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

As the incantation for tightening the headband sounded, Wukong's head throbbed with pain. The golden headband tightened, and the monkey's body trembled, unable to break free of the blue ice.

The incantation carried a hint of despair, yet remained as resolute as iron, as if reminding him: Don't fall for the trap! Outside the well, Guanyin and Sha Wujing wore solemn expressions. The Bodhisattva sprinkled her willow branch again, attempting to stabilize the ice layer, but the chilling air surged towards the well opening like a tide… In the Heavenly Court's Hall of Fragrant Breeze, the Jade Emperor was in seclusion, his anger still burning; at the Southern Heavenly Gate, the Four Heavenly Kings sent a golden message to the Western Paradise, suggesting that Buddha might already know that "Jiang Wang is dead."

News arrives: In the Imperial Garden of the Lower Realm, within the Blue Ice Well, a deep bond exists between master and disciple, yet danger lurks everywhere.

Jiang Wang transformed into Venus, drifted out of the Heavenly Court, and smiled in the void: "The game has just begun, and the multi-party competition is in full swing!"

As Jiang Wang witnessed Li Bai devour the heavens, the sound of the layers of celestial realms collapsing still echoed in his ears.

The Mysterious Embryo Nurturing Heaven was originally a cradle for nurturing all living beings. Countless immortal embryos within it were swallowed up by the darkness of the gourd before they could take shape, turning into nothingness.

The Yuan and Ming dynasties were a golden age of literature, a time of literary brilliance and scholarly spirit that soared to the heavens. Yet, in the process of being devoured, they scattered into ashes, with only faint fragments of poetry drifting in the void: "The drizzle on the celestial street is as soft as butter..."

As Li Bai laughed heartily, the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd hummed, as if responding to his heroic spirit.

The sixth level, the Seven Luminaries of Moyi Heaven, where the stars revolve, should have been eternally radiant, but now they are being sucked in like fireflies. The power of the seven luminaries has collapsed, causing chaos in the constellations of the lower realm. When mortals look up, they see only a dim night sky and a disordered Milky Way.

The Jade Emperor sat high in the sky, expressionless; Laozi stroked his beard and smiled; the Primordial Heavenly Venerable closed his eyes to meditate; and the Grandmaster Hongjun hid in the chaos, seemingly indifferent to the world's strife.

Although the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder struck, it was like child's play. Each strike was neutralized by the Chaos Bell, whose melodious sound made Jiang Wang's eardrums ache.

When he transmitted his voice to Li Bai, his mind raced: This must be the Heavenly Court deliberately indulging them, wanting to use Li Bai to lure out an even bigger bait.

Could it be targeting me, Jiang Wang? Hmph, wait until I stir things up, and see how you all end up! Transforming into Venus and entering the Southern Heavenly Gate, Jiang Wang's heart pounded like a drum as the four kings questioned him, yet he remained calm on the surface.

That demon-revealing mirror was something he had refined long ago. The image of Venus in the mirror was lifelike, and even the silver strands in his beard and hair were clearly visible.

The Heavenly King of Growth's sword aura was menacing, the Heavenly King of Wide Vision's third eye was like a torch, the Heavenly King of Many Hearings had ears fluttering like the wind, and the Heavenly King of Holding the Nation's zither music locked the soul. The four of them could have seen through the disguise if they had worked together, but Jiang Wang was prepared. A wisp of purple aura in the mirror was transformed from the true meaning of the Heavenly Dao. The four kings checked it and found no flaws.

The lie was uttered, and the four kings believed it to be true.

The Heavenly King Vaishravana's ears trembled, as if he had heard the echo from the Western Paradise; the Heavenly King Dhritarashtra's zither music slowed down, and joy was hidden in the sound waves.

Seeing them hastily spreading the word about Buddha, Jiang Wang thought to himself: What a Tathagata! Jiang Wang is not dead yet, but you believe the false rumors first. From now on, the Western Paradise will be in turmoil! In the Hall of Fragrant Breeze, when the Jade Emperor questioned him, a golden dragon circled on the roof of the hall, its eyes shooting out golden light that swept over Jiang Wang's entire body.

The moment he swore his oath, the purple aura of heaven descended, the aura wrapped around him like silk, its coolness penetrating to the bone, yet it also confirmed his "loyalty".

The Jade Emperor's doubts were somewhat relieved. When he greedily inquired about the treasure, his eyes shone brightly with dragon light, as if he could already see the magic weapon in his hand and regain his dominance in the Heavenly Court.

