I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was originally a spirit beast under the command of the Taiyin Star Lord. It had mastered the art of alchemy and recently received secret guidance from Jiang Wang, and had already reached the half-step Saint Realm.

She held a jade bottle in her hand, inside which three golden pills shimmered and moved as if alive, reflecting a holy glow onto the faces of the three people.

"I will never forget your great kindness, Master!"

Chang'e's voice was as clear as moonlight, and she was the first to kowtow.

The two fairy maids, their eyes brimming with tears, thanked them in unison.

The three of them were originally orphaned fairies in the Moon Palace. Their master took them in and taught them alchemy techniques. Now, having obtained this Dao-proving pill, they can be reborn and enter the realm of saints after taking it once.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit smiled slightly and stroked its beard, saying, "Get up. This pill was given to you by the Great Sage Jiang Wang of the Hidden Realm. It contains the origin of chaos, and one pill is enough to prove your Dao."

After you take it, you will be able to guard the Peach Blossom Forest in Yue Garden and protect the Guanghan lineage so that it will never decline.

I will continue my seclusion to refine elixirs, and wait until the Three Realms are restored before joining you all in this grand undertaking.”

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable firmness.

Upon hearing this, the three of them stood up, took the pills, and swallowed them.

The elixir melted upon entering her mouth, transforming into a warm current that rushed straight to her crown chakra. Chang'e felt as if her meridians were bursting open, and the light of the Holy Path shone from between her eyebrows, instantly granting her the Primordial Holy Body.

The two fairy maids were the same; their auras surged, causing the fairy energy in the peach grove to surge and attracting colorful clouds to appear on the horizon, as if the entire three realms were celebrating for them.

Seeing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit nodded in satisfaction, then turned and entered the alchemy room to concentrate on refining the next batch of pills, disappearing into the mist.

At the same time, deep within Yue Garden, Jiang Wang's figure appeared like a ghost.

He was dressed in a black robe, his brows still radiating murderous intent. The power he had used to devour six of the thirty-three heavens and kill Nuwa and the two Western saints still surged within him, making each step he took seem like shattering the void.

The familiar moonlight emanating from the Guanghan Palace brought a slight smile to his lips.

Chang'e has had a long-standing relationship with him since ancient times. Now she lives peacefully in Yue Garden, where she enjoys a rare tranquility.

"Sister Chang'e, how have you been these years?"

Jiang Wang pushed open the bamboo door and stepped into the pavilion, where he saw Chang'e sitting cross-legged under the laurel tree. The holy light from taking the elixir had not yet dissipated, and she was surrounded by silver radiance, like a dream.

Upon hearing this, Chang'e rose and gave a graceful bow, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Brother Jiang, it is an honor for me to be here. I have failed to greet you properly."

After taking the elixir, my younger sister felt that the path to sainthood was within reach, and she thanked her elder brother for his grace.

Her voice was soft, but tinged with a hint of wariness.

She had long heard of Jiang Wang's ambition; his actions of delaying the Journey to the West and overturning the Three Realms had already made countless immortals and Buddhas uneasy.

Jiang Wang laughed loudly, and with a wave of his hand, a crystal-clear pill appeared in his palm. It was the Hunyuan Pill, which contained the origin of heaven and earth. One pill could directly lead to the Saint Realm.

"Sister, why be so polite? Chaos is about to break out in the Three Realms, and we are all just pawns. Why not use this elixir to attain enlightenment as soon as possible? While I postpone my journey to the West and consolidate my strength, you can enjoy peace in the Moon Palace forever."

Chang'e looked at the elixir, hesitated for a moment, and finally took it, saying softly, "Brother, I appreciate your kindness."

After attaining enlightenment, the younger sister vowed to protect the Peach Grove lineage for her brother.

She swallowed the pill and felt a surge of immense power flow into her dantian. Holy light shone brightly, and she instantly broke through the shackles, achieving the status of a saint.

Seeing this, Jiang Wang nodded in satisfaction, turned and left, a rift opened in the void, and he headed straight for the Hidden Realm's Far East Island.

On the Far East Island, Jiang Wang descended in his true form, causing the waves to surge and the island to roar like a giant beast.

With a wave of his hand, he recalled the alchemy clone, which transformed into a golden light and merged into his main body. The fire in the alchemy furnace blazed fiercely, and the refined products became increasingly pure.

Jiang Wang sat cross-legged in front of the furnace, personally taking over the task. His eyes gleamed with a sharp light: "The Journey to the West is about to be postponed. Once this pill is formed, I can devour another saint and increase my strength to a higher level."

