Recaps

White Bone refused Daoist Jieyin’s offer to become a Buddha Patriarch three times, arguing that the appointment could unsettle the Buddhist Sect, but accepted when Jieyin pleaded for help in a crisis. He became the fourth Buddha Patriarch, Universal Manifestation Tathagata, and began establishing his doctrine of awakening in the present moment as a Golden Lotus Divine Platform lifted him above the Western Pure Land.

• Daoist Jieyin proposed making White Bone a Buddha Patriarch, but White Bone declined, warning that the appointment could disrupt the Buddhist Sect and the Western Teachings.
• White Bone returned to reading and studying Buddhist scriptures while Jieyin watched and was moved by his devotion.
• Jieyin asked White Bone a second time to lead the Buddhist Sect through its crisis, and White Bone finally accepted after three invitations and three refusals.
• White Bone named himself Universal Manifestation Tathagata and the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha, proclaiming teachings on the present thought and the unity of time and space.
• A Golden Lotus Divine Platform appeared beneath White Bone Buddha and raised him above the Western Pure Land.

A White Bone Buddha Patriarch claimed Heavenly Dao Merit and declared himself the Universal Manifestation Tathagata, establishing a Present-Moment Pure Land. When he announced plans for a New Spirit Mountain and New Thunderclap Temple, the Tathagata Buddha Patriarch rallied Spirit Mountain to oppose him.

• A White Bone Buddha Patriarch appeared above the Western Land, proclaimed himself the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha, and drew much of the Heavenly Dao Merit to himself and the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• The Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and the gods and Buddhas in the Hall of the Great Hero learned that they did not recognize the new Buddha.
• The White Bone Buddha Patriarch announced that he would build a New Spirit Mountain and a New Thunderclap Temple as his Dojo.
• The Tathagata Buddha Patriarch declared that Spirit Mountain would fight to protect its name and position.
• The gods and Buddhas under the Tathagata set out to summon Ancient Buddha Randeng, the Future Buddha, and the Five Directional Buddhas, while the Tathagata allowed them to go.

Jin Chanzi visited Ancient Buddha Randeng and urged him to suppress White Bone Buddha, arguing that Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s new Pure Land threatened the Present Buddha Lineage and the Buddhist Sect’s order. Randeng agreed to help after bargaining for thirty percent of the Heavenly Dao Merit.

• Ancient Buddha Randeng received Jin Chanzi, who claimed the Buddhist Sect faced a crisis and asked him to save it.
• Jin Chanzi argued that Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s Present-Moment Pure Land and new Spirit Mountain and Thunderclap Temple challenged the Three-Era Buddha Lineage.
• Jin Chanzi asked Randeng to step forward and suppress White Bone Buddha on behalf of the Present Buddha Lineage.
• Jin Chanzi offered Randeng ten percent of the Heavenly Dao Merit on the World-Honored One’s behalf, and Randeng demanded forty percent.
• Jin Chanzi said thirty percent was the most he could offer, and Randeng accepted.

Maitreya grew furious after learning that Universal Manifestation Tathagata planned to establish a Present-Moment Pure Land and Present Lineage, which he saw as a threat to his future position in the Buddhist Sect. He agreed to join a gathering at Spirit Mountain and arrived there demanding to know how Tathagata would handle the matter.

• A messenger from Spirit Mountain told Maitreya that Universal Manifestation Tathagata wanted to promote the present and establish a new Buddhist lineage, angering Maitreya.
• Maitreya blamed Universal Manifestation Tathagata for taking Heavenly Dao Merit and threatening his future standing as the Buddhist Sect's Future Buddha.
• The messenger said Tathagata planned to gather Buddhist leaders and gods to confront the Present-Moment Enlightened Buddha at the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• Maitreya agreed to join the alliance and flew ahead to Spirit Mountain, leaving the messenger behind.
• Maitreya entered the Hall of the Great Hero and asked Tathagata whether he had found a way to deal with the situation.

Maitreya Buddha confronted Tathagata over Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s challenge to the Buddhist branches, but their argument disrupted the assembly before it could discuss a response. Ancient Buddha Randeng arrived and calmed the hall, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Maitreya Buddha berated Tathagata for failing to respond to Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s Present-Moment Pure Land and its threat to the Buddhist branches.
• Tathagata told Maitreya to calm down and wait for the other Buddha Patriarchs, but Maitreya warned that Universal Manifestation Tathagata had taken Heavenly Dao Merit and threatened the Three Buddhist Branches.
• Tathagata released a powerful aura to silence Maitreya, who accused him of bullying his own people instead of challenging Universal Manifestation Tathagata.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng entered the Hall of the Great Hero and used his voice to settle the gods’ and Buddhas’ agitation, including Maitreya’s.

