Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

As the saying goes, one must take responsibility for one's actions.

In this primordial world, when you do great deeds, the Heavenly Dao grants merit, which has immense significance.

Conversely, if one commits great evils, the Heavenly Dao will also mete out punishments, which come in various forms.

Though, in this great tribulation of the Journey to the West, as a person of destiny, I am untouched by karma.

However, being untouched by karma does not mean I will not face the Heavenly Dao's punishment.

Moreover, even without the karma and punishment from the Heavenly Dao, Jiang Liu's own conscience cannot be at peace.

"No matter what, the emergence of these demons is my responsibility!" Seeing countless lights scattering away, Jiang Liu's heart grew heavier, muttering to himself.

Indeed, the emergence of these demons, this consequence, is difficult to bear.

However, since this is a mistake I've made, naturally, I must take responsibility for it.

Even if it's difficult, it must be done!

Hint: Task "Clearing of the Heavenly Path" triggered. Task requirement: Successfully eliminate the threats and destruction caused by demons escaping from the prison of the Eastern Temple. Success rewards 8.8 billion experience points, 1 Divine Level Treasure Chest, and 2 Epic Level Treasure Chests.

Just as Jiang Liu's heart grew heavy and he resolved to overcome this difficulty, a system notification rang in his mind.

Since this was something Jiang Liu was determined to do, it was an active quest, not a passive one.

Rumble!

When the system notification sounded, suddenly, a great thunderous sound arose, startling Jiang Liu.

Although Jiang Liu had heard this great thunder before, this time, he could clearly sense an underlying anger in this sound.

Meanwhile, a purple-red bolt of lightning appeared from the void, striking directly towards Jiang Liu's head.

Seeing the purple-red lightning appear mid-air and strike towards him, Jiang Liu's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly raised the Tai Chi Diagram, placing it above his head to block the bolt of lightning.

However, in the face of this purple-red lightning, the Tai Chi Diagram seemed like a mere illusion.

Because the purple-red lightning did not fall on the Tai Chi Diagram; it passed right through it, striking Jiang Liu's head.

Hint: You've entered a state of Heavenly Retribution; your level has decreased by 10. It can be restored upon completing the "Clearing of the Heavenly Path" task.

As the purple-red lightning struck his head, Jiang Liu felt bewildered. At the same time, a system notification sounded in his mind.

"Oh no!" Hearing this system notification, Jiang Liu inwardly exclaimed.

A drop by 10 levels? This punishment is indeed severe!

Originally at the peak of the Taiyi True Immortal, my cultivation level fell directly to the Heavenly Immortal Peak?

Although, upon completing the task, I can recover my cultivation level by bearing such consequences.

But is this task that easy to complete?

This is a Divine Level Quest, with experience point rewards as high as 8.8 billion. From such generous rewards, Jiang Liu could tell the task is extremely challenging.

Moreover, aside from a Divine Level Treasure Chest, there were also rewards of two Epic Level Treasure Chests.

"Sigh..."

Receiving the system notification, having suffered the punishment of Heavenly Retribution, Jiang Liu inwardly sighed.

Since reaching level 20, when the task function was unlocked, countless active quests had been triggered.

Yet, all active quests had no failure penalties.

But today, this active quest actually has a failure penalty, doesn't it?

Not a penalty from the game system, but a punishment from the Heavenly Dao.

If I can't complete this task, will my level remain at 70, without recovery?

Could it be that I can't even relearn and reach level 80 again!?

Buddhist Light shimmering, ethereal immortal tunes playing!

Apart from how Jiang Liu felt at the moment, from the horizon emerged waves of Buddhist Light and immortal tunes.

Clearly, the disturbance at Eastern Temple caught the attention of the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect, so their members appeared.

Soon, various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas appeared in the sky.

There were also many Divine Generals appearing with a majestic aura.

As far as the eye can see, there are probably hundreds of people, almost completely surrounding Jiang Liu.

However, after surrounding Jiang Liu, these people remained silent, clearly waiting for someone.

Indeed, within moments, waves of Buddhist Light appeared, and the figure of the Tathagata was seated upon the Lotus Throne, emerging from the horizon.

Almost simultaneously, a heavy and majestic aura appeared, and the Jade Emperor, clad in a golden Imperial Robe and adorned with a diadem, also showed himself.

The destruction of the Eastern Temple and the actions of the mysterious person evidently drew significant attention from both the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court, with the personal arrival of the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor.

