CHAPTER 794: CHAPTER 722, UP SPIRITUAL MOUNTAIN

Zhu Bajie exclaimed in shock, "Master, isn’t that a bit too expensive for you?

No, I don’t want a set either, I want to customize my own."

Tang Sanzang suddenly became serious and said with a heavy heart, "Bajie, do you think I ordered these things for my own pleasure?

Do you really think I’m such a vain person?"

Before Zhu Bajie could answer, Tang Sanzang had already replied, "No, I didn’t order these Magic Treasures for myself, but to demonstrate our respect for the Buddha and to show the sincerity of my quest for enlightenment."

"Master, your disciple feels that the bright silver platinum set does not fully express my devotion to Buddha. I would like to make some changes."

"It’s good that you think this way. In principle, I agree with you, but I have already placed the order, and it would be very troublesome to change it now, so let’s not. Alright, you all go out now! I plan to rest."

Sha Wujing said naively, "Master, it’s not that late yet!"

"I’ve been traveling all day and am already very tired. Now go, quickly!"

Under Tang Sanzang’s urging, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing could only stand up and walk outside.

Zhu Bajie returned to his own room, lay on the bed, took out his Three Realms Mall, and sent a message: "Master, your disciple has arrived at Spiritual Mountain. I will return once I have obtained the scriptures."

Meanwhile, Sha Wujing returned to his own room, opened his Three Realms Mall, and sent a message: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant has arrived at the Spiritual Mountain. Please instruct me on how to proceed next."

"Return after obtaining the scriptures."

"Your servant obeys the command!"

Sun Wukong, with his legs crossed, lay on the bed and sent out a message: "Nezha, your old Sun Wukong has arrived at Spiritual Mountain. Once I’m done obtaining the scriptures, I can return to the Judicial Temple and officially start my job."

"Congratulations, Great Saint, joyous tidings~ I’m dealing with a tricky Demon right now. When the Great Saint returns, you must come and lend me a helping hand."

"Heh heh~ Sure thing, sure thing~"

The night skies were sparsely dotted with stars, and the corner insects chirped, and the night passed just like that.

The next day, before the Great Sun had risen, a faint chant of Sanskrit hummed through Heaven and Earth, giving off an especially serene feeling in the quiet world.

Tang Sanzang, dressed in new clothes, walked out of his room. His Jinlan Kasaya shimmered brightly, and his Nine Ringed Staff rang with a clear, tinkling sound. Wearing a Virochana Hat, just like Ksitigarbha, it emitted such Buddha Light that a small Buddha Wheel formed behind Tang Sanzang’s head. He wore white Dragon Skin shoes with the phantom of a Divine Dragon moving across them. He looked up 45 degrees towards the hazily clouded sky, seemingly like a True Buddha descending to the mortal world, a Saint incarnate.

"Has the Saint Monk awoken?" A cheerful voice came from outside.

The Golden Peak Immortal stepped into the backyard and froze in his tracks, stunned at the sight of Tang Sanzang ahead, instinctively raising a hand to shield his face. Is this... Could it be that Golden Cicada has awakened? Such dazzling Buddha Light, such divine presence...

Tang Sanzang brought his palms together and greeted with a smile, "Greetings to the Great Immortal from this unworthy monk!"

Golden Peak Immortal came to his senses, lowering his hands and also bringing them together in a salute, "Greetings to the Saint Monk!"

He couldn’t help but say, "Only today, upon seeing the Saint Monk, do I truly understand what it means to be a Buddha’s son~" A spasm in his heart; such precious treasures were indeed enviable to Immortals.

Creak~ The doors of the adjacent rooms swung wide open.

Sun Wukong stepped out, wearing his Locking Gold Armor, Lotus Silk Cloud Shoes on his feet, Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown on his head, and Jingu Bang in hand, truly exuding the majestic presence of the Great Saint.

Then Zhu Bajie stepped out, clad in bright silver battle armor, with a dragon head swallowing cloud helmet on his head, his cape flying behind him, the edges of the cape adorned with golden silk cloud patterns, bearing the two large characters for ’Invincible’.

Next was Sha Wujing, wearing dark red armor, embellished with half-transparent liu li glass beads, draped in a golden cape that bore two dark characters, ’Protector’.

Golden Peak Immortal looked down at his outfit and thought to himself, it’s just no comparison! Comparing people can drive you to death, comparing goods can drive you to throw them away, after all, are they the immortal gods, or am I?!

Golden Peak Immortal said with a chuckling, "How majestic, truly majestic!"

Tang Sanzang glanced at his three disciples beside him and nodded with satisfaction, thinking that they would not seem out of place upon reaching Spiritual Mountain.

Golden Peak Immortal then invited Tang Sanzang and his disciples for breakfast.

After breakfast, Golden Peak Immortal led Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the outside of the Taoist Temple and said with a smile, "Saint Monk, are you ready? I will take you to Spiritual Mountain."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said with a grin, "No need, no need, this old Sun has been to Spiritual Mountain before and knows the way."

"Great Saint, when you come to Spiritual Mountain, you travel amidst the clouds and mist, following the routes of clouds; how could you recognize the roads of the mortal world?"

Tang Sanzang put his hands together and said with a smile, "Thanks for your trouble, Great Immortal!"

"It’s my duty!"

Golden Peak Immortal threw his horsetail whisk into the sky, where it vanished within a burst of white light, and a continuous mountain path formed from the void, gently falling before the Pagoda. Alongside the path, grass and trees grew, not appearing to be the illusion of a spell.

Golden Peak Immortal beckoned with his hand and said heartily, "Saint Monk, please~"

Tang Sanzang humbly replied, "After you, Great Immortal!"

"Ha-ha~ there is no need to defer, Saint Monk. As the Sutra Taker, it is right for you to go first."

"Then I shall be the one to take liberties~" Tang Sanzang stepped onto the mountain path, walking upwards.

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing followed behind, each with their capes billowing majestically, with The White Dragon Horse pulling the carriage following after, and Golden Peak Immortal coming last.

The group proceeded along the mountain path, climbing ever so high, passing through a layer of clouds, and suddenly feeling a vast open space before them. Peaks sat atop the clouds, each shimmering with Buddha Light, instilled with an aura of majesty and sanctity.

Tang Sanzang and his followers stood midway up one of the mountains, surrounded by auspicious multicolored light, enveloped in a dense mist.

Golden Peak Immortal stopped and said with a smile, "Saint Monk, this is the true Spiritual Mountain. If you follow this path straight upwards, you will reach Great Leiyin Temple. I can only accompany you up to here; you’ll have to proceed on your own from here."

Tang Sanzang bowed respectfully and expressed his gratitude, "Many thanks, Great Immortal!"

Golden Peak Immortal nodded and disappeared within a flash of immortal light.

Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "Little monk, I know this road well. Old Sun will take you to Great Leiyin Temple."

"Alright, let’s set off!"

At Tang Sanzang’s command, the group set off towards the summit with great enthusiasm, their hearts stirred by the emotion of nearing the end of their more than a decade-long quest for the scriptures.

Soon after, the Sutra Takers arrived at a great river, with surging waves flowing rapidly, stretching about eight or nine miles wide, devoid of any signs of life.

Tang Sanzang stood by the great river, looking around in surprise and said, "Wukong, could the Great Immortal have given us the wrong directions? With the water being so wide and so turbulent, and no boat in sight, how are we to cross?"