Chapter Summaries

Ao Tu declared Tang Sanzang the Imperial Son-in-Law after the palace scandal, while Tang insisted he had entered the Jade Rabbit Spirit’s chambers by mistake. Wukong began investigating, but found Ao Tu and the Jade Rabbit Spirit secretly preparing for the wedding and discussing her earlier behavior.

• Ao Tu dismissed the marriage candidates, distributed treasures, and ordered Tang Sanzang to marry the Princess.
• Wukong escorted Tang Sanzang to a guarded hall, where Tang explained how he had entered the Princess’s chambers by mistake.
• Bajie joked about Tang’s good fortune, prompting Tang to order Wukong to beat him.
• Wukong suspected that Tang had been allowed into the restricted chambers and turned into a fly to investigate.
• In the rear palace, Ao Tu scolded the Jade Rabbit Spirit, then watched her change outfits repeatedly as he prepared her for the wedding.
• After Wukong left, the Jade Rabbit Spirit dressed provocatively and danced for Ao Tu, who reminded her that he had not yet punished her for spoiling his plan.

Wukong returned from spying on the Princess, and the pilgrims debated how to handle Tang Sanzang’s forced marriage. Ao Tu endorsed their travel papers but sent Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing away with gold while keeping Tang Sanzang in the palace, then planned to trick his disciples into believing he wished to stay.

• Wukong told Tang Sanzang, Bajie, and Sha Wujing about the Princess’s wedding clothes, but said he had learned nothing else.
• The disciples rejected plans to flee or leave Tang Sanzang behind, and Wukong promised they would rescue him if necessary.
• Ao Tu endorsed the pilgrims’ travel papers and declared that Tang Sanzang would remain to marry while his three disciples continued to Spirit Mountain.
• Bajie and Sha Wujing took the gold and silver Ao Tu offered, while Wukong left the palace and Tang Sanzang was stopped from following them.
• Ao Tu set the wedding for the twelfth of the next month, and Tang Sanzang refused to change out of his Monk’s Robes.
• The Jade Rabbit Spirit asked about the disciples’ departure, and Ao Tu said he would devise schemes to make them think Tang Sanzang wanted to stay.

Tang Sanzang refused to marry the princess, but Ao Tu kept him in imperial son-in-law’s robes while claiming his story needed verification. Wukong failed to reach him, and Ao Tu moved Tang Sanzang to another hall to keep the two apart.

• Tang Sanzang explained that he had entered the princess’s chambers by accident, and Ao Tu said he would verify the account before releasing him.
• Ao Tu persuaded Tang Sanzang to wear imperial son-in-law’s robes and took him to the Imperial Garden.
• Bajie suggested dividing the luggage, but Wukong rebuked him and returned to the palace to rescue Tang Sanzang.
• Wukong tried to approach Tang Sanzang in the garden, but Ao Tu and the ministers drove him away.
• Ao Tu asked Tang Sanzang to compose four poems, then ordered the attendants to settle him in another hall so Wukong could not find him.

Wukong returned to the Courier Station believing Tang Sanzang had abandoned his pilgrimage to become the Indian emperor’s son-in-law. Ao Tu hid Tang Sanzang and sent Wukong away with a message that they should not meet again, leaving Bajie determined to demand the Brocade Kasaya.

• Wukong told Bajie and Sha Wujing that he had seen Tang Sanzang dressed as an imperial son-in-law and enjoying the palace gardens, and Bajie argued that Tang Sanzang had chosen marriage and worldly comfort.
• Bajie searched the luggage for the Brocade Kasaya and urged Wukong or Sha Wujing to retrieve it, but Wukong said he would speak to Tang Sanzang after nightfall.
• Wukong returned to the palace, where an attendant relayed Tang Sanzang’s message that monastic and householder lives should not meet again; Ao Tu watched him leave.
• The Jade Rabbit Spirit celebrated with Ao Tu, while Zhu Li pecked her and Ao Tu gathered both pet beasts into his palm.
• Wukong told Bajie and Sha Wujing about the message, and he and Sha Wujing wept over Tang Sanzang’s supposed fall from the pilgrimage.
• Bajie claimed the message was a sham meant to keep the Brocade Kasaya and vowed to demand it from Tang Sanzang the next day.

