Chapter Summaries

Wukong sought Heaven’s permission to end the drought in Fengxian County, while Tang Sanzang and the Water Virtue Star Lord helped the people find water. After the Jade Emperor’s conditions were fulfilled through the prefect’s repentance, Heaven sent rain, though Wukong’s journey left him unsure whether his master’s actions had already eased the people’s suffering.

• Wukong returned to Fengxian County, told Tang Sanzang about the Jade Emperor’s refusal to send rain, and then ascended to Heaven to seek permission.
• Tang Sanzang worked with the Water Virtue Star Lord, Bajie, and Sha Wujing to dig hundreds of wells and plan canals for the county.
• The Jade Emperor showed Wukong the rice, flour, and lock that had to be consumed or broken before rain could fall, and Wukong learned that the prefect’s offense had caused the drought.
• The old prefect confessed that he had overturned offerings to Heaven during a quarrel, then established a ritual site and led the people in repentance.
• Wukong reported the people’s repentance to the Jade Emperor, who found the rice and flour gone and the lock broken and ordered rain sent to Fengxian County.
• The Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning Deities descended with Wukong and poured sweet rain over the county.

Wukong brought rain to drought-stricken Fengxian County, and Tang Sanzang and his disciples stayed while the grateful people built Sweet Rain Temple. In Heaven, the Jade Emperor pardoned the Water Virtue Star Lord, while Ao Tu celebrated his return and received a settlement of rewards that carried into the next side quest.

• Wukong summoned the Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning Deities to bring rain to Fengxian County, then agreed to stay several days at Tang Sanzang's request.
• The old prefect hosted the travelers and oversaw the construction of Sweet Rain Temple, which the people filled with statues and incense offerings.
• The Jade Emperor learned of the Water Virtue Star Lord's service in Fengxian County and pardoned him, sending an envoy to summon him back to Heaven.
• Ao Tu learned of the Water Virtue Star Lord's pardon and celebrated with Jiangzhu, giving her primordial heaven essence qi to refine.
• The rewards were settled after 1,126 days, and 31 surplus days carried over to the next side quest, Teach Disciples in Jade Flower Prefecture.

Ao Tu examined his rewards, gained insight into primordial chaos, and turned the Merit Ship into a means for his Self Corpse to spread his faith across the Four Great Continents. After teaching Xiao Zhenying alchemy and avoiding the suspicious Third Holy Mother at Yaochi, he set out for Blood Sea to prepare his preaching mission in India.

• Ao Tu examined his rewards and experienced the primordial five great primordials, finding that the chaos within his bloodlines resembled the chaos at the world's beginning.
• Ao Tu discovered the Merit Ship's connection to the twelve golden flood dragons and gave it to his Self Corpse, who sent Giant Ao into reincarnation to lead voyages between the Four Great Continents.
• Ao Tu consulted his Self about spreading his faith through tinder, then returned to the Present World and spent time with Jiangzhu.
• Ao Tu taught Xiao Zhenying second-turn alchemy, but she remained frustrated by her slow-growing magical power and suspected he was hiding a cultivation aid.
• Ao Tu visited Yaochi, where Hong'er pretended not to know him and Qing'er identified him to the Third Holy Mother as the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy.
• Ao Tu left Yaochi and headed to Blood Sea to prepare to preach in India.

Ao Tu named Minghe’s expanding movement the Great Sect and instructed him to spread it in India, while Jingshi’s work in the Western Lands helped establish the conditions for Zhunti to attain sagehood and found the Western Heaven Sect. Zhunti returned to Spirit Mountain disguised as a monk to join its Treasure Pavilion, and Ao Tu sent Minghe to preach, including against Miaoshan’s temple.

• Ao Tu arrived at the Blood Sea, told Minghe he could preach in India, and described a plan to win support from rulers and drive Buddhist monasteries away.
• Ao Tu named his movement the Great Sect, and the Great Dao bestowed providence; Jingshi’s earlier work building nations and teaching the people had helped lay the foundation for Zhunti’s sagehood and Western Heaven Sect.
• Zhunti returned to Spirit Mountain as a Sage, and Jieyin discussed leaving for the Eastern Lands while Zhunti planned to remain and contend for benefits.
• Zhunti took the name Dharani, passed Alu’s tests, and became a scripture-arranging monk in the Treasure Pavilion.
• Minghe questioned the Great Sect’s name, then asked whether Miaoshan’s temple should be burned; Ao Tu ordered him to burn it and preach, while Minghe later complained that Ao Tu was muddleheaded.