Jiang Wang listed the magical treasures, each one renowned throughout the Three Realms: the Golden Cudgel weighed 13,500 catties and could stir up rivers and seas; the Tai Chi diagram rotated in black and white and contained all things; with a wave of the Pangu Banner, chaos was reopened... The Jade Emperor was so eager to hear this that he wished he could ask for them immediately.

But "it's all fake"

Upon hearing these four words, the Jade Emperor was struck as if by lightning.

His face was as red as blood, his veins bulged, and a mouthful of blood surged up from his chest, spurting out and splashing onto the jade steps, its crimson color dazzling.

The celestial maidens in the palace cried out in alarm, and the Jade Emperor collapsed, muttering, "Fake... completely fake... I... am furious!"

As Jiang Wang left the hall, a thunderous roar erupted behind him: "Seclusion! The Queen Mother will act as regent!"

From that moment on, undercurrents began to stir in the Heavenly Court.

In the mortal realm, Wukong sought help from Guanyin in vain. When he turned to the Western Paradise, his somersault cloud churned and the wind whistled in his ears.

He was anxious for his master's safety. On the way, he saw dark clouds gathering over Wuji Kingdom, and knew that something big was about to happen.

In Baolin Temple, Sha Wujing recounts his ordeal of being trapped: Jiang Wang appeared, a flash of blue light, and his master fell into the well, where he was frozen solid like in a prison.

Pigsy muttered drunkenly, "Master has lost weight, and it breaks my heart..."

The woodcutter appeared, and Guanyin's true form was revealed. The Bodhisattva's radiance illuminated the temple, the willow branches swayed gently, and the dewdrops glistened.

At the wellhead in the Imperial Garden, various attempts to use real fire were all like ants trying to shake a tree.

When the Samadhi Fire burned, Wukong's monkey eyes were wide open. The firelight reflected on his face, and the heat was overwhelming. However, he saw that the ice layer was like a mirror, reflecting the firelight, and the coldness seeped into his bones.

The five flames of Samadhi intertwined blue and red, Sha Wujing channeled his energy, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, fire dragons swirled, the ice surface boiled, and steam rose. Amidst this, the intermittent chanting of sutras by Tang Sanzang could be heard, as if he were praying for blessings.

The Southern Ming Fire was as red as blood. As it burned, garden petals scorched and curled, the air distorted, but the Xuanbing (mysterious ice) could regenerate, the cold wave would return, and the fire would be extinguished and the smoke would dissipate.

The golden crow feather ignited the true fire of the sun. At that moment, the well opening shone like a small sun, with dazzling golden light, surging heat waves, melting the ice layer, and revealing the deep well passage. Tang Sanzang's figure, dressed in white robes as white as snow, sat cross-legged in it, his face serene yet pale.

The incantation rang out: "Wukong...don't be reckless..."

The blue ice regenerated, instantly sealing the well. The icy air was like a knife, cutting painfully into the skin of the three people.

Wukong went down into the well. The drill spun, ice shards flew everywhere, and he landed lightly with his staff in his hand. But the blue ice seemed to be alive, wrapping around him like a spider web. The cold penetrated to his bones, freezing his monkey fur stiff.

A headache struck, and the chanting of the mantra, like needles pricking my brain, came from the headband: "Om Mani Padme Hum..."

Sun Wukong huddled in the dark corner at the bottom of the well, the icy chill like countless invisible blades, layer upon layer corroding his body.

His indestructible body should have been fearless of everything in the world, but this strange freezing power seemed to carry some kind of ancient curse, drilling into his bone marrow along his pores, making him unable to move even a single hair.

Even worse was the damned headband on his head, which was now burning like fire, making his mind buzz as if thousands of iron nails were stirring his primordial spirit.

"Ouch... this damn thing... Old Sun... Old Sun can't hold on much longer..."

Wukong gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, and his golden monkey eyes glared blood red.

He tried to reach out and scratch at his helmet, but the frost had frozen his arms into two stiff icicles, rendering them immobile.

Outside the well lies the royal garden of the Wuji Kingdom, seemingly calm on the surface, but the crystal palace at the bottom of the well has long since turned into an ice cave, and Pigsy, that dead pig head, is still fast asleep, oblivious to his fate.

Just as Wukong's vision went black, a soft golden light shone down from the well, accompanied by the fragrance of lotus flowers.

Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared, sitting serenely on a lotus throne, with a kind and benevolent expression. Holding a vase and willow branch, she gently waved them, and the freezing power immediately receded like a tide.

