Chapter 50

Finally, under Qin Manyun's expectant gaze, Meng Junliang slowly approached.

The entire tavern instantly fell silent, with only Meng Junliang's voice slowly echoing.

"The Jade Emperor has issued an edict, commanding the gods of the Cloud Department to invite the Three Pure Ones, the Four Sovereigns, the Five Elders, the Six Ministries, the Seven Stars, the Eight Extremes, the Nine Luminaries, the Ten Directions, and thousands of true and holy beings to this gathering to thank the Buddha. He has also ordered the Four Celestial Masters and the Nine Heavenly Fairies to open the Jade Capital, the Golden Palace, the Great Mystery Treasure Palace, and the Cave of Yang Jade Hall, inviting the Buddha to take his seat on the Seven Precious Spirit Platform. Various seats are arranged, and dragon liver and phoenix marrow, jade liquid, and peach of immortality are served..."

A banquet of utmost luxury slowly unfolded before their eyes. Although it was just a story, they dared not even breathe heavily.

The names and titles of the gods attending the banquet made their heads spin, almost losing their ability to think.

As for the dragon liver and phoenix marrow on the table, they dared not even imagine it.

These were dragons and phoenixes, ancient divine beasts, born at the realm of immortals, inviolable in the eyes of cultivators, who could only kneel and worship upon encountering them, let alone think of eating them.

However, in the Heavenly Palace, dragon liver and phoenix marrow were actually served as dishes.

Terrifying, too terrifying!

While being shocked, Qin Manyun also began to think deeply, pondering the deeper meaning.

Since the scholar said that this place would test her insight, she must pay attention.

She frowned, holding her breath and focusing.

The Heavenly Palace was celebrating the suppression of Sun Wukong, which was similar to how the cultivation world celebrated defeating a powerful enemy.

The defeated were suppressed at the bottom, unable to turn over, while the victors were high above, raising their cups in celebration.

As for dragons and phoenixes, what difference did they make to immortals compared to ordinary demons?

It turned out that besides their powerful strength, immortals were not much different from cultivators.

What was this hinting at?

Qin Manyun continued to listen.

The scholar's tone was steady, and the story progressed bit by bit.

Many people only saw it as a story, but some were gradually frowning, deep in thought.

It felt like there was a shocking secret hidden behind it.

The story began to revolve around the Buddhist realm as Sun Wukong was suppressed.

"The bodhisattvas, upon hearing this, clasped their hands in reverence and asked the Buddha, 'What are the three true scriptures of the Tathagata?' The Buddha replied, 'I have one scripture on the law, discussing heaven; one scripture on the doctrine, speaking of earth; and one scripture on the path, guiding ghosts. The three scriptures consist of thirty-five parts, totaling 15,144 volumes, which are the path to cultivation and the gateway to true goodness.

I wish to send them to the Eastern Land... to find a virtuous person who will endure thousands of mountains and traverse countless waters to come to me and seek the true scriptures, to spread them in the Eastern Land and enlighten the masses. Who is willing to make this journey?'"

This, this, this...

Qin Manyun's eyes widened, and she stared intently at Meng Junliang.

The beginning of "Journey to the West" appeared, and Qin Manyun's mind was also struck by a loud noise.

The spread of Buddhist teachings to the East, finding someone to journey west to seek the true scriptures, and Meng Junliang, guided by a high person, also journeyed west, but with a different purpose: to spread the teachings!

The Buddhist realm aimed to spread Buddhism to the world.

Why did the high person want to spread the teachings westward, and what was the deeper meaning?

When the scholar spoke about subduing Sun Wukong and making him protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West, Qin Manyun's breathing became heavy.

Sun Wukong was rebellious and powerful, and had been suppressed by the Buddhist realm for five hundred years. How could he willingly protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West?

Meng Junliang glanced at Qin Manyun and spoke more than usual today.

He continued until Sun Wukong put on the Tightening Headband and then stopped.

"Seeing the reasonableness of the words, the Monkey King dared not move, and could only return to his senses, kneeling and pleading, 'Master! This is his way of forcing me to follow you to the West. I won't provoke him, and you shouldn't take it lightly, just keep reciting. I am willing to protect you, and I will not have any regrets.' Tang Sanzang said, 'If so, serve me and mount the horse.'"

The Monkey King was now completely resigned, shaking off his spirit, tightening his cotton robe, saddling the horse, packing the luggage, and heading west. In the end, what more will happen? Stay tuned for the next episode."

The scholar got up and left, but Qin Manyun remained seated, her face full of complexity.

Her expression kept changing, sometimes angry, sometimes desperate, her face pale.

She had enlightened!

She had understood the hints in the high person's story!

However, knowing the truth made her feel even more powerless.

It was said that the great figures liked to use the world as a chessboard, toying with the lives of mortals, and it seemed to be true.

The Buddha sending someone to the West to fetch the scriptures was clearly a grand plan. Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong were merely his pawns.

Even if Sun Wukong had cultivated great powers, what did it matter? In the end, he was still subdued and controlled like a dog, his fate arranged by others.

As for the Tightening Headband, with the path between the mortal and immortal realms now severed, wasn't it equivalent to the Tightening Headband for cultivators?

Could this be because a powerful being was orchestrating everything here?

The heavens are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs. What should we do?

Luo Shiyu, seeing her body trembling, couldn't help but ask, "Sister Manyun, what's wrong?"

Qin Manyun gritted her teeth, her expression bitter, and smiled wryly, "I think I know the reason why the path between the mortal and immortal realms is severed."

"The path between the mortal and immortal realms is severed?" Luo Shiyu was slightly stunned.

"Yes." Qin Manyun nodded, "We cultivators pursue the path to immortality, but in the end, you will find that becoming an immortal is an illusion. In these thousands of years, there has never been a single example of someone ascending."

Luo Shiyu found it hard to believe, "What? How can this be? Weren't there many legends of people becoming immortals in the past?"

"There were indeed, but not anymore." Qin Manyun said solemnly, "Our Linxian Dao Palace even contacted our ancestors who had ascended to the immortal realm, but we only received the message that the path between the mortal and immortal realms is severed, and no one knows the reason."

"Wow—"

Luo Shiyu drew a sharp breath. This news was too explosive, temporarily robbing her of the ability to think. It could definitely be listed as the greatest secret in the cultivation world!

No wonder, it has been a long time since anyone has become an immortal, and it has also been a long time since any immortal has descended to the mortal realm.

The path between the mortal and immortal realms... is severed?

Whoosh!

Qin Manyun stood up and quickly walked out of the tavern, heading towards Meng Junliang.

Meng Junliang was still sitting under the willow tree from last night. Seeing Qin Manyun approach, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Have you enlightened?"

Qin Manyun bowed deeply, "I have, sir."

Meng Junliang smiled, "Tell me what you have understood."

"The world is a chessboard, and the lives of mortals are the pawns. I, though unworthy, am willing to be a pawn in the hands of the high person." Qin Manyun said solemnly.

Meng Junliang's face showed approval, "It seems your insight is not too bad."

"However, not everyone has the qualifications to be a pawn in the hands of the high person." Meng Junliang said slowly, "The rules of the world have been rewritten. Mr. Li's appearance in the mortal realm at this time is clearly a challenge to a certain existence! Every step he takes has deep meaning. Although I am not worthy of Mr. Li's attention, I am willing to be a small pawn in his grand plan, ready to charge into battle for him!"