"Tathagata, you're seeking death!"

  With a furious roar, Xu Fang could no longer hold back. A surge of immense power erupted from him, shaking the heavens and earth!

  Master Bodhi had once left him a life-saving talisman, containing the full force of a strike from the master himself!

  "This is... Master Bodhi's power!"

  The sudden appearance of this overwhelming force immediately shocked the Jade Emperor and the others. As they gazed at the towering Bodhi tree behind Xu Fang, they couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

  Everyone in the Three Realms knew that Xu Fang was the direct disciple of Master Bodhi, but no one had expected that the master would invest so much in this disciple!

  He had hidden his own power within Xu Fang!

  "If Xu Fang can unleash Master Bodhi's power, the Tathagata is doomed."

  The Jade Emperor's expression turned uncertain. If the Tathagata were to fall at Xu Fang's hands, it would mean total defeat!

  After all, in this era, the Sages followed the decree of Ancestral Daoist Hongjun and could not casually intervene in worldly affairs. Quasi-Sages like the Tathagata, at the peak of their power, were essentially the strongest beings in the Three Realms!

  However, even among Quasi-Sages, there were differences in strength.

  And Master Bodhi was undoubtedly among the very top of the Quasi-Sages!

  If Xu Fang could truly wield Master Bodhi's power, the Tathagata would undoubtedly be defeated!

  "Master Bodhi!"

  Clearly, the Tathagata also recognized Master Bodhi's power. After a moment of shock, his face twisted with hatred.

  "The Sages' decree, and you dare to defy it in secret!"

  The Tathagata's killing intent surged, and his resentment toward Master Bodhi deepened.

  After all, what Master Bodhi had left Xu Fang was only a single strike's worth of power, but... no one else knew that!

  "Xu Fang, do you truly intend to save this demon monkey and disrupt the natural order?!"

  The Tathagata's massive hand radiated golden light as he glared at Xu Fang, his voice icy. "Do not forget, even the one behind you is not invincible in the Three Realms!"

  At this moment, the Jade Emperor had no choice but to step forward.

  He was worried that the Tathagata might truly fall to Xu Fang. If that happened, the plan he and the Tathagata had devised would be ruined!

  "Xu Fang, remember your position!"

  The Jade Emperor appeared before the Hall of Divine Mists and shouted, "You are a heavenly god, while Sun Wukong is but a demon from the mortal realm. Immortals and demons have never coexisted. Cease this at once, and I will forgive your transgressions!"

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Hahaha—"

  Xu Fang responded with a loud laugh. "Immortal? Demon? Monster? What defines an immortal? What defines a demon? What defines a monster?!"

  The Jade Emperor was momentarily stunned. He looked at Xu Fang and said, "Those with good hearts are immortals, those who harm others are demons, and those with evil intentions become monsters. Immortals and demons are but a thought apart. Xu Fang, turn back."

  "Is that so?"

  Xu Fang turned his cold gaze toward the Jade Emperor, while the Tathagata, standing nearby, raised a hand and smiled. "I see that General Xu possesses the wisdom of Buddhism and has a connection with our teachings. If you come to the pure lands of Buddhism to study the Dharma and let go of today's obsessions, you may one day achieve the fruit of Buddhahood. Even Sun Wukong could practice alongside you in the same hall!"

  The Tathagata's words instantly angered the Jade Emperor!

  This bald monk actually wanted to convert Xu Fang to Buddhism?!

  As the Buddhist chants echoed, carrying a mesmerizing power, Xu Fang's heart sank. If what the Tathagata said was true, and he could still practice alongside Sun Wukong after joining Buddhism, wouldn't that achieve his goal?

  After all, Sun Wukong wouldn't die and could even attain the fruit of Buddhahood. What was there to lose?

  However, just as Xu Fang's mind seemed to waver, a spark of light suddenly flashed in his Mud Pellet Palace, jolting him back to clarity!

  "This bald monk is playing dirty!"

  Xu Fang was both shocked and furious. He swung the Ghost-Mourning Blade, its edge pointing directly at the Tathagata. "You dare to manipulate my mind with underhanded tricks!"

  After a pause, he continued, "Your Majesty, I beg you today to save Sun Wukong. I will repay this favor!"

  "You!"

  The Jade Emperor, who had initially felt relieved that Xu Fang hadn't been swayed by the Tathagata, now felt his heart sink at Xu Fang's words.

  "Xu Fang, this matter is beyond our control. Cease at once!"

  With these words, Xu Fang knew he could no longer rely on the Jade Emperor.

  If that was the case, then he would use his blade to cut through the eternal heavens!

  "Break!"

  With a roar, Xu Fang ignored the Jade Emperor and swung his blade with all his might, aiming directly at the Tathagata's massive hand that held Sun Wukong!

  Boom—

  The blade's energy was ferocious, almost tearing apart the sky!

  From the Thirty-Third Heaven to the Eighteen Layers of Hell, everything seemed to collapse in that moment!

  The power of a peak Quasi-Sage was enough to destroy everything!

  "Insolent fool!"

  The Tathagata's expression turned solemn, and his golden body radiated blinding light.

  At that moment, the blade arrived!

  Ssshh—

  A muffled sound echoed!

  The Tathagata's right hand was severed!

  Golden light cascaded down, slowly transforming into an ordinary arm. A faint cough could be heard, and then the figure holding the Golden-Hooped Rod leaped out once more!

  "Thank you, Big Brother!"

  As soon as Sun Wukong broke free, he thanked Xu Fang, then turned his fiery eyes toward the Tathagata!

  Xu Fang, however, said urgently, "Wukong, run! The Tathagata is the one who will suppress you. Do not engage him. Flee!"

  Earlier, while Sun Wukong was in the furnace, Xu Fang had told him about his future fate.

  Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned, looking up at the towering Tathagata. "Him?"

  As he spoke, the unruly Great Sage Equal to Heaven stood tall, his eyes showing no trace of fear!

  "Heaven's will is thus. He cannot escape!"

  The Tathagata sneered, looking at his severed arm. With a surge of power, golden light flashed, and the arm was instantly restored.

  "Escape? Who said anything about escaping?"

  Sun Wukong, carrying the Golden-Hooped Rod on his shoulder, turned to Xu Fang with a defiant smile. "Big Brother, I understand your intentions, but if I don't kill this bald monk, I'll never escape his grasp. Big Brother, I don't know how to rid you of your inner demons, but I must slay my own!"

  With that, Sun Wukong no longer looked at Xu Fang. He swung the Golden-Hooped Rod and roared at the heavens, "Emulating Heaven and Earth, grow!"

  Boom—

  The moment his voice fell, Sun Wukong's body began to expand rapidly, reaching the size of a towering mountain in the blink of an eye!

  However, even as he grew to the height of the Tathagata's chest, he was suppressed by the Buddhist light. His Emulating Heaven and Earth could grow no further!

  "Hmph, still just a foolish demon monkey who doesn't know his place!"

  The Tathagata sneered, then turned to the Jade Emperor. "Your Majesty, control your people. This demon monkey shall be suppressed by me!"

  "Bald monk, you're seeking death!"

  Sun Wukong, enraged by the Tathagata's suppression, seemed to lose all reason, like a wild beast gone mad. He swung the Golden-Hooped Rod with all his might, striking blow after blow at the Tathagata above him!