Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong was sent to the Faith True Realm, where a system tasked him with gathering World Origin by fighting its inhabitants. Wu Tian and Nuwa observed that Kong Xuan had arranged the detour to train Wukong while another Sun Wukong remained beneath Five Finger Mountain.

• Yang Jian considered visiting Flower-Fruit Mountain after he had arranged it, and Nezha eagerly asked to go with him.
• Sun Wukong arrived in an unfamiliar world through the Innate Five-Colored Divine Light and received a system that assigned him a World Origin target of 129,600.
• Sun Wukong killed a group of winged figures, and the purple lotus imprint absorbed their origins, raising his total to twenty-six and strengthening him.
• Sun Wukong realized that battle in this world could be an opportunity to increase his strength and continued fighting as more winged figures converged on him.
• Wu Tian told Nuwa that Kong Xuan had sent Sun Wukong to the Faith True Realm to temper him while the other Sun Wukong remained beneath Five Finger Mountain.

After completing his five-hundred-year mission in the Faith True Realm, Sun Wukong returned to the Primordial World with a surge of fortune and merit, having grown far stronger. He glimpsed the Underworld’s true power and began suspecting that Master had orchestrated past events, but Kong Xuan swept him away before he could investigate.

• Yang Jian and Nezha returned from the Faith True Realm before the deadline, received fortune and merit, and agreed to seek Eldest Senior Brother after the Journey to the West Tribulation.
• Sun Wukong completed his mission, gained the Blood Drop Rebirth divine ability, and saw that the World Origin had reached completion.
• The purple lotus platform mark transported Sun Wukong through a world that reminded him of Mount Fangcun and then through the Underworld.
• Sun Wukong glimpsed twelve immense Dharma forms in the Underworld, wondered why the Ten Yama Kings had allowed his past rampage, and suspected Master was behind it.
• Sun Wukong returned to the Primordial World and received fortune and merit, but Kong Xuan’s Innate Five-Colored Divine Light swept him away.

Kong Xuan returned Sun Wukong to Five Finger Mountain after his five-hundred-year battle beyond the domain, where he merged with his incarnation and was suppressed again. Tathagata then sent Guanyin to begin the Journey to the West project and gave her three Golden Hoops to control Sun Wukong.

• Kong Xuan told Sun Wukong to wait beneath Five Finger Mountain for the Journey to the West Tribulation, struck him for calling him “Buddha Mother,” and carried him back with the Innate Five-Colored Divine Light.
• Sun Wukong merged with his incarnation beneath Five Finger Mountain, activated the Six-Character Mantra, and ordered the Land God to ask Zhao Gongming for wine and Flat Peaches.
• The Land God agreed to carry Sun Wukong’s message after his wife worried that the Heavenly Court would blame them.
• Tathagata saw that Sun Wukong had returned, summoned Guanyin, and told her that Golden Cicada’s reincarnated body had appeared.
• Guanyin raised concerns about keeping Sun Wukong obedient, and Tathagata gave her three Golden Hoops with the Tight-Fillet Spell.

Guanyin received the Golden Hoops and set out for the Great Tang to prepare for the pilgrimage. At Five Finger Mountain, Zhao Gongming, Yang Jian, and Nezha visited Sun Wukong, who learned that Flower-Fruit Mountain was thriving and teased Nezha for his poisonous mouth.

• Tathagata gave Guanyin three Golden Hoops for the Journey to the West, and she left Mount Ling for the Great Tang.
• A local earth god sought help from Zhao Gongming, who went to Five Finger Mountain with Yang Jian and Nezha.
• Nezha tried to remove the Six-Character Mantra, but Zhao Gongming stopped him and gave the guards gifts before they approached Sun Wukong.
• Zhao Gongming, Yang Jian, and Nezha shared immortal fruit and spirit wine with Sun Wukong beneath the mountain.
• Sun Wukong asked about Flower-Fruit Mountain, and Nezha said its forces had grown stronger before Sun Wukong called his mouth pure poison.