However, the purple-gold-red gourd at his waist trembled slightly, and inside, Guanyin and Taibai Jinxing, who were imprisoned, were engaged in a thrilling game of strategy.

The gourd-shaped space was like a small, dark and gloomy world. Guanyin Bodhisattva sat cross-legged on a lotus platform, her face compassionate yet carrying a hint of determination.

Venus, with his hair and beard bristling and silver beard dancing wildly, roared, "Bodhisattva! We were both imprisoned by this demon, why do you treat me like an enemy? The method of resurrection from the Investiture of the Gods is a secret of the Heavenly Court, how could you..."

Guanyin sighed and clasped her hands together, saying, "Brother Taibai, please don't be angry."

This humble nun's actions are not for personal revenge, but for the sake of all living beings in the Three Realms.

Jiang Wang, this scoundrel, has been ambitious in recent years. He has already devoured six of the thirty-three heavens and killed the Goddess Nuwa and two Western saints. His power is now close to the pinnacle of the Great Dao.

He postponed the Journey to the West not for his own selfish reasons, but to devour more of the Heavenly Dao's essence and increase his strength. At that time, the Three Realms would never have peace.

If Tang Sanzang and his disciples remain trapped in this predicament, their journey to the West will fail, Buddhism will perish, and demonic chaos will erupt in the human world.

Upon hearing this, Taibai's face turned deathly pale, and his silver beard trembled: "Devouring the Six Heavens? Killing a Sage? How could the Heavenly Court stand idly by? His Majesty the Jade Emperor..."

"The Jade Emperor's three corpses have been secretly suppressed by Jiang Wang."

Guanyin's voice was deep, "He imprisoned me in this gourd for several years, just to force me to give up my journey to the West."

However, this humble nun is preoccupied with the greater cause. The only way is to borrow the body of my fellow Daoist and be resurrected in the Investiture of the Gods to deliver a message: informing the Buddhist sect and the Heavenly Court that Jiang Wang has appeared, Tang Sanzang is alive, and the Journey to the West must proceed swiftly! Only in this way can we disrupt the situation and push the pilgrimage to continue.

Upon hearing this, a hint of tragic grandeur flashed in Taibai's eyes.

He was originally a loyal and devoted minister of the Heavenly Court, but thousands of years of imprisonment had left him heartbroken and despondent.

Hearing of the chaos outside, his blood boiled even more: "The Bodhisattva's righteousness is beyond compare! I am willing to serve him like a dog! I only need to die to return to the Investiture of the Gods, and after being resurrected, I will go straight to Mount Ling to deliver a message to the Buddha!"

Guanyin nodded, but her brows were furrowed: "I will remember your kindness, fellow Daoist."

However, Jiang set up a restriction, and the cycle of the Heavenly Dao within this gourd is one that neither you nor I can escape.

Only... this humble nun can do it herself.

Her voice trembled. Monks do not kill, this is an ironclad rule, but for the sake of the three realms, she had no other choice.

Taibai laughed loudly, his silver robe fluttering: "Come on! Let the Bodhisattva make the move, this old man will have no regrets!"

Guanyin closed her eyes for a moment, tears glistening in them. She formed a mudra with her right hand, and a golden light, like a sword, pierced straight into Taibai's heart.

That golden light, originally the light of a compassionate and pure land, transformed into murderous intent at this moment.

Taibai groaned, blood gushing out, his silver beard stained red, but his eyes were filled with relief: "Bodhisattva... thank you... the Three Realms... are blessed..."

After speaking, his soul drifted out, transforming into a beam of white light that broke through the gourd's restrictions and headed straight for the Heavenly Court's Hall of Gods.

Guanyin withdrew her hand, tears sliding down her lotus platform, and murmured, "Amitabha, this humble nun is deeply sinful."

Brother Taibai, we shall meet again in the next life.

Inside the gourd, all was silent. She sat alone, waiting for the heavens to unfold.

In the Heavenly Palace, specifically in the Hall of Investiture of the Gods, the Jade Emperor's three incarnations gathered together: one main body, one benevolent body, and one malevolent body, all with indestructible golden bodies and exuding a powerful aura.

The hall was filled with divine light, and a beam of white light fell down, causing Venus's soul to reunite, his silver robe to reappear, and his hair and beard to be as new as ever.

He opened his eyes, stood up, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister has been resurrected. Many thanks to the wondrous use of the Investiture of the Gods!"

The Jade Emperor smiled slightly: "Taibai, there's no need for such formalities."

Your soul has returned to this palace, and you should have resumed your duties as the celestial official.

However, the instructions given by Guanyin Bodhisattva no longer require your personal transmission.

