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

He rubbed his pig-like head, burning with rage: "Damn it, what kind of weird thing is this? Are Old Sun and the others up there? Come save me!"

He arched his arms several times, but the ice didn't crack. Instead, a chilling aura rebounded, making his limbs numb.

Enraged, Pigsy threw the corpse aside and cursed, "That's it! I'm not playing anymore! This damn well is killing me!"

He sank down dejectedly, returned to the Crystal Palace, found a soft couch, lay down, and fell fast asleep.

In his sleep, he remembered the treasure promised by the Dragon King of the Well. He sat up abruptly and shouted outside the palace, "Grandpa Dragon King! Where is the treasure? I've been trapped here for three years and I'm so bored! Quickly get some fish spirits and clam spirits to relieve my boredom, or even mermaids! Otherwise, I'll tear down this palace!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of the Well's whiskers trembled wildly, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

He had originally intended to use Pigsy's strength to escape his predicament, but who knew this foolish pig would be so troublesome? The fish and clam spirits were delicacies from the bottom of the well, treasures he had kept himself; how could he bear to part with them? So he smiled obsequiously and said, "Your Majesty, please be patient. This little dragon will go and prepare... prepare wine and dishes!"

His mind was in turmoil: if Pigsy were to cause trouble, how could he possibly defend his small well palace? Above the well, Sun Wukong failed to break the ice. The Monkey King, impatient as fire, muttered, "This ice must be a trap set by that demon Jiang Wang! I refuse to believe I can't break it!"

With a thought, he summoned the local earth god.

The land deity was short and unsightly, wearing a small crown and a yellow robe. Upon hearing this, he appeared tremblingly: "Great Sage, why do you summon this humble god?"

Sun Wukong pointed his monkey paw at the well opening: "Brother Pig is trapped down there. Quickly lead the local earth gods to dig a tunnel, crawl in from the side, and rescue him!"

Upon hearing this, the Earth God wiped away his cold sweat and said, "Great Sage, this well... this humble god will give it a try."

With a wave of his hand, dozens of earth spirits appeared, wielding hoes and shovels, and began digging around the well.

Earth and stones flew, dust rose everywhere, and Sun Wukong paced to the side, his monkey eyes fixed on the scene.

After digging for a while, the landforms suddenly stopped and looked at each other in bewilderment.

One of the local deities exclaimed in a trembling voice, "Great Sage, this is terrible! The entire area around this well is encased in solid ice! Digging into the ground, even the hoe chipped when it encountered the ice!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong flew into a rage, snatched a hoe, and began to work on it himself.

"Crack!"

With a thud, the hoe blade shattered, and the ice layer, like an impenetrable fortress, sent chills straight to the earth's core.

He threw down his hoe, looked up to the sky and roared, "Jiang Wang! You treacherous villain, I'll smash your dog's head in one go!"

Echoes lingered in the garden, and the night wind was bleak.

Sun Wukong slumped down, gazing at the solid ice at the well's mouth, his heart filled with worry: Junior Brother Pig, you must hold on! Since Master Bodhi has gone to arrange a backup plan, it seems that Jiang Wang is already a fish in the net.

But how will they endure these three years? Above the heavens, amidst churning clouds, Jiang Wang, in his guise as Venus, quietly descends upon the Southern Heavenly Gate.

He twitched his white beard, cupped his hands, and said to the heavenly general guarding the gate, "This star is here on the orders of the Jade Emperor to inspect the Heavenly Palace."

"Clear the way quickly!"

The heavenly generals dared not be negligent and opened the doors wide.

Jiang Wang entered the Heavenly Court and found a side hall to sit quietly. The poison of the Weak Water was taking effect, making his face pale and his forehead sweaty.

"System, three years... I can wait!"

He muttered to himself, a murderous glint in his eyes.

He pondered to himself: Guo Ziyi guards the well, and although Bodhi and the like are strong, they do not know that I have already escaped to the heavens.

Once the reward is in hand, and the three treasures are all available, who can rival them? By the well in Wuji Kingdom, Guo Ziyi's figure quietly emerges.

Holding the Pangu Banner, a flash of gray light appeared, and the ice layer at the wellhead became even thicker, with a chilling aura like a coiled dragon.

In the distance, Sun Wukong vaguely sensed something amiss, his monkey eyes narrowing: "More movement? Could it be reinforcements?"

He gripped his golden cudgel tightly, unaware that this game had already unfolded like a chessboard where pieces were being placed, and the thoughts of all parties were intertwined into a web.

