Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 170 Xiao Bailong and Princess Wansheng

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Xiao Bailong and Princess Wansheng

Golden Cicada entered the abode of the Great Sage Equalling Heaven with mixed emotions.

He had heard about Sun Wukong’s recent foray into the underworld, single-handedly breaking through the million soldier-strong armies of Fengdu and holding off Guang Chengzi of the Chan Teaching with archery skills.

Such might already placed him among the Quasi-Saints.

Yet, during the last upheaval of the Taiyin Star, Sun Wukong had only been on par with the merit-based Quasi-Saints like Fearing-Stay Buddha.

In just over a decade, to have improved so much was, of course, astonishing.

And considering how Sun Wukong had once advised him to return to Mount Ling and take on the responsibilities of being a Buddha’s disciple, yet a decade had passed and he hadn’t accomplished anything.

Even on his previous return to Mount Ling, he had been robbed by Moluo of Fearing-Stay Buddha’s Shariputra.

Golden Cicada felt that, compared to Sun Wukong, he seemed utterly useless as a Buddha’s disciple.

"This humble monk must work even harder," Golden Cicada resolved, his gaze once again becoming steadfast as he headed to where Sun Wukong usually trained.

He saw Sun Wukong practicing with a series of strange movements, continuously rotating his head, hands, arms, and more, attracting a great deal of spiritual energy from heaven and earth.

Golden Cicada was not surprised; during his last stay in the Heavenly Court for study, he would often witness Sun Wukong practicing with these odd movements and another method for cultivating the Primordial Spirit through deep meditation, equally peculiar.

He had tried to learn them but could attract not even the slightest spiritual energy.

Seeing Sun Wukong immersed in cultivation, he didn’t approach to disturb him and then saw Ao Lie cultivating at a distance.

Golden Cicada was shocked this time—Golden Immortal!

When Ao Lie transformed into a true dragon at the Dragon Transformation Assembly, he was only an Earth Immortal; in just a decade or so, he had also improved so much.

Wasn’t it said that the more Dragon Blood a member of the Dragon Race had, the stronger the karma shackles they bore?

Golden Cicada was astonished, and looking back at Sun Wukong, it was clear that the source of all these changes lay with the Great Sage Equalling Heaven.

After a while, Sun Wukong finished his training and directly asked Golden Cicada, "Why are you, a monk, here in the Heavenly Court rather than dutifully performing the role of a Buddha’s disciple in the Buddha Sect?"

Golden Cicada pressed his palms together and replied honestly, "I had wished to stay on Mount Ling to do more for the Buddha Sect, but the Buddha wouldn’t permit it, insisting I continue my studies in the Heavenly Court."

"Oh?" Sun Wukong’s eyes twinkled, and reflecting on the curious and talkative nature of the monk, he probably understood why the Buddha Lord wouldn’t let him stay on Mount Ling. Then he asked, "How goes the task of the Scripture pilgrimage?"

Golden Cicada spoke helplessly, "Actually, more than a decade ago, the Buddha Lord commanded me to come to the Heavenly Court for this very reason, which is why I stayed on Mount Ling for so long."

"But those knowing Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on Mount Ling, not a single one was willing to reveal anything concerning the Scripture pilgrimage."

"Finally, the Buddha Lord summoned me again and ordered me to leave Mount Ling immediately, so I hurried to the Heavenly Court."

At these words, Sun Wukong was not surprised.

Before, there had been suggestions from netizens that he should cancel the Scripture pilgrimage project, with a reward of an eighth-level treasure box upon completion.

And to this day, the suggestion has yet to be fulfilled, clearly indicating that the Buddha Sect has not given up scheming the pilgrimage to the Western Heaven.

Even now, many things have changed.

He, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, is now counted among the Great Sages of the North Pole, with power comparable to a Quasi-Saint.

Tianpeng is not the victim of a scheme, still holding the position of Supervisor of the Milky Way River Navy.

Ao Lie has become his disciple, transforming into a real dragon ahead of time.

