Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong, Holy Mother Wudang, and Wuyun Xian searched the General Store for treasures and techniques suited to them. Wuyun Xian acquired a powerful formation and began considering how it could help the Interception Sect.

• Wu Feng advised Tongtian to save his Exchange Points, and Tongtian arrived with Wuyun Xian and Holy Mother Wudang to guide them through the store.
• Sun Wukong discovered Primordial Chaos Divine Iron, which cost more Exchange Points than he had, and summoned Tianpeng to the General Store.
• Holy Mother Wudang spent 180,000 Exchange Points on a Kunlun Mirror and used her remaining points to read books about the ancient Chaos Era.
• Master of the Heavens suggested that Wuyun Xian look for a formation, and Wuyun Xian found the Limitless Heaven and Earth Soul-Bewildering Formation.
• Wuyun Xian bought the formation and considered combining it with his junior sisters' Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation to help restore the Interception Sect's prestige.

Sun Wukong persuaded Tianpeng to lend him Exchange Points so he could obtain Primordial Chaos Divine Iron and improve his strength. Wu Feng received amplified rewards from the General Store, while Tathagata continued trying to plan the Journey to the West Tribulation amid an unpredictable situation.

• Tongtian hoped Wuyun Xian would advance and help rebuild the Interception Sect.
• Sun Wukong brought Tianpeng to the General Store and persuaded him to transfer Exchange Points for the Primordial Chaos Divine Iron.
• Sun Wukong and Tianpeng returned to Water Curtain Cave, where Sun Wukong began seclusion to smelt the iron into the Sea Calming Needle.
• Wu Feng received amplified rewards: the Primordial Chaos Limitless Heaven and Earth Soul-Bewildering Formation, the Sky-Illuminating Realm, and Primordial Chaos Refined Gold.
• Tathagata pondered how to plan the Journey to the West Tribulation, unable to grasp the changing situation.

Tathagata sought a replacement for Sun Wukong in the Journey to the West and sent Guanyin to recruit the Six-eared Macaque. The macaque accepted, unaware that Sun Wukong’s suspicions and the West’s plans would soon collide.

• Tathagata told the Buddhist disciples that Sun Wukong was too difficult to control and identified the Six-eared Macaque as the next-best candidate for the Journey to the West.
• Guanyin volunteered to recruit the Six-eared Macaque, and Tathagata gave her his location.
• The Six-eared Macaque mistook Guanyin’s arrival for a threat, but she restrained him and offered him a chance to become a Buddha and surpass Sun Wukong.
• The Six-eared Macaque agreed to join the Journey to the West, and Guanyin ordered him to keep the plan secret until the time was right.
• At Flower-Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong sneezed while refining the Primordial Chaos Divine Iron and wondered who was talking about him.

Haotian spared General Juanlian from reincarnation and secretly sent him to the mortal world to spy on Marshal Tian Peng and report anything unusual involving Sun Wukong. Haotian and Queen Mother Yaochi hoped the mission would reveal what had happened between Tian Peng and Sun Wukong.

• Saint Jieyin used a dream technique to make General Juanlian drowsy while he was on guard.
• General Juanlian dropped and shattered Haotian's Glazed Lamp, and Haotian condemned him to reincarnation for neglecting his duties.
• Jieyin told Zhunti at Mount Lingshan that General Juanlian was no longer a problem.
• Haotian dismissed the heavenly soldiers and offered General Juanlian a chance to atone by carrying out a task.
• Haotian secretly ordered General Juanlian to find Marshal Tian Peng, follow him, and report anything unusual concerning Sun Wukong.
• Queen Mother Yaochi reassured Haotian that General Juanlian's mission could reveal what had happened between Sun Wukong and Tian Peng.

General Juanlian met the Six-eared Macaque, who impersonated Sun Wukong and escorted him toward Flower-Fruit Mountain. Meanwhile, Sun Wukong completed the transformation of the Sea Calming Needle, and Tongtian prepared to proclaim the Interception Sect’s reestablishment as its disciples gathered at Biyou Palace.

• General Juanlian followed Flowing Sand River in the wrong direction until he encountered the Six-eared Macaque and mistook him for Sun Wukong.
• The Six-eared Macaque learned that General Juanlian sought Marshal Tian Peng, then impersonated Sun Wukong and led him toward Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• Sun Wukong refined the Primordial Chaos Divine Iron, transforming the Sea Calming Needle into an Innate Supreme Treasure, and shared his confidence with Marshal Tian Peng.
• Holy Mother Jin Ling asked Tongtian whether the Interception Sect should formally announce its reestablishment, and Tongtian ordered the disciples assembled.
• Tongtian appeared before the gathered disciples at Biyou Palace, where Holy Mother Jin Ling and the others bowed to welcome him.

