Even Buddha Can't Save You

In the grand hall.

Chu Xingchen appeared relaxed, his calm gaze sweeping over the composed figure of Wukong before him.

[Target: Wukong]

[Cultivation: Unity Stage]

[Orange Trait: Artificial Buddha’s Child]

[Purple Trait: Tracing Cause and Effect]

[Purple Trait: Innate Talent]

[Blue Trait: Buddha’s Heart]

[White Trait: Righteous Mind]

[Black Trait: Artificial Buddha’s Child]

[Does not meet disciple recruitment conditions]

Chu Xingchen had not encountered many Buddha’s Children—only three, counting Wukong.

The other two were Yuan Kong, the first he had met, and the Bright Buddha, a Mahayana-stage Buddha.

Yuan Kong’s Buddha’s Child trait was gold, fully named—[Natural Buddha’s Child].

The Bright Buddha’s gold trait was—[Buddha’s Child by Attainment].

Judging purely by the traits, [Natural Buddha’s Child] should be the foundational trait, likely capable of upgrading.

If one achieved self-realization like the Bright Buddha, perhaps the Natural Buddha’s Child could evolve—less about power and more about affirmation.

Apart from these two, Wukong was the only one with an orange Buddha’s Child trait, labeled [Artificial Buddha’s Child], and accompanied by a black trait of the same name.

Clearly, Wukong’s status as a Buddha’s Child was likely aided by external methods, not an innate gift.

The system acknowledged that even a "manufactured" Buddha’s Child had merit, but it also came at a cost.

This was probably why the same trait name appeared in two different colors.

However, forging a Buddha’s Child was no simple feat—immensely difficult and costly. Otherwise, if every monk could become one, even artificially, the Buddhist sect’s influence would dominate the world.

Having gone to such lengths to create a Buddha’s Child, the Buddhist sect naturally wouldn’t let their investment go to waste.

So, installing a backdoor in Wukong was only logical.

Chu Xingchen pondered this and decided on the direction of this conversation—no matter Wukong’s purpose, certain core secrets must remain hidden.

Whether Wukong would speak freely in the future might not even be his own choice.

Regardless of whether the Buddhist sect could control him, Chu Xingchen would prepare for the worst.

Noticing Wukong’s slightly tense expression, Chu Xingchen finally spoke:

"Since you were recommended by him, I’ll answer what I can. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

"At the Zhengyin Dharma Temple, our goal wasn’t some imprisoned Buddha. We suspected the temple was holding remnants of the last great calamity—demons."

"According to our intelligence, the Buddhist sect’s massive collection of faith energy had one clear purpose: most of it was used to nurture demons."

"Yet we found no demons—only a Mahayana-stage Buddha breaking free. His emergence must have greatly strengthened the Buddhist sect’s current power."

"By that logic, your sect owes me an enormous karmic debt."

Wukong remained unfazed by Chu Xingchen’s brazen claim.

"Is there any direct evidence? The Buddhist sect, though marginalized, is still one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects. Most of the Western Continent’s populace are Buddhist devotees. Raising demons makes little sense."

"To me, this sounds like an excuse."

Chu Xingchen lazily raised his cup, clinking it with Xu Jin beside him.

"You’re overstepping. The only reason I’m speaking civilly is out of respect for the one who recommended you—not because you’re a Buddha’s Child."

"Your sect churns out Buddha’s Children like beans—almost too many to count on two hands."

"Everyone seated here is the sole core disciple of a top immortal sect."

"By status alone, you should be standing at the door to address us."

Wukong’s eyes lowered slightly. Chu Xingchen’s words were harsh, but they held truth.

If Wukong died, the Buddhist sect wouldn’t move heaven and earth to avenge him. But if Xu Jin or Daoist Yuyang perished, their killers would face relentless pursuit from a top immortal sect—no refuge across the Five Continents, no quarter given.

Even those remotely connected would be annihilated.

A Buddha’s Child wasn’t the Buddhist sect’s bottom line—but a core disciple was.

Seeing Wukong offer no rebuttal, Chu Xingchen sighed and continued:

"The evidence isn’t for your eyes. Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. After all, the cultivation world knows—a Buddha’s Child belongs to the Buddhist sect."

"You’ve asked, and I’ve answered. Now, in fairness, I’ll ask you: If the Buddhist sect truly nurtures calamity, what will you do?"

Wukong met Chu Xingchen’s probing gaze.

"Compassion guides us. I would shield the world from disaster."

Chu Xingchen pressed further:

"Even if the sect that raised you presented proof that these demons have reformed, seeking only survival? Even if they swore the demons were controlled by faith energy, incapable of further harm?"

"Would you believe they’ve laid down their blades to attain Buddhahood? Would you show them mercy, Buddha’s Child?"

Wukong pondered before answering:

"Compassion is not for the wicked. Calamity remains calamity. If the Buddhist sect claims selflessness, they should disclose this to the world. Silence implies ulterior motives."

"In my heart, Buddha does not redeem demons."

"Even if there’s a one-in-ten-thousand chance—I would not gamble it."

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow.

"Quite the conviction. If the day comes to topple the Great Thunderclap Monastery—"

"Rotten things deserve to fall," Wukong interjected firmly.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Xingchen tossed Wukong a dossier on Donggua’s movements.

Bai Qing’s earlier encounter with Donggua had yielded little. Some clues were extracted, but Donggua still roamed the Eastern Victory Continent—neither leaving nor contacting suspicious figures, nor returning to base.

Not seeking death, yet not retreating.

Almost as if touring the land with the Masked Pig.

Whether Donggua didn’t know the way back or remained wary, this lead had grown stale. With a monk now present, why not let him stir the pot?

If Wukong sought intel on them, so be it—a warning might prove useful.

If he genuinely sought answers, there might even be unexpected gains.

In a way, it was recycling waste.

Chu Xingchen said:

"Donggua is a confirmed demon we’ve tracked. Pose as a Buddhist insider collaborating with demons and approach him. What you learn depends on your skill—we’ll offer no support."

"If you uncover anything useful, do share."

"But if Donggua dies by your hand—"

"Pray to your Buddhas that you never cross paths with any of us three again."

"Or not even your Buddha can save you."

"That’s a promise."

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