, which would be problematic.

Upon hearing praise from her beloved, Bi Lian’s face showed pride.

“It’s all thanks to you.

If I weren’t with you, I couldn’t have grasped the Dharma of Sword Immortals and become a Sword Immortal.

All of this is what you’ve given me,” she said.

Li Ling smiled and replied, “I’m just an ordinary man, how could I guide you?

It’s your talent that made this possible.”

Bi Lian spoke seriously, “No, Ling’er, perhaps you don’t even realize that you are actually a genius.

If you could follow me in studying the sword, you would certainly be able to enter the ranks of Sword Immortals and, in time, cultivate the Celestial Immortal Dao.

Ascending to the Heavenly Court is not an impossibility, then we could be a couple forever.”

The smile on Li Ling’s face grew more rigid.

He, the very Buddha, needed to cultivate immortality?

Clearing his throat, Li Ling said, “My parents are still around, I’m not considering such matters.

Being a mortal isn’t so bad, to experience birth, aging, sickness, and death is to live a life without regrets.”

Bi Lian heaved a sigh.

She had already advised Li Ling many times to pursue the path of Sword Cultivation.

Yet, all along, Li Ling had been quite resistant.

He had no interest whatsoever in the path of Sword Cultivation.

Although Bi Lian felt regretful, she did not want to force Li Ling.

Softly she said, “If that’s the case, I won’t force you.

Ling’er, when do you think we shall marry?”

Li Ling’s expression froze, marry?

While he sought to experience the various aspects of the mortal world to enhance his enlightenment,

he would definitely not marry; the loss of his vital essence would greatly diminish his mana.

For Li Ling, this was absolutely intolerable.

Seeing him silent, Bi Lian grew anxious and blurted out, “Ling’er, don’t you like me?

Or did I do something wrong?”

Li Ling shook his head and said, “No, there are some things I temporarily can’t tell you.”

Bi Lian looked as if she had been struck by a blow.

She looked at Li Ling, the corners of her mouth lifting into a bitter smile.

“You don’t have to say anything, I understand.

You must have someone else in mind.

I’ll back out.”

Then she turned around to leave.

“Ha ha.”

A loud laugh rang out.

Li Ling’s eyes instantly became piercing as he looked in the direction of the sound.

Bi Lian was startled as well, turning her gaze as well.

An imposing man appeared in the courtyard, and for some reason, when Bi Lian saw him, she felt as if she was standing before the whole world.

Feeling tremors in her heart, she knew the gap between her power and the man’s was vast, describable as the difference between heaven and earth.

With difficulty, she moved in front of Li Ling, protecting him.

“Ling’er, run away.

This man is very strong; I’m no match for him.”

Bi Lian said urgently.

No sooner had her words fallen than a force came from behind.

Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Li Ling steadied Bi Lian, efficiently erased her memories, and took her to the room.

“The Buddha sure is exceptionally attentive towards this lady.

If it weren’t for your unspent vital essence, I would have thought she was your wife,” said the man teasingly.

It was evident that he did not hold Tathagata in much fear, speaking on equal terms.

“Gou Chen, have you really got nothing better to do than to come find me?”

Li Ling remained noncommittal, not letting another person’s words affect his state of mind.

The man who had appeared later turned out to be the Great Emperor Gou Chen.

He knew the Buddha’s location and had even come looking for him.

“I am well aware of the Jade Emperor’s intention.

He has some trump cards he believes will allow him to control the situation.

He wants to weaken the power of the Great Dao of Living Beings and then lure the Ancient Gods here to annihilate them in one fell swoop.

But as for the Buddha’s objective, that is not very clear to me.

What exactly do you intend to do?”

Great Emperor Gou Chen stared at Li Ling, as if trying to see through his soul.

“That seems unrelated to the Great Emperor,” Li Ling responded, pouring a cup of tea.

He gently lifted the cup, took a sip, and appeared thoroughly content.

Great Emperor Gou Chen scoffed, slowly nodding and saying, “True, it’s unrelated to me, but there’s something that does concern me.”

“Speak,” said Li Ling indifferently.

Great Emperor Gou Chen continued to stare at Li Ling and spoke in a heavy tone, “I want the position of the Great Heavenly Venerate.”

“I know,” Li Ling replied, his expression unchanged.

Three out of the Four Heavenly Kings, it seemed, were interested in the position of the Great Heavenly Venerate.

The only one not interested was Houtu, as she was inherently an Empress.

“You’re going to help me.

I can allow you to proselytize in the Eastern Continent and even take control of reincarnation.

What do you think?” the Great Emperor Gou Chen continued.

Li Ling revealed a cold smile, scoffing, “The Jade Emperor could also agree to this condition.

Why would I risk collaborating with you?”

Great Emperor Gou Chen chuckled lightly as he fixed his gaze on Li Ling, saying, “Because if I take power, you have a chance to seize the position of the Great Heavenly Venerate.

But as long as the Jade Emperor holds his position, you won’t have any chance; you can’t possibly be a match for him.”

Li Ling fell silent.