Chapter Summaries

Gu Changsheng used Three Lights Divine Water to heal Zhenyuanzi’s Ginseng Fruit Tree, allowing Xuanzang and his companions to resume their journey. Guanyin arrived too late to carry out Old Ancestor Bodhi’s scheme, and Zhenyuanzi attacked her before Bodhi intervened.

• Gu Changsheng gave Zhenyuanzi Three Lights Divine Water, and Zhenyuanzi restored the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
• Zhenyuanzi released Xuanzang and his companions, then hosted them before they left Wuzhuang Temple the next day.
• Guanyin arrived to heal the tree and discovered it had already recovered.
• Zhenyuanzi accused Guanyin of plotting against his tree, shattered her body, and pulled back her fleeing primordial spirit.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi appeared and shielded Guanyin’s primordial spirit, while Zhenyuanzi summoned the Book of Earth.

Old Ancestor Bodhi lost his fight with Zhenyuanzi and ordered Yang Jian to gather the demon kings of Western Ox Continent at Jilei Mountain as part of Buddhism’s plan to destroy them. Gu Changsheng approved the plan while intending to inflame the conflict, and Yang Jian agreed to carry it out and rescue Xuanzang when needed.

• Zhenyuanzi challenged Old Ancestor Bodhi to discuss the Dao, and the two fought in Chaos, where Zhenyuanzi defeated him.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi met Yang Jian, who was disguised as Yuan Hong, and confirmed that he had ordered him to topple the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi instructed Yang Jian to use the name Great Sage Tongtian and Tang Monk’s flesh to lure the demon kings of Western Ox Continent to Jilei Mountain.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi promised Yang Jian a Buddha Fruit Position and supreme fortune if he completed the task.
• Yang Jian consulted Gu Changsheng, who approved the plan and told him to rescue Xuanzang when the time came.

Yang Jian exposed the Six-Eared Macaque, who had impersonated Yuan Hong to join the Journey to the West for merit, and lured him into a fight. Their battle raged across the void, where the Six-Eared Macaque believed he could kill Yang Jian and claim the merit for himself.

• Yang Jian returned to Xuanzang and the others and confronted the fake Yuan Hong, whose aura resembled his own.
• Yang Jian challenged the fake Yuan Hong to prove his identity through combat, and the Six-Eared Macaque accepted and followed him into the Azure Nether.
• Yang Jiao told the pilgrims to protect Xuanzang and went after them to prevent the Six-Eared Macaque from escaping.
• Yang Jian and the Six-Eared Macaque clashed with their Bohai Sky Pillars, shaking heaven and earth as their battle damaged the land and cracked the Sky Dome.
• The Six-Eared Macaque taunted Yang Jian about the Great Sage Tongtian and grew excited at the prospect of killing him to claim merit on the westward journey.

Yang Jian killed the Six-Eared Macaque and absorbed the origins of all Four Mixed Monkeys, drawing on the Chaos Qi and returning to his companions. When the group later encountered a towering mountain, Yang Jiao and Yang Jian entered a secluded spot so Yang Jian could begin training in the Chaos Domain.

• Yang Jian killed the Six-Eared Macaque with a beam from his brow, while Yang Jiao concealed the fight from the outside world.
• Yang Jian absorbed the Six-Eared Macaque's essence blood and completed his fusion with the origins of the Four Mixed Monkeys, awakening a powerful Demon Ape form amid the Chaos Qi.
• Yang Jiao and Yang Jian returned to Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, and Yang Jian told them he had killed the Six-Eared Macaque.
• The group continued west until they spotted a towering mountain, and Xuanzang sent Zhu Bajie to investigate.
• Yang Jiao and Yang Jian went into the mountains, where Yang Jiao opened the Chaos Domain and Yang Jian stepped inside.

Yang Jian consolidated the Four Mixed Monkeys' origins and greatly advanced his understanding of the Law of War. Meanwhile, Xuanzang's party entered a demon stronghold and was captured by the Green Ox Demon, while Yang Jian emerged from cultivation to report his progress to Yang Jiao.

• Yang Jian devoured the Chaos Origin and cultivated within the Chaos Domain as Yang Jiao stood guard.
• Yang Jiao thought of his absent sister Yang Chan and resolved to take Yang Jian to Wa Huang Palace after the journey west.
• Gu Changsheng watched Yang Jian and Xuanzang's party from Purple Mansion Continent as Zhu Bajie urged Xuanzang to seek food at a distant cluster of pavilions.
• Xuanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing went to the pavilions, where the Green Ox Demon captured them and ordered Zhu Bajie gagged.
• Yang Jian left the Chaos Domain and told Yang Jiao that his understanding of the Law of War had improved considerably.

