Chapter Summaries

Sun Wukong let Great King Yellow Wind capture Tang Sanzang, while he, Zhu Bajie, and Huanglong calmly ate the tiger demon. In Yellow Wind Cave, the Great King sought a way to eat Tang Sanzang without triggering the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, and a little demon suggested his hemorrhoids.

• Sun Wukong summoned Yellow Wind Ridge’s mountain god, who revealed that Great King Yellow Wind was a yellow weasel who had stolen oil from the Glazed Lamp before Buddha.
• Tang Sanzang sent Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie away, confident that his treasures would protect him, and Great King Yellow Wind swept him off to Yellow Wind Cave.
• Zhu Bajie panicked at Tang Sanzang’s disappearance, but Sun Wukong said the capture was part of the plan and began eating the tiger meat with Zhu Bajie and Huanglong.
• Great King Yellow Wind explained that Tang Sanzang’s flesh could help him attain a true form, but worried that the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner would protect the monk.
• A little demon suggested that Great King Yellow Wind eat Tang Sanzang’s hemorrhoids instead of killing him, hoping to avoid triggering the banner.

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie stormed Yellow Wind Cave to rescue Tang Sanzang, but Great King Yellow Wind defeated them with poisonous gas and sand. Huanglong and White Crane Boy waited nearby, planning to let the fight unfold until Buddhist reinforcements arrived.

• A cat demon tried to drain Tang Sanzang’s yang essence while the other monsters threatened him.
• Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie broke into Yellow Wind Cave and slaughtered its monsters after Sun Wukong discovered the Human Race skeletons inside.
• Great King Yellow Wind fought Zhu Bajie while Sun Wukong pretended to expect defeat so Huanglong’s summoned allies could intervene.
• Great King Yellow Wind knocked Zhu Bajie and Tang Sanzang unconscious with poisonous gas, then wounded Sun Wukong with yellow sand and sealed all three inside a barrier.
• Huanglong told White Crane Boy to stay hidden until he had lost, then descended to the tree where Tang Sanzang had disappeared.

Huanglong took Bodhisattva Lingji’s Wind-Calming Pearl and entered Yellow Wind Cave to confront Great King Yellow Wind. After White Crane Boy arrived to help, Huanglong revealed that he had kept the pearl and refused to let Lingji take it back.

• Bodhisattva Lingji offered Huanglong the Wind-Calming Pearl, but Huanglong took it and drove Lingji to follow him to Yellow Wind Cave.
• Huanglong used the pearl against Great King Yellow Wind, who broke his Three-Pronged Steel Pitchfork and unleashed yellow sand; Huanglong pretended the pearl had been destroyed and called for help.
• Great King Yellow Wind exhausted his yellow sand and celebrated after Huanglong and Lingji crashed out of the cave.
• White Crane Boy arrived, offered to help defeat Great King Yellow Wind, and helped Huanglong and Lingji to their feet.
• Huanglong showed Lingji a Wind-Calming Pearl and dodged when Lingji tried to reclaim it.

White Crane Boy killed Great King Yellow Wind for slaughtering humans, earning most of the Heavenly Dao Merit and Destiny while Bodhisattva Lingji received little. Back at Spirit Mountain, Lingji complained, and Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp instructed the Buddhist figures to seek opportunities to intervene in the pilgrims’ future trials.

• White Crane Boy rejected Guanyin Bodhisattva and Bodhisattva Lingji’s pleas for mercy, then destroyed Great King Yellow Wind for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of humans.
• Heavenly Dao Merit and Destiny flowed to White Crane Boy, the Mountain God of Yellow Wind Ridge, and Bodhisattva Lingji, with White Crane Boy receiving eighty-five percent and Lingji only five percent.
• Zhu Bajie mocked Lingji for complaining about his small reward, and Sun Wukong joined in before Lingji departed for Spirit Mountain.
• Bodhisattva Lingji complained to Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp, Buddha Tathagata, and the other Buddhist figures about losing the Wind-Calming Pearl and receiving little merit.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp told Guanyin Bodhisattva to arrange for the Buddhist figures to watch the pilgrims and intervene in future demon encounters for merit.

