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

His hands, carrying the load, were as steady as a rock, and his voice was neither hurried nor slow: "Master, although the Western Paradise is near, the journey is long and arduous."

Taking a night's rest to recuperate and protect one's health is certainly a good idea.

But he thought to himself: "The Buddha's eyes are like torches in the sacred palace of Mount Ling. How can I escape my old sins? Every day I delay will give me a better chance of survival."

After hearing this, Tang Sanzang's gaze softened: "Sha Wujing, you have always been steady and reliable, so let's go with this plan."

Wukong chimed in, but his mind was already wandering far away; the medicine was burning like fire, urging him to find an opportunity.

As Wukong ascended into the sky to explore the way, he looked around at the vast land, where villages were sparse.

He should have gone straight to the temple, but for some inexplicable reason, he turned towards the monkey mountain.

A troop of monkeys gathered around, their hairy faces and red lips shouting, "Long live the Monkey King!"

Wukong beamed with joy, embracing several monkey wives, and under the guise of play, he unleashed his remaining venom.

The cave was deep and dark, and the monkey's cries echoed. An hour later, he felt refreshed, got up, patted the monkey's shoulder, and said, "Brothers, guard the stronghold well. I, Old Sun, will go protect Tang Sanzang!"

The monkeys watched them go, filled with envy.

While waiting, Tang Sanzang's prayer beads spun, his worry deepening: "Wukong is quick-witted and never makes a mistake."

Why are you so late this time?

Pigsy yawned and teased, "Master, Monkey is probably picking fruit from the tree, slacking off! I know him well, that monkey's nature, he can't stay still."

Sha Wujing smiled without saying a word, but in his heart he praised Zhu Bajie for his unintentional actions.

Upon returning, Wukong made up an excuse: "Master, the area ahead was deserted, and I wandered around for a long time before finally finding a temple."

Thirty li is not far!

Upon hearing this, Pigsy perked up: "A temple? Do they have vegetarian meals? Let's go!"

Along the way, he ran like a pig's trotter, Sha Wujing shook his head and laughed, while Tang Sanzang secretly observed Wukong—that monkey's eyes were darting around, could he be hiding something from me? In Yunlai Temple, the aroma of vegetarian food filled the air.

Bajie devoured the food with gusto, his chopsticks flying, splattering soup all over his monk's robe: "Wonderful! This vegetarian duck is even more fragrant than real duck!"

Wukong only scratched the surface, wandering around the garden. Under the moonlight and amidst the shadows of flowers, his monkey heart found some peace.

Tang Sanzang bathed and changed his clothes, burned incense and sat in meditation. In a half-dream, a ghost suddenly appeared.

The king's figure, his clothes soaked and clinging to his body, his face ashen: "Holy monk... demons have harmed me... the well's remains..."

Tang Sanzang awoke with a start, pushed open the door to see the moon, recited the Heart Sutra to calm his soul, and vowed in his heart: Tomorrow he will enter Wuji and avenge this king's wrong! In the hidden realm, Jiang Wang sat cross-legged in the void, as if struck by lightning by a system task.

He pondered carefully: one weakness, three dangers, and two neutralities are just right.

The black-boned chicken is transported, the cicadas transform and lie in wait, and the vines by the well sing in the autumn breeze.

The next day, the master and his disciples stormed the garden. Wukong used his staff to protect his master, Bajie jumped into the well, Jiang Wang shouted, and the guards swarmed in.

The ice talisman was dropped into the well, and with a crack, it froze solid, its crystal walls as smooth as jade. Pigsy roared, "Who the hell froze me!"

As the chief guard praised him, Bodhi appeared, his gloves gleaming with the Weak Water, their chilling aura biting to the bone.

Jiang Wang dodged, his ice shadow vanishing, danger lurking everywhere.

Jiang Wang's figure flashed, and he had already disappeared into the hazy void of the hidden realm.

Surrounded by mist, the hidden realm is like a small, independent world, where time flows differently from the outside.

A burning desire raged within him. He had just set up a trap in the royal garden of Wuji Kingdom, sealing Zhu Bajie tightly at the bottom of the well. The corrosive water had already clung to his body like maggots, and every moment felt like a thousand ants gnawing at his heart.

