Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong escaped Taishang Laojun’s furnace stronger than before and continued his staged rampage through Heaven, defeating the immortals who tried to stop him. As Sun Wukong reached Lingxiao Palace, Hao Tian sent officials west to invite Tathagata Buddha, who hurried east to confront him.

• Sun Wukong absorbed the Eight-Trigrams Alchemy Furnace’s origin, reached the late stage of Daluo Golden Immortal, and escaped after smashing a hole in Tushita Palace.
• Sun Wukong fought his way toward Lingxiao Palace and defeated Spiritual Treasure Grandmaster with a single staff strike.
• Li Jing and Sun Wukong staged a battle at South Heaven Gate, where Li Jing rallied the minor immortals before Sun Wukong knocked them down.
• Wen Zhong, Marshal Tianpeng, and other immortals fought Sun Wukong in turn, with Sun Wukong gradually gaining better control of his strength.
• Hao Tian ordered Patrolling Spirit Official and True Lord Yi Sheng to invite Tathagata Buddha, who agreed to travel east and suppress Sun Wukong.
• Sun Wukong reached the doors of Lingxiao Palace as Tathagata headed toward the Heavenly Court.

Sun Wukong fought his way into Lingxiao Palace, explained to Hao Tian how he survived Taishang Laojun’s scheme, and prepared to stage a rebellion so Tathagata would intervene. The act began when Tathagata entered, but he immediately noticed the lingering fragrance of tea.

• Wang Lingguan tried to stop Sun Wukong at the doors of Lingxiao Palace, but Sun Wukong knocked him unconscious with one staff strike.
• Sun Wukong met Hao Tian in the palace and explained that a mysterious secret art had let him absorb the Eight-Trigrams Furnace’s origin.
• Hao Tian questioned Sun Wukong about his unknown sect, then encouraged him to focus on his cultivation and the westward journey.
• Sun Wukong and Hao Tian drank tea together until Tathagata’s chant announced his arrival.
• Sun Wukong pretended to challenge Hao Tian for the throne, while Hao Tian hid beneath the table and called for Tathagata.
• Tathagata entered Lingxiao Palace and smelled the tea, making Sun Wukong and Hao Tian stiffen.

Sun Wukong challenged Tathagata’s interference in the Heavenly Court, refused his wager, and claimed he would give up the throne and leave. Tathagata attacked when Sun Wukong tried to go, and the two flew beyond the heavens to fight.

• Sun Wukong challenged Tathagata’s authority in the East and argued that his strength entitled him to take the Heavenly Emperor’s place.
• Tathagata proposed a wager involving his Buddha Kingdom in Palm, but Sun Wukong refused, saying he would not gamble.
• Hao Tian tried to keep the exchange on track as Tathagata realized Sun Wukong would not follow his plan.
• Sun Wukong said he would abandon his claim and return to Flower Fruit Mountain, but Tathagata attacked him as he turned to leave.
• Sun Wukong blocked Tathagata’s golden palm with the Ruyi Jingu Bang, then challenged him to fight beyond the heavens; Tathagata followed.

Sun Wukong fought Tathagata beyond the Nine Heavens, revealing the power of his Chaos Demon Ape bloodline and the Battle Saint Technique. The battle continued with both sides escalating their attacks, as Sun Wukong’s strength and battle frenzy grew.

• Sun Wukong challenged Tathagata and wounded his palm with a staff strike, astonishing the watching Great Powers.
• Tathagata retaliated with Buddha Moves Mountains and Rivers, and Sun Wukong transformed into an ancient Giant Ape to fight back.
• After exchanging hundreds of blows, Sun Wukong used the Battle Saint Technique and blasted Tathagata away with an amplified staff strike.
• Sun Wukong revealed his pitch-black Demon Ape True Form, but Tathagata struck his shoulder and made him spit purple Demonic Blood.
• Tathagata increased his power while Sun Wukong’s body repeatedly healed, and Sun Wukong’s battle will grew increasingly frenzied.

Sun Wukong used Tathagata’s palm force to break through, then willingly accepted a five-hundred-year seal beneath Five Elements Mountain. Years later, as the Spread of Buddhism to the East approached, Hong Yun set off for Chang'an and found an infant drifting in a wooden basin.

