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

But the eerie description lingered in his mind; his hand trembled, his spiritual energy spiraled out of control, and the alchemy furnace roared to life.

With a loud bang, it almost exploded! Jiang Wang hurriedly made a hand seal to steady himself, sweat pouring down his face: "This hidden quest... the reward is good, but the karma... once you're involved, you'll probably never be able to shake it off!"

He gazed at the fire in the furnace and murmured to himself, "The journey to the West is becoming more and more interesting..."

Deep within the Lingshan Mountains, in the misty Leiyin Temple, stands a magnificent golden Buddhist hall, where incense smoke curls and Buddha's light shines everywhere.

The Daoist Zhunti sat solemnly on the lotus platform, his face serene, and golden light surged around him like a tide.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Bodhi Patriarch sat on either side of each other, their eyes meeting, and an invisible pressure seemed to solidify in the air.

Outside the hall, the wind swirled up the clouds, and the dust from the Journey to the West seemed to drift in.

"Elder, is the matter of Tang Sanzang truly as you predicted?"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva spoke first, his voice as clear as a mountain spring, yet carrying a hint of solemnity.

He was dressed in white, holding a blue lotus in his hand, and his brows furrowed with worry.

Zhunti nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he stared into the void: "No."

The one swallowed by the alligator dragon was nothing more than a fake Tang Sanzang.

His true form has been hidden and he is no longer in danger of dying.

This matter must be inextricably linked to Jiang Wang, who is still alive.

He was cunning and calculating, having long planned ahead, intending to use the Dragon Clan to disrupt the overall situation of the Journey to the West.

Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard and smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Jiang Wang? That old fox, hiding in the hidden world for many years, still dares to extend his claws to the Buddhist sect."

The elder is absolutely right. We must investigate carefully to ensure the safe reincarnation of Jin Chanzi.

After discussing for a long time, the three of them stood up, waved their sleeves, and a golden light transformed into a communication talisman, heading straight for the Blackwater River: "Puxian, quickly go and inform Wukong's three disciples, ordering them to search the riverbed upstream and downstream, and not to trust appearances too easily."

"Bodhi, let's join forces and investigate Jiang Wang's whereabouts."

Samantabhadra accepted the order and departed, transforming into a white rainbow that instantly arrived at the banks of the Blackwater River.

The river still surged, its waves crashing against the shore like weeping lamentations.

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing stood on the shore. The Monkey King looked around with his golden eyes, Zhu Bajie leaned lazily against a tree trunk, and Sha Wujing silently guarded the reins of the white dragon horse.

The three of them were there after Tang Sanzang "met with misfortune".

Afterwards, he was already restless, and the air was filled with anxious waiting.

"Buddha!"

Wukong was the first to notice. His fiery eyes lit up, and he flipped over and leaped up. When he landed, he had already transformed back into human form, his monkey fur trembling.

"How is Elder Tang? That damned alligator dragon, I, Old Sun, will tear it to pieces!"

Puxian landed and sighed, "Wukong, don't be anxious."

The elder said that the one who was swallowed was a fake Tang Sanzang, whose true body was still in the mortal world, but had been hidden away.

This matter is suspected to be related to Jiang Wang. The three of you should immediately go to the bottom of the Blackwater River and search carefully upstream and downstream, leaving no trace undiscovered.

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's ears perked up and his snout twitched: "Bodhisattva, I, Pigsy, don't believe it! Tang Sanzang was clearly swallowed whole by the dragon's grandson, how could it be fake? Oh dear, this journey to the West has broken my heart!"

Sha Wujing pulled Bajie back and whispered, "Second Brother, the Bodhisattva's words have their reasons."

"Master is a lucky man; we'll see."

He rolled up his monk's robe and was the first to leap into the river, splashing water everywhere.

Wukong remained silent, drew his golden cudgel, and stirred the river with a single blow, instantly creating waves as large as mountains: "Let's go! Let's find our master!"

The three of them went down to the bottom of the river. The Blackwater River was dark and deep, and the fish and shrimp scattered in fright, while the mud and sand on the riverbed churned.

Wukong scanned every inch of the reef with his fiery eyes, Bajie used his rake to dig through the silt at the bottom of the river, and Sha Wujing used his staff to probe the undercurrents.

They searched from the bottom of the river all the way to the source upstream, and then dived into the downstream tributaries, spending three whole days in the process. The river was turned upside down with pearl shells, but they couldn't even find a fragment of Tang Sanzang's robe.

