Chapter Summaries

Guiguzi stopped Taishang Laojun from killing Patriarch Bodhi, and Sun Wukong was sent beneath a Five Elements mountain to begin the Journey to the West Tribulation. Tathagata and Bodhi revealed their ambitions to join the Hongmeng Immortal Palace after the pilgrimage.

• Taishang Laojun attacked Patriarch Bodhi, but Haotian used the Three Thousand Laws to shield the Heavenly Court.
• Guiguzi arrived on a white crane, drove Taishang Laojun away, and promised to help Sun Wukong if the pilgrimage brought him a trial he could not overcome.
• Tathagata and Haotian agreed that Sun Wukong should descend to the mortal world, and Bodhi urged him to temper his Dao-heart during the tribulation.
• Tathagata struck Sun Wukong beneath a mountain transformed by the Five Elements Laws and sealed its summit with Buddhist talismans.
• Patriarch Bodhi boasted that Saint Tongtian had taught him to ambush Taishang Laojun, while Tathagata said he planned to unite Buddhism and join the Hongmeng Immortal Palace after the tribulation.

Haotian handed governance of the Heavenly Court to Yang Jian and went to Penglai Immortal Island to rest and drink with Dong Wanggong. There, he asked Tongtian about their Master's situation.

• Patriarch Bodhi exchanged barbs with Buddha Tathagata as the Western Teachings departed Lingxiao Treasure Hall, while Bodhi invited Guiguzi and White Crane Boy to visit his cave.
• Haotian asked Yang Jian to oversee the Heavenly Court while he secluded himself to pursue the Dao, and Yang Jian gladly took the throne.
• Haotian instructed the immortals to cooperate with the Western Teachings during the Journey to the West Tribulation, then flew to Penglai Immortal Island.
• Zhao Gongming escorted Haotian into the Hongmeng Immortal Palace, where he changed into plain clothes and joined Dong Wanggong, Tongtian, Ancestor Minghe, and Fuxi.
• Haotian explained that he had come to rest and mooch wine, then asked Tongtian about their Master.

Dong Wanggong told Haotian that Dao Ancestor Hongjun was resisting the evil thoughts of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods and explained that the Heavenly Dao’s consciousness had left the Primordial World to cultivate and take form as a female immortal. As the Journey to the West Tribulation began, Tang Sanzang completed the Water-Land Assembly and prepared to travel to Western Spirit Mountain to seek the true scriptures.

• Dong Wanggong explained that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had taken control of the Primordial World’s authority to resist the evil thoughts of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods.
• Dong Wanggong told Haotian, Tongtian, and Ancestor Minghe that the Heavenly Dao’s consciousness had left the Primordial World and was cultivating in the void as a female immortal destined to become his Dao Companion.
• Great Sun Supreme Bright Buddha Lu Ya concealed the Human Race’s fortune around Li Shimin, allowing the Ox-Head and Horse-Face to take his soul to the netherworld, where he encountered the ghosts of Li Jiancheng and others.
• Tang Sanzang held the Water-Land Assembly outside Chang’an, converting millions of listeners to the Buddhist Path, while Li Shimin attended with his officials.
• After the assembly, Tang Sanzang told his master that he was ready to set out for Western Spirit Mountain to seek the true scriptures.

Tang Sanzang began his Journey to the West after Wutian reflected on his training and uncertain future. He left Great Tang alone, carrying the treasures he had taken from Guanyin, and sensed demonic energy at Double Fork Ridge.

• Wutian recalled that Tang Sanzang had advanced Buddhist understanding and reached the early Heavenly Immortal realm, but had not yet received Buddhist spells or divine abilities.
• Guanyin offered Tang Sanzang a Brocade Cassock and Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff, but Tang Sanzang recognized her, kicked her, and ran off with both treasures.
• At Chang'an's gates, Li Shimin gave Tang Sanzang supplies and his Travel Document, warned him that the Western Buddhist Sect had engineered the journey, and promised to help if trouble arose.
• Tang Sanzang declined a horse and guards, then set out alone; Yuan Tiangang watched and hoped he would return safely.
• At Double Fork Ridge, Tang Sanzang sensed demonic energy, stopped, and scanned the surroundings warily.

