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

After the turmoil at White Tiger Ridge subsided, the group of master and disciples traveled west for half a month, and a magnificent city appeared ahead of them.

The city gate towers stand tall, banners flutter in the wind, and three large characters are inscribed above the gate: Baoxiang Kingdom.

Xuanzang gazed into the distance from his horse, put his palms together, and said, "What a prosperous capital city! We can rest here tonight and exchange our travel permits."

Lu Chen (Qingfeng Daoren) narrowed his eyes slightly—there was a mixture of demonic and dragon energy in the sky above Baoxiang Kingdom. Although it was deliberately concealed, it could not escape his chaotic senses.

According to the original story, this should be after the Three Battles with the White Bone Demon, when Tang Sanzang mistakenly believes Sun Wukong has indiscriminately killed innocent people and banishes him. Afterwards, Princess Baihuaxiu of Baoxiang Kingdom is kidnapped by the Yellow Robe Monster (Kui Mulang), Tang Sanzang is in trouble, and Zhu Bajie goes to Flower Fruit Mountain to bring Sun Wukong back…

But now that Sun Wukong is still in the team, how can this drama be performed?

"Interesting." Lu Chen pondered to himself, "It seems the Buddhist sect has adjusted its strategy and is going to let Kui Mulang take action directly."

After entering the city, the master and his disciples rested at the post station. The next day, Xuanzang went to the palace to exchange his travel documents, but was persuaded to stay by the King of Baoxiang, who said that his third princess, Baihuaxiu, had been swept away by a demonic wind thirteen years ago and her whereabouts were still unknown. He begged the holy monk for his compassionate help.

Xuanzang, being kind-hearted, agreed to the task.

Sun Wukong volunteered to investigate, and with a somersault, he arrived at the Wave Moon Cave on Bowl Mountain. Sure enough, he saw an old demon in a yellow robe, who was none other than the Yellow Robe Monster, a manifestation of Kui Mulang in the mortal realm. There was also a woman in the cave, who was Princess Baihua Xiu—in fact, she and Kui Mulang had a predestined relationship in a previous life, and her descent to the mortal realm was to continue that relationship, not entirely due to coercion.

Sun Wukong was too lazy to listen to these reasons and went straight to their door!

Seeing his menacing approach, Kui Mulang remained unfazed, wielding his two swords with ferocious skill. The two fought for thirty rounds, neither gaining the upper hand!

Sun Wukong was secretly surprised—this monster was not weak in cultivation, and its swordsmanship was exquisite, unlike ordinary wild demons.

He was unaware that Kui Mulang was one of the Twenty-Eight Constellations, originally a celestial deity. Although he suppressed some of his power after descending to the mortal realm, his combat experience was still incredibly rich.

After another twenty rounds, Sun Wukong gradually gained the upper hand. His golden cudgel was heavy, and although Kui Mulang's swordsmanship was exquisite, he could not overcome his strength.

Seeing the situation was dire, Kui Mulang feigned a strike and then vanished in a whirlwind. Sun Wukong couldn't catch up and had no choice but to rescue Princess Baihuaxiu and bring her back to Baoxiang Kingdom.

The king was overjoyed and rewarded Xuanzang handsomely. The princess, however, seemed to have something on her mind and hesitated to speak.

That night, Xuanzang rested at the post station.

At midnight, a sudden gust of cold wind blew in through the window! A beam of yellow light burst through the window, transforming into the Kui Wood Wolf, which opened its mouth and spewed out a gust of demonic wind, sweeping Xuanzang away!

Sun Wukong awoke with a start, picked up his staff to give chase, but the demonic wind had already gone far away.

"Oh no! Master has been kidnapped!" Sun Wukong was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks.

Pigsy and Sandy also awoke with a start, and the three wanted to give chase, but Lu Chen stopped them: "Don't rush. That monster has kidnapped the Holy Monk; he must have a scheme. If we rashly pursue him, we might fall into a trap."

"What should we do then?" Sun Wukong asked anxiously.

