"The second disciple of the Buddha—Jin Chanzi?!" Cao Ya was taken aback.

Isn't this the later Tang Sanzang?

Tang Sanzang's predecessor, Jin Chanzi, was actually a five-star Daluo?!

To be honest, Cao Ya was shocked. Such a powerful person, the Buddha said, was banished to the mortal world, and he really was banished to the mortal world.

Although Mount Ling in the Western Paradise is powerful, there are only a handful of Great Divine Power Realm cultivators.

This primordial universe has its own historical timeline. The Buddha Tathagata was a disciple of Buddhism. Later, he rose to prominence and founded Mahayana Buddhism, which is distinct from the Hinayana Buddhism of the two Western Saints, Amitabha Buddha and Cundi Buddha.

The Buddha is also a seven-star Primordial Saint!

The Primordial Universe is not limited to the Three Pure Ones, the Two Western Saints, Nuwa, and Hongjun, who are considered Primordial Saints. In addition, there are also Primordial Saints such as the Demon Ancestor, Yangmei Daoist, Houtu Niangniang, Tathagata Buddha, and the Three Sovereigns Daoist.

Humanity's trump card is the Three Sovereigns Daoist of Fire Cloud Cave. In ancient times, after the Heavenly Emperor Fuxi, the Earthly Emperor Shennong, and the Human Emperor Xuanyuan each attained Quasi-Sainthood, they felt that humanity lacked a Primordial Saint to suppress its foundation. With the help of the Five Emperors, they finally merged into one. The Heavenly Emperor, the Earthly Emperor, and the Human Emperor passed away, and in their place came the Three Sovereigns Daoist, a Primordial Saint who had attained enlightenment several eras ago.

Since then, the human race has truly flourished, establishing its position as the protagonist of the world.

Without the suppression of a Primordial Saint to solidify its foundation, it is ultimately just a rootless duckweed, easily blown over by the wind.

Cao Ya also knew that Yu the Great, who forged the Nine Cauldrons and divided the primordial continent, was also at the peak of the Quasi-Saint level. It was said that he was only one step away from proving the Primordial Chaos, and would be on the same level as the innate gods at the beginning of creation, such as Zhen Yuanzi of Wuzhuang Temple, Daoist of the Blood Sea Styx, Demon Master Kunpeng, and the Jade Emperor of Heaven.

Emperor Ku, Emperor Zhuanxu, Emperor Yao, Emperor Shun, Xia Qi, Shang Tang and other former rulers of the human race, as well as sages of the human race such as Suiren and Youchao, were also promoted to the quasi-sage level, adding to the human race's heritage.

These powerful human beings all went into seclusion in the Fire Cloud Cave and did not easily interfere in human affairs.

Humans have always been a race that strives for self-improvement.

Cao Ya held the Fire Cloud Cave, the sacred site of the human race, in high esteem.

However, he did not know the exact coordinates of Huoyun Cave and had never been there.

How could the title of "protagonist of heaven and earth" be firmly held by the decree of heaven alone?

Countless humans must rise up; Celestial Immortals, Mysterious Immortals, Golden Immortals, and even Great Luo Immortals, Quasi-Saints, and even Primordial Saints must all appear.

Otherwise, how can we subdue all races?

Unfortunately, the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods was determined by the Heavenly Daoist Hongjun, and even the sages of the three religions and the Three Sovereigns were powerless to stop it...

Cao Ya sighed inwardly.

In the primordial universe, although there are many Primordial Saints, the strongest has never changed; it has always been the Heavenly Dao, Hongjun!

"So it was the Four Saints of the North Pole in person."

Jin Chanzi clasped his hands together, chanting Buddhist mantras, and through Marshal Tianpeng's introduction, he met Cao Ya.

“Lord Ketu, this humble monk is far away in the Western Paradise, but I have heard of your name.” Jin Chanzi said with a smile.

"I'm afraid that's not a compliment. Saying that someone who has merely refined their spirit and returned to the void can become a star lord of a region" Cao Ya laughed.

Jin Chanzi smiled, neither shaking his head nor nodding.

"Lord Ketu has already become a Golden Immortal. Such progress in cultivation is unprecedented and truly makes this humble monk ashamed," Jin Chanzi said gently.

"Master Jin Chan is too kind; it was just a fluke," Cao Ya said modestly. This Jin Chanzi was not only highly accomplished and powerful, but also compassionate, seemingly a completely different person from the later Tang Sanzang.

