Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

West Sea, Dragon-Slaying Platform.

A fierce wind howled, and dark clouds pressed down overhead. A giant silver-white dragon was bound to the platform by a thick dragon-binding rope, its scales dull and its aura weak—it was Ao Lie, the third prince of the West Sea Dragon King.

Dragon King Ao Run stood below the platform, tears streaming down his face, yet dared not plead for mercy. Although the Four Dragon Kings ruled over the aquatic creatures, they could only bow their heads before the laws of Heaven.

"You unfilial son, Ao Lie, set fire to the palace's precious pearl, violating the Heavenly Laws. He is sentenced to immediate execution!" the executioner proclaimed loudly, raising his dragon-slaying sword. "It's noon—execution!"

The Dragon-Slaying Sword flashed with a cold light and slashed down towards the dragon's neck!

At that moment, a sudden change occurred!

A hazy, chaotic current of energy appeared without warning above the Dragon-Slaying Platform, transforming into an invisible hand that gently brushed aside—

"clang!"

The Dragon-Slaying Sword struck the Dragon-Binding Rope, sparks flying, but it failed to sever it! And the seemingly sturdy Dragon-Binding Rope on Ao Lie's body cracked open with a "crack" and countless fine cracks appeared!

"What kind of monster dares to storm the execution ground?!" The executioner was shocked and shouted angrily.

In the sky, a figure in a green robe (Lu Chen disguised as Qingfeng Daoist) slowly emerged, his voice calm: "This dragon's life is not destined to end, I have come to save it."

With that, he rolled up his sleeves, and the chaotic energy enveloped Ao Lie, transforming him into a streak of light that shot into the sky and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The entire execution took no more than three breaths. By the time the Dragon King of the West Sea and the executioner reacted, the platform was already empty.

"This...this..." The executioner was sweating profusely; storming the execution ground was a serious crime!

Ao Runlong King secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn't know who had rescued Lie'er, it was still better than watching his son beheaded. He quickly stepped forward, whispered a few words to the executioner, and slipped him a treasure, thus temporarily putting the matter aside.

In a cave on a deserted island thousands of miles away from the Western Sea.

Ao Lie slowly awoke to find himself back in human form, a pale-faced young man in brocade robes. He touched his neck, still shaken—the chilling aura of the Dragon-Slaying Sword still lingered in his bones.

"Awake?" a voice asked.

Ao Lie turned his head and saw a Taoist priest in a green robe standing at the cave entrance, smiling at him.

"Junior Ao Lie, I thank Senior for saving my life!" Ao Lie quickly stood up and bowed deeply. "May I ask your honorable title, Senior? And why did you save me?"

"My name is Qingfeng." Lu Chen helped him up and asked, "Do you know why the bright pearl in your palace spontaneously combusted for no reason?"

Ao Lie was taken aback: "That pearl was a gift from my father. It had been kept in the hall for a hundred years without any problems. That day, I was just going to take a closer look when it suddenly caught fire and burned down the entire side hall... I still don't know why."

"Because that pearl has long been cursed with the 'Karmic Fire Curse'," Lu Chen said calmly. "This curse is extremely well hidden and usually goes unnoticed. It is only triggered when someone with a specific dragon bloodline approaches it. And your bloodline happens to fit the bill."

Ao Lie's expression changed drastically: "Someone's trying to harm me?! Who is it?"

"Buddhism," Lu Chen uttered.

"Buddhism?!" Ao Lie exclaimed incredulously. "My Western Sea Dragon Clan has no enmity with Buddhism, why are they..."

"It's not an grudge, it's a scheme." Lu Chen interrupted him. "The journey to the West requires a horse. The Buddhist sect coveted your identity and bloodline as the Third Prince of the Western Sea, so they set up this trap to make you commit a 'great sin' and banish you to the mortal realm. Then, Guanyin Bodhisattva will appear at the right time to 'save' your life, enlighten you to become a white horse, and carry the pilgrims westward. Once the merits are complete, you will be granted the enlightenment of one of the 'Eight Heavenly Dragons'."

Ao Lie felt a chill run down his spine. Setting fire to the palace and nearly being executed—was it all just a premeditated scheme? Had he been nothing more than a pawn on someone else's chessboard from beginning to end?

