Red Boy stood rooted to the spot.
His body trembled violently, and the terrifying three-headed, six-armed Dharma Form began to crumble.
Three heads merged into one, and six arms became two.
What remained was still that little child with his hair tied in a skyward topknot, wearing a red bellyband.
The black-and-red baleful qi, pure golden radiance, and roaring flames around him all faded away.
Only a few wisps of smoke remained, dispersing into the morning breeze.
Little White Dragon looked at the child before him, who had finally quieted down, withdrew his hand, and stepped back.
He turned and bowed to Xuanzang, then bowed to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
"Master, Bodhisattva, this disciple has finished speaking."
Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and shook her head. "Wuji, I knew you had made swift progress cultivating under Xuanzang, but I never imagined you had all already awakened to your paths. This truly calls for celebration."
Then she looked at Xuanzang. "Xuanzang, you have been a fine master."
Xuanzang smiled, pressed his palms together in a bow, and then looked at Little White Dragon.
A smile of quiet pride slowly spread across his face.
"Wuji."
He spoke in a gentle voice.
"That was beautifully said. I knew you could do it."
At those words, Little White Dragon's eyes reddened at once.
He lowered his head and bowed again. As he bent forward, he quickly raised a hand to wipe the corner of his eye.
Straightening up, he walked back to Wukong's side.
Before he could settle into place, a burst of golden light rushed up before him.
Before he could steady himself, Wukong bounded over, patted his arm, then threw an arm around his shoulders and grinned broadly.
"Hahahaha! Well done, Little White! Old Sun knew you could do it! Not a bad awakening at all.