Chapter 1: Jiang Liu'er Has Joined "All-Sky Journey Group"

    During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty.

        Southern Continent.

        Golden Light Temple.

        Twelve-year-old Jiangliu'er gritted his teeth as he carried a bucket of water and poured it "gurgling" into the large vat.

        Wiping sweat while panting, he asked an elderly monk nearby: "Venerable Faming, when can I shave my head to become a monk?"

        Monk Faming chuckled, patting the boy's head: "Wait until you're eighteen and mentally mature before deciding."

        Jiangliu'er frowned: "Why so long?"

        Faming replied: "If I induct you into Buddhist practice while young, only for you to regret it upon adulthood, that would be my sin."

        The boy looked dejected.

        Faming smiled curiously: "Silly child, why seek early ordination?"

        Jiangliu'er hesitated: "Monks don't starve."

        "Starve?" Faming blinked.

        The boy whispered: "The kitchen monk never fills my bowl. He says I'm shameless for mooching temple gruel... If I were ordained, he couldn't say that."

        His stomach growled loudly mid-sentence.

        Jiangliu'er scratched his head sheepishly.

        Faming said: "Fetch two more buckets, then come for meals. I'll serve you myself today."

        "Meals? Not porridge? Really?" The boy's eyes lit up: "Yes! I'll fetch water now!"

        He dashed out with his bucket.

        Faming murmured: "Poor child. Amitabha."

        Twelve years prior, he'd found an infant floating in a river, wrapped in undershirts with blood-written origins tied to its chest.

        Named "Jiangliu" (River Drift) with the local affectionate suffix "er" added.

        At one year old, Faming entrusted him to a devout laywoman's care.

        At ten, brought to Golden Light Temple.

        Now twelve in Zhenguan era.

        Hardworking. Resilient.

        Remarkably clever!

        ......

        Unaware of his origins, Jiangliu'er reached the stream with his bucket when two debating monks caught his attention.

        Their topic: "Lotus births all creation." One expounded flowery theories while the other applauded.

        Endless metaphors about cosmic lotuses.

        Jiangliu'er frowned deeper: "Venerables, if lotus births all, is it sentient?"

        Recognizing Faming's ward, one monk answered: "Lotus symbolizes Buddhist purity - Buddha's awareness births all."

        The boy scratched his head: "Then why create evil people? Venerable Faming says wickedness abounds. If lotus can't discern good/evil, isn't it ignorant? How can ignorance birth all things?"

        Silence fell.

        One monk reddened and shoved him: "Fatherless brat! Our wisdom surpasses yours! Who are you to question, nameless bastard?"

        Jiangliu'er fled, tripped into the stream.

        "Thud!" His forehead struck a rock.

        "Oww—"

        Drenched and shivering, inner chill surpassing physical cold.

        Head wound bled into the stream, forming crimson lotus patterns.

        His bucket floated away - failed task, lost temple property, angered senior monks.

        Curling up, he mumbled: "Not a bastard."

        The stream tasted salty today.

        [Ding! "Multiverse Journey West Group" invites you. Accept?]

        [Yes] or [No]

        Startled, Jiangliu'er rubbed his eyes - the floating text remained.

        "Ghosts at noon?!"

        Trembling, he saw the monks had left. Alone.

        Unresolved parentage... Unknown origins...

        Was this life ending?

        Gulping cold sweat, he froze like timber.

        No ghostly attacks came.

        'Yes... No... Must choose?'

        Deciding compliance was safest, he shouted: "Yes!"

        Vision swirled. Golden light implanted mental projections - circular "heads" with calligraphic text.

        [Yellow-Browed Ancestor]: "Heh, Golden Cicada, victory is mine."

        [Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "Westward pilgrimage needs more bones. Subduing White Bone Spirit will aid my Flesh Ascension cultivation."

        [Monkey King]: "Birth brings no joy - death kills no arrogance."

        [Monkey King]: "Good wine!"

        [Yellow-Browed Ancestor]: "Mad monkey's raving again."

        [Altar Guardian]: "Modern folks sure spice things up!"

        [Altar Guardian]: [Image][Image]

        [Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "More! More!"

        [Ding! "Jiangliu'er" joined Multiverse Journey West Group!]

        [Yellow-Browed Ancestor]: "Another Golden Cicada?"

        Jiangliu'er gaped - especially at the pig-demon's images of scantily-clad women.

        Blushing furiously, he shut eyes... yet the mental projections persisted.

        'What demons are you all?!'

        [Jiangliu'er]: "What demons are you all?!"

        The group chat froze.

        ......