I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Pei Jue sat up abruptly and carefully examined his body. "He really has come back to life." As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Jue saw a flash of white light in the palm of his right hand.

Pei Jue looked closely and found two numbers on the palm of her right hand: thirty-five.

Recalling Zhuang Yan's words about the thirty-six chances to be resurrected from the dead, Pei Jue immediately understood the meaning of that number.

"That means I still have thirty-five lives left," Pei Jue murmured.

Pei Jue stood up and found that Sun Wukong and the others had disappeared. "He kills people on sight and doesn't listen to any reason. He's a real demon monkey."

After Pei Jue finished speaking, she still followed the hoofprints on the ground. She remembered that the monk was riding a horse, and she was sure she could catch up by following the hoofprints.

Since Zhuang Yan said so, he must not have lied to her. No matter how unreasonable or cruel Sun Wukong was, she had to keep chasing after him and find out the truth.

The journey to the West was ultimately a pilgrimage on foot, and Pei Jue, riding the wind, quickly caught up with Sun Wukong and his companions.

Pei Jue flew forward on the wind and landed directly in front of the pilgrimage team. Tang Sanzang hurriedly reined in his horse, and Sun Wukong, the White Dragon Horse, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing also stopped.

As soon as Pei Jue turned around, the little white dragon exclaimed in surprise, "You're not dead?!"

Even Tang Sanzang was startled and quickly put his hands together and said, "Amitabha, female benefactor, every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor. It was this monkey who killed you, so you should go find him."

Pigsy exclaimed, "Hey! Master, this is a living person, not a ghost. You've given me the wrong look."

"Huh?" Tang Sanzang said with a surprised look, "But I clearly saw her being beaten into mincemeat just now."

Sha Wujing asked, "Are they twin sisters? They look alike."

Sun Wukong sneered, "I don't care if she's a sister or a twin. Anyone who dares to tease me, even a god or saint, will have to take a hit from my staff."

As he spoke, Sun Wukong stepped forward, wielding his golden cudgel, and asked, "Demon, I don't care what your background is, but don't be so insolent in front of me, Old Sun. Who was the man who was killed over there?"

Pei Jue said, "Sun Wukong, you just killed me, but I have been resurrected."

"Nonsense!" Sun Wukong retorted. "How could a little demon who hasn't even become an immortal have the ability to bring the dead back to life? Even if those people in the underworld dared to defy my divine power and release her, she would still be without a physical body. Tell me, who are you to her? Are you here seeking revenge? Let me make it clear first, she was the one who insulted me unreasonably and sought her own death."

Pei Jue said with a displeased look, "When did I insult you? I even praised you. Don't make false accusations."

"Praise me?" Sun Wukong asked. "Which sentence just now praised me?"

Pei Jue said, "The Keeper of the Heavenly Horses!"

"Hey!" Sun Wukong shouted, and then Pei Jue saw the golden cudgel appear before him again. Suddenly, everything went black, and he felt the sensation of his skull exploding once more.

After an unknown amount of time, when Pei Jue's eyes regained their color, she sat up from the ground once more.

"How could I have been killed again?! That damned monkey, he's so cruel and tyrannical!" Pei Jue was truly enraged this time. She raised her right hand and saw that the number on it had indeed changed to 'thirty-four'.

But Pei Jue quickly caught up with her again; she felt only anger, not fear.

When Sun Wukong saw Pei Jue for the third time, he was very surprised and asked, "Who are you to those two people in front?"

Pei Jue said, "I am one of those two people you killed earlier. I'm asking you something."

Before Pei Jue could finish speaking, Sun Wukong turned to Tang Sanzang and asked, "Master, do you believe me now?"

After saying that, Sun Wukong's fiery eyes emitted golden light, instantly burning Pei Jue to ashes.

Tang Sanzang was still somewhat doubtful as he looked at the pile of ashes when the White Dragon spoke up, "Master, this time the eldest brother really didn't kill innocent people indiscriminately. This woman really seems to be a demon."

Tang Sanzang asked Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, "Bajie, Wujing, what do you think?"

Sha Wujing said, "Master, I can't say for sure, but this woman is indeed a bit strange."

