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

Mount Hao, Dry Pine Stream, Fire Cloud Cave.

Within a radius of six hundred miles, not even a single bird dares to fly over. Not because the mountains are dangerous, but because of the heat—an unbearable heat.

Xuanzang, still on horseback, his robes soaked with sweat, wiped his brow and said, "Why is this mountain so hot? Could we have arrived at the Flaming Mountains?"

Lu Chen (Qingfeng Daoren) looked up at the sky, then at the faint red light in the distance, and laughed, "Holy Monk, this is not Flaming Mountain, this is Hao Mountain. A formidable character lives in the mountain—Red Boy, the son of the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan. That kid cultivates the Samadhi True Fire, and the surrounding area suffers as a result."

"The Bull Demon King's son?" Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. "I, Old Sun, have a connection with the Bull Demon King! We swore brotherhood back in the day at Flower Fruit Mountain; he was the eldest brother, and I was the seventh!"

Pigsy chuckled and said, "That would be great! Monkey King, you go and try to get on our good side; maybe we can get a free meal."

Full of confidence, Sun Wukong somersaulted to the front of the Fiery Cloud Cave and shouted, "Nephew! Nephew! I am your seventh uncle, Sun Wukong! Open the door!"

The cave door opened, and a seven or eight-year-old child walked out, wearing a red bib and carrying a fire-tipped spear. He was exquisitely beautiful, but his eyes and brows revealed a sinister air that did not match his age.

"Sun Wukong?" Red Boy sized him up. "Father mentioned you, saying you were sworn brothers. But..."

He suddenly turned hostile: "Who do you think you are, daring to call yourself my seventh uncle?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback: "Nephew, I really am your seventh uncle..."

"Pah!" Red Boy spat out a mouthful of Samadhi True Fire, which rushed towards him!

Sun Wukong was shocked and hurriedly dodged—but how powerful was the Samadhi True Fire? Even a tiny bit of it scorched a patch of his monkey fur!

"You little brat, you're really going to fight!" Sun Wukong fled in a sorry state, the fire chasing after him and burning him, making him jump up and down.

Pigsy watched from afar, laughing so hard he almost fell over: "Brother Monkey! Your nephew is so filial, he's roasting your feathers!"

Sun Wukong fled back to the group, reeking of burnt clothes, and angrily exclaimed, "That brat won't admit his mistake! He even set me on fire!"

Xuanzang worriedly asked, "What should we do?"

Lu Chen smiled, "That suits me perfectly. This Red Boy is exceptionally gifted, his Samadhi True Fire is at its most refined, he's destined for greatness. If we could subdue him..."

Sun Wukong glared at him: "Master, you want to take him as your disciple?"

"He's not my disciple." Lu Chen shook his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "He's my adopted son."

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Chen didn't explain, and rode the cloud alone to the front of the Fire Cloud Cave.

Just as Red Boy was about to return to his cave, he saw another figure approaching and asked warily, "Who are you?"

"This humble Taoist priest is Qingfeng," Lu Chen said, bowing. "I have come here specifically to discuss the Tao with the young king."

"Discuss the Dao?" Red Boy sneered. "Who do you think you are, to presume to discuss the Dao with this great king?"

Lu Chen was not annoyed. He raised his hand and pointed, and the Chaos Brick hung above his head, with a wisp of chaotic energy hanging down.

When Red Boy's Samadhi True Fire encountered the Chaos Qi, it was devoured completely, like a mouse seeing a cat!

"What?!" Red Boy exclaimed in shock.

Lu Chen laughed and said, "Little King's Samadhi True Fire is indeed powerful, but fire always has its nemesis. My Chaos Qi is one such nemesis."

Red Boy, refusing to believe in evil, opened his mouth and spewed forth a torrent of flames! Lu Chen simply stood there, the chaotic energy descending, remaining unmoved no matter how much the fire burned and the world darkened.

After burning for half an hour, Red Boy was panting heavily, but the Taoist priest was completely unharmed.

"Who...who exactly are you?" Red Boy was finally scared.

"As I said, I've come to discuss the Dao," Lu Chen said with a smile, putting away the Chaos Brick. "Little King, do you know where your Samadhi True Fire comes from?"

Red Boy was stunned and said, "It's innate."

"Innate talent is one aspect, but what truly helped you cultivate this fire is the 'Origin of Fire' within you," Lu Chen said. "This origin comes from the ancient fire god Zhurong, and its combination with the bloodline of your father, the Bull Demon King, is what led to this achievement. But do you know how Zhurong died back then?"

