Chapter Summaries

At Guanyin Monastery, Sun Wukong and Huanglong discovered that Elder Jinchi secretly practiced a Devil Dao method fueled by greed, and they tested him by letting him borrow Tang Sanzang’s treasures. After Tang Sanzang revealed that eating his flesh could grant immortality, Elder Jinchi succumbed to his Desire Heart Demon, while Sun Wukong planned to let the monks capture Tang Sanzang to provoke the next tribulation.

• Elder Jinchi struggled to resist the Greed Heart Demon that had grown stronger through his secret Devil Dao cultivation.
• Huanglong sensed demonic energy in Elder Jinchi, and Sun Wukong proposed testing him by lending him Tang Sanzang’s treasures.
• Tang Sanzang handed Elder Jinchi the Brocade Cassock, Nine-Ringed Monk’s Staff, and Purple Gold Alms Bowl, then asked about nearby demons.
• Elder Jinchi told Tang Sanzang about the Black Bear Spirit at Black Wind Cave, hoping the travelers would confront or be defeated by him.
• Tang Sanzang revealed that eating his flesh could grant immortality, causing Elder Jinchi to merge with the Desire Heart Demon.
• Sun Wukong, Huanglong, and Tang Sanzang set up a barrier in the monks’ quarters, and Sun Wukong told Tang Sanzang not to resist if the monks captured him.

Elder Jinchi secretly abducted Tang Sanzang and planted the Black Bear Spirit’s fur as evidence, while Sun Wukong and Huanglong went to investigate the monastery’s stolen treasures. Before they could find the Black Bear Spirit, a shadow stole everything valuable from Guanyin Monastery, and Wukong and Huanglong returned to find Elder Jinchi in distress.

• Tang Sanzang borrowed Sun Wukong’s Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner for protection, and the group pretended to sleep in separate meditation rooms.
• Elder Jinchi used demonic energy to knock Tang Sanzang unconscious and carry him away, leaving Black Bear Spirit fur behind.
• Sun Wukong and Huanglong suspected Elder Jinchi and went with a monk to inspect Guanyin Monastery’s vault.
• Elder Jinchi privately admitted that he had framed the Black Bear Spirit and hoped Wukong and Huanglong would kill it.
• Sun Wukong and Huanglong left for Black Wind Mountain, and a shadow stole the vault and the monastery’s other valuables.
• Sun Wukong and Huanglong returned to Guanyin Monastery as Elder Jinchi prepared to chase the shadow.

Sun Wukong and Huanglong left Guanyin Monastery after framing the Black Bear Spirit for the stolen treasure, while they recognized Elder Jinchi as the real culprit. At Spirit Mountain, Shen Gongbao arranged for the Buddhas to observe the pilgrims, and the vision revealed Tang Sanzang bound in a cave.

• Sun Wukong told Elder Jinchi that he and Huanglong had arrived too late to stop the Black Bear Spirit from stealing the monastery’s treasures, then left for Black Wind Mountain.
• Huanglong realized Elder Jinchi had abducted Tang Sanzang and blamed the Black Bear Spirit, while Sun Wukong explained that Tang Sanzang was protected and they should meet the bear spirit.
• At Spirit Mountain, Buddha Tathagata and Future Buddha Bai Ze agreed to attend Haotian’s ceremony, while Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp stayed behind to watch over the pilgrimage.
• Shen Gongbao suggested that the Buddhas observe Tang Sanzang and the other pilgrims, and he and Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp conjured a vision of Guanyin Monastery.
• Shen Gongbao shifted the vision to a cave, where the Buddhas saw Tang Sanzang tied to a pillar.

Tang Sanzang discovered that Elder Jinchi had become a True Demon, prompting the Western Teachings to blame the Demon Sect and plan a rescue. Shen Gongbao stopped Guanyin Bodhisattva from going, sending Sun Wukong and Huanglong Zhenren to deal with Elder Jinchi first.

• Tang Sanzang confronted Elder Jinchi in a cave filled with skeletons, and Elder Jinchi revealed that he had cultivated the True Demon of Desire and become a True Demon.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp demanded an explanation from Guanyin Bodhisattva, who blamed the Demon Sect for corrupting Elder Jinchi.
• Buddha Burning Lamp agreed with Guanyin Bodhisattva and ordered her to rescue Tang Sanzang, while privately implying that Elder Jinchi should perish if he refused to repent.
• Shen Gongbao called out to Guanyin Bodhisattva, then proposed that his adopted son Sun Wukong and Huanglong Zhenren handle Elder Jinchi first.
• Shen Gongbao said Sun Wukong and Huanglong Zhenren could manage the danger and revealed that he wanted them to claim the merit and fortune from overcoming the tribulation.