Tang Sanzang and his companions reached Flowing Sand River, where Zhu Bajie met the Curtain Rolling General and brought him to the group. Tang Sanzang learned that the nine skulls around the general’s neck belonged to his first nine incarnations, then accepted him as a disciple and named him Sha Wujing.

• Zhu Bajie volunteered to explore Flowing Sand River after Sun Wukong persuaded him to go.
• Zhu Bajie found the Curtain Rolling General’s luxurious underwater residence and was welcomed inside.
• Zhu Bajie summoned Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Huanglong to the residence aboard Shang Bao Qin Jin Pa, transformed into a treasure ship.
• Tang Sanzang ordered the Curtain Rolling General to remove his skull necklace, and the general revealed that the skulls belonged to Tang Sanzang’s first nine incarnations, whom he had eaten.
• Tang Sanzang accepted the Curtain Rolling General as his disciple and gave him the Dharma name Wujing.

Old Mother Lishan joined Guanyin, Lingji, and Manjushri in arranging a trial for the pilgrims, while Haotian visited Primordial Heavenly Venerate to tempt him with the Jade Disk of Creation and explain why Hongjun had lost hope in his disciples. Haotian left Primordial Heavenly Venerate shaken by the revelation that East King Duke had completed the treasure and that Hongjun had concealed his plans from him.

• After the pilgrims crossed the Flowing Sand River, Guanyin, Lingji, and Manjushri asked Old Mother Lishan to help arrange their next trial, offering her four tenths of its merit and destiny.
• Old Mother Lishan agreed, and the four created a manor ahead of the pilgrims and disguised themselves as women.
• At Jade Void Palace, Haotian visited Primordial Heavenly Venerate and suggested he could raise his cultivation, then revealed the Jade Disk of Creation.
• Haotian told Primordial Heavenly Venerate that East King Duke had completed the Jade Disk and that Hongjun had condensed the embryonic form of the Great Dao.
• Haotian explained that Hongjun had once been unable to intervene in the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation and had lost hope in his disciples after their conflict caused grievous losses.

Haotian told Primordial Heavenly Venerate about the Hongmeng Immortal Palace’s secrets and Dong Wanggong’s power, persuading him to seek a place in the palace. Primordial Heavenly Venerate learned that Pangu was alive and asked Haotian for a way to join without losing face; Haotian said they would start with Old Mother Lishan.

• Haotian explained that Primordial Heavenly Venerate would no longer get to use the Jade Disk of Creation for cultivation and that Tongtian might study it instead.
• Haotian revealed that he had come to recruit Primordial Heavenly Venerate for Dong Wanggong’s Hongmeng Immortal Palace, and Primordial Heavenly Venerate resisted out of pride.
• Haotian told Primordial Heavenly Venerate about the Heavenly Dao taking shape, the Reincarnation Alliance, the Boundless Tribulation, and Dong Wanggong’s exploits.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate agreed to join the Hongmeng Immortal Palace and asked Haotian to help him do so without losing face.
• Haotian revealed that Pangu had reached the Primordial Great Dao Realm and was alive in the Hongmeng World, then said their plan would begin with Old Mother Lishan.

Haotian and Primordial Heavenly Venerate visited Old Mother Lishan to offer her the Pangu Banner and connect her with Immortal Emperor East King Duke. Old Mother Lishan accepted Haotian’s matchmaking proposal, while Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva Lingji, and Manjushri Bodhisattva watched their plans for her unravel.

• Haotian persuaded Primordial Heavenly Venerate to give Old Mother Lishan the Pangu Banner so he could join Hongmeng Immortal Palace through her.
• Old Mother Lishan welcomed Haotian and Primordial Heavenly Venerate to her manor alongside Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva Lingji, and Manjushri Bodhisattva.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate offered Old Mother Lishan the Pangu Banner to help her advance her cultivation and carry on the Chan Sect’s legacy.
• Old Mother Lishan tried to refuse the treasure, but Haotian urged her to accept it and suggested that Immortal Emperor East King Duke might take her as a Dao Companion.
• Manjushri Bodhisattva questioned whether East King Duke had feelings for Old Mother Lishan, and Haotian said he was playing matchmaker.
• Old Mother Lishan accepted Haotian’s proposal to arrange a union with East King Duke.