• Sun Wukong absorbed spiritual energy and Primordial Star Power, broke through to the peak of Daluo Golden Immortal, and stopped fighting once he had achieved his aim.
• Sun Wukong accepted Tathagata’s punishment without resisting, and Tathagata sealed him beneath Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years.
• The human dynasties changed from Qin through the Three Kingdoms as reincarnated Great Powers shaped events and struggled over the Human Race’s destiny.
• With the Spread of Buddhism to the East drawing near, Hong Yun left Floating Island and traveled toward Chang'an.
• Hong Yun found an infant drifting in a wooden basin, lifted him out, and proposed naming him Qi Yu.

Qi Yu, the monk traveling west to seek Buddhist scriptures, used the strength he had regained from his past-life training to kill General Yin and several lesser demons after learning they had eaten people. Half a day later, an old man arrived at the flattened valley, confused because the Bodhisattva had said the Scripture Seeker would face a tribulation there.

• Qi Yu finished his training and reflected on his past-life memories and his journey west as Tang Xuanzang.
• General Yin and several lesser demons surrounded Qi Yu and threatened to eat him.
• After learning that the demons had eaten people, Qi Yu struck them down with an Ordinary Punch and recited the Rebirth Mantra.
• Qi Yu led his White Horse onward, and half a day later an old man arrived to find the valley destroyed.

Grand White Golden Star discovered that Qi Yu had defeated the monsters without needing rescue, then confronted Guanyin over the failed tribulation. As Qi Yu continued west and trained, Guanyin set out to report the unexpected change to Buddha, while Qi Yu resolved to challenge Tathagata at Spirit Mountain.

• Grand White Golden Star caught up with Qi Yu and learned that the monk had killed the monsters with his innate strength despite never cultivating mana.
• Grand White Golden Star left Qi Yu and spent three days at Flower Fruit Mountain before traveling to the South Sea to confront Guanyin.
• Guanyin failed to uncover anything unusual about Qi Yu and promised to investigate, while Grand White Golden Star returned to the Heavenly Court to report the matter.
• Guanyin headed to Spirit Mountain to inform Buddha of the change, while Qi Yu continued westward and trained as his strength grew.
• Qi Yu decided he would challenge Tathagata after reaching Spirit Mountain, and Tathagata suddenly felt a chill.

Five hundred years into Sun Wukong’s confinement at Five Elements Mountain, Yang Jian and Yang Chan visited him, and Yang Chan longed for him to be released so they could explore Flower Fruit City together. Sun Wukong expected the Scripture Seeker to arrive soon, while Qi Yu faced another enormous tiger.

• Sun Wukong read in his bright cave until Yang Jian and Yang Chan arrived to visit him.
• Sun Wukong welcomed the siblings, exchanged greetings with them, and served tea and nine-thousand-year Purple-Veined Flat Peaches.
• Yang Chan asked when Sun Wukong would be released and reminded him of his promise to take her around Flower Fruit City.
• Sun Wukong said the Scripture Seeker would arrive soon, and Yang Jian again offered to plead with his master for Sun Wukong.
• Qi Yu stared at an enormous tiger baring its fangs and claws at him.

Qi Yu killed a tiger that attacked him and accepted Liu Boqin’s invitation to stay at his home. He met Liu Boqin’s mother and concealed his love of meat when offered a vegetarian meal.

• Liu Boqin shot at the tiger attacking Qi Yu, but Qi Yu killed it with one punch.
• Qi Yu introduced himself as Xuanzang, also known as Qi Yu, and explained that he was traveling west to seek scriptures.
• Qi Yu gave the tiger carcass to Liu Boqin, who led him home and introduced him to his mother and daughter-in-law.
• Liu Boqin’s family welcomed Qi Yu and prepared a meal; Qi Yu asked for vegetarian food despite wanting meat.
• Qi Yu stayed the night at Liu Boqin’s home.

Qi Yu taught Liu Boqin his basic exercise routine after Liu asked him for martial arts instruction. Liu followed every exercise, while Qi Yu’s strength grew dramatically, leaving Liu to wonder whether he had missed some hidden essence.

• Liu Boqin asked Qi Yu to teach him martial arts, and Qi Yu said he only knew body-strengthening exercises.
• Qi Yu demonstrated one hundred push-ups, and Liu Boqin copied his form and impressed him with his quick learning.
• Qi Yu taught Liu sit-ups and squats, which Liu also replicated perfectly.
• Qi Yu took Liu on a ten-kilometer jog around the mountain, leaving Liu exhausted and dispirited.
• Qi Yu blasted apart a cloud with a punch, and Liu wondered whether the exercises had a secret he had yet to understand.

Qi Yu reached Five Elements Mountain and met Sun Wukong, who had been told by Guanyin to escort Xuanzang west to seek scriptures. After they bonded over a meal, Qi Yu agreed to travel with him, and the pair began their alliance.

