Beyond Shangqing Heaven, in the chaotic void.
Sun Wukong sat in the void with the Golden Cudgel over his shoulder, bored out of his mind.
Every so often, he scratched his ears and cheeks.
Zhu Bajie covered his face with his two great ears and curled into a ball, muttering under his breath, whether in prayer or complaint, no one could tell.
Suddenly, golden light shone deep within the chaos, and a stream of purple radiance came from the east.
A figure approached upon a cloud, wearing a purple-gold crown and a carefree crane cloak, a jade fly whisk in his hand.
It was none other than the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, Zhen Yuanzi.
Emerging from Miro Palace, Zhen Yuanzi saw the two figures in the void.
He called out, "Are these the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and Marshal Tianpeng before me? I am Zhen Yuanzi. Were you two waiting here for me?"
Hearing that the man they sought had arrived, Sun Wukong immediately sprang up. Golden light flashed in his Fiery Golden Eyes as he looked the Daoist up and down.
The old Daoist's aura was unfathomable. He seemed one with heaven and earth, his depths impossible to gauge.
Wukong grew wary inwardly, but grinned and was just about to speak.
Zhu Bajie straightened his clothes and headwear, stepped forward first, and bowed respectfully.
"Great Immortal, greetings."
"We were accompanying the Pilgrim, Master Sanzang, on the journey to the west for the scriptures when we passed your honored temple. We're most grateful for your hospitality."
Bajie paused, letting just the right hint of embarrassment appear on his face.
"Only... our master saw the Ginseng Fruit Tree in your rear garden, and perhaps noticed something strange about it. He felt uneasy and specially sent us to find you, to