Old Mother Lishan accepted Primordial Heavenly Venerate as her sworn elder brother and agreed to become Dong Wanggong’s Dao Companion, gaining the Pangu Banner and rising to Mid-stage Quasi-Saint. Haotian escorted her to meet Dong Wanggong while Guanyin Bodhisattva arranged for Barefoot Immortal to fill the remaining role in the Four Saints’ Trial.

• Primordial Heavenly Venerate gave Old Mother Lishan the Pangu Banner, accepted her as his younger sister, and promised her a dowry when she became Dong Wanggong’s Dao Companion.
• Old Mother Lishan used the Chan Sect’s destiny to reach Mid-stage Quasi-Saint, and Guanyin Bodhisattva suggested the Bodhisattvas handle the Pilgrim’s trials instead.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate urged Old Mother Lishan to leave for Penglai Immortal Island with him and Haotian, and she apologized to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva Lingji, and Manjushri Bodhisattva before departing.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva told Manjushri Bodhisattva that Barefoot Immortal would take the last role in the Four Saints’ Trial for twenty percent of the merit and destiny, requiring them to replace the widow with a widower.
• Haotian left Dong Wanggong and Old Mother Lishan alone, telling Primordial Heavenly Venerate that the new couple needed time together.

Dong Wanggong took Old Mother Lishan into the Heavenly Dao Nirvana Pool while his Dao Companions joked about his growing harem. Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples reached a manor on their journey west, where they hoped to find a meal.

• Dong Wanggong brought Old Mother Lishan into the Heavenly Dao Nirvana Pool and used the Space-Time Dao Principles to accelerate time.
• Medusa complained that Dong Wanggong had left the sisters alone, and Hu Xian'er teased her about her behavior with him.
• West Queen Mother welcomed the prospect of more Dao Companions and hoped that one of them might bear Dong Wanggong a child.
• Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong teased Tang Sanzang about his supposed romantic interests, but Tang Sanzang insisted he was devoted to obtaining the scriptures.
• Sha Heshang spotted a manor and suggested they ask for a vegetarian meal, while Huanglong made a suggestive joke that angered him.

The five disciples arrived at Barefoot Immortal’s manor, where Sha Heshang recognized the disguised immortal and warned Sun Wukong and Huanglong that a scheme was afoot. Barefoot Immortal proposed that Tang Sanzang marry one of his three daughters, leaving Zhu Bajie eager to become a live-in son-in-law.

• Sun Wukong saw through Barefoot Immortal’s disguise and recognized his powerful cultivation, while Huanglong discussed the immortal’s identity with him.
• Sha Heshang recognized Barefoot Immortal and privately confronted him, suspecting he planned to set up the five disciples.
• Barefoot Immortal begged Sha Heshang not to reveal his plan, and Sha told Sun Wukong and Huanglong they should watch quietly and strike from the shadows.
• Barefoot Immortal offered Tang Sanzang his wealth if he would stay and marry one of his daughters.
• Barefoot Immortal brought his three daughters out to meet the disciples, and Zhu Bajie volunteered to stay as a son-in-law.

Sun Wukong saw through the disguised Bodhisattvas at the estate and stopped Zhu Bajie from kissing Bodhisattva Lingji. He took Huanglong and Sha Heshang to the East Sea to obtain a lust-inducing drug and turn the Western Teachings’ scheme against them.

• Sun Wukong recognized the three daughters’ divine identities while the disguised Barefoot Immortal offered Tang Sanzang a chance to marry one of them or all three.
• Tang Sanzang urged Zhu Bajie to marry into the family, and Zhu Bajie cornered Aiai and tried to kiss her.
• Huanglong pulled Zhu Bajie away before he could kiss Aiai, whose true identity was Bodhisattva Lingji.
• Sun Wukong took Huanglong and Sha Heshang to the East Sea and explained that he planned to disrupt the Western Teachings’ schemes.
• Sun Wukong sought a lust-inducing drug from the East Sea Dragon Palace and named it “The Sow Is Also Crazy.”

