Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 29, Crossing the Shifting Sands (Part 5)
However, when Tang Sanzang recited the Tightening-Headband Mantra, it actually brought Sun Wukong back to his senses.

However, although Sun Wukong regained his senses, he still couldn't break the formation.

At this moment, Sun Wukong remembered the three life-saving hairs that Guanyin Bodhisattva had given him, so he plucked one out, turned it into a drill, and tried to break through the formation.

Ao Tu kept observing Sun Wukong's movements from the platform.

Because of the barrier of the formation, he could see Sun Wukong, but Sun Wukong could not see him.

At this moment, Ao Tu saw Sun Wukong pull out the life-saving hair. Fearing that Sun Wukong would ruin his formation, he chanted "Retract," and immediately the sky cleared, the red sand dispersed, and everything was returned to the formation.

Sun Wukong looked around and saw Ao Tu, who was putting away the array diagram not far away. He roared angrily, "Demon dragon, it's you again! What kind of sorcery did you use to harm me, old Sun? Take this!"

Raise your stick and strike!

Ao Tu blocked with his Xuanjin Iron Rod Spear, and immediately felt his arm go numb.

In terms of martial arts skills, Sun Wukong's abilities are absolutely top-notch.

Ao Tu did not immediately use the Five Fire Divine Flame Fan. He wanted to test Sun Wukong's strength so that he could have an estimate in mind later.

Ao Tu opened his mouth and spat out a golden light, containing a great deal of killing intent.

Sun Wukong uttered a loud "Big!" and transformed his golden cudgel to the thickness of a mountainside, standing it in front of him and completely blocking Ao Tu's golden light.

With a dragon's roar, Ao Tu transformed into a five-clawed golden dragon, soaring through the clouds and spewing golden light as he charged toward Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong rode his somersault cloud, wielding his golden cudgel to face his enemy, showing no fear whatsoever.

The two battled in the air, a dragon versus a monkey.

Ao Tu's dragon claw extended, transforming into ten golden rays.

Wukong swung his iron cudgel wildly, resembling a raging storm.

Tiger Vanguard, who had been sent by Ao Tu to keep an eye on Pigsy and Tang Monk, heard the sounds of fighting and rushed back to provide support.

It must be said that Sun Wukong is indeed powerful.

His strength alone far surpasses that of ordinary immortals and gods, and his martial arts are extremely formidable. That iron rod, a mere touch is fatal, a slight bump is deadly; a mere brush will break the skin, a slight graze will injure the tendons. While that may be somewhat exaggerated, he is indeed a formidable opponent.

Relying on his dragon bloodline talent, Ao Tu fought against it for over thirty rounds, but gradually became less effective. He was struck on the dragon's tail with an iron rod, losing two or three scales before falling back to the ground and transforming back into human form.

Tiger Vanguard stood in front of Ao Tu and said, "Your Majesty, you go first, I'll cover the rear!"

Ao Tu said, "Don't rush, it's not time yet."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Stop boasting! Today I'll make sure you two demons die together!"

Ao Tu laughed, "Keeper of the Heavenly Horses, I can't beat you in martial arts. But fighting isn't just about having martial arts skills! Look at this treasure!"

Ao Tu unleashed the Five Fires and Seven Birds Fan, raised his hand and fanned it three times, instantly causing raging flames to soar into the sky.

"Not good!" Sun Wukong knew how powerful the fan was, so he somersaulted and turned to leave.

Ao Tu did not pursue them. He flew to the front of Sha Wujing's house, spewed out a gust of wind, and overturned the house.

Tang Sanzang and Bajie inside the house were blown to the ground, and Ao Tu grabbed them and flew into the Liusha River.

Upon seeing this, Sha Wujing also followed them into the Flowing Sand River.

At the bottom of the Liusha River, there is a pillar. When Sha Wujing was demoted, he was punished every seven days by being tied to this pillar and having his chest and ribs pierced by flying swords more than a hundred times.

Ao Tu tied Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie to a pillar together.

When Tang Sanzang saw Ao Tu, recalling his ordeal at Huangfeng Ridge, tears streamed down his face. He said:

"How pitiful! I, a monk, have encountered this demon and been captured here. I don't even know whose feast my monkey disciple was invited to, where he went to indulge in pleasure, or when he will return. Little did I know that I would encounter a demon and suffer here!"