When they surfaced, all three were covered in dust and dirt.

Wukong slammed his fist into a boulder on the shore, sending pebbles flying: "Damn it! Not a single hair is left! Where did Master go?"

Pigsy shook off the water droplets and slumped to the ground: "Brother Monkey, we've searched this river three times, and I'm almost a drowned pig."

Could it be that Master has truly been absorbed by that dragon grandson? Let's call it a day and go back to Gao Village for a drink!

Sha Wujing shook his head, his gaze deep: "Second brother, you mustn't talk nonsense."

My master is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, how could he perish so easily? I think that Jiang Wang is full of tricks, perhaps he turned my master into a strange beast and hid him somewhere in the river.

Ordinary searches yielded little trace.

We need the golden body of the Golden Cicada to guide us in order to find out what's going on.

Upon hearing this, Wukong's eyes lit up: "Sha Wujing is right! I, Old Sun, will go to Mount Ling right now and borrow that golden body!"

Having said that, he somersaulted and headed straight for the Western Paradise.

At the foot of Mount Ling, Wukong landed, and with a sway of his monkey body, he was already in his true form as the Monkey King.

He went straight to Leiyin Temple, only to find the temple doors tightly closed. Only Bodhi Patriarch came out to greet him with a wry smile: "Wukong, you've come at the right time."

The golden statue has been taken away by Guanyin Bodhisattva and is no longer on Mount Ling.

"What? The Bodhisattva was taken away?"

Wukong's hair stood on end, and he nearly dropped his golden cudgel. "Then how do I find my master's location?"

Bodhi sighed softly: "Guanyin took the golden body away to transfer her spiritual root and avoid being plotted against by Jiang Wang."

She had already set off, and her whereabouts were uncertain.

The Bodhisattva Samantabhadra said that you should return to the Blackwater River and wait; he will contact Guanyin, and then the outcome will be clear.

Wukong gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "Wait? When have I, Old Sun, ever been so cowardly!"

But considering the greater good of Buddhism, he had no choice but to turn back to the banks of the Blackwater River.

On the riverbank, the three brothers reunited.

Day after day, exposed to wind and sun, Wukong paced back and forth, his fiery eyes frequently scanning the river. Growing increasingly impatient, the monkey thought, "When will this waiting end? The Bodhisattvas keep making excuses. I, Old Sun, will go find Jiang Wang myself and get to the bottom of this!"

Pigsy grunted as he munched on wild fruit, "Brother Monkey, I told you long ago, let's break up! This Tang Monk might really have disappeared."

The three of us should go our separate ways, so we don't have to stay here by the river and feed the mosquitoes.

Sha Wujing burned incense and sat quietly, advising, "Eldest brother, second brother, wait patiently."

As the Buddha said, opportunity will come naturally.

If Master is in trouble, the Bodhisattva will surely come.

Let us stay by this riverbank and protect the White Dragon Horse.

Each of the three harbored their own secrets, unaware that a hidden agenda was unfolding.

Guanyin Bodhisattva originally intended to rush to the Blackwater River with her golden body, but on the way, she stumbled upon Jiang Wangyi's conspiracy.

She appeared to stop him, but Jiang Wang was prepared. A flash of purple light appeared, and he put her into the purple-gold-red gourd.

Inside the gourd, the space twisted like a maze. Guanyin fell into it and saw an old man with a white beard sitting cross-legged in the corner. It was none other than Venus.

He had been captured for a long time and looked haggard, but he still held his whisk and forced a smile: "Bodhisattva, you've come too? This Jiang Wang's gourd is truly vicious, devouring heaven and earth, and no one can escape it."

Guanyin steadied herself, her white robes spotless. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly: "Venus, what are you doing here? Jiang Wang's actions are intended to disrupt the Journey to the West, hide Tang Sanzang's true form, and interfere with the grand plan of Buddhism."

This humble monk already knew the signs, but I never expected to fall into their trap.

Venus sighed, "I was ordered by the Jade Emperor to explore the hidden realm, but who knew I would fall into this trap."

Bodhisattva, this gourd is a treasure that can devour the heavens, containing the universe within. Only by uniting your mind and spirit can you temporarily slow its power.

