1: Monk travels through time and space to become a monk

Tang Ku looked at the Hua Long Pond before him; the pool water had already turned into a thick, blood-like paste. In the center of the Hua Long Pond, a true Dragon skeleton seemed to be wailing at him. He seemed to see Little White Dragon Ao Lie’s soul being scorched by raging flames, utterly miserable!

He was Tang Ku, and also Tang Sanzang!

Just like in the orthodox journey to the west world, they obtained the true scriptures, returned to the Western Paradise to report for duty, and were conferred the title of Buddha of Sandalwood Merit. All the Disciples, including White Dragon Horse, were granted titles, and it was at this very moment that an unknown change occurred between heaven and earth. From the Western Paradise Buddhas and Bodhisattvas above, down to the Bhikkhunis and Bhikkhus below, all died instantly, not even leaving their bodies behind!

In his previous life, he was a martial monk of Sanzu Temple on Tianzhu Peak. His martial Dao cultivation, if not unprecedented, was at least earth-shattering, just one step away from shattering the Void Realm with his martial arts.

However, he failed to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation when it arrived, ultimately dying and his Dao dissipating. Yet, his spirit remained intact, Transmigrating into Tang Seng’s body in the journey to the west world.

If his body didn’t disappear like those Heavenly Gods and Buddhas, it was probably because of a System called the “Iron Fist Holy Monk” that he brought with him when he Transmigrated. The moment he Transmigrated, the System interface evolved an energy shield that enveloped his body, protecting it.

In other words, he practically watched how everyone present was killed!

He saw Sun Wukong turn dark, controlled by some power, killing Wu Neng and Monk Sha, and killing several of the strongest Arhats in the Western Paradise. Then, a red mist descended from the sky, sweeping away the remaining people, and Little White Dragon Ao Lie, still in the Hua Long Pond, was able to preserve his skeleton!

“Am I, a Poor Monk, supposed to clean up such a mess alone?”

Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, unlike Protectors and Vajras who specialize in combat, his duty is to transmit and educate, to be the dispenser of Buddhist Realm Karma. The Karma of reciting this Buddha’s name can eliminate past life sins and prevent the sin of hindering monks’ almsgiving.

To put it bluntly, a Buddhist Realm civil official became the only survivor. How could those who could fight bear this?

After all the Gods and Buddhas disappeared, he spent an entire day Fusion all the memories together to clear his mind.

One must know that after becoming a Buddha, Tang Xuanzang had recovered the memories of his previous life as Golden Cicada. This meant that he now needed to Fusion three complete sets of memories to avoid going insane from mental fragmentation!

Tang Ku, who had finally calmed down, circled all the Dao fields on Spirit Mountain once, finally landing on the steps outside the main hall. He finally confirmed that the entire Spirit Mountain Holy Land truly had no living beings left!

No, perhaps there really was one still alive!

Rustle!

A sound of flapping wings came from behind him. Suddenly turning around, Tang Ku couldn’t help but exclaim, “Who’s there?”

He saw a large-bodied turtledove circle halfway in the sky, then suddenly transform into human form, prostrating itself and bowing, saying, “Holy Monk, please spare my life, Holy Monk, please spare my life!”

Its voice was childlike, but its appearance was like that of an adult. It wore a set of golden armor of a Buddhist Protector, and still had a pair of wings on its back.

Tang Ku tilted his head and looked at him, frowning slightly, “When did you, this bird, hide in the Spirit Mountain Holy Land? Did you see what exactly happened here?”

“Replying to Holy Monk, my name is Yun Que. During the last Ullambana Festival, I came here with the Buddha Mother. Here, Buddha Mother saw that I was clever and obedient, so she let me serve her personally and allowed me to cultivate here. I only saw a red mist… then Spirit Mountain… then it was gone! All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were annihilated, and not a single living person could be found!”

Looking up, it really was a child with a baby face, only its stature was taller, almost like an adult!

Yun Que’s face was filled with tears, and he sobbed, “At that time, a black mist arose, and Buddha Mother knew there was danger, so she held me in her mouth. I fainted then, and when I woke up, Buddha Mother was gone, but I saw the entire Spirit Mountain was dead silent. All Gods and Buddhas had disappeared without a trace. I was afraid, so I searched everywhere, but unexpectedly I met Buddha of Sandalwood Merit here. Please investigate this matter and avenge all the Gods and Buddhas!”

Tang Ku pondered for a moment, narrowing his eyes and saying, “You know me?”

“I know. You are Buddha of Sandalwood Merit personally conferred by the Buddha, originally the Buddha’s Disciple Golden Cicada. You journeyed west to obtain scriptures, your name is famous, how could I not know you!”

Yun Que respectfully bowed and said, “Please listen to me, Holy Monk. First, leave here and find a place to stay. There is no longer any need to remain on Spirit Mountain!”

“Hmm, you are quite calm. It makes sense that Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva kept you by her side to serve her!”

Tang Ku said faintly, “Don’t worry, although my Dharma power is low, and I am not like my Disciple, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, my mind is still useful. Now I am also without reliance, so it’s good to have a companion. Moreover, to investigate this matter, I still need your help!”

Yun Que immediately clasped his hands and bowed, saying, “Holy Monk, you flatter me. Buddha Mother’s kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. Even if it’s just for her, I will thoroughly investigate this matter!”

“Hmm, that’s good… Hmm, at the foot of Spirit Mountain is Wangshe City, right? Let’s go down the mountain first to find a place to stay, then think of other methods. I already have a direction for investigation, but I don’t know how to start… Hmm, perhaps I should seek help from the Heavenly Court…”

Tang Ku said faintly.

“Heavenly Court… Perhaps the Heavenly Court is also like Spirit Mountain, already…” Yun Que said, hesitating.

“Hmm, that’s possible!” Tang Ku mused, “But right now, we have no other way to think of. Let’s investigate first and see if there are any clues!”

Tang Ku couldn’t help but recall the scene in “journey to the west: The Aftermath” where all the Gods and Buddhas were replaced by Wutian’s subordinates, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Seeing his strange smile, Yun Que said, “Then Holy Monk, shall we… go now?”

Tang Ku waved his large sleeve cheerfully and said, “Let’s go, lead the way…”

Yun Que nodded, turned, and started to walk forward, but unexpectedly, after only two steps, a sharp pain suddenly came from his back, as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer, sending him flying backward.

Yun Que rolled to the ground, turned his head, and looked at Tang Xuanzang with a face full of astonishment, saying in a deep voice, “Holy Monk, why did you launch a sneak attack? Have I ever offended Holy Monk?”

Tang Ku casually took off his monk’s robe and kasaya. His muscular physique was almost similar to that of a Buddhist Vajra, which made Yun Que a bit stunned, secretly thinking, “Isn’t this guy a civil official?”

“I know what you want to say… Hmm, although Poor Monk usually doesn’t make a move, besides Mahayana Buddha Dharma, I have also practiced some boxing!”

Tang Ku raised his fist and sneered, “Although I also wanted to pretend to be fooled by you to get some information, the more I looked at you later, the more annoyed I got. You’re treating me like a monkey, so… Hehe, good luck to you!”