Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!

Having experienced the God-Sealing Tribulation and having once been the eldest disciple of the Jie School, he naturally knew of the protective streak of the Primordial Master.

After all, this was a once-in-an-epoch prodigy who bloomed twenty-eight grades.

If he were to be killed casually, that Primordial Master, who greatly valued his disciples' aptitudes, might well disregard the Dharma of confinement imposed by the Daoist Ancestor and directly slap him to death.

But this was also a matter of saving face for Buddhism, so he had to take action. If Yang Jian didn't handle it properly, who knew how many petty figures would dare to cause trouble on Buddhism's turf.

Tathagata couldn't help but blame Lingji internally. Who else could you confront but someone from the Chan School, and if you're going to fight, at least win!

Leaving him such a mess to clean up!

Haotian's expression changed as he came back to his senses, about to make a move.

Whoosh!

Just as Yang Jian was bound by the bowl and about to be sucked upwards, a heaven-shaking sword light cut across the space between the man and the bowl, like a white sash, a world away.

Yang Jian's restraints were instantly severed, freeing his movements.

Haotian sulkily retracted his sleeves, pretending as if nothing had happened, as if he were not the uncle who had just been concerned for his nephew.

"This monk has seen the Patron Divine Tripod," said Tathagata with a long sigh, as though he were a monk settling into meditation.

He knew that with the True Man of the Jade Tripod having arrived, he would no longer be able to do anything to Yang Jian today. Even though the True Man was only at the early stage of a Quasi-Saint, his swordsmanship was unmatched.

His name was assuredly among the top five in the Three Realms!

Although Tathagata was confident he could prevail, one must not underestimate the bearer of the Executioner Immortal Sword.

The arrival of the Jade Tripod clearly indicated the Chan School's stance.

"Master!" Yang Jian's face lit up with joy as he looked up at the figure in the sky, a man and his sword, seemingly peerless.

"Patron Divine Tripod, Yang Jian has offended my Buddhism and killed my Buddhism's Lingji Bodhisattva; his sins are grave. Today there must be an explanation!" Tathagata, though he had given up on taking Yang Jian with him, could not just swallow the insult. How could his Buddhism be seen as dough to be kneaded by others in the eyes of outsiders?

The True Man of the Jade Tripod snorted coldly, twirling his three-foot longsword through a flamboyant motion, gradually retracting the energy of its sharp edge.

He could tell Tathagata had no intention to fight, but he held Tathagata's words in contempt.

"You come to provoke, you deserve to die!"

Tathagata retracted his bowl, forming the Fearless Seal with his hand and saying, "My Buddhism is the messenger of Heaven's decree, and we even have the Jade Emperor's permission for three days!"

"Heaven's decree? Then how could my disciple from the Chan School not know?" the True Man scoffed with a cold laugh.

Though not much was said, his words struck at the heart of the matter. Those who defy Heaven, abandoned by it.

Around the whole world, who, knowing this, would dare act against such a great taboo and hide that monkey?

Indeed, Tathagata inwardly agreed with this viewpoint. Lingji really should not have provoked Yang Jian. However, he could not just back down so easily.

Where would Buddhism's dignity be placed?

The two sides were at an impasse when another Daoist in a yellow bagua robe, riding a green ox, arrived.

Though he appeared to be quite ordinary, the plain and unadorned aura about him drew attention.

"The Patron Divine Tripod has seen Lord Taishang."

"This monk has seen Lord Taishang."

Lord Taishang nodded his head, stroking his beard, looking at Tathagata, this nephew who had once been a pawn to him, but had later turned the tables.

"This issue started with your Buddhism's overbearingness; Yang Jian cannot be handed over to your Buddhism," Lord Taishang stated indifferently.

"As compensation, this seven-turn Soul-Nourishing Golden Elixir will do. Let's just let this matter rest, shall we?"

Tathagata felt a sinking feeling in his heart. It wasn't a Nine-Turns Resurrection Elixir? Just one to nurture the soul?

So you've calculated that Lingji would have to go through reincarnation, huh!

However, since Lord Taishang had arrived here, his attitude was the attitude of a Saint, and he had to show respect, after all, he had not yet received instructions from the Two Sages of the West.