"I know a little about the story of Tang Sanzang; he has been transformed into a crab and is hiding inside the belly of a crocodile dragon. What is it that you find difficult to understand?"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin was startled: "Transformed into a crab? How can the Golden Cicada's spiritual root withstand such humiliation? Venus, this humble monk needs to borrow a wisp of your star power to condense a talisman to break the curse, so that I can remotely sense Tang Sanzang's location and help Wukong find his true form."

Would you be willing?

Venus stroked his beard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "As requested by the Bodhisattva, this old man will certainly do his duty."

However, this will consume half of my primordial spirit, and I fear I will not be able to escape this gourd.

"That's enough, the greater good of Journey to the West is paramount!"

The two sat cross-legged facing each other, starlight and Buddhist light intertwined, and the gourd trembled faintly, but no one knew when this situation could be broken.

Meanwhile, in the Crystal Palace of the Western Sea, glittering with pearls and towering with corals, a gloomy atmosphere hung over the place.

The funeral of the little alligator dragon is underway. In the center of the palace, a dragon's body lies lying there, its scales dull, its belly torn and stained with blood.

The Dragon Queen, mother of the alligator dragons, with tears streaming down her face, gripped Prince Moang tightly with her claws, her voice like tearing silk: "Prince! You watched my son being torn apart by that monkey, and you did nothing to save him? The Western Sea Dragon Clan, once so powerful, has now become a laughingstock!"

Prince Moang lowered his head, his dragon beard trembling: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

That monkey was incredibly powerful; I... I was powerless to change anything.

Besides, this was not my intention in the first place.

The Dragon King of the Jing River stood to one side, his dragon eyes wide open, burning with rage: "Moang, don't try to shirk your responsibility! It was my unworthy grandson who greedily ate Tang Sanzang's flesh and caused this disaster."

But I, the Dragon King of the Jing River, never instigated him to commit such a heinous act! Clearly, someone framed him, using him as a tool to kill! That Jiang Wang had planned this all along, intending to use it to plunge the dragon clan into chaos!

The Dragon King of the West Sea, Ao Shun, sat on his throne, his dragon robe magnificent, his face expressionless.

He knew the truth behind the scenes—Jiang Wang was manipulating everything, intending to sow discord between the Dragon and Buddha clans—but he was unwilling to get involved.

He waved his hand, causing ripples to spread across the palace waters: "Enough! Funerals are times of mourning; let's not argue."

The little alligator dragon is dead, and the dragon race has lost face. Further entanglement will only bring greater trouble.

That's enough for today! Queen Dragon and King Jinghe, take the coffin back to the palace and mourn in peace.

Upon hearing this, the mother of the alligator dragon was overcome with grief, and her dragon body trembled: "Your Majesty, if this grudge is not avenged, how can my Jinghe Dragon Clan stand in the four seas?"

Ao Shun snorted coldly: "Enmity? Jiang Wang is no match for my Dragon Clan."

Be patient for now, and plan for the future.

Let's disperse!

The funeral ended hastily, and the Jinghe Dragon King and his wife returned home with the coffin of the baby alligator dragon.

During the journey, the sea current was turbulent, and suddenly a mysterious person appeared, shrouded in mist, wearing a black robe, with an indistinct face: "King of Jinghe, please accept my condolences."

This pill is the Great Luo Heaven Pill, which can help the dragon soul reunite.

Although your grandson is dead, he can be reincarnated and return to his home in Jinghe.

The Dragon King and his wife were greatly surprised. The Dragon Queen asked in a trembling voice, "Who are you? How can we repay this kindness?"

The mysterious man smiled, his voice as soft as the wind: "No need for further words."

Jiang Wang's scheme has been foiled.

"The matter of reincarnation is a matter of fate."

After saying this, he vanished in a puff of smoke.

The couple swallowed the Heavenly Pill and felt a warm current flow into the coffin. The little alligator dragon's body faintly glowed, as if it were about to revive.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the alligator dragon that had been sunk into the Ancestral Dragon Abyss was slowly sinking to the bottom.

The abyss was dark and murky, filled with the wails of ghosts and wolves. Inside the corpse's belly, a crab the size of a fist was quietly wriggling.

Its pincers were sharp, and its shell shimmered with golden light—it was none other than Tang Sanzang transformed into a crab! He was the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, and his spirit remained intact. Although Jiang Wang used a spell to transform him, he did not destroy his soul.

The remaining flesh and blood of the fake Tang Sanzang in his abdomen became nourishment. Tang Sanzang opened and closed his jaws, devouring the remains, and his divine power slowly returned.

