Others follow advice and imitate celebrities, but you start by pretending to be a god?

Before long, Sun Wukong saw the Jade Rabbit Fairy. She was graceful and lithe, like an elf from the moon palace, and exuded a faint fairy aura.

"Sun Wukong? Why did you suddenly return to Chechi Kingdom to find me instead of escorting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West?" The Jade Rabbit Fairy asked with a surprised expression upon seeing Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong scratched his head and recounted in detail the group's encounters after entering India: "In that temple, we met a woman who claimed to be a princess of India. But later we discovered that the real princess of India had never disappeared; it's just that recently..."

“I went to the underworld and then to the Moon Star, and only then did I learn that the reason why Su’e was reincarnated as a human was because she had a grudge against you,” Sun Wukong continued.

"You even went to the Moon Star?" Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Fairy was somewhat surprised, her expression changing slightly, but she quickly relaxed and murmured to herself, "Indeed, I've stayed in the mortal realm for too long, it's time to let go of the hatred from the past."

"Has the old grudge been avenged?" Sun Wukong keenly caught the key words in the Jade Rabbit Fairy's words and quickly asked, "Is it the grudge against Chang'e?"

"That's right." The Jade Rabbit Fairy nodded, readily admitting it.

"The Moon Goddess also asked me to tell you that you've stayed in the mortal realm long enough," Sun Wukong added.

The Jade Rabbit Fairy glanced at Sun Wukong, her expression calm, and replied, "So that you may know that the matter you are investigating is related to me. Back then, I descended from the Taiyin Star to the mortal realm on the orders of the Star Lord to help the current Dao Lord, Lin Nan. But I stayed in the mortal realm for too long, and thinking of the punch that Su'e gave me on the Taiyin Star back then, I still can't get over it."

"So, I went to India and used my supernatural powers to take over the identity of Su'e, the current princess of India. I lived a few years of peaceful life, which can be considered as avenging my past grievances. A few days ago, feeling that I had avenged my great grievances, I left India." The Jade Rabbit Fairy told these past events without any concealment.

After listening, Sun Wukong scratched his head, feeling that although the Jade Rabbit Fairy's behavior was somewhat outrageous, he could understand it. After all, who doesn't harbor some unresolved hatred?

"I see, now I understand." Sun Wukong, having resolved his doubts, bid farewell to the Jade Rabbit Fairy and left.

Without lingering, Sun Wukong left Chechi Kingdom and returned to India.

"Wukong, how is it?" Tang Sanzang asked impatiently as soon as he saw Sun Wukong return.

At the same time, the King of India and others also turned their attention to the matter.

“Master, your disciple has learned the whole story.” Sun Wukong said, looking at the King of India and the real Princess of India. “This Princess of India is indeed the real one. The Princess of India in the previous years was someone else in disguise.”

"Damn it, what kind of monster has taken over my identity for years, leaving me to wander outside?" The real Indian princess gritted her teeth, her words filled with resentment.

The King of India echoed, "Could the high monk punish that monster?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "The imposter is not a demon, but a deity."

As he spoke, Sun Wukong made no attempt to hide anything and recounted this past event in detail: "My daughter is actually a celestial maiden reincarnated?"

The King of India was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but also felt a surge of pride. After all, anyone would be overjoyed if their daughter were a fairy reincarnated.

However, Sun Wukong then added that the fairy had committed a transgression and was therefore banished to the mortal realm. Upon hearing this, both the King and Princess of Tianzhu's expressions turned somewhat unpleasant.

Sun Wukong continued, "Therefore, the reason why the Princess of Tianzhu disappeared for several years was because of the Jade Rabbit on the Moon Star, just to avenge the punch from the Moon Palace. It was a small punishment, without harming the innocent, and it only lasted for a few years. Now that the Jade Rabbit has avenged its great grudge, it has naturally left."

After explaining the whole story, Sun Wukong told them not to have any other thoughts, and just to accept it all.

After these explanations, Tang Sanzang and his disciples still received a grand and solemn reception from the King of India. After the hospitality, they exchanged their travel permits and continued their westward journey.

The Great Thunderclap Temple of Mount Ling in the Western Paradise was just ahead, seemingly within reach. However, the atmosphere inside the Great Thunderclap Temple was somewhat somber.