News travels fast through the Three Realms; the news of Jiang Wang's appearance and Tang Sanzang's survival had already spread to the ears of all the immortals and Buddhas.

The grand Journey to the West project is about to restart; you can rest assured.

Taibai was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled bitterly: "The Bodhisattva has done me a great favor by dying for this old minister. In that case, this old minister will repay the Buddhist sect in the future and personally go to Mount Ling to tell Guanyin about being trapped in the gourd."

"This wicked Jiang Wang devours heaven and saints; the Three Realms are in grave danger!"

The benevolent corpse nodded: "Good."

"Taibai, you should rest and recuperate first. We can discuss this matter again once the dust has settled from the Journey to the West."

Taibai bowed and withdrew. The three corpses in the hall exchanged glances, and a hint of killing intent appeared in the void.

Jiang Wang's shadow has already enveloped the sky.

On the banks of the Blackwater River, where turbid waves surged, Sun Wukong held his golden cudgel, his hairy face and thunderous mouth, his fiery eyes filled with anxiety.

Pigsy leaned against a rock by the river, panting and fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. He said, “Brother Monkey, why hasn’t Guanyin Bodhisattva sent the golden statue yet? Master is trapped in that Ancestral Dragon Abyss. If the three of us go to rescue him empty-handed, I’m afraid we’ll be in grave danger! My stomach is growling with hunger.”

Sha Wujing carried the load on his shoulder pole, a hint of struggle flashing across his wooden face.

He was originally the Curtain-Raising General, reincarnated as Sha Wujing. He was well aware of the progress of the Journey to the West: delaying it was good, as it could save his life; however, if his master died, he would lose his protective umbrella. In the chaos of the Three Realms, even a veteran like him would not be able to escape the calamity.

"Senior Brother, don't be anxious."

"The Bodhisattva is compassionate; there will surely be a plan."

Upon hearing this, Wukong slammed his staff into the ground, causing the river water to burst into spray: "Worried? How could I, Old Sun, not be worried! My master is sacrificing himself for the Journey to the West, how can we sit idly by? If Guanyin Bodhisattva doesn't come soon, I'll personally go to Mount Ling to demand him!"

He somersaulted on his cloud and arrived at the foot of Luojia Mountain in no time.

The old mountain god, with white hair and beard, came out to greet him, cupping his hands and saying, "Monkey King, you've come to disturb my peaceful cultivation again? Last time I asked the Bodhisattva for help, which was already a troublesome matter. What brings you here this time?"

Wukong scratched his head and chuckled, "Grandpa Mountain God, the Bodhisattva promised to send the Golden Cicada's golden body to save Master, but why is there still no sign of him? I'm so worried!"

The mountain god shook his head: "Monkey King, the Bodhisattva did not inform this old man of this matter."

Inside the Tide Sound Cave, the Dragon Girl Sudhana guards the golden statue; perhaps you may inquire there.

Wukong thanked her and headed straight for the cave, where he saw the Dragon Girl sitting cross-legged on a futon, her dragon horns faintly visible. Upon hearing this, she sighed, "Monkey King, the Bodhisattva has decreed that your golden body cannot be moved for the time being."

The journey to the West has been postponed; the time is not yet ripe.

Upon hearing this, Wukong flew into a rage: "Postpone? Master's life hangs by a thread, where is the Bodhisattva? I, Old Sun, will go to the Heavenly Court right now and ask the Jade Emperor!"

Ignoring the Dragon Girl's obstruction, he soared into the Southern Heavenly Gate on a cloud.

Before the Lingxiao Palace, the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Following Ear stood guard, and upon hearing this, they used their magic to investigate.

With his Thousand-Mile Eye squinting into the distance and his Wind-Following Ear straining to listen, he shook his head after a long while: "Monkey King, the Bodhisattva has vanished without a trace! It seems to be concealed by a demonic force, hidden in the void."

Upon hearing this, Wukong slammed his staff into the ground, shattering the palace tiles: "A cover-up? It must be that Jiang Wang's doing! I, Old Sun, don't believe in such superstitions, I'll investigate again!"

Just as he was about to make his move, he suddenly heard a silvery laugh behind him: "Monkey King, don't be hasty, this old man is coming!"

Venus arrived leaning on his cane, his silver beard flowing, his eyes carrying a hint of vicissitude.

Wukong turned his head and asked in surprise, "Old man Taibai? What are you doing here? Where is Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

Taibai sighed, pulled him aside, and whispered, "Monkey King, the Bodhisattva has been imprisoned in the Purple Gold Red Gourd by Jiang Wang. In order to postpone the journey to the West, he has gone to great lengths to fight."

