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

The Tongtian River, eight hundred miles wide, has been seldom traveled by people since ancient times.

In front of the River God Temple, people of all ages from Chenjia Village knelt on the ground, their cries shaking the heavens. Today was the annual day to worship the River God, and a boy and a girl had to be offered up, or the whole village would suffer.

When Xuanzang and his party passed by, they saw this tragic scene and quickly inquired about the cause.

"That river god... is actually a goldfish spirit from Guanyin Bodhisattva's lotus pond!" Old Chen cried. "Every year it eats a pair of children, and this year it's my family's turn..."

Sun Wukong was furious: "I, Old Sun, will rid the monster of that demon right now!"

Lu Chen stopped him: "No rush. Let's rescue that boy and girl tonight first, and then we'll figure things out."

As night fell, Sun Wukong transformed into the boy and Zhu Bajie into the girl, and they were carried onto the offering table and sent to the River God Temple.

At midnight, a fierce wind arose and the river surged. A monster with a fish head and a human body rode the waves—it was none other than the Great King Linggan!

"These dolls look quite chubby this year..." The King of Inspiration reached out to grab them.

Sun Wukong jumped up and swung his staff! Zhu Bajie also revealed his true form, grabbing his nine-toothed rake and striking him on the head!

The Great King of Inspiration was shocked and hastily parried, but he was no match for the two. After less than ten rounds, he had already taken several blows and fled into the river in a panic.

Just as the master and disciples were about to give chase, the river suddenly parted, and an old turtle emerged from the water: "My benefactors, that monster has fled to the South Sea! He was originally a goldfish in Guanyin Bodhisattva's lotus pond, but he ran away to the mortal realm to become a demon. Now he's going to seek the Bodhisattva's protection!"

Xuanzang frowned: "Another Bodhisattva's mount?"

Lu Chen smiled and rose into the air on a cloud: "This humble Taoist will go and meet him."

South China Sea, Purple Bamboo Forest.

The Great King Linggan knelt before Guanyin, weeping and complaining of being bullied. Just as Guanyin was about to speak, a laugh suddenly came from the clouds: "Bodhisattva, you goldfish, how dare you!"

Guanyin looked up and saw Lu Chen (Qingfeng Daoren) arriving on a cloud.

"Master Qingfeng," Guanyin said calmly, "this fish is from my lotus pond. It has indeed made a mistake by sneaking down to the mortal realm. But now that it has returned, this humble monk will discipline it."

"Discipline?" Lu Chen laughed. "Does the Bodhisattva know how many boys and girls it has devoured over the years? One per year, that's at least dozens of lives. Can the Bodhisattva really erase that with a single word of 'discipline'?"

Guanyin remained silent.

Lu Chen continued, "If the Bodhisattva were truly compassionate, it should have made it kowtow and confess its sins in front of the parents of those deceased children. What a pity..."

He shook his head: "The Bodhisattva wouldn't do that. Because what the Bodhisattva wants is a reputation for 'compassion,' not trouble with 'fairness.'"

Guanyin's expression changed slightly.

Lu Chen raised his hand, and a stream of chaotic energy entered the body of the Great King of Inspiration: "I have crippled its thousand years of cultivation, and made it start from scratch. If the Bodhisattva feels sorry for it, just come to me."

Having said that, he turned and left, leaving behind the words: "That old turtle carried Tang Sanzang and his disciples across the river. I have already promised it that upon its return from the pilgrimage, it will ask the Buddha when it can shed its shell and become human. If the Bodhisattva has time, he might as well inquire about it as well."

Guanyin watched as Linggan Dawang collapsed to the ground, then looked at Lu Chen as he walked away, and remained silent for a long time.

On the Tongtian River, the old turtle carried the master and his disciples steadily across the river.

Xuanzang clasped his hands in thanks. The old turtle said, "Holy Monk, I have cultivated for thirteen hundred years. Although I can speak human language, I am still a turtle. I beg you, Holy Monk, when you reach the Western Paradise, please ask the Buddha for me when I can shed my shell and become a human?"

Xuanzang agreed.

Lu Chen watched from the side, thinking to himself: "Old turtle, your question has led to a lot of trouble. But it's alright, with me here, the scriptures falling into the water is still manageable."

After crossing the river, the master and his disciples continued their journey westward.

Next stop, Jindu Mountain.

The Green Ox Demon, with its Vajra Bracelet, is the mount of Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao).

Lu Chen touched the Chaos Brick, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"We should have a talk with Laozi about this predicament."