Recaps

Guanyin recruited Sha Wujing, Zhu Wuneng, Ao Lie, and Sun Wukong to accompany the scripture pilgrim west, while Lu Yuan observed the Buddhist Sect placing its pieces. Sun Wukong agreed but questioned whether the pilgrim’s path was already arranged, and Lu Yuan said his concealed defiance would serve the journey’s trials.

• Guanyin converted the Flowing Sand River monster, formerly General Juanlian, into Sha Wujing and ordered him to await and protect the scripture pilgrim.
• Guanyin persuaded the pig monster, formerly Marshal Tianpeng, to become Zhu Wuneng and join the journey west.
• Guanyin told Ao Lie that his father had banished him to give him a chance at merit, and Ao Lie agreed to become the White Dragon Horse.
• Guanyin offered Sun Wukong release from his suffering in exchange for protecting the scripture pilgrim, and Sun Wukong agreed while asking whether the pilgrim was also a pawn.
• Guanyin told Mu Zha that Sun Wukong could no longer take back his move, while Lu Yuan identified a concealed edge in the monkey’s willingness.
• Lu Yuan told his disciples that many powers were watching the journey west and instructed them to remain in Profound Yellow Heaven and observe.

Guanyin arranged for the gods of Chang'an to watch over Xuanzang as he set out west, beginning the Journey to the West Tribulation. In Profound Yellow Heaven, Lu Yuan explained the hidden powers and stakes surrounding the pilgrimage, then revealed that ancient beings sealed in the Returning Ruins were stirring and would bring a contest among ten thousand Daos.

• Guanyin and Mu Zha entered Chang'an in disguise, and Guanyin ordered the city's deities to secretly assist with the scripture pilgrim.
• Guanyin observed Xuanzang, Golden Cicada's tenth reincarnation, as he studied at Baoguo Temple and prepared to journey west.
• Emperor Li Shimin bestowed titles and sacred travel gifts on Xuanzang, who departed Chang'an with two attendants and vowed to return with the true scriptures.
• As Xuanzang passed beyond Chang'an, the Journey to the West Tribulation began, and mighty beings across the heavens sensed the disturbance.
• Lu Yuan told Daoist Honglu, Daoist Beiyuan, and Daoist Yuanchu that the Buddhist rise involved schemes by many powers and that Profound Yellow Heaven would receive nine ordeals.
• Lu Yuan revealed that ancient beings sealed in the Returning Ruins were beginning to stir, and said the returning powers would usher in a contest among ten thousand Daos.

Lu Yuan watched Tang Monk’s journey west and explained how the Buddhist Sect secretly protected him while arranging trials to temper him. Tang Monk freed Sun Wukong from Five Elements Mountain, and after the white dragon swallowed their horse, Sun Wukong exposed the hidden guardians and Guanyin transformed Ao Lie into a new mount; the scripture-fetching party continued with Sun Wukong wary of the Buddhist Sect’s plans.

• Lu Yuan explained that Buddhist guardians secretly cleared Tang Monk’s path while ensuring he still faced trials.
• Tang Monk removed the Six-Character True Words seal from Five Elements Mountain, freeing Sun Wukong, who became his disciple.
• At Eagle Sorrow Ravine, a white dragon swallowed Tang Monk’s horse, and Sun Wukong deliberately provoked the hidden guardians into revealing themselves.
• Sun Wukong fought the white dragon until it retreated into the ravine, then Guanyin appeared and transformed Ao Lie into a white horse for Tang Monk.
• Lu Yuan observed that Sun Wukong understood the journey was staged and was using the Buddhist Sect’s arrangements to his advantage.