Since it was a competition, instead of having the Heavenly Palace compete with Sun Wukong, why not bring the Buddha into it as well?

The Jade Emperor's sudden thought in the Palace of the Polestar was precisely what Sun Wukong had been hoping for.

He made an immediate decision and changed his target to the Western Continent at once.

In the Great Heroic Treasure Hall, after hearing Sun Wukong's words, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats were in an uproar.

"Silence."

The Tathāgata spoke, and the hall instantly fell silent.

"The Western Continent is the sacred place of Lingshan, a haven of the Buddhist faith."

The Tathāgata said, "I cannot move it."

Sun Wukong shook his head, "With your Great Divine Power, moving it should be no difficulty for you."

The Tathāgata slightly frowned, "What if I refuse?"

"Then it will be as usual."

Sun Wukong replied, "I shall take charge of the Northern Continent, overseeing the lands and Mountain Gods, the mountains and rivers, the human nations, wielding supreme authority. The Buddha can continue to spread the Buddhist Law here and heed the commands of the Heavenly Palace."

The Tathāgata was momentarily stunned.

"This is a competition."

Sun Wukong said, "*If the Buddha is truly intent on delivering all beings from suffering, he ought not refuse.*"

The Tathāgata fell into contemplation.

Although the Western Continent was protected by the Buddhist faith, in reality, the Mountain Gods and land, the rain and clouds, were all truly under the control of the Heavenly Palace, and it could not be said that it was under Buddhist jurisdiction.

If he accepted Sun Wukong's proposal, the Northern Continent would fully belong to the Buddhist faith.

"Very well..."

The Tathāgata quickly made a decision.

"Your competition with the Jade Emperor benefits all living beings, and the Buddhist faith should not be absent."

The Tathāgata said, "I agree."

The other Bodhisattvas and Arhats, hearing the Buddha's golden words, had their own thoughts but knew that this matter was already unchangeable.

"Excellent."

Sun Wukong, seeing the Tathāgata agree, brought out a glowing Jade Seal from his sleeve, "The Jade Emperor's Jade Seal was formed by the Heavenly Dao; this Jade Seal split from it, governing the affairs of the beings in the Northern Continent and should be entrusted to you."

He used a technique, and the Jade Seal floated lightly towards the Tathāgata.

The Tathāgata extended his hand to receive it, and immediately a flood of information surged into his mind, confirming that Sun Wukong had not deceived him.

"Very well then."

The Tathāgata took out a bright pearl from within, "This is the Stabilizing Pearl of the Western Continent. Produce your Jade Seal!"

Sun Wukong opened his palm, revealing a smaller Jade Seal.

The Tathāgata waved his hand lightly, and the pearl emitted a colorful radiance, flying into the Jade Seal.

The Jade Seal, upon receiving the pearl, immediately emitted a glow, rapidly growing to the same size as the Northern Continent's Jade Seal.

Suddenly, everything about the Western Continent floated in Sun Wukong's mind.

With a single thought, he could command the Mountain Gods and land here.

This was the right of the Heavenly Dao. In the future, all who achieved enlightenment in the Western Continent would come under his management.

"In a few days, I shall confirm the matter of the Immortal Records with Emperor Donghua."

Sun Wukong thought, then withdrew the Jade Seal.

"Then I'll take my leave now."

Sun Wukong asked the Tathāgata, "Buddha, how long will it take you to leave?"

"You won't wait long,"

The Tathāgata answered, "In a month, Lingshan will depart from the Western Continent."

Sun Wukong nodded and took his leave.

Before leaving, he glanced at Jin Chanzi and gave him a reassuring look.

Jin Chanzi didn't understand why.

Once Sun Wukong left, the Great Heroic Treasure Hall immediately erupted into chaos.

Samantabhadra turned to inquire of the Tathāgata, "Buddha, why did you agree to Sun Wukong?"

*"The workings of fate are elusive, and this event is a great opportunity for the Buddhist faith,*"

The Tathāgata said.

"Indeed."

