Volume 4: The Revelation of All Secrets – Chapter 420: The Dharma of Relics

The Phoenix’s expression changed, and it was impossible to tell whether he was pleased or angry. Xuan Nu and the others grew wary—had Yuan Shi Tianzun revealed the Phoenix’s secret with just a few words? If so, they had to be prepared for him to strike suddenly. The figures from the previous era could not afford to underestimate him in the slightest.
As everyone grew cautious, the Phoenix was well aware of this. He smiled calmly, sat down on the cushion, and said, “I never expected that aside from Tathagata, there would be someone else who understands this formation. It’s truly beyond my expectations.”
Yuan Shi had dedicated his life to studying formations. Compared to when he was Tathagata’s disciple earlier, there was a world of difference. Recently, he had overcome his mental barriers and mastered the secrets of the Mysterious Sky Art, further enhancing his ability to identify formations. Thus, he said, “Though this formation is dangerous, it’s not impossible to trace.”
The Phoenix asked, “Then tell me, where lies the danger?”
Yuan Shi replied, “It’s a killing formation linked to one’s life force. Once activated, you’ll turn into a walking corpse.”
The Phoenix nodded and said, “Exactly.”
Yuan Shi continued, “Is this why you’re under Tathagata’s control?”
The Phoenix smiled bitterly. “Is that not enough?”
Yuan Shi asked, “Is this why you came here? You claimed you could capture Xiang Liu and use the blood of the five kings to break the Pillar-Piercing Jade Formation—was that all a lie?”
The Phoenix admitted, “Since you’ve seen through it, I see no need to deny it. It’s true.”
Xuan Nu spoke up from behind, “So, both the Qilin and Zhen Wu were deceived by you?” Hearing this, the Phoenix’s expression darkened, but he couldn’t deny it. Throughout his life, he had always been proud and refused to engage in such deceitful acts. Yet now, not only had he done it, but he was also caught red-handed and confronted. How could he not feel upset?
But Xuan Nu added, “If they find out they’ve been deceived, they’ll surely be very upset. But you don’t need to worry. We’ll help you cover this up.”
The Phoenix was astonished. What was Xuan Nu talking about? Was she actually going to help him cover up this lie? What did that mean?
Yuan Shi nodded and said, “Those are trivial matters. The most important thing is to be able to break this formation first.”
Xuan Nu replied, “If you can break this formation, won’t the one inside the Jade Emperor and Queen’s bodies also be resolved?” Her thinking was much more far-reaching. If they could truly do that and free the Jade Emperor and Queen from Tathagata’s control, then the heavenly forces would no longer pose a threat to them. With proper use, they might even be able to turn against Tathagata.

Yuan Shi shook his head and said, “Although it’s the same formation, the Jade Emperor and Empress used one formation for two people. Their bloodlines are different, and their life souls vary even more. Unless we can find someone else who knows this formation well to join forces with me to decipher it, success will be extremely difficult.”

Xuan Nu frowned upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected the formation to be so intricate, capable of being applied to two people. It seemed she had overestimated her own abilities.

Feeling pleased that Yuan Shi seemed confident in solving the formation, the Phoenix asked, “Can you really solve this formation?” The Phoenix was always straightforward in his speech, addressing Yuan Shi as “you” rather than using the title “Great Heavenly Venerable”.

Yuan Shi replied, “I’ve only figured out 50% of it so far. I need to examine it more carefully.”

The Phoenix said, “If you can help me solve this formation, I—” He paused, not knowing what to say next. Among those before him, everyone was no less powerful or skilled than himself. What could he offer that would impress them?

Yuan Shi waved his hand and said, “With a common enemy, there’s no need for formalities.”

The Phoenix nodded, realizing he had been too narrow-minded. Yuan Shi said to the Phoenix, “Please follow me to the inner chamber. We need to start by examining the bloodline—it’s quite complicated.”

Without hesitation, the Phoenix followed Yuan Shi into the inner chamber. This formation had been inside him for countless years, and he had never stopped thinking about it. The constant sense of oppression made his life miserable.

Xuan Nu, Ksitigarbha, and the others exchanged glances, feeling somewhat fortunate that Yuan Shi recognized the formation within the Phoenix. If he hadn’t seen through it, even if the Phoenix’s scheme to sow discord failed, they would still have lost a powerful ally. Given the Phoenix’s special status, if he pledged his loyalty to Tathagata, Zhenwu, Qilin, Wukong, and the others would face great difficulties.

After a while, Yuan Shi and the Phoenix came out of the inner chamber, both looking pleased. Yuan Shi said, “This formation can be solved.” Hearing his certainty, everyone was delighted. Yuan Shi added, “Although it can be solved, it’s not the right time yet.”

Ksitigarbha asked, “Why?”

Yuan Shi replied, “If we break this formation, Tathagata will surely find out. How about waiting until Xiang Liu is captured before solving it?”

Ksitigarbha suddenly understood. It turned out the Phoenix was using a scheme to sow discord. The so-called capture of Xiang Liu was actually him falling into a trap on his own. Since the Phoenix had genuinely pledged his loyalty, they might as well use the situation to their advantage by capturing him first.

The Phoenix said, “Good, that works perfectly!”

※　※　※

It is said that Wukong, along with the group of yellow-robed Buddhas, arrived at the Spirit Mountain in just a short while. At this time, the Spirit Mountain was desolate and cold, no longer as prosperous as before. With the removal of the Stupa Tower, there was no longer the time difference of “seven days in the mountains, a thousand years in the human world,” and it was no different from an ordinary immortal mountain.

Randeng still lived in the Dingguang Hall. The vast Mahavira Hall was empty inside at that moment, with only two young monks guarding the door outside.