Without giving it much thought, he summoned the mysterious system with a single thought.

"System, mission complete! Pigsy has been trapped at the bottom of a well for three years. Issue the reward immediately!"

Jiang Wang's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable urgency.

He needs the nourishment of that innate treasure to cleanse himself of the poison of the Weak Water; otherwise, even with three heads and six arms, he would not escape this calamity.

In the void, a cold, mechanical voice rang out, devoid of emotion, yet as loud as thunder: "The mission has not yet been fully accomplished."

In light of the previous mission failure, the system has modified the rules: Pigsy must be trapped at the bottom of the well for a full three years before he can claim the reward.

Current progress: Day 0.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang's expression changed drastically, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Three years? Are you trying to kill me? With the Weak Water entering my body, I won't last more than three months!"

He gritted his teeth, his mind racing.

He had experienced the system's ruthless logic countless times before; last time, due to a slight oversight, he almost lost his soul.

This time, another unexpected turn of events occurred! The system's voice spoke calmly: "Time flows in the hidden realm, but only three days pass in the outside world."

The host can handle it on its own.

"Three days..."

Jiang Wang took a deep breath, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

A year in seclusion is equivalent to only one day in the outside world. These three years in seclusion are, in the eyes of the outside world, less than three days.

His mind raced, and a cold smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

"Alright, in that case, I will go to the Heavenly Realm to wait."

"Don't even think about playing me!"

He immediately turned around and searched for a hidden treasure in the secret realm—the artist's mask, which was something left behind by Venus in the past, and could transform his appearance and aura.

Jiang Wang put on the mask, and with a flash of silver light, he transformed into the white-bearded, otherworldly-looking Venus.

Before leaving, he became wary.

Pigsy is trapped at the bottom of the well. How could that old monster Bodhi let it go? Someone must guard it to ensure its safety.

With a thought, he transmitted his voice to Guo Ziyi, the most reliable disciple among the hidden lineage.

Guo Ziyi was originally from a military family. By chance, he became a disciple of Jiang Wang. He was loyal and devoted. Although his magical power was not top-notch, he had an indomitable spirit.

A short while later, Guo Ziyi appeared, kneeling on one knee: "Master, what summoned you?"

Jiang Wang's gaze was sharp as he looked directly at his disciple: "Ziyi, I have an important matter to entrust to you."

You take this fragment of my Pangu Banner and hurry to the Imperial Garden of Wuji Kingdom to guard that well! Pigsy is trapped inside and has been unable to escape for three years.

Bodhi, Sun Wukong, and others will surely come to rescue you. Use the Pangu Banner to set up the Heaven-Opening Illusion Array, freeze the well mouth, and never leave it.

Remember, any living being that approaches, kill it without mercy!

Upon hearing this, Guo Ziyi felt a cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

The Pangu Banner is a fragment of a primordial treasure, possessing boundless power. How could a mere disciple like him wield it? But his master's command was as weighty as a mountain, and he dared not hesitate for a moment. He stood up, took the gray banner, and solemnly nodded: "Disciple obeys! I will certainly not fail my master's kindness."

Jiang Wang nodded, waved his sleeve, and teleported Guo Ziyi out of the hidden realm, heading straight for Wuji Kingdom.

He then transformed into a rainbow and flew away, heading straight for the heavens.

The corrosive effects of the weak water were already causing him pain, and he needed to recuperate quietly amidst the layers of clouds in the Heavenly Court, awaiting the belated blessing from the system.

On the way, he pondered to himself: Bodhi, Laozi, and the Supreme Lord, with their quasi-saintly power, must have already sensed the approaching situation.

Hmph, in this game, who will have the last laugh remains to be seen! Meanwhile, in the royal garden of Wuji Kingdom, flowers bloomed in profusion and strange rocks stood tall, yet a strange and murderous aura shrouded them.

The withered figure of Bodhi Patriarch stood in the pavilion, his white eyebrows slightly raised, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Opposite him stood Laozi, who had arrived riding a blue ox. Laozi's hair and beard were all white, and he held a whisk in his hand. His face no longer had the immortal air of the past, but only a trace of sinister intent remained.

"Bodhi, why didn't you stop Jiang Wang?"

Lao Jun's voice was low and deep, tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"He carried three innate treasures, and the Weak Water entered his body. He should have seized the opportunity to take them."

