Chapter Summaries

Xuanzang and his disciples reached Lion Camel Ridge, where Taibai Jinxing warned them about its three demon kings and vast horde of lesser demons. As they prepared to continue west, Gu Changsheng discovered that the Buddhist Sect had been plotting with the three demons to capture Xuanzang.

• Haotian ordered Taibai Jinxing to disguise himself and warn Xuanzang’s group about Lion Camel Ridge.
• Taibai Jinxing revealed his identity after warning Xuanzang and his disciples about the three demon kings and hundreds of thousands of lesser demons.
• Yang Jian insisted that the group continue west, and Xuanzang decided they would rest at Lion Camel Ridge for the night.
• Yang Jian told Gu Changsheng that they had reached Lion Camel Ridge, and Gu Changsheng saw the details of Lion Camel Cave.
• A Buddha persuaded Green Lion, White Elephant, and Great Roc that the Buddhist Sect would treat them well, and they agreed to capture Tang Xuanzang.

The three demons of Lion Camel Ridge killed the Buddha sent by Tathagata, then surrounded Xuanzang and his companions. Great Roc, Green Mane Lion, and Yellow Tusk Elephant captured the group and carried them to their cave.

• Great Roc trapped the Buddha, bit off his head, and destroyed his primordial spirit despite Green Lion and White Elephant's warnings.
• Gu Changsheng told Yang Jian to inform the three demons about the Buddhist Sect's scheme, and Yang Jian agreed to arrange it.
• The three demons led hundreds of thousands of little demons to surround Xuanzang and his companions at Lion Camel Ridge.
• Yang Jian, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing fought the demons, but Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie were captured.
• The three demons captured Yang Jian, Xuanzang, and White Dragon Horse, then returned triumphantly to their cave.

Yang Jian exposed how Buddhism had used the three demons of Lion Camel Ridge as pawns, and the demons discovered that the Eighteen Arhats had come to seize Tang Xuanzang. After defeating the Arhats, the Great Roc urged his brothers to rebel against Buddhism, but Green Lion and White Elephant hesitated.

• Yang Jian warned the three demons that Buddhism had tolerated them only to use them as pawns and wipe them out.
• A little demon reported that the Eighteen Arhats had appeared outside Lion Camel Ridge, and the Arhats demanded Tang Xuanzang's release.
• Green Lion, White Elephant, and the Great Roc attacked the Eighteen Arhats, who fled after the demons broke through their Buddhist light.
• The Great Roc proposed that the brothers rebel against Buddhism, but Green Lion and White Elephant feared they would not survive.

After the Buddhist forces killed the Green Lion and White Elephant, Xuanzang and his companions crossed Lion Camel Ridge while the Great Roc escaped to Uttarakuru. Meanwhile, devastating floods threatened Guanjiang Pass, where a little mouse demon realized a sleeping village was in danger of a landslide.

• The Buddhas killed the Yellow Tusk Elephant and Green Mane Lion, while the Great Roc escaped toward the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru.
• Yang Jian rescued Xuanzang from Lion Camel Cave, and he and Yang Jiao defeated the remaining demons as the survivors left Lion Camel Ridge.
• Duobao Tathagata told the returning Buddhas that he still had use for the Great Roc, while Gu Changsheng considered the competing interests in Uttarakuru.
• Gu Changsheng sensed an impending calamity and left the Purple Mansion Grand Hall as floods and relentless rain devastated the area around Guanjiang Pass.
• A little mouse demon noticed a slope trembling above a village and realized a landslide could bury its sleeping residents.

The little rat spirit saved a child from a deadly mudflow and died, so Gu Changsheng revived him, granted him the name Guo, and taught him the Jade Purity Immortal Art. After the rat spirit became the Immortal Rat and protected the region, Gu Changsheng took in Wenmei as a disciple and continued traveling through the Primordial World.

• The little rat spirit roused the villagers, rescued an infant from a collapsing mountain, and sacrificed himself to stop a boulder from striking the child.
• Gu Changsheng collected a spark of the little rat spirit's soul, revived him with an immortal pill, and taught him the Jade Purity Immortal Art.
• Gu Changsheng gave the little rat spirit the Character 'Guo' and left him to cultivate safely on the immortal mountain.
• The little rat spirit cultivated for a long time, protected the people nearby, and became known as the Immortal Rat.
• Gu Changsheng took in Wenmei as a disciple, and Wenmei agreed to accompany him through the Primordial World.

Gu Changsheng and True Man Wenmei found Bai Niangzi, a Jie Sect disciple who had been caring for the fisherman who saved her. When South Mountain Great King attacked, True Man Wenmei fought him and severed his arm, leaving the battle underway.