Wukong went straight to the Dingguang Hall. When Randeng Buddha saw Wukong, he showed no sign of joy and instead asked, “Have you mastered the Tianji Stick?”

Wukong first bowed to Randeng and said, “Master, following your method, I have indeed practiced it, but I’m not sure if it’s complete yet.” Randeng replied, “No one knows exactly what use the Tianji Stick has. If it’s not successful, it might cause great trouble in the future.”

Wukong said, “Practicing it again probably won’t make much difference.”

Randeng said, “Enough. It will be complete when the time is right. Do you have any business here today?”

Wukong said, “I indeed want to ask you, master. Why did Tathagata send people to cause trouble at Qitian Ridge?”

Randeng said, “I expected you to come for this reason. How many more people has Tathagata lost this time?”

Wukong counted and said, “At least eight or nine.”

Randeng asked, “Do you notice anything strange?”

Wukong replied, “Exactly. Tathagata spares no effort in sacrificing his subordinates. Even the Supreme Being is treated as a pawn. There are many suspicious aspects to this.”

Randeng sighed and said, “His Sheli technique has finally been perfected.”

“Oh? What is the Sheli technique?”

Randeng asked, “Do you still remember Buddha Zhuguang?”

Wukong thought for a moment. How could he forget? Back then, Buddha Zhuguang fought against him, and Wukong used the Tianji Stick to knock off one of Zhuguang’s arms. Then Zhuguang picked up his severed arm, and that flesh-and-blood arm instantly turned into a dark, shiny object. From it, a giant Buddha’s silhouette emerged, and all the Buddhas in the Western Heaven knelt down and chanted mantras. That giant Buddha later transformed into a wisp of black energy and entered Wukong’s body. That scene was deeply imprinted in his memory.

Randeng continued, “All the Buddhas under Tathagata’s rule have practiced this Sheli technique. If they die, their bodies can be turned into Sheli.”

“What’s the use of turning into Sheli? To use that magic to create a giant Buddha?” Wukong rushed to ask.

“No!” Randeng shook his head. “You only know one side of it. The most powerful aspect of this technique is that Tathagata can absorb this Sheli into himself, which is extremely beneficial for cultivating his third body.”

Wukong felt a chill in his heart. If the Tathagata was in such a hurry to create his third form, it meant he too sensed a crisis. It was said that the Tathagata’s third form was extremely powerful; if it appeared, perhaps no one in the world could control it.
Wukong asked, “Then… what should we do?”
Ran Deng replied, “The Tathagata’s third form is incredibly powerful, but the stronger it becomes, the harder it is for it to emerge. There’s no need to panic for now. Just destroy its body after each time you defeat the Buddhas under the Tathagata’s control, and everything will be fine.”
Wukong asked, “Is it that simple?”
Ran Deng smiled and said, “What else is needed? Do you think destroying those relics is easy? Aside from you few who possess innate powers, no one else has the ability to do so.”
Wukong then understood that the best way to destroy the relics was to draw out their innate essence; otherwise, as long as the relics remained, there would always be future troubles. The more he thought about it, the more puzzled he became. The Tathagata wasn’t one of those with innate powers, so why did he know so much about such powers and their essence? Judging from his actions, he seemed to understand even more than the Divine Ape of Innate Powers.
Pangu had said that the Tathagata was from beyond the heavens. Beyond the heavens… it truly inspired endless speculation. Could it be that everyone from beyond the heavens understood innate powers and their essence?
It was now certain that Pangu and the Tathagata came from the same place. Then, what about the Kunpeng? Was it also like Pangu?
After clarifying this matter, Wukong asked Ran Deng, “Master, why do you still stay on Spirit Mountain? How about moving to Myriad Heavens Ridge? That way, we can keep an eye on each other.”
Ran Deng shook his head and said, “Anyway, Spirit Mountain was built by me. It no longer belongs to Buddhism. I’ve ordered the Buddhas under my command to grow hair and return to secular life. From now on, it will be called the Ran Deng Sect.”
Wukong said, “Good. Let’s call it the Ran Deng Sect, to distinguish it from those bald ones under the Tathagata.” As soon as he finished speaking, he realized it wasn’t appropriate—after all, there were still many bald people on Spirit Mountain.
After chatting with Ran Deng for a while longer, Wukong bid farewell and rushed to Myriad Heavens Ridge. He hadn’t had time since crafting the Heavenly Mechanism Staff. He had forgotten there was still one important task left to complete.
Soon, he arrived at Myriad Heavens Ridge. Wukong found Hou Tu. Upon seeing him, Hou Tu gave a awkward smile and said, “Scrooge, here it is back for you.” She then took out the Earthly Essence Stone and gave it to Wukong. Wukong laughed and said, “Sister, with your current level of cultivation, aren’t you satisfied?”

Hou Tu said, “It’s not for cultivation, but for reaching a higher realm.” Wukong took the Earthly Ultimate Stone. This stone was smaller than when he first obtained it from Pangu, but it hadn’t lost much in size either. Wukong was very pleased; with this stone, the Five Elements Divine Ape’s cultivation should improve greatly. Wukong returned the Earthly Ultimate Stone to Hou Tu and said, “Sister, the Armless Divine Ape is still in the Abyss of Nine Shadows. Please give this stone to him to use.”
Hou Tu took it back and smiled, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll keep it for myself?”
Wukong replied, “Sister, you’re not that kind of person. Also, it would be best if you had the Armless Divine Ape come and live at Qi Tian Ling. I’m always a bit worried having him alone there.”
Hou Tu said, “I previously had him in the Abyss of Nine Shadows because the primal energy of earth there is strong, which is very beneficial for cultivation. Now that we have the Earthly Ultimate Stone, he no longer needs to rely on anything else.”