Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

To speak of him, the Yellow Wind Monster was at least a Demon King; although it was unknown whether he had transcended his mortal form to reach the Demon Immortal Realm, defeating him certainly yielded some valuable loot regardless.

Potions aside, there were indeed several pieces of equipment. However, a level 25 Perfect Level Demon-Subduing Sword could not compare to the Mixed Iron Rod in hand, and a Fine Level Monk Hat was no match for the Vidyaraja Crown.

Thus, the pieces of equipment were largely superfluous.

Nevertheless, there was one Legendary Level ring that secretly delighted Jiang Liu.

As his gaze fell upon the emerald green ring, the corresponding attribute information quickly appeared in front of Jiang Liu.

Green Phosphorus Poison Ring (Legendary Level): Required Level 25, Attack +450, Special Effect: 5% chance of poisoning the target, inflicting double the user's attack damage over 300 seconds, Durability 18/25.

To Jiang Liu, the attributes of the Green Phosphorus Poison Ring were quite powerful, not only providing a substantial boost in attack power but also featuring a strong poisoning effect.

After some thought, with two rings already on his fingers, the Redwood Ring and the Huali Law Ring, he decided to swap out the Redwood Ring.

Mixed Iron Rod, Vidyaraja Crown, Huali Law Ring, Green Phosphorus Poison Ring, Dragon Soul Bracelet, and Flashing Brilliance Shoes.

Throughout his Journey to the West, he had already acquired six pieces of Legendary Level equipment, filling six of his ten equipment slots with such high-quality gear, which was quite satisfying for him.

No wonder the equipment that burst forth from defeating the Yellow Wind Monster, though several items were superfluous—none could even compare to his current gear.

After briefly examining his equipment setup, it was just moments later that Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie had already packed up everything needed for the barbecue.

Raising his hand, Jiang Liu stowed all the items into his spatial bag and continued on the Journey to the West.

The White Dragon Horse ambled along leisurely, while he sat quietly, diligently practicing his Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound and seizing every second to enhance his cultivation level.

Zhu Bajie carried a Nine-Toothed Rake walking ahead, mumbling to himself: "Mapo tofu, spicy sliced lungs, and also the spicy small hotpot..."

As for Sun Wukong? He seemed to be pondering something, following along ahead. Your journey continues with empire

This team on the Journey to the West had traveled quietly for a full twenty li.

After cycling his True Yuan for eighty-one complete cycles, Jiang Liu opened his eyes and, looking at Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie beside him, a surprised expression crossed his face.

This silence was somewhat unusual for them; usually, listening to their bickering was quite the entertainment.

Zhu Bajie could be ignored, as his mind was still immersed in the delectable dishes he had talked about earlier, but what about the pensive-looking monkey? What could it mean?

"Wukong, what are you thinking about? You've been eerily quiet all this way!" Jiang Liu asked curiously.

"Master, I was thinking about the prophecy the Yellow Wind Monster mentioned about the eighty-one difficulties," Sun Wukong scratched his head as he responded.

"What's there to think about? Our journey to the West is fraught with perils, and with countless evil demons, trials and tribulations are inevitable, aren't they?"

Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Jiang Liu shook his head, feeling no need to ponder such simple words.

"No, Master, don't you think there was another layer of meaning in the Yellow Wind Monster's words?" Despite Jiang Liu's disregard, Sun Wukong shook his head again.

"Oh? Another layer of meaning? Let's hear it!" Sun Wukong's words piqued Jiang Liu's interest.

Could it be that Sun Wukong could discern a different flavor from the so-called eighty-one difficulties?

"The Yellow Wind Monster said that our journey to the West faces eighty-one predetermined difficulties, that is, if we make it to Western Spirit Mountain, we must endure these eighty-one tribulations, right?" Sun Wukong asked.

"Indeed, that's correct!" Jiang Liu nodded slightly, as this was a problem he had known about in his previous life.

However, following Jiang Liu's nod, Sun Wukong pressed on, "Then, from another perspective, doesn't it mean we must completely experience these eighty-one difficulties in order to successfully reach Western Spirit Mountain?"

Boom!

This statement struck Jiang Liu like a bolt of lightning, leaving him utterly stunned.

For a moment, it felt as though a layer of paper was pierced at that moment.

Sun Wukong, unaware of Jiang Liu's current thoughts, continued to whisper, "Master, what do you think would happen if we hurried and reached Western Spirit Mountain early without facing the adequate number of eighty-one difficulties?"

"Monkey, no more talking, let me think this through..." With myriad thoughts swirling in his mind, Jiang Liu raised his hand, signaling Sun Wukong to be silent.