At the Hall of the Great Hero, Maitreya accused Tathagata of refusing to act against Universal Manifestation Tathagata, while Tathagata urged the assembled gods and Buddhas to proceed cautiously. After Ancient Buddha Randeng stopped their quarrel, Tathagata proposed leading an investigation of the Present-Moment Pure Land, and Maitreya reluctantly agreed to go.

• Maitreya respectfully greeted Ancient Buddha Randeng, then claimed Universal Manifestation Tathagata threatened the Western Teachings’ foundations and said he was angry on Tathagata’s behalf.
• Tathagata told the assembly that they should learn Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s origins and discuss a response before acting recklessly.
• Maitreya mocked Tathagata for sitting calmly and accused him of wanting others to fight for him, prompting Tathagata to order him to leave if he would not form an alliance sincerely.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng urged Maitreya and Tathagata to stop arguing and let Tathagata explain his plan.
• Tathagata offered to lead the gods and Buddhas to investigate the Present-Moment Pure Land, and Maitreya reluctantly agreed to accompany them.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata explained why he had changed his appearance and insisted on facing the Buddhist Sect’s challenge himself. As Daoist Jieyin prepared to deal with Luohou, the Demon Ancestor vanished into the hidden Demon Realm, leaving Jieyin suspecting Qingyuan was involved.

• World-Honored Tathagata and the gathered Buddhist figures traveled to confront Universal Manifestation Tathagata, while several disciples resented his new Buddha Throne.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata told Daoist Jieyin that his kind appearance helped living beings accept his teachings and that he would not betray his true heart.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata refused Jieyin’s offer to shield him, saying he would personally defeat the Buddhist Sect’s opponents and establish the Present-Moment Pure Land.
• Daoist Jieyin agreed not to interfere but told Universal Manifestation Tathagata to call on him if he could not handle the confrontation.
• Daoist Jieyin set out for the East Sea to address Luohou’s threat, but Luohou fled into the Demon Realm, which then disappeared.
• Daoist Jieyin suspected Qingyuan was connected to Luohou’s disappearance and decided he might need to show Qingyuan goodwill.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata welcomed the Buddhist gathering to his merit-born Present-Moment Pure Land while Maitreya accused him of stealing merit and usurping a Buddha Throne. The World-Honored Tathagata challenged Universal Manifestation to justify his place in the sect or prove his strength.

• Universal Manifestation Tathagata greeted the arriving Buddhas in the Present-Moment Pure Land, stunning them with its scale and Heavenly Dao Merit.
• Maitreya accused Universal Manifestation of deceiving the Saints, taking merit meant for the Western Teachings, and claiming an illegitimate Buddha title.
• Universal Manifestation greeted Ancient Buddha Randeng and the World-Honored Tathagata but ignored Maitreya, provoking Maitreya's anger.
• Universal Manifestation asked the gathered Buddhas whether they had come to discuss Dharma or test their skills.
• The World-Honored Tathagata condemned Universal Manifestation's Buddha Throne as harmful to the sect and challenged him to match the strength of himself or Ancient Buddha Randeng.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata faced Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and the Buddhist assembly, defeating their arguments in a three-day scripture debate before crushing the Five Directional Buddhas in combat. The chapter ended with the assembly stunned and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch regarding him with grave concern.

• Tathagata Buddha Patriarch challenged Universal Manifestation Tathagata, who offered to discuss scriptures or contest Dharma.
• Mahā Venerable and other Buddha Gods questioned Universal Manifestation Tathagata about the Present Thought, and he answered their arguments until they fell silent after three days and nights.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata called for a Dharma contest, and Vairocana Tathagata attacked him with the Great Sun Seal.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata shattered Vairocana Tathagata's attack and sent him flying with a single finger.
• The Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Buddhas attacked together, but Universal Manifestation Tathagata defeated them with a ring of Buddha light.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata defeated Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and held his own against Tathagata and Ancient Buddha Randeng fighting together. After both opponents withdrew, the Primordial Wilderness began investigating his unknown origins, but no one found any trace of his past.

• Tathagata Buddha Patriarch challenged Universal Manifestation Tathagata but could not gain the upper hand and retreated.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng joined the fight, and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch soon returned to battle alongside him.
• Universal Manifestation Tathagata unleashed a surge of power that sent Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and Ancient Buddha Randeng flying back, deciding the contest.
• Ancient Buddha Randeng admitted Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s strength, and he and Tathagata Buddha Patriarch departed with the Buddhist Sect.
• Factions across the Primordial Wilderness investigated Universal Manifestation Tathagata, but no one discovered where he came from.