Sun Wukong prepared for the Journey to the West with advice and support from Zhao Gongming and Yang Jian. Tang Sanzang reached Five Finger Mountain, where Wukong broke free of the Six-Character Mantra and set out toward the west.

• Zhao Gongming and Yang Jian reassured Sun Wukong about Flower-Fruit Mountain, and Zhao apologized for making him take the blame during the Havoc in Heaven.
• Zhao Gongming advised Sun Wukong to use tact and build favors during the pilgrimage while holding to his principles, and Yang Jian cautioned him not to be led astray.
• Guanyin arranged for Emperor Taizong of Tang to hear about the Buddha Ancestor, and Tang Sanzang departed Chang'an to seek the scriptures.
• Tang Sanzang and Liu Boqin reached Five Finger Mountain, where Sun Wukong urged Tang to remove the Six-Character Mantra.
• Sun Wukong unleashed his strength, broke free from beneath Five Finger Mountain, and defied Tathagata before gazing west.

Sun Wukong broke free of Five Finger Mountain and became Tang Sanzang’s disciple, then set off with him toward the West. After killing a tiger and turning its hide into clothes, he left Tang Sanzang impressed by his skill.

• Tathagata Buddha Ancestor chose not to reinforce the Six-Character Mantra after Sun Wukong broke it.
• Sun Wukong greeted Tang Sanzang, accepted him as his master, and suggested the title “pilgrim.”
• Sun Wukong thanked Liu Boqin, took the reins of the white horse, and set out west with Tang Sanzang.
• Sun Wukong killed a tiger on the road, while Tang Sanzang grew uneasy as Sun Wukong boasted about his past.
• Sun Wukong skinned the tiger and made himself clothes with borrowed needle and thread, prompting Tang Sanzang to praise his handiwork.

Sun Wukong killed six bandits, quarreled with Tang Sanzang, and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain rather than continue the pilgrimage. Guanyin eventually came to invite him back, and he blamed Tang Sanzang for driving him away.

• Sun Wukong killed six bandits who blocked the road and argued with Tang Sanzang over their deaths.
• Tang Sanzang rebuked Sun Wukong, so Sun Wukong flew to Flower-Fruit Mountain and left him behind.
• Sun Wukong reunited with the monkeys and planned to obtain extra Tight-Fillet Spells without letting Guanyin realize he was not truly restrained.
• Guanyin sent the Dragon King of the East Sea to persuade Sun Wukong to return, but Sun Wukong stayed on Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• Guanyin came to Flower-Fruit Mountain herself, and Sun Wukong told her Tang Sanzang had rejected him as a disciple.

Sun Wukong returned to Tang Sanzang and discovered the gold-inlaid cap Guanyin had provided was linked to the Tight-Fillet Spell. He endured Tang Sanzang’s chanting long enough to learn the spell, then pretended to submit while Tang Sanzang defended using it to discipline him.

• Sun Wukong returned to Tang Sanzang, who had stopped by the roadside, and the two argued before agreeing to continue their journey together.
• Sun Wukong found the cotton robe and gold-inlaid cap in Tang Sanzang’s bundle and realized Guanyin had supplied them as part of a plan to control him.
• Sun Wukong put on the cap to provoke Tang Sanzang into revealing the Tight-Fillet Spell, and Tang Sanzang began chanting when the cap seemed to have no effect.
• Tang Sanzang’s chanting caused the Tight-Fillet to tighten painfully around Sun Wukong’s head, and Sun Wukong failed to pry it off with his Golden Cudgel.
• Sun Wukong memorized the spell while suffering, then begged Tang Sanzang to stop and submit to him.
• Tang Sanzang explained that the old woman had given him the Tight-Fillet and spell to subdue unruly disciples and make Sun Wukong heed his teachings.