After Tongtian reestablished the Interception Sect, the Two Sages of the West sought Dao Ancestor Hongjun to have him punish Tongtian. Hongjun summoned them to the Purple Firmament Palace, where they discovered he was only a clone.

• Tongtian declared that he would reestablish the Interception Sect, and his words spread throughout the Primordial World.
• Laozi visited Tongtian, offered golden pills, and settled the brothers’ past grievances.
• The reborn Interception Sect drew many visitors, alarming the Two Sages of the West over its effect on providence and the Journey to the West Tribulation.
• Zhunti and Jieyin went to the Purple Firmament Palace and requested an audience with Hongjun.
• Hongjun allowed the Two Sages to enter, where they saw that he was a clone rather than his true body.

Zhunti and Jieyin sought Hongjun’s help against Tongtian’s rebuilt Interception Sect, but Hongjun warned them that they were also part of the tribulation and sent them away. They visited Tongtian next, where he demanded congratulatory gifts and dismissed them after Jieyin presented several treasures.

• Zhunti asked Hongjun to punish Tongtian for rebuilding the Interception Sect, but Hongjun restrained Zhunti and warned the Two Sages against acting out of jealousy.
• The Two Sages returned to Spirit Mountain and decided to sound out Tongtian before making further plans.
• Tongtian welcomed the Two Sages at Biyou Palace, where they saw the Interception Sect flourishing under his disciples.
• Tongtian demanded congratulatory gifts, and Jieyin presented several treasures on behalf of himself and Zhunti.
• Tongtian ordered a boy to see the Two Sages out without even looking at their gifts.

Tongtian extorted additional treasures from Jieyin and Zhunti without promising not to interfere in the Journey to the West Tribulation. After the banquet, he prepared to take the treasures to the General Store, while the Six-eared Macaque and General Juanlian arrived near Flower-Fruit Mountain.

• Jieyin and Zhunti tried to secure Tongtian's cooperation in the Journey to the West Tribulation, but he gave them no clear promise.
• Tongtian stopped the Two Sages as they left and demanded banquet gifts, then pressured them into handing over more treasures.
• After Jieyin and Zhunti departed, Tongtian happily put away the treasures and planned to exchange them at the General Store.
• The Six-eared Macaque and General Juanlian arrived near Flower-Fruit Mountain after hearing that Master of the Heavens had reestablished the Interception Sect.

Sun Wukong discovered the Six-eared Macaque and General Juanlian touring Flower-Fruit Mountain and defeated the Six-eared Macaque in battle. He spared the macaque on the condition that he work for him, leaving the Six-eared Macaque to agree for now.

• A monkey soldier reported suspicious outsiders to Sun Wukong, who woke Tianpeng and went to investigate.
• Sun Wukong recognized the Six-eared Macaque and confronted him and General Juanlian on the rear of Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• The Six-eared Macaque fought Sun Wukong but was overwhelmed by his power as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
• Sun Wukong spared the injured Six-eared Macaque and offered him a chance to atone by working for him.
• The Six-eared Macaque agreed to obey Sun Wukong, and Tianpeng brought the cowed General Juanlian over.

Sun Wukong enslaved the Six-eared Macaque with a hidden soul mark, took his treasures for Marshal Tian Peng, and sent him away to investigate the Journey to the West. After exposing General Juanlian’s lie about the Jade Emperor, Marshal Tian Peng confronted him with the Nine-Tooth Rake.

• Sun Wukong marked the Six-eared Macaque’s soul and temporarily healed his injuries, then tortured him until he surrendered a pile of treasures.
• Sun Wukong gave the treasures to Marshal Tian Peng, then let the Six-eared Macaque leave Flower-Fruit Mountain to investigate the Journey to the West.
• Sun Wukong revealed to Marshal Tian Peng that he had only pretended to plant a mark, hoping the Six-eared Macaque would believe he was bound to obey.
• Sun Wukong handed General Juanlian over to Marshal Tian Peng, who demanded to know who had sent him.
• General Juanlian claimed the Jade Emperor had ordered him to invite Marshal Tian Peng back to the Heavenly Palace, and Marshal Tian Peng challenged him with the Nine-Tooth Rake.

