Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

Half a year is neither a long nor a short time. For ordinary people, it is half a year, enough for many things to happen.

However, for cultivators, especially those like Tang Sanzang who have already attained the Primordial Dao Fruit and Sun Wukong who have reached the peak of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm, it is merely a fleeting moment, a short period of seclusion.

In the past six months, the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang has undergone tremendous changes.

Tang Sanzang combined his own supreme Yang Golden Cicada essence with the supreme Yin essence inherited by the Queen from the Yin Sha God and Demon, thus harmonizing Yin and Yang and bringing peace to the world.

The stubborn Yin energy that originally shrouded the country gradually dissipated, no longer a shackle hindering the growth of life, but instead transformed into a pure Yin energy that nourished the land.

In addition, the three thousand elite Xuanjia soldiers brought by Li Shimin have already caused many women to quietly conceive new lives.

It wasn't obtained through the waters of the Zimu River, but rather it was a true natural crystallization of the harmony of Yin and Yang. The entire nation was filled with unprecedented hope and joy.

Your Majesty, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call her Consort Ming now. This is the title the people bestow upon her for possessing the virtues of both yin and yang after her union with the holy monk.

With Tang Sanzang's help, she has completely stabilized her own reborn origin, and her cultivation is progressing by leaps and bounds. Although she may not be as terrifying as Sun Wukong, she is far superior to ordinary immortals and gods, and she can protect herself without worry.

With the six-month period drawing to a close, news of the pilgrimage team setting off again had already spread.

On this day, in a side hall of the palace, Consort Ming said to Tang Sanzang, "Brother Tang, the journey to Mount Ling is long and fraught with danger. You must be extremely careful."

Consort Ming carefully adjusted Tang Sanzang's cassock, her eyes filled with affection and worry. Although her cultivation had greatly improved, she was still worried about the perilous road ahead.

Tang Sanzang held her hand, his smile gentle and peaceful, yet his eyes held a wisdom and determination that saw through the ways of the world.

"Rest assured, things are different now. Wukong's cultivation has greatly improved, and I am no longer the ignorant monk I once was. However, you, who remain in the country, must take good care of the people. Harmonizing yin and yang is a long-term endeavor, and you must not slacken your efforts."

Consort Ming shook her head, looking at Tang Sanzang with a firm gaze, and said, "No, Brother Tang, I will not stay in Xiliang."

"If you don't stay in Xiliang, do you intend to follow us on our westward journey like Gao Cuilan?" Tang Sanzang asked, slightly surprised.

Mingfei nodded and said, "The predicament of the Western Liang Women's Kingdom has been resolved, the bloodline has been continued, and there are loyal ministers and good generals in the court to assist us. Everything is on the right track. Now that I have married you, I should naturally follow your lead."

“Your journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is to save all sentient beings. I will accompany you, and with this newborn source, I may also help you resolve calamities along the way and witness the true meaning of Buddhism. This, too, is a form of spiritual practice.”

Tang Sanzang looked at her, a look of realization and relief flashing in his eyes, which finally turned into a deep smile. He was no longer the monk who was stubbornly bound by rules and regulations. Mingfei's words were exactly what he had come to understand: Buddhism is in the world, and enlightenment is inseparable from the world.

Finally, he nodded and said, "Since you've made your decision, I naturally won't refuse. It's just that the journey will be arduous..."

Before Tang Sanzang could finish speaking, Mingfei smiled and said, "Why suffer when you can travel with my imperial brother?"

Outside the hall, Sun Wukong was munching on a peach, his ears perked up, and he chuckled to Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, "Look, Master's wife is coming with us on the road. The journey will be even more exciting from now on."

Pigsy grinned and said, "That's great! My master's wife has received a great blessing. With her around, the vegetarian meals on the road might even taste better."

Sha Wujing nodded honestly: "Eldest brother, second brother is right."