• Gu Changsheng brought True Man Wenmei to a secluded mountain, where they found Bai Niangzi picking mulberry leaves.
• Bai Niangzi revealed that she was Golden Spirit Holy Mother's disciple and explained that a fisherman had saved her, so she stayed to care for him.
• South Mountain Great King arrived with several thousand lesser demons and threatened Bai Niangzi, Gu Changsheng, and True Man Wenmei.
• Gu Changsheng stopped True Man Wenmei from attacking at first, then asked South Mountain Great King to lend him his demon head.
• True Man Wenmei fought South Mountain Great King and severed his demon arm with his treasured sword.

Gu Changsheng sent True Man Wenmei to cultivate in the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru after helping Bai Niangzi defeat South Mountain Great King. Back in Purple Mansion Continent, Yunxiao received a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure and new instructions, then sparred with Bixiao and Qiongxiao for another spiritual treasure.

• Gu Changsheng killed South Mountain Great King, spared Bai Niangzi, and left her to cultivate; Bai Niangzi later met Xiaoqing, and the two lived in seclusion together.
• Gu Changsheng sent True Man Wenmei to the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru and promised to help him reach the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm if he succeeded in his task.
• Yunxiao returned to Purple Mansion Continent and reported to Gu Changsheng, who rewarded her with a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure and gave her further instructions.
• Yunxiao told Bixiao and Qiongxiao about her treasure, then the Three Xiao went outside Purple Mansion Continent to spar.
• Gu Changsheng set a spiritual treasure as the prize for their sparring, and Bixiao charged forward.

Xuanzang and his companions reached Western Heaven Spiritual Mountain, received the True Sutras from Duobao Tathagata, and set out for the Great Tang. Ten years later, they returned to Chang'an, where Li Shimin recognized Xuanzang in the sky.

• Xuanzang and his companions reached Western Heaven Spiritual Mountain after years of travel, and Xuanzang renewed his contempt for Buddhism after the Buddhist sect killed the three good demons of Green Dragon Mountain.
• Duobao Tathagata welcomed Xuanzang, declared his merits complete, and ordered Ananda and Kasyapa to bring out the three collections of scriptures.
• Ananda and Kasyapa handed the scriptures to Xuanzang and his companions, who wrapped them up and departed from Western Heaven.
• Ten years later, Li Shimin, aged and disheartened after banishing Li Chengqian, heard that auspicious clouds had appeared over Chang'an.
• Li Shimin went outside with his ministers, saw Xuanzang in the sky, and excitedly called for him to come down.

Xuanzang completed the Journey to the West and received enough merit to break through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, while the Buddhist sect was left without the great fortune it expected. Duobao Tathagata headed for Chang'an to demand answers, as Xuanzang greeted Yang Jian and Yang Jiao as his senior brothers and stunned Zhu Bajie and the others.

• Xuanzang finished preaching the Tripitaka, and merit descended upon him, Yang Jian, Yang Jiao, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Little White Dragon.
• Xuanzang revealed his Six-winged Golden Cicada form and advanced to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, while auspicious signs appeared over Chang'an.
• Li Shimin and Chang'an's citizens celebrated Xuanzang's success, but Duobao Tathagata and the Buddhist assembly realized the expected great merit and fortune had not reached the Buddhist sect.
• Duobao Tathagata grew enraged and left Spiritual Mountain for Chang'an to question Xuanzang about the missing fortune.
• Xuanzang transformed into a long-robed, long-haired figure and addressed Yang Jiao and Yang Jian as his senior brothers, leaving Zhu Bajie and the others stunned by Yang Jian's identity.

Duobao Tathagata discovered that Gu Changsheng had arranged for the Chan Sect and its allies to claim the fortune and merit Buddhism expected from the journey west. Enraged by Golden Cicada’s refusal to acknowledge any betrayal, Duobao attacked him and the others above Chang’an City.

• Zhu Bajie realized Yang Jiao was not Yuan Hong and suspected Gu Changsheng had arranged the scheme.
• Duobao Tathagata arrived above Chang’an City, sensed the Chan Sect’s greatly increased fortune, and recognized Gu Changsheng’s involvement.
• Duobao accused Golden Cicada of betraying Buddhism, but Golden Cicada said Master had accepted him into the Chan Sect from the beginning.
• Duobao attacked Golden Cicada, Yang Jian, Yang Jiao, Zhu Bajie, and the others with a golden palm that shook Chang’an City.

Duobao Tathagata attempted to crush Golden Cicada and the others, but Gu Changsheng arrived and stopped his attack. Duobao challenged Gu Changsheng to defend Buddhism’s honor, and Gu Changsheng summoned the Chaos Bell as their confrontation began.

