Old Tortoise strode through the water, carrying everyone toward the heart of the river.
The river wind swept into their faces, carrying the chill left by the snow.
The Tongtian River was truly vast. They had traveled for nearly half a day, yet the opposite bank was still nowhere in sight.
Old Tortoise's broad shell was like a great ship.
Wukong stood at the very front, leaning on the Golden Cudgel and facing the river wind like a captain, thoroughly excited.
Xuanzang sat in the middle, chanting sutras with his eyes closed.
Sha Wujing sat opposite him and chanted along.
A-Hu curled up beside Xuanzang, shielding him from the wind.
Little White Dragon surveyed their surroundings, silently keeping watch.
Bajie sat on Xuanzang's other side, the Rake resting beside him, bored out of his mind.
Every so often, he yawned.
Seeing the enthusiasm on Wukong's face, he spoke up:
"Brother, sit down and rest a while. Why are you so excited?"
"Never been on a boat before?"
Wukong turned and cursed at him.
"You idiot! Itching for another beating?"
"Back then, I, Old Sun, boarded a raft all alone and drifted with the winds from Flower-Fruit Mountain across to Jambudvipa. This scenery just reminded me of the old days."
Bajie laughed. "You've been reckless since you were little. A tiny monkey daring to sail out to sea-only you would do that."
Little White Dragon said, "Eldest Brother is right. This Tongtian River really does resemble the sea."
Bajie patted his belly and pursed his lips.
"This Tongtian River and that sea of yours might both be big, but neither is as big as my Celestial River."
"Now, my Celestial River reaches up to the Nine Heavens and connects below to the four seas, boundless in every direction!"
Little White Dragon