137: Chapter 135: Going to the Banquet 137: Chapter 135: Going to the Banquet Seeing Sun Wukong’s surprise, Ao Guang chuckled, “The Great Saint also feels it, this Luminous Pearl quietens the mind and concentrates the spirit, it’s a supreme treasure for cultivation, perfectly suitable for the Great Saint’s first attendance at the Peach Banquet.”

“Could there be some kind of expectations to attend the Peach Banquet?” Sun Wukong asked in confusion.

As far as he knew, even though Lu Dongbin and the others also gave gifts, they were just ordinary items, nothing too precious, at least not comparable to this Luminous Pearl.

Ao Guang nodded, laughing as he said, “Usually, those attending the Peach Banquet for the first time will present precious gifts to show respect towards the Queen Mother of the West; the next time they attend, they can give more ordinary gifts.

After all, even Immortals can’t have an endless supply of treasures.”

So that’s how it is, Sun Wukong understood.

He took the Luminous Pearl and exclaimed, “What a fine thing indeed, Old Sun suddenly feels that peaches aren’t that sweet, got tired of them years ago, this treasure is much better.”

Ao Guang: “…”

Only Sun Wukong could say something like that.

Back then, he wreaked havoc in the Immortal Peach Orchard, eating nine-tenths of the peaches, so it’s not strange for him to say he was tired of them.

“If the Great Saint wants this Luminous Pearl, my Dragon Palace has many; I will have someone fetch them for the Great Saint,” Ao Guang said with a smile.

Sun Wukong had done them a great favor by sealing the Sea Eye to save living beings from devastation.

But it was just some treasure, nothing much.

The Dragon Palace was wealthy and had plenty of treasures.

Sun Wukong waved his hand, laughing as he said, “I was just joking, Old Dragon King, don’t take it to heart.

This Luminous Pearl is more than enough, and I must thank the Old Dragon King for his generous gift.”

Ao Guang stroked his long beard and laughed, “There’s no need for formalities between us, Great Saint, what’s mine is yours.”

“And what’s mine is still mine,” Sun Wukong promptly added.

The Old Dragon King immediately didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Naturally, Sun Wukong was joking.

He smiled, bowed, and took his leave.

Ao Guang also prepared to attend the Peach Banquet.

Sun Wukong returned to Huaguo Mountain, where the Eight Immortals were all waiting for him.

Lan Caihe asked with a smile, “Has the Great Saint obtained any treasures?”

Sun Wukong chuckled and took out the Luminous Pearl.

When they felt the effects of the Luminous Pearl, everyone was astonished.

This was unquestionably a massively valuable treasure for cultivating the Dao of Alchemy, an object even Heavenly Venerates would envy upon seeing.

Who would have thought Sun Wukong actually managed to get such a treasure from the Dragon Palace of the East Sea?

“The East Sea Dragon King must be feeling the pinch,” He Xiangu laughed.

The Eight Immortals once had a conflict with the East Sea Dragon King, and the story of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea is still popular among the common folk.

Now, seeing the East Sea Dragon King part with so much, the Eight Immortals naturally felt a bit pleased.

Sun Wukong glanced at them and said, “Do not underestimate the East Sea Dragon King; he had already prepared the gift even before I arrived, knowing about Old Sun’s thin resources and that I would come to him.

This was already set aside well in advance.”

Everyone was surprised.

The Dragon Clan had many treasures but seldom gave them away.

The reason was that the Dragon Clan was rather stingy.

Such as taking the initiative to give away a Luminous Pearl, they had never heard of such a thing before.

Could it be that the Old Dragon King had changed his nature?

“It seems the Old Dragon King is acknowledging the Great Saint’s kindness, which is why he prepared such a generous gift; the Dragon Clan values their treasures, but they also reciprocate kindness, this is Ao Guang repaying the Great Saint’s favor,” Lu Dongbin quickly figured out the key point.

The other Eight Immortals also showed understanding.

“White Crane, you will accompany me,” Sun Wukong said, glancing at White Crane.

White Crane was immediately delighted and nodded vigorously.

That was the Peach Banquet, even if he was just going as a mount, it was enough to boast about once he returned.

Moreover, he had already eaten the peaches of immortality, not just one but several of the nine-thousand-year-old ones.

Fahai hesitated, wanting to speak.

Sun Wukong looked at him and said, “If you want to go, I will let Bai Yu stay, and I will ride on you instead.”

An image of Sun Wukong riding on him flashed through Fahai’s mind.

He shivered and decisively shook his head.

Forget it, he would not compete with Bai Yu for the honorable job of being a mount.

Bai Yu eyed Fahai warily; this fellow was indeed still eyeing his position as the mount, he had to be vigilant and not let it be taken away.

The Eight Immortals and Sun Wukong set off, hurrying towards Kunlun.

Sun Wukong sat cross-legged on Bai Yu’s back, enjoying the surrounding scenery comfortably.

Sometimes, Sun Wukong really didn’t understand why those Immortals, Buddhas, demons, and monsters, who lived as long as the heavens and earth and were immortal and indestructible, still fought each other incessantly.

Couldn’t they just enjoy a carefree Immortal life?

Like Kunpeng, seeking transcendence, seeking immortality and indestructibility.

Sun Wukong felt that if he did not compete or stir up trouble, it seemed there wasn’t anyone in the world who could kill him.

Now, having offended so many, Kunpeng had instead put himself in danger.

And what about Tathagata and the Jade Emperor, aren’t they content with sitting comfortably in their positions?