Yang Jiao and Yang Jian found Xuanzang’s trail at a cave occupied by ox demons, where they confronted the Green Ox Demon. After the demon’s golden ring stole the Bohai Sky Pillar, they asked Gu Changsheng for guidance.

• Yang Jiao and Yang Jian searched for the missing Xuanzang and found a cave surrounded by ox demons.
• Yang Jian fought the Green Ox Demon while Yang Jiao moved to rescue Xuanzang.
• The Green Ox Demon used a golden ring to absorb the Bohai Sky Pillar, then retreated into the cave with his demons.
• Yang Jiao and Yang Jian realized the Green Ox Demon was unusually powerful and contacted Gu Changsheng for advice.

Gu Changsheng sent Yang Jian to the Heavenly Court to request reinforcements against the Green Ox Demon, and Haotian dispatched Li Jing and Nezha with him. Yang Jian revealed his disguise to Nezha, and the group arrived at the demon cave, where Li Jing asked him to challenge the demon again.

• Gu Changsheng told Yang Jian to ask Haotian for Heavenly Court reinforcements to rescue Xuanzang from the Green Ox Demon.
• Yang Jian went to the Heavenly Court, where Haotian ordered Li Jing and Nezha to join him in capturing the demon.
• Nezha challenged Yang Jian, and they fought before leaving the others to speak privately.
• Yang Jian revealed that he was disguised as Yuan Hong and explained that he had taken Yuan Hong's form on his master's orders.
• Yang Jian, Nezha, Li Jing, and the immortals reached the demon cave, where Yang Jiao said the Green Ox Demon had not emerged since fighting Yang Jian.
• Li Jing asked Yang Jian, whom he still believed was Yuan Hong, to challenge the demon again.

Yang Jian and the heavenly immortals tried to rescue Xuanzang from the Green Ox Demon, but his ring took away their magical treasures and defeated their attacks. Yang Jiao sent Yang Jian to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, where Duobao Tathagata awaited the arrival of the one who had wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

• Yang Jian demanded that the Green Ox Demon release Xuanzang, but the demon refused and said they planned to eat him.
• Nezha attacked the Green Ox Demon with his magical treasures, but the demon's ring took them all, forcing Nezha to retreat.
• Yang Jiao suggested testing the ring with water and fire, so Yang Jian summoned the Fire Virtue Star Lord and the Yellow River Water Master.
• The Fire Virtue Star Lord burned many ox demons and the Yellow River Water Master sent a flood toward the cave, but the ring took away their magical treasures and the Green Ox Demon retreated.
• Yang Jiao told Yang Jian to go to the Great Thunderclap Monastery, where Duobao Tathagata announced that the one who had wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace had arrived.

Yang Jian, disguised as Yuan Hong, led the Eighteen Arhats against the Green Ox Demon, but the demon used his ring to seize their Golden Elixir Sand. Yang Jian then went to Doushuai Palace, where Taishang Laojun agreed to pursue his missing ox and identified the ring as the Vajra Ring.

• Yang Jian reported the Green Ox Demon to Duobao Tathagata, who sent the Eighteen Arhats with him to subdue the demon.
• Yang Jian challenged the Green Ox Demon, and the Eighteen Arhats trapped him with Golden Elixir Sand, but the demon used his ring to take all eighteen grains.
• The Eighteen Arhats told Yang Jian that he could seek help at Doushuai Palace if the Golden Elixir Sand failed.
• Yang Jian confronted Taishang Laojun about his missing ox and revealed that it had become a demon and captured Xuanzang.
• Taishang Laojun agreed to go with Yang Jian to capture the demon and identified the ring as the Vajra Ring.

The Green Ox Demon was exposed as Taishang Laojun’s mount and taken back to Heaven, while Yang Jian and the others rescued Xuanzang. As the pilgrimage party neared Chechi Kingdom, Old Ancestor Bodhi secretly ordered Yang Jian to eliminate its three demon immortals to clear the way for Buddhist teachings.

• Taishang Laojun confronted the Green Ox Demon, who revealed his true form and was taken back to the Heavenly Court; Yang Jian and the others killed the cave demons and rescued Xuanzang.
• Li Jing reported the Green Ox Demon’s capture to Haotian, who dismissed the matter as insignificant, while Taishang Laojun returned to meditation in Doushuai Palace.
• Yang Jian led Xuanzang and the others onward until they reached a city near Chechi Kingdom.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi secretly told Yang Jian to eliminate Great Immortal Huli, Great Immortal Luli, and Great Immortal Yangli so Buddhism could spread in Chechi Kingdom.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi warned Yang Jian not to reveal the plan to Xuanzang or Yang Jiao, and Yang Jian understood that the order targeted Daoist influence in the kingdom.

