The Battle in Journey to the West

The story goes that Guanyin used the Essence of Heaven and Earth, a gift from the Tathagata, to revive Zhen Yuanzi’s pepino fruit tree. In accordance with his promise, Zhen Yuanzi released Tang Sanzang and his companions, even hosting a pepino fruit banquet for the immortals to taste the fruit.

The act of Zhen Yuanzi was to showcase the style of the Taoist sect. After the feast concluded, Tang Sanzang and his companions continued their journey westward.

Of course, the journey was not without its trials, but Wukong had already cultivated to the level of a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal, and these demons were no match for him at all.

His magical treasures and mana were both top-notch, vanquishing demons as easily as flicking a finger; countless demons were subdued, and they passed many challenges.

That day, as they approached Golden Helmet Mountain, Wukong became serious. This trial was set by Laojun’s mount, the Green Ox Demon, who had the Vajra Bracelet from Laojun. A magical treasure of such caliber was an enemy to thousands, and only a being of creator-level strength could handle him. It seemed Laojun was going to have a serious reckoning with the Tathagata, letting his own mount block the way.

Before they even reached Golden Helmet Mountain, Wukong said, "Elder, I sense an extremely heavy demon aura ahead. We must be cautious on this leg of our journey."

Bajie laughed and said, "Brother Monkey, your mana reaches through the heavens, and your martial arts are formidable. Throughout this journey, which demon or ghost has been your match? Whatever fearsome fairy lies ahead, you can simply go up and slay it."

Along the way, Wukong had wielded his iron staff and claimed the lives of countless demons and monsters. Bajie and Sha Wujing enjoyed their leisure, waiting for Wukong to vanquish the evil and then continuing on their way, reaping the rewards. Of course, some of them were disciples of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas; a few who didn’t get rescued in time were struck down by the staff, their souls scattered, though some were saved.

Now with Wukong’s mana incredibly high, it really wasn’t easy to find opponents for the eighty-one trials without resorting to illusion!

The demons appointed for the eighty-one trials were mostly promised benefits, and there were also those who waylaid them en route, which was even better, as they didn’t need arrangements from the Buddhist or Daoist sects.

Both Buddhism and Daoism were restrained. During this bet of westward journey, the fire only blazed once inside Zhen Yuanzi’s Wuzhuang Temple, and thereafter, the way was surprisingly straightforward.