Ao Tu expanded his faith into Fengxian County while preparing a new treasure and taking Nezha under his wing. He then traveled to Mount Luojia with a gift for the Bodhisattva and waited outside the cave.

• Minghe spread Ao Tu's faith into Tianzhu Kingdom, where its temples gained followers in Fengxian County and clashed with Buddhist monks.
• Ao Tu played with the two Spider Demons, discovered Nezha sleeping inside the Green Lotus, and persuaded him to help refine the Five Virtues Seal.
• Nezha stayed at the Blood Sea while Ao Tu sent two incarnations toward Jade Flower Prefecture to take disciples and compete.
• Ao Tu traveled to Mount Luojia with a Flame Jade belt, drew Mucha and the Mountain-Guarding Deity into his pagoda, and met the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit and the Pearl-Holding Dragon Maiden.
• The Dragon Maiden told Ao Tu that the Bodhisattva was inside the cave and had not come out, so Ao Tu agreed to wait outside.

Ao Tu discussed his plans to open Heaven and Earth with Guanyin Bodhisattva, then proposed joining her spiritual rank as Cihang to spread her teachings in China. He left with Nezha and Red Boy, transformed into an image of Guanyin with the two children, and manifested across China’s temples to attract worshippers.

• Ao Tu visited Guanyin Bodhisattva in Chaoyin Cave, gave her a warm jade belt, and discussed the Great Dao as primordial chaos evolved within him.
• Ao Tu told Guanyin Bodhisattva that he intended to open Heaven and Earth, and she agreed to accompany him after the Buddhist Sect’s tribulation passed.
• Ao Tu warned Guanyin Bodhisattva about Minghe’s followers disputing with the Buddhist Sect in Tianzhu Kingdom, and she said the monks who defied Shakyamuni’s decree deserved no leniency.
• Ao Tu suggested that he join Guanyin Bodhisattva’s spiritual rank as Cihang and spread her teachings throughout China, and she approved after he explained his plan.
• Ao Tu woke Nezha, persuaded him to transform into a little girl, and brought him and Red Boy to China.
• Ao Tu transformed into Guanyin Bodhisattva and manifested with Nezha and Red Boy in temples across China, appearing in dreams and showing divine signs to monks and worshippers.

Ao Tu’s incarnations Baoshan Taoist and Taoist Taiqian went to Jade Flower Prefecture to investigate its three princes, but first attracted the local demons by debating the Dao. The chapter leaves the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage and the lions seeking instruction from the Taoists, while Bai Ze is singled out as especially promising but not accepted.

• Baoshan Taoist and Taoist Taiqian arrived in Jade Flower Prefecture, noticed three princes with signs of hidden dragons, and went into the northern mountains to test them later.
• The two incarnations traded verses about utmost goodness and utmost humility, and wolf spirits Diao Zuan Gu Guai and Gu Guai Diao Zuan reported them to Yellow Lion Spirit.
• Yellow Lion Spirit met the Taoists, asked to learn the Dao, and went to summon his grandfather, the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage, and six other lion kings.
• The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage questioned the Taoists’ origins, but Taoist Taiqian struck him with a Jade Ruyi and forced him to bow and apologize.
• The lions offered gifts and asked for instruction, and Baoshan Taoist praised Bai Ze’s bloodline before Taoist Taiqian rejected him as a possible companion.
• The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage comforted Bai Ze by declaring that his good fortune had arrived.

The seven lions tried different ways to win Baoshan Taoist and Taiqian Taoist as masters, but only Bai Ze remained after the others were driven away. Baoshan Taoist rode Bai Ze to Jade Flower County, where Tang Sanzang’s arrival and warning about calamity frightened the Old King and brought his three princes rushing to the palace.

