Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me-Chapter 1662: One thousand eighty-one Hongmeng Killing Array

True spirits enter the Investiture of the Gods list; from then on, they are severed from the Immortal Dao, and their cultivation can no longer progress.

Now, although the immortals of the Jiejiao Sect have escaped the Investiture of the Gods list and achieved reincarnation to cultivate anew, the countless years they have wasted—that is indeed true.

It is often said that the Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching delayed their progression due to their cultivation being sealed. Yet, wasn’t the time wasted by the immortals of the Jiejiao Sect even longer?

Whether those included in the Investiture of the Gods list or captured and sent to the West, from the time of the Enshrinement Calamity until now, their cultivation has shown no progress. However, the Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching have already become Quasi-Saints by this moment.

Compared to bygone years, the situation now has completely reversed. Guang Chengzi and others naturally have no fear of the immortals from the Jiejiao Sect.

As for Jiang Chen’s subordinates, they are even less afraid. Though the Human Race’s Great Ancient Quasi-Saints are powerful, their enemies are numerous. They must also guard against the potential emergence of Quasi-Saints from myriad other races, leaving them little energy to deal with others.

"Do not underestimate the disciples of the Jiejiao Sect. Over these years in the Heavenly Court, they have not been entirely idle. Although they cannot practice cultivation, that does not prevent them from studying formations. You must deal with them cautiously,"

The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, understanding his disciples’ thoughts thoroughly, saw through them at a glance and scolded with some frustration.

"What our master says is correct!"

In the presence of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, the Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching were exceedingly respectful, admitting their faults immediately.

"Alas! If only Ziya were still here, I wouldn’t have to resort to this." At this moment, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign couldn’t help but think of Jiang Ziya.

Though the Ancestor of Warfare was only his disciple in name, in terms of both talent and wisdom, Jiang Ziya far surpassed the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching. He was the most suitable disciple to inherit the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign’s teachings.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ziya had everything going for him except his unwillingness to conform to the Heavenly Way. Instead, he chose to defy the heavens by altering destiny, ultimately meeting the calamity of having both his form and spirit annihilated.

Failing to save Jiang Ziya in time is something the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign has always regretted deeply. If not for that, he would not now be lamenting, "If only Ziya were still here, I wouldn’t have to resort to this."

Clearly, in the heart of the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, Jiang Ziya held unparalleled importance. As long as Jiang Ziya lived, he could have resolved the predicament the Heavenly Sovereign now faced.

Upon hearing the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign speak of Jiang Ziya, Guang Chengzi and the other Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching fell into silence.

Although external rumors often claimed that the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign disliked Jiang Ziya, the disciples themselves knew the truth better than anyone else.

The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign’s favorite disciple was unquestionably Jiang Ziya, the one born of the Human Race.

How deeply did he favor Jiang Ziya?

When the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign departed the Three Realms, he did not entrust the Kunlun Mountain’s Jade Void Palace to his true direct disciple, Guang Chengzi, but instead gave it to Jiang Ziya, a disciple in name only—treating Jiang Ziya as his true inheritor.

If Jiang Ziya were still alive, perhaps the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign’s attitude toward the Human Race might have shifted accordingly.

As the crowd remained silent, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign fully understood their thoughts. While disappointed in them, he nonetheless shared an important piece of news:

"Time flies swiftly; another Quantitative Calamity is soon upon us. It won’t be long before Ci Hang and Puxian return."

"Long ago, they abandoned their immortal forms and chose to reincarnate into the Buddhist Sect to help me repay karmic debts. Now, with a Quantitative Calamity nearing its end, the Buddha Realm is about to be born. Their merit has reached completion, allowing them to return to their original selves and rejoin the Mystic Sect."

Ci Hang and Puxian’s entry into Buddhism all those years ago was not an act of betrayal but rather an effort to aid the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign in repaying his karmic debts.

At that time, to break the Immortal Slaying Sword Array, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign and the Saint of Taiqing had no choice but to invite the Two Saints of the West for assistance, thus incurring numerous karmic obligations to the West.

Allowing Buddhism to spread East was just part of repaying those debts. Additionally, sending disciples into the Buddhist Sect was another portion of the agreement.

The Saint of Taiqing seized Duobao and sent him into the West to replace his own disciples, thus settling his karmic obligations.

Unable to find suitable candidates at the time, the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign had no choice but to send his own disciples directly. After all, when a master faces matters, the disciple must shoulder the burden. The karmic debts incurred by the master must naturally be repaid by the disciples.

Thus, Ci Hang and Puxian left the Chan Teaching and reincarnated into Buddhism.

Of course, their entry into Buddhism was not without benefits. With the birth of the Buddha Realm in the future, a major fortune would undoubtedly await them. This was the primary reason why the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign agreed; he could not obstruct his disciples and cause them to miss such a heaven-sent opportunity.

"Our brothers will return? That’s wonderful. When that day comes, we brothers can unite and challenge even the Great Divine Transcendents."

Suddenly hearing this news, Guang Chengzi and the others grew excited.

The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Teaching, from the moment they were created, had cultivated together on Kunlun Mountain, assisting one another. Their bond was closer than blood brothers, far surpassing mere fellow disciples.

Now, upon hearing that their brothers, long departed, would soon return, they naturally felt overwhelming joy.

"It won’t be too many years now. I have a premonition that the birth of the Buddha Realm is imminent. At that time, Puxian and Ci Hang will break away from the Buddhist Sect and rejoin the Mystic Sect."

The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign nodded affirmatively.

The task of creating the Buddha Realm by Tathagata Buddha and others was something that might deceive Jiang Chen, but it could not elude the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign. It wasn’t because his divination abilities were particularly extraordinary but rather because he had inside information.

"Prepare yourselves to welcome them back. After all, they bore hardships on my behalf. Upon their return, make sure they do not suffer any grievances."