One, madly scheming to rule the Three Realms.

The other, wishing to eradicate the ancient gods, indulging the expansion of the Buddhist Realm, provoking disputes between Buddhism and Daoism, sapping the power of living beings, allowing ancient gods to enter once and for all.

Both of their ideas, in Sun Wukong’s view, were somewhat laughable.

With The Three Pure Ones in the world, how could Tathagata presume to rule the Three Realms or eliminate the Daoist Immortals?

This world was opened up by Lord Li, what does he have to contest with others?

Suddenly, Sun Wukong thought of a possibility, could Tathagata be controlled by someone?

This idea, although somewhat shocking, might not be impossible.

Even the Jade Emperor might not be normal.

A myriad of thoughts flashed through his mind, and even Sun Wukong himself felt that he might be overthinking.

Kunlun was not far, and Sun Wukong, along with the Eight Immortals, arrived quickly.

At this time, from all directions, immortals were arriving.

They greeted the Eight Immortals, and some, upon seeing Sun Wukong, quickly came over to greet him, exchanging pleasantries.

There were also some who looked at Sun Wukong with disdain, glancing at him before turning away.

Sun Wukong didn’t mind, his face remained smiling, and he showed no intention of getting angry.

“Sun Wukong.”

Just as he was about to land, a roar came.

Sun Wukong turned to see none other than Lamp-Burning Ancient Buddha and Maitreya Buddha, with a group of bodhisattvas and arhats behind them.

Not far from them, there was another group, led by Amitabha Buddha.

They were accompanied by various bodhisattvas, arhats, and Buddhas of Mount Ling, clearly distinct from one another.

The one who had called him was Sandalwood Merit Buddha, who upon seeing Sun Wukong’s gaze settle on him, shrank back.

The “True Self” of Jin Chan had already withdrawn, and now it was the timid personality that controlled Jin Chan’s body.

Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised; how did this timid old monk have such gall today?

Bold enough to roar at him.

Was he tired of living?

Sun Wukong’s eyebrows twitched, ready to burst forth.

Sandalwood Merit Buddha, initially a bit afraid, suddenly seemed to remember something.

He stood out in grief and indignation, pointing at Sun Wukong and said, “You demonic rascal, despicable Husun beast, I should not have saved you from beneath the Five Elements Mountain, then Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon would not have lost their lives.

You inhuman beast covered with human skin, even Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon were not spared.

If anyone is to blame for betraying you back then, it was I alone; why did you harm their lives?”

Sun Wukong’s brow furrowed, Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon were dead?

He stared at Sandalwood Merit Buddha, and said coldly, “I do not know how Sha Wujing died, but I do know how Little White Dragon died.”

“Hehe, you admit it then, you beast, sooner or later you will get what’s coming to you,” Sandalwood Merit Buddha cursed out loud.

He did have some affection for Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon; otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood up to insult Sun Wukong despite fearing him.

Sun Wukong sneered, “Little White Dragon was killed by you, and as for Sha Wujing, he was gravely injured by you.

What happened to him after he was injured, I don’t know, but if Sha Wujing is dead, it was certainly your doing.”

Upon hearing this, Sandalwood Merit Buddha’s expression drastically changed.

He pointed at Sun Wukong with trembling hands and said loudly, “You audacious monkey, how dare you insult me?

How could I have killed Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon?

I need the strength to do so.”

Sun Wukong scoffed, “You may not have the strength, but your ‘True Self’ does.

Amongst the immortals and gods present, there should be some who are acquainted with Jin Chan, look at Sandalwood Merit Buddha now, does he bear any resemblance to Jin Chan?”

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva stepped forward, his hands pressed together, “Amitabha Buddha, I was previously acquainted with Jin Chan, and he is indeed not like this.

Jin Chan, a disciple of Buddha, had an overbearing and straightforward character, and was daring.

Compared to the present Sandalwood Merit Buddha, they are quite different.”

“True, today’s Sandalwood Merit Buddha is certainly not the same as the original Jin Chan.

The ‘True Self’ of Jin Chan was sealed by Buddha with an incomparable technique but it wasn’t without the possibility of awakening,” added The Bodhisattva Guanyin, emanating Buddha’s Light.

She glanced over the crowd and smiled slightly, “Moreover, although Wukong has a fierce nature, he is not one to kill without reason.

Had he wanted to kill Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon, they would not have survived till now.

Wukong always takes responsibility for his actions; when has he ever lied?”

At this, the crowd nodded in agreement.

They all accepted The Bodhisattva Guanyin’s words.

“Hehe, Guanyin, you have a close relationship with Sun Wukong, so naturally, you would speak in his favor,” Sandalwood Merit Buddha said with a cold sneer.

Now that The Bodhisattva Guanyin had distanced herself from Mount Ling, she no longer held sway there, so he felt no need to be polite.

Moreover, with Maitreya Buddha and Lamp-Burning Ancient Buddha by his side, he was not afraid of Guanyin and Sun Wukong causing trouble.

“I can also testify that Jin Chan’s ‘True Self’ was sealed, and that it has managed to break free before,” a gruff voice announced.

Sandalwood Merit Buddha’s neck shrank back at the sound, his face showing fear.

He remembered this voice, it had almost cost him his life the last time.

“Xingtian.”

The celestial buddhas turned their gaze to the newcomer, and upon seeing who it was, they all drew their necks back a little.

The War God Xingtian, just recently resurrected, and this was his first appearance since the immortals and buddhas of the Three Realms sensed his revival.