Tang Sanzang fought off three demons who tried to eat him, then continued his journey and found Sun Wukong trapped beneath Five Elements Mountain. He approached the mountain, mistook Sun Wukong for a demon, and prepared to attack him.

• Tang Sanzang wounded the Demon Tiger, then faced General Yin, Te Chushi, and Xiong Shanjun, who attacked after learning his flesh could grant eternal life.
• Tang Sanzang used the Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff to flee the three demons, then continued toward the west while eating roast chicken and drinking wine.
• Three days later, Tang Sanzang heard a voice calling for its master and followed it to Five Elements Mountain.
• Sun Wukong called out from beneath the mountain, and Tang Sanzang approached him, mistook him for a demon, and said he would get him.

Tang Sanzang found Sun Wukong pinned beneath Five Elements Mountain and learned about his past and immense power. Rather than climb to remove Buddha Tathagata’s seal, Tang Sanzang hurled a gourd of filth at it, causing the seal to crumble as Tathagata’s angry voice rang out.

• Tang Sanzang mistook Sun Wukong for a demon and beat him with his Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff before realizing who he was.
• Sun Wukong introduced himself and explained how Buddha Tathagata had pinned him beneath Five Elements Mountain.
• Tang Sanzang agreed to free Sun Wukong and proposed defiling the golden seal instead of climbing to remove it.
• Sun Wukong gave Tang Sanzang a gourd, and Tang Sanzang returned from a nearby village with filth and menstrual blood inside it.
• Tang Sanzang hurled the gourd at the summit, breaking the golden seal as Buddha Tathagata’s divine consciousness cried out in anger.

Sun Wukong broke free from Five Elements Mountain and joined Tang Sanzang on the Journey to the West. After Buddha Tathagata ordered Tang Sanzang to revisit Double Fork Ridge, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong stopped at a village, where Tang Sanzang revealed his plan to kill and eat the three demons who had attacked him.

• Sun Wukong escaped Five Elements Mountain, greeted Tang Sanzang, and agreed to follow his master's instructions.
• Buddha Tathagata ordered Tang Sanzang to return to Double Fork Ridge, subdue its three demons, and travel on foot.
• Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong went to the village, where Tang Sanzang reassured the frightened villagers and accepted a vegetarian meal.
• Sun Wukong ate and drank at the village chief's home while Tang Sanzang asked if he had tried dishes made from tiger, cattle, and bear.
• Tang Sanzang admitted he intended to kill and eat the three demons, then turned toward the village entrance with murderous intent.

Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong returned to Double Fork Ridge after three months of clearing bandits and demons, then confronted the three demons who had preyed on humans. Just as Sun Wukong prepared to kill them, Maitreya Buddha appeared.

• Sun Wukong killed six bandits who threatened a village, while Tang Sanzang lectured him and secretly approved.
• Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong traveled east for three months, eliminating bandits and man-eating demons while guiding other demons toward immortality.
• At Double Fork Ridge, Sun Wukong teased Tang Sanzang for fleeing before, and Tang Sanzang declared that they would now subdue the three demons.
• Sun Wukong smashed the cave and defeated General Yin, Te Chushi, and Xiong Shanjun after Tang Sanzang saw human bones scattered around.
• General Yin claimed Maitreya Buddha had arranged for them to be part of the Journey to the West tribulation, and Maitreya Buddha appeared as Sun Wukong prepared to kill them.

At Double Fork Ridge, Sun Wukong fought Maitreya Buddha over the three man-eating monsters, and Guanyin Bodhisattva arrived to make him wear the Golden Fillet. The confrontation ended when Shen Gongbao appeared behind Guanyin and stopped her, leaving Sun Wukong feigning surprise at the mysterious old fisherman.

• Maitreya Buddha asked Tang Sanzang to spare General Yin, Te Chushi, and Xiong Shanjun, but Sun Wukong attacked him for defending the monsters.
• Tang Sanzang pretended to try to stop Sun Wukong while letting him beat Maitreya Buddha.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva arrived, halted Sun Wukong, and ordered him to wear the Golden Fillet.
• Sun Wukong refused Guanyin Bodhisattva's demand and sent Maitreya Buddha flying toward the Thirty-three Heavens.
• Shen Gongbao appeared behind Guanyin Bodhisattva and stopped her, while Sun Wukong pretended not to recognize him.

