The affairs of the Underworld have settled.

Two days later, Gold Star Taibai conveyed the Jade Emperor's suggestion to Sun Wukong.

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva relinquishing power must certainly have been a decree of the Buddha.

"The Buddha has no intention to contend, we can set this aside for now."

Gold Star Taibai eventually said.

Sun Wukong nodded: "I understand."

He also felt that the time was not yet ripe.

They had to develop the Three Great Continents and construct a new Heavenly Palace, while the Buddha needed to complete his Pure Land. Both sides required time, making it inappropriate to stir up disputes.

"We must wait another ten years..."

Sun Wukong calculated with his fingers; if things went well, in ten years he and the Jade Emperor could determine the victor.

Although he dearly hoped there would be no mishaps during these ten years, a month later, the Water Moon Fairy expressed her intention to leave.

She was returning to the North Sea.

"The North Sea?"

Sun Wukong watched the Water Moon Fairy.

There was an indecipherable emotion in the Water Moon Fairy's eyes.

"It doesn't seem like a short departure."

Sun Wukong set down the Immortal Book in his hands, and said, "Bodhisattva, is the Buddha asking you to return to Lingshan?"

The Water Moon Fairy showed surprise.

"Elder Jin Chan informed me of your identity."

Sun Wukong asked, "Did you take back the Immortal Dao techniques that will be used in the Pure Land?"

"...Yes."

The Water Moon Fairy nodded.

"Is that so."

Sun Wukong's gaze was somewhat complex.

The Water Moon Fairy quietly observed Sun Wukong; she was eager to know what he was thinking at this moment, but as the separation neared, she lost the will to ask.

"Are you The Bodhisattva Guanyin or the Water Moon Fairy?"

Sun Wukong asked once more.

"Both."

The Water Moon Fairy answered.

Although she was both, her desire to leave told Sun Wukong which was the real her.

No matter how long she existed as the Water Moon Fairy, she was ultimately Guanyin.

The Bodhisattva Guanyin's Buddhist Law is vast and profound, and to shake her resolve would be nearly impossible.

Sun Wukong asked again, "Bodhisattva, do you not like Wanling Country?"

"No."

The Water Moon Fairy shook her head.

She liked Wanling Country; over these hundred years, she witnessed much joy and sorrow, seeing the enormous changes Wanling Country brought to the Three Realms.

Sun Wukong was leading Wanling on the right path, and the Water Moon Fairy firmly believed in this.

If she were not The Bodhisattva Guanyin, she would have stayed without hesitation.

Regrettably, compared to an elusive future, she believed more in the present.

"The Buddha has created the Pure Land."

The Water Moon Fairy paused, before seeing the future, she trusted the Buddha.

"This humble monk takes her leave."

She bid farewell and walked towards the outside.

"Will I be able to see the Water Moon Fairy again in the future?"

Sun Wukong asked again.

The Water Moon Fairy's silhouette halted for a moment, said nothing, and left the Wanling Immortal Sect.

"Can I not..."

A hint of sorrow flashed in Sun Wukong's heart.

But everyone has their own choices, and he would not coerce anyone.

The question was, how many people would her departure sadden?

As Sun Wukong pondered on this, he relayed the news to Wanling Country.

He did not reveal the true identity of the Water Moon Fairy, yet her departure still caused quite an uproar.

Led by Daji, the female demons were inclined to go to the North Sea to bring the Water Moon Fairy back, but Sun Wukong issued an order to stop them.

This was no joking matter; what if they searched and ended up reaching the Northern Continent?

Meanwhile, after the Water Moon Fairy left, those high monks and arhats who remained in Wanling Country also received summonses to return to the Northern Continent.

"What is the Buddha thinking?"

Sun Wukong could not fathom the Buddha's thoughts.

It seemed he wanted to recall all the monks and arhats who had attained the Dao; this did not seem a wise approach.

Once those people return to the Northern Continent, the influence of Buddhism will rapidly diminish.

However, Buddha is not so simple a person; there must be a reason for his actions.

Sun Wukong returned to Huaguo Mountain, having the Immortal of Colossal Spirit bring back a jug of Flower Dew to Wanling City.

In Wanling City, Elder Guang Hui had a dream, where someone praised him as a high-ranking ascetic monk.

Jolted awake in the middle of the night, Elder Guang Hui was drenched in cold sweat.

He immediately rushed to the doorstep of Golden Cicada, and knelt down.

"Please save me, Elder."

Guang Hui lay on the ground and said, "I do not wish to go to the Pure Land."

"Rise."

The voice of Golden Cicada came through: "I will plead with Buddha on your behalf, to let you stay."

"Thank you, Elder."

Guang Hui expressed his gratitude with a joyous face; he had no desire at all to go to the Pure Land.

After expressing his thanks, he asked, "What about you, Elder?"

"I am the same as you."

Golden Cicada answered: "I will stay as well."

Guang Hui revealed a look of surprise: "Will Buddha agree?"

"I am Buddha's second disciple."

Golden Cicada said: "He will not make things difficult for me."

Guang Hui then felt relieved and bowed as he stepped back.

After a long while, Golden Cicada opened the door.

He walked out of the courtyard with empty hands when suddenly he was taken aback.

"Elder."

Immortal Zhen Yuan stood in the courtyard, holding a jug of Flower Dew: "A monk does not speak lies; you clearly must leave, so why did you deceive Guang Hui?"

"Amitabha."

Golden Cicada joined his hands together and said, "I merely wish to go back to persuade Buddha, not to leave."

Immortal Zhen Yuan snorted coldly: "Is that so?"

Golden Cicada pondered for a moment and then said: "I can make a vow, if I do not return to Wanling, I shall fall perpetually into hell."

These words stunned Immortal Zhen Yuan.

"There is no need to go to such lengths."

He shook his head: "Well then..."

Immortal Zhen Yuan waved his hand and set up a table in the courtyard.

He poured Flower Dew into a cup on the table: "I will accompany you on part of your journey."

Golden Cicada was greeted by the familiar fragrance.

"Where did this Flower Dew come from?"

"Your virtuous brother sent it."

Immortal Zhen Yuan said, "He knew you were leaving, so he asked me to see you off."

Golden Cicada's expression flickered, then he sat down and took the cup.

Just as he was about to drink it, he saw Immortal Zhen Yuan lower his head, pick up a pinch of dust from the ground, and flick it into the cup.

Golden Cicada looked on curiously.

Immortal Zhen Yuan said, "When will you return from this trip?"

Golden Cicada thought for a moment: "No more than three years."

Immortal Zhen Yuan nodded: "That's too long. Drink this soil so as not to forget this place."

Golden Cicada understood his meaning.

"Was this also the Great Saint's idea?"

He inquired.

Immortal Zhen Yuan nodded: "I couldn't care less about your affairs."

Golden Cicada smiled and drained the cup of Flower Dew in one gulp, then walked out of the courtyard and left.

"Let's hope no mishaps occur..."

Watching his departing figure, Immortal Zhen Yuan sighed.

This bookish fellow thinks he can persuade Buddha so easily, but it's not so simple.

Who knows, this might turn into the spark that ignites conflict between Wanling and Lingshan.

Immortal Zhen Yuan took a cup and drank the Flower Dew.

"But by the time he reaches Lingshan, who knows what year it will be."

The Immortal thought that perhaps in three years, Golden Cicada would still be lost somewhere.

When that time comes, he would simply drag him back.

"That'll be the plan..."

Immortal Zhen Yuan drank the Flower Dew, feeling very content.

That fool only drank one cup; the rest were all his now.

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