Chapter 970 Kicking Buddha, Rising to the Rank of the Jade Emperor, a Super-Grade Great Sage

"All you corpse-guarding ghosts, which one of you will come and challenge me, Old Sun, to a blow?" Luo Zu, leaning on his golden cudgel, stood atop Flower Fruit Mountain, arrogantly looking down on the countless immortals in the sky and on the ground.

The gods were furious at his arrogant attitude and were about to punish him.

"Monkey demon, don't be so arrogant, today is your day of death."

"The Heavenly Rules state that those who slander or defame the gods will be cast into the eighteenth level of hell and never be able to be reborn."

"Since he is a demon immortal, he should be sent to the Scraping Immortal Platform for a visit."

“You monkey demon, I advise you to surrender now to avoid future physical suffering.”

One by one, the gods stood on the clouds, shouting and yelling incessantly.

The immortals cursed incessantly, but none of them offered any advice or guidance to the virtuous.

They all thought there was a fine head here, which they could take back to Heaven to claim credit for.

However, neither side showed any intention of making a move after all this exchanging of words. They were both waiting for the other to strike first before engaging in a full-blown battle.

Luo Zu is still waiting for the response from those great gods. After all, it is still a question how many people will follow him if he raises his arm to call for help, especially since he does not yet know the current state of Donghuang Taiyi. The great gods are probably not willing to work together to help him.

While the idea of ​​breaking through the heavens sounds grand and inspiring, in reality, it would be impossible to break through without extraordinary abilities.

Knowing this, Luo Zu naturally refused to act first, wanting to at least have a say in the matter.

As for these immortals, they weren't blind. How could they not see that Luo Zu, the Monkey King, had already attained the Golden Immortal realm, possessing extraordinary supernatural powers and martial arts? Although it hadn't been verified yet, the Golden Immortal's cultivation was far superior to that of these minor gods and immortals. Even if his martial arts were temporarily lacking, his supernatural powers would surely surpass theirs. In that case, how could they possibly be a match for him? After all, no matter how strong one's martial arts were, they couldn't withstand a single supernatural power that could take one's life.

Therefore, they all cowered and dared not advance, and all spoke wildly, but refused to use their magic weapons.

Thus, the two sides would exchange insults, their words flying like a silver river and their saliva flowing like a waterfall.

At this critical moment, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky, entered Flower Fruit Mountain, and landed on the mountaintop.

Upon noticing the unusual phenomenon, both sides ceased their verbal sparring and observed the golden light.

After the golden light disappeared, a human figure appeared. Let's see what he looks like.

His white hair was tied up with a crown, revealing his high forehead. His eyebrows were like sharp swords and his eyes were like lightning. His nose was like a dragon, drawing in the heavens and the earth. Yet his mouth seemed to be full of joy. He wore a feathered robe adorned with starlight. He held a sword in his left hand and a whisk in his right. He was truly a solemn and righteous god, known as Venus.

"Greetings, Venus!" all the gods and immortals greeted him respectfully.

Venus quickly returned the greetings one by one, his humility making him seem neither like a high-ranking official of the Heavenly Court nor like a star god who would wage war and punish rebellion.

"It is the Venus de Milo, the Old Star Lord. What is the purpose of your visit today?" Luo Zu seemed completely unaware of the situation and just chuckled.

Venus sheathed his sword, stroked his long beard, and strode forward. He then took out a scroll with a bright yellow cloth and a jade dragon-carved handle from his sleeve.

hiss~~

In an instant, the sound of the siha echoed throughout the area surrounding Flower Fruit Mountain.

Then, all the gods and immortals bowed down in unison on the clouds.

"What's going on? Are you really going to appoint me as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?" Luo Zu chuckled.

Anyone with eyes can see that this is the decree issued by the Jade Emperor, and that Luo Zu's current performance is that the stone monkey's legs are too stiff to bow down.

"Stone Monkey, why aren't you accepting the imperial decree?" Venus said in a muffled voice.

"Here, let me see for myself." Luo Zu reached out to take the imperial edict.

The old man seemed wary, withdrew his hand to avoid it, and hid it in his pocket.

The gods and immortals then stood up again with a clatter.

"What? I'm here to receive the imperial decree, aren't I? Why won't you give it to me? Are you trying to disobey the Great Celestial Venerable?" Luo Zu retorted, acting unreasonably.

Venus was a man who had seen many grand occasions, so how could he blush at such a remark, much less lose his temper and retaliate? He simply smiled and replied, "The Heavenly Rules and Regulations stipulate that all imperial edicts from the Jade Emperor require one to burn incense, bathe, and perform three kowtows and nine prostrations before one can receive the edict. However, since we came in a hurry today and this place is a desolate and wild place, the incense burning and bathing are waived, and three kowtows and nine prostrations will suffice."

Luo Zu clapped his hands and said, "Oh dear, I'm used to the mountains and wilderness. I've been squatting here for too long, and my legs aren't very nimble. I'm afraid I can't kneel. Besides, the mountain winds have given me headaches, so I can't kowtow. Why don't you help me put in a good word with the Jade Emperor and ask him to let me off with these useless formalities? What do you say?"

