Chapter 461: Don't Abandon Your Original Aspirations
Three days later, Tang Sanzang finally opened his eyes. After three days of cultivation, he had developed new insights into Heaven, Earth, and Man. Problems that had once confounded him were now completely clear.
"How long have I been meditating?"
"Master, it's been three full days and nights! You really are something. Three days and nights just flew by for you—how did you manage it?"
"I have my own methods. As long as you focus wholeheartedly and unify your thoughts and will, you too can achieve the same."
At that moment, Ye Tian looked at him and said, "That's right. As long as you maintain absolute focus, such a long period will feel like no more than the blink of an eye."
Seeing Ye Tian arrive, Tang Sanzang felt a surge of gratitude. Without Ye Tian's help, he wouldn't have engaged in such cultivation. Time would prove everything; with three days gone, his strength had significantly improved.
Meanwhile, the livestream in the Golden List Livestream Room was still ongoing. Ye Tian said, "It looks like you still need to push harder. Although you've already drawn considerable attention, the competition isn't over yet. Only once it's over will the rankings be decided, and then you'll truly see where you stand."
"I wonder how much longer it will take to finish..."
Tang Sanzang couldn't help feeling anxious. He had already lost quite a bit of time on this journey, and now he had to find a way to make up for it.
Journey to the West was his mission. At this point, if he wanted to complete it, he needed to cherish every second. Still, he also understood that being too anxious could backfire, making it impossible to do things properly.
"Don't worry about that. I'll be your backing. If Guanyin Bodhisattva or the Buddha try to cause you trouble over this, just report my name!"
"Will that really work?"
"Of course it will. I trust my name still carries weight."
"In that case, I'm relieved."
Meanwhile, after hearing Guanyin Bodhisattva report the situation, the Buddha felt his heart sink halfway. He said, "Guanyin Bodhisattva, how could you let such a simple matter get so out of hand?"
"I tried my best," Guanyin Bodhisattva replied. "But Sun Wukong's strength now is nothing like before. He's far stronger than I am—I simply can't defeat him."
"In that case, must I personally intervene?"
"I believe it would be best if you did. If you act personally, you'll definitely be able to handle the matter."
Guanyin Bodhisattva knew she couldn't manage it, so she was eager to push the responsibility away. Sun Wukong's power had grown immensely—at this point, the only one who might be able to subdue him was the Buddha himself.
"Very well. I'll go take a look myself and see just how much strength he has gained."
Thus, the Buddha mounted a cloud and, after a short time, arrived at their cultivation site.
There, Tang Sanzang was sitting on a boulder in deep meditation. Seeing this, the Buddha called out, "Tang Sanzang, do you realize that what you're doing is wrong? Have you already forgotten your mission?"
"Is that you, Buddha?"
Tang Sanzang immediately opened his eyes. Seeing the Buddha in the sky, his heart filled with anxiety. He quickly said, "Buddha, I haven't forgotten my mission. It's just that I have something important to accomplish first. Once it's done, I'll continue my journey to retrieve the scriptures as quickly as possible."
"Hmph! You think mere words excuse your negligence? Your mission is to retrieve the scriptures—you should be doing exactly that. Yet here you are, participating in some Golden List Livestream. Don't you realize you've strayed onto a crooked path?"
"Have I truly strayed onto a crooked path?"
"You have. So I urge you—turn back before it's too late. Don't get mired any deeper in this matter. I advise you to immediately return to the right path. Sun Wukong, you must also help your master stay on course. You must not let him continue making mistakes."
"Oh, really?"
At this, Sun Wukong burst out laughing and said to the Buddha, "You're just afraid he'll benefit from participating in the livestream, aren't you? The Golden List Livestream Room is a shared platform—anyone who wishes to join should be able to. You're only trying to stop him because you're scared he might surpass you, isn't that right?"
"Mind your tongue! I am the Buddha! Do you think surpassing me is so easy?"
"So what if you're the Buddha?"
Sun Wukong was furious. He remembered how the Buddha had once trapped him under the Five Elements Mountain for over five hundred years, exposed to the wind and rain, suffering endless hardship and humiliation. And now he had the nerve to lecture him about righteousness? It was the height of hypocrisy!
The Buddha turned to Tang Sanzang and said, "Why don't you discipline your disciple properly? He's clearly lacking in respect. Tang Sanzang, I now order you to immediately cease participating in the Golden List Livestream and resume your journey to the West. That is the task you should be focusing on!"
"But—"
Tang Sanzang hesitated, reluctant. After working so hard to get to this point, giving up now felt like a huge waste.
"Can't you grant me a little more time? I just need a few more days."
"No. Not even a few days. Tang Sanzang, if you continue to disobey, you will surely fall into madness. Don't forget—you are a disciple of Buddhism. Everything must be rooted in your heart's original aspiration!"
"Rooted in my heart's original aspiration..."
Tang Sanzang looked at the Buddha, confusion written across his face. The Buddha said, "Think about your original purpose. If you abandon it because of temporary temptations, you will surely regret it in the end."
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