Volume 4: The Revelation Unveiled Chapter 525: Slaying the Tathagata

How powerful is the Kunpeng exactly?
There are nine parts in total of the essence of creation in the world, and he alone possesses two of them. From this perspective, his cultivation level is only slightly lower than that of Pangu. Yet now, as Wukong stood before the Kunpeng, the huge difference in their sizes did not cause him the slightest sense of inferiority.

Though large, the Kunpeng was still just an extraordinary bird. Looking down from above, Wukong could see all the beings in the world clearly. It was at this moment that he truly felt supreme.

The question posed by the Kunpeng was one he had also been thinking about. His own cultivation progress had been terrifyingly rapid—from chaos to clarity. Perhaps it was all thanks to his ability to transcend dimensions.

If not for that, why hadn’t the Divine Ape of Creation achieved anything after seven cycles? It seemed that the Divine Ape alone truly couldn’t accomplish much.

Wukong asked, “Kunpeng, do you still remember the scene when you first transformed from a Kun into a Peng?”

“Transform from a Kun into a Peng? I’ve always known how to do it since birth. I’ve never paid any attention to it,” replied the Kunpeng.

Wukong nodded. Since the Kunpeng had no memory of it, it confirmed even more that that scene indeed took place beyond the heavens. But what puzzled him was that, though his memories had returned after awakening, he could only recall three scenes—everything else was blank. Could it be that someone from beyond the heavens had done something? Did they control this furnace to the point of sealing memories?

If so, it meant they deliberately prevented him from recalling the past. Thinking of this, Wukong felt a surge of pride. The beings from beyond the heavens had built this massive furnace originally to imprison the Tathagata, but now he had drawn their attention. Wasn’t this an unexpected gain? The more they resisted, the more determined Wukong was to find out the truth. Not to mention that they had created this Furnace of Annihilation to destroy creatures within it—this very furnace likely held great secrets. This idea came from his encounters with the Kunpeng, Rùshōu, and Hòuyì beyond the heavens.

Wukong nodded at the Kunpeng and said, “Let’s settle some old accounts first. I’ll invite you out of the heavens once I’m done.”

The Kunpeng pondered for a moment before saying, “If you insist, then let me give you one piece of advice!”

Wukong smiled and said, “I know what you’re going to say. It’s to tell me not to kill the Tathagata, right?”

The Kunpeng shook his head and said, “Not at all. What I want to say is, ‘The Tathagata cannot be killed!’”

“Oh?” Wukong paused briefly before saying, “I’d like to give it a try!”

Cannot be killed? Wukong thought to himself. Even if he can’t be killed, he’ll still try!

With a thought, Wukong descended to the ground and went to the Six Divine Apes. Everyone was overjoyed to see him come down so full of energy. After exchanging a few words, Wukong asked first, “How long have I been asleep? Have there been any changes recently?”
Xuan Nu recounted in detail the battle in the Buddhist Hell. Hearing that Tathagata had destroyed it, Wukong was slightly surprised.
Xuan Nu hesitated and said, “Wukong, it seems Tathagata… intends to make peace?”
“Make peace?” Wukong sneered. “At this point, what right does he have to ask for peace?”
Xuan Nu replied, “Don’t forget, Tathagata is someone from beyond the heavens. If we want to leave this world, he can be of great help.”
Wukong thought for a moment. He and Yin Yang had struggled to move forward in the anti-creation space above the furnace, barely able to take a step. Considering Tathagata’s power, it was clear he had been preparing for this for a long time. Undoubtedly, Tathagata’s understanding of this cosmic furnace and the realms beyond far surpassed that of anyone within this world. After nearly a million years of planning, he must have a thorough plan to leave this world. If they joined forces, his chances of success would increase greatly. But Wukong had already made up his mind—since the matter of creation was concerned, in his eyes, Tathagata was a guilty party!
Wukong said, “There’s not just Tathagata among those from beyond the heavens; there’s also Pangu!”
“You want to find Pangu?” Xuan Nu asked.
Wukong nodded and said, “First, capture Tathagata, then search for Pangu!”
Wukong leaped into the air, using the secrets of the Mysterious Sky technique. Nothing in this world could escape his sharp eyes. At that moment, Tathagata was sitting in the Golden Heaven and Silver Earth. Beside him was a faceless man. Wukong guessed that this must be the Great Sun Tathagata!
In an instant, Wukong appeared before Tathagata. Though he harbored much hatred toward Tathagata, he spoke calmly, “Tathagata, have you ever thought this day might come?”
When Tathagata saw Wukong, he was extremely astonished. Trembling, he pointed at Wukong and asked, “You… you are Lingming!”
Wukong replied, “That’s right, it’s me!”
Tathagata said, “So you’ve reached the realm of Lingming?”
Wukong smiled and said, “Indeed. It’s remarkable that you even recognize the realm of Lingming.”
Tathagata’s face suddenly grew gaunt as he said, “Enough. Since you’ve reached this realm, you no longer need me to help you leave this world.”
Wukong replied, “You may not be needed to leave this world, but justice in the universe still requires you to atone.”
Tathagata raised his head and said proudly, “Justice? What is justice? If there were justice, why wouldn’t the heavens open and the earth split, freeing all beings from this torment of the Primordial Crisis?”
Wukong said, “Stop being unreasonable. Though the crisis of the Primordial Crisis is severe, self-destruction within this world is even more heart-wrenching!”