In the Crystal Palace at the bottom of the well, Pigsy snored loudly, and in his dream he was still shouting "Fish spirit... Clam spirit..." The Dragon King of the Well looked worried and summoned his shrimp soldiers and crab generals to discuss countermeasures.

Outside the garden, the local deities retreated, covered in dust and dirt, while Sun Wukong sat alone by the well, gazing at the starry sky in a daze.

In a side hall of the Heavenly Realm, Jiang Wang closed his eyes to rest, remaining hidden for three years while living in the outside world for three days.

This brief period of time will determine the outcome.

Amidst the undercurrents of various forces, whose choices and whose strategies will ultimately prevail in the Journey to the West?

Jiang Wang sat cross-legged in a side hall of the Heavenly Realm, his body shimmering with silver light. The performer's mask was incredibly lifelike, and even his aura was identical to that of Venus.

He sighed inwardly: Although the Heavenly Court was a blessed land for immortals, the poison of the Weak Water was like a maggot clinging to his bones, silently gnawing at his meridians.

Just now, when I urged the system in the hidden realm, the mechanical voice was cold and icy, as if it were a mockery from the heavens.

He recalled the infinite possibilities promised when he first obtained the system, which had now become shackles.

For him, three years of seclusion were an ordeal; for the outside world, it was but a fleeting moment.

He suppressed his inner turmoil and channeled the power of the Three Treasures.

Although the fragments of the Pangu Banner were handed over to Guo Ziyi, their residual power remained, with a gray light protecting him and barely resisting the corrosion.

The Chaos Bell tolled softly, its sound rippling outwards like waves, protecting the primordial spirit.

The illusory images of the Hetu and Luoshu appeared, deducing the secrets of heaven: Bodhi will surely move, Laozi is greedy for treasure, Sun Wukong is reckless... Hmph, come on! His lips curled up slightly, and his eyes burned with fighting spirit.

The night was deep in the royal garden of Wuji Kingdom.

When Guo Ziyi appeared by the well, the moonlight shone down, making his figure appear long and slender like a sword.

He was originally a brilliant general who had fought countless battles. After becoming a disciple of Jiang Wang, he learned the Heaven-Opening Illusion Array and his magical power greatly increased.

He held the Pangu Banner in his hand; it was as heavy as a mountain. His heart trembled slightly: "My master's three treasures are awe-inspiring throughout the Three Realms. How can I, a junior, fail to live up to his mission?" He took a deep breath, shook the banner, and a cloud of chaotic energy surged out.

The ice at the wellhead was crackling.

With a loud thud, it instantly became three zhang thick, its chilling aura like a sword, piercing straight in all directions.

Guo Ziyi sat cross-legged beside the well, his eyes slightly closed. The array was activated, and phantoms appeared all around him: scenes of creation and destruction were visible, axe shadows were seen slashing, and ice covered thousands of miles.

Any living being that approaches will be crushed by the might of Heaven.

He kept in mind his master's teachings: loyalty and righteousness are fundamental, and protection comes first.

Even if I die, I will have no regrets! At the bottom of the well, Pigsy slept soundly, his snores causing ripples to spread across the water.

The Dragon King paced back and forth in the hall, his dragon claws rubbing together incessantly.

Although Pigsy was dull-witted, he possessed immense strength. His plan to carry the corpse was originally intended to help him escape, but he ran into solid ice and ruined the whole thing.

Demanding fish essence and clam essence is now even more troublesome.

Those delicacies were his accumulation over a thousand years, meant as tribute to the celestial realm. How could he bear to part with them? "Your Majesty, what should we do?"

"One of the shrimp soldiers said in a low voice, his pincers trembling."

The Dragon King sighed, "Never mind, let's keep him calm for now."

Prepare some wine and meat tomorrow to cheer him up.

Three years is a long time; there's always a way.

He was secretly alarmed: Jiang Wang, that evil Taoist priest, had probably set up this trap for Zhu Bajie.

My little well is caught in the middle, caught in a dilemma! Sun Wukong sat by the well for half the night, his monkey heart restless.

He tried burning, flooding, hitting with sticks, and drilling into the ground, but none of them worked.

The ice seemed to possess a spirit, growing stronger the more it was attacked.

He recalled his master Bodhi's words: Jiang Wang's life is nearing its end.

But what about Junior Brother Pig? How could Old Sun bear to see him suffer? Suddenly, his monkey eyes lit up: He sent a telepathic message to Master! He took out a hair, transformed it into a carrier pigeon, and flew into the void: "Master, Junior Brother Pig is safe at the bottom of the well, but the ice seal is hard to break."