Ao Tu punished the Jade Rabbit Spirit, then dismissed court despite ministers’ demands to suppress the Great Sect. When Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing came to see Tang Sanzang, Ao Tu sent them away with the Kasaya, and they left believing their master had abandoned them.

• Ao Tu punished the Jade Rabbit Spirit for secretly returning to human form, then hid her and Zhu Li in his robes before going to court.
• An official warned Ao Tu that the Great Sect was spreading through the provinces, but Ao Tu refused to act and dismissed court; he sent the Crown Prince to fetch medicine with an excuse.
• Ao Tu learned that Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing had come to see Tang Sanzang and instructed a eunuch to turn them away.
• The eunuch showed the three disciples Tang Sanzang’s poems, and Wukong recognized their handwriting and concluded that his master had willingly abandoned them.
• Bajie demanded the Kasaya, so Ao Tu ordered the eunuch to hand it over; Bajie took it, and the three disciples departed.

Ao Tu warned the Crown Prince not to interfere in disputes between religious sects, while Wukong and his companions debated whether to continue the pilgrimage without Tang Sanzang. Unable to find their master, they waited for his wedding, and the Jade Rabbit Spirit proposed a pregnancy ruse to make Wukong leave.

• Ao Tu told the Crown Prince to make offerings to Spirit Mountain but not meddle in sectarian disputes after becoming emperor.
• Bajie divided the pilgrims’ belongings, and Wukong took White Dragon Horse to market before remembering his identity and agreeing to investigate Tang Sanzang’s intentions.
• Wukong searched the palace but could not find Tang Sanzang, so the companions decided to wait for the wedding day to see him.
• Ao Tu learned that Wukong and the others remained at the Courier Station, and the Jade Rabbit Spirit suggested claiming she was pregnant to drive Wukong away.

Ao Tu marked the Jade Rabbit Spirit with a Green Lotus Mark and arranged to trade treasures to keep her from returning to the Moon Palace. On the wedding day, he staged a gathering to clear Tang Sanzang’s name, but Little White Dragon’s interruption led Ao Tu to claim that the Jade Rabbit Spirit carried two lives.

• Ao Tu warned the Jade Rabbit Spirit that bearing his child would destroy her, then left a Green Lotus Mark on her belly so they could deceive Wukong.
• Ao Tu promised to trade treasures to keep the Jade Rabbit Spirit, while Zhu Li complained that she was calling Ao Tu “Daddy.”
• On the twelfth, Ao Tu told his attendants to prevent anyone from mentioning marriage and told Tang Sanzang that the investigation had confirmed his account.
• Tang Sanzang received the guests in his Imperial Son-in-Law’s attire, while Wukong, Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Little White Dragon watched from outside.
• Little White Dragon forced his way into the palace and fought the Jade Rabbit Spirit, who feigned injury; Ao Tu claimed she carried two lives, and Wukong asked what he meant.

Ao Tu tricked Wukong and the others into believing Tang Sanzang had married the Princess and fathered a child, prompting them to abandon their scripture quest and plan to seek help from Guanyin. Guanyin discovered that the Jade Rabbit Spirit truly carried fetal energy and asked Ao Tu to let her raise the child.

• Ao Tu claimed Tang Sanzang had married the Princess and gotten her pregnant, so Wukong led the disciples away after apologizing.
• At the Courier Station, Wukong proposed taking substitute scriptures to Chang'an, then agreed the group should visit Guanyin to seek a pardon for Sha Wujing.
• Sha Wujing chose to petition Guanyin, while Wukong, Bajie, and Little White Dragon planned to ask the Bodhisattva for help before traveling to the Blood Sea.
• Ao Tu rushed ahead to the Southern Sea and blew Wukong and the others into the sea to keep them from meeting Guanyin.
• Guanyin saw fetal energy in the Jade Rabbit Spirit and asked Ao Tu to let her raise the child.

Ao Tu explained that the fetal energy in the Jade Rabbit Spirit's belly came from his Essence Blood, then asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to help with Wukong and the others. Guanyin arranged for Sha Wujing to seek a post with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and have his punishment lifted, while Ao Tu remained with her in Chaoyin Cave.