Tathagata gave a bitter smile and said, “I won’t argue with you. There’s no fixed standard for justice; I simply have my own heart.”
Wukong replied, “Good. Whether you admit it or not doesn’t matter to me. I’ll just take your life, and everything will vanish!”
“Oh?” Tathagata showed a mocking expression and retorted, “Even the calamity of the Primordial Origin couldn’t kill me. Can you do it?”
Wukong said, “It’s worth a try!”
At that moment, the Great Sun Tathagata stepped forward and struck Wukong with a palm. Wukong pointed with his hand, and the Great Sun Tathagata was flung backward, crashing headfirst into Mount Buzhou in the golden sky and silver earth.
Wukong was slightly surprised and said, “He’s quite skilled?”
The Great Sun Tathagata was defeated in just one move. Tathagata didn’t even glance at him and said, “This world has its limits. He can only reach the Heavenly Saint realm. I made him practice the power to reverse fate as preparation to leave this world.”
Wukong asked, “You mean he’ll be even stronger after leaving this world?”
Tathagata nodded and said, “If not, how could he defeat those from beyond the heavens?”
Wukong hesitated for a moment. Tathagata’s words pierced his heart. The mysteries of the world seemed to lie entirely within him. But if he didn’t kill him, he would feel guilty!
Wukong said, “You too are someone obsessed with your own desires. I actually admire you a bit. But if I spare you, it will trouble my conscience.”
Tathagata smiled and said, “It’s fine. Try killing me.”
Seeing that Tathagata seemed fearless, Wukong swung his palm and turned Tathagata into flesh paste!
The Great Sun Tathagata leaped up from behind, but his face showed no trace of sorrow. Wukong asked him, “You haven’t done any evil deeds. I won’t kill you. Where has Bodhisattva Nili gone?”
The Great Sun Tathagata replied, “Nili committed many evils, so I, the Buddha, destroyed him myself.”
“Oh?” It was beyond Wukong’s expectations that Nili had been destroyed by Tathagata. With the Three Bodies of the Buddha, Tathagata was willing to kill Nili, suggesting he must have some remorse. But it was useless to discuss this now. Wukong’s palm strike was so powerful that even if Tathagata had nine lives, he wouldn’t survive.
Wukong murmured, “Tathagata, oh Tathagata. Your cunning and wisdom are unmatched in the world, but you’re just too arrogant.”
As soon as he said this, a phantom image appeared behind the Great Sun Tathagata. By its appearance and demeanor, it was none other than Tathagata! The Great Sun Tathagata waved his hand, helping Tathagata reassemble his body. In just a moment, a living Tathagata appeared before Wukong again.

Wukong was stunned. That palm strike, merciless and fierce, had already destroyed Buddha’s soul completely. Yet such a decisive move still failed to kill him! He couldn’t help but recall what Kunpeng had said: “Buddha cannot be killed!” Truly, he couldn’t be killed! When Wukong killed someone, he would destroy their physical body, annihilate their vital spirit, and erase their destiny. Such killing meant making that person vanish completely from this world, both in spirit and in flesh. If even this couldn’t kill him, then Wukong really didn’t know what else could work.

Every move of the Great Sun Buddha was under Wukong’s control. This illusory image of Buddha had nothing to do with the Great Sun Buddha itself—it simply appeared out of thin air!

Buddha returned to his original form, but he was clearly much weaker. He said to Wukong, “You can’t kill me. If you could, I would actually have to thank you!”

Wukong asked, “Where did you come from?”

Buddha replied, “As long as this world exists, I will not perish.”

Wukong took a deep breath and said, “No wonder you act so recklessly—turns out you have nothing to fear!”

Buddha shook his head and said, “I just want to leave this heaven. What’s the fault in that?”

Wukong simply sat down on the ground and said, “I have a few questions. Do you dare to answer them?”

Buddha was taken aback, a faint smile appearing on his face. “It was only a matter of time. Why bother earlier?”

Wukong asked, “First, what exactly is the Calamity of the Cosmic Cycle? What advantage does that being from beyond the heavens gain by destroying the beings here?”

For once, a trace of hatred appeared in Buddha’s eyes. “I’ll tell you. This world was actually created just for me! A prison for one person alone, haha…” Buddha let out a bitter laugh and continued, “Isn’t that quite an impressive feat?”

“Just for you alone?” Wukong thought of the three scenes he had seen when he first awakened. He felt Buddha’s words seemed somewhat one-sided, but he didn’t stop him. He asked again, “Then what about the Calamity of the Cosmic Cycle…?”

“The Calamity of the Cosmic Cycle is obviously done on purpose by that being, to prevent me from successfully cultivating and escaping this realm!” Buddha said resentfully.

“Each Cosmic Cycle lasts 129,600 years. How can it be so precise?” Wukong asked.

Buddha replied, “It may seem that way, but in reality, those 129,600 years are just an arbitrary figure. Ultimately, it depends on my cultivation level. If I’m weaker, it might take tens of thousands of extra years; if I’m stronger, it will happen much earlier… I still remember that the fifth Cosmic Cycle lasted only over 90,000 years. At that time, I was just one step away—just one step!”