Sun Wukong tricked Tang Sanzang into revealing the Tight-Fillet Spell, then used the Tight-Fillet to punish him for threatening to use it. Tang Sanzang was left wearing the band and sulking while Sun Wukong mocked his devotion to Buddhism.

• Sun Wukong hid his true body and used a blood-essence incarnation to fool Tang Sanzang into revealing the Tight-Fillet Spell.
• When the incarnation threatened to seek out Guanyin, Tang Sanzang chanted the spell, and Sun Wukong used the performance to make him stop.
• Sun Wukong reclaimed the Tight-Fillet and Purple-Gold Alms Bowl, then secretly placed the band on Tang Sanzang's head while pretending to straighten his hat.
• Sun Wukong briefly chanted the spell, causing Tang Sanzang to collapse in pain, then stopped and told him to endure the band until they reached Mount Ling.
• Tang Sanzang sat in silence as Sun Wukong mocked him for believing all beings were equal while claiming the Tight-Fillet for himself.

Sun Wukong exposed Guanyin and Tang Sanzang’s plan to put the Tight-Fillet on him, leaving Tang Sanzang wearing it instead. Guanyin appeared to intervene but could not remove the ring, and Sun Wukong agreed not to torment Tang Sanzang with the spell.

• Tang Sanzang cried over the Tight-Fillet until Sun Wukong told him to ask Guanyin to remove it.
• Tang Sanzang called for Guanyin, who revealed herself and realized her delayed plan had gone wrong.
• Sun Wukong accused Guanyin and Tang Sanzang of plotting against him, then threatened to ask the gods of Heavenly Court to judge them.
• Guanyin explained that only Buddha Ancestor could remove the Tight-Fillet and told Tang Sanzang to wear a Buddhist cap until reaching Mount Ling.
• Tang Sanzang worried that Sun Wukong would use the spell to torture him, so Guanyin warned Sun Wukong not to do so.
• Sun Wukong said he would not torment Tang Sanzang without reason.

Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang resumed their journey after Guanyin’s failed attempt to bind Wukong with the Tight-Fillet Spell. They reached Snake Coil Mountain Eagle Sorrow Ravine, where Wukong anticipated Little White Dragon’s arrival.

• Guanyin mediated between Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang, then left after they awkwardly reconciled.
• Sun Wukong promised not to recite the Tight-Fillet Spell, but threatened to use it when Tang Sanzang kept asking; Tang Sanzang fell silent.
• Tathagata chose not to interfere, while Haotian laughed at the Western Sect’s failed scheme and Lord Taishang chuckled.
• Nuwa grew angry at Guanyin’s scheme, then cheered when Sun Wukong put the fillet on Tang Sanzang; Wu Tian reassured her and left with the others to aid their elder brothers in another world.
• Tang Sanzang relaxed when the fillet had no effect, and he and Sun Wukong resumed talking as they traveled.
• Several days later, Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang reached Snake Coil Mountain Eagle Sorrow Ravine, where Wukong anticipated Little White Dragon transforming into the White Dragon Horse.

Sun Wukong confronted the Little White Dragon after it swallowed Tang Sanzang’s horse, revealing that he knew Guanyin had sent the dragon to protect the pilgrimage. He left the story demanding that the Little White Dragon explain how Tang Sanzang would travel without a horse.

• The Little White Dragon burst from Eagle Grief Stream and swallowed Tang Sanzang’s white horse, while Sun Wukong carried Tang Sanzang to safety.
• Tang Sanzang clung to Sun Wukong and refused to let him leave, so Sun Wukong exposed the hidden immortals and gods assigned to protect them.
• Sun Wukong ordered one of the immortals to guard Tang Sanzang, then went to Eagle Grief Stream to summon Ao Lie.
• The Little White Dragon emerged and attacked Sun Wukong, who dodged and claimed that their families were connected through the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas.
• Sun Wukong explained that he was Tang Sanzang’s eldest disciple and pointed out that the Little White Dragon had eaten Tang Sanzang’s mount, leaving him unable to travel.