Shen Gongbao persuaded the Buddhas to let events unfold while he investigated the Devil Dao mastermind, as Elder Jinchi tried to devour Tang Sanzang and claim the title of Supreme Golden Pool True Demon Buddha. Tang Sanzang survived with the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, while Sun Wukong and Huanglong relaxed at Black Wind Cave with Black Bear Spirit.

• Shen Gongbao convinced the Buddhas to let Guanyin Bodhisattva observe in secret and promised to trace the source of Elder Jinchi's cultivation method.
• Elder Jinchi took Tang Sanzang's three treasures and declared himself the Supreme Golden Pool True Demon Buddha before trying to devour him.
• The Buddhas worried that Tang Sanzang could not defeat Elder Jinchi, but Shen Gongbao trusted Sun Wukong to have arranged protection.
• The Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner appeared around Tang Sanzang, broke his Devil Dao chains, and forced Elder Jinchi to retreat.
• At Black Wind Cave, Sun Wukong and Huanglong drank and watched the dancing with Black Bear Spirit instead of confronting him.

Sun Wukong revealed that Shen Gongbao was his adoptive father, persuading the Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit to help rescue Tang Sanzang from Jinchi. They set out for Guanyin Monastery, while the author noted that the Journey to the West tribulation would receive more detail and that Dong Wanggong would appear occasionally.

• Sun Wukong offered the Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit Heavenly Dao Merit if they helped rescue Tang Sanzang and kill Jinchi.
• The three spirits worried that attacking Jinchi would draw the Western Teachings' wrath, so Sun Wukong revealed that Shen Gongbao was his adoptive father.
• Huanglong confirmed Shen Gongbao's connection to Sun Wukong and revealed his own identity as a fallen Heavenly Origin Sect Golden Immortal.
• The Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit agreed to help and bowed to Sun Wukong as the Young Lord.
• Sun Wukong and Huanglong led the three spirits toward Guanyin Monastery to rescue Tang Sanzang.

Sun Wukong and his companions uncovered Elder Jinchi’s lair beneath Guanyin Monastery and confronted him for his crimes. The Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit fought Jinchi while Tang Sanzang delivered the souls of his victims.

• Ling Xuzi sensed Jinchi’s demonic intent beneath Guanyin Monastery, and Sun Wukong moved the monastery aside without harming its monks.
• The Black Bear Spirit split open the earth and exposed Jinchi’s cave, while Ling Xuzi swept away its demonic qi with Confucian Righteous Qi.
• Elder Jinchi emerged as a towering demon, and Tang Sanzang confirmed he was unharmed and continued reciting the Sutra of Rebirth for the dead.
• Sun Wukong entrusted the fight to the Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit so they could earn Heaven’s Dao Merit.
• The Black Bear Spirit attacked with his spear, Ling Xuzi used Confucian classics to resist Jinchi’s temptations, and the White Snake Flower Spirit struck with venom as Huanglong praised their teamwork.

Tang Sanzang finished purifying the vengeful spirits, accepted stolen treasures and golden pills, and began cultivating while Sun Wukong and Huanglong discussed turning the pilgrimage into an opportunity to build connections. As Ling Xuzi and Black Bear Spirit gained the upper hand against Elder Jinchi, Huanglong reflected on Black Bear Spirit’s potential.

• Tang Sanzang asked whether Sun Wukong had stolen Guanyin Monastery’s treasury, and Sun Wukong showed him the treasures, which Tang Sanzang considered using to spread Confucianism.
• Huanglong gave Tang Sanzang two golden pills, and Tang Sanzang swallowed them and began cultivating as Sun Wukong guarded him.
• Sun Wukong complained about Tang Sanzang but blocked demonic energy from reaching him, while Huanglong urged the group to build connections and earn merit during the pilgrimage.
• Sun Wukong embraced Huanglong’s plan to make helpers pay with rare treasures, but Huanglong rejected the ominous nicknames Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix.
• Black Bear Spirit knocked Elder Jinchi into the abyss, while Ling Xuzi took the Nine-Ringed Monk’s Staff and Purple Gold Alms Bowl and Black Bear Spirit seized the Brocade Cassock.
• Black Bear Spirit pressed his attack on Elder Jinchi, and Huanglong praised his potential to reach the Quasi-Saint realm if a powerful Wu Race figure trained him.

Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit killed Elder Jinchi and trapped the Desire Heart Demon. Mencius appeared, accepted Ling Xuzi as his disciple, and heard Tang Sanzang propose using the recovered treasures to establish schools in remote regions.

• Black Bear Spirit, Ling Xuzi, and the White Snake Flower Spirit crushed Elder Jinchi's body and destroyed his True Spirit, killing him.
• Sun Wukong, Huanglong, and Ling Xuzi blocked the Desire Heart Demon from escaping and sealed it with a barrier and Confucian chains.
• Mencius appeared and tested Ling Xuzi's understanding of Confucian sayings, and Ling Xuzi answered with jokes before asking to become his disciple.
• Mencius accepted Ling Xuzi as his personal disciple and urged him to put the people first and hold compassion in his heart.
• Tang Sanzang offered Mencius the gold and silver treasures and suggested using them to establish academies that would teach Huaxia civilization and virtues to remote peoples.

Tang Sanzang advocated building academies instead of golden Buddha statues, while Mencius and the others gathered to reward the three spirits with mentors and cultivation opportunities. The chapter ended as Heavenly Dao Destiny and Merit descended upon Ling Xuzi, the Black Bear Spirit, and the White Snake Flower Spirit.

• Tang Sanzang proposed establishing academies to enlighten the people, and Mencius thanked him.
• Shen Gongbao greeted Sun Wukong, accepted the White Snake Flower Spirit as his disciple, and taught him the Shangqing Dao Method.
• War God Xing Tian invited the Black Bear Spirit to cultivate with him, agreed to bring Cuihua, and gave him Ancestral Witch Zhu Rong's essence blood.
• Buddha Tathagata lamented the Western Teachings' losses, while Burning Lamp Buddha said Tang Sanzang and his disciples had learned the hidden truth of the Journey to the West.
• Sun Wukong noticed Heavenly Dao Merit and Destiny descending upon Ling Xuzi, the Black Bear Spirit, and the White Snake Flower Spirit.

Black Bear Spirit and his companions broke through using Heavenly Dao Merit, while Shen Gongbao investigated the Desire Heart Demon that had corrupted Elder Jinchi. Buddha Tathagata agreed to pursue the investigation despite his concerns about provoking the Demon Sect, leaving Shen Gongbao poised to uncover who was behind the incident.

• Black Bear Spirit reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, while Ling Xuzi and White Snake Flower Spirit advanced to its late stage.
• War God Xing Tian took Black Bear Spirit away, and Mencius and Ling Xuzi departed to establish academies and spread Confucianism.
• Future Buddha Bai Ze examined the Desire Heart Demon, but Shen Gongbao removed its influence before it could affect him.
• Shen Gongbao identified the Demon Sect at Mount Sumeru as a possible source of the Desire Heart Demon and offered to investigate its master.
• Buddha Tathagata urged caution, but Great Sun Supreme Bright Buddha Lu Ya insisted on exposing the culprit, and Tathagata agreed to let Shen Gongbao begin the investigation.

Shen Gongbao uncovered the identity of the figure who had created the Desire Heart Demon: Sacred Beast White Tiger, a Demon Ancestor Luohu ally. His investigation brought Old Ancestor Cangtian into view, setting the stage for a confrontation between the two ancient enemies.

• Burning Lamp Buddha insulted Eastern Emperor Taiyi to spite Lu Ya, and Shen Gongbao mocked Lu Ya for his loyalty to the Western Teachings.
• Shen Gongbao used the Law of Cause and Effect on the Desire Heart Demon and revealed a Gengjin-armored figure who had placed the Devil Dao cultivation method in Elder Jinchi's meditation chamber.
• Shen Gongbao identified the figure as Sacred Beast White Tiger, and he explained to Sun Wukong that Old Ancestor Cangtian was an ancient expert with an extraordinarily deep foundation.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian appeared, and Sacred Beast White Tiger confronted him, recalling their long history of enmity.