Another ancient Buddha, the Randeng Ancient Buddha, also spoke, "*To enlighten the Northern Continent is also an infinite merit.*"

"But..."

Samantabhadra frowned, "*Our teachings in the Western Continent, what of our numerous disciples?*"

"I have considered this."

The Tathāgata turned to Elder Jin Chan, "Jin Chanzi, since you are on good terms with Sun Wukong, you should remain here to spread the Buddhist Law, protecting our disciples."

"I shall follow your instructions!"

Elder Jin Chan responded promptly.

He understood the meaning behind Sun Wukong's last glance, realizing that Sun Wukong had indeed ingeniously anticipated the Buddha's arrangement.

The Tathāgata looked at Elder Jin Chan with emotion.

He originally intended to reprimand this disciple, but now he could not proceed with it.

After all, Elder Jin Chan belonged to the Buddhist faith, devoted to Buddha, and besides him, no one was more suitable to stay behind and protect the disciples.

But on the other hand, with Elder Jin Chan being so close to Sun Wukong, the Tathāgata worried about the possibility of excessive indulgence and subsequent issues.

"Guanyin Venerable."

He turned to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, "You should stay as well, and together with Elder Jin Chan, spread the Buddhist Law."

The Bodhisattva Guanyin, quick-witted, immediately understood the Tathāgata's intentions and nodded, "I shall follow your instructions."

Thus, the matters concerning Lingshan came to an end.

Upon leaving Lingshan, Sun Wukong flew towards Huaguo Mountain.

"I wonder how many demons in my home have been injured..."

*He thought, feeling an even stronger urge to return home.*

However, just as he reached the seashore, Sun Wukong stopped his Somersault Cloud, deciding first to visit the Three Star Cave.

One significant reason he dared to risk the Buddha's disapproval and chose the Western Continent was due to Master Puti.

"Master, oh master, this time you'll have no choice but to come out!"

*Sun Wukong thought to himself, feeling joyous.*

Now that the Western Continent was under his control, he could come and go from the Three Star Cave as he pleased in the future.

Master Puti, being disturbed in such a manner, would find it difficult to stay in seclusion for much longer.

Arriving at the Three Star Cave, Sun Wukong straightened his attire and polished his appearance, then approached to knock on the door and inquire from the gatekeeper, a young attendant.

"Senior Brother, is Master here?"

The attendant, recognizing him, was polite, but his response disappointed Sun Wukong somewhat.

"Master went out this morning,"

The attendant answered, "I don't know when he'll return."

Sun Wukong felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

With just a slight lift of his toes, the local Mountain God emerged.

"The Heavenly Venerate descends upon this place, and this humble god failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me."

The Mountain God stated as he knelt on the ground.

Even though Sun Wukong had not yet established another Heavenly Palace, the moment he took possession of the Jade Seal, all the Mountain Gods and land spirits knew he was the Heavenly Venerate overseeing all immortals of the Western Continent.

"Do you know where my master went?"

Sun Wukong asked.

The Mountain God hastily shook his head, "Master Puti's mana is profound; how could this humble god know where he has gone?"

Sun Wukong slightly frowned and motioned for the Mountain God to withdraw.

Master Puti's Divine Skills were vast; did he go out to deliberately avoid Sun Wukong, knowing his intention?

Sun Wukong furrowed his brow and simply sat at the mountain gate, refusing to leave.

*A little delay in returning to Huaguo Mountain was not an issue; this time, he was determined to wait for Master Puti.*

He sat there for two entire days.

By night, the moon shone brightly in a clear sky.

"The beings of the Three Realms have eternally been under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Palace."

A voice suddenly rang from behind, prompting Sun Wukong to turn around.

Master Puti walked towards him, treading lightly under the gentle white moonlight.

"Wukong, I never imagined you would divide this world into three!"

"Master."

Sun Wukong bowed to Master Puti, "Disciple asks you to come out of seclusion."

"Since you have already changed this heaven,"

the Grandmaster helped him to his feet, smiling, "I shall agree to you."

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