"Good, good," Tathagata sighed deeply, putting away the Soul-Nourishing Golden Elixir for future use when Lingji returned to cultivation, so his soul could better integrate with his physical body.

"As matters here are settled, this poor monk will take his leave."

Returning a Buddhist salute, Tathagata hastily departed; ever since the monkey disappeared, there had indeed been more and more matters to address.

"Yang Jian pays respects to Lord Taishang." Yang Jian stepped forward, bowing with the utmost respect and courtesy.

The Chan School has always been on good terms with the Human Sect.

"Hmm," Lord Taishang examined him and couldn't help but show a look of approval.

"Nevertheless, to achieve such blossoming in twenty-eight cycles of birth due to mere devotion is a sign of excellent aptitude."

Yang Jian felt somewhat embarrassed—it wasn't a matter of his aptitude; clearly, it was because of that bowl of beef noodles.

Moreover, without the beef noodles, not only would he have failed to break through to the Daluo Golden Immortal level, but his cultivation realm might also have dropped during the breakthrough, turning him into the biggest joke in the Three Realms.

After this was over, he would ask his sister about the origins of that bowl of beef noodles.

Such a great kindness must be repaid!

Hearing Lord Taishang's words, True Man of the Jade Tripod also beamed with pride; among the third-generation disciples of the Chan School, his disciple Yang Jian was far ahead, undoubtedly the foremost among them.

Now, having broken through to Daluo Golden Immortal and achieved an astonishing twenty-eight cycles, a Saint's bearing, it was only a matter of time before Yang Jian surpassed his own achievements.

Although Yang Jian was not following the same path as himself, he had never been half-hearted in teaching, and being called a great theorist was not without reason.

"To achieve Daluo Golden Immortal, one must guard against arrogance and rashness; there are many powerful beings in the Three Realms," True Man of the Jade Tripod advised earnestly, reflecting his attitude toward teaching.

"Disciple will keep this in mind!"

Yang Jian nodded deeply, wholeheartedly agreeing with his master's words, like the bowl of beef noodles that had enabled his current achievements.

Seeing such a composed disciple, True Man of the Jade Tripod's face brimmed with gratification, and with a wave of his hand, a sharp sword appeared before them.

"This sword is the Immortal-Slaying Sword, from now on, it belongs to you."

Although the Immortal-Slaying Sword was the treasure of his cave, his swordsmanship had reached a high level, and he did not have great demands for a sword anymore.

Besides, in terms of quality, it could not compare to the Immortal-Slaying Sword granted by the Saints; giving it to Yang Jian represented a form of inheritance.

"Thank you, Master!" Yang Jian accepted it gravely with both hands.

Lord Taishang couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth; that True Man of the Jade Tripod sure was shrewd, making it impossible for him not to give a gift.

"This is the Suet Jade Cleansing Bottle, merely recite its name and it will draw in its target; within a moment or two, it will turn into concentrate water. Consider it your congratulatory gift. Also, here is a Four-Turns Golden Elixir for your subordinates to take, which can heal their wounds," Lord Taishang said generously as he offered his gifts.

After all, he was the first Saint beneath the Primordial Saint, the Quasi-Saint Shan Shi, and he certainly had no shortage of treasures.

"Thank you, Lord Taishang, for your gracious gifts!" Yang Jian was overjoyed, first taking the Four-Turns Golden Elixir and then carefully storing the Suet Jade Cleansing Bottle.

"Now that matters here are settled, this poor Daoist will take his leave," Lord Taishang said, intending to report back to his primal essence.

True Man of the Jade Tripod said with a soft laugh, "Your teacher will be leaving as well."

Today was truly joyful; perhaps after returning, he might even make some progress.

"I see off Lord Taishang and Master with respect!"

After seeing off Lord Taishang and his master, Yang Jian swiftly descended from the clouds and administered the simple golden pills to the injured brothers of Plum Mountain.

The golden cores dissolved as soon as they were ingested, instantly healing their wounds, and they were revitalized.

"Who would have thought that one day, I too could taste the Immortal Pill of Lord Taishang!" Kang Anyu was filled with emotion; even though it was only of the fourth cycle, such an item was exceedingly rare and sought after.

His heart was filled with gratitude.