Sun Wukong obtained the desire-inducing medicine The Sow is Also Crazy from Dragon King Ao Guang, then secretly sent it into Zhu Bajie’s bridal chamber while Bajie married three disguised Bodhisattvas. The chamber filled with Buddha Light after Zhu Bajie put on their pearl shirts.

• Sun Wukong visited Dragon King Ao Guang with Huanglong and Sha Wujing and received a jade bottle of The Sow is Also Crazy.
• Tang Sanzang persuaded the disguised Barefoot Immortal to let Zhu Bajie marry one daughter, but Zhu Bajie pressured him into accepting all three.
• Zhu Bajie dragged Zhenzhen, Lianlian, and Aiai into the bridal chamber, while Sun Wukong secretly sent the medicine into their bodies.
• Sun Wukong told Huanglong to fetch Gao Cuilan, Zhu Bajie’s lawful wife, and Tang Sanzang stayed behind to drink tea with the old man.
• Zhenzhen offered Zhu Bajie three pearl shirts, and after he put them on, the estate vanished beneath a sky filled with Buddha Light.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Bodhisattva Lingji fell under the effects of a powerful aphrodisiac after Zhu Bajie’s trial ended. Yang Jian, appearing as Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, rescued the Barefoot Immortal and confronted Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp, but the medicine’s effects flared again.

• Guanyin Bodhisattva pardoned Zhu Bajie and freed him from the chains of order after he admitted his guilt.
• Zhu Bajie reunited with Gao Cuilan, then carried her into the mountains to begin dual cultivation.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Bodhisattva Lingji succumbed to the aphrodisiac and pursued the Barefoot Immortal.
• Yang Jian appeared as Great Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, subdued the three Bodhisattvas, and freed the Barefoot Immortal.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp confronted Yang Jian, who challenged him to deal with the three Bodhisattvas as Heavenly Dao Merit and Destiny descended and reignited the medicine’s effects.

Yang Jian gave Barefoot Immortal a treasure that helped him become a Quasi-Saint, while Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp tried to cure three bodhisattvas affected by divine medicine. The medicine’s power overwhelmed his Funeral Dao Profound Coffin, which exploded and released it across the area.

• Yang Jian told Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp that only intimate union or help from the Two Sages of the West could cure the bodhisattvas, then gave Barefoot Immortal a Jade Ruyi from the Heavenly Emperor.
• Barefoot Immortal refined the Jade Ruyi, severed his Good Corpse, and reached Early-stage Quasi-Saint.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp used the Spirit Coffin Lamp and Funeral Dao Profound Coffin to refine and contain the divine medicine, eventually drawing its power into the coffin.
• Zhu Bajie arrived after dispelling the medicine through dual cultivation with Gao Cuilan, and told Tang Sanzang the truth behind Burning Lamp’s supposed compassion.
• The divine medicine’s power made the Funeral Dao Profound Coffin explode, releasing a torrent of red-glowing energy.

Sun Wukong admitted that he had secretly used an aphrodisiac against the Buddhist group, while Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp struggled to contain the divine medicine’s lustful aura. Yang Jian protected Tang Sanzang against a future calamity, and the chapter ended with Joyful Buddha exploding after absorbing the aura.

• Sun Wukong revealed that he had caused the lustful aura and joked about asking his uncle for more divine medicine, while Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Yang Jian, and the others learned of his scheme.
• Yang Jian placed protective seals in Tang Sanzang’s body and soul, warning that disaster would strike when he obtained the scriptures.
• Sha Heshang and Zhu Bajie declared their loyalty to Tang Sanzang as Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp struggled to force the lustful aura back into the Funeral Dao Profound Coffin.
• Buddha Tathagata arrived with Joyful Buddha, who absorbed the aura and rose from Mid-stage to Peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.
• Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp and Buddha Tathagata concluded that the Western Teachings had to admit defeat and avoid provoking the Dragon Clan, then Joyful Buddha suddenly exploded.

Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp nearly died after breaking Buddhist precepts, and Buddha Tathagata took him to Spirit Mountain to recover. Two months later, Tang Sanzang’s party arrived at Wuzhuang Temple, where they wondered what tribulation awaited them and Zhu Bajie hoped to taste a Ginseng Fruit.

• Guanyin Bodhisattva tried to tend to Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp, but he pushed her away and vomited blood as his Good Corpse exploded in his place.
• Yang Jian explained that Burning Lamp had broken the precepts against eating meat and lust, causing his Daoist heart to nearly shatter and his cultivation to fall to Late Quasi-Saint.
• Buddha Tathagata shielded Burning Lamp with Buddhist power and took him to Western Spirit Mountain, warning Guanyin Bodhisattva not to cause further trouble.
• Tang Sanzang asked why the Buddhas had not retaliated over the desire poison, and Sun Wukong said they lacked proof and could not afford to provoke the Dragon Clan.
• After two months on the road, Tang Sanzang’s party reached Longevity Mountain and Wuzhuang Temple, where Sha Heshang praised Zhen Yuanzi’s Dao and Zhu Bajie hoped to eat a Ginseng Fruit.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples schemed to steal the Ginseng Fruits from Wuzhuang Temple while Zhen Yuanzi was away, unaware that Qingfeng and Mingyue had prepared the orchard for them. After eating the fruits, Tang Sanzang broke through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm and set his sights on becoming a Quasi-Saint.

• Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie planned to steal the Ginseng Fruits and involve Guanyin Bodhisattva, then learned Zhen Yuanzi was away visiting the Black Tortoise.
• Qingfeng and Mingyue concealed the orchard’s many spiritual roots and left one Ginseng Fruit Tree exposed, while Sun Wukong, Huanglong, and Sha Heshang secretly followed them.
• Tang Sanzang distracted Qingfeng and Mingyue as Sun Wukong and Huanglong knocked them unconscious and bound them.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples entered the orchard and ate nearly all the Ginseng Fruits, saving two for Guanyin Bodhisattva and one for Zhu Bajie.
• Tang Sanzang refined the fruits’ essence, broke through to the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, and declared his ambition to reach the Quasi-Saint Realm.

Tang Sanzang and his companions persuaded Guanyin Bodhisattva to eat the Ginseng Fruit and agree to transplant its tree to Spirit Mountain. The tree suddenly withered and died, leaving Guanyin distraught and Tang Sanzang feigning innocence.

• Sun Wukong declared that diligent cultivation might let them overturn the gods and Buddhas, while Sha Heshang joked that Tang Sanzang should bury all living beings.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva arrived at Wuzhuang Temple with Zhu Bajie and accused Tang Sanzang's group of stealing the Ginseng Fruit.
• Huanglong used a secret technique to sway Guanyin, who knocked down the remaining fruits and shared them with Zhu Bajie.
• Tang Sanzang persuaded Guanyin to transplant the Ginseng Fruit Tree to Spirit Mountain, and she agreed.
• The Ginseng Fruit Tree fell, withered, and died, while Guanyin tried to revive it and Tang Sanzang pretended to be horrified.

Guanyin Bodhisattva destroyed the Ginseng Fruit Tree and flooded the spiritual orchard during a confrontation with Tang Sanzang’s party, who blamed her for the disaster. Qingfeng and Mingyue used the Earth Veins formation to imprison her, leaving her to face the consequences when their master returned.

• Sun Wukong denied responsibility for uprooting the Ginseng Fruit Tree and blamed Guanyin Bodhisattva, prompting her to attack Tang Sanzang’s party.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva unleashed her magic power, shattering the Ginseng Fruit Tree and sending the Jade Pure Bottle’s divine water through the spiritual orchard.
• Tang Sanzang and Sha Heshang accused Guanyin Bodhisattva of causing the catastrophe, while Tang Sanzang’s merit repelled her attempt to probe his primordial spirit.
• Qingfeng and Mingyue returned, activated the Earth Veins formation, and bound Guanyin Bodhisattva, bringing the flood to an end but leaving the orchard ruined.
• Tang Sanzang denied that the Pilgrims were responsible, but Qingfeng warned that they could not escape blame and that Guanyin Bodhisattva would answer for destroying the tree.