What are your thoughts, sir?

In the void, Bodhi's elusive light sped swiftly, already reaching the Western Paradise.

He received the message and smiled slightly: Wukong is impatient, but also loyal.

I have already deduced Jiang Wang's scheme. This ice is transformed from the Pangu Banner and cannot be broken by ordinary fire or weapons.

When Guo Ziyi appeared, they knew what was going on. He replied telepathically, "Wukong, stay still."

Reinforcements are on their way.

In reality, he had already ordered Tathagata and Dipankara to set up a net in Dongsheng, waiting for Jiang Wang to appear.

Laozi rode his green ox, piercing through the clouds and mist, heading straight for the Eastern Continent.

The ox's hooves sank into the air, and the wind howled like thunder.

He sneered inwardly: Bodhi doubts me, I doubt him.

With the three treasures gathered, the Chaos Bell should rightfully belong to Taiqing. If Jiang Wang dies, I will strike first! Yuan Daoren arrived shortly after, and the two joined forces, hiding in the clouds, searching for Jiang Wang's aura.

The Eastern Continent is a land of magnificent mountains and rivers, brimming with spiritual energy.

The Buddha's golden body sits cross-legged on Mount Ling, while Dipankara Buddha holds a lamp. The two, following Bodhi's command, lay down the net of the West.

Golden light shines everywhere, and the Buddha chants softly. Any Dharma treasure that appears in the world will surely fall into the hands of the Western Paradise.

The Buddha said in a low voice, "My old friend Bodhi, the West has benefited greatly from this conspiracy."

Ran Deng nodded: "Amitabha, such is the way of karma."

In a side hall of the Heavenly Realm, Jiang Wang suddenly felt a pang of fear.

The River Chart and Luo River Book deduce: various parties are secretly making moves! He sneered: Come on, the fish have taken the bait, and the net will catch them.

He closed his eyes and waited quietly for three days.

The corrosive water seeped deeper and deeper, causing excruciating pain, but he gritted his teeth: Endure! Once the reward is in hand, it will be the day he turns the tables.

In the chicken garden, Guo Ziyi opened his eyes and sensed Sun Wukong's presence.

He became wary: The Monkey King is coming! With a shake of the Pangu Banner, the illusion array was reinforced, and the ice layer shone with a brilliant blue light.

Sun Wukong sensed the anomaly and pointed his staff at the void: "What kind of demon are you? Show yourself!"

Guo Ziyi remained silent, guarding the center of the formation.

The two faced off across the distance, exuding a murderous aura.

At the bottom of the well, Pigsy woke up, rubbed his eyes, and cried out, "Dragon King! Where is the wine and food?"

Helpless, the Dragon King ordered his men to serve fish soup and clam meat.

Pigsy devoured the food, praising it endlessly: "Delicious! Grandpa, your palace is quite nice. I'll enjoy this for three years! Hehe, what does the fighting outside have to do with me?"

The interplay between the various parties is like the placement of pieces in a game of chess.

Jiang Wang waits patiently in the Heavenly Realm, Guo Ziyi guards the well, Bodhi secretly plots, Laozi is greedy for treasure, Sun Wukong is anxious to rescue him, and Zhu Bajie enjoys himself at the bottom of the well... In this chaotic world of Journey to the West, who will rise and fall?

Sun Wukong swung his staff, smashing it against the outer edge of the ice: "You demon! How dare you trap my junior brother! I'll smash you!"

Guo Ziyi sighed inwardly: The Monkey King is so powerful, how could I be his match? But he was bound by his master's orders, so he activated the formation, and the gray light transformed into an axe, which he then used to slash.

"boom!"

The clash of clubs and axes caused a shockwave in the garden, breaking all the flowers and trees.

Sun Wukong sheathed his staff, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Who are you? Your aura is strange. Could you be one of Jiang Wang's subordinates?"

Guo Ziyi said calmly, "I am Guo Ziyi, and I am here on my master's orders to protect you."

Monkey King, think twice before you act.

"Jiang Wang's men?!"

Enraged, Sun Wukong somersaulted and charged straight at Guo Ziyi.

Guo Ziyi's banners fluttered, the illusionary formations shifted, the surrounding scenery distorted, and the scene of creation reappeared: in the beginning of chaos, the light of axes surged like a tide.

Sun Wukong was trapped in it, his staff flashing wildly, but he felt as if he were stuck in a quagmire.