Old Ancestor Cangtian and Sacred Beast White Tiger declared their motives for a future battle while the Western Teachings confronted White Tiger over his role in the Journey to the West Tribulation. Huanglong and Lu Ya mocked Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp, leaving Tang Sanzang to rebuke Huanglong without changing his cautious stance toward the Western Teachings.

• Old Ancestor Cangtian said he would avenge Azure Heaven and Yellow Heaven after the Western Teachings settled the matter of the Desire Heart Demon, while White Tiger said he wanted Cangtian’s Gengjin origin.
• Tathagata and Burning Lamp prepared to confront White Tiger, who defended the Demon Sect’s participation in the pilgrimage and said he had spread demonic teachings along its route.
• Huanglong insulted Burning Lamp, and Tang Sanzang threatened to expel him from the Buddha Sect unless he stopped; Huanglong apologized.
• Lu Ya laughed at Huanglong’s insults, repeated them while pretending to defend Burning Lamp, and insisted he would punish Huanglong later.

Sacred Beast White Tiger fought the Western Teachings’ four Buddhas, but Future Buddha Bai Ze’s Great Destiny-Severing Technique destroyed his Destiny Dao Fruit. White Tiger then transcended the River of Destiny by attaining the Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal Dao, and Old Ancestor Cangtian revealed that he could do the same.

• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp attacked Sacred Beast White Tiger with the Qiankun Ruler and Spirit Coffin Lamp, but White Tiger tried to force him to kneel.
• Buddha Tathagata struck White Tiger with Tathagata’s Divine Palm, badly injuring his body, and White Tiger healed himself and drew the Nirvana Demonic Saber.
• Great Sun Supreme Bright Buddha Lu Ya and Future Buddha Bai Ze joined the attack, and Bai Ze used the Great Destiny-Severing Technique to destroy White Tiger’s Destiny Dao Fruit.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian told Shen Gongbao that White Tiger could survive by attaining the Hunyuan Dao, and White Tiger completed his Dao Fruit and transcended the River of Destiny.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian then transformed his Gengjin Law into Gengjin Dao Principles and attained the Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal Dao.

Dong Wanggong, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and Heavenly Burial Demon Emperor speculated that the Demon Sect planned to attack the Western Teachings during the Journey to the West Tribulation. Meanwhile, Sacred Beast White Tiger defeated four Buddhist figures and rejected Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp’s offer to share the Heavenly Dao Destiny and merit.

• Dong Wanggong warned Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Heavenly Burial Demon Emperor that the Demon Sect was plotting against the Western Teachings, possibly through Demon Lord Chonglou or Eastern Emperor Taiyi.
• Dao Ancestor Hongjun and Heavenly Burial Demon Emperor discussed the Two Sages of the West and the fate of their teachings.
• Sacred Beast White Tiger defeated Lu Ya, trapped him in a cage, and left Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp and Buddha Tathagata gravely injured.
• Buddha Tathagata asked Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp to call for reinforcements, but Burning Lamp tried to negotiate with Sacred Beast White Tiger instead.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp offered to split the Heavenly Dao Destiny and merit, but Sacred Beast White Tiger refused and declared that the Demon Sect would claim them even if the four Buddhists died.

Saints Zhunti and Jieyin overpowered the Sacred Beast White Tiger and took his Nirvana Demonic Saber, while Old Ancestor Cangtian moved to kill him. At Mount Sumeru, Beast Emperor Shen Ni and Qiongqi confronted Demon Ancestor Luohu and forbade him from undermining the Western Teachings before the Journey to the West trials.

• Saint Zhunti used Heavenly Authority to pin down the Sacred Beast White Tiger and warned him not to challenge the Western Teachings.
• Saint Jieyin seized the Nirvana Demonic Saber, purified its demonic aura, and renamed it the Namo Demon Suppressing Saber.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian challenged the wounded Sacred Beast White Tiger, who called for Demon Ancestor Luohu to save him.
• Beast Emperor Shen Ni confronted Demon Ancestor Luohu at Mount Sumeru, and Luohu admitted he could not match Shen Ni's power.
• Qiongqi delivered the Immortal Emperor's decree, warning Luohu not to use Bai Ze and Lu Ya to divide the Western Teachings ahead of the Journey to the West trials.

Old Ancestor Cangtian fought the Sacred Beast White Tiger while the Two Sages of the West ended the crisis surrounding their sect and sent Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong onward. The chapter left Bai Ze and Lu Ya under the Sages’ supervision and Zhunti puzzled by Wutian’s influence over the pilgrimage.