"How dare they... how dare they do this!" Ao Lie gritted his teeth, his dragon pride fully unleashed.

"Because they are powerful, and because your dragon race is weak." Lu Chen looked at him. "Now I'm giving you two choices: First, I'll send you back to the Western Sea now, and you can live in anonymity, but the Buddhist sect won't let this go, and they'll have another scheme sooner or later; Second, you can play along, pretend to be 'enlightened' by the Buddhist sect and become their pilgrim, but secretly accumulate power. When the time is right, I'll help you break free from your shackles, and even... reclaim everything you deserve."

Ao Lie remained silent for a long time, a struggle flashing in his eyes. He was the third prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace, a chosen one of heaven; how could he be willing to be someone's mount? But if he returned to the West Sea, not only would he be unable to escape scheming, but he might also implicate his father and the entire West Sea Dragon Clan…

"Senior." He suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily, "Ao Lie has chosen the second path! Please, senior, teach me!"

"Alright." Lu Chen helped him up, took out a dragon-shaped jade pendant, and hung it around his neck. "This is the 'Hidden Dragon Pendant,' which can conceal the dragon's original aura within you, so that when the Buddhist sect investigates, they will only think you are an ordinary white dragon. In addition, I will pass on to you the first part of the 'Nine Transformations of the True Dragon,' which is an ancient secret method for forging the body of a true dragon. If you cultivate it in secret, you can ensure that your bloodline does not decline, and may even advance further."

A profound cultivation technique entered Ao Lie's mind. At the same time, the jade pendant emitted a warm light, quietly gathering the dragon energy within his body.

"You should cultivate here for a few days. Once Guanyin finds you, proceed according to plan," Lu Chen said. "Remember, be outwardly obedient, but inwardly clear-headed. Once the journey to the West begins, I will contact you through the jade pendant."

Ao Lie nodded emphatically: "I will never forget your great kindness, senior!"

Three days later.

The deserted island was bathed in Buddhist light, and Guanyin Bodhisattva arrived on a lotus. She immediately saw Ao Lie sitting cross-legged in the cave. She sensed that although he had dragon energy, it was weak and mixed, as if he was still recovering from an injury. She was secretly delighted—perfect for her to control.

"Ao Lie, the Third Prince of the Western Sea," Guanyin's voice was gentle. "You set fire to the palace, a crime deserving death. However, out of compassion, Buddha grants you a chance to atone for your sins. Soon, the pilgrims from the East will pass through this place, and you must transform into a white horse to carry them westward. Once your merits are complete, you can attain the Bodhisattva status of the Eight Heavenly Dragons and regain your divine position. Are you willing?"

Ao Lie opened his eyes, feigning a look of bewilderment mixed with surprise, and knelt down, saying, "This disciple is willing! I beg the Bodhisattva for guidance!"

Guanyin nodded in satisfaction, flicked her finger, and a beam of Buddhist light entered Ao Lie's body, helping him "transform" into a magnificent white horse. She also taught him a simple "carrying spell".

"You shall wait here, and when the pilgrim arrives, he shall call you." Guanyin left these words behind and rode away on a cloud.

The white horse (Ao Lie) lowered its head to graze, but a cold glint flashed in its eyes.

Inside the bricks of the chaotic world.

Lu Chen looked at the image of Ao Lie transforming into a horse in the water mirror and nodded slightly.

"The pilgrimage team is complete."

His gaze turned towards Chang'an.

At Jinshan Temple, the young Xuanzang (Jiang Liuer) has been formally ordained and become a highly virtuous monk. He is honored as the "Imperial Brother" by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and will soon embark on his journey to the west.

"The tenth incarnation of Jin Chanzi is finally about to embark on his journey."

Lu Chen stretched, a look of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"Actors in position, script ready, lights and camera set..."

"The grand drama of Journey to the West is finally about to begin filming."

He looked towards Mount Ling, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Buddha, Guanyin, and all the other deities and Buddhas..."

"I hope you like the 'surprise' I prepared for you."

With a flash of brick-like speed, he sped off towards the Tang Dynasty in the East.

The show is about to begin.