• Guanyin Bodhisattva told Ao Tu she wanted to raise the Jade Rabbit Spirit's child, and Ao Tu demonstrated that the fetal energy came from his Creation Qi and Essence Blood.
• Mucha reported that Sun Wukong had arrived, and Guanyin Bodhisattva ordered him to wait outside while Jade Rabbit was taken out of sight.
• Wukong told Guanyin that Tang Sanzang had married the Indian Princess, so the pilgrimage had ended, and Sha Wujing begged for pardon and a post.
• Ao Tu asked Guanyin to cover for him, and she agreed to ask the Jade Emperor to spare Sha Wujing's flying-sword punishment and sent him to seek work with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
• Wukong and the others thanked Guanyin and left for the Netherworld, while Ao Tu helped Guanyin dress and she blamed his Essence Blood for her unsteady breathing.

Ao Tu returned to the Netherworld Blood Sea with the Jade Rabbit Spirit and received Wukong’s companions after Tang Sanzang abandoned the scripture quest. He offered Bajie a chance to marry an Asura princess, while he demanded that Little White Dragon become his mount or leave in disgrace.

• Ao Tu retrieved Little White Dragon’s Dragon Pearl from Guanyin Bodhisattva, then left Chaoyin Cave with the Jade Rabbit Spirit and returned to the Blood Sea.
• Minghe warned Ao Tu not to neglect the struggle to spread their teachings, and Ao Tu sent him to bring Wukong and the others to the hall.
• Wukong explained that Tang Sanzang had married and stayed in Tianzhu Kingdom, and Ao Tu agreed to let him copy scriptures.
• Bajie offered Ao Tu the Brocade Kasaya and asked to marry an Asura woman, while Ao Tu told him Sha Wujing had joined Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
• Little White Dragon asked Ao Tu for a post, but Ao Tu teased him over an old injury and demanded that he become a mount or take back his Dragon Pearl and leave.

Little White Dragon returned to Tianzhu Kingdom and found Tang Sanzang imprisoned, then reunited with Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing to rescue him. The Jade Rabbit Spirit accused Tang Sanzang of misconduct before the Jade Emperor, who ordered him brought to Heaven for questioning, leaving his case unresolved.

• Little White Dragon found Tang Sanzang trapped in a tower and learned that Ao Tu's spell prevented him from leaving, so he went to find Wukong.
• Ao Tu exchanged lotus seeds with the Taiyin Star Lord for Jade Rabbit and hinted that a lawsuit was still to come.
• Wukong gathered Bajie and Sha Wujing, and the four disciples returned to Tianzhu Kingdom after reporting to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
• The local earth god told Wukong that the princess was a Moon Palace immortal maiden and the false princess was her acquaintance.
• Wukong and the others confronted the Jade Rabbit Spirit in Lingxiao Hall, where she accused Tang Sanzang of violating his precepts and Wukong explained his side.
• The Jade Emperor ordered Tang Sanzang brought to Heaven for questioning, and Heavenly King Li and Third Prince Nezha carried him away from the tower.

Wang Lingguan investigated the Jade Rabbit Spirit’s accusation against Tang Sanzang, but the missing emperor of Tianzhu Kingdom prevented a verdict. Meanwhile, Ao Tu discussed his plans for the Investiture of the Gods with the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor, who revealed that Taoist Jieyin had gathered the spirits of Buddhist fighters killed in the tribulation.

• Wang Lingguan questioned the Jade Rabbit Spirit and summoned the palace maid whose grudge had led the Jade Rabbit to descend to the mortal realm.
• The Jade Rabbit Spirit presented witnesses and poems as evidence against Tang Sanzang, while Tang Sanzang explained that he had been trapped into composing them.
• Wang Lingguan summoned the souls of Tianzhu’s palace attendants, but the emperor could not be found in the Book of Life and Death or near the Six Paths of Reincarnation, so he adjourned the case.
• Ao Tu told the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor that he planned to assign his followers as gods and place captured souls in the Good and Evil Realms according to their merits.
• The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor told Ao Tu that Taoist Jieyin had secretly gathered the true spirits of Buddhist fighters killed in the tribulation and offered him the Heavenly Book.

Ao Tu and Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor discussed the investiture of the gods while Daoist Jieyin arranged to rescue Tang Sanzang by giving Ao Tu the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure-Colored Banner. Tang Sanzang’s name was cleared and the pilgrims resumed their journey, while Ao Tu gained four directional treasure banners and Daoist Zhunti waited for the last one.