The fates of the three Scripture pilgrims have already shifted.

If Golden Cicada continues to study with him, his fate is likely to change.

In that case, how is the Buddha Sect to proceed with the planned pilgrimage to the Western Heaven?

This question, he had once consulted with the netizen seniors on Zhihu, and received various opinions.

The most common view was to replace the pilgrims.

But Sun Wukong always felt it couldn’t be that simple; the pilgrimage to the Western Heaven, based on a heavenly decree to proliferate the Buddha Sect, was a critical scheme that nearly determined the sect’s future. It wasn’t something that could just change on a whim. The specifics remained to be seen.

At this moment, Golden Cicada curiously asked, "Great Saint, why do you, a non-member of the Buddha Sect, care so much about the Scripture pilgrimage?"

Ao Lie, cultivating in the distance, upon hearing their conversation, was equally curious and all ears to their discussion.

Sun Wukong laughed, "The Buddha said, ’It cannot be expounded.’"

Golden Cicada was at a loss for words.

Ao Lie was completely befuddled, but his mind wasn’t there at the moment. Seeing that his master’s conversation with Golden Cicada had come to a pause, he stepped forward to bow, "Master, I will return to the Peach Orchard."

"Go on, go on," Sun Wukong waved his hand.

Ao Lie immediately took his leave, seeming rather eager to depart from the Great Sage’s abode.

The two watched his retreating figure.

Golden Cicada said, "He seems somewhat restless."

Sun Wukong scratched his face and chuckled, "Hehe, everyone has secrets. If he wishes to tell me, he will do so in his own time."

He had noticed for some time that Ao Lie’s recent practice lacked the former focus, as if he were distracted by something, most likely a matter of romance.

But he had no intention of asking, waiting instead for Ao Lie to come forth on his own volition.

And through this matter, Sun Wukong had come to understand Taibai Jinxing’s way of thinking to some extent.

When Taibai Jinxing found the relationship between him and Yang Chan to be somewhat amiss, he didn’t immediately intervene but quietly watched for him to realize everything on his own.

Indeed, enlightenment is preferable in matters of romance.

Of course, if Ao Lie could not come to enlightenment, that would be the time for him, as a master, to step in.

...

The Pan Peach Garden lay adjacent to the Jade Pond, and although the scenery was captivating, no immortal dared to approach the area.

Everyone knew it was a vital area in the Heavenly Court.

Ao Lie was the guardian of the Pan Peach Garden, thus he was free to come and go as he pleased.

He returned straight from the residence of the Great Sage Equalling Heaven back to the garden, first summoning the local Earth Spirit and a group of strong laborers to inspect the garden. After that, he anxiously began to wait.

The thriving peach trees and the branches laden with pan peaches looked like mundane things in his eyes; they simply couldn’t catch his interest.

Having lost track of time, Princess Wan Saint, clad in a light blue gown, arrived at the Pan Peach Garden with a basket in hand.

"This concubine has seen Prince Jade Dragon," Princess Wan Saint performed a curtsy as a greeting.

Seeing her radiant smile, Ao Lie’s cheeks instantly reddened. Even though he had met Princess Wan Saint many times, he was always overwhelmed with excitement at each meeting.

"Please rise, I’ve said many times before, there’s no need for such formalities," he hurriedly bid Princess Wan Saint to stand.

But Princess Wan Saint said with due solemnity, "As a true dragon, and now by the Emperor’s edict the caretaker of the Pan Peach Garden, your status is extraordinary. And with so many subordinates around at the moment, how can I not observe proper protocol and cause you to lose face?"

Ao Lie was deeply touched and yet, at the same time, filled with guilt.

What moved him was the fact that Princess Wan Saint understood the bigger picture and was very considerate towards him.

His guilt stemmed from not having revealed his relationship with Princess Wan Saint to his master.

He had long wanted to speak up, but he also harbored some worries.