The Buddha sat enthroned in the main hall, below him rows of Bodhisattvas and Arhats. His voice boomed as he asked, "The Tang Monk and his disciples are about to reach the Great Thunder Monastery, but fate dictates that they must endure eighty-one tribulations to achieve their goal. Now, because of Chechi Lin Nan, let alone eighty-one tribulations, even eighty tribulations are still a bit short."

The Buddha glanced at the Bodhisattvas and Arhats below and asked, "In this situation, what should we do?"

The Buddha was seeking the opinions of the Bodhisattvas and Arhats present. It was Heaven's will that Buddhism would flourish, but a great calamity was necessary, a ritual like the Journey to the West to witness it. This ritual, however, required the Buddha to return to the origin after enduring eighty-one tribulations, so that Buddhism could rise in the right direction and spread Mahayana Buddhism.

Now, Tang Sanzang and his disciples have reached the final sacred mountain, the Great Thunderclap Temple. However, some of their destined "eighty-one tribulations" have been missed. The reason for this absence is naturally due to Lin Nan, this "unexpected person."

Therefore, even though Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived at the Great Thunderclap Temple, their merits were not yet complete, and they could not immediately bring the scriptures back to the Tang Dynasty, which would be a regret.

At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva stepped forward and suggested, "Buddha, why not arrange a few more tribulations on their way back, to make up the eighty-one tribulations?"

"Then, how should it be arranged?" the Buddha asked again.

Subsequently, a heated discussion about this matter arose within Leiyin Temple.

The Tang Monk and his disciples, who were happily making their way to the Great Thunderclap Temple, were all unable to hide their excitement, completely unaware that some tribulations awaited them.

Thanks to the knowledge and systems that Lin Nan brought, Chechi Kingdom has undergone tremendous changes compared to this feudal era.

In addition to the rapid development of agriculture, the process of "industrialization" and "the integration of theory and practice" also began. Industrialization was a process of development for ordinary people, with a strong emphasis on developing basic industries, which even led to the invention of the "steam engine".

The so-called "transformation of Taoist arts" is because the veneration of Taoism is so prevalent, and Lin Nan is promoting the use of Taoist arts for the benefit of the people. Over the years, although Lin Nan himself has not personally trained any disciples, the three national teachers, Tiger Power Immortal, Deer Power Immortal, and Sheep Power Immortal, have been diligently training disciples.

In addition, the Taoist arts classes from childhood to adulthood have cultivated many talents. It is common to see students using Taoist arts to help ordinary people solve their problems.

In Chechi, every household, besides the mainstream belief, has its own family-based religious rites. For example, restaurants often worship the Kitchen God and recite a couple of "Kitchen God Incantations." Even farmers in the fields often recite a couple of incantations to appease the local earth god in addition to their offerings. The strong presence of religious practices in Chechi is not just a figure of speech; it is a genuine phenomenon. Nowadays, Chechi is divided into two systems.

One was the original, normal system of management by the king and his ministers. The other was the Daoist court system.

The Daoist court system was proposed by Lin Nan and implemented by the three national teachers, including Tiger Power Immortal.

Now, all those within Chechi who can use Taoist magic are under the jurisdiction of the Taoist Court, which also assists the Chechi government.

Under Lin Nan's deliberate guidance, the normal Chechi government is also developing industrialization and economic development.

Driven by this industrialization, Chechi had no shortage of jobs. On the contrary, it was in dire need of labor.

Therefore, nowadays, Chechi is encouraging childbirth, and there are even various subsidy policies in place.

In Chechi Kingdom, two development systems are advancing in tandem, profoundly propelling the country towards a people-centered direction from top to bottom.

This transformation is not superficial, but rather penetrates deep into the foundation of national development, foreshadowing a profound change for the Kingdom of Chechi.

It is foreseeable that as time goes by and the next generation grows up, especially the "seeds" that Lin Nan brought from modern society will sprout and grow into a remarkable behemoth.

At that time, Chechi Kingdom will surely unleash a storm in the realm of humanity with its powerful presence, becoming an existence that sweeps across the world.

The gaze shifts to a small town on the border of the Tang Dynasty. Here, the time traveler Fang Han has long since shed his identity as a beggar.

However, instead of embarking on a path to great success, he became a household slave.

However, compared to those homeless and wandering vagrants, his situation was much better. After all, he had been registered and had a relatively stable identity.