Ao Tu laughed upon hearing this.

Tiger Vanguard said, "You mortal monk, you don't even know you've fallen into my king's trap!"

Tang Sanzang, not understanding what was going on, was surprised to see Sha Wujing behind him and exclaimed:

"Fisherman, what are you doing with these two monsters?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing laughed and said, "Holy Monk, don't you understand? I am the third scourge!"

He then told Tang Sanzang the whole story.

Upon learning this, Tang Sanzang realized he had wronged Wukong and silently recited Amitabha Buddha. In truth, Ao Tu's plan had not yet been fully implemented.

Ao Tu's original plan was to let Bajie slowly subdue the "evil tiger and poisonous dragon," and then have Sha Wujing capture the master and disciple into the river to delay the time as much as possible.

Even if Pigsy goes to Heaven for help, because Ao Tu changed the Flowing Sand River to the Black Water River, Sandy's identity will most likely not be exposed, which can buy more time.

But what Ao Tu didn't expect was that Bajie, that lazy and good-for-nothing, had no intention of asking for help at all. In the end, it was Tang Sanzang who couldn't help but let him go to find the Bodhisattva.

If Guanyin Bodhisattva were to be summoned, the truth would surely be revealed.

Ao Tu could only transform into Sun Wukong to stop Bajie, which disrupted the entire plan and led to the current situation.

After Pigsy learned that Sun Wukong was actually Ao Tu in disguise, he angrily cursed:

"You plague-ridden dragon, you've disguised yourself as my senior brother again to coax me!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu pinched Bajie's ear and said:
"You idiot, how dare you curse me! Men, set up a pot and boil him for me!"

Tiger Vanguard replied, "Yes!"

Pigsy panicked and hurriedly begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I was just joking! Don't eat me, my flesh doesn't taste good!"

Ao Tu laughed and looked at the system progress.

Current progress: 67 days

Unfortunately, there are still 23 days left until the end of the season.

Sun Wukong should go and ask Guanyin Bodhisattva for help next.

It's estimated that it will be difficult to achieve the reward for blocking for a whole season.

Well then, there's a proper way to seek it, and fate to obtain it.

The Tang Monk and his disciples will face countless tribulations in the future, which will be discussed later.

From the outside world, Sun Wukong saw that his master and fellow disciples had been captured and felt extremely troubled.

Sun Wukong stood in the clouds and shouted, "Demon dragon, quickly release my master! Release my master!"

Ao Tu simply ignored him, pretending to be deaf.

Helpless, Sun Wukong took a step forward, enlarged his golden cudgel, put it into the river, and used his supernatural power to overturn the river and sea.

Suddenly, the waters of the Liusha River surged and churned, creating waves and whirlpools, making it impossible for the upper and lower reaches to remain calm.

Ao Tu said, "Sha Wujing, go out and fight that monkey. Don't linger in the fight. Once you've defeated him, just lure him down."

Sha Wujing accepted the order, jumped out of the water, and said:
"Monkey, if you keep stirring like this, your master and junior brothers will turn into mush! If you don't stop, then if you're really capable, fight me for three hundred rounds!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong stopped and said:
"You monster, how dare you! You deceived my master with sweet words and plotted to harm me, Old Sun! Who are you? State your name!"

Sha Wujing said, "I am not a monster, I am the river god of the Blackwater River, the Sand Crocodile Dragon!"

Sun Wukong recognized the words and, without thinking much, said, "You damned god, take this!"

He jumped down from the cloud and struck someone on the head.

Sha Wujing raised his staff to meet the attack, and with a loud bang, he was nearly knocked over.

Sun Wukong, not one to back down, struck again with his staff.

Sha Wujing managed to block it with great difficulty, his tiger's mouth splitting open.

Sun Wukong struck again with his staff, and Sha Wujing almost lost his grip on it.

"What an amazing monkey!"

Sha Wujing quickly disappeared into the water.

"Don't run away, Mao Shen!"

Sun Wukong gave chase.

Ao Tu had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Sun Wukong coming, he activated the Acquired Spiritual Treasure Water Seal. The small seal, carrying the energy of countless waters, slammed into Sun Wukong's back, causing Sun Wukong to stagger.

(End of this chapter)