Ao Tu had abandoned Buddhahood and returned from the Great Dao to the present world.
On Thorn Ridge, the Buddha-Light faded.
The Arhats and Sangharamas awoke.
Because Ao Tu had abandoned his attainment of the Dao, the traces left on them by listening to the Great Dao faded as well.
Tang Sanzang and his disciples also came to their senses and saw Ao Tu seated upon the Golden Lotus.
The master and his two disciples had seen Ao Tu's appearance more than once, so naturally they all recognized him.
At the sight of him, Sha Wujing was first astonished, then furious. He drew his Precious Staff and said, "Demon Dragon, how dare you commit such an outrage and impersonate Buddha! What punishment do you deserve?"
Ao Tu laughed. "Sha Monk, so what if I impersonated him? What can you do about it?"
With that, Ao Tu called out, and all the Little Demons around him revealed their true forms. Demonic voices and strange cries rang out as the fiends laughed wildly.
Seeing this, Sha Wujing raised his staff and struck.
Ao Tu tossed the Mysterious Tripod and packed Sha Wujing inside with Wukong.
At this sight, Bajie hurried to stand protectively before Tang Sanzang.
The Kirtimukhas and Sangharamas also remembered their duties and formed a circle around Tang Sanzang to protect him.
Ao Tu laughed at the sight. "Tang Sanzang, count yourself lucky. I won't entangle myself with you today. We shall meet another day."
Seeing that Ao Tu was about to leave, Tang Sanzang hurriedly tried to persuade him. "Great King! With such mastery of Buddhist Dharma, why not lay down your karma and attain true fruition?"
Ao Tu shook his head and laughed. "Tang Sanzang, there are four Bodhisattvas in the Buddhist Sect who do not wish to