The sound of ice cracking echoed in the well. Sun Wukong's body finally loosened, but the lingering pain of the headband made him roll over. His legs were severed at the knees the instant the ice cracked, and blood mixed with ice shards gushed out.

"Bodhisattva...you...you've finally come!"

Panting heavily, Wukong endured the excruciating pain and barely managed to prop himself up.

His indestructible body was no ordinary thing. A flash of golden light appeared at the severed limb, and flesh and blood regenerated rapidly like vines. In the blink of an eye, his two hairy legs were completely healed again.

He rubbed his head, grimacing, and said, "What kind of sorcery is this freezing? Even my Fiery Eyes of Sun Wukong can't see through it!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head slightly and sighed, "Wukong, this is a mutation of the power of the Weak Water, which originated from the ancient chaos and has spread to this well."

This cannot be solved by ordinary means.

Her gaze was gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "Only Lu Ya Dao Ren's Solar True Fire can completely dissolve this frozen crisis."

Lu Ya has a deep-seated hatred for Jiang Wang, and he will most likely help you.

However… Mount Futu has been destroyed, and Lu Ya's whereabouts are unknown.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's monkey eyes lit up: "Lu Ya? Isn't that old fellow a wandering immortal from the East Sea? I'll go find him right now!"

But no sooner had the words left his mouth than a muffled groan came from the other corner of the well. Sha Wujing, who had been watching over the luggage, was now also affected by the tight headband, curling up into a ball, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, muttering, "Master... Master..."

Guanyin Bodhisattva gently touched Sha Wujing's wounds with her willow branch, relieving him of the curse.

The two brothers exchanged a glance, both filled with resentment—this golden headband was originally a gift from the Bodhisattva, but now it was causing them endless trouble, making their lives worse than death.

But who dared to speak out before the Bodhisattva? Wukong swallowed his anger, cupped his hands, and asked, "Bodhisattva, where is Lu Ya?"

"Mount Futu was destroyed by Jiang Wang, and Lu Ya may have already gone into hiding."

You may go to Beiju Luzhou and inquire about its whereabouts from the demon race.

That place is rife with malevolent winds and is well-informed.

After the Bodhisattva finished speaking, his figure gradually faded, turning into golden light and disappearing, leaving only a wisp of lotus fragrance.

Sun Wukong stamped his foot angrily: "Fine! I'm off to Beiju Luzhou right now! Sha Wujing, you stay here and watch the luggage. Once I find Lu Ya, I'll come and rescue Master and that dead pig!"

Sha Wujing nodded, rubbing his head, and said, "Eldest Brother, be careful, that Jiang Wang is full of tricks..."

Before Wukong could finish speaking, he somersaulted out of the well, transformed into a golden light, and headed straight for Beiju Luzhou.

In the Northern Continent of Luzhou, demonic energy lingers, and ghosts howl and wolves howl through the mountains and forests.

After landing, Wukong transformed into a little monkey and burrowed into the demon horde, inquiring about Lu Ya's whereabouts.

Upon hearing this, the demons all shook their heads and sighed: "Daoist Lu Ya? That old fellow has long since gone into seclusion to cultivate. Who knows where he is hiding?"

Wukong searched for three days, traversing mountains and valleys, and fighting dozens of lesser demons, but still found no clues.

He was extremely anxious, and the tight band around his head throbbed with pain. He had no choice but to rest under an ancient tree, gazing at the sky and murmuring, "Master, are you alright? I will definitely rescue you!"

Meanwhile, in the celestial realm, outside the Lingxiao Palace, a figure in white robes quietly appeared; it was none other than Taibai Jinxing, transformed from Jiang Wang.

He had a gaunt face and snow-white hair and beard. He held a jade tablet in his hand and appeared to be strolling leisurely, but in reality, the power of the Weak Water within his body surged like a raging tide, eroding his meridians.

If it weren't for his profound magical power, he would have long since turned into a stagnant pool.

"Master!"

A flash of sword light appeared, and Li Bai teleported in, his green robe flowing, a wine gourd hanging from his waist.

He knelt on one knee and respectfully presented an ancient bell—the Chaos Bell! The bell was shrouded in chaotic energy, faintly exuding the power of creation.

"The mission is complete: the three layers of heaven have been devoured and the Heaven-Devouring Gourd has been returned. All tasks have been accomplished."

This bell was also retrieved.

A hint of approval flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes. He took the Chaos Bell, and immediately the bell rang, the power of chaos enveloping his body like a shield.