Yang Jian learned that Old Ancestor Bodhi wanted him to destroy the Three Immortals of Chechi Kingdom, but Gu Changsheng told him to act according to circumstances. On the way to Chechi Kingdom, the group found monks being forced to build Daoist temples, and Yang Jian sent them ahead to the capital; the king then summoned the Three Immortals.

• Yang Jian told Gu Changsheng about Old Ancestor Bodhi’s request, and Gu Changsheng instructed him to act according to circumstances.
• Yang Jian and Yang Jiao agreed to follow Gu Changsheng’s guidance, then set out with Xuanzang and the others toward Chechi Kingdom.
• Yang Jian disguised himself as a Daoist and learned that the king had ordered monks who failed to pray for rain to build Daoist temples.
• Xuanzang and Yang Jiao agreed to rescue the monks, and Yang Jian used a wind spell to carry them to the capital.
• The king heard that the monks had descended from the sky and sent for Great Immortal Huli, Great Immortal Luli, and Great Immortal Yangli.

Xuanzang questioned the monks imprisoned in the Chechi Kingdom, and they claimed their rain prayer had failed only because the immortals were away. When drought-stricken citizens called for rain, the monks agreed to pray first, but their Buddhist light rose into a cloudless sky.

• Great Immortal Huli warned Great Immortal Luli and Great Immortal Yangli that Tang Xuanzang would soon pass through the Chechi Kingdom, then the three went to the palace when summoned.
• Xuanzang met the king and asked why Buddhist monks had been captured, so the king ordered the monks brought before him.
• An elderly monk claimed the immortals had been away when the Buddhist sect prayed for rain, while the three Imperial Advisors disputed the monks’ explanation.
• After citizens reported that drought had withered their crops, Yang Jiao proposed that the monks pray for rain before the Imperial Advisors tried their ritual.
• The elderly monk led the monks in reciting sutras and praying, but their Buddhist light rose beneath a clear, cloudless sky.

Great Immortal Huli successfully brought rain to the Chechi Kingdom, and the king expelled the monks after they claimed Buddhism deserved the credit. Puxian Bodhisattva set out to confront the Daoists, while Xuanzang and his companions departed; a burst of Buddhist light then appeared during the king’s banquet with the Imperial Advisors.

• After the monks failed to bring rain, Great Immortal Huli ascended the altar and summoned wind, clouds, thunder, and a torrential downpour with his command tablet.
• When the monks claimed the rain was Buddhism’s merit, the King of the Chechi Kingdom accused them of spreading nonsense and ordered them driven out.
• The king prepared travel documents for Xuanzang and had him escorted from the kingdom, while Yang Jian and Yang Jiao celebrated and Zhu Bajie urged the group to leave.
• Puxian Bodhisattva met the expelled monks, learned what had happened, and flew toward the Chechi Kingdom to eliminate the Daoists.
• The king hosted a banquet for the three Imperial Advisors, but the void shook and a golden lotus appeared amid Buddhist light.

Changsheng Heavenly Venerate intervened when Puxian Bodhisattva attacked the three Imperial Advisors of the Chechi Kingdom. After Old Ancestor Bodhi offered three Innate Spirit Treasures to save Puxian, Gu Changsheng spared him, rewarded the Imperial Advisors, and left a Qingfeng Sword for the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.

• Puxian Bodhisattva attacked the three Imperial Advisors, overpowering them and wounding Great Immortal Luli.
• Gu Changsheng appeared as a phantom, blocked Puxian Bodhisattva from fleeing, and shattered his body, leaving only his primordial spirit.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi arrived and offered Gu Changsheng three Innate Spirit Treasures in exchange for sparing Puxian Bodhisattva.
• Gu Changsheng accepted the treasures, and Old Ancestor Bodhi took Puxian Bodhisattva's primordial spirit away.
• The three Imperial Advisors thanked Gu Changsheng, who praised their service to the Chechi Kingdom and granted them a spirit treasure after their merits were complete.
• Gu Changsheng sent a Qingfeng Sword to the Hall of the Three Pure Ones and told the Imperial Advisors to enshrine it there.

After thwarting Buddhism in Chechi Kingdom, Gu Changsheng refined the three Innate Spirit Treasures Old Ancestor Bodhi had given him. He sent Yunxiao to the Great Tang to take a female True Son of Heaven as her disciple, and Yunxiao departed with a spirit pearl to defend herself against Buddhism.

