"Everyone says fighting midway through a battle is the most awkward."
"Why don't we call it a draw?"
"I just wonder if Brother Randeng of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhist sect approves? Hehehe, if not, it's fine. Huang Quan is just here to watch the fun, like Grand Sage Sun."
"You guys fighting one Yellow Wind Monster isn't enough, so let me find a few more useless ones for you to beat until you're satisfied and happy."
"How about it?"
This Patriarch Huang Quan was entirely different from Patriarch Ming He, Patriarch You Ming, Luo Hou, and the other high-ranking demons like the Demon Saints.
He spoke with a smile.
But the murderous aura in his eyes made the Buddhist followers too afraid to move an inch.
He was too domineering.
Too evil!
Such a quasi-saint expert, placed among the demon race, was still below thirteen Demon Saint-level experts, the Demon Saints, and Luo Hou.
If he were in the Western Teachings, he would undoubtedly be a third master.
Aside from Patriarch Jieyin and Patriarch Zhunti, almost no one could defeat him.
Where did the demon race find so many experts?
It made them envious!
The Buddhist followers felt both apprehension and jealousy.
They almost shouted it out.
It was at this very moment that, including Buddha Randeng and Bodhisattva Lingji, the two factions of the Greater and Lesser Vehicle Buddhist sects finally understood completely.
Why the Yellow Wind Monster had resisted so thoroughly earlier, almost losing his life.
And why Sun Kong, who loved to stir up trouble and cause destruction the most, had actually restrained himself and not intervened this time!
The reason was simple.
The former was because Patriarch Huang Quan had arrived long ago, waiting to see the Yellow Wind Monster perform at his fullest, and then to save him.
The latter was because Buddha Randeng and others had to admit that Sun Kong had long foreseen Patriarch Huang Quan's appearance. He hadn't failed to act, but had deliberately delayed his intervention.
As the saying goes.
One who can fight is merely a brute.
One who can avoid a fight is a master.
One who can choose a fight is the master of masters.
Even if Sun Kong was only slightly superior to them in this regard, it made this group feel ashamed and embarrassed!
In comparison.
Whether it was people from the Greater Vehicle Buddhist sect like Bodhisattva Lingji, or those from the Lesser Vehicle Buddhist sect like Buddha Randeng, the Four Great Bodhisattvas, and others.
They all lost to Sun Kong in this aspect, not by a small margin!
But fortunately.
Sun Kong's non-intervention meant he wasn't more powerful than them.
And Patriarch Huang Quan, seeing his godson, the Yellow Wind Monster, in this state without anger or displeasure, but smilingly watching, indicated that they, the Buddhist followers, had earned his respect!
Since that was the case.
Why not have a three-way peace talk, and enjoy harmony?
"Bodhisattva Lingji, all you Buddhist followers, quickly tidy your robes and follow this Buddha to pay respects. Do not, due to a temporary win or loss, diminish the prestige of our Western Teachings' Greater and Lesser Vehicle Buddhist sects."
"Since it's a draw, then it's a draw. After all, there's always tomorrow."
Buddha Randeng spoke first, not only demonstrating his authority and magnanimity as the Buddha of the Lesser Vehicle Buddhist sect, but also stabilizing morale, so as not to be laughed at.
Upon hearing this.
Both Sun Kong and Patriarch Huang Quan admired him even more.
And those who belonged to Buddha Randeng's faction dared not speak carelessly at this time, and they conscientiously followed behind, coming to pay their respects.
"We pay our respects to Patriarch Huang Quan and Grand Sage Sun. Since both of you acknowledge this battle as a draw, and consider the thirteenth and fourteenth trials perfectly completed."
"Then it's settled. Apart from Grand Sage Sun's share, how about we two parties divide the merit rewards equally?"
Standing before the two "quasi-saints," Sun Kong and Patriarch Huang Quan, the others dared not even breathe.
However, Buddha Randeng, being a low-grade quasi-saint himself, and having gained the acknowledgment of Sun Kong and Patriarch Huang Quan, was finally able to speak some words.
Hearing this, Sun Kong did not hesitate at all and continued to look at Patriarch Huang Quan with a smile.
It made people's hearts creep.
It even made Patriarch Huang Quan feel a bit uncomfortable.
But no matter what, seeing his godson draw with Buddha Randeng under the nose of Sun Kong, the ancestor of this realm, was already a victory.
How could he dare to ask for more?
Thus.
Just as Sun Kong maintained his inscrutable expression, and Buddha Randeng felt uneasy but maintained a strong composure outwardly,
Patriarch Huang Quan, on this side, finally regained some of his smile and settled the matter!
Later generations, who did not know the inside story, would think this was the mutual concession of three "quasi-saints."
Only those involved knew that if the three quasi-saints were to fight, it would be endless and unimaginable, if they were not careful!
...
The next second.
As usual, the Heavenly Dao appeared and announced the rewards for these two trials.
It also fully respected these three "quasi-saints"!
"The thirteenth trial, the Yellow Wind Monster's obstruction, and the fourteenth trial, the request for Lingji, in the first round of the Journey to the West in the Immortal Realm, have been perfectly passed. All those who participated in these trials shall receive merit rewards, varying in amount, as determined by Heaven."
"The person with the greatest merit, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the Monkey King of the New Flower Fruit Mountain, the Vice Buddha of Spirit Mountain, Sun Wukong, for his calm handling and resolution of the tribulation, is specially rewarded."
"Reward: Sun Wukong, eight hundred Heavenly Dao merits, eighty thousand Journey to the West merits!"
As with every similar occasion, after Sun Kong's rewards were given.
The rewards for Buddha Randeng and the Yellow Wind Monster also came.
Just like every previous tribulation, this one was no exception. Buddha Randeng's side received four hundred Heavenly Dao merits and forty thousand Journey to the West merits, and the Yellow Wind Monster received the same.
Up to this point.
The "peaceful" battle, triggered by three "quasi-saints," had come to an end.
Let alone Buddha Randeng obediently leading his followers away.
Let alone the Yellow Wind Monster, who was immediately bestowed a pure Yellow Spring Qi by Patriarch Huang Quan on the spot, allowing him to recover his physical body and primordial spirit, and even break through to the low-grade Hunyuan Da Luo Golden Demon realm.
Even Sun Kong and his party.
Seeing the thirteenth and fourteenth trials pass so "easily," their spirits were greatly uplifted. After a simple meal,
They continued on their journey!
"Master Jin Chanzi, the next trial should be for my third brother."
"I believe that after the recent trials, or after a forceful sweep, or after various parties sensibly negotiated a truce, no one will dare to stop Zhou Wu Xian, my third brother, from joining your side."
"Then let's wander along slowly, don't miss the scenery on the way because of a single pilgrimage."
Under Sun Kong's teasing, how could the others have any other plans?
However.
Even Sun Kong himself did not expect that just as he led his team to set off, having forgotten about the battles of these two trials, and shortly after they had left.
Deep within the Yellow Wind Ridge, which had originally reverted to an ordinary monster's lair.
Suddenly.
A strange and brilliant yellow flower bloomed.
This yellow flower emanated a chilling Yellow Spring Qi from within and without.
The stamens stretched into the air.
The roots were buried deep in the mountain.
And in the deepest parts, unknown to outsiders, Patriarch Huang Quan's signature smiling threat could be heard once more. Clearly, he had another undisclosed arrangement!