Pigsy said, "Master, you might as well take another look. If that woman comes again, she will definitely be a monster. Even pigs don't have so many identical-looking offspring in one litter."

"Alright." Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang said to Sun Wukong, "Wukong, if this woman appears again later, I will admit that I wronged you."

Not long after Tang Sanzang finished speaking, and after traveling less than four or five miles, they saw a black wind blowing from ahead, and then Pei Jue appeared again.

Seeing Pei Jue who looked exactly like the previous ones, Tang Sanzang couldn't help but say to Sun Wukong, "Wukong, I was wrong. This really is a monster."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "It's good that Master knows his mistake."

Tang Sanzang nodded, then pointed at Pei Jue and said, "Wukong, since it really is a monster, then let's kill it and not delay our journey to obtain the scriptures."

Without Tang Sanzang's prompting, Sun Wukong shouted at Pei Jue, "Monster, I don't care how many sisters you have or how many clones you have. If one comes, I'll kill it; if two come, I'll kill them both."

This time, Pei Jue was killed by Sun Wukong again without even saying a word.
Thirty-two, twenty-eight, twenty-five, nine.
As the number on his right palm dwindled, Pei Jue realized he had been killed by Sun Wukong twenty-seven times. Most people would have collapsed by this, and Pei Jue was no exception.

After his twenty-seventh resurrection, Pei Jue trembled with rage, tears welling in his eyes. He clutched his hair with both hands and let out muffled roars.

After an unknown amount of time, Pei Jue regained his composure, stood up once more, and chased after the pilgrimage team again.

When the pilgrimage team saw Pei Jue again, even Sun Wukong couldn't hold back anymore. "Monster, are you ever going to stop? In these two short hours, I've already killed you twenty-seven times. What do you think you can do with your meager strength? Go back and cultivate for a few thousand more years."

Tang Sanzang, feeling a pang of pity, advised, "Young lady, you have great perseverance, which I greatly admire. If you were to apply this perseverance to your cultivation, you would surely be able to become an immortal. Why do you listen to rumors and insist on eating my flesh?"

"Who wants to eat your meat?" Pei Jue's tone was somewhat agitated. "What's so good about your sour meat?"

After saying that, Pei Jue pointed at Sun Wukong and said, "I've come to find him."

Sun Wukong said, "You're clearly here to make fun of me." With that, he raised his golden cudgel again.

Upon seeing Sun Wukong's actions, Pei Jue immediately said, "Sun Wukong, can you let me finish what I have to say?"

"Alright, go ahead," Sun Wukong said. "I'll make sure you explain it clearly. Go ahead."

So Pei Jue told Sun Wukong his purpose, and told him everything, "That's why I said I praised you as '弼马温' (Bima Wen, a low-ranking official in charge of horses), it was Laozi and Zhuangzi who told me that."

"Oh?" After hearing the whole story, Sun Wukong finally stopped being angry.

"So, you little demon, how dare you mess with me? Turns out you have a powerful backer. You said he gave you thirty-six chances to be resurrected, so now you only have nine left?" Sun Wukong said.

Pei Jue said, "Yes."

Sun Wukong laughed, raised his golden cudgel and said, "Alright, then I, Old Sun, will kill you nine more times!"

"Hey!!" Pei Jue exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you attacking again? Tell me quickly what to do next!"

'boom'

With a heavy blow, Pei Jue was once again turned into mincemeat by Sun Wukong.

Seeing this, the little white dragon sighed and said, "Senior brother, you acted too quickly."

Sun Wukong put away his golden cudgel and laughed, "What do you mean?"

The White Dragon said, "I have a guess. Is it possible that this little demon was sent by the True Lord of the Spirit Platform?"

Sun Wukong's eyes darted around, and he immediately waved his hand, saying, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Lingtai Zhenjun is my uncle. Would he let anyone call me Bi Ma Wen?"

"I was just joking with you," Pigsy said. "You monkey, can't you even take a joke?"

Sun Wukong stepped forward and grabbed Zhu Bajie's ear, "You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting all day long?"

Pigsy cried out in pain, "What nonsense are you talking about? Anyone with eyes can see that the surname Zhuang, and the immense supernatural power to bring people back to life, could only be Lingtai Zhenjun!"

