Lingyun Crossing.
The river stretched ten thousand li across, its waters surging and tossing up golden waves.
"Master, something's swimming up ahead!"
Sun Wukong suddenly leaped to his feet.
All the disciples focused their attention on the river's center. A giant old turtle was paddling toward the spot where they sat.
"Master, this is really strange!"
"By rights, no one—even a god or Buddha—can cross Lingyun Crossing alone. Only those who've reached Quasi-Saint Peak can come and go freely. Yet this old turtle is only at Peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal and can still withstand the force of the rules with his physical body. He's truly gifted."
Huanglong stroked his chin and spoke slowly.
Deep in his eyes, a mysterious, inscrutable emotion flickered.
Just then, Zhu Bajie suddenly spoke. "I think I remember this old turtle. After the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation ended and I was appointed Marshal Tianpeng, I searched the great rivers throughout the Primordial Wilderness for beings skilled in water combat."
"Back then, this old turtle was only at Mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal—not enough to meet my standards."
Watching the old turtle draw closer, Zhu Bajie let a teasing smile curl across his lips.
Well, hadn't the old turtle come straight to him now?
The old turtle's body was surrounded by the Dao Resonance of the Buddhist Path and Devil Dao. Clearly, he had become a lackey of the Demon Sect.
"How many people did you pick, if even someone at Mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal didn't catch your eye?" Sha Heshang asked Zhu Bajie in surprise.
Before the Journey to the West Tribulation began, when he was banished to the mortal realm for breaking the Glazed Lamp, he'd only been at Early Taiyi Golden Immortal. He'd been downright pathetic.
At this, Zhu Bajie's face