"Good formation!"

He praised, but instead of retreating, he advanced, his sharp eyes scanning for flaws.

At the bottom of the well, Pigsy, having eaten and drunk his fill, lay down and went to sleep.

In his dream, he saw Gao Village, where his wife, a beautiful fox-like woman, was laughing sweetly beside him. He couldn't help but drool, saying, "My beauty, once I get out of here, I'll definitely marry you!"

Upon seeing this, the Dragon King of the Well shook his head and smiled bitterly: This pig-headed fellow knows neither fortune nor misfortune.

Bodhi's escape light flashed, and he had already reached the edge of Dongsheng.

He deduced the secrets of heaven: Jiang Wang has gone to the celestial realm! Hmph, Taibai Mask, old tricks.

He transmitted his voice to Laozi: "Your Majesty, Jiang Wang is impersonating someone in Heaven."

Come quickly!

Laozi's green ox accelerated, and he was secretly delighted: Heaven? The Jade Emperor's land, I have my own way of dealing with it.

In the celestial realm, Jiang Wang suddenly opened his eyes: Bodhi had noticed! He stood up, a flash of silver light, and disappeared into the deeper sea of ​​clouds.

A system voice announced: "Progress: One day."

He gritted his teeth: Two more days!

In the royal garden of Wuji Kingdom, the moonlight, like water, spilled onto the edge of an ancient well.

Sun Wukong squatted on the edge of the well, his monkey face tense, his fiery eyes staring intently at the dark and deep opening at the bottom of the well.

Pigsy, usually lazy and gluttonous, has made a terrible mistake this time—he fell headfirst into the well while trying to peek at the concubines bathing in the palace, hitting some kind of mechanism. A strange black water suddenly gushed out from the bottom of the well, binding him tightly and rendering him unable to move.

Wukong tried several times to use his Fiery Eyes to see the truth, but the black water reflected an eerie light that stung his eyes.

When the golden cudgel struck down, it was also entangled by the water, which turned into countless black threads that could not be pulled out.

"Damn idiot!"

Wukong cursed under his breath, slamming his fist on the edge of the well, sending stones flying everywhere.

A nameless anger surged within him, all because of his pedantic master, Tang Sanzang.

They were on their journey to the West, so why did they have to meddle in other people's business and insist on begging for alms in the Kingdom of Wuji? They even sent Pigsy to investigate palace secrets, which resulted in this mess.

Wukong grew angrier the more he thought about it, wishing he could knock some sense into Tang Sanzang's blockhead with his staff.

But then he thought again, although his master was eccentric, he was as kind as a Buddha. If it weren't for his protection along the way, he, this mischievous monkey, would have been suppressed by some deity long ago.

Forget it, we still need to figure out a way to rescue that dead pig.

He sighed, scratching his head, looking troubled, when he heard a soft rustling of footsteps in the distance.

Wukong looked up alertly and saw Sha Wujing carrying a crescent shovel, rushing over, covered in dust.

Sha Wujing's honest face was full of anxiety, and his forehead was covered with fine sweat: "Eldest brother, Master sent me to urge you and second brother."

"You've been away begging for alms in the Kingdom of Wuji for a long time and haven't returned. Could it be that you've become tainted by worldly affairs and forgotten your mission to obtain the scriptures?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong's monkey eyes widened, and he jumped up, saying, "The aura of the mortal world? Ha! I, Old Sun, would like to be tainted by it, but where in Wuji Kingdom is there even a trace of the mortal world? It's all just a bunch of sneaky and shady things! My second brother, that idiot, fell into a well, and we can't even save him. What do you say about that?"

He grabbed Sha Wujing and explained the situation at the well.

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing turned pale and hurriedly went to the well to look inside. He saw only black water churning and could vaguely hear Zhu Bajie's muffled groans: "Brother Sha... quickly pull me out... this water is strange, it's binding me so I can't move..."

Sha Wujing was extremely anxious. He thrust his crescent shovel into the well, and just as Wukong had said, black silk wrapped around the shovel handle as if it were alive.

He quickly withdrew his hand and shook his head, saying, "Senior Brother, this well water is strange; it's probably caused by sorcery."

Our master is still waiting at Baolin Temple. We need to go back and report first, then we can think of a solution.

Wukong nodded. As the two were discussing, they were unaware that a pair of sinister eyes were secretly watching them from outside the Imperial Garden.

That was the blue-maned lion transformed from the false king of Wuji Kingdom—Manjushri Bodhisattva. (End of Chapter)