• Liu Boqin saw Qi Yu off with dry rations, warned him about Five Elements Mountain, and offered silver that Qi Yu refused.
• Qi Yu reached Five Elements Mountain and answered Sun Wukong’s invitation to meet at the cave.
• Qi Yu and Sun Wukong introduced themselves, felt an immediate kinship, and shared meat dishes and drinks.
• Sun Wukong told Qi Yu that Guanyin had asked him to escort Xuanzang to the Western Heaven.
• Qi Yu asked whether Sun Wukong had killed innocent people, then agreed to let him join the scripture-seeking journey.

Qi Yu and Sun Wukong prepared to travel west when Guanyin arrived with the Buddha’s instruction to remove the dharma placard sealing Sun Wukong beneath Five Elements Mountain. Sun Wukong revealed he could bypass the seal with his Breath Concealment Technique, and after Guanyin departed, he, Qi Yu, and the White Horse continued west.

• Qi Yu learned of Sun Wukong’s past and asked to fight him once he recovered his strength, and Sun Wukong agreed.
• Guanyin arrived and told Qi Yu that the Buddha had instructed him to remove the dharma placard from Five Elements Mountain to free Sun Wukong.
• Sun Wukong used his Breath Concealment Technique to pass through the golden Buddhist wall without breaking the seal.
• Sun Wukong explained that he had stayed beneath the mountain because he accepted his punishment and would not risk harming the mountain’s living beings.
• Guanyin thanked Sun Wukong for his guidance, departed, and Qi Yu, Sun Wukong, and the White Horse set out west.

Qi Yu and Sun Wukong traveled west, discussing Buddhism and growing closer, until they reached Eagle Sorrow Ravine. Ao Lie emerged and tried to seize their White Horse, but Qi Yu stepped forward to confront him.

• Qi Yu and Sun Wukong discussed new Buddhist doctrines and trained together, each marveling at the other's abilities.
• Sun Wukong recalled Qi Yu killing bandits to protect future victims and considered recruiting him to help establish the New Buddhist Sect.
• At Eagle Sorrow Ravine, Ao Lie complained about being ordered to join the scripture pilgrimage and lamented that Ao Guang had sent him there.
• Ao Lie leapt from the ravine and demanded the White Horse, while Sun Wukong declined to fight and Qi Yu took his place.
• Qi Yu asked Ao Lie whether he had killed anyone, then punched him as Ao Lie began mocking his challenge.

Qi Yu overwhelmed Ao Lie in a fight and nearly killed him before Sun Wukong healed the unconscious dragon. After Ao Lie woke and boasted of his royal lineage, Sun Wukong and Qi Yu revealed their own impressive titles and connections.

• Qi Yu battered Ao Lie and broke through his True Dragon Breath with a punch, knocking him unconscious.
• Qi Yu asked Sun Wukong to save Ao Lie, and Sun Wukong healed the injured dragon with wood-attribute spiritual light.
• Ao Lie woke, complained inwardly about his father Ao Run, and insisted that Qi Yu and Sun Wukong could not touch him.
• Sun Wukong and Qi Yu teased Ao Lie and asked him to reveal his background.
• Ao Lie declared that he was the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King Ao Run, and Sun Wukong and Qi Yu responded by listing their own titles and connections.

Ao Lie begged Qi Yu and Sun Wukong to let him join their westward journey, and his connection to Ao Guang persuaded them to accept him. A month later, the group reached the lavish Guanyin Zen Monastery and prepared to spend the night.

• Ao Lie revealed that the West Sea Dragon King had sent him to escort the Scripture Seeker, but Qi Yu initially refused to take him along.
• Ao Lie clung to Qi Yu's leg and pleaded to join, explaining that his eldest uncle had threatened to expel him from the Dragon Clan if he failed the mission.
• Sun Wukong and Qi Yu recognized Ao Guang's name and shared their ties to him, prompting Qi Yu to accept Ao Lie as a guard.
• Ao Lie transformed into a silver bridge across Eagle Sorrow Ravine, then joined Qi Yu, Sun Wukong, and the White Horse on the journey west.
• One month later, the group arrived at the grand Guanyin Zen Monastery to lodge for the night.

Qi Yu and his companions stayed at Guanyin Zen Monastery, where Elder Jin Chi coveted the treasures he believed the Eastern monk must possess. After Ao Lie revealed Qi Yu’s Brocade Kasaya, Qi Yu offered to give it to Jin Chi in exchange for meat.