The crab's eyes, like black beads, gleamed with unwavering determination: "Amitabha, if this calamity is not extinguished, this humble monk will surely break free of this shell and return to human form."

"Wukong...come quickly to save me!"

In the hidden realm, shrouded in mist, Jiang Wang sat upright on a stone platform, his face aged yet his eyes sharp as knives.

Li Bai stood to one side, his blue robe flowing, holding a wine pot, his eyes hazy with drunkenness: "My lord, the plan to build the First Emperor's mausoleum has failed."

That monkey caused trouble, destroying all the mechanisms in the tomb, and all our pieces are lost.

Jiang Wang sneered and stroked his beard, saying, "So what if we lose?"

The lineage of the Qin Emperor was originally bait.

Cancel this plan; you can continue to use the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd to devour the heavens.

The journey to the West is fraught with chaos, yet victory is achieved through perseverance.

Tang Sanzang has turned into a crab, the dragon clan is fighting amongst themselves, and Buddhism is in chaos. I'll wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

Upon hearing this, Li Bai sobered up instantly and bowed, saying, "As you command."

However, this gourd swallowing the sky would cause too much noise, and might alert that person in the Purple Cloud Palace.

As soon as the words were spoken, the hidden realm trembled, and a tremendous pressure descended.

In the Purple Cloud Palace, the Ancestor Hongjun opened his eyes, his beard and hair standing on end: "Jiang Wang, you brat, are stirring up trouble again? The Heaven-Swallowing Gourd is disrupting the Heavenly Dao!"

With a wave of his hand, he took out a supreme innate treasure—a golden nail, its surface crackling with lightning and containing the power of chaos.

"This time, I will personally take action to seal your fate and see how you dare to turn the world upside down!"

In the hidden realm, Jiang Wang frowned, stood up and said, "Hongjun has noticed."

Li Bai, retreat immediately! The plan is on hold; I'll set up my second move.

The Heavenly Court's Taiqing Hall stands majestically, exuding a pure and serene Taoist aura.

Lao Tzu sat upright on a futon, his hair and beard all white, his eyes slightly closed, like an ancient porcelain statue sealed in dust, immersed in the profound realm of tranquility and non-action.

Outside the palace, the sea of ​​clouds churned, and ethereal celestial music drifted through the air, but inside the palace, all was deathly silent, with only the long, slow breaths emanating from his chest and abdomen, as if they were one with the pulse of heaven and earth.

Time seemed to stand still here, with only the whisk he lightly twirled between his fingertips occasionally brushing across the void, creating subtle ripples.

Suddenly, an invisible wave seeped out from the depths of the void, tearing apart the tranquility of the hall.

A powerful and ancient pressure filled the air, like the primordial chaos at the beginning of creation, causing the bricks and stones of the entire Taiqing Palace to tremble slightly.

Lao Tzu suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of alertness flashing in his deep, abyss-like eyes.

He rose, his sleeves fluttering, and the palace doors opened by themselves. A phantom slowly materialized—the phantom was indistinct, yet it exuded a Daoist aura that surpassed all living beings. It was none other than his master, Hongjun Daozu.

"Master?"

Laozi's voice was deep and respectful as he quickly knelt down, his forehead touching the cool jade brick. "This disciple was unaware of Master's arrival and has failed to greet you properly."

Hongjun's illusory figure hovered in mid-air, his face hidden in the mist, revealing only a pair of cold, frost-like eyes that pierced Laozi's heart.

"Taiqing, do you know your crime?"

The sound was like a low rumble of thunder, yet it carried no warmth, penetrating straight to the soul.

Lao Tzu felt a chill run down his spine.

He raised his head, forcing a smile: "What crime have I committed by being quiet and inactive? Why do you say such things, Master?"

"What's the crime?"

The illusory image of Hongjun shone brightly with Dao light, extinguishing all the candles in the hall. Only the illusory image, like a bright moon, illuminated Laozi's shadow, making it appear elongated and distorted.

"That wretched Li Bai, a quasi-saint of the human race, dared to devour the heavens and earth in the Void Beyond Hengtian, disrupting the Heavenly Dao! You, as a saint of the Heavenly Court and a disciple of Hongjun, actually sat idly by, allowing him to devour the continent and destroy my Dao foundation! If I hadn't witnessed it myself, how long would you have kept denying it? Such treason deserves to be punished with death!" (End of this chapter)