All things have ever been urgent.
Wukong's first goal after crossing the Pudu River was naturally the closest target — the Zhengyin Dharma Temple.
Apart from being the Central Continent Buddhist sect's facade in the Western Ox Continent, this Buddhist temple also housed a Karma Buddha — Ruzhong Buddha.
Why a pure Buddhist Karma Buddha had fallen to the Western Ox Continent was not something Wukong could investigate.
Although Zhengyin Dharma Temple had been dismantled, no battle scenes of Tribulation Transcending cultivators had emerged.
Ruzhong Buddha had not sent a single message back to the Great Thunderclap Temple.
The Central Continent Buddhas naturally found this strange, and some wished to investigate Ruzhong Buddha's current situation.
How the Buddha was doing and what his situation was — the Buddhist sect still cared deeply about such matters.
Wukong, having simply passed the first tribulation — the Pudu River — felt no relief in his heart.
For he deeply understood that the road ahead would be even harder to walk.
Chu Xingchen would not give up what he intended to do next just because he knew Wukong.
Everyone did what they believed was right, and would not abandon it for another's sake.
Yet upon witnessing the current state of Zhengyin Dharma Temple with his own eyes, Wukong felt he had still underestimated the difficulty of this journey.
The dense array of formations, vast and magnificent, enveloped the entire Zhengyin Dharma Temple.
The flowing formations stretched as far as the eye could see, radiating profound spiritual energy.
Wukong looked further inward, and at the very center, Zhengyin Dharma Temple had nearly been reduced to ruins.
Such a grand display, just to protect ruins?
Wukong sighed softly, and then understood.
Wasn't he himself also coming for these very ruins?
Wukong hesitated briefly, but ultimately headed toward Zhengyin Dharma Temple.
Still a hundred zhang away, a shout rang out:
"Who comes here? This place has been taken over by the Tai Dao Sect."
"Irrelevant personnel, leave at once! This warning comes only once."
The words had barely fallen.
Several cultivators dressed in Tai Dao Sect disciple robes appeared, holding spiritual treasures to block the way in midair.
At the same time, several divine senses rapidly swept toward Wukong in search.
Facing the lead Tai Dao Sect disciple at the Soul Formation realm, Wukong hesitated for a moment before bowing:
"This humble monk is the Buddhist Son Wukong, ordered by Venerable Buddha Ru Nan to inquire about the current situation at Zhengyin Dharma Temple."
The lead disciple lowered his gaze, raised two fingers, and pointed toward the nearly ruined Zhengyin Dharma Temple:
"That is Zhengyin Dharma Temple. You've seen it, yes?"
"That is the situation. You may leave now."
Wukong raised his eyes to meet the gaze and inhaled softly:
"May this humble monk enter to take a look? After all, that too is a Buddhist temple..."
"Are you blind? Where is there a Buddhist temple here? There are only ruins beside you."
Before Wukong could finish, the lead disciple cut in, his tone turning slightly cold:
"I know your cultivation is formidable, but this is no place for you to run wild. The token I hold today decrees — all monks are forbidden entry!"
Wukong listened to the lead disciple's resolute words, and looked again at his unhesitating expression.
Zhengyin Dharma Temple had indeed fallen to the Tai Dao Sect, and who knew how many high-level cultivators were hidden here. At the very least, among the divine senses sweeping toward him, there were quite a few troublesome ones.
If a fight broke out here, let alone winning — even escaping would be uncertain for Wukong.
Wukong fell silent for a moment, and ultimately chose to deploy the Face-saving Method. Unsure whether it would work, he lowered his voice slightly:
"I know Chu... Chu Xingchen."
Though Wukong's voice was low, the lead disciple was at the Soul Formation realm, and could naturally hear clearly.
His expression changed at once, and his tone softened somewhat:
"Are you here on Junior Uncle Chu's recommendation?"
Wukong remained slightly silent, neither confirming nor denying, as if tacitly accepting.
Since parting at the Heavenly Derivation Sect, he had never seen Chu Xingchen again, and they had exchanged few words last time. How could this be any recommendation?
The lead disciple did not press further, but waited a moment. Then, as if receiving some message, he revealed a smile and said:
"Since you come on Junior Uncle Chu's recommendation, you may enter. However, please proceed straight toward Zhengyin Dharma Temple along the way."