Sun Wukong helped Little White Dragon join Tang Sanzang’s journey as the White Dragon Horse and secured three transformation hairs from Guanyin. After the group reached Guanyin Temple, Sun Wukong began plotting against the Black Bear Spirit, whom Guanyin was destined to recruit.

• Little White Dragon met Tang Sanzang, apologized for swallowing his horse, and agreed to carry him west.
• Guanyin arrived, transformed Little White Dragon into a white horse, and gave Sun Wukong three transformation hairs after he complained about her secret arrangements.
• Sun Wukong teased Tang Sanzang about riding without a saddle, and the Mountain God of Mount Luojia soon brought them one.
• The master and disciples continued their journey and reached Guanyin Temple.
• Sun Wukong recalled the Black Bear Spirit’s fate and decided to disrupt Guanyin’s plans for him, possibly by sending him to the God of Wealth’s Palace.

Sun Wukong sent an incarnation to the Heavenly Court while escorting Tang Sanzang, then accompanied him to Guanyin Temple, where the monks plotted to steal the Brocade Cassock by setting a fire. After shielding himself and Tang Sanzang for the night, Sun Wukong went to the God of Wealth's Palace, where Zhao Gongming asked what had brought him there.

• Sun Wukong sent an incarnation to the Heavenly Court while he continued with Tang Sanzang toward Guanyin Temple.
• Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong arrived at Guanyin Temple, where the monks welcomed Tang Sanzang and recoiled at Sun Wukong's appearance.
• The temple patriarch coveted Sun Wukong's Brocade Cassock, and his disciple-grandsons devised a plan to kill Tang Sanzang and his companions in a fire.
• Sun Wukong shielded himself and Tang Sanzang as they rested, while his incarnation entered the Heavenly Court and headed for his mansion.
• Sun Wukong's incarnation went to the God of Wealth's Palace, where Zhao Gongming greeted him and asked whether someone had bullied him.

Zhao Gongming arranged for Lu Ya to claim the Black Bear Spirit before Cihang could, while Sun Wukong waited at Guanyin Temple for the Black Bear Spirit to appear. As the temple burned, Sun Wukong saw a mysterious golden radiance enter the Brocade Cassock and felt an unfamiliar, familiar gaze turn toward him.

• Bixiao offered Sun Wukong the Golden Flood Shears and Hunyuan Golden Dou, but he explained that he had come to discuss the Black Bear Spirit.
• Sun Wukong told Zhao Gongming about the Black Bear Spirit and the Tight-Fillet, and Zhao Gongming recognized the three fillets as Ma Sui's treasures.
• Zhao Gongming decided the Black Bear Spirit would not suit his palace and secretly messaged Lu Ya, who agreed to take him and thwart Cihang.
• Sun Wukong returned to Guanyin Temple and watched as figures piled firewood around his and Tang Sanzang's meditation room and set it ablaze.
• Sun Wukong used his Golden Eyes of Truth to see golden radiance and profound words enter the Brocade Cassock, then sensed a mysterious gaze looking toward him.

Sun Wukong pursued the Black Bear Spirit to recover the Brocade Cassock, while Lu Ya secretly used it to pass the Heart Sutra and Buddhist precepts to the demon. The chapter ended with the Black Bear Spirit emerging in armor to face Sun Wukong outside Black Wind Cave.

• Sun Wukong sensed a familiar aura, then set it aside and went to confront the monks at Guanyin Temple before tracking the Black Bear Spirit.
• Lu Ya hid the Heart Sutra in the Brocade Cassock, and the Black Bear Spirit’s chanting dispelled some of his demonic aura and marked him with golden ordination scars.
• The Black Bear Spirit arranged a Buddhist Robe Gathering with Ling Xuzi, but Sun Wukong arrived and struck them; Ling Xuzi died, while the Black Bear Spirit escaped to his cave.
• Sun Wukong reached Black Wind Cave and demanded that the Black Bear Spirit return the cassock, threatening the cave’s minions.
• The Black Bear Spirit grew angry at Sun Wukong’s insults, armed himself with a Black Feather Spear, and came out to confront him.