• Yellow Lion Spirit tried to win the immortals with gifts, Nao Lion tried to help Baoshan Taoist catch fish, and Snow Lion and Suanni performed a lion dance, but Taiqian Taoist and Baoshan Taoist drove them away.
• Fuli Lion sent birds to sing outside the cottage, and Tuoxiang Lion built a crude stone house for the immortals, but both were sent down the mountain; Bai Ze alone continued paying respects.
• Baoshan Taoist chose Bai Ze as his mount and rode him toward Jade Flower County, where Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived and learned that the city was ruled by the King of Jade Flower.
• Tang Sanzang met Baoshan Taoist at the prince’s residence and accompanied him inside to warn the Old King that calamity threatened the city; the Old King stamped Tang Sanzang’s travel permit but fled in terror when he saw the disciples and heard the goat speak.
• The three princes mobilized troops and entered the palace armed, believing their father was dying, but the Old King explained that the monks had frightened him, and the princes vowed to investigate them.

The eldest and second princes attacked Leopard Head Mountain, competing to capture demons and win the throne, while Wukong and Bajie aided them. After the princes pursued Bai Ze, Taiqian Taoist gave Bai Ze two treasures to drive off the monks, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• The third prince chose to return to the city with Sha Wujing, while Wukong helped the eldest prince lead an attack on the mountain.
• Yellow Lion Spirit offered to return the stolen weapons, but the eldest prince refused to withdraw, so Wukong used his Alms Bowl to capture Yellow Lion Spirit, Nao Lion Spirit, and Tuanshiang.
• The second prince blocked the cave’s back exit, captured Snow Lion, Suanni, and Fuli with a jewel, and set fire to the cave, killing many little demons.
• The eldest and second princes competed to capture escaped demons, then pursued Bai Ze and asked Wukong and Bajie to capture him.
• Bai Ze fled to the thatched cottage, where Taiqian Taoist gave him a Jade Ruyi and a Five Virtues Seal to drive off the monks.

Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing accepted the three princes as disciples while Baoshan Taoist warned of imprisonment for the King and lost property for the monks. After the Yellow Lion Spirit stole their weapons, the princes led troops to recover them in a contest for the throne, leaving the third prince awaiting Sha Wujing's instructions.

• Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing displayed their powers after the three princes challenged them, then each accepted a prince as a disciple at the King's request.
• Baoshan Taoist's goat predicted imprisonment for the King and lost property for the monks, but the King and princes dismissed the warnings.
• Wukong strengthened the eldest prince with immortal breath, Bajie strengthened the second prince with the Mani Pearl, and Sha Wujing taught the third prince a breathing method.
• The Yellow Lion Spirit stole the masters' weapons while craftsmen used them as models, but Taiqian Taoist refused his offering and ordered him to return them before attempting an open seizure.
• Wukong identified Leopard Head Mountain as the likely thieves' refuge, and the King promised the throne to whichever prince recovered the weapons and defeated the demons.
• Wukong prepared his alms bowl to support the eldest prince's frontal advance, and Bajie prepared the Mani Pearl for the second prince's rear attack while the third prince turned to Sha Wujing for instructions.

Bai Ze used the Jade Ruyi and Five Virtues Seal to defeat Wukong and Bajie, who fled with the princes while the lions rescued their companions. After their cave was destroyed, the lions sought revenge, and Bai Ze learned that Baoshan Taoist would not interfere in the King of Jade Flower’s destined calamity.

• Bai Ze knocked down Wukong’s Alms Bowl with the Jade Ruyi, then struck Wukong and pinned Bajie beneath the Five Virtues Seal until Bajie escaped by transforming into a stone.
• Wukong and Bajie warned the princes to flee, and the group abandoned their captured demons as Bai Ze and the other lions pursued them and rescued Snow Lion, Suanni, Fuli, and the rest.
• Bai Ze and Yellow Lion Spirit returned the treasures to Taiqian Taoist and Baoshan Taoist, but Baoshan Taoist refused to intervene, saying both sides were at fault.
• Yellow Lion Spirit proposed inviting their grandfather to avenge the cave, and Bai Ze suggested that the King of Jade Flower’s rejection of a prophecy might persuade him to help.
• Baoshan Taoist told Bai Ze that the King of Jade Flower’s calamity was Heaven’s mandate and that their school must not interfere.

The third prince returned to the city while his brothers fled Leopard Head Mountain after the Yellow Lion Spirit defeated them and took their weapons. Wukong infiltrated Tiger's Mouth Cave in disguise, recovered the stolen weapons, and tricked Bai Ze into handing over his ruyi scepter and Precious Seal, leaving the confrontation with the demons poised to begin.