Universal Manifestation Tathagata opened the Present-Moment Pure Land to all who sincerely sought the Dao, attracting the marginalized and defectors from across the Primordial Wilderness. As its population and influence surged, Daoist Jieyin’s assembly of Buddhist leaders confronted the threat of upheaval within the Buddhist Sect.

• Universal Manifestation Tathagata announced that anyone could enter the Present-Moment Pure Land and be taught according to their wishes, without discrimination.
• Low-ranking monks and other rejected beings flocked to the Present-Moment Pure Land, where Universal Manifestation Tathagata welcomed them and provided teaching and shelter.
• Spirit Mountain tried to deter defections, but over a million living beings joined the Present-Moment Pure Land within a month.
• Tathagata Buddha Patriarch, Ancient Buddha Randeng, Maitreya, and other Buddhist leaders gathered with Daoist Jieyin to discuss Universal Manifestation Tathagata’s growing power and the danger of internal strife.

Daoist Jieyin reassured the Western Teachings that Universal Manifestation Tathagata would not interfere with Western Flourishing or the Journey to the West. After confirming this with him, Jieyin flew toward Five Elements Mountain, where a trapped Monkey remained pinned beneath the mountain.

• Daoist Jieyin told the gods and Buddhas that Universal Manifestation Tathagata was the former Scripture Pavilion monk who had cultivated there for countless Yuan Hui.
• Jieyin assured Tathagata Buddha Patriarch and the others that Universal Manifestation Tathagata would not contest their positions or disrupt Western Flourishing.
• The gods and Buddhas accepted Jieyin's assurances and departed the Ultimate Bliss World.
• Jieyin visited the Present-Moment Pure Land, where Universal Manifestation Tathagata confirmed he would not interfere in Western Flourishing or the Journey to the West Calamity.
• Jieyin left the Pure Land and flew toward Five Elements Mountain, where a golden-furred Monkey was pinned beneath Buddhist Sect talismans.

Daoist Jieyin visited Sun Wukong beneath Five Elements Mountain and discovered that Wuzhiqi had given him a mysterious power that was strengthening his Primordial Spirit. Worried that Qingyuan might interfere with the Journey to the West, Jieyin flew to Golden Ao Island to seek him out.

• Daoist Jieyin secretly observed Sun Wukong and saw that his health had improved since the Five Directional Guardians stopped feeding him Copper-Juice Iron Pills.
• Daoist Jieyin sensed Wuzhiqi's ancient demonic power in the light between Sun Wukong's brows and decided it was not a move by Qingyuan.
• Sun Wukong studied the runes inside the light, which refined his Primordial Spirit, and hoped to use dreams of a strange world to grow strong enough to escape Five Elements Mountain.
• Daoist Jieyin reflected on the Western Teachings' dependence on the Journey to the West and his fear that any disruption could ruin their chance to rise.
• Daoist Jieyin left for Golden Ao Island to meet Qingyuan and discuss the stalled scripture journey.

Daoist Jieyin visited Golden Ao Island to ask Qingyuan about Journey to the West, but Sect Master Tongtian’s presence and their old grievances kept him from raising the matter. The chapter ended with Jieyin silently drinking tea while Qingyuan and Tongtian discussed swordsmanship.

• Daoist Jieyin arrived on Golden Ao Island and overheard Qingyuan and Sect Master Tongtian praising Tongtian’s recent battle with Luohou.
• Qingyuan welcomed Daoist Jieyin and served him Great Dao Spirit Tea as Tongtian greeted him coolly.
• Qingyuan advised Tongtian that Luohou could read emotional fluctuations and that the Ruthless Sword Dao might counter him.
• Daoist Jieyin considered asking Qingyuan to approve Journey to the West but hesitated because Tongtian was present and their past conflict made the request awkward.
• Qingyuan and Tongtian continued discussing the Sword Dao while Daoist Jieyin sat quietly and drank tea.

Qingyuan proposed creating ten thousand Great Thousand Worlds whose overlapping Great Dao laws could enrich the Primordial Wilderness, and Sect Master Tongtian agreed to support the project. Daoist Jieyin asked to let the Western Teachings participate but was told to stabilize the Western Lands first; he then tried to turn the conversation toward Journey to the West.

