The Monkey King lived a happy and carefree life on Flower Fruit Mountain, and before he knew it, three or four hundred years had passed.

However, the Monkey King was not satisfied with this fleeting happiness; he longed to live forever and enjoy the beauty of the world forever.

So it resolutely left Flower Fruit Mountain and embarked on a journey to seek the secret of immortality.

After a long journey, the Monkey King finally arrived at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

It paid homage to the Bodhi Patriarch and was accepted as a disciple by him.

The Bodhi Patriarch named it "Sun Wukong," and from then on, Sun Wukong began its cultivation life in the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars.

For the next twenty years, Sun Wukong worked diligently and devoted himself to cultivation.

It not only learned the Great Celestial Immortal Technique, but also mastered the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Somersault Cloud, among other amazing supernatural abilities.

In order to enable him to participate in the journey to the West more quickly, Zhunti forcibly poured a portion of his magical power into Sun Wukong's body, allowing his cultivation to rapidly reach the realm of the Nine Heavens Mystic Immortal.

Later, Sun Wukong wreaked havoc in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea and obtained the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), the Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown, the Chainmail Golden Armor, and the Lotus Silk Cloud-Walking Boots.

Because his lifespan had ended, he was captured by the ghost messengers and caused a great disturbance in the underworld, destroying the Book of Life and Death concerning him and his monkey descendants.

Finally, because he caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace and challenged the majesty of the Heavenly Court, he was suppressed by the Great Sun Tathagata under the Five Finger Mountain for five hundred years.

Time flies, and five hundred years have passed.

Time flies, and five hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Tang Sanzang was born.

This Tang Monk's secular surname was Chen, his given name was Yi, his childhood name was Jiang Liuer, his Dharma name was Xuanzang, and his title was Sanzang.

He grew up in Jinshan Temple and had no interest in wealth and fame; he only loved practicing Buddhism.

Tang Sanzang's reputation gradually spread, and he was eventually chosen by Li Shimin to preside over the grand "Water and Land Assembly".

At the conference, Tang Sanzang's profound knowledge of Buddhism amazed everyone.

Just then, Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared and gave Tang Sanzang two Buddhist treasures—a brocade cassock and a nine-ringed staff—and instructed him to go to the Great Thunder Temple on Mount Ling in the Western Paradise to obtain the Mahayana Buddhist teachings so that he could save all sentient beings.

Li Shimin was very worried about Tang Sanzang's journey to the west, as the journey was long and fraught with difficulties and dangers.

Therefore, he immediately issued an imperial edict, widely recruiting capable and righteous people from all over the world to protect Tang Sanzang.

Once the imperial edict was issued, within just a few days, hundreds of talented and righteous people from the Tang Dynasty came to sign up.

These people are all highly skilled; some are proficient in martial arts, while others are adept at magic.

After several days of rigorous selection, two people finally stood out and were chosen.

One of the two men was handsome, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes, and an imposing presence.

He wore a three-peaked phoenix crown, a silver armor robe, and held a three-pointed double-edged sword. He was majestic and heroic, like a war god descending to earth.

The other one was equally outstanding in appearance, strong in physique, and tall and imposing.

He was dressed in a flowing black robe and held a halberd, exuding an imposing and awe-inspiring aura.

These two men were Yang Jian and Prince Zhou.

Finally, Li Shimin specially bestowed upon him a snow-white steed as Tang Sanzang's mount.

Amidst the reluctant gazes of the crowd, Tang Sanzang, Yang Jian, and Zishou slowly departed, embarking on their journey to the West.

It was the height of summer, with the sun blazing and the heat unbearable.

The three people and one horse moved slowly along the scorching road, as if the whole world was shrouded in heat.

Tang Sanzang was, after all, just a mortal. Compared to the immortals Yang Jian and Zishou, his body was clearly unable to withstand such high temperatures.

The scorching sun and sweltering heat quickly made Tang Sanzang drenched in sweat, and his throat felt so dry it felt like it was about to burst into flames.

Finally, Tang Sanzang could no longer endure the torment. He couldn't help but say to Yang Jian and Zishou, "My two capable ones, this humble monk is truly parched and unbearably thirsty!"

"I wonder if you two could find some water or dew for this humble monk to quench his thirst?"

Upon hearing Tang Sanzang's words, Yang Jian couldn't help but smile sarcastically. He said mockingly, "Holy Monk, you've had a very comfortable journey! Riding that white horse, you've traveled so leisurely."

Then, he pointed to himself and fellow Daoist Zishou and continued, "As for fellow Daoist Zishou and me, we both got here step by step on our own two legs."

"But now, instead of going to find the nectar yourself, you're making the two of us go find it for you."

Upon hearing Yang Jian's words, Tang Sanzang immediately retorted, "Weren't you sent by His Majesty to protect me?"

His voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction and helplessness.

Yang Jian sneered and replied, "We are indeed responsible for protecting your life."

"But you'll have to handle the rest yourself."

"Do you really think we're your servants?!"

Tang Sanzang was speechless after being choked by Yang Jian's words. Although he was somewhat displeased, there was nothing he could do.

Without saying a word, he immediately dismounted and prepared to find a water source himself.

Just then, suddenly, a group of men with ferocious faces, wielding large knives and axes, jumped out of the woods.

These people stared menacingly at Tang Sanzang, muttering incantations under their breath.

"This mountain will open up for me."

"Pick this tree for me."

"If you want to get through here..."

"Take off your pants!"

The man in the lead had a long scar on his face, making him look particularly ferocious.

As he spoke, he kept looking Tang Sanzang up and down, his greedy gaze sending chills down one's spine.

Upon being looked at, Tang Seng felt a chill run down his spine, his face turned deathly pale, and a layer of fine sweat appeared on his forehead.

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