At the South Heavenly Gate

"Master, that's what happened!" Guanyin finished, lowering her head in an extremely deferential manner.

At sea, Chen Tong's attack had sent her flying straight from the South Sea to Spiritual Mountain. If Tathagata hadn't noticed in time, she would probably have flown right past it. Even now, the memory still made her shudder.

"Golden Cicada!" Tathagata opened his golden eyes, his deep voice carrying an irresistible authority.

"I have heard Guanyin's account. Though you were involved, you were not at fault. Since you can no longer enter the mortal world in that form, take your cultivation with you when you descend. I hope you will guide all living beings and not disappoint me. When your merits are complete, I will allow you to return."

As Tathagata spoke, a beam of golden light shot into Golden Cicada's body. His severe injuries disappeared at once, and he felt as if he had been reborn.

"Amitabha!" Golden Cicada pressed his palms together. "Thank you, Buddha Ancestor." Then he knocked his head heavily against the ground.

"Go!" Tathagata waved a hand, and Golden Cicada vanished from before the hall.

"How is that monkey now?" Tathagata asked.

Guanyin paused, then replied, "Master, the monkey has fled to Fire Cloud Cave, and Marshal Tian Peng is there as well. With the Three Sovereigns protecting them, there's nothing we can do. Only General Juanlian remains. In less than three quarters of an hour, he'll be sent down to the mortal realm."

"Alas, three of the candidates in the Journey to the West plan are already gone. We cannot afford to have anything happen to the last one." Tathagata's eyes narrowed. "Bodhisattva Guanyin, keep a close watch on this matter from beginning to end, in case anything changes."

Guanyin seemed to have something to say, but seeing Tathagata's solemn expression, she nodded. "Yes, disciple will obey your command."

Tathagata waved his golden hand, and three beams of golden light entered Guanyin's body. "I grant you three Sacred Laws: no enemy can injure you, no spell can break through your defenses, and you will be able to respond to any situation."

Guanyin was delighted and hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Master."

"Go!"

Guanyin vanished from before the hall as well. Tathagata's expression darkened. "Anan! Ayou!"

Two monks with bare shoulders, large heads, round ears, and murky auras answered, "Buddha Ancestor."

"I permit you to take the Eighteen Arhats and Four Great Vajras with you and lie in ambush outside the South Heavenly Gate. If anything goes wrong, seize him. Remember, do not let him come into contact with water."

"Yes, we will obey your command."

The sky was blue, the birds were flying, and Chen Tong was free and carefree. On an island in the East Sea, he lay in the sunlight atop a huge, gleaming rock, a strand of seaweed between his teeth as he flipped through his diary.

He had written quite a few entries by now and received plenty of rewards. The frustrating part was that they were all food, drinks, or useless household items. He hadn't gotten a single worthwhile thing.

Looks like I'll have to do missions. Only missions can get me good rewards. But what's going on with Sun Wukong? Shouldn't he be out of danger by now? Why does it still say the mission isn't complete?

If he didn't complete the mission, the system couldn't issue the next one. Without a new mission, he wouldn't get rewards, and without rewards, his strength wouldn't improve.

Chen Tong gave a bitter smile. "System, at least give me a clue!"

[Beep. Congratulations, host. You have triggered a hidden mission: Save General Juanlian.]

Chen Tong froze, then immediately sat up and snapped the notebook shut, tossing it back into his mind sea.

"Finally, a mission! Save General Juanlian..." Chen Tong rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Juanlian had been demoted to the mortal realm for breaking the Queen Mother's Glazed Lamp. That was one step in Old Thief Tathagata's plan. Hmph. As long as I, Chen Tong, am here, that old thief's plan won't succeed.

With that thought, he flew toward the South Heavenly Gate. He now had the strength of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal; if he acted with lightning speed, he could save Juanlian. Saving him wouldn't be difficult. The real problem was what to do with him afterward.

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, wisps of immortal mist drifted through the air like a dream. A squad of more than a dozen heavenly soldiers, spears in hand, escorted a broad-shouldered general clad in black armor. Three fierce-looking heavenly generals stood in front of him. One of them was King Guangmu, guardian of the South Heavenly Gate.

King Guangmu had a red face, gray whiskers, a large nose, and a curved mouth, giving him a perpetually mournful look. He held a pair of magical silver batons in his hands and watched General Juanlian without expression.

"Alas, Juanlian. We've served together for many years. Take care of yourself in the mortal realm."

Juanlian glanced at him, then continued walking forward. He said nothing, his face full of sorrow and deep helplessness.

Just then, a sudden flash of blue light came crashing down beside Juanlian like a falling star! With a thunderous boom, it sent dozens of heavenly soldiers flying.

Chen Tong appeared beside Juanlian, grabbed his hand, and said, "Come on!"

Juanlian stared at Chen Tong in shock. He recognized the man before him. "It's you?"

"This isn't the time to talk. Hurry up and go," Chen Tong urged.

"Hahaha!" Juanlian suddenly burst out laughing. Go? Hmph. If I capture you, maybe the Jade Emperor will pardon me. Why would I leave?

Chen Tong: "..."

Before he could recover from his bewilderment, Juanlian's attack came hurtling toward him! Chen Tong dodged sideways and retreated dozens of steps, escaping by the skin of his teeth. He watched Juanlian calmly, without losing his composure.

The others were caught completely off guard. King Guangmu and the other gods reached Juanlian in an instant, staring at the figure before them.

"King Guangmu, the wanted criminal the Heavenly Court is after—the one the Jade Emperor wants—is right in front of us. What are we waiting for? Let's capture him together!"

"Hold it!"

King Guangmu stopped General Juanlian from rushing forward. "Everything about this man is shrouded in mystery. Besides, the Jade Emperor has already made it clear: we must not act rashly against him."

King Guangmu still remembered that man's attack the last time. If Grand Supreme Elder Ancestor hadn't intervened at the last moment, the Four Heavenly Kings would have been wiped out long ago. Even now, he couldn't get that terrifying power out of his mind.

Chen Tong watched them in silence, but inwardly he was deeply frustrated. Juanlian's bizarre change of heart infuriated him. If he didn't have a mission to complete, he would have left already.

"Why have you trespassed into the South Heavenly Gate, sir? What business do you have here?" King Guangmu's voice sounded proud, but his hands trembled uncontrollably, betraying the fear in his heart.

Chen Tong sensed it all and sneered inwardly. He couldn't even be bothered to look at him.

"Hmph. If you're smart, hand Juanlian over to me. Otherwise, I won't mind sending you on another trip beyond the heavens."

King Guangmu trembled more and more. He understood what Chen Tong meant and didn't doubt his strength in the least. He glanced at Juanlian, wondering when the fellow had gotten acquainted with this fiend.

"Sir... you may not know this, but Juanlian broke the Queen Mother's Glazed Lamp and committed a grave offense. Forgive me... but I cannot do as you ask."