"If you miss this opportunity, it will be too late to regret it!"

Bodhi smiled slightly, but his eyes were devoid of any warmth: "Laojun, we are both quasi-saints, why say more? That Jiang Wang possesses three treasures: the power of the Pangu Banner to open the heavens, the protective might of the Chaos Bell, and the River Chart and Luo Book to deduce the secrets of heaven. If we were to force our way through, although we might win, we would inevitably suffer heavy losses."

Moreover, he has been deeply corrupted by the weak water and his life is nearing its end.

Why not wait and see how things develop?

Laozi lightly shook his whisk, his brows furrowed: "Hmph, you old bald donkey, you always have such deep schemes."

But I've heard he's escaped death countless times before; how can I be sure he doesn't have a backup plan?

Just then, a golden light rushed over, and Sun Wukong shook his monkey hair, appearing in the pavilion.

With his hairy face and thunderous mouth, and his eyes flashing with fire, he asked, "Master! Did Jiang Wang succeed? How is Junior Brother Pigsy?"

Bodhi turned his head and said calmly, "Wukong, the plan is complete."

Jiang vainly thought that by trapping your junior brother, you could rest easy.

In reality, he had already entered a dead end.

The vast ocean, though seemingly weak, can corrode the primordial spirit; within three months, he will surely turn into a stagnant pool.

He's not long for this world!

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's monkey eyes widened, and he immediately danced with joy, somersaulting several times in the pavilion: "Hahaha! That's great! That demon is finally doomed! Master, if I had known you were so wise and resourceful, I would have worried for nothing!"

He recalled Jiang Wang's insidious methods and felt a burning hatred in his teeth. Back then, during the battle at Flower Fruit Mountain, he almost lost Old Sun's treasure.

Lao Jun snorted coldly and splashed a basin of cold water on it: "Monkey, don't be too proud of yourself."

Jiang Wang, that scoundrel, is as cunning as a fox. He couldn't be killed in the Eight Trigrams Furnace, and he couldn't be destroyed under the Five Elements Mountain.

Although the Weak Water is poisonous this time, if he has a backup plan, won't you all be left with nothing?

Upon hearing this, Bodhi frowned slightly and retorted, "Laojun, you are too suspicious."

The Weak Water is an ancient relic, specifically designed to counteract the physical body and primordial spirit. Although his three treasures are powerful, they are not omnipotent.

Moreover, I have already deduced most of the strange things in the system, and this time, modifying the rules is a golden opportunity.

Jiang Wang is doomed!

The two began to disagree, and a hint of displeasure flashed in Lao Jun's eyes, but he said no more.

He thought to himself: Bodhi, that old bald man, is always hiding things.

"Fine, I'll do it myself!" He waved his whisk, his figure fading away: "In that case, I'll go to the Eastern Continent to search for that scoundrel's whereabouts."

Of the three treasures, the Chaos Bell should rightfully belong to my Taiqing lineage; let it never fall into the hands of outsiders!

After saying this, the blue ox bellowed softly, and he rode it away.

Before long, Yuan Daoren appeared. He was a master from the Kunlun lineage, with a cold and stern face.

He cupped his hands and said, "Uncle Bodhi, Laozi has departed, and I will follow him."

If Jiang Wang dies, his treasures will surely be scattered. How can Kunlun stand idly by?

Bodhi nodded and watched him leave.

After everyone had dispersed, Bodhi turned to Sun Wukong and said, "Wukong, you stay here."

Pigsy is trapped at the bottom of the well, and something unexpected may happen.

I'll go arrange a backup plan.

After saying this, his figure flickered and disappeared into the void, transmitting his voice to Tathagata and Dipankara: "You two, quickly go to the Eastern Continent and lay down a net of heaven and earth."

After Jiang Wang dies, his treasure will surely appear.

The West is our unbreakable bond; we must not fall behind!

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong scratched his head and remained alone in the garden.

Suddenly remembering Pigsy's dull and foolish appearance, he felt a pang of pity: "Oh dear, Brother Pigsy is trapped at the bottom of the well, I wonder how he is? I'll go and check on him!"

He somersaulted and headed straight for the well in the Imperial Garden.