Sha Wujing also said, "Eldest brother, what third brother said makes sense. Let's ask him carefully."

Sun Wukong said, "What are you asking? It's just a monster. We'll kill it. Master, let's not leave yet. This monster has eight chances to revive. Let me, Old Sun, kill her completely first."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang also advised, "Wukong, you are too eager to kill. Besides, what Wubai and Bajie said makes sense. Why don't you ask them for clarification?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Master, you should listen to me when it comes to subduing demons and monsters."

Tang Sanzang frowned. At that moment, Sun Wukong secretly gave him a wink. Tang Sanzang's eyes flashed, and he fell silent and stopped talking.

Suddenly, a beam of light shone from the pile of meat sauce, drawing everyone's attention.

"He's alive," Pigsy said.

Sure enough, with a flash of divine light, Pei Jue was indeed brought back to life.

But before Pei Jue could even speak, Sun Wukong's golden cudgel struck down, and in an instant, Pei Jue, who had just been resurrected, was turned into mincemeat again.

Pigsy looked displeased. "Monkey, couldn't you let him say something before you hit him?"

Sun Wukong remained silent, simply holding his golden cudgel, waiting for Pei Jue to revive so he could strike him with it.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Pei Jue was killed by Sun Wukong five more times, and now she only has three chances to revive.

This time, after Pei Jue was resurrected, Sun Wukong stopped fighting. However, Pei Jue was completely numb. He had been killed five times during his previous resurrections and couldn't even utter a complete sentence.

After being resurrected this time, everyone thought she would be killed immediately, but Sun Wukong did not make a move. The group of people just stared at her, as if watching some kind of trick.

Pei Jue sat on the ground, and suddenly all her emotions burst out at once, and she burst into tears on the spot.

After crying, Pei Jue stood up and said, "I'm not practicing anymore, I'm not practicing this technique anymore, okay? You monkey, you have no sense at all. How many times have you tried to kill me in just half a day?"

After speaking, Pei Jue was about to leave, but Sun Wukong raised his hand and pointed, 'Freeze!'

Pei Jue was frozen in place, and then Sun Wukong stepped forward and said, "Do you think you can just come and go as you please in front of me? You want to know what to do next? Then I'll tell you."

After saying that, Sun Wukong removed the immobilization spell, while Pei Jue wiped away her tears and stared at him.

Sun Wukong raised his hand and beckoned, "Junior Brother Sha, come here."

Sha Wujing approached Sun Wukong and called out, "Elder Brother."

Sun Wukong then said to Pei Jue, "If you want to know what to do next, first exchange a move with my three junior brothers. If you can defeat them in one move, I will tell you."

Upon hearing this, Pei Jue immediately looked at Sha Wujing, the White Dragon Horse, and Zhu Bajie, and then asked, "Really?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Really, but if you can't defeat them in one move, then I'll kill you."

At this point, Sun Wukong looked at Pei Jue and said, "Once you've made a move, you can't back out. You can still regret it now, but you only have two chances to revive."

Upon hearing this, Pei Jue immediately wiped away her tears and said without hesitation, "Fine, let's fight. Who goes first?"

Sun Wukong patted Sha Wujing and said, "Brother Sha, you go first."

Sha Wujing nodded upon hearing this, then stepped forward, stood in an open area, and said to Pei Jue, "Come on."

Pei Jue gripped the Xuan Tie Shuo tightly with both hands. At this moment, Sun Wukong said from the side, "You only have one chance. If you fail, you will die."

Pei Jue gritted his teeth, his face turned solemn, he took a step forward, and holding the Xuan Tie Shuo, he unleashed the 'Piercing Stars' technique on Sha Wujing.

Sha Wujing was already prepared and used his 'sand control technique' to manipulate the yellow sand to form a solid sand wall in front of him.

The moment Pei Jue unleashed 'Piercing Stars', he transformed into a streak of starlight and shot out, instantly causing the sand wall to collapse and shattering the protective aura around Sha Wujing.

Immediately afterwards, Sha Wujing was knocked away by the aurora, and Sun Wukong immediately blew a breath of immortal energy to catch him.