This old man... has been resurrected from the dead to deliver this message.

The Bodhisattva had already made arrangements for the golden statue: it would be placed in the Chaoyin Cave on Luojia Mountain, at the home of Sudhana and the Dragon Girl.

Go quickly and retrieve it. Follow the instructions to find Tang Sanzang. Remember: after finding your master, return the golden statue and inform the Buddha that the Bodhisattva is trapped!

Upon hearing this, Wukong was struck dumb, tears welling in his eyes: "The Bodhisattva has gone to such lengths for the Journey to the West? I, Old Sun, will go right now!"

He flew away on a cloud, heading straight for Luojia Mountain.

Inside the Tide Sound Cave, Sudhana and the Dragon Girl saw that he was travel-worn and took out the Golden Cicada's Golden Body—a lifelike, radiant golden Buddha statue containing immeasurable merit.

"Monkey King, this golden body is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. I'm lending it to you to save Tang Sanzang."

After finding your master, return to Mount Ling immediately.

The Dragon Girl solemnly instructed, then whispered, "Please also inform the Buddha that the Bodhisattva is trapped in the gourd, Jiang Wang is devouring the heavens and saints, and the Three Realms are in imminent danger."

The Journey to the West must be completed quickly to break the deadlock!

Wukong took the golden body, put it into his ear, and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Dragon Girl, I'll remember this! Once we rescue our master, I'll definitely go to Mount Ling to report!"

He rose into the clouds and returned to the banks of the Blackwater River in an instant.

When Pigsy saw him return, he asked happily, "Brother Monkey, do you have the golden body again?"

Wukong took out the golden body, and the Buddha statue shone brightly, making the river water shine. The three of them knelt down in worship.

A hint of relief flashed in Sha Wujing's eyes: "Eldest brother, this golden statue has a guide. Master is in the Ancestral Dragon Abyss of Xiniu Hezhou."

Let's go!

Wukong nodded, shouldered the golden statue, Bajie carried the load, and Sha Wujing followed behind. The three of them set off westward.

After a long and dusty journey, they crossed the Western Niuhe Continent, a wild and desolate land where demons roamed freely. Wukong swept away thousands of enemies with his staff, Bajie cleared the way with his rake, and Sha Wujing protected the formation with his crescent shovel.

On their journey, they encountered a demon king who was breathing clouds and mist. Wukong, with his fiery eyes, recognized him as a former subordinate of Jiang Wang, who wanted to obstruct their journey to the West.

Enraged, Wukong smashed Jiang Wang's spirit with his staff and roared, "You monster! Jiang Wang delayed the journey to the West, causing Master to suffer. I, Old Sun, will be the first to not forgive him!"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy pouted and said, "Brother Monkey, that Jiang Wang swallowed six layers of heaven and killed Nuwa and the Western Saint. Can the three of us really defeat him?"

Wukong chuckled: "Even if we can't defeat them, we have to! With the Golden Body in hand, Master will surely be saved!"

Sha Wujing remained silent, his heart conflicted: If the journey to the West were to succeed, he would have no peace for the rest of his life on the battlefield; if it were to be postponed, his master would die, and all the grace of Buddhism would be lost.

He shook his head to clear his mind and focused on getting on his way.

The three of them endured hardships and slept outdoors for over a month before finally crossing the Western Ocean.

The waves were like mountains, and the storm raged. Pigsy almost fell into the water, but Sandy pulled him out and scolded, "Fool, your gluttony has caused trouble!"

Bajie wiped his mouth: "Brother Sha, I'm just starving!"

Wukong laughed and protected the golden body as they proceeded.

A giant wave suddenly rose in the sea, and the phantom of an ancestral dragon appeared, seemingly blocking the way.

Wukong's staff stirred up waves, his golden body shone brightly, and the illusory figure cried out and dispersed, which turned out to be the residual power of the Ancestral Dragon Abyss.

Finally, the three arrived at the Ancestral Dragon Abyss.

The mouth of the abyss was like the maw of a giant beast, shrouded in black mist, and its depths were unfathomable.

The golden statue hangs above the abyss, its light shining directly into the bottom, revealing a figure in a monk's robe. It is Tang Sanzang, who is trapped by the dragon's energy in the abyss. His face is haggard, but his eyes are clear.

"Master!"

Wukong shouted, and his voice echoed through the abyss.

Tang Sanzang looked up and smiled weakly: "Wukong...you've come..."

Pigsy cried, "Master, I've missed you so much!"

Sha Wujing cupped his hands in greeting: "Master, take care! Your disciple is coming to the rescue!" (End of Chapter)