Venus remained unperturbed and continued to laugh, but the gods and immortals surrounding Flower Fruit Mountain began to clamor, as if they felt this was an opportunity to punish the monkey.

"You damned monkey, how dare you defy the Great Heavenly Venerable's decree! Venus, please make a trip to the Heavenly Palace. I wish to request permission to slay the demon." A burly figure descended from the South Heavenly Gate, wielding a pair of ornate battle axes, and charged into the mortal realm, standing beside Flower Fruit Mountain.

Why say "side view"? It's because this fellow's height is already over a thousand feet, enough to be compared to Flower Fruit Mountain.

"Giant Spirit God, do not be angry, do not act rashly, the Jade Emperor has another decree." With a flick of his whisk, Taibai Jinxing stopped the Giant Spirit God's angry breath and flames. This breath was about to form a violent wind and fire, sweeping through Flower Fruit Mountain and burning down all the pines, cypresses, grass, flowers, birds and beasts.

This giant spirit god was also an ancient divine general who repeatedly made meritorious contributions to the Heavenly Court. His cultivation had long since broken through to the Golden Immortal realm, and he was a Great Luo Immortal personally appointed by the Jade Emperor.

Therefore, when he took action, all the gods were terrified and retreated, which made Flower Fruit Mountain much more peaceful for a time.

"Does the Great Celestial Venerable have any further decrees?" The Giant Spirit God concealed his divine power and light, leaving only his enormous body. With eyes as bright as the sun and moon, he looked down at Flower Fruit Mountain and at Luo Zu.

Luo Zu laughed heartily: "This fat man is quite heavy. If he lands accurately, he will surely destroy my Huaguo Mountain's millennia-old heritage."

“What Sun Wukong says is absolutely right. So please, Sun Wukong, do not use your supernatural powers. Return this precious iron that stabilizes the bottom of the Milky Way to the Dragon King of the East Sea, and let us stop fighting and ruin this peaceful and natural blessed land.” Venus said with a smile.

"Your words are too gentle, too agreeable, it's hard to bring myself to strike you with a stick. Tell me, what imperial decree did the Great Heavenly Venerable give? Or was it a verbal instruction?" This time, Luo Zu sought the Dao in the Fangcun Mountain of his heart, and he also learned to have the wisdom eyes of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, so that he could see all living beings and all things.

Therefore, Venus could see how many hairs were hidden on his body.

"Hey, how did the Great Sage know it was a verbal decree? What amazing supernatural power and skill!" Venus chuckled, his praises never ceasing.

Luo Zu was too lazy to care about his excuses and was about to explode on the spot, raising his stick to make him utter all his words.

"You impudent monkey, stop your rudeness!" The giant spirit god came out protectively, his large hand reaching out to grab Luo Zu first and protect Taibai Jinxing.

Seeing such danger, Venus was not alarmed. He simply raised his hand and used the force from a distance to push away the giant spirit's hand, then went straight to meet Luo Zu's iron rod.

puff.

The iron rod stopped in mid-air, striking the air with a crisp sound.

Meanwhile, Venus remained completely unaffected.

"Thank you, Great Sage, for sparing my life." Venus was still smiling.

“Old man, you have guts. You’re much better than that big, clumsy fellow,” Luo Zu chuckled to himself.

"Please." Luo Zu then removed the iron rod and waited for Venus to read out the Great Heavenly Venerable's decree.

"Should we kneel and pay homage to the imperial edict?" Luo Zu asked again.

Venus shook his head: "The Great Celestial Venerable permits you to worship without kneeling."

"Ha, then speak up. I'll just listen honestly, like a country bumpkin."

Then Venus, in a melodious voice, recounted all sorts of things: "By the decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable, it is said that Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life. I am Heaven, and this virtue should naturally be bestowed upon all living beings. Now, the birth of the stone monkey of Flower Fruit Mountain is a miraculous achievement of Heaven and Earth, a wonder of nature's creation, a marvel of the stars' existence, and a predetermined destiny of the universe. Therefore, he is hereby named the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and can obey orders but not summons, following the story of Erlang of Guanjiangkou."

"Appreciate this."

After Venus finished reciting, the entire hall fell silent, all was still. The giant spirit stared wide-eyed, his eyes even larger and rounder than the sun and moon in the sky.

"Great Heavenly Venerable, your kindness is appreciated, I, Old Sun, am very grateful." Luo Zu was the first to react.

"I wonder if the Great Sage would be willing to accompany this old man back to the Heavenly Palace to report back? And perhaps pay homage to the Great Heavenly Venerable?" Venus asked softly.

But Luo Zu still wanted to cause trouble. After all, Sun Wukong had been tricked once on this path, so why couldn't he be tricked again?

He then said, "I am deeply grateful to the Great Heavenly Venerable, but may I ask what rank I, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, am?"

Venus was taken aback. He hadn't expected Luo Zu to ask such a question, but he was quick-witted and immediately replied, "It is of the highest grade."

