The snow passed, and the skies cleared.
Master and disciples dined on the wind and lodged beside the waters. After traveling for some time, they suddenly found a towering mountain barring their way.
Green pines and emerald cypresses stood tall along the cliffs, undaunted by the bitter cold; jagged rocks, shaped like beasts and birds, crouched among the trees.
Xuanzang raised a hand to shield his eyes from the dazzling sunlight and gazed toward the summit.
"Wukong." Xuanzang lowered his hand. "There is an extraordinary air about this place. It does not seem like a haunt of demons."
Sun Wukong leaped onto a huge rock and shaded his eyes with one hand. Golden light flickered in his gaze as he surveyed their surroundings.
He jumped down, slung the Golden Cudgel over his shoulder, and chuckled:
"You have a good eye, Master. High as this mountain is, there isn't a wisp of dark energy; dense as these woods are, there isn't a trace of blood. Look at the white cranes on the cliffs and the spirit deer among the trees. They neither startle nor flee at the sight of people. This must be a blessed land, home to immortals, not demons."
Zhu Bajie dragged his Rake behind him as he caught up, panting for breath.
His black monk's robes had been soaked with sweat, then dried by the mountain wind, leaving them stiff against his body.
"Immortals are good... immortals are good..."
Bajie wiped the clammy sweat from his forehead and muttered:
"If there are immortals, there are offerings, and if there are offerings, there's food. Master, climbing this mountain has worn Old Pig's guts thin. Could we ask that immortal to spare us a vegetarian meal?"
Little White Dragon followed behind. At this, he said, "Second Senior Brother, during our