• Qingyuan told Sect Master Tongtian that he wanted to create ten thousand Great Thousand Worlds with Great Dao laws as their foundations.
• Qingyuan explained that his granddisciples had already begun testing the idea in secret, and Sect Master Tongtian pledged his support.
• Daoist Jieyin asked whether the Western Teachings could participate and offered their disciples as help.
• Sect Master Tongtian told Daoist Jieyin to handle the Western Lands' affairs first, and Qingyuan said he could return to the matter once the region was stable.
• Daoist Jieyin considered how to bring up Journey to the West, and Sect Master Tongtian urged him to speak directly.

Daoist Jieyin secured Qingyuan’s approval to begin the Journey to the West and arranged cooperation with the major powers across the Primordial Wilderness. After a thousand peaceful years, the story left him waiting for the calamity to begin.

• Daoist Jieyin asked Qingyuan how to launch the Journey to the West, and Qingyuan told him that the preparations were complete and he could proceed according to the plan.
• Daoist Jieyin visited the Heavenly Court, where the Jade Emperor agreed to provide its forces as needed.
• Daoist Jieyin met King Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and secured the Underworld Bureau’s arrangements for Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation.
• Daoist Jieyin gained the tacit agreement of Taishang Laojun and Venerable Yuanshi, then arranged with Baize and the Demon Saints to avoid disrupting the journey.
• Daoist Jieyin reached a noninterference agreement with Xing Tian and Chi You, settled potential disputes with other powers, and returned to the Ultimate Bliss World.
• A thousand years passed peacefully as the Immortal Dao developed, while Daoist Jieyin waited for the Journey to the West Calamity to begin.

The Primordial Wilderness prospered as the Immortal Dao, trade, and spiritual energy developed. On the East Sea Coast, Li Shimin unified hundreds of rival forces and built Great Tang into a flourishing dynasty whose growing potential drew the Heavenly Court’s attention.

• Immortal arts, trade routes, and cultivation flourished under the Heavenly Court and Dao Sect, while the Primordial Wilderness’s spiritual energy and Dao Resonance grew stronger.
• Li Shimin rose from a medium-sized East Sea Coast nation, defeated neighboring rivals, and inherited its throne after his father died.
• Li Shimin led Great Tang’s armies through more than a thousand victories, relying on capable officials and generals to unite the East Sea Coast.
• After conquering the region, Li Shimin standardized laws and measures, built infrastructure, and promoted farming, commerce, and education, strengthening Great Tang.
• The Heavenly Court investigated Great Tang and learned that Li Shimin’s national power and Fortune Aura had made the dynasty a force with great potential.

After the Great Tang’s unified fortune appeared, Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti saw the chance for the Western Teachings to flourish and prepared to begin the Journey to the West. Daoist Zhunti reached Five Elements Mountain to meet Sun Wukong, who did not recognize him.

• A golden pillar of Great Tang fortune rose from Chang'an, revealing to Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti that the moment for Western Flourishing had arrived.
• Daoist Jieyin praised the Buddhist Sect’s growing influence and confirmed that the scripture seekers’ preparations were proceeding smoothly.
• Daoist Zhunti said he would visit the scripture seekers and convert Sun Wukong, while Daoist Jieyin planned to notify the Heavenly Court and the Underworld Bureau.
• Daoist Zhunti flew to Five Elements Mountain, where the local earth god and the Four Duty Merit Officers and Five Directional Guardians greeted him and reported that Sun Wukong had behaved quietly.
• Daoist Zhunti approached Sun Wukong and asked whether he knew him, but Sun Wukong dismissed the question and said he had no idea who he was.

Buddha Mother Zhunti revealed himself as a Saint and offered Sun Wukong freedom and a return to Flower Fruit Mountain if he escorted a scripture seeker to Spirit Mountain. Sun Wukong accepted, and Zhunti vanished.

• Daoist Zhunti revealed his Saint aura and identified himself to Sun Wukong as Buddha Mother Zhunti of the Western Lands.
• Zhunti asked whether Sun Wukong had realized his errors and offered to erase his offenses and grant him freedom and Great Buddha rank.
• Zhunti promised Sun Wukong could return to Flower Fruit Mountain and end the Heavenly Court's pursuit if he agreed to help.
• Zhunti asked Sun Wukong to escort a scripture seeker to Spirit Mountain to obtain the scriptures.
• Sun Wukong accepted Zhunti's offer, and Zhunti disappeared.

Daoist Zhunti began arranging the Journey to the West after promising Sun Wukong freedom and gaining the Saints’ assent. He traveled to Chang’an and waited outside the imperial hunting grounds, where Li Shimin was hunting.