What Sun Wukong said today was indeed greatly enlightening for Jiang Liu.

Because of his past life, Jiang Liu hadn't given much consideration to the eighty-one trials on the Journey to the West. In fact, he considered these eighty-one trials to be eighty-one opportunities.

Therefore, whether it was the previous Guanyin Zen Temple or this Yellow Wind Ridge, he had actively sought them out, intending to trigger the original plot.

However, Sun Wukong's words today brought Jiang Liu back to his senses, realizing he had been shortsighted.

Reflecting on the Journey to the West and its eighty-one trials, thinking in reverse, doesn't it mean that finishing the eighty-one trials signifies the completion of the scripture-seeking journey?

Just like in the original story, when there was a minor mishap leaving one trial incomplete, although Sun Wukong and the others had reached Spirit Mountain, they still had to make up for this last trial...

So, on this Journey to the West, if he were truly capable, then these so-called trials wouldn't exist at all, right?

Take, for instance, this time at Yellow Wind Ridge in the original story, which was definitely one of the eighty-one trials.

But now, having come to Yellow Wind Ridge, the Yellow Wind Monster was frightened into fleeing by him, then, he chased after it, beating the monster harshly, earning a wave of experience and items.

Could that count as a trial!?

It couldn't possibly, right!?

This trial, as originally intended in the story, wasn't challenging for him, doesn't this mean that Guanyin might need to find another way to impose this trial on him?

Looking further ahead, if the trials in the original text no longer pose a challenge to Jiang Liu, and he continually fails to complete eighty-one trials, then there would be no need for him to stall. Perhaps Guanyin might actively seek ways to slow him down?

At this thought, Jiang Liu nodded in silence to himself.

Striving to increase his level, outsmarting challenges, and turning these so-called trials into non-trials, Guanyin would surely try all possible means to create more challenges for him.

And the more monsters she sent, the faster he would grow...

Could this be the correct way to approach the Journey to the West!?

As his thoughts clarified, Jiang Liu softly muttered to himself, considering a slight adjustment in his strategy for the future Journey to the West.

While stalling was important, the real significance lay in these so-called trials, didn't it?

Turning all these so-called trials into nothing, wouldn't he infinitely prolong this Journey to the West, giving himself ample time to grow!?

"Hey, Master, have you figured it out yet? What exactly is going on? I, Old Sun, have been pondering this all the way and still can't figure it out!" Seeing Jiang Liu's changing expressions and gradually understanding, Sun Wukong curiously asked.

"Monkey Brother, it seems you're just worrying over nothing after a full meal..." Nearby, Zhu Bajie, whose thoughts seemed to shift away from food, shook his head and interjected after hearing the conversation between Sun Wukong and Jiang Liu.

"You fool, what are you talking about? Knowing that we are destined to face eighty-one trials along the way west, shouldn't we think it over carefully!? What if we suffer a great loss!?" Zhu Bajie's words made Sun Wukong angrily grab his ears, scolding him sharply.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, release your hands, you scurvy monkey…" Yelling in pain as Sun Wukong grabbed his pig's ears, Zhu Bajie shouted loudly.

Having finally rescued his own ears from Sun Wukong's monkey claws, Zhu Bajie rubbed his ears and retorted irritably: "Didn't you think about it, Monkey, didn't the Yellow Wind Monster say so? The eighty-one trials were overheard by him during a conversation between the Bodhisattva and the Buddha!"

"Which means, all the trials we face along this journey are known to the Bodhisattvas and the Buddhas. If they know, and if we truly encounter an insurmountable obstacle, would they just stand by and watch? So, I say you are worrying for nothing..."

White Dragon Horse, head bowed, proceeded silently, not daring to join the squabble between his two senior fellow disciples, but upon hearing Zhu Bajie's words today, he subtly raised his head to glance at him, nodding silently in agreement.

Second Senior Brother truly lived up to his origins as Marshal Tianpeng, having served as Marshal Tianpeng in the Heavenly Court for so many years. Although reincarnated as a pig demon, lazy and naive in appearance, some things indeed showed more foresight than the eldest senior brother...

"Sigh…" Jiang Liu, also glancing at Zhu Bajie, silently sighed to himself.

Indeed, if he had a choice, how would Jiang Liu not want to follow the Buddhist Sect's plan and walk the Journey to the West safely and happily, ending up joyously receiving the title of Sandalwood Merit Buddha?

Unfortunately, to save Gaoyang and himself, he could only seek to resist.

After all, a cornered dog will leap over a wall, and a cornered rabbit will bite, won't it!?