After all, this is an existence capable of making Randeng Buddha retreat in defeat; naturally, both the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor take the matter very seriously.

"Amitabha, Benefactor, with your actions, you have wrought immense calamity…" said the Tathagata, joining his palms together and speaking to Jiang Liu.

"As the master of the Three Realms, such actions cannot be left unchecked!" After the Tathagata had spoken, the Jade Emperor also chimed in.

"Jade Emperor, the destruction of the Eastern Temple is a significant loss to the Buddhist Sect, and for causing such a disaster, this person should be taken to the Great Thunder Monastery to repent facing the wall!" The Tathagata's gaze fell upon the Jade Emperor as he spoke.

"The Buddha's words are mistaken!"

However, upon hearing the Tathagata's words, the Jade Emperor shook his head and said, "The demons and ghosts that escaped from here will surely bring calamity to all living beings, and as the master of the Three Realms, I must take responsibility for them and provide an explanation to the world. Therefore, this person must be judged by me!"

Jiang Liu's figure quietly hovered in mid-air, listening to the conversation between the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor, while secretly harboring anger in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu could no longer hold back and interjected, "You two seem to have already decided my fate!?"

Yes, even before taking action, the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor were already arguing about who would take possession of him?

"Amitabha, your Cultivation Level is admirable, but having caused such immense calamity, you must have suffered Heavenly Retribution and presumably have little fight left in you, right? There's no need to feign calmness!" said the Tathagata, his expression resolute.

"Correct!"

Following the Tathagata's words, the Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Back then, when the ten Golden Crows of the Demon Clan emerged, hellfire swept over the world, creating an inferno; after Heavenly Retribution descended, their Cultivation Level dropped severely, leaving only one in ten, easily shot down by a mere Great Witch of the Witch Clan!"

"In the past, when Gonggong the Water God and Zhurong the Fire God angrily struck Mount Buzhou, causing the Heavenly Pillar to collapse and the Water of the Heavenly River to flood the Mortal World, they too incurred Heavenly Retribution, and similarly their Cultivation Level plummeted, again leaving only one in ten!" The Tathagata agreed with the Jade Emperor and continued.

After each provided an example, their gazes turned towards Jiang Liu.

The implication was clear; the precedent was set, and the same fate awaits you.

"A severe drop in Cultivation Level, leaving only one in ten, huh?" Jiang Liu pondered their words and calculated inwardly.

The gap between each level is nearly tenfold, and from the peak of the Taiyi Realm to the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Realm, the situation is indeed similar!

However, in comparison to the Golden Crow and Zhurong Gonggong, my strength naturally falls far short.

Therefore, although similarly having suffered Heavenly Retribution and dropping a major level, my decline is insignificant.

Just like falling from the Body Tempering Realm to the Qi Refinement Realm, although this descent covers a major level, it is naturally insignificant.

Moreover, my strength does not rely on my Cultivation Level, but rather on the Tai Chi Diagram.

The Tai Chi Diagram is a Divine Artifact with no level restriction!

Is it really wise for them to write me off so easily?

Seeing Jiang Liu remain silent, the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor chuckled inwardly.

In their view, Jiang Liu had no way to refute, hence resorted to silence.

"I'm very busy right now, and I don't have time to waste with you…" After a brief silence, Jiang Liu shook his head and spoke.

With those words, Jiang Liu shook his head and prepared to turn and leave.

Indeed, although the power of the Tai Chi Diagram is formidable, it is nearly impossible to eliminate the combined forces of the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor.

Given the impossibility, Jiang Liu naturally had no intention of taking action or wasting effort.

However, to the Jade Emperor and the Tathagata, Jiang Liu's actions appeared to be an attempt to flee out of fear.

Naturally, the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor would not allow him to leave.

The Tathagata and the Jade Emperor stepped in front and behind to block Jiang Liu's path, and all the surrounding Buddhas and Divine Generals closed in to completely form a Heavenly Net.

Beneath the Shadow Robe, Jiang Liu frowned as he prepared to unfold the Tai Chi Diagram.

Though the power of the Tai Chi Diagram as a White Jade Golden Bridge can only be used once per day, if it protects himself, he could still ensure his safety and then attempt to break through the encirclement.

Just at that moment, a powerful resentment suddenly boiled up from beneath the ground.

The terrifying resentment made heavens and earth change color.