At Double Fork Ridge, Shen Gongbao confronted Guanyin Bodhisattva over forcing the Golden Fillet on Sun Wukong. On Tang Sanzang’s advice, Sun Wukong knelt and asked Shen Gongbao to accept him as an adopted son, leaving Shen Gongbao delighted and the Western Teachings weighing how to use their new connection.

• Shen Gongbao taunted Guanyin Bodhisattva, condemned her betrayal of the Chan Sect, and warned her not to force the Golden Fillet onto Sun Wukong.
• Tang Sanzang told Sun Wukong to make Shen Gongbao his father, and Sun Wukong understood the hint.
• Sun Wukong knelt before Shen Gongbao and asked him to accept him as an adopted son, shocking everyone watching.
• At Spirit Mountain, Future Buddha Bai Ze advised the Western Teachings not to oppose Shen Gongbao and to use Sun Wukong’s new bond to build ties with him.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp said Shen Gongbao would only be enlightening Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas agreed.
• Shen Gongbao helped Sun Wukong up and gladly accepted him as his adopted son.

Shen Gongbao gave Sun Wukong a spiritual treasure and made Guanyin Bodhisattva wear the Golden Fillet, leaving her under Wukong’s control during the Journey to the West. After Tang Sanzang advanced his cultivation, Shen Gongbao set off for Spirit Mountain to meet the Buddhas and discuss the law of fate.

• Shen Gongbao gave Sun Wukong the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, then took Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Golden Fillet and fastened it onto her head with karmic law.
• Shen Gongbao taught Sun Wukong the Golden Fillet’s incantation, and Wukong used it to subdue Guanyin Bodhisattva.
• Sun Wukong killed General Yin, Te Chushi, and Xiong Shanjun, then ordered Guanyin Bodhisattva to prepare the demons as food.
• Tang Sanzang ate with Shen Gongbao and Sun Wukong and reached the peak of the Heavenly Immortal realm.
• Future Buddha Bai Ze and the other Buddhas sent an invitation for Shen Gongbao to come to Spirit Mountain, and Shen Gongbao accepted despite suspecting a trap.

Demon Ancestor Luohu learned that Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong were heading toward Eagle Sorrow Ravine and ordered White Tiger to watch them and secretly spread the Demon Sect’s teachings. Luohu then entered the Demon Realm to confront the imprisoned Beast Emperor Shen Ni, whose survival and resentment he had kept hidden.

• A Gengjin-armored messenger reported that Tang Sanzang had taken Sun Wukong as a disciple and was heading toward Eagle Sorrow Ravine, while both travelers harbored doubts about the Buddhist sect.
• Eastern Emperor Taiyi proposed turning the Journey to the West into a quest for the Devil Dao, but Demon Lord Chonglou urged caution because the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods’ evil thoughts would soon threaten the Primordial World.
• Demon Ancestor Luohu rejected plans to rule the Primordial World, ordered White Tiger to monitor the Pilgrim and plant Dao Heart Demonic Seeds, and declared that the Demon Sect would destroy the Mystic Gate after the Eighty-One Tribulations.
• Luohu reflected that the Primordial World would ultimately be destroyed by his hand, then entered the heart of the Demon Realm to pursue the evil thoughts of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods.
• Luohu revealed that he had secretly preserved Beast Emperor Shen Ni’s soul and rebuilt his body, while Shen Ni denounced him for keeping him imprisoned and blamed him for the Fierce Beast Clan’s failure.

Demon Ancestor Luohu freed Shen Ni and secured his cooperation by binding him with a Dao Heart Demonic Seed, then brought him back to the Primordial World. After Shen Ni learned how powerful the world’s new figures had become, the two entered the depths of the Heavenly Dao Origin, where Dong Wanggong awaited them.