Beside the well, the moonlight was like water, but a layer of crystal-clear ice had mysteriously formed on the well opening, emanating a chilling aura that made the surrounding flowers and trees appear frosty.

Sun Wukong took a closer look, and his monkey hair stood on end: "What is this? It's so hard!"

With a thought, the golden cudgel appeared in his hand, and with a whoosh...

With a loud thud, the staff, as imposing as a mountain, crashed down! "Boom!"

With a loud bang, the ground in the garden shook and the flowers and stones shattered, but the solid ice remained unmoved, and the shock made Sun Wukong's tiger's mouth go numb.

His eyes widened in anger: "That ice is so hard! Old Sun doesn't believe in such things!"

With a shake, the staff grew to the thickness of a bowl, and then struck dozens more times, sparks flying everywhere. The ice surface, however, became even smoother, reflecting the Monkey King's angry face like a mirror.

"Damn it!"

Sun Wukong sheathed his staff and spewed out a mouthful of Samadhi True Fire, its crimson flames like a dragon, fiercely burning the well's mouth.

Flames shot into the sky, heat waves rolled in, flowers in the garden withered instantly, and the air distorted and deformed.

But the solid ice neither melted nor dissolved; instead, it absorbed the firepower and faintly glowed with a blue light, as if mocking the Monkey King's futile efforts.

At the bottom of the well, darkness reigned, and Pigsy's fat body sank deeper and deeper, cursing under his breath: "Damn it, how can this well be so deep? I was carrying the king's corpse, intending to climb up and claim credit, but who knew I'd run into that sorcerer Jiang Wang's trickery!"

He was originally the reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng, possessing extraordinary magical powers, but due to lust, he made a mistake and was tricked by Jiang Wang, falling into a well.

Although the Weak Water hadn't reached him, the well water was icy cold, making him shiver.

Suddenly, the water rippled ahead, and a crystal palace appeared, its glazed tiles sparkling with jewels, and shrimp soldiers and crab generals lined up in front of the gate, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.

Pigsy's eyes lit up: "Wow, what a wonderful place this is! Could it be the Dragon Palace?"

He shook his head, barely managing to steady himself, and cupped his hands, saying, "Is that the Dragon King inside? This humble Pigsy greets you!"

The palace gates swung open, and an old dragon with a silver beard came out to greet them; it was none other than the Well Dragon King.

This dragon governs a spiritual well in Wuji Kingdom. He usually keeps a low profile, but today he unexpectedly welcomes this former general of the Milky Way.

He cupped his hands and smiled, "So it's the Pig King who has arrived! Little Dragon Well Dragon King, I've long admired your name."

Please come into the hall quickly and rest."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy was overjoyed and swaggered in, his big belly swaying.

The palace was resplendent with gold and jade, with coral pillars and luminous pearls illuminating the four walls.

The Dragon King ordered his men to serve tea and fruit, and then summoned the mermaid to play music.

Pigsy devoured the food with gusto, his mouth greasy with oil, and exclaimed, "Grandpa Dragon King is so hospitable! I was just wondering where to stay when I stumbled upon this blessed place."

A calculating glint flashed in the eyes of the Well Dragon King, who cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have a request."

The body of the King of Wuji was preserved by the Beauty-Preserving Pearl and is still in the palace.

If the Heavenly King helps me carry this cargo to the surface and return it to the human world, I will repay him with a treasure! What do you say?

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's eyes narrowed into slits: "Treasure? What treasure? This is my favorite!"

He was secretly delighted: This Dragon King knows how to get things done; he'd rather carry a corpse in exchange for treasure. Why not? He nodded immediately: "Alright! I'm strong enough to carry it!"

The Dragon King was overjoyed and led him to the back hall, where he saw the corpse of a king, whose face was lifelike. It was the transformed face-fixing pearl, and it was as stiff as wax.

Without saying a word, Pigsy bent over, hoisted the corpse onto his shoulder, and swayed as it floated towards the well.

The well water was getting shallower and icy cold, but he gritted his teeth and persevered: "Hmph, this ice layer, I, Old Pig, can break it with one push!"

"boom!"

Pigsy slammed his head against the solid ice like an iron wall, the impact causing a sharp pain in his forehead, and his corpse nearly slipped off. (End of Chapter)