• Ao Tu agreed that Mahakala Bodhisattva, Great Brahma King, and the other spirits could be considered for the investiture, and Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor planned to discuss it with Daoist Jieyin.
• Daoist Jieyin decided to rescue Tang Sanzang with the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure-Colored Banner, while Daoist Zhunti went to borrow Queen Mother’s Immortal Gathering Banner from Yaochi.
• Daoist Zhunti gave the true spirits to Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor, who agreed to choose among them for the investiture.
• Daoist Jieyin appeared in court disguised as the emperor of Tianzhu Kingdom and presented the Eastern Green Lotus Treasure-Colored Banner, which joined Ao Tu’s three banners to form a book.
• Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor cleared Tang Sanzang’s name, while Jade Rabbit Spirit was struck from the Immortal Register and banished to the mortal world.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples set out westward again, and Ao Tu retained four directional treasure banners as Daoist Zhunti awaited the Immortal Gathering Banner.

Ao Tu obtained the Green Lotus Treasure-Color Banner and persuaded Sage Jieyin to help him prepare an Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation against Spirit Mountain. Meanwhile, Taibai Jinxing sought the Immortal Gathering Banner for the Jade Emperor, and Hong'er secretly took the Queen Mother’s Western Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner before handing Taibai a substitute.

• Ao Tu prepared to trade the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree for the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner, but Sage Jieyin approached him to make peace and ask him to spare Shakyamuni from the tribulation.
• Ao Tu agreed to let Shakyamuni avoid the formation if he stayed clear of its gates, then persuaded Sage Jieyin to help guard one gate of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation.
• Ao Tu planned to invite the Three Pure Ones Sages to guard the other gates and join the attack on Spirit Mountain.
• Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor sent Taibai Jinxing to borrow the Immortal Gathering Banner, claiming it was needed to destroy a demon dragon in the Western Heaven.
• Taibai Jinxing told Hong'er and the other Seven Immortal Maidens the reason for his visit, and Hong'er secretly took the Western Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner from her room.
• Hong'er returned with a later-made, non-primordial Immortal Gathering Banner and told Taibai Jinxing that the Queen Mother had sent it.

Hong'er stole the Plain-Colored Cloud-Realm Banner and was captured, but Ao Tu’s seventh attempt to attain the Dao succeeded when the five banners joined together as the Heavenly Scripture. After the Six Sages and other powers congratulated him, resistance arose to the scripture’s teaching that only the Lord should be worshiped.

• Taibai Jinxing exposed Hong'er’s deception, and the Queen Mother of the West and Jade Emperor ordered a search and capture.
• Qing'er told Ao Tu that Hong'er had stolen the banner and was heading to him, so he used the Hetu Luoshu to find her.
• Taibai Jinxing struck the banner from Hong'er's hand, sending her into the mortal world, where she became a begonia; the banner flew to Ao Tu and merged with the other four.
• Ao Tu’s seventh attempt to attain the Dao succeeded, uniting his corpses and forming the five scriptures into the merit treasure called the Heavenly Scripture.
• The Six Sages, the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother of the West, and other powers congratulated Ao Tu and read his scripture, whose exclusive worship of the Lord displeased some Western Heaven figures.
• A Western Heaven power prepared to persuade Ao Tu to amend the Heavenly Scripture, while Sage Zhunti planned to use the dispute to draw more Great Luo into the calamity.

After the banquet, Ao Tu prepared to attack Spirit Mountain and received visits from Nezha, Wukong, Bajie, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit. Guanyin told Ao Tu that, now he had attained the Great Dao, he should no longer call her Teacher.

• Sage Zhunti urged Ao Tu to preach in the Eastern Lands, and Minghe argued with those who challenged him until the banquet ended.
• Ao Tu ordered Minghe to ready the troops for an attack on Spirit Mountain and dismissed his warning not to get distracted.
• Ao Tu pulled Nezha down by his red silk, then returned the Brocade Kasaya to Wukong after Wukong explained Tang Sanzang needed it.
• Nezha refused to serve as Ao Tu's attendant but agreed to help when the attack on Spirit Mountain began.
• The Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit revealed that Guanyin Bodhisattva had watched Ao Tu attain the Dao and had secretly returned to see him.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva told Ao Tu that their master-disciple relationship had ended and asked him not to call her Teacher.