• Duobao Tathagata attacked Golden Cicada, Yang Jian, and the others with a golden giant palm.
• Gu Changsheng emerged from the void and dispersed Duobao Tathagata’s pressure, saving the group.
• Duobao Tathagata accused Gu Changsheng of plotting against Buddhism and vowed not to spare him.
• Duobao Tathagata manifested his Buddha Ancestor form and challenged Gu Changsheng to a debate of the Dao.
• Gu Changsheng summoned the Chaos Bell, and Duobao Tathagata prepared to attack.

Gu Changsheng defeated Duobao Tathagata in their debate over the Dao, leaving the leader of the Buddhist Sect badly wounded and furious. Gu Changsheng reflected that the Chan Sect had gained fortune while the Buddhist Sect faced a troubled future, then prepared to leave as Duobao wondered whether his sect was destined to be suppressed.

• Gu Changsheng and Duobao Tathagata moved their battle away from Chang'an City to avoid destroying it and harming its people.
• Duobao Tathagata unleashed Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage, but Gu Changsheng countered with the Chaos Bell and overwhelmed him.
• The Chaos Bell struck Duobao Tathagata down and suppressed him beneath the earth, shattering his golden body and leaving him badly wounded.
• Duobao Tathagata accused Gu Changsheng of being ruthless and glared at him with hatred after admitting defeat.
• Gu Changsheng considered how the Chan Sect had gained fortune while the Buddhist Sect had made enemies and lost Buddhas, then prepared to leave.
• Duobao Tathagata seethed over his defeat and wondered whether the Buddhist Sect was destined to remain suppressed.

Gu Changsheng accepted Old Ancestor Bodhi’s challenge to discuss the Dao in the Chaos, where they confronted one another. Zhenyuanzi headed there to support Gu Changsheng, and the chapter ended as Gu Changsheng summoned the Chaos Bell.

• Old Ancestor Bodhi appeared and challenged Gu Changsheng to discuss the Dao in the Chaos, and Gu Changsheng agreed.
• Duobao Tathagata expected Old Ancestor Bodhi to suppress Gu Changsheng and hoped Buddhism would reclaim the Chan Sect’s providence.
• Zhenyuanzi learned of the challenge and set out from Wuzhuang Temple to support Gu Changsheng.
• Gu Changsheng and Old Ancestor Bodhi entered the Chaos and faced each other amid its deadly currents and thunder.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi confronted Gu Changsheng over the Buddhist schemes he had thwarted, and Gu Changsheng summoned the Chaos Bell.

Gu Changsheng fought Old Ancestor Bodhi in the Chaos Space, matching the Saint’s Three Corpses incarnation with the Chaos Bell against the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree. Though both were injured and the battlefield began collapsing, Gu Changsheng concealed the advantage of his Chaos Law and chose not to use the Chaos Bead yet.

• Old Ancestor Bodhi challenged Gu Changsheng to a Dao discussion and summoned the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, while Gu Changsheng answered with the Chaos Bell.
• The two exchanged attacks that shattered the surrounding Chaos Space, and Old Ancestor Bodhi recognized Gu Changsheng’s formidable strength.
• Their prolonged battle unleashed deadly Chaos Streams, Chaos Divine Thunder, and Chaos Gale, while Zhenyuanzi watched from a safe distance.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi’s injuries worsened as Gu Changsheng continued fighting, though Gu Changsheng also suffered some injuries.
• Gu Changsheng revealed that he had let Old Ancestor Bodhi believe their strength was equal, keeping his Chaos Law as a trump card and withholding the Chaos Bead.

Gu Changsheng battled Old Ancestor Bodhi in Chaos until the Two Sages of the West sent Bodhi powerful spiritual treasures, turning the fight against him. Primordial Heavenly Venerate then sent Gu Changsheng the Pangu Banner, whose lingering imprint from Gu Changsheng left him poised to refine it.

• Gu Changsheng struck Old Ancestor Bodhi with the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe’s handle as Chaos Streams gathered into the axe’s phantom, forcing Bodhi to struggle against the assault.
• Zhenyuanzi watched from afar as the battle shook Chaos and Gu Changsheng pressed Bodhi.
• The Two Sages of the West sent Bodhi the Nine-Ranked Golden Lotus and Six Roots Pure Bamboo, allowing him to withstand Gu Changsheng and gain the advantage.
• Bodhi taunted Gu Changsheng and vowed to suppress him, but Primordial Heavenly Venerate sent Gu Changsheng the Pangu Banner in response to the Two Sages’ interference.
• Gu Changsheng discovered that his old imprint remained on the Pangu Banner and realized he could refine it.

Gu Changsheng used the Pangu Banner to form an incomplete Heaven-Opening Divine Axe and drove Old Ancestor Bodhi away with a single strike. After Bodhi fled, the axe split back into the Pangu Banner and Chaos Bell, and Gu Changsheng thanked Primordial Heavenly Venerate.

