Now Wukong arrived at the Jade Void Palace on Kunlun Mountain.
What a blessed abode of the Immortal Ancestor!
When immortal cranes cried, their calls shook the nine marshes and reached the distant heavens; where auspicious luan birds soared, their feathers shone with five-colored, cloudlike radiance.
Wukong had come here once before with Nezha and knew the place before him was Qilin Cliff, so he walked inside.
He had not gone far when he saw a pavilion atop Qilin Cliff, with a very familiar figure standing within.
Wukong approached for a closer look, recognized him, and said, "Bodhisattva Manjushri, what are you doing here?"
Bodhisattva Manjushri turned, saw Wukong, and smiled. "You have come, Great Sage. I am here to welcome you on Yuanshi Tianzun's orders."
Wukong said, "In that case, I dare not keep the Celestial Worthy waiting. Please take me to him at once, Bodhisattva."
Bodhisattva Manjushri said, "Please follow me."
The two reached the foot of the Eight Trigrams Platform outside the Jade Void Palace, where White Crane Boy came out.
Bodhisattva Manjushri said, "The Great Sage is here."
White Crane Boy said, "The master is playing a board game with Lingbao Tianzun inside. Allow me to announce you."
Hearing this, Bodhisattva Manjushri waited outside the palace with Wukong.
Inside the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun were playing. White Crane Boy hurried in, knelt, and said, "Sun Wukong is waiting outside."
Hearing this, Lingbao Tianzun pushed the board aside and smiled. "He has finally arrived."
Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head, set down his piece, and said, "Invite them in."
White Crane Boy obeyed and went outside to tell Wukong and Manjushri, "Please come in."
Wukong hurried inside.
Bodhisattva Manjushri, however, remained standing outside.
White Crane Boy said, "You should come too, Bodhisattva Manjushri."
Bodhisattva