That was because he knew about the past grievances between his master and the Dragon King of Wan Saint, even entire Dragon Race of Wan Saint was annihilated by his master.

What if, after speaking up, his master ordered him to leave Princess Wan Saint?

Ao Lie was deeply conflicted. Having endured oppression in the Dragon Palace of the West Sea from a young age, aside from his master and uncle, only Princess Wan Saint had ever been so considerate towards him.

Of course, he had initially doubted whether Princess Wan Saint harbored any ulterior motives.

But those suspicions slowly faded away because Princess Wan Saint now served the Queen Mother closely and had very good relationships with all the fairy maidens of the Jade Pond.

How could such a person harbor ill intentions?

Seeing the change in Ao Lie’s expression, Princess Wan Saint asked, "Prince, haven’t you spoken yet?"

Ao Lie hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"The prince still does not trust me," Princess Wan Saint sighed. "I’ve said before, I hold no grudges against the Supreme Northern Deity. On the contrary, I’m grateful to him,

My father served the Demon Sect and should have been damned to eternal damnation, but the Supreme Northern Deity granted him a chance for redemption, allowing him to only suffer endless reincarnation in the end.

So feel free to speak, prince. If the Supreme Northern Deity truly blames us, I will personally go and explain, to secure his agreement for us to be together."

Together?

Ao Lie was initially stunned, then overjoyed, and quickly inquired, "Princess, what did you say?"

Princess Wan Saint showed a shy look, "I’ve spoken so clearly, do you still not understand my feelings? Are you unwilling to be with me?"

"Willing! I am willing!" Ao Lie exclaimed excitedly.

"The prince is the last true dragon of the Dragon Race in the Three Realms, and I also possess some true dragon bloodline," Princess Wan Saint said gravely. "If we could be united, the likelihood of true dragons among our offspring would be great."

Ao Lie was happy but also concerned, "But the divine laws..."

Princess Wan Saint replied, "I will ask the Queen Mother for help, to plead with the Emperor on our behalf. After all, this marriage concerns the true dragon bloodline, and the Emperor is likely to make an exception."

Ao Lie then said, "But what if it doesn’t work?"

With a resolute expression, Princess Wan Saint stated, "If it doesn’t work, I will follow the example of Princess Yaoji and Princess Weaver Girl. Even if it means facing a myriad of dangers, I will be with you."

"Princess..." Overwhelmed with emotion, Ao Lie sincerely vowed, "If the Princess is true to me, I will never betray the Princess."

"Mhm," Princess Wan Saint nodded coyly and then inquired, "So when will you tell your master about us? It’s better to do it sooner rather than later. If your master discovers it on his own, his opinion of me will definitely not be favorable."

Ao Lie looked at the abundant Pan Peaches in the garden, then at the princess beside him, with a bright smile, he made up his mind, "I’ll go right now."

"Good." Princess Wan Saint beamed like a blooming flower, "But first, you must finish these pastries. They are made with flowers from the Jade Pond and the essence of Lingyun stalactites."

Ao Lie was even happier, feeling as though all the beauty in the world had come his way.

He had a master who treated him like his own son, and now a tender, understanding, and sensible beloved.

Princess Wan Saint laughed again, "After you’re finished, I should return. The Queen Mother sent me to pick two three-thousand-year-old Pan Peaches this time."

"Our time together is always too brief," Ao Lie couldn’t help but lament.

It was precisely because Princess Wan Saint was picking peaches on the Queen Mother’s orders that they had met in the first place.

They then saw each other every few days, but those moments were fleeting.

"There will be plenty of time in the future..." Princess Wan Saint said with a smile.

But before she could finish, a noisy commotion arose from outside the garden.

"Since when did the Pan Peach Garden have a guardian?"

"Immortal Sir, this is by the command of Prince Jade Dragon, the caretaker of the Pan Peach Garden. No one is permitted to trespass without authorization!"

"What Prince Jade Dragon? How dare he obstruct a disciple of the Chan Teaching? Step aside!"

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