Protected by Sun Wukong's immortal energy, Sha Wujing was not harmed by the aurora, but it was clear that he could not withstand Pei Jue's attack. "As expected of the Star Piercer, it truly has the power to pierce through the stars." Sun Wukong laughed, "Bajie, it's your turn next."

Sha Wujing bowed respectfully to Pei Jue in front of him, then stepped back.

Pigsy grunted twice and stepped forward, stopping in an open space. He then said to Pei Jue, "I'm not like Brother Sha. You'd better use your full strength."

After saying this, Pigsy transformed into a huge, black-haired, ferocious wild boar with tusks, standing there like a small mountain.

Upon seeing Zhu Bajie's true form, Pei Jue dared not be negligent. He immediately took a step forward, fully circulated his magic power, and then used 'Piercing Stars' once again.

The starlight burst forth and crashed into Pigsy with a thunderous boom. Pigsy's mountain-like body shook violently for a moment, then he staggered backward, retreating thirty or forty steps.

However, without Sun Wukong's protection, Zhu Bajie withstood the attack with his own body alone.

A moment later, Pigsy returned to human form, rubbing his chest as he said to Pei Jue, "Good, good skill, it's just a pity that you haven't reached perfection yet. If you had reached perfection, I, Old Pig, wouldn't have been able to withstand it."

After saying this, Pigsy cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Pei Jue and then retreated.

Pei Jue said "Thank you for your kind offer," and then looked at Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong laughed and then said to the White Dragon, "Second Brother, it's your turn."

The little white dragon smiled slightly, then flew to an open space. In a flash, a dragon's roar resounded in all directions, and then a huge white dragon appeared before Pei Jue.

Pei Jue was instantly stunned, then gasped, "A true dragon?"

The little white dragon dug its four claws deep into the soil, then spoke in human language: "Fellow Daoist, come on."

Pei Jue took a deep breath, then held the Xuan Tie Shuo in both hands, and with no reservations, he unleashed his strongest 'Piercing Star' attack to date, mobilizing all the power in his body.

'boom'

The aurora flashed, its cold light chilling. The silver-white dragon scales on the little white dragon's body trembled slightly, and then the little white dragon's huge body also trembled. However, its four dragon claws remained motionless, still deeply embedded in the ground. On the contrary, Pei Jue was directly blasted away.

As soon as Pei Jue landed and regained his footing, he saw Sun Wukong raise his golden cudgel. "You lost." As soon as Sun Wukong finished speaking, Pei Jue was smashed into a pulp by the golden cudgel.

Soon after, Pei Jue was resurrected, only to see the White Dragon still standing there, and heard Sun Wukong's voice again: "Shall we continue?"

Pei Jue snapped out of her daze and immediately said with a firm gaze, "Continue."

After saying that, Pei Jue stepped forward with his spear, once again unleashing his full power and launching the 'Piercing Star Strike' towards the little white dragon.

After another loud bang, a flash of cold light appeared, and Pei Jue was once again forced back, while the little white dragon remained unmoved.

The golden cudgel fell, and Pei Jue was killed again.

When Pei Jue was resurrected, she raised her right hand and saw that the number on it had changed to 'one', which meant that she only had one last chance to be resurrected.

"Want to come again?" Sun Wukong's voice rang out again.

Pei Jue hesitated this time. She took a deep breath and looked at Sun Wukong, saying, "Can you give me a day?"

"Scared?" Sun Wukong chuckled, then first had the White Dragon transform back into human form, and then said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, let's go ahead and find a place to stay."

Then he turned to Pei Jue and said, "Think it over before you catch up. We still have to go on our journey to the West, and we don't have time to wait for you here."

Upon hearing this, Pei Jue could only stand there blankly, watching Tang Sanzang and his companions leave.

Pei Jue's stay lasted a full three days, not just one day as previously stated.

In the past three days, she has studied the "Piercing Stars Technique" diligently, gaining a deeper understanding of the technique and becoming much stronger than she was three days ago.

Pei Jue regained his confidence and chased after them again.