• The third prince welcomed the defeated first and second princes back to the city, and the princes told the King that the Yellow Lion Spirit had beaten their masters and taken their treasures.
• Wukong reassured the King, then investigated Tiger's Mouth Cave and learned from two frozen wolf spirits that the demons were preparing a feast for the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage.
• Wukong and Bajie disguised themselves as Diao Zuan Gu Guai and Gu Guai Diao Zuan, while Sha Wujing posed as a merchant driving pigs and sheep into the cave.
• At the feast, Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing replaced the Golden Cudgel, Nine-Toothed Rake, demon-subduing staff, and Alms Bowl with replicas, then waited for a chance to take Bai Ze's treasures.
• Wukong spilled wine near Bai Ze and persuaded him to remove his robe and ruyi scepter and Precious Seal, which Bai Ze handed to Wukong to guard.

Wukong and his companions stole back the demons’ treasures, but Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage captured them after a brief battle. Wukong and Bajie escaped the prison, while Sha Wujing was recaptured, and the demons decided to seize the royal household of Jade Flower Prefecture.

• Wukong stole the Ruyi and Precious Seal, then attacked the lions with Bajie and Sha Wujing and trapped Snow Lion and Nao Lion beneath the alms bowl.
• Wukong struck Bai Ze with the treasures, but Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage captured Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing and locked them in the Prison Cave.
• Wukong freed himself and his companions, but Bajie accidentally woke a guard, forcing Wukong and Bajie to escape in transformed forms while Sha Wujing was recaptured.
• Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage proposed releasing Sha Wujing and making peace, but Bai Ze told him that Baoshan Taoist had predicted the King of Jade Flower would be imprisoned.
• Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage resolved to seize the entire royal household of Jade Flower Prefecture the next morning.

Wukong and Bajie escaped the demon cave without Sha Wujing, and the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage attacked Jade Flower Prefecture and captured Tang Sanzang, the Old King, the princes, Bajie, and the White Horse. Wukong recognized the demon as Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy’s mount and sought his help, while the captives discovered Sha Wujing was with them in the Prison Cave.

• Wukong and Bajie returned to the royal residence, and Wukong promised to go to heaven to learn the old demon’s origin and find help rescuing Sha Wujing.
• The Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage attacked Jade Flower Prefecture and captured the Old King, the three princes, Tang Sanzang, Bajie, and the White Horse, while Wukong escaped.
• The demons bound the captives and locked them in the Prison Cave, where they found Sha Wujing injured and resting in a dark corner.
• Wukong recognized the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage as the Lion Beast who served Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy and went to the Heavenly Realm to ask for help.
• The lion keeper admitted that he had freed the lion after drinking wine that made him sleep for three days, and Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy agreed to retrieve his mount.

After Wukong brought Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy to free Tang Sanzang and the Jade Flower royal family, he prepared to kill the remaining lions but was stopped by Bai Ze's treasures and the mysterious Taiqian Taoist. Taiqian Taoist claimed the treasures and challenged Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy's support for Buddhism, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Tang Sanzang reassured the imprisoned King of Jade Flower and his sons that Wukong would return after seeking Heavenly aid.
• Wukong returned with Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy, who made Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage release Tang Sanzang, Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the royal family.
• Wukong asked whether the remaining lions belonged to Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy, and Taiyi permitted him to deal with them.
• Bai Ze defended the lions with the Ruyi and Precious Seal, but Taiyi swept the treasures away, allowing Wukong to strike at Bai Ze.
• Taiqian Taoist appeared, sent Wukong flying to the East Sea, claimed the treasures, and declared that Daoism alone represented the Heavenly Dao.

Wukong returned to Leopard Head Mountain after Taiqian Taoist defeated the gods and imprisoned Tang Sanzang, his disciples, and the King of Jade Flower Prefecture. He brought Tathagata Buddha to the mountain, then secretly entered the prison and promised the captives they would be rescued.

• Taiqian Taoist effortlessly dodged Wukong's attacks and withstood the combined assault of Wukong, Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the gods.
• Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy withdrew to the Heavenly Realm, and Taiqian Taoist had Bai Ze and the others imprison Tang Sanzang, his disciples, and the King and princes of Jade Flower Prefecture.
• Taiqian Taoist sent Wukong to Spirit Mountain, where Tathagata Buddha failed to identify him and then descended with an entourage to Leopard Head Mountain.
• Tathagata Buddha told Wukong to sneak into the cave, free his companions, and lead Taiqian Taoist to him without fighting.
• Wukong discovered Taiqian Taoist dining with Baoshan Taoist, then entered Prison Cave, freed the guards from awareness, and reassured the captives that Tathagata Buddha would rescue them.