• Qi Yu, Sun Wukong, and Ao Lie entered Guanyin Zen Monastery to rest for the night and met Elder Jin Chi.
• Elder Jin Chi and his disciples mocked Qi Yu for appearing to have no valuable possessions, then pressed him to show them a treasure.
• Ao Lie defended Qi Yu and revealed the Brocade Kasaya, dazzling Elder Jin Chi and the other monks with its radiance.
• Elder Jin Chi begged to borrow the kasaya overnight, and Qi Yu offered to give it to him in exchange for meat.

Qi Yu offered to trade the Brocade Kasaya for meat, prompting Elder Jin Chi to summon the Black Bear Spirit, who became interested in claiming the robe himself. Avalokitesvara sensed that events at Guanyin Zen Monastery had gone awry and set out to investigate.

• Qi Yu offered Elder Jin Chi the Brocade Kasaya in exchange for meat, then agreed to lend it overnight if Jin Chi could not provide any.
• Elder Jin Chi claimed he could get meat from his friend, the Black Bear Spirit, and sent disciples to request it while hosting Qi Yu, Sun Wukong, and Ao Lie for a vegetarian meal.
• The Black Bear Spirit learned why Jin Chi wanted meat and decided to bring it personally so he could seek the Brocade Kasaya and meet the Tang monk.
• Avalokitesvara calculated that the trial at Guanyin Zen Monastery had changed unexpectedly and went to investigate.

At Guanyin Zen Monastery, Xiong Pi came seeking Qi Yu’s Brocade Kasaya, provoking Elder Jin Chi and revealing his formidable strength. Sun Wukong stopped Xiong Pi’s attack, and Xiong Pi recognized him as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

• Elder Jin Chi welcomed Qi Yu and his companions, but kept watching the luggage and the Brocade Kasaya.
• Xiong Pi arrived at the monastery, confirmed Qi Yu planned to trade the kasaya for meat, and offered roasted meat in exchange.
• Elder Jin Chi objected to Xiong Pi’s claim, accused him of ill intentions, and ordered him to leave.
• Xiong Pi released the aura of a peak Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, overwhelming the monastery’s monks as Elder Jin Chi resisted.
• Sun Wukong dispelled Xiong Pi’s pressure and asked him to show consideration for Elder Jin Chi’s hospitality.
• Xiong Pi turned to Sun Wukong and recognized him as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Sun Wukong stepped aside from the dispute over the Brocade Kasaya, leaving Qi Yu to decide whether to trade it for meat with the Black Bear Spirit or Elder Jin Chi. Avalokitesvara appeared and confronted Jin Chi over his greed and willingness to slaughter livestock at Guanyin Zen Monastery.

• The Black Bear Spirit recognized Sun Wukong as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and agreed to retreat, but Sun Wukong clarified that he would not interfere with the trade.
• Sun Wukong said he only wanted the Black Bear Spirit to spare Elder Jin Chi, leaving Qi Yu to negotiate over the Brocade Kasaya.
• The Black Bear Spirit offered meat for the kasaya, and Elder Jin Chi tried to stop the trade by offering to buy livestock and slaughter them.
• Avalokitesvara appeared in the hall after Jin Chi threatened her, and everyone except Sun Wukong bowed to her.
• Avalokitesvara questioned Jin Chi about his conduct and demanded to know whether he understood his crime.

Guanyin confronted Elder Jin Chi over his greed, anger, and delusion, but the Black Bear Spirit exposed his long history of abusing her name and exploiting believers. Jin Chi’s crimes shattered Qi Yu’s faith in the Buddhist Sect, and the chapter ended with Jin Chi collapsed on the floor.

• Guanyin accused Elder Jin Chi of coveting the Brocade Kasaya, fighting the Black Bear Spirit, and buying livestock for slaughter, while Jin Chi defended himself as a devout monk.
• The Black Bear Spirit testified that Jin Chi had used Guanyin’s name to deceive believers and amass wealth, and Guanyin asked him for evidence.
• The Black Bear Spirit recalled how Jin Chi’s monastery sold Wang Ergou’s daughter and took Old Lady Liu’s treatment money, leaving her to die without care.
• Qi Yu asked Jin Chi whether the allegations about Old Lady Liu were true, and Jin Chi denied responsibility while claiming he had known nothing of her illness or her grandson being beaten.
• The Black Bear Spirit accused Jin Chi of conspiring with the county magistrate to murder Philanthropist Zhang and his family for the Seven-Jeweled Kasaya, and Jin Chi collapsed in terror.
• Qi Yu watched Jin Chi on the floor and felt his faith in Buddha crack toward collapse.