Red Boy shook his head.

"Gonggong angrily struck Buzhou Mountain, and Zhurong died in battle," Lu Chen said. "The God of Fire fell, and his essence scattered throughout the world. It is a blessing that you were able to inherit his legacy. But if you only use it to show off your power, one day, the fire will turn against you."

He raised his hand, and a hazy gray flame appeared in his palm, emanating an aura that made Red Boy's heart tremble: "This is the Chaos Fire, a level higher than your Samadhi True Fire. If you are willing, this humble Taoist can teach you how to control the origin of fire and take it a step further."

Red Boy looked at the ball of chaotic fire with longing in his eyes.

Although he was unruly, he wasn't stupid—this Taoist priest had extraordinary abilities, and if he could learn even a move or two from him, it would be much better than being a local tyrant on Mount Hao!

"You...you really want to teach me?" Red Boy asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Lu Chen nodded, "but there's one condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"Recognize me as your godfather, and listen to my teachings from now on." Lu Chen smiled. "Don't worry, it's not about changing your surname, it's just about having another elder. I'll handle things with your father, the Bull Demon King."

Red Boy hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt down: "Father, I pay my respects!"

Lu Chen helped him up and said with a smile, "Good boy. Come on, let's meet your uncles and elders."

Inside the Fire Cloud Cave, the Bull Demon King was drinking with Princess Iron Fan. Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside the cave and saw his son leading a Taoist priest in, followed by Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

"My child, what is this?" the Bull Demon King asked in surprise.

Red Boy raised his head and said, "Father, this is my newly recognized godfather—Master Qingfeng!"

The Bull Demon King spat out a mouthful of wine.

Princess Iron Fan was also stunned.

Lu Chen cupped his hands and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Bull Demon King, Princess Iron Fan, I apologize for the intrusion. Your son is exceptionally gifted, and I was delighted to adopt him as my son. I hope you two will not take offense."

The Bull Demon King stared wide-eyed at his son, then at Lu Chen, and suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! Good! My son has good taste! To be able to take such a virtuous Taoist priest as his godfather is his good fortune!"

Princess Iron Fan nodded in agreement—she had just sensed that Lu Chen's aura was unfathomable, no weaker than that of the Bull Demon King. Such a powerful backer was something she couldn't ask for!

That night, a grand banquet was held at Huoyun Cave. The Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong reminisced, Pigsy ate and drank heartily, Sandy sat with him with a silly smile, Xuanzang discussed Buddhism with Princess Iron Fan, and Red Boy pestered Lu Chen with all sorts of questions.

During the gathering, Lu Chen transmitted his voice to the Bull Demon King: "Brother Bull, I have something to discuss with you."

The Bull Demon King perked up: "Please speak, Taoist Master."

"On the journey to the West, Buddhism created obstacles at every turn. But after the Journey to the West, Buddhism flourished, and its suppression of the demon race only intensified," Lu Chen said. "I have created a world in the chaos called 'Valley of Ten Thousand Demons,' which is dedicated to recruiting demons with potential. If Brother Niu is interested, you can bring your wife and children there in the future, where you can live freely and without the constraints of Buddhism."

The Bull Demon King's eyes gleamed. After pondering for a long time, he raised his cup and said, "I will remember your kindness, Daoist Master!"

The next day, the master and his disciples took their leave.

Red Boy saw him off for a long distance, reluctant to part: "Father, when will I see you again?"

"We'll meet again once you've mastered the basics of the Chaos Flame." Lu Chen patted his head. "Cultivate diligently and don't cause trouble. If anyone bullies you, mention your godfather's name."

Red Boy nodded emphatically.

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

Red Boy was supposed to be adopted by her as her disciple, but now he has become someone else's adopted son... How long is this Qingfeng Daoist going to stop stealing him away?

She took a deep breath and looked westward.

Next stop, Blackwater River.

"Little alligator... it won't go wrong this time, will it?"

On their journey west, Sun Wukong sidled up to Lu Chen and chuckled, "Master, aren't you afraid the Bull Demon King will turn against you for taking that kid as your adopted son?"

"Turning against me?" Lu Chen laughed. "The Bull Demon King is shrewd. He saw long ago that there was no future in following Buddhism, so he might as well join me."

He looked westward, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Next up is Chechi Kingdom."

"Tiger Power, Deer Power, Sheep Power... three monsters who are superstitious about Taoist magic."

"This time, we need to let them truly see what 'Tao' is."