Wukong rescued Tang Sanzang and the others from the Prison Cave, and Tathagata Buddha confronted the lions and their Taoist allies. After Baoshan Taoist freed the bound lions, Tathagata proposed a wager with Yellow Lion Spirit, who leapt out of his palm and was declared the winner.

• Wukong opened the Prison Cave and led Tang Sanzang and the others out, leaving White Horse and the luggage behind.
• Yellow Lion Spirit pursued the escapees, but the Monks captured him, and the Arhats bound the other lions when they attacked Tathagata Buddha.
• Baoshan Taoist freed the lions with his Precious Sword and challenged Tathagata, who argued that the lions’ punishment should fit their offense.
• Tathagata offered Yellow Lion Spirit a wager: jump out of his palm to win, or return to the mountains if he failed.
• Wukong told the Jade Flower Kingdom’s eldest prince that even Wukong had once failed to escape Tathagata’s palm.
• Yellow Lion Spirit leapt out of Tathagata’s palm, and Tathagata declared that he had won.

After Tathagata Buddha lost his wager with Yellow Lion Spirit, he left the lions in Jade Flower Prefecture, and the lions captured Tang Sanzang, Wukong, and the others again. Unable to find anyone willing to help, Wukong returned to Prison Cave, where the eldest Prince proposed abandoning Buddhism and bowing to the Daoists, provoking Wukong to strike him.

• Tathagata Buddha admitted that Yellow Lion Spirit had won through his moment of inattention, released the six lions, and offered to appoint them Golden Lion Guardian Arhats.
• The lions refused the Arhat appointment, Bai Ze joined Baoshan Taoist, and the remaining lions seized Tang Sanzang, his disciples, and the King and his sons.
• Wukong asked Baoshan Taoist to help, but he refused, so Wukong and the others returned to Prison Cave.
• Wukong sought aid from the Heavenly immortals and went to the Flower Realm, but found no one willing to rescue the captives.
• The eldest Prince proposed apologizing to the Daoists and abandoning Buddhism, and Wukong angrily drew his staff and struck him.

The eldest and second Princes abandoned their masters to seek discipleship under Baoshan Taoist and Taiqian Taoist, while the Old King was overcome with shame and anger. The princes’ rivalry deepened as the King’s health failed, and Tang Sanzang and his disciples came to take their leave, only for the King to entrust them with one final matter.

• The eldest Prince asked to leave Wukong’s school and become a Daoist disciple, and Taiqian Taoist agreed to test his sincerity before accepting him.
• The second Prince abandoned Bajie to seek Baoshan Taoist as his master, and Bajie demanded a thousand taels of gold to settle their supposed bond.
• The Old King collapsed after witnessing his sons’ betrayal, then blamed all three Princes when they helped revive him; Sha Wujing refrained from condemning the third Prince.
• The lions let Tang Sanzang and his disciples return after the two Princes joined the Daoist immortals, who moved to the city and became the focus of the princes’ rivalry.
• The Old King grew bedridden as the Princes fought politically, Bajie failed to collect the second Prince’s debt, and Tang Sanzang’s group prepared to resume their journey.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples visited the ailing Old King to take their leave, and the King asked the holy monk to hear one final matter.

Tang Sanzang accepted the old King's letter asking the Emperor of India to protect the third Prince, but the succession dispute remained unresolved. After Wukong heard two monks describe persecution by a new religion, he left to recruit someone for a plan that would defeat neither the Daoists nor the Buddhists.

• The old King asked Tang Sanzang to deliver a letter to the Emperor of India and seek protection for the third Prince from his elder brothers, who might rebel for the throne.
• Wukong stopped guards from expelling two monks from Jade Flower Prefecture and learned they were monks from Fengxian County seeking redress against a new religion.
• The third Prince gave the monks food and travel money, while Wukong announced he would invite someone to help resolve the conflict between the Daoists and Buddhists.
• Wukong traveled to the Blood Sea, where Six-Eared Macaque told him Dragon Brother had gone toward the Southern Sea carrying a little girl and a little boy.
• Wukong thanked Six-Eared Macaque and headed for the Southern Sea to find Dragon Brother.