"Old man, don't try to fool me. Don't think I'm some mountain spirit or a wild monster. I also have the wisdom of a Bodhisattva and can see all living beings. If I were of the highest rank, would all the gods and Buddhas in the sky have to be subordinate to me? Do you expect me to become the Great Heavenly Venerable's side, kick out the Tathagata, and become the abbot of the Great Thunderclap Temple?"

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent, and even the giant spirit's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Lawless, lawless! This monkey demon is not just arrogant, it is a monstrous and unjust demon!" The Giant Spirit God yelled wildly, and the Xuanhua Battle Axe on his back had already spun into his hand. Then he slashed at Luo Zu.

"No!" Taibai Jinxing tried to stop him, but Luo Zu was quick and swift. A hairy hand pressed down on his shoulder, sealing away all his extraordinary powers.

"Old man, don't make trouble. If I hadn't fought against 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, they would still think I'm unworthy of the title," Luo Zu chuckled.

"Please, Great Sage, spare them this time!" Taibai Jinxing, now aware of Luo Zu's power, quickly pleaded.

But the Giant Spirit God wouldn't allow him to say so much. He showed no mercy with his pair of Xuanhua axes and chopped them down directly at Luo Zu's head.

This axe is so big that if it were to cleave Flower Fruit Mountain in two, one end would go east and the other west.

Choking!

There was a crisp sound.

A single iron rod, bound with golden ropes at both ends, was pressed against the Xuanhua battle axe, which was as large as a mountain peak.

Compared to this enormous Xuanhua axe, this ten-foot-long iron rod looked no different from a toothpick.

"Oh dear, you monkey demon!" the giant spirit shouted in exasperation.

"You can take one of my axe blows, but do you think you can take another?"

There was a series of crackling sounds.

This giant spirit was a strategist who understood the principle of deception in warfare, not just a reckless brute who knew how to charge blindly. He said he would only use one axe, but he swung his two Xuanhua axes like wheels, and in the blink of an eye, he had swung them countless times, perhaps a hundred, perhaps a thousand, or even ten thousand times.

After such a barrage of strikes, a fierce wind arose on the East China Sea, and aftershocks like wind blades swept towards the archipelago area of ​​Aolai Kingdom.

But no matter how fiercely or ruthlessly he struck, he could not break through the thin golden cudgel in Luo Zu's hand.

The giant spirit was getting anxious.

His divine power was waning, and his martial arts skills were exhausted. He was left with only three basic moves, which he could only use in turn.

As for supernatural powers, this enormous body is his supernatural power.

Because of this divine power of "Law of Heaven and Earth," it brings even more immense power, abundant stamina, and influence on heaven and earth. The force field brought by its terrifying size will affect the surrounding environment. The longer the battle lasts, the deeper its influence on the environment becomes, and thus the more positive blessings it brings.

But now, he only feels his strength dissipating, his physical strength leaking away, and his impact on the environment is negligible.

This demonic monkey not only thwarted his offensive but also shattered his accumulated momentum.

What a formidable opponent! How does he compare to Jiro Kaneko back in the day?

The difference is naturally not significant.

"Alright, alright, Third Prince, Four Heavenly Kings, let's defeat this demon monkey together!" The Giant Spirit God, unable to gain the upper hand, requested reinforcements.

"it is good!"

The Third Prince readily agreed, but the Four Heavenly Kings remained unmoved. Their task was to guard the Heavenly Gate, not to descend to the mortal realm and fight with others, unless they received an imperial decree from the Great Heavenly Venerable.

"Monkey King, here I come!" Nezha, the Third Prince, shouted and rode on his Wind and Fire Wheels, wielding his Fire-Tipped Spear and the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon), rushing straight towards Sun Wukong.

The imposing celestial being tried to stop him, but he had already vanished. Helpless, he could only go to the Lingxiao Palace to request permission to lead the heavenly soldiers and generals of the Heavenly Court to aid his good son in battle.

Meanwhile, the demon monkey Luo Zu struck the giant spirit god Xuan Hua with his axe eighteen times in succession, smashing the axe to pieces, and then punched him from a distance.

In an instant, the sky and the clouds changed color; the power of that punch was like Mount Tai pressing down.

The giant spirit realized something was wrong and prepared to retreat.

Although the fists were more than 300 feet apart, the force and power of the punches had already arrived first.

Boom!

The giant spirit was so badly beaten that he collapsed to the ground and fell directly into the East China Sea.

Water splashes and waves surge, and then it can never rise again.

At that moment, Nezha, the Third Prince, arrived to fight.

But he stopped and shouted at Luo Zu, "Monkey demon, I will let you rest for a while because you have been fighting the Giant Spirit God for a long time and have exhausted yourself. Once you have recovered, I will fight you again."

But the monkey demon chuckled and said, "Little brat, are you waiting for reinforcements? Look, all those immortals have run away."

Luo Zu pointed his golden cudgel around the area surrounding Flower Fruit Mountain.

It turned out that while he was fighting the Giant Spirit God, all the gods who were surrounding Flower Fruit Mountain took advantage of the chaos to run away, not daring to stay for even a moment, for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

"Hmph, I don't need any help to fight you. I'll take you back to Heaven right now."