Lu Chen looked at Zhu Bajie: "Bajie, are you willing to go and save Master?"

Pigsy was taken aback, scratched his head, and said, "Me, Old Pig? I don't have Monkey King's abilities..."

"You do," Lu Chen transmitted his voice. "You have already mastered the 'Heavenly Demon Transformation Technique' within you, and your cultivation is no weaker than Kui Mulang's. It's just that you've been hiding your abilities and unwilling to reveal them. Today, it's time to let your master see your true skills."

Pigsy's expression shifted. He had indeed been hiding his true strength; he had never slacked off in his training over the years, and his true combat power far exceeded his usual performance. But... should he reveal it?

"Bajie," Lu Chen said calmly, "concealing your abilities is a way to protect yourself, but if you don't help when your master is in trouble, what use is this disciple?"

Pigsy shuddered.

He recalled Xuanzang's compassion in accepting him as a disciple in Gao Village; he recalled how his master, though often nagging, never complained about his gluttony and lust along the way; he recalled Gao Cuilan's tearful farewell before his departure, saying, "Follow the holy monk on his pilgrimage, and don't let him down..."

"I'll go!" Pigsy gritted his teeth, drew his nine-toothed rake, and shouted, "Where is that monster?"

"Wanzishan Wave Moon Cave." Lu Chen handed him a jade talisman. "This talisman can dispel its demonic winds, so be careful."

Pigsy took the jade talisman, rode on a cloud, and headed straight for Bowl Mountain!

Inside the Wave Moon Cave, Kui Mulang tied Xuanzang to a pillar and chuckled coldly, "Holy Monk, don't blame me. Someone told me to test your disciples and see just how much skill they really possess."

Xuanzang chanted Buddhist prayers incessantly, but in his heart he thought: Is this another test? Whether it's Buddhism or the Heavenly Court, why do they always treat people as pawns?

Just then, a furious shout rang out from outside the cave: "Monster! Give me back my master!"

Pigsy rushed into the cave, his nine-toothed rake aimed straight at Kui Mulang!

Kui Mulang sneered, "Marshal Tianpeng? You're nothing but a pig demon now, yet you dare to come and die?" He brandished his sword to meet him.

The rake blades clashed with a loud "clang," sparks flying everywhere!

Kui Mulang's arm went slightly numb, and he was startled—this pig demon was quite strong!

The two clashed. Pigsy no longer held back, unleashing the full power of the "Heavenly Demon Transformation Technique." His nine-toothed rake swung with tremendous force, its shadow like a mountain, each strike carrying immense power!

Kui Mulang grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. How could this reincarnated Tianpeng be even more ferocious than when he was in Heaven?!

Little did he know that the "Heavenly Demon Transformation Technique" that Pigsy cultivated was passed down by Lu Chen, combining the savagery of demon cultivators with the foundation of immortal cultivation, specifically designed for Pigsy's naturally strong physique. Through years of secret, diligent practice, his strength had already surpassed that of the legendary Tianpeng!

After eighty rounds of fighting, Pigsy suddenly feigned an opening. Kui Mulang thrust his blade at him, but Pigsy dodged to the side and swung his rake back—striking Kui Mulang squarely in the back!

"Pfft!" Kui Mulang coughed up blood and flew backward.

Taking advantage of the situation, Pigsy stepped forward and unleashed the jade talisman! The chaotic energy spread, completely suppressing Kui Mulang's demonic wind!

"Stop!" Kui Mulang cried out urgently, "Tianpeng! I am Kui Mulang of the Twenty-Eight Constellations! I was ordered to descend to the mortal realm to test the pilgrims, not to truly harm your master!"

Pigsy slammed his rake down: "A test? Another test?!"

Kui Mulang coughed up blood and said, "It was...it was the Jade Emperor's decree, and also the Buddhist sect's instruction. They wanted me to test the strength of the pilgrimage team...I kidnapped Tang Sanzang just now to lure you to rescue him..."

