Jiang Liu’er was stunned. The groups of the various heavens in the Journey to the West could actually visit each other?
That would mean…
He could go to the worlds of the elders, and the elders could come to his world. That’s why the Great Sage had suggested this idea?
[Jiang Liu’er]: "How do we do this?"
[Altar Purifier]: "Just focus your thoughts and send a request to a group member to enter their world. When I first joined the group, I even went to Tang Sanzang’s world for a little while."
[Altar Purifier]: "But there are limitations."
[Altar Purifier]: "For example, if I wanted to go to your world, how long I could stay would depend on your strength. If you ascended to heaven and became a celestial soldier in the heavens, I could stay for ten days or more."
[Altar Purifier]: "However, with your current cultivation, I might only be able to stay for ten breaths of time. After that, I’d be kicked back."
[Jiang Liu’er]: "Ah, I see. If it were the other way around, and I went to Elder Ba Jie’s world, wouldn’t I be able to stay for a very long time?"
[Altar Purifier]: "Ha ha, even hundreds of years wouldn’t be a problem!"
[Altar Purifier]: "I’m still quite powerful."
Jiang Liu’er felt a stirring of excitement. This was an invitation from the Great Sage. If he refused, wouldn’t that be impolite?
These days, he had roughly figured out the personalities of the elders.
Elder Tang Sanzang was sharp-tongued but kind-hearted, very confident in himself, believing few in the nine heavens and ten realms could match him.
Elder Ba Jie was the most amiable, often chatting in the group and posting pictures of beautiful women in tattered clothes.
Elder Huangmi seemed a bit extreme, encouraging others to break taboos, but probably not a bad person… maybe.
The Great Sage was the most arrogant and aloof.
He rarely spoke and seemed to look down on all the celestial deities.
That such an elder would seek his help…
Jiang Liu’er couldn’t help but feel a little pleased.
[Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "But there are Five Directions Dharma Protectors guarding that place. If we want to take the Buddha’s seal, we’ll have to kill them first. Otherwise, they’ll return to the Great Thunder Sound Temple and report to the Buddha."
[Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "If the Buddha himself comes here, a fierce battle would be inevitable. We might have to fight until the land within ten thousand miles is barren before deciding who wins."
[Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong]: "Kill the Five Directions Dharma Protectors! Those five monks fed me iron pellets when I was hungry and made me drink molten copper when I was thirsty!"
[Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong]: "Tsk! What a bunch of evil monks!"
Iron pellets when hungry? Molten copper when thirsty?
Jiang Liu’er stared in disbelief. How could one survive such conditions!
These monks seemed quite different from those in the scriptures…
[Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "Since that’s the case, this monk will test whether I can remove that Buddha’s seal for the monkey."
[Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "@Jiang Liu’er, come with me."
[Jiang Liu’er]: "Elder, won’t I be holding you back?"
[Muscular Tang Sanzang]: "‘Holding back’ is just an excuse for the weak. A truly powerful existence, even while supporting the mortal realm with one hand and fighting against celestial deities with the other, wouldn’t begrudge mortals for holding them back."
[Jiang Liu’er]: "Understood, Elder!"
Jiang Liu’er felt a surge of excitement.
He first told Hu Yuyu, "I’ll be traveling far. I don’t know when I’ll return—maybe in a few incense sticks’ time, or perhaps days. But I will come back."
Jiang Liu’er instructed, "While I’m away, hide well and don’t let the wolf demons take you. I’ve left some coins; if you’re hungry, you can disguise yourself and buy some food."
Hu Yuyu blinked in surprise. "Where are you going, Master?"
"Perhaps to Five-Finger Mountain," Jiang Liu’er said with a mysterious smile.
"Five-Finger Mountain?" Hu Yuyu suddenly recalled, "Isn’t that where the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who once caused chaos in heaven was imprisoned five hundred years ago?"
At that moment, Jiang Liu’er focused his thoughts.
He sent a request to enter the world of "Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong."
…
"Master, what should we transform into this time?"
Wood Guardian racked his brains, unable to think of anything else.
Guanyin shook her head. "No need to transform. Let’s be open about it instead of letting the Golden Cicada Reincarnation misunderstand us. The Buddha’s of Thunder Sound Temple are all watching. Let’s not make a spectacle of ourselves."
Guanyin reverted to her true form, radiating brilliant Buddhist light across the sky.
Now, the Bodhisattva’s appearance was adorned with jeweled pendants and pearl necklaces. Her hair was coiled into a dragon-tail bun, and her sleeves fluttered with phoenix-feather decorations. Her brows were like crescent moons, eyes like twin stars. Her fair face exuded joy, lips a single crimson dot. The vase of sweet dew never emptied, and the willow branch beside it remained evergreen.
Wood Guardian followed suit, transforming into his "Hui’an Messenger" form, holding an iron staff as a subduer of demons.
Meanwhile…
The Buddha’s of Thunder Sound Temple saw this scene through their mirrors.
A Bodhisattva laughed, "Now the Golden Cicada Reincarnation won’t avoid us. After all, Guanyin Bodhisattva has come in person. If he still tries to report us or stays away…" She paused, "He’d be rude, not recognizing Guanyin."
"Haha, that’s unlikely," a monk chuckled. "Even though the Golden Cicada is a youth, he’s read the scriptures. How could he not recognize Guanyin?"
A Vajra laughed, "Earlier, the Golden Cicada avoided Guanyin twice. When he realizes it was a misunderstanding, he’ll be terrified!"
"Haha! Rather amusing." The Buddha’s all smiled broadly.
The atmosphere was joyous.
However…
Unexpected developments arose between Guanyin and Wood Guardian.
Wood Guardian asked, "Master, why have you stopped?"
He’d intended to accompany his master to meet the Golden Cicada, even preparing to tease him. After all, that Jiang Liu’er had embarrassed him twice.
But after a few steps, he noticed his master had halted.
Guanyin’s expression had shifted to one of shock and bewilderment.
She paused her calculations, her fingers flying but unable to unravel the mystery.
Finally, she spoke, "The Golden Cicada Reincarnation is gone. I’ve searched the three realms, the five elements, the nine heavens, and ten earths, but cannot find him anywhere."
Wood Guardian’s eyes widened. "Gone?"
He activated his Buddhist power, his eyes blazing with golden light.
"Truly… vanished!"
Guanyin and Wood Guardian’s words and actions were broadcast to the Thunder Sound Temple through the mirrors.
The previously lively temple fell silent. Scrolls dropped unnoticed; monks froze in shock; a Dharma Protector gasped.
The Buddha’s of Thunder Sound Temple were struck dumb.
The Golden Cicada…
Was gone!
…
…