Marshal Tian Peng recruited General Juanlian as an informant in Heaven, then returned to Water Curtain Cave and discussed defying the fate described in Journey to the West with Sun Wukong. Juanlian reached Lingxiao Palace with Erlang Shen to report to the Jade Emperor, who dismissed the others before hearing them.

• Tian Peng persuaded General Juanlian to pass information to the Jade Emperor in exchange for a chance to live freely at Flower-Fruit Mountain.
• Tian Peng told Sun Wukong about the arrangement, and they praised Wu Feng for helping them resist the fate of attaining Buddhahood before turning to cultivation.
• General Juanlian returned to Heaven, but the heavenly soldiers stopped him until Erlang Shen verified his identity and helped him look presentable.
• Erlang Shen questioned Juanlian about meeting Sun Wukong and Tian Peng, then took him to Lingxiao Palace.
• The Jade Emperor opened his eyes when Erlang Shen and Juanlian arrived and dismissed everyone else in the hall.

General Juanlian convinced the Jade Emperor that the Journey to the West Tribulation would decide whether Buddhism or Heavenly Court ruled, prompting the Jade Emperor to enlist Yang Jian and send Juanlian back to Flower-Fruit Mountain as a spy. The Jade Emperor then hurried to Yaochi, while Juanlian headed back to the lower realm with secret communication talismans.

• General Juanlian learned that the Jade Emperor planned to purge demon clans and impose stricter controls, so he resolved to warn the lower realm.
• Juanlian told the Jade Emperor that the Dao Ancestor had created a variable in the Journey to the West Tribulation and that the tribulation would determine whether Buddhism or Heavenly Court prevailed.
• The Jade Emperor secretly shared Juanlian's report with Yang Jian, who accepted an order to loosen control over the demon clan and carry out a secret mission.
• The Jade Emperor gave Juanlian treasures and Yuqing Talismans, ordering him to stay near Tian Peng and the Great Sage and report any discoveries.
• Juanlian left through the South Heavenly Gate for Flower-Fruit Mountain, and the Jade Emperor transformed into golden light and hurried to Yaochi.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother discussed dangerous measures to protect the Heavenly Court, while Sun Wukong, Tianpeng, and General Juanlian became sworn brothers and visited Wu Feng's General Store. Wu Feng prepared to appraise the treasures they had obtained from the Six-eared Macaque.

• The Jade Emperor told the Queen Mother alarming news, and they began planning countermeasures against the Buddhist Sect.
• General Juanlian returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain, where Sun Wukong and Tianpeng welcomed him and made him their sworn younger brother.
• Sun Wukong began calling Tianpeng Bajie, and Tianpeng nicknamed General Juanlian Old Sha after they drank together.
• The next day, Sun Wukong and Tianpeng brought General Juanlian to meet Wu Feng and appraise the treasures they had obtained from the Six-eared Macaque.
• Wu Feng welcomed General Juanlian and asked the group where they had acquired their latest treasures.

General Juanlian exchanged his hidden treasures for Exchange Points, discovered that many of them had belonged to the Jade Emperor, and learned about his fate from Journey to the West. He spent the rest of his points choosing cultivation aids, leaving the shop with a new understanding of why Sun Wukong and Tian Peng resisted Heaven.

• Wu Feng valued Tian Peng's treasures at fifty thousand Exchange Points and Juanlian's at one hundred thousand.
• Juanlian admitted he had accumulated many of the Jade Emperor's treasures by forgetting to return them after inspecting them.
• Juanlian examined powerful items in the store and was stunned by their value and origins.
• Sun Wukong guided Juanlian to read Journey to the West, and Juanlian learned that his fate had been changed and understood the resistance against Heaven.
• Juanlian spent half his points studying the book, then used the remaining fifty thousand to look for cultivation treasures and considered a Golden Elixir and a Tribulation-crossing Talisman.

General Juanlian received a Demon-Subduing Pestle and the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, while Wu Feng considered how the altered fates of the travelers to the West might disrupt Buddhism. Ksitigarbha then returned to Spirit Mountain and challenged Tathagata, leaving the Jade Emperor watching their clash.

• General Juanlian chose a Golden Elixir and a tribulation talisman, then gained an Innate Spiritual Treasure and the Eight-Nine Arcane Art as his reward.
• Wu Feng's system enhanced General Juanlian's treasure into the Demon-Slaying Pestle and his technique into the Primordial Divine Art.
• Wu Feng considered how Sun Wukong, Tianpeng, and General Juanlian had escaped their original fates, and wondered whether Ao Lie and Golden Cicada would follow.
• Ksitigarbha arrived at Spirit Mountain and challenged Tathagata, who urged him to return to Buddhism before accepting the fight.
• The Quasi-Saints' battle shook the heavens, and the Jade Emperor used the Haotian Mirror to observe it.