Pigsy roared, "Test my ass! You're using my master as bait, and you still think you're right?"

He raised his rake, ready to smash again!

"Bajie," Xuanzang's voice suddenly rang out, "Stop."

Pigsy turned around and saw that Xuanzang had been untied, and Lu Chen had appeared in the cave at some point.

"Master!" Pigsy rushed over, "Are you alright?"

Xuanzang shook his head, looking at Kui Mulang with a complicated expression: "Since you are a righteous god of Heaven, why did you descend to the mortal realm as a demon and kidnap my mortal princess?"

Kui Mulang lowered his head: "Baihua Xiu and I had a predestined relationship in our past lives. This time, I have descended to the mortal realm to continue our past relationship, not to do evil."

"If it's about continuing a predestined relationship, why not ask for marriage openly and honestly?" Xuanzang pressed. "Why kidnap? Why keep it a secret?"

Kui Mulang was speechless.

Xuanzang sighed, "So be it. Since things have come to this, release the princess back to the palace and properly apologize to the king. If you truly care for her, then reveal your true form and propose marriage openly and honestly. If fate allows, things will naturally turn out well."

Kui Mulang was stunned. After a long while, he suddenly knelt down: "Holy Monk's teachings, Kui Mulang will remember them!"

He transformed into a golden ray of light and flew towards the royal palace of Baoxiang Kingdom.

The following day, at the Royal Palace of Baoxiang.

Kui Mulang appeared in his true form as a Heavenly Star Lord, knelt before the palace, recounted his past and present life's destiny with Baihuaxiu, and earnestly requested the king's permission.

The king, filled with doubt and suspicion, summoned Princess Baihuaxiu. The princess, weeping, said, "Father, I truly have a predestined relationship with him. Though he is a demon, his love for me is sincere. I beg you, Father, to grant my wish!"

After pondering for a long time, and seeing Kui Mulang's sincerity, the king finally nodded.

A marriage has finally come to a happy ending.

That evening, the master and his disciples took their leave. The king personally saw them off at the city gate, and Baihua Xiu and Kui Mulang also came to see them off.

"Holy Monk, I will remember this forever!" Kui Mulang bowed solemnly. "If I am ever asked to serve you, I will gladly die for you!"

Xuanzang returned the greeting with his palms together, saying, "I only wish that you two cherish this life and not waste it."

On their journey west, Pigsy, carrying his rake, said smugly, "Brother Monkey, did you see that? I, Old Pig, have shown my might today!"

Sun Wukong scoffed, "Come on, you? If it weren't for that Kui Mulang holding back..."

"Why put out the water! I, Old Pig, have real skills!" Pigsy shouted.

Sha Wujing chuckled, "Second Brother is indeed impressive today."

Lu Chen stood by, smiling silently.

Xuanzang suddenly turned around, looked in the direction of Baoxiang Kingdom, and whispered, "Bajie."

"Master?"

"Thank you so much for today."

Pigsy was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and said, "Master, what are you saying! I'm your disciple, isn't it only right that I save you?"

Xuanzang nodded, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes.

From the clouds, Guanyin Bodhisattva watched this scene with a complex expression.

Pigsy's strength far exceeded expectations, and Tang Sanzang's response was even more unexpected—he did not blame Kui Mulang, but instead enlightened a couple to a marriage, winning the Star Lord's gratitude.

"This pilgrimage team... is becoming increasingly difficult to control," Guanyin murmured.

She looked westward; next stop, Pingdingshan.

"Golden Horn and Silver Horn, you must not make any more mistakes."

Meanwhile, inside the Chaos World brick.

As Lu Chen traveled, he observed the world inside the brick—the ginseng fruit tree was lush and green, the White Bone Demon and General Yin and other demons were chatting happily, and the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons was becoming more and more lively.

He smiled and looked up towards the west.

"Pingdingshan...Golden Horn and Silver Horn...five treasures?"

"This time, we'll have to 'borrow' it properly for research."