When Pei Jue caught up with the pilgrimage team, they had already arrived at a mountain stream. After Pei Jue explained his purpose, the little white dragon transformed into its dragon form and landed in the mountain stream, its four dragon claws landing perfectly in the small pools on all four sides.

Pei Jue stepped forward and began to circulate her magic power. This time, she still held nothing back and went all out.

But she didn't notice that the white dragon's claws seemed to be connected to the mountain stream, with the water flowing around the white dragon's claws like transparent threads.

Without a doubt, even though Pei Jue's understanding of Guan Xingdou was much stronger than it was three days ago, he still couldn't shake the Little White Dragon.

Firstly, the white dragon's scales were extremely sturdy; secondly, the white dragon once again used the power of the Water Elemental God to block Pei Jue's attack.

Pei Jue was once again blasted away, a hint of despair flashing in her eyes. Without exception, Sun Wukong's golden cudgel arrived as expected.

Pei Jue was turned into mincemeat once again, while the little white dragon, after regaining its human form, looked rather pale.

Tang Sanzang quickly asked, "Wubai, what's wrong?"

Little White Dragon bowed and said, "Master, I'm fine, just a little uncomfortable. If it weren't for the Water Element Divine Power's help, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to withstand that attack."

"Are you not injured?" Tang Sanzang asked hurriedly.

The little white dragon shook his head and said, "I'm not injured, but my skin and flesh may be a little bruised."

"That's good." Tang Sanzang nodded.

As she spoke, Pei Jue revived for the last time. After this revival, the numbers on her right hand disappeared completely, indicating that she could no longer revive.

Sun Wukong asked, "Can't we be resurrected now?"

Pei Jue was extremely dejected and said, "If you hadn't been so unreasonable and killed me so many times before, the number would still be much higher now."

"Many?" Sun Wukong laughed and said, "No matter how many numbers there are, they are not your own fate."

After saying that, Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can go back now. There are no more chances to revive. If you fail again, you'll really die."

Pei Jue remained silent. What else could he do? He had no choice but to go back. He had run out of resurrection chances. Was he supposed to die here if he didn't go back?
If he dies again, then he'll be truly dead.

"Let's go, let's go." Sun Wukong said, patting the Purple Dragon Horse. The sound of hooves echoed through the mountain stream. Pei Jue kept his head down and did not look at Sun Wukong and the others again.

Once the pilgrimage team disappeared into the mountain stream, Pei Jue raised his head, opened his mouth, and prepared to 'quit'.

However, as Sun Wukong and his companions were descending the mountain, they suddenly heard a shout, "Everyone, please wait!"

Sun Wukong stopped and looked up at the sky, where a black wind descended, followed by Pei Jue appearing with his Xuan Tie spear. "Let's do it again."

Everyone looked over in surprise, and the White Dragon said, "Fellow Daoist, let it go. Another failure will really mean death. Why ruin your hard-earned cultivation for the sake of saving face?"

Sha Wujing also advised, "Yes, what in this world is more important than life?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Girl, with your perseverance, you will surely be able to cultivate into an immortal in the future. Don't ruin your future for the sake of temporary wins or losses."

Pei Jue waved his hand and said, "This is not for the sake of face, nor is it a fight of pride. If I go back now, I'm afraid I will lose my spirit and be unable to cultivate anymore."

“Fellow Daoist Bailong, come on, let me see just how much strength I really have one last time,” Pei Jue said.

Upon hearing this, the White Dragon immediately turned to look at Sun Wukong, who smiled and said, "Go."

Little White Dragon nodded and said, "Alright, let's do it then."

After saying that, the little white dragon transformed into its dragon form again and flew up, saying to Pei Jue, "Fellow Daoist, please."

Pei Jue cupped his hands and said, "I would like to ask you to grant me a request."

The white dragon said, "Please speak."

Pei Jue said, "Please, fellow Daoist, do not deliberately let me win. We must both give it our all, otherwise it will be disrespectful to me. Even if we win, I will commit suicide in front of you!"

Upon hearing this, the little white dragon's gaze turned solemn. It immediately plunged its dragon claws into the ground again and said, "Alright, it's a deal. I'm ready."

As soon as Xiaobailong finished speaking, a dazzling light suddenly shone around Pei Jue, just like the stars in the sky.