After attaining the Great Dao, Ao Tu gave Guanyin Bodhisattva a robe, restored Hong'er, and brought them with the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit to Pansi Ridge. They bathed at Zhuogou Spring, where Guanyin Bodhisattva recounted a tragic reincarnation and Ao Tu restrained the Rat Spirit for biting him underwater.

• Ao Tu gave Guanyin Bodhisattva a robe and used the Jade-Cleansing Bottle and a Golden Elixir to restore Hong'er.
• Ao Tu told Guanyin Bodhisattva about Hong'er's help, then brought her and the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit to Zhuogou Spring on Pansi Ridge.
• Ao Tu and Guanyin Bodhisattva entered the hot spring, and Hong'er persuaded him to let the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit join them.
• Guanyin Bodhisattva recounted a reincarnation in which she and Ao Tu met tragic ends after neglecting swordsmanship for their feelings.
• Ao Tu used a chain to pull the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit from underwater after she bit him, then released her and spoke with Hong'er about the Heavenly Realm.

Ao Tu arranged for Hong'er to go to the Heavenly Realm and reunited with the Jade Rabbit Spirit, restoring her cultivation and bringing her along. He left for the Heavenly Realm with both of them, while Tang Sanzang and his disciples departed the capital of Tianzhu Kingdom.

• Ao Tu told Hong'er about the Heavenly Realm's plans, and she chose to go there to help Jiangzhu manage the Flower Realm.
• The Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit asked to join them, and Ao Tu promised to bring her to the Flower Realm after she restrained her lust and attained Taiyi Buddhahood.
• After resting at Zhuogou Spring, Ao Tu and Guanyin Bodhisattva parted ways, with Guanyin taking the Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit back to the Southern Sea.
• Ao Tu divined with the Hetu Luoshu and went with Hong'er to Mount Maoying, where he found the Jade Rabbit Spirit living in a burrow.
• Ao Tu restored the Jade Rabbit Spirit's cultivation with a Golden Elixir and brought her back to the Heavenly Realm with Hong'er.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples left the capital of Tianzhu Kingdom.

After settling the tribulation rewards, Ao Tu comprehended the Heaven-Opening Dao Principles and used the Primordial Chaos Qi to accelerate the formation of his own Chaos. He left the emerging Laws to develop and planned to share some with those who had helped him attain the Dao.

• Ao Tu returned to the Flower Realm with Hong'er and Jade Rabbit, settled Hong'er in, and examined his rewards after the system carried 36 excess days toward the next side quest in Tongtai Prefecture.
• Ao Tu gave Jiangzhu the Golden Lotus Fruit for tea, gave Xiao Zhenying the Meditation Cushion, and kept the Essence of Zhen Wood while reserving the Demon God Essence Blood for his subordinates.
• Ao Tu studied the Prajna Seal and Jingshi Divine Mantra, then focused on the Heaven-Opening Dao Principles and Primordial Chaos Qi.
• Ao Tu's comprehension formed a thin shell from the Laws of Creation of Heaven within his Chaos, and the Primordial Chaos Qi caused further Laws and matter to develop rapidly.
• Jiangzhu failed to notice Ao Tu while he merged with Heaven and Earth, then cried out when he returned to her perception and spilled her tea.
• Ao Tu decided to let some Laws develop independently and share others with the Ancestral Dragon, the Ancestral Shamans, the Demon Emperor, and his other allies.

Ao Tu visited Tushita Palace to enlist Taishang Laojun’s help with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation while the system tracked how long Tang Sanzang remained in Tongtai Prefecture. Tang Sanzang and his disciples reached the prefecture and learned where they could seek lodging and a meal, leaving their next encounter set at Squire Hu’s home.

• Ao Tu brought gifts to Tushita Palace, sent Xiao Zhenying to observe alchemy, and discussed the formation with Taishang Laojun.
• Ao Tu noticed the system’s rewards for keeping the Pilgrim in Tongtai Prefecture, with the current progress at thirty-six days.
• Tang Sanzang and his disciples traveled toward a city as Bajie complained about the cold, hunger, and their lack of lodging.
• In Tongtai Prefecture, Wukong and Bajie frightened away the snake charmer’s audience, then argued with Kou Liang until the cold ended the quarrel.
• Tang Sanzang asked an old man for a vegetarian meal, and the man directed them to the charitable Squire Hu Ada.