Some kind of measure the Tathagata had left inside Zhu Bajie activated. His primordial spirit and soul were stripped from his body and flew out of the tower alongside a Ten-Thousand Character Seal.
Su Lin sighed. "This Tathagata really knows how to do things properly."
Brilliant, scorching Heavenly Flames burned on, roasting every side of the enormous body golden brown. Fat dripped steadily, feeding the spreading flames as the aroma filled the tower.
"Save a hind leg to smoke, and cure a foreleg into ham." Shi Hao knew how to eat, and he knew how to cook.
Ever since he had crossed through time and traveled between worlds, he had often regretted not keeping a few more arms, wings, and legs from the Exotic Domain prodigies at Imperial Pass. They would surely have tasted good prepared in new ways.
"Bajie, Bajie—he was supposed to abstain from killing and stealing, lust and wine, lies and finery. But after all these years, he hasn't given up a single thing. If he can't manage it himself, we'll have to help him." Monk Jigong wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and gently waved his palm-leaf fan, drawing the scent of roasting meat toward himself.
He watched eagerly as spirit fruits, vegetarian dishes, roast meat, and Immortal Wine were served in lotus leaves and handed out to the assembled immortals and Buddhas.
Jigong looked around for a while, then asked curiously, "Buddha, why does everyone from your Spirit Mountain eat meat and drink wine?"
"How are we supposed to have the strength to chant sutras if we don't eat and drink our fill? Every extra bite I eat is one less for someone else. That's a meritorious deed." Wu Qi picked up a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth.