"You owe me a karmic debt."

  A majestic voice, coming from nowhere, spoke. Then, a slightly resigned voice followed, "I will not interfere with your plans, but my disciple must be protected!"

  ...

  "It seems the fight won't happen."

  Nezha, standing behind Li Jing, muttered softly, causing Li Jing to glance at him.

  However, Nezha didn't care about Li Jing's gaze and instead openly stared back at him.

  The Jade Emperor also shook his head, feeling relieved.

  It seemed that Master Bodhi had struck a deal with the Sage of the West, ensuring Xu Fang's survival. In return, Master Bodhi owed a karmic debt.

  But no matter what, as long as Xu Fang was safe, that was what mattered.

  "After all, we were once ruler and subject."

  The Jade Emperor sighed, then said, "This matter is settled. Let's withdraw the troops and return."

  Li Jing nodded and clasped his fists in acknowledgment.

  Over there, Yang Jian also shook his head.

  The Sage had spoken, and since Master Bodhi had intervened, Xu Fang's life was secured. As for Sun Wukong... he was still destined for his fate.

  "Second Lord, what should we do?"

  The Six Sages of Meishan looked at Yang Jian, who pondered for a moment before saying, "The rest of you, return for now. Old Six, stay here and keep an eye on things. Report immediately if anything happens."

  "Yes."

  ...

  "Master..."

  Xu Fang, hearing that sigh, felt a pang of sorrow.

  He didn't know if the path he had chosen was right, but he had followed his heart.

  Yet, in the end, he still couldn't change Sun Wukong's fate.

  "Foolish child, you've done well."

  A Bodhi tree, appearing out of nowhere, grew and cast its shade over Xu Fang.

  Meanwhile, the Tathagata fell silent.

  Clearly, the Sage had reached an agreement with Master Bodhi. Moreover, the Tathagata's own strength was slightly inferior to Master Bodhi's. Today, it seemed he would not be able to kill Xu Fang.

  However, Sun Wukong still needed to be suppressed!

  "Master, what about Wukong..."

  Xu Fang looked at the Bodhi tree and asked, "Is there really no way to change his fate?"

  "Ah."

  Master Bodhi's voice echoed softly. "I am not a Sage, yet I am not without compassion. Wukong..."

  At this point, Sun Wukong, trapped in the Tathagata's palm, suddenly shouted, "Master!"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "You mischievous monkey."

  Master Bodhi sighed.

  Originally, he had instructed Sun Wukong not to reveal their master-disciple relationship. But now, after the chaos in the Heavenly Court, it was common knowledge. Moreover, he had reached an agreement with the Sage of the West, so acknowledging Sun Wukong was no longer an issue.

  "This calamity is your destiny. After it, your fate will be in your own hands."

  After Master Bodhi's cryptic remark, Xu Fang suddenly looked up. "Master, are you saying..."

  "Speak no more."

  Master Bodhi's voice faded, and the Bodhi tree shielding Xu Fang gradually disappeared.

  Xu Fang understood that the master had left.

  However, Master Bodhi's final words had undoubtedly given Xu Fang a clue.

  Sun Wukong's imprisonment under the Five Finger Mountain for five hundred years was inevitable. But after five hundred years, Sun Wukong's fate would be his to control!

  Wasn't this clearly telling Xu Fang that, after five hundred years, they could do as they pleased?

  "Good!"

  Xu Fang clenched his fists and looked at Sun Wukong, enveloped in golden light. "Wukong, it's just five hundred years. Treat it as cultivation. I'll prepare everything for you!"

  "Hahaha, since even Master says so, I naturally trust you!"

  Sun Wukong put away the Golden-Hooped Rod and glared at the Tathagata. "Old Tathagata, come on! In five hundred years, I'll storm Mount Ling and shatter your golden body!"

  The Tathagata remained silent, but inwardly, he sighed.

  What was the Sage thinking, allowing Master Bodhi to act like this? How could they still convert Sun Wukong?

  But the Sage's actions had their purpose, and the Tathagata would not question them. With a cold snort, he flipped his hand, and a towering mountain appeared, pressing down on Sun Wukong from the heavens!

  Boom—

  The Five Finger Mountain materialized!

  As for Sun Wukong, he was now willingly suppressed and did not struggle.

  ...

  The farce had come to an end.

  The unruly Great Sage Equal to Heaven had ultimately succumbed to fate and was now imprisoned under the Five Finger Mountain!

  Xu Fang looked toward the direction of the Five Finger Mountain, then turned and coldly glanced at the Tathagata before heading to the Divine Strategy Camp.

  The Divine Strategy Camp had just rebelled against the Jade Emperor. Xu Fang had to stand with them to ensure the Jade Emperor wouldn't seek retribution.

  However, Xu Fang seemed to have overthought things. When he arrived at the Divine Strategy Camp, he did not receive any decree of punishment from the Jade Emperor. Instead, the Gold Star of Venus arrived.

  "Divine General, the Heavenly Peach Banquet has been ruined, and the immortals are in disarray. His Majesty has decided to keep the Tathagata for a day and hold a Peaceful Heaven Assembly."

  After the Gold Star of Venus finished speaking, Xu Fang pondered for a moment, then said, "Lead the way."

  If it was fortune, it couldn't be avoided; if it was misfortune, it couldn't be escaped. If the Jade Emperor truly intended to punish him, he wasn't afraid. Rather than hiding, it was better to confront the Jade Emperor directly.

  ...

  The Peaceful Heaven Assembly was held in the Jade Pool. Xu Fang and the Gold Star of Venus rode on clouds to reach it, encountering many immortals along the way.

  However, these immortals dared not speak to Xu Fang. Who knew if the Jade Emperor would punish him?

  Moreover, Xu Fang was lawless, daring to defy both the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor. If they accidentally offended him, who could stop him if he decided to act?

  Along the way, the immortals avoided Xu Fang like the plague, but Xu Fang paid no heed. In no time, they arrived outside the Jade Pool.

  The Jade Pool was now bustling with figures, as many immortals had already gathered.

  Inside the Jade Pool, the Jade Emperor and the Lady Queen Mother sat at the head, while the heavenly gods were seated on either side.

  However, what surprised Xu Fang was that not only had the Tathagata been invited to the Peaceful Heaven Assembly, but the Three Pure Ones had also been summoned!

  The Three Pure Ones were genuine Sages!

  Although their true forms had not come, their presence was enough to represent the entire Daoist pantheon.

  What puzzled Xu Fang the most was the seating arrangement.

  To the left of the Jade Emperor sat the Lady Queen Mother.

  Below them, in order, were the Tathagata and the Three Pure Ones!

  At this moment, the expressions of the Three Pure Ones were grim. Lord Lao Zi appeared calm, but the Primordial Lord of Heaven and the Master of Tongtian looked displeased.

  Xu Fang had never met the true forms of the Three Pure Ones, but he had heard of their avatars.

  "It seems that although I couldn't save Wukong, I didn't come away empty-handed."

  Xu Fang thought for a moment and immediately understood the key point.

  After all, the Jade Emperor was the nominal ruler of the Three Realms. When he hosted the Peaceful Heaven Assembly, the Three Pure Ones couldn't refuse to show face. The seating arrangement was the Jade Emperor's prerogative!

  By placing the Tathagata above the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor was essentially putting the Tathagata in the hot seat, driving a wedge between Buddhism and Daoism.

  "Stir the waters, and it's easier to catch fish."

  Xu Fang pondered this, then, under the guidance of the Gold Star of Venus, took his seat.