Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Spirit Mountain, Great Thunder Monastery.

The figure of Tathagata sat quietly on the throne, his aura robust and deep.

All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, each in their place, quietly took their seats.

"We greet the Buddha!"

In front of the Tathagata, the Golden Hair Lion, transformed into human form, bowed his head and respectfully greeted Tathagata, then spoke.

"Hm, Golden Hair Lion, your original form is the mount of Bodhisattva Guanyin. Having served diligently for many years, you are indeed among us of the Buddhist Sect now! Today, as Bodhisattva Guanyin has departed, Mount Luojia has no master. I hereby appoint you as the Bodhisattva of Golden Light and confer upon you the Taoist Arena of Mount Luojia!" Tathagata's gaze fell upon Golden Hair Lion as he spoke.

"Thank you, Buddha!" Hearing the words of Tathagata, Golden Hair Lion's face filled with joy as he hurriedly knelt and loudly expressed his thanks.

The rank of Bodhisattva. This position is significantly high, as even Bodhisattva Guanyin holds only the rank of Bodhisattva.

Being appointed today as the Bodhisattva of Golden Light, have I not leapt from being a mere mount to becoming a revered figure?

Although, with my Cultivation Level as a Taiyi True Immortal, it seems I barely qualify for the rank of Bodhisattva, but after all, I was born of the Demon Clan, naturally less esteemed than others of the Buddhist Sect.

Originally, was I not just enough to be appointed a Golden Arhat?

Seeing the joyful expression of Golden Hair Lion, Tathagata nodded slightly, then slowly waved his hand towards Golden Hair Lion.

Suddenly, Buddhist Light gathered around Golden Hair Lion, and soon, he underwent quite a transformation.

He appeared to have entirely shed his demon nature, acquiring more of a Buddha nature.

"Thank you, Buddha!"

After becoming a Bodhisattva, Golden Hair Lion's demeanor also became more composed. He brought his palms together and deeply bowed to Tathagata.

...

At the Great Thunder Monastery, no one present raised objections to Tathagata's appointment.

Everyone was wise, and it was apparent that because of Guanyin entering into demon possession, Tathagata's reputation had somewhat suffered, gaining him a slight repute for unkindness and lack of favor.

Therefore, Tathagata appointing Golden Hair Lion as a Bodhisattva also contained his own considerations.

Perhaps to show that he remembered past loyalty.

Thus he promoted him exceptionally to the rank of Bodhisattva.

After the ceremony and some customary remarks, nothing of great importance ensued, and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas dispersed.

"Bodhisattva of Golden Light, do stay for a moment!"

However, just as everyone was gradually leaving, suddenly, Tathagata called out, causing Golden Hair Lion to pause.

"Buddha!" Upon hearing Tathagata's words, Golden Hair Lion halted and bowed to Tathagata.

"I keep you back to discuss two matters," stated Tathagata, seated firmly on his Lotus Platform, without any beating around the bush. "I have heard that before the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin entered into demon possession, you had visited her at the Illusionary Demon Cave. What did you see there?"

"Reporting to the Buddha, I indeed saw Bodhisattva Guanyin in the Illusionary Demon Cave at that time. At that moment, she manifested a Heart Demon, taking the form of Zhu Bajie..."

In response to Tathagata's inquiry, Golden Hair Lion did not conceal anything, relating in full detail everything he saw to Tathagata.

"Besides that, did you see anything else?" Tathagata's expression remained calm. The fact that Bodhisattva Guanyin's Heart Demon took the form of Zhu Bajie did not seem to surprise him; he simply followed with another question.

"I did not see anything else. I also hold some reverence towards the Illusionary Demon Cave, so I did not dare to stay long," Golden Hair Lion answered candidly, shaking his head.

"Hmm..." Although Golden Hair Lion's reply left Tathagata somewhat disappointed, he secretly nodded, harboring no doubts.

Given his own knowledge, and the time Golden Hair Lion spent in the Illusionary Demon Cave, he indeed had only been there briefly before quickly exiting.

"Be that as it may, there is a second task I must entrust to you!"

Although internally disappointed, Tathagata had not expected to glean any clues from Golden Hair Lion and thus did not delve deeper into that matter, instead moving on: "Furthermore, regarding the matter of Princess Gaoyang, you know of her, correct? You have met her, I presume?"

"Indeed!" Hearing Tathagata's words, Golden Hair Lion earnestly nodded.

Henceforth residing within the Purple Bamboo Forest of Mount Luojia, Golden Hair Lion was naturally aware of Princess Gaoyang.

As such, I remember that Bodhisattva Guanyin also prepared several other matters concerning the Journey to the West in the face of the great calamity, all kept securely in a sealed wooden box," Tathagata held out his hand and produced an ancient wooden box.

"Concerning the preparations for the great calamity of the Journey to the West?" Hearing Tathagata's words and observing the wooden box in his hand, Golden Hair Lion's gaze momentarily sharpened.

He, of course, realized that these must be the calamities Bodhisattva Guanyin had prepared for on the journey westward."

"Since you are now in charge of Mount Luojia, naturally, the things left behind by Bodhisattva Guanyin should also be under your management."