"Do not look too closely at other places. Do not put Junior Uncle Chu in a difficult position."
Wukong let out a breath of relief: "Naturally."
The lead disciple raised his hand slightly, and the disciples standing behind him parted to make way, while the formations also opened a path.
Wukong bowed once more and led his small party toward Zhengyin Dharma Temple.
The formations surrounding Zhengyin Dharma Temple were not a single layer, but several, and the formations were also used to separate the refugees who had fled here.
Where crowds gathered in chaos, trouble easily arose. Even immortal sects could not entirely escape this truth.
The elderly, weak, sick, disabled, and their families would be moved toward the inner circles for better protection.
Wukong naturally agreed with these arrangements.
However, every time he intended to enter the next formation, a Tai Dao Sect cultivator would come down to question him.
Wukong did not know whether this was deliberate. They were all disciples of the same sect — how could they have no means of communication?
Fortunately, Wukong also discovered — the benefits of the Face-saving Method.
When questioned.
Wukong would simply speak with a smile:
"I know Chu Xingchen."
This phrase seemed to act as a passcode. Once spoken, the other party would show a face of understanding and let him through.
Along the way, he had sold Chu Xingchen's face who knows how many times.
Wukong finally stepped onto the shattered grounds of Zhengyin Dharma Temple. The Buddhist cultivators behind him looked at the rubble-strewn temple, their expressions varied, but mostly grief-stricken.
Wukong, who should have offered a few words of comfort, truly lacked the spirit for it.
He raised his eyes to look, his heart sinking in mute astonishment.
The only remaining structure at Zhengyin Dharma Temple — the Great Hero Hall — still bore its magnificent plaque.
Only... the door was closed.
Wukong did not understand. Was there any need to keep this door shut?
Even without divine sense, even an ordinary mortal, by simply craning his neck left or right, could see that half of the Great Hero Hall was gone, and the interior was fully visible at a glance.
This closed door was like covering one's ears while stealing a bell — pure self-deception.
Wukong ultimately gave the door a light knock, then slowly pushed it open and entered. Raising his eyes slightly, he could see multiple layers of ritual circles.
The Great Hero Hall had only been half-destroyed, but fortunately, the Faceless Great Buddha on the main seat remained.
An old monk sat below the cushion, lightly striking a wooden fish while chanting in a low voice.
Other than that, the hall was empty.
Only... Wukong caught a trace of an extremely unique tea fragrance in the air.
Wukong stepped into the hall and stood still. The Buddhist cultivators behind him took positions on either side and bowed together:
"Buddhist Son Wukong, seeking audience with Ruzhong Buddha."
The wooden fish sound ceased. The old monk slowly turned, his gaze falling upon the bowing Wukong as he smiled:
"This title... I have not heard it in a long time. I did not expect any Buddhist Son to still remember me."
Wukong replied smoothly:
"Having attained a fruit status and entered the Great Vehicle realm, your title is naturally eternal and imperishable."
The old monk nodded as if quite pleased, then rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on Wukong.
He spoke words that nearly made Wukong fail to react.
The old monk asked:
"Do you know Chu Xingchen?"
Wukong raised his head, his expression astonished and utterly confused.
If the Tai Dao Sect honored Chu Xingchen's face, he could accept that.
But his own Karma Buddha also honored Chu Xingchen's face?
What was wrong with this world?
Could nothing be done without knowing Chu Xingchen?
Did Chu Xingchen's face work universally, even in the Buddhist sect?
[
Dear Readers,
I post multiple high-quality, human-polished chapters every day. If you enjoy the story, consider supporting the release schedule to unlock massive advanced chapter buffers!
Support Options:
$6 — Read 20+ Chapters Ahead (High-speed daily updates!)
$8 — Read 40+ Chapters Ahead + Exclusive Character Images
$10 — Read 60+ Chapters Ahead + Character Images + Patreon Community Chat
(Note: These chapter counts are guaranteed minimums. Because of my rapid update schedule, you will often get even more!)
⚠️ Apple Users: Please subscribe via your web browser (Safari/Chrome) instead of the Patreon App to avoid a 30% fee and massive payment delays.
Thank you for reading and keeping these daily releases going!
Support Here: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]