Sha Wujing stood before the Stone Bodhisattva and waited for a long time.
Apart from him, there was not so much as an echo in the hall.
He panicked, strode forward, and hurriedly slapped the Stone Bodhisattva's base.
"Stone, are you all right? Wake up!"
"My master's thought of a way to save you! He wants to know what your wish is. He can help you make it!"
Only after a long while did that muffled voice sound in Sha Wujing's mind, tinged with confusion:
"A wish? What... is a wish?"
Hearing the voice, Sha Wujing immediately relaxed.
He scratched his head and stammered out an explanation. "A wish is... it's what you want to do. What do you want to become? What do you hope for most in your heart?"
Stone fell silent for a long time.
The voice sounded again, even more confused this time:
"I don't know... I'm a stone. What does wanting mean?"
Sha Wujing asked, "Don't you want me to help you peel off that gold leaf, so you can come out and give them flakes of your skin?"
Stone's voice sank, with a hint of fear:
"Not anymore."
"I heard what you said outside just now. Didn't you say giving them flakes of my skin was hurting them? I don't want to come out anymore! I won't give them any!"
Then it added, a little sadly, "I might also... have no skin flakes left."
"I just want to stay here. Does that count as a wish?"
Sha Wujing was at a loss for words, unsure how to answer.
The voice grew quieter, as though talking to itself.
"Doesn't it? But I don't know what I want."
Stone asked again, "Big Stone, do you have a wish?"
Sha Wujing scratched the back of his head