Sun Wukong fought the Black Bear Spirit over the stolen Brocade Cassock and decided to ask the Bodhisattva to subdue him. He and the Bodhisattva prepared a trick to make the Black Bear Spirit return the cassock.

• Sun Wukong and the Black Bear Spirit traded insults and fought, but the Black Bear Spirit repeatedly stopped to eat and rest.
• Sun Wukong returned to Guanyin Temple, where Tang Sanzang complained about the lost cassock, and then went to summon the Bodhisattva.
• Sun Wukong killed a Wolf Demon and took its two Immortal Pills, proposing that he hide inside one while the Bodhisattva impersonated the demon.
• The Bodhisattva transformed into the Wolf Demon, and Sun Wukong marveled at how convincingly the Bodhisattva had taken on the demon's appearance.

Sun Wukong infiltrated the Black Bear Spirit’s cave to recover the Brocade Cassock, but Chan Master Wuchao intervened when the Bodhisattva tried to claim the spirit. The Bodhisattva yielded the Black Bear Spirit to Wuchao, leaving both the spirit and Sun Wukong bewildered.

• Sun Wukong hid inside an Immortal Pill and entered the Black Bear Spirit’s stomach, where he kicked the spirit until the Bodhisattva recovered the Brocade Cassock.
• The Bodhisattva offered the Black Bear Spirit a chance to take refuge and threw a Golden Hoop toward him, but six beams of light snatched the hoop away.
• Chan Master Wuchao appeared outside the cave and suggested that the Bodhisattva let the Black Bear Spirit go with him.
• The Bodhisattva acknowledged that Wuchao had taught the Black Bear Spirit and told the spirit to cultivate under the Chan Master’s guidance.
• The Black Bear Spirit and Sun Wukong were left astonished by the Bodhisattva’s decision.

Chan Master Wuchao took the Black Bear Spirit away after transforming him into a monk, while Sun Wukong and the Bodhisattva argued over his involvement. Sun Wukong recovered the Brocade Cassock and hurried Tang Sanzang west, leaving the Bodhisattva to deal with Guanyin Temple and Black Wind Cave.

• Chan Master Wuchao used the Heart Sutra to transform the Black Bear Spirit into a monk and took him away.
• The Bodhisattva suspected Sun Wukong had arranged for Chan Master Wuchao to take the Black Bear Spirit, but Sun Wukong denied it and threatened to abandon the journey.
• Sun Wukong urged the Bodhisattva to handle the Guanyin Temple monks herself, then returned the Brocade Cassock to Tang Sanzang and pulled him away.
• Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, and Little White Dragon set off west while the Guanyin Temple monks stayed behind, relieved.
• The Bodhisattva watched them leave and entered Black Wind Cave to deal with the remaining mess.

Sun Wukong reached Gao Family Village with Tang Sanzang and learned that Zhu Ganglie had abducted Gao Cuilan. He disguised himself as Cuilan to wait for Zhu Ganglie, then revealed his true form, and Zhu Ganglie recognized him and angrily demanded to know why he had come.

• Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang reached Gao Family Village, where Sun Wukong sensed a heavy demonic aura.
• Sun Wukong questioned Gao Cai and learned that a demon had seized Gao Cuilan.
• Elder Master Gao mistook Sun Wukong for a demon, but Tang Sanzang vouched for his ability to subdue one.
• Sun Wukong freed Gao Cuilan, transformed into her likeness, and waited in the rear courtyard for Zhu Ganglie.
• Zhu Ganglie entered and tried to embrace and kiss the disguised Sun Wukong.
• Sun Wukong revealed himself, and Zhu Ganglie recoiled before recognizing him and demanding to know what had happened to Cuilan.