• The Sacred Beast White Tiger attacked Old Ancestor Cangtian after Luohu failed to answer his plea, and the two fought amid the shattered void.
• Saint Jieyin reassured Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp, then suspected Future Buddha Bai Ze and Great Sun Supreme Bright Buddha Lu Ya of being vulnerable to the Demon Sect.
• Shen Gongbao accused the Two Sages of playing good cop and bad cop, then left for Golden Ao Island with the White Snake Flower Spirit.
• Saint Zhunti sent Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong back onto their journey toward Spirit Mountain and wondered what Wutian was trying to do.
• Saint Jieyin ordered Bai Ze and Lu Ya to stop handling the Journey to the West Tribulation and stay by the Two Sages to cultivate Buddhist Dharma.

Old Ancestor Cangtian killed Sacred Beast White Tiger after stopping him from draining the Primordial World's origin, then used his remains to forge the Sky Abyss Sword into a Chaos Spirit Treasure. He left for Mount Sumeru at Dong Wanggong's instruction, while White Tiger's body became a mountain in the far west.

• Sacred Beast White Tiger tried to draw on the Primordial World's origin and Earth Veins, but Old Ancestor Cangtian used the Tai Xu Divine Armor to interrupt him and suppress his power.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian killed Sacred Beast White Tiger, returned his Way of Slaughter to Heaven and Earth, and combined his Gengjin Origin with selected body parts.
• Old Ancestor Cangtian broke through to the mid-stage of the Hunyuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm and asked Dong Wanggong to help upgrade his life-bound sword.
• Dong Wanggong used the Chaos Green Lotus and Jade Disk of Creation to temper the sword into a Mid-grade Chaos Spirit Treasure, completing the Sky Abyss Sword.
• Dong Wanggong ordered Old Ancestor Cangtian to visit Demon Ancestor Luohu at Mount Sumeru and then bring Beast Emperor Shen Ni and Qiongqi to Penglai Immortal Island.
• Sacred Beast White Tiger's corpse became White Tiger Sacred Mountain, while Saint Zhunti returned to Spirit Mountain with Future Buddha Bai Ze and Great Sun Supreme Bright Buddha Lu Ya.

Tang Sanzang trained his body on the journey west while Sun Wukong and Huanglong helped him absorb Sacred Beast White Tiger blood. The three reached Gao Family Village, where Sun Wukong found Zhu Ganglie visiting Gao Cuilan and teased him for staying outside her window.

• Tang Sanzang carried the Ruyi Jingu Bang and endured Sacred Beast White Tiger blood to strengthen his body, hoping to reach the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
• Sun Wukong explained that the blood would make Tang Sanzang's body comparable to an ordinary Dragon Clan Grand Unity Golden Immortal, while he and Huanglong possessed bodies on par with Quasi-Saints.
• Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong continued west toward Gao Family Village, troubled by the possibility that Golden Cicada might replace Tang Sanzang at Western Spirit Mountain.
• Zhu Ganglie visited Gao Cuilan's bedroom window, lamenting that he could not openly be with her after their wedding was called off.
• Sun Wukong appeared in a tree beside Gao Mansion, teased Zhu Ganglie for being timid, and explained that he and his companions had arrived seeking a place to stay.

Zhu Ganglie reunited with Gao Cuilan before joining Tang Sanzang’s journey west as Zhu Bajie. After the group encountered a Demon Tiger, Tang Sanzang subdued it and ordered Zhu Bajie to kill and cook it.

• Sun Wukong transformed Zhu Ganglie into his former Marshal Tianpeng appearance, and Zhu Ganglie reunited with Gao Cuilan in private.
• Three days later, Zhu Ganglie accepted Tang Sanzang as his master, received the religious name Wuneng, and became Zhu Bajie.
• Zhu Bajie said Tang Sanzang should fight demons himself, but Tang Sanzang insisted he was an ordinary, weak monk.
• After traveling west for more than ten days, the group encountered a stinking Demon Tiger that pounced on Tang Sanzang.
• Tang Sanzang subdued the Demon Tiger with Buddhist magic and ordered Zhu Bajie to kill, skin, and stew it, leaving Zhu Bajie protesting that monks were not allowed to kill.