• The three Great Immortals agreed to Gu Changsheng’s decree and settled in Chechi Kingdom to protect its people, while Old Ancestor Bodhi planned to have Yuan Hong gather the demons of Western Ox Continent for a Buddhist assault.
• Gu Changsheng summoned and refined the Golden Bell, precious pagoda, and spirit pearl that Old Ancestor Bodhi had given him.
• Chang Xi emerged from seclusion, spoke with Gu Changsheng, and left the Purple Mansion Grand Hall.
• Gu Changsheng summoned Yunxiao and instructed her to go to the Great Tang and disciple its female True Son of Heaven in the Mystic Sect’s cultivation methods.
• Gu Changsheng gave Yunxiao the spirit pearl and told her to fight Buddhism without mercy if they interfered.
• Yunxiao reassured Qiongxiao and Bixiao, then rode a divine bird away from Purple Mansion Continent.

Gu Changsheng visited Guang Chengzi at Nine Immortal Mountain and discussed the Dao with him, Chijingzi, and Grand Unity True Person. He shared the Dao De Jing and his insights with the three, who received them gratefully.

• Gu Changsheng left Chang Xi and traveled to Nine Immortal Mountain to visit Guang Chengzi.
• Guang Chengzi completed his cultivation and welcomed Gu Changsheng into Peach Blossom Spring Cave.
• Chijingzi and Grand Unity True Person arrived to discuss the Dao with Guang Chengzi and Gu Changsheng.
• Gu Changsheng expounded on the Dao De Jing, leaving Guang Chengzi, Chijingzi, and Grand Unity True Person deeply moved by its depth.
• Gu Changsheng sent his insights into the Dao De Jing to the three, who accepted them with gratitude.

Gu Changsheng recruited Guang Chengzi, Chijingzi, and Grand Unity True Person to carry out a plan opposing Buddhism’s effort to exterminate the demon race and spread its teachings. Meanwhile, Yunxiao defeated Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva in battle, forcing him to flee.

• Gu Changsheng explained that Buddhism planned to wipe out the demon race, then shared his plan with Guang Chengzi, Chijingzi, and Grand Unity True Person, who agreed to act.
• Gu Changsheng left Nine Immortal Mountain, and the Chan Sect immortals began preparing and moving according to his instructions.
• On a mountain in the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva confronted Yunxiao and accused her of ruining his plans.
• Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva attacked Yunxiao, but her cultivation and Innate Spirit Treasure overwhelmed him and shattered his spirit treasures.
• Yunxiao struck Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva, who spat blood and fled as a streak of Buddhist light.

Yunxiao defeated Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva with the spirit pearl Gu Changsheng had given her, and Old Ancestor Bodhi realized the treasure was his. As Bodhi plotted to destroy the demons and advance Buddhist preaching, Yang Jian abducted Xuanzang, leaving Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Yang Jiao to discover he was missing.

• Yunxiao kept the spirit pearl after defeating Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva, who withdrew to recover and vowed revenge.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi learned that Yunxiao had used a spirit pearl and recognized it as the Innate Spirit Treasure he had given Gu Changsheng.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi set aside his anger over the Buddhists' setbacks and planned to use Yuan Hong to abduct Xuanzang and gather the demon kings for destruction.
• Yang Jiao and Yang Jian discussed their plan near Yuan Hong's former demon mountain, and Yang Jian swept Xuanzang away in a gale during the night.
• Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing discovered Xuanzang was missing, and Zhu Bajie proposed splitting the luggage instead of searching.
• Yang Jiao stopped Zhu Bajie from leaving and urged him to help search for Xuanzang.

Yang Jian returned with Xuanzang to Yuan Hong’s demon mountain, where the demons welcomed him as the Great Sage. Yang Jian and Yang Jiao planned to gather the Western Ox Continent’s demon kings against the Buddhist Sect, and Yang Jian set out to meet Bull Demon King.

• Yang Jian brought Xuanzang to the demon mountain, where countless demons greeted him as the returning Great Sage.
• Yang Jiao joined Yang Jian in Tongtian Hall, and they decided to summon Yuan Hong’s sworn brothers and gather the Western Ox Continent’s demon kings.
• Yang Jian disguised himself as Yuan Hong and traveled to Jilei Mountain to find Bull Demon King.
• A beautiful woman spotted Yang Jian and asked why he had come.

Yang Jian recruited the Bull Demon King to gather their old demon allies at Tongtian Hall after revealing that he had seized Tang Sanzang. Meanwhile, Gu Changsheng planned to exploit a devastating conflict between the demons and the Buddhist sect, and summoned Kong Xuan to help advance his scheme.

• Yang Jian visited the Bull Demon King at Cloud-Veiling Cave, where Princess Jade Face welcomed him as an old friend.
• Yang Jian told the Bull Demon King that he had seized Tang Sanzang and invited the old brothers to gather at Tongtian Hall.
• The Bull Demon King agreed to join the gathering and left to notify Peng Demon King and their other former allies.
• Yang Jian returned to the demon mountain, where he and Yang Jiao prepared for the allies' arrival.
• Gu Changsheng planned to pit the demon race against the Buddhist sect and summoned Kong Xuan to put his scheme into action.