As Guanyin stood in bewilderment, a demonic wind swept through the forest where a wolf demon descended.

        The wolf demon glanced around, finding Jiang Liu'er vanished and the ground littered with monster corpses—including Zhidu Tou's.

        Clutching a wolf-tooth club, the demon howled furiously at the sky.

        "Jiang! Liu! Er! I, Lang Wuji, swear eternal vengeance!"

        Sniffing residual traces in the air, he pursued Jiang Liu'er and Hu Yuyu.

        The trail vanished at a riverbank—either they had crossed or left false clues.

        Enraged, Lang Wuji thrashed the river with his club, killing fish and shrimp in swirling waves.

        His impotent roars echoed as Guanyin and Muzha observed silently.

        Muzha hesitantly broke the silence: "Master, could there be a misunderstanding? The Golden Cicada's reincarnation should be divinely pure. Why this demonic bloodlust?"

        Guanyin sighed: "Calculations show the wolf demon provoked him first. This... was unforeseen."

        As Muzha moved to arrest the demon, Guanyin stopped him: "This may count among the 81 tribulations. Remove one, and the journey falters."

        Transforming themselves into a vendor and child, they descended to guide the wayward disciple.

        ......

        In Thunderclap Temple, Arhats debated: "The fourth tribulation—wolf demon pursuit?"

        Even Buddha Tathagata answered cryptically: "Perhaps."

        Bodhisattva Manjusri calmed concerns: "All shed blood before enlightenment. Redemption remains possible."

        ......

        Jiang Liu'er grumbled over patched clothes: "Two hundred coins for rags! We should've dragged Zhidu Tou's chicken form—hundreds of pounds of meat!"

        Hu Yuyu's ears perked at sudden fragrance: "Chicken-flavored flatbread ahead!"

        A suspicious vendor and child hawked "vegetarian" buns. Jiang Liu'er alerted guards, exposing the disguised Guanyin and Muzha.

        As officers attacked, the pair vanished in smoke—proving Jiang Liu'er's suspicion: "Empty streets hide traps. Master taught well."

        Hu Yuyu marveled: "Your wisdom rivals demons!"

        ......