Gao Cuilan was the happiest. After all, she had a companion from a group of men, and the journey would not have been so awkward and lonely.

When the six-month journey was over, the pilgrimage team officially bid farewell to the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang. The entire nation saw them off, with voices of gratitude and blessings ringing out endlessly. Among the team was a new addition: a peerless beauty and empress-like figure, the Bright Consort. She did not ride in a carriage, but instead rode a white dragon horse with Tang Sanzang, her steps composed and radiating an aura of Taoist wisdom. Her presence blended harmoniously with Tang Sanzang's Buddhist radiance.

Emperor Xin and Emperor Taizong of Tang had long since departed, each with their own territories to govern. But everyone knew that the fate of humanity had been subtly and profoundly altered because of Tang Sanzang's actions.

After leaving the territory of the Western Liang Women's Kingdom, they continued westward. Just as Chen Xuan had said, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong no longer deliberately concealed their cultivation levels.

When encountering some ignorant little demons and monsters, often before Sun Wukong could even raise his golden cudgel, the opponent would be so frightened by the faintly emanating pressure of the Primordial Golden Immortal that they would run away in terror.

Occasionally, a more powerful demon would set a trap, but Tang Sanzang only needed to recite the mantra, and the supreme yang Buddha light would shine upon him, which would be enough to make the demon vanish.

On this day, one could see steam rising from the horizon in the distance, the sky turning crimson, and the ground beneath one's feet gradually becoming scorching hot.

Wiping his sweat, Pigsy muttered, "I remember this place. Could it be the Flaming Mountains? What bad luck, I'm going to be roasted alive again."

Sun Wukong, with his fiery eyes, looked over and said with a smile, "Fool, have you forgotten that this is Brother Bull's territory? We can go over there to ask for a drink and, while we're at it, inquire about the Flaming Mountain."

Pigsy then remembered that the Flaming Mountain was the Bull Demon King's lair. He immediately laughed and said, "Old Pig, I had completely forgotten about that."

Tang Sanzang nodded: "What Wukong said is very true. It is also a matter of fate that old friends meet again."

The group soon arrived at the foot of the Flaming Mountain. The heat was intense; if it weren't for the high level of cultivation of the group, ordinary mortals would have long since turned to ashes.

Just as Sun Wukong was about to use his supernatural powers to summon the local earth god, he saw a cloud of dust rising in the distance, and a group of demon soldiers escorting a burly man came galloping towards them.

The burly man had a pair of iron horns on his head, wore an ochre-yellow robe, and had a majestic face; he was none other than the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Bull Demon King.

"Seventh Brother, it really is you. I could sense your presence from afar."

The Bull Demon King, with a booming voice, came forward laughing and clasped arms with Sun Wukong, both looking at each other with joy.

"Brother, how have you been?" Sun Wukong was also happy.

The Bull Demon King's gaze swept over the pilgrimage team, and when he saw Tang Sanzang, he cupped his hands and said, "Holy Monk, it's been a long time. Several years have passed since we parted at Longevity Mountain. How has your journey been?"

As she spoke, her gaze also fell upon Consort Ming beside Tang Sanzang, a look of amazement and surprise flashing in her eyes.

"After several years, the pilgrimage team has expanded again. I wonder who this fairy is?"

Tang Sanzang smiled and said, "This is my wife, formerly the Queen of the Western Liang Kingdom. Now she is Consort Ming."

Upon hearing that she was Tang Sanzang's wife, the Bull Demon King laughed heartily, "Good, good, good! This is how a holy monk should be. If he were bound by the rules of Buddhism, he wouldn't be the holy monk I, Old Bull, know."

Finally, the Bull Demon King gestured to the crowd, leading them to his cave, the Banana Cave on Green Screen Mountain.

He also ordered a lavish banquet to be prepared, insisting on drinking and making merry with Tang Sanzang and Situ until they were both thoroughly drunk. (End of Chapter)