Chapter 458: It Actually Helped Him Instead
"Brother Monkey, don't worry. If anyone dares try to sabotage this, I, Old Pig Zhu Bajie, definitely won't let them get away with it!"
After saying their piece, the group split up to carry out their respective tasks. No matter what, they were determined to help Tang Sanzang this time. As the saying goes, "We're not doing this for glory, just to prove ourselves." Since success lies in human effort, they had to protect Tang Sanzang at all costs.
Over in the Eastern Sea, Dragon King Ao Guang had just finished summoning wind and rain, only to realize that Tang Sanzang hadn't been affected at all!
After thinking it over, he decided not to continue. If it rained any further, it would have to be a heavy downpour. And if the Jade Emperor caught wind of it, he'd be in serious trouble!
Sure, fortune favors the bold, and he had accepted a favor from the Bodhisattva Guanyin, but there were still risks he had to avoid—this was what people called "reasonable risk avoidance."
"I've already done what Guanyin asked of me, so my task is complete."
After returning, he informed Guanyin Bodhisattva that he had carried out her request. However, when Guanyin looked over and saw Tang Sanzang sitting calmly on a large rock instead of taking shelter in the cave—
"Unafraid of the wind and rain?"
In that instant, Guanyin suddenly understood Tang Sanzang's intentions—he was using the harsh environment to meditate and comprehend the Dao. If he could persevere under such conditions, the level of insight and cultivation he would gain would be even higher.
"It seems I was wrong. Not only did I fail to hinder his cultivation, I actually helped him!"
"Well then, I've done what I promised, so I'll be leaving now. If you need anything else, just let me know."
"You're leaving already?"
"Of course I am. I've finished my task, haven't I?"
Ao Guang thought to himself, What else does Guanyin want from me? I've already done what she asked. Anything more, and I wouldn't be able to help even if I wanted to. As the saying goes, 'If you often walk by the river, your shoes are bound to get wet.' If the Jade Emperor finds out, I'll definitely be punished!
After all, Guanyin Bodhisattva fell under the jurisdiction of the Western Buddha, while Ao Guang answered to the Jade Emperor. Naturally, Ao Guang feared the latter and worried that today's events would come to light.
"Go stir up trouble with Sun Wukong. Don't forget—he took your Ruyi Jingu Bang from the Dragon Palace back then. So now's the perfect time to reclaim it!"
"What?! Bodhisattva, you actually want me to do that? That's not going to work!"
"Why not?"
"Because Sun Wukong's strength is way beyond mine! Besides, so many years have passed, and he's only gotten stronger since. If I go demand the return of the Ruyi Jingu Bang, I might as well have a death wish!"
"So you're saying you're not going. Aren't you afraid of offending me?"
"Bodhisattva, how have I offended you? I already helped you! And now you want me to pick a fight with Sun Wukong? If he swings that Ruyi Jingu Bang at me, I'll be flattened in one hit!"
"Are you going or not? If not, I'll report you to the Jade Emperor. I'll tell him you brought rain without authorization, which is a direct violation!"
"You—are you trying to set me up?"
"Heh, Ao Guang, I'm just telling the truth. What's wrong with that? Is being honest with the Jade Emperor a crime now?"
"Hmph, if I really go, I'll tell him everything—that it was your idea. You know very well the Jade Emperor isn't a fool; he'll understand what really happened."
Seeing his reaction, Guanyin realized that forcing him wouldn't work. Besides, he truly wasn't a match for Sun Wukong.
"Fine, take this. I know you're not his equal, but after you take this, your strength will increase drastically for a short time. Then, Sun Wukong might not be able to beat you."
Guanyin produced a pitch-black pill and handed it to the Eastern Sea Dragon King. Ao Guang frowned as he looked at it and asked, "What is this?"
"Just take it. Would I really try to harm you?"
Still, Ao Guang was cautious. This Guanyin didn't seem all that benevolent anymore. If the pill she gave him turned out to be poison, he'd be doomed.
Seeing his hesitation, Guanyin explained, "Relax. This is a premium-grade pill refined from the Crimson Yu Fruit. After you take it, your spiritual power will spike sharply for a short time—and it even has long-term benefits for the body."
"Really?"
"Of course. I'm Guanyin Bodhisattva—do you think I'd lie about something like this?"
With that assurance, Ao Guang said, "Alright, I'll take it!"
He swallowed the pill in one gulp—only to suddenly clutch his stomach in pain. Don't tell me she actually poisoned me?
"You poisoned me!"
"What are you talking about? You're overthinking it. Why would I poison you? Now sit down and refine the medicine!"
So Ao Guang quickly sat down to refine the pill's effects. After a while, the pain subsided—and a surge of powerful energy began coursing through his body. His cultivation had risen dramatically in an instant!
"How did my strength improve so fast?!"
"This is the power of the Crimson Yu Fruit. But the effects won't last forever—go confront Sun Wukong now. At this moment, he shouldn't be your match."
Having always felt bitter about Sun Wukong seizing the Ruyi Jingu Bang from the Dragon Palace, Ao Guang now felt a burning sense of justice. Fired up by Guanyin's words, he immediately flew off in the direction of Sun Wukong.
"Sun Wukong!"
Hearing his name called, Sun Wukong looked up and saw a golden dragon soaring toward him through the sky.
"That's Ao Guang of the Eastern Sea?"
Recognizing the dragon's form, Sun Wukong immediately identified him as the Eastern Sea Dragon King.
"Eastern Sea Dragon King, what brings you here?"
"Sun Wukong, return the Ruyi Jingu Bang to me! That was the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle of my Eastern Sea Dragon Palace. Ever since you took it, we've had countless floods—this is all your fault!"
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