• Old Ancestor Bodhi attacked Gu Changsheng with the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, Six Roots Pure Bamboo, and Nine-Ranked Lotus Platform while Zhenyuanzi watched in alarm.
• Gu Changsheng combined the Pangu Banner with the axe handle in the chaos and swung the incomplete Heaven-Opening Divine Axe at Bodhi's treasures.
• The strike shattered Bodhi's attack, wounded him, and sent him retreating a million li as he realized Gu Changsheng's power rivaled a Saint's.
• Bodhi fled into the chaos rather than risk another strike, abandoning his hopes of securing the Buddhist Sect's share of the Journey West's karmic fortune.
• Gu Changsheng let the axe transform back into the Pangu Banner and Chaos Bell, then the Pangu Banner returned to Primordial Heavenly Venerate, whom Gu Changsheng thanked.

Gu Changsheng invited Zhenyuanzi to Purple Mansion Continent to discuss the Dao while the Buddhist Sect lamented its failed western pilgrimage and losses. Old Ancestor Bodhi proposed targeting Yang Jian as the Buddhist Sect considered how to escape its decline.

• Zhenyuanzi met Gu Changsheng in the Chaos Void, apologized for not helping against Old Ancestor Bodhi, and accepted an invitation to Purple Mansion Continent.
• Gu Changsheng and Zhenyuanzi reached Purple Mansion Continent and prepared to discuss the Dao.
• At Great Thunderclap Monastery, Duobao Tathagata, Ancient Buddha Randeng, and Old Ancestor Bodhi discussed the Buddhist Sect’s setbacks and blamed Gu Changsheng for ruining their plans.
• Old Ancestor Bodhi recounted how Gu Changsheng’s schemes had led to Yuan Hong’s death at Yang Jian’s hands.
• After Ancient Buddha Randeng noted that Yang Jian had also killed the Intelligent Stone Monkey and the Six-Eared Macaque, Old Ancestor Bodhi suggested they begin with Yang Jian.

The Buddhist leaders planned to seize Heavenly Court destiny and weaken Haotian, while blaming Gu Changsheng for thwarting their plans in the Southern Continent. Gu Changsheng then visited his newly transformed disciple, the Immortal Rat, and sent him to slay a murderous flood dragon with the Tai'a Sword.

• Ancient Buddha Randeng, Duobao Tathagata, and Old Ancestor Bodhi agreed to target the Heavenly Court and intercept its destiny.
• Duobao Tathagata told Ancient Buddha Randeng that Yunxiao had stopped Manjushri Guangfa Bodhisattva from recruiting the future Human Co-Lord, at Gu Changsheng's direction.
• Gu Changsheng sensed the Immortal Rat was about to transform and traveled from Purple Mansion Continent to visit him.
• The Immortal Rat told Gu Changsheng that an evil flood dragon had drowned many local people and asked to punish it.
• Gu Changsheng gave the Immortal Rat the Tai'a Sword and ordered him to slay the flood dragon.
• The Immortal Rat set off for the river as Gu Changsheng watched a fishing boat drift across it.

The Immortal Rat slew an evil flood dragon and asked Gu Changsheng to let him experience mortal life, so Gu Changsheng sent him into reincarnation with his memories intact. Later, Gu Changsheng encountered a despairing cultivator who tried to drown himself and asked why he had ended up looking so ugly.

• The Immortal Rat fought and killed an evil flood dragon that attacked Wang Bo and a fisherman on the river.
• After returning to Gu Changsheng, the Immortal Rat asked to travel the mortal world and slay demons, and Gu Changsheng sent him into reincarnation as a human while preserving his memories.
• Several days later, the Immortal Rat was born as an infant in a household.
• Gu Changsheng traveled to an immortal mountain in the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa and found a disheveled, ugly cultivator trying to drown himself.
• Gu Changsheng rescued the cultivator and asked how he had ended up looking that way.

Gu Changsheng rescued Li Xuan from his ruined body, accepted him as a disciple, and sent Yunxiao to stop the Buddhist Sect’s plot against Wu Zetian. In the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru, Kunpeng received a young man at the Demon Master Palace.

• Li Xuan told Gu Changsheng how his disciple cremated his body while his primordial spirit was away, leaving him trapped in a grotesque starving corpse.
• Gu Changsheng bestowed a golden hoop and an iron crutch on Li Xuan, accepted him as a disciple, and told him to continue cultivating at Dang Mountain for a future task.
• Gu Changsheng summoned Yunxiao and sent her to Chang'an City to suppress the Buddha plotting to beguile Wu Zetian as the King of Tang neared death.
• Gu Changsheng reflected that True Man Wenmei had gone to the Northern Continent of Uttarakuru with the Jade Purity Immortal Art, where the Buddhist Sect and Heavenly Court were also active.
• At the Demon Master Palace, Kunpeng opened the gates to a young man shrouded in Demonic Qi, who entered and greeted him as Master.