• The Five Directional Guardians feared Sun Wukong would punish them for mistreating him, but Sun Wukong ignored their attempts to flatter him and wondered whether Daoist Zhunti’s offer concealed a trick.
• Daoist Zhunti met Daoist Jieyin, and they reviewed the Journey to the West arrangements before splitting up to consult the other powers.
• Daoist Zhunti visited Taishang Laojun, Venerable Yuanshi, Sect Master Tongtian and Qingyuan, Empress Nuwa, and Empress Pingxin, receiving no objections to the plan.
• Daoist Zhunti went to Great Tang’s Chang’an, observed the city, and waited outside Li Shimin’s imperial hunting grounds.

Li Shimin led his generals on a hunt when Daoist Zhunti intervened to save a white deer and urged him to spread Buddhist scriptures in the Eastern Land. Li Shimin rejected Zhunti’s appeal and left, while Zhunti watched him go with a faint smile.

• Li Shimin arrived at the Royal Hunting Grounds with his Imperial Guards and powerful generals, then shot an arrow at a white spirit deer.
• Daoist Zhunti appeared in the arrow’s path, caught it, and let the deer escape.
• Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and the other generals confronted Zhunti, but Li Shimin stopped them and asked the monk why he had intervened.
• Daoist Zhunti urged Li Shimin to spare the deer for merit and said Buddhist scriptures could bring peace to the Eastern Land.
• Li Shimin rejected Zhunti’s appeal, ordered him to leave, and rode away with his guards and generals.

Daoist Zhunti visited Li Jiancheng’s tomb, found his resentment undiminished, and arranged with the Lord of Hell to summon the victims of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. In the City of Wrongful Deaths, Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and their followers begged the Saint to uphold justice against Li Shimin.

• Li Shimin recalled his military victories and the deaths of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji before returning to the palace.
• Daoist Zhunti entered Li Jiancheng’s tomb and sensed the resentment that had remained there for a century.
• Daoist Zhunti arrived at the City of Wrongful Deaths, where the Lord of Hell agreed to cooperate with him.
• The Lord of Hell summoned Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, their executed sons, and their slain followers to meet Daoist Zhunti.
• Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and their followers accused Li Shimin of killing them and their families, then pleaded with Daoist Zhunti to uphold justice.

Daoist Zhunti allowed Li Jiancheng and the other Lost Souls to seek an explanation from Li Shimin, though he refused to help them. After Zhunti disappeared, Li Jiancheng rallied the Lost Souls to take revenge on Li Shimin.

• The Lost Souls' complaints fell silent when Daoist Zhunti stared at them, terrifying Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and their followers.
• Daoist Zhunti asked whether they believed they had been wrongfully killed and were unwilling to accept it, and the Lost Souls pleaded for a chance to confront Li Shimin.
• Daoist Zhunti gave them an opportunity to seek an explanation from Li Shimin but said he would not help them, leaving his involvement unstated.
• Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji understood the Saint's hint and promised to claim they had left on their own.
• After Daoist Zhunti vanished, Li Jiancheng urged the Lost Souls to kill Li Shimin, and they rose with renewed resentment as Lord Yama slipped away.

Daoist Zhunti borrowed the Human Dao Seal from Saint Taiqing so he could divert Great Tang’s Human Path Fortune and advance Journey to the West. In Chang’an, he encountered Yuan Shoucheng, a popular diviner whose predictions had impressed the locals.

• Daoist Zhunti visited Saint Taiqing at Shouyang Mountain and asked to borrow the Human Dao Seal.
• Daoist Zhunti explained that Li Shimin’s flourishing Fortune Aura would obstruct Journey to the West unless Human Path Fortune was diverted.
• Saint Taiqing warned Daoist Zhunti to mind his limits, then lent him the Human Dao Seal.
• Daoist Zhunti hurried to Chang’an and wandered through the bustling city in disguise.
• Daoist Zhunti stopped at a crowd gathered around Yuan Shoucheng’s divination stall, where an old fisherman praised Yuan’s accurate advice.

Daoist Zhunti used the Human Dao Seal to draw Li Shimin’s consciousness into a misty realm, where the ghosts of Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and their sons confronted him. The chapter ended with the dead surrounding Li Shimin, their wounds and resentment on display.

• Yuan Shoucheng advised a fisherman where to fish, setting the events involving the Jing River Dragon King in motion.
• Daoist Zhunti sensed an extraordinary presence near Yuan Shoucheng but could not identify it, then entered the imperial city unseen.
• Daoist Zhunti shifted the Fortune Aura above Li Shimin’s bedchamber with the Human Dao Seal and pulled Li Shimin’s consciousness from his body.
• Li Shimin awoke in a misty realm and heard accusing voices demanding that he return their lives.
• Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji appeared before Li Shimin, followed by their murdered sons, all bearing fatal wounds and deep resentment.