The erosion by the weak water immediately slowed down, and he breathed a sigh of relief: "Good disciple, well done."

This bell truly lives up to its reputation as an ancient divine artifact; it can even withstand the Weak Water.

He paused, then turned his gaze to the human realm, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Now, it's time to set a trap."

You shall immediately go to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and spread the word that there are ancient treasures hidden in the mausoleum, thus attracting Haotian, Bodhi and others to come.

"When they enter the hottest period of summer, I will drown them with the Weak Water, ensuring they never return!"

Li Bai cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, sir!"

With a flash of sword light, he vanished into the void, heading straight for the human realm.

Three days in heaven are equivalent to three years in the human world.

Jiang Wang stood atop the clouds, patiently waiting for his prey to take the bait.

The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is shrouded in darkness, with numerous traps and mechanisms at its entrance.

Li Bai, disguised as a scholar, whispered in a tavern in a nearby village: "I've heard that the tomb is filled with countless treasures, including the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd and the Chaos Bell!"

The news spread like wildfire, and powerful figures from Heaven, such as the Jade Emperor and Bodhi Patriarch, gathered outside the mausoleum.

But they were all old foxes, and remembering Jiang Wang's conspiracy, none of them dared to make any rash moves.

The Ruoshui River at Lingkou has been laid out, surging like the sea, yet no one has ever stepped into it.

Jiang Wang frowned slightly: "Hmph, a bunch of cowards."

Just as he was about to stop, a system notification sounded in his mind: "Mission complete! Reward: Invulnerable to Weak Water Physique".

A warm current surged into his body, and the power of the Weak Water instantly became his own. He laughed loudly, "Wonderful! From now on, the Weak Water will be like sweet dew to me!"

Although his scheme failed, the gains far exceeded his expectations. He vanished in a flash, turning into a white light and leaving behind an empty tomb entrance.

In the human realm, beside the ancient well in the royal garden of King Wuji, the freezing power suddenly melted away like snow melting in the spring breeze.

In the crystal palace at the bottom of the well, the patrolling yaksha was the first to awaken. He rubbed his eyes and muttered, "Huh? Where did the ice go?"

Immediately following, the Well Dragon King appeared, his azure dragon body coiled around him, his whiskers trembling, his face ashen: "Three years! That Pigsy has eaten up all my wealth in three years! The wine pool and meat forest are now empty shells! I can no longer tolerate this, I must send him away!"

The Dragon King of the Well glared at the Yaksha: "Go to Baolin Temple immediately and find that monk Tang Sanzang. Tell him that Pigsy has died from being frozen and come quickly to collect his body!"

Yaksha obeyed the order, transformed into a beam of water, emerged from the well, and headed straight for Baolin Temple.

Baolin Temple was deserted, the incense had been extinguished, and the Yaksha searched everywhere, only to find a pile of luggage lying alone in the Buddha Hall.

His eyes lit up as he grabbed the purple-gold alms bowl—it ​​gleamed with golden light and exuded an aura of preciousness! "Hehe, if I take this treasure back, the Dragon King will surely reward me!"

He casually stole the sheep, hid it in his clothes, and returned home.

Along the way, the Yaksha bumped into the fake king—the king who was actually a green-haired lion demon in disguise, with fangs peeking out and fierce glints in his eyes.

He devoured Tang Sanzang for three years, using his spiritual energy to greatly increase his cultivation, reaching the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

Seeing the yaksha holding the purple-gold alms bowl, he flew into a rage: "You audacious thief! How did you get these palace treasures? You must have stolen them!"

Before the Yaksha could explain, a single swipe of its claw shattered the Yaksha's head, sending its soul flying.

The fake king grinned maliciously, snatched the bowl, and muttered, "This thing is not bad. It can be turned into a chamber pot, perfect for holding wine!"

At the bottom of the well, Tang Sanzang had been swallowed for three years and was trapped inside the lion's belly.

Initially, he used Buddhist teachings to protect his body and barely maintained his primordial spirit.

However, after three years, his spiritual energy was absorbed by the lion spirit, forcing him to start over and begin his cultivation from scratch.

Day after day, he silently recited scriptures in the darkness, and his cultivation level soared from Foundation Establishment to the mid-stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal! His Buddhist heart remained unchanged, but his anger had ignited—upon hearing that the lion demon intended to desecrate his alms bowl, Tang Sanzang's eyes widened in fury: "Demon! This is a Buddhist treasure; how can it be desecrated!" (End of Chapter)