"This old monk shall set off now."
The monk, as gaunt as a withered stick, gently nodded his head and then leisurely drifted away from the vast Cloud Sea on the lotus platform.
"As for you," the Present Buddha looked toward the future and said blandly, "as I’ve mentioned earlier, since you find it troublesome, you needn’t worry about matters concerning the Ancestor God. Since there’s nothing to do, head over to the Emperor of the North Pole and keep an eye on things. This will prevent Emperor Houtu from causing any further trouble."
The Future Buddha secretly scoffed in his heart. It’s not that the other party fears Houtu causing trouble; clearly, they are worried that I might sneakily stir the pot below, hence finding an excuse to send me away.
Forget it, let it be, young one, you must fend for yourself.
The Sect Hierarchs wear their intentions on their faces. If the Future Buddha were to pursue the matter further, it would undoubtedly be self-deprecating, leaving him to laugh awkwardly twice and then thump his disciple on the head: "Why are you still standing here? Can’t you see they’re ushering us out? Quickly, let’s go, and find some peace."
Monk Zhi Kong silently followed the Future Buddha out of the Cloud Sea.
He dared not show any sign of worry, fearing these noble existences might detect his peculiarities.
Only after leaving the North Continent did Zhi Kong close his eyes, overwhelmed.
During his time with the Future Buddha, he witnessed many unimaginable events and came to understand what transcendence means—an existence even Emperors cannot resist.
Just like that day, he saw with his own eyes how Houtu Huangdi Qi was suppressed, these revered parents of heaven and earth unable to even stir the slightest ripple.
Zhi Kong now desperately wanted to send out the news, even if it cost him his life.
However, upon looking forward at that figure, a trace of despair flashed through his eyes.
Zhi Kong could see that this "master" is not of one heart with other Immortal Buddhas, but he also saw the differences between him and Lady Houtu. It wasn’t for anything else but for prospects, hence, he could not abandon everything.
It’s fine to comment from the sidelines, but to truly make the Future Buddha do something outrageous is likely hopeless.
At this moment, the Future Buddha lazily yawned, "I’m exhausted; I need to find a place to rest. You go over there and watch, and if any situation arises..."
The old monk turned back and gave Zhi Kong a deep look: "You can inform me then."
Zhi Kong’s vision blurred, and he felt the sky spinning and the earth shifting.
When he regained his senses, he found himself atop a mountain peak, faced with the immense gathering of Pure Qi Immortals.
Monk Zhi Kong stood in a daze for a long while, unbelievably looking up.
The change insinuated is naturally concerning Lady Houtu becoming restless, forcibly breaking the seal and emerging.
But for a matter advantageous to Officer Shen, even if it were to happen, how could he possibly inform the Future Buddha?
Zhi Kong wasn’t foolish; even if he had been hiding it all up to now, the Future Buddha is a Sect Hierarch and could not be completely unaware of the subtleties. Now entrusting this matter to him and giving him an independent action, creating an opportunity to leak the two sects’ scheme—this too is a form of tacit consent, isn’t it?
In the skies, the old monk, sensing the gaze from below, revealed a slight smile on his face.
Yet compared to the deliberate coldness he had projected earlier, he now smiled with great calm, except for a hint of fierceness hidden in the depths of his eyes.
To be honest, if the entire catastrophe progressed without a ripple, even if dissatisfied, the Future Buddha would have had to comply with the grand situation. Therefore, the most audacious act he once committed was to implicitly hint to the monks to take action against the True God, and that’s where it ended.
The trouble started when someone showed him a sliver of hope.
Like a light in the long night, it was so dazzling.
Then the others wanted to extinguish this beam of light right in front of him.
Once that hint of greed rose in his heart, how difficult it was to suppress it again.
To remain a titular Sect Hierarch for a lifetime, or to take a gamble and become a true Buddha... he wanted to make an immediate decision, yet still needed others to give him one more push.
And now, it seemed far from sufficient.
But he still was unwilling to allow this beam of light to extinguish here.
"This humble monk greets the Immortals."
Monk Zhi Kong watched the old monk leave and finally drew back his gaze, bowing to the group ahead.
Even after consuming the Golden Cicada Path and staying with the Giant, assisted by the latter in refining it, his cultivation would undergo earth-shattering changes daily. But due to such a low starting point, compared to these Golden Immortals, he remained just an inconspicuous minor cultivator.
The Immortals hesitated for a moment but dared not act arrogantly.
Led by Master Xuanwei, they all rose to return the gesture.
"Greetings, Brother Golden Cicada."
"Brother Golden Cicada, you’re too courteous."
Both Sect Hierarchs have reconciled, and so their sects must openly collaborate.
This little monk is not an ordinary person.
The Future Buddha had earlier taken on disciples, bestowing them with paths, but never had he kept someone by his side at all times, treating him like his own child. In comparison, that fallen Golden Toad monk couldn’t even be called a protector disciple.
It could be said that atop the Future Buddha’s lotus, this person surely has a place.
Such abundant opportunities left many envious, some even a bit green-eyed.
Sadly, Monk Zhi Kong seemed entirely unaware of his luck skyrocketing; he didn’t care at all for such matters. He collected his thoughts, simply explaining his purpose.
"Still, the Buddhas were attentive."
Upon learning why Golden Cicada had come, the Emperor of the North Pole slightly nodded, refocusing on the mansion below the abyss.