Ksitigarbha stole Tathagata’s treasury during their battle, while Diting’s hints loosened the seal in Golden Cicada’s heart and prompted him to leave Lingshan. Ao Lie also left the West Sea Dragon Palace and reached Flower-Fruit Mountain, where he secretly observed Golden Cicada searching for a chance to change his fate.

• Ksitigarbha retreated after receiving word that the theft was complete, and Tathagata discovered his treasury had been emptied again.
• Golden Cicada remembered seeing Diting and, after hearing his hints, decided to seek the truth at Flower-Fruit Mountain and secretly left Lingshan.
• Ao Lie asked the West Sea Dragon King for permission to travel, then departed the Dragon Palace to clear his mind.
• Ao Lie arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain, sensed someone nearby, and hid as Golden Cicada appeared.
• Golden Cicada searched the outskirts for the opportunity Diting had described, then sat down discouraged when he could not find it.

Golden Cicada and Ao Lie met on Flower-Fruit Mountain and were welcomed by Sun Wukong and his companions. As Sun Wukong recounted the story of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, Golden Cicada’s buried soul began to stir.

• Ao Lie approached Golden Cicada, but Flower-Fruit Mountain’s scouts surrounded them and reported their arrival to Sun Wukong.
• After learning that Sun Wukong ruled the mountain, Ao Lie eagerly awaited meeting him.
• Sun Wukong, Marshal Tian Peng, and General Juanlian met Golden Cicada and Ao Lie, then invited them to the Water Curtain Cave.
• Golden Cicada and Ao Lie introduced themselves and joined Sun Wukong’s banquet, where Golden Cicada felt his true self’s seal weaken.
• Sun Wukong told Golden Cicada the tale of the Six-Winged Golden Cicada, and an aura suddenly burst from Golden Cicada’s eyes.

Tathagata discovered that Golden Cicada had disappeared and suspected Ksitigarbha was involved. After questioning the Interception Sect, he left convinced it had nothing to do with them and turned his anger toward the remaining possibility.

• Tathagata sensed Golden Cicada attacking the seal on his soul and ordered a disciple to summon him.
• The disciple reported that Golden Cicada was missing, and Tathagata ordered the Buddhas to keep it secret before setting out to investigate.
• Tathagata visited Biyou Palace and asked Master of the Heavens whether the Interception Sect had taken Golden Cicada.
• Master of the Heavens released his Saint's pressure, and Tathagata realized the Interception Sect was not responsible.
• Tathagata left Biyou Palace suspecting Ksitigarbha was connected to Golden Cicada's disappearance.

Ksitigarbha secured Tongtian’s agreement to cooperate with the Interception Sect, while Sun Wukong offered to take Ao Lie to Wu Feng’s General Store to seek a path to greater strength. Golden Cicada also asked to meet the senior, leaving Sun Wukong to question whether he had any treasures to exchange.

• Tongtian agreed to let Ksitigarbha discuss cooperation with Holy Mother Jin Ling and the others after Tathagata left Biyou Palace.
• Golden Cicada felt that Sun Wukong’s story might be about him but chose not to dwell on the thought.
• Sun Wukong told Ao Lie that an expert could help him become stronger and explained the General Store’s rules and Exchange Points.
• Ao Lie returned to the West Sea Dragon Palace to prepare treasures before visiting Wu Feng with Sun Wukong and the others.
• Golden Cicada asked Sun Wukong to take him to meet the senior, and Sun Wukong asked whether he had any treasures.

Golden Cicada visited Wu Feng’s General Store with Sun Wukong and exchanged his treasures for 120,000 Exchange Points. He bought and swallowed a Barrier Breaking Pill, which triggered a painful reaction as it began breaking restraints left by a Quasi-Saint, and Sun Wukong went to seek Wu Feng’s help.

• Golden Cicada showed Sun Wukong his treasures, and Sun Wukong brought him to the General Store with Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie.
• Wu Feng welcomed Golden Cicada and exchanged his treasures for 120,000 Exchange Points.
• Golden Cicada browsed the store, considered several costly items, and found a Barrier Breaking Pill that promised to break restraints.
• Golden Cicada bought and swallowed the pill, then writhed in pain as it acted on the restraints binding him.
• Sun Wukong, unable to help Golden Cicada, went to find Wu Feng.