"And this wooden box is related to the Journey to the West for Scriptures, and now, the Journey to the West is all coordinated by Maitreya Buddha. What do you think should be done?" Tathagata asked, looking at Golden Hair Lion.

"Should I take this wooden box to Maitreya Buddha?" Hearing Tathagata's inquiry, Golden Hair Lion contemplated for a moment before carefully asking Tathagata.

"The child is teachable!" Hearing Golden Hair Lion's response, Tathagata nodded with a satisfied expression.

However, he also corrected, "But now, you are the Bodhisattva of Golden Light of our Buddhist Sect, such a minor task as delivering something does not require you to go in person. I think, it wouldn't be bad for Princess Gaoyang to go on this errand!"

"Understood, your disciple will strictly follow the decree!" Hearing Tathagata's words which laid bare his intentions, Golden Hair Lion naturally understood, and nodded in agreement.

After their conversation, having discussed almost everything that needed to be said, Golden Hair Lion then turned and left the Great Thunder Monastery.

On the way back, soaring on clouds, Golden Hair Lion felt uplifted in spirit.

When he had arrived, he was merely a mount of Bodhisattva Guanyin, and since Bodhisattva Guanyin had betrayed the Buddhist Sect, who knew if these high-ranking Buddhist figures would vent their anger on him; he always felt uneasy in his heart.

Who would have expected that when he left, he would be conferred with the noble title of Bodhisattva of Golden Light?

"Right, Tathagata said to let Princess Gaoyang deliver the wooden box to Maitreya Buddha!?"

Though he was secretly delighted, Golden Hair Lion quickly took out the wooden box that Tathagata had just given him from his bosom, looking at it with a hesitant expression.

Golden Hair Lion was no fool; on the contrary, compared to other ordinary people, Golden Hair Lion was quite intelligent.

Tathagata specifically instructing him to teach this to Princess Gaoyang was surely calculated, right?

Golden Hair Lion certainly knew some of the affairs between Gaoyang and Jiang Liu. Logically, since his own life was in Jiang Liu's hands, he should find a way to notify him about matters concerning Gaoyang, right?

But now, he was a Bodhisattva of the Buddhist Sect; he asked himself, did he still need to be constrained by him?

Could he find a way to break free from Xuanzang?

This thought had just risen in Golden Hair Lion's mind, and quickly, he shook his head internally, discarding this dangerous idea.

The curse puppet, like the Seven-Arrow Nail Book, didn't care whether he was a Bodhisattva or not; if it wanted to curse him to death, it would just do it directly.

Thus, he couldn't afford to become arrogant just because he was conferred the title of Bodhisattva.

The terror of the Immeasurable Kalpa was something he had experienced long ago.

With that thought, Golden Hair Lion quickly flew towards the team on the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

After spending some time, he arrived in front of Jiang Liu and others.

Buddhist Light flashed, and a rich Buddhist Light blossomed behind Golden Hair Lion's head, as he appeared in front of Jiang Liu and the others.

"Eh? You this..."

Seeing the Buddhist Light flickering behind Golden Hair Lion, Jiang Liu's face showed a hint of surprise as he asked Golden Hair Lion.

"Amitabha, just a short while ago, at Spirit Mountain in Western Heaven, I was conferred by Tathagata as the Bodhisattva of Golden Light!" Golden Hair Lion declared a Buddha's name, which really carried the demeanor of a Bodhisattva, as he spoke.

Feeling amazed, Jiang Liu pulled up Golden Hair Lion's character panel to look, and indeed, the profession field that originally showed Demon had now changed to Bodhisattva.

Moreover, Golden Hair Lion's character level had also been raised to 73.

This cultivation level had also increased somewhat.

"May I know what matters the Bodhisattva has come for today?" Jiang Liu made a respectful gesture, greeting Golden Hair Lion.

"Nothing much, just passing by this place and wanted to say hello to you and Xuanzang!" Golden Hair Lion said nonchalantly.

As he spoke, he flicked his finger and shot a small paper ball towards Jiang Liu, then casually chatted a few more words before leaving.

"Farewell, Bodhisattva!"

To any onlooker, the conversation between Jiang Liu and Golden Hair Lion seemed to be just a few simple and inconsequential words, and Jiang Liu ultimately bowed respectfully to Golden Hair Lion.

After Golden Hair Lion had gone quite far, Jiang Liu took out the paper note that Golden Hair Lion had flicked to him.

Looking at the information on the paper note, Jiang Liu's expression changed drastically.

A wooden box, yet Tathagata specifically named Princess Gaoyang to deliver it to Maitreya Buddha!?

There must be a significant conspiracy within this!?

"No! I must find a way to save her!"

Even though he did not know what the hidden conspiracy was, the matter concerned Gaoyang, making Jiang Liu's heart urgently stir, his resolve firm.

Hint: Triggered the quest "Escape from Restraint". Quest requirements: successfully rescue Princess Gaoyang from the control of the Buddhist Sect. If successful, gain 1.5 billion Experience Points and receive one Divine Level Treasure Chest.