Tang Sanzang is said to be a holy monk, but he is not really one.

Therefore, Cao Ya generally does not like to call him Xuanzang.

I remember that Jin Chanzi was banished to the mortal realm for disrespecting Buddhism… Would someone like Jin Chanzi disrespect the Dharma of his revered teacher, the Buddha?! You must be joking…

Cao Ya pondered that perhaps for the sake of the great cause of spreading Buddhism to the East, the Buddha had casually found an excuse to banish his second disciple to the mortal world, and his reincarnation became the pilgrim.

But is Jin Chanzi really willing?

Cao Ya didn't know, and dared not ask.

First, the Buddha is a seven-star Primordial Saint with boundless power. Second, the Investiture of the Gods is only just beginning; the Journey to the West is still a long way off, and even the Monkey King hasn't been born yet.

The eastward transmission of Buddhism was also a product of changing times and the eventual result of multi-party negotiations.

Since they were all going to the Peach Banquet, they traveled together and talked about secrets of the prehistoric era, ancient tales, and other such things. This broadened Cao Ya's horizons, as there were many things he had never known before, or even considered in that direction.

However, a question remained lingering in the minds of Cao Ya and the Four Saints of the North Pole.

“Master Jin Chan, you came from the Western Paradise, so you should have passed through the Western Heavenly Gate. How did you end up meeting with those of us who came in through the Northern Heavenly Gate?” General Hei Sha finally couldn’t help but ask.

"If it involves personal matters, there's no need to answer," Vice Commander Tianyou added.

"It's not that I can't say."

As Jin Chanzi spoke, chanting Buddhist mantras, a rare look of confusion appeared on his handsome and gentle face as he murmured:

"I don't know if my practice is correct, whether Mahayana Buddhism or Theravada Buddhism can truly save sentient beings."

"I was very confused, so I left Mount Ling, traveled around the universe, and wandered through many planes in my mind to explore the true meaning of Buddhism and find an answer."

"But……"

"Alas, Amitabha."

Finally, Jin Chanzi let out a long sigh.

Cao Ya and the Four Saints of the North Pole gasped sharply, their hearts pounding and their palms sweating; they were extremely tense at that moment.

They understood. It turned out that the second disciple of the Buddha, a powerful expert from the Western Paradise, and a great master of supernatural powers in Buddhism, had actually begun to doubt Buddhist teachings. His Buddhist heart was wavering, and he had fallen into a state of confusion... If the Buddha knew this, he would probably be furious...

With three Primordial Saints present, Cao Ya and his group were filled with deep regret. Why had they listened to Jin Chanzi's words?

The group glared at General Hei Sha. Why ask so many questions?

General Black Fiend wished he could slap himself in the face.

The group then tacitly changed the subject, refusing to discuss it further.

Jin Chanzi was aware of the concerns of the Four Saints of the North Pole and the Star Lord Ketu. He smiled and did not dwell on his troubles. Instead, he chatted with the Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Court and mentioned the calamity of the prehistoric continent. Everyone was also worried.

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods is just beginning to show signs. Although it is a matter for the disciples of the three religions, who doesn't have a few relatives and friends? In addition, the calamity is shrouded in mist, and it is hard to guarantee that it will not affect all the immortals, Buddhas and gods in the heavens," sighed Vice Commander Tianyou.

"The affairs of the three religions are actually played on the chessboard of the human race..." Cao Ya's face darkened slightly. The Zhou dynasty replacing the Shang dynasty was a natural change of dynasties. Although there was turmoil, as long as the immortals and Buddhas in the heavens did not interfere, the situation could still be controlled.

When the high and mighty immortals and Buddhas enter the game and set foot in the mortal world, the human race's situation becomes especially dire.

"Shh! Be careful what you say!" Marshal Tianpeng, Vice Marshal Tianyou, and General Heisha were all startled and almost jumped up, wishing they could cover Jidu Xingjun's mouth with their hands.

They regretted that neither Jidu Xingjun nor Jin Chanzi, whom they had encountered today, had any sense of propriety.

Can a Primordial Saint be questioned?

General Zhenwu's gaze was deep, and he showed no reaction.

Unlike his three colleagues, who were innate deities or star gods, he was of human origin and cultivated his way up to his current status, known as General Zhenwu. In the absence of the Ziwei Emperor, he commanded the gods of the northern stars.

Despite his immense power and ability to look down upon many gods, Buddhas, and immortals, he still cherished the memory of his own human origins.