• Demon Ancestor Luohu offered Shen Ni power and freedom in exchange for helping him destroy the Primordial World, and Shen Ni agreed while accepting the Dao Heart Demonic Seed.
• Demon Ancestor Luohu gave Shen Ni the core of the Demon Realm, and the two emerged in the Primordial World amid strange celestial phenomena.
• Shen Ni surveyed the changed world and learned from Demon Ancestor Luohu about Immortal Emperor East King Duke and the death of Old Ancestor Yangmei.
• Jieyin and Zhunti appeared, greeted Shen Ni, and quickly departed after Shen Ni suggested they join Demon Ancestor Luohu.
• Demon Ancestor Luohu and Shen Ni traveled into the depths of the Heavenly Dao Origin, where Dong Wanggong waited for them.

Dong Wanggong met Demon Ancestor Luohu and Beast Emperor Shen Ni in the depths of the Heavenly Dao, where Dao Ancestor Hongjun revealed he had merged with the Dao. Shen Ni exposed the remnants of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods, and Dong Wanggong left him face-to-face with Supreme Being Shanggu.

• Dong Wanggong greeted Demon Ancestor Luohu and Beast Emperor Shen Ni, then admitted he had only just learned Shen Ni survived the Fierce Beast Calamity.
• Demon Ancestor Luohu claimed they had come to help Dao Ancestor Hongjun remove the remnants of the Three Thousand Chaos Demon Gods.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun appeared and revealed he had merged with the Dao, reaching the late stage of the Limitless Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin.
• Shen Ni warned that the remnants had tainted Hongjun's Dao Heart and summoned Supreme Being Shanggu, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Limitless Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin.
• Dong Wanggong used his magic power to place Shen Ni directly before Supreme Being Shanggu, while Hongjun warned that the remnants could become a Half-step Hunyuan Great Dao being when the Immeasurable Kalpa Tribulation arrived.

Dong Wanggong revealed that Pangu had transcended the Great Dao, then chose to help Shen Ni remove Supreme Being Shanggu’s power from Dao Ancestor Hongjun in exchange for the final Jade Plate of Creation fragment. He offered Shen Ni a chance to grow stronger, provoking Shanggu, whom he slapped away.

• Dong Wanggong told Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Demon Ancestor Luohu, Shen Ni, and Supreme Being Shanggu that Pangu had survived and transcended the Great Dao.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun feared Pangu might judge him for his role in past tribulations, but Dong Wanggong reassured him that Pangu held no grudge.
• The System offered Dong Wanggong a choice between learning the Reincarnation Chaos Demon God’s location and obtaining the final Jade Plate of Creation fragment; he chose the fragment.
• Shen Ni asked whether Dong Wanggong and Dao Ancestor Hongjun would let him remove Shanggu’s power from Hongjun, and Dong Wanggong agreed in exchange for Shen Ni helping refine Shanggu’s essence.
• Dong Wanggong promised Shen Ni a chance to reach the Limitless Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal of the Origin, then slapped Supreme Being Shanggu away when he attacked.

East Wanggong restrained Supreme Being Shanggu while Shen Ni helped Dao Ancestor Hongjun purge the evil, ominous power. Afterward, Hongjun offered Shen Ni Yujing Mountain as a dojo, while Shen Ni remained bound by Demon Ancestor Luohu’s Dao Heart Demonic Seed.

• East Wanggong restrained Supreme Being Shanggu with Dao principles and restrictive orders, then told Shen Ni to act.
• Shen Ni drew the evil, ominous power out of Dao Ancestor Hongjun and merged it into himself despite Shanggu’s demands that he join him.
• East Wanggong confronted Demon Ancestor Luohu about planting a Dao Heart Demonic Seed in Shen Ni and said Shen Ni had a fated connection with the Hongmeng Immortal Palace.
• Demon Ancestor Luohu threatened East Wanggong, but East Wanggong’s pressure made Luohu spit blood.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun regained a pure Dao heart after Shen Ni purged the evil power and thanked him.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun offered Shen Ni Yujing Mountain as a dojo as Shen Ni considered turning over a new leaf, though Luohu’s seed still threatened him.

Dong Wanggong rescued Shen Ni from Luohu and Shanggu, removed the Dao Heart Demonic Seed, and helped Shen Ni gain a chance to advance. He then left with Hongjun to meet Haotian and seek the final fragment of the Jade Disk of Creation.