In order to find shelter from the wind and rain and a stable source of food for himself and his sister so that they could grow up healthily, Fang Han had no choice but to sell himself into a wealthy family and become a household slave.

However, Fang Han was no ordinary servant. Relying on his memories and knowledge from his previous life, he barely managed to become literate. Because of this, he was directly chosen as the young master's study companion.

Fang Han's sister's life also improved greatly because of him, and she was no longer as miserable as before.

Although Fang Han is now a servant, a burning flame of resentment still resides deep within him. He has his own thoughts and ambitions, but he knows he is still young and needs time and opportunity to grow and accumulate strength. Therefore, he temporarily buries this resentment deep in his heart and chooses to endure it.

With a relatively stable identity, Fang Han began to quietly accumulate strength. He studied diligently, constantly improving his knowledge and skills, preparing for his future rise.

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples continued their westward journey, encountering countless hardships and dangers. After passing through India, they were again blocked by the wealthy Kou, which delayed them for half a month.

However, after Kou Yuanwai's ordeal, Tang Sanzang and his disciples encountered no further obstacles. They traveled smoothly all the way to the foot of Mount Ling.

At the foot of Mount Ling, they met an immortal who had been waiting for them for many years—the Golden Peak Immortal.

With a smile, the Golden Peak Immortal led them toward the sacred Buddhist site. Along the way, they were also personally guided by the "Buddha of Guidance."

With the help of the Buddha, they successfully crossed the Lingyun Ferry.

The moment they successfully crossed the Lingyun Ferry, it was as if they had been reborn, shedding their mortal form and truly entering the Buddhist path.

Even Tang Sanzang was no longer an ordinary mortal at this time. Buddhist power began to grow in his body, emanating an aura of transcendence.

The four members of Tang Sanzang's group could not hide their surprise and excitement. They thought that after going through countless hardships, they had finally achieved their goal and were about to attain enlightenment.

At the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Buddha's voice, as resounding as a great bell, echoed throughout the entire hall. He began to impart Mahayana Buddhist teachings to Tang Sanzang, the profound Buddhist principles flowing like a gentle stream, nourishing Tang Sanzang's heart.

However, in the Great Thunder Temple, in addition to transmitting the Dharma, the Buddha also put Tang Sanzang through a test of his heart.

The so-called "questioning one's heart" naturally refers to Tang Sanzang's determination and belief in seeking the Buddha.

Previously, Tang Sanzang had been influenced by Chechi Kingdom and Lin Nan along his journey, and had also experienced the tragic ordeal at Lion Camel Ridge, causing his faith in seeking Buddhahood to begin to waver. He even doubted whether he could complete the great task of obtaining the scriptures and whether he could achieve enlightenment.

This situation was naturally not a good thing for Buddhism. Therefore, the Buddha decided to personally determine whether Tang Sanzang's "heart" was firm in the Great Thunderclap Temple.

In the main hall, the Buddha Tathagata stood solemnly and addressed Tang Sanzang by his Dharma name, "Xuanzang," and then asked, "Do you have any doubts about the Dharma?"

Tang Sanzang knelt respectfully on the ground and replied sincerely, "This humble monk previously only practiced Hinayana Buddhism, which, while enabling me to save myself, was insufficient to save all sentient beings. Now that I have obtained Mahayana Buddhism, I am able to save all sentient beings in the world."

By this time, Tang Sanzang had come to understand many things. He attributed his previous wavering will and setbacks to the Theravada Buddhism he had previously practiced. Theravada Buddhism emphasizes self-cultivation and self-liberation, making it difficult to universally save all sentient beings. Therefore, Tang Sanzang often found it difficult to answer some of the questions posed by Lin Nan, appearing powerless.

Now, Tang Sanzang has arrived at the Great Thunder Temple, and especially in the Kingdom of Tianzhu, he has witnessed firsthand the prosperity of this Buddhist kingdom on earth.

Compared to other countries, everyone here lived in peace and contentment, a scene of tranquility. This further convinced Tang Sanzang that the differences between countries were due to the nature of Buddhism. He felt that as long as he attained the Mahayana Buddhist teachings, saving all sentient beings would no longer be an unattainable dream.

Next, the Buddha asked several more questions. (End of Chapter)