However, when Tang Sanzang and his party bid farewell to the elders and villagers of Chen Family Village and set out once more, they were shocked to discover something.
At some unknown time, snow had begun to drift down between heaven and earth.
And Tongtian River, the lair of Great King Inspiration and a necessary crossing on their journey to the Western Heavens for scriptures, had already frozen solid for thousands of miles.
As far as the eye could see, from beneath their feet to the distant horizon, the long Tongtian River was completely covered in ice.
"I truly didn't expect winter to be this cold. In just one night, such heavy snow fell that even this broad, endless Tongtian River froze over."
"Isn't that so, Master? Still, this is a good thing. If Tongtian River hadn't frozen, we wouldn't have been able to cross it. Now that it has, we can walk right across the ice."
Tang Sanzang asked with concern, "Wu Kong, can people walk on this ice?"
"Won't we find out if we try?"
Sun Wukong's eyes shifted, and he called Pigsy over.
"Fool, go test whether people can walk on the ice."
"Heh, you monkey. When there's good food, you never think of Old Pig. But now you only think of Old Pig."
"Quit talking and get moving."
Pigsy could not defeat Sun Wukong, so he had no choice but to obediently step onto the ice. He walked a few paces, then bounced up and down a few times to test it.
"Don't worry. It'll hold!"
After Sun Wukong looked it over and made sure there was no problem, he took Tang Sanzang by the arm.
"Let's go, Master. Don't worry, Old Sun is holding you."
Tang Sanzang relaxed as well and stepped onto the ice