• Shen Ni renounced Luohu’s plans and declared he would cultivate in seclusion, prompting Luohu to attack him and try to turn him into a puppet.
• Shen Ni escaped Luohu and rushed into the remnants of the Chaos Demon Gods, where Shanggu tried to absorb him.
• Dong Wanggong froze the area with his Space-Time Dao Principles, freed Shen Ni, and devoured the Dao Heart Demonic Seed, raising the God Punishing Dao Domain’s Growth Value to 73%.
• Dong Wanggong imprisoned Shanggu and urged Shen Ni to absorb Shanggu’s origin and pursue a breakthrough, while Luohu fled after vomiting blood.
• Hongjun praised Dong Wanggong for gaining Shen Ni as a powerful subordinate, and the two left for the Chaos Void to meet Haotian at Zixiao Palace.
• Haotian greeted Hongjun as his master and welcomed Dong Wanggong as his brother-in-law.

Dong Wanggong presented the final fragment of the Jade Disk of Creation, allowing Haotian to prove the Dao and become a Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal. He then discussed using the three Chaos Supreme Treasures to uncover Pangu’s divine thought and recruit Yuanshi to the Hongmeng Immortal Palace, while inviting Dao Ancestor Hongjun to retire at Penglai Immortal Island.

• Dong Wanggong showed Dao Ancestor Hongjun the final fragment of the Jade Disk of Creation, and it merged with the disk inside Haotian.
• Haotian comprehended the Immortal Dao and formed a Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, then flaunted his power across the Primordial World before Dao Ancestor Hongjun stopped his display.
• Dong Wanggong asked whether the Jade Disk revealed Pangu’s divine thought, and Dao Ancestor Hongjun realized he planned to gather all three Chaos Supreme Treasures and learn about the Hongmeng World.
• Dong Wanggong and Dao Ancestor Hongjun agreed that Haotian should visit Yuanshi and persuade him to join the Hongmeng Immortal Palace.
• Dong Wanggong invited Dao Ancestor Hongjun to move the Zixiao Palace to Penglai Immortal Island and enjoy a peaceful retirement, while Haotian said he wanted the same life.

Haotian returned to the Heavenly Court after Hongjun and Dong Wanggong pressured him to hold a Dao-attainment ceremony announcing Pangu’s survival and helping Dong Wanggong advance. Shen Ni joined Dong Wanggong’s Hongmeng Immortal Palace, while Haotian resumed his duties and began inviting powerful figures to the ceremony.

• Hongjun and Dong Wanggong pushed Haotian to hold a Dao-attainment ceremony for the Primordial Wilderness’s great powers.
• Shen Ni arrived at Zixiao Palace, pledged allegiance to Dong Wanggong, and asked to become his disciple.
• Dong Wanggong accepted Shen Ni into the Hongmeng Immortal Palace and told him that Qiongqi would continue cultivating under him.
• Hongjun, Shen Ni, and Dong Wanggong left for Penglai Immortal Island, while Haotian returned alone to the Heavenly Court.
• Haotian ordered Taibai Jinxing to invite Vermillion Bird of Mount Nanming to his Dao-attainment ceremony.

Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong reached Guanyin Monastery, where Tang Sanzang recognized the monks’ greed and the suffering behind the monastery’s splendor. After meeting the boastful Elder Jinchi, Tang Sanzang showed off his treasures, and Sun Wukong handed Jinchi the Purple Gold Alms Bowl.

• Sun Wukong told Tang Sanzang about Guanyin Monastery, and Huanglong complained about Tang Sanzang secretly eating meat and using Huanglong’s blood and flesh to strengthen himself.
• Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong arrived at the extravagant monastery, where Tang Sanzang sensed the buried dead and Sun Wukong detected greed among the monks.
• Tang Sanzang ordered Sun Wukong and Huanglong to help him clean house, then asked the monks for lodging and vegetarian food.
• A monk led the travelers inside while eyeing their possessions, and Elder Jinchi arrived to welcome Tang Sanzang and boast about his prized teacup.
• Tang Sanzang described his Brocade Cassock, Nine-Ringed Monk’s Staff, and Purple Gold Alms Bowl, then had Sun Wukong hand the bowl to the excited Elder Jinchi.