At this moment, Pei Jue entered a profound state: her six senses were still, all things were quiet, emptiness and fullness were not fixed, and she felt neither self nor things. At this moment, there was no life or death, victory or defeat in her heart, only a ray of light piercing through the stars.

Without any reason, without any scruples, without any fear, just to unleash the "Piercing Star" move, and then die without regret.

In a flash, Pei Jue opened his eyes, and with an unstoppable momentum, he unleashed the 'Piercing Stars' technique. The originally thick and scattered beam of starlight transformed into an extremely solid beam of clear light, piercing through the void and heading straight for the little white dragon.

The little white dragon was startled, and his Dao heart frantically warned him. This time, he even wanted to dodge, retreat, and escape.

The little white dragon was extremely nervous. Its four claws, which were embedded in the soil, began to move restlessly as it tried to suppress its body's instinctive urge to dodge.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong immediately threw his golden cudgel. With a clear clang, the light struck the cudgel, and then the cudgel carried the white dragon away.

"What incredible power!" Sha Wujing exclaimed in astonishment.

At that moment, Pigsy suddenly realized and said, "I understand what Brother Monkey meant."

Sha Wujing was taken aback upon hearing this and asked, "What do you mean?"

Pigsy said, "Brother Monkey probably already knew her intentions, so he deliberately used up all her resurrection chances to see if she had the courage. It was Brother Monkey's test for her."

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing understood and said, "So that's how it is. If she dares not make a move after exhausting her resurrection chances, it means that her resolve is not firm, and she will stop here from now on. If she disregards life and death and makes a move bravely, then she can see through the illusion, transform from a cocoon into a butterfly, and finally cultivate the true Dharma."

Tang Sanzang couldn't help but sigh and said, "I misunderstood Wukong. He actually has such a Buddha-nature. Amitabha."

Sun Wukong flew out and caught the little white dragon. The little white dragon was still a little shaken. After regaining his senses, he hurriedly cupped his hands to Sun Wukong and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Why be so polite between brothers?"

After saying that, Sun Wukong turned his head and looked at Pei Jue, who was standing in the air not far away, holding the Xuan Tie Spear and exuding a confident and fierce aura. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, little monster."

Pei Jue was overwhelmed with emotion at this moment. She finally had an epiphany and felt as if the world had suddenly become vast and boundless. All the doubts about the 'Piercing Stars' technique were instantly resolved, and she had completely comprehended it.

Without saying a word, Pei Jue landed and bowed deeply to Sun Wukong, the White Dragon Horse, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, Tang Sanzang, and the others, saying, "Thank you all for your help."

Everyone returned the greeting with their palms together. Afterwards, Pei Jue addressed the crowd, saying, "I will surely repay your kindness in guiding me today. The journey is arduous, so I wish you all a safe journey and a speedy arrival."

"Thank you very much," Tang Sanzang said with a smile. His disciples had enlightened a demon, and as their master, he felt honored as well.

Pei Jue then thanked Sun Wukong and the others one by one, and finally said "I'm leaving." In an instant, a ray of light rose up, enveloping Pei Jue and disappearing from sight.

As Pei Jue disappeared from sight, Sun Wukong and the White Dragon returned. At this moment, Tang Sanzang called out, "Wukong."

Sun Wukong turned around and laughed, "Master called me?"

Tang Sanzang said with some guilt, "Wukong, I misunderstood you before. I apologize to you."

Sun Wukong quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Master, you flatter me."

Tang Sanzang immediately said, "Wukong, I did not know you had such a Buddha-nature. I will have to learn from you in the future."

Sun Wukong was flattered and quickly said, "Master, you are too kind to me. I am unruly and will need your guidance in the future."

"Hey." Seeing this, Pigsy couldn't help but say, "You two stop pushing each other and just decide who's right and who's wrong so we can end this quickly. I'm getting hungry."

But then Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong turned around together and said in unison, "You blockhead, all you do all day is eat."

The White Dragon and Sandy burst into laughter, and Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong, realizing what was happening, joined in. The mountain forest was filled with lighthearted and joyful laughter. (End of Chapter)