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

Jindu Mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist.

Sun Wukong returned from scouting the way, his face grim: "Master, there's a Golden Gourd Cave ahead, and a monster inside wearing a gleaming white ring on his wrist—he's incredibly powerful! My golden cudgel was snatched away by that ring!"

Pigsy and Sandy didn't believe it, so they each took their weapons and went to fight, only to return empty-handed a moment later, looking completely bewildered.

"My rake!" Pigsy cried with a mournful face.

"My precious staff..." Sha Wujing asked blankly.

Xuanzang looked at Lu Chen. Lu Chen smiled and said, "That ring is called the Vajra Bracelet, which is Laozi's personal magic weapon. It is impervious to water and fire and can capture all things. That monster is the Green Ox Demon, Laozi's mount."

Sun Wukong roared, "Another divine mount! These gods don't even bother to control their beasts, letting them wreak havoc on people!"

Lu Chen waved his hand: "No rush. I'll go and meet him."

In front of the Golden Gourd Cave, the Green Ox Demon was playing with his golden cudgel and other weapons when he saw a Taoist approaching. He asked warily, "Who are you?"

"This humble Daoist is Qingfeng," Lu Chen said, bowing. "I have come to discuss something with you, fellow Daoist."

The Green Ox Demon sneered, "What's there to discuss? Hand over Tang Sanzang, and I'll spare your life!"

Lu Chen wasn't annoyed; he simply raised his hand, and the Chaos Brick hovered above his head.

Sensing the threat, the Green Ox Demon's Vajra Bracelet buzzed. Alarmed, the Green Ox Demon quickly activated it, sending the bracelet flying towards Lu Chen!

Lu Chen neither dodged nor evaded, the Chaos Brick met the attack head-on—

"clang!"

The Vajra Bracelet struck the Chaos Brick and was sent flying backward, its light dimming slightly!

The green ox demon's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "This...this is impossible!"

Lu Chen laughed and said, "The Vajra Bracelet can contain all things, but it cannot contain chaos. Because chaos is the mother of all things, not the child of all things."

He raised his hand, and chaotic energy spread, enveloping the Vajra Bracelet. The bracelet struggled in the chaos for a moment, then obediently fell into Lu Chen's hand.

"Give me back my baby!" The Green Ox Demon pounced.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 20 ...

Lu Chen slammed a brick down, and the Green Ox Demon collapsed and fainted.

Lu Chen put the Vajra Bracelet into his sleeve, returned the Golden Cudgel and other weapons to Sun Wukong and the others, and said with a smile, "Let's go to the Tushita Palace and return Laozi's mount."

In the Tushita Palace, Laozi was refining elixirs when he saw Lu Chen enter carrying the Green Ox Demon. His lips twitched.

"Master Lu... what is the meaning of this?"

Lu Chen put down the Green Ox Demon and laughed, "Laojun, your mount stole the Vajra Bracelet and descended to the mortal realm to become a demon, devouring quite a few people. I've captured it for you, no need to thank me."

Laozi stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: "Where's the Vajra Bracelet?"

"Here it is." Lu Chen took out the Vajra Bracelet and handed it over.

Lao Jun took it, weighed it in his hand, and his eyes flickered slightly—this weight is not right.

He glanced at Lu Chen and saw that the Taoist priest was smiling warmly, appearing harmless.

Laozi understood perfectly well, but didn't point it out. He simply smiled and said, "Thank you, Daoist Master. This wretched creature will be strictly disciplined by this old Daoist."

Lu Chen cupped his hands in farewell: "Then this humble Taoist will take his leave. By the way, Laozi's elixir is quite well refined."

He casually took two gourds of golden pills from the pill shelf and strode away.

Lao Jun watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and chuckled.

"This Lu Chen... is getting more and more interesting."

On their journey west, Sun Wukong asked curiously, "Master, did you tamper with the Diamond Bracelet?"

Lu Chen smiled without saying a word. Inside the Chaos Brick in his sleeve, an almost identical "Diamond Bracelet Imitation" was floating, with several more Chaos Restrictions inside.

"Return the imitation to Laozi, and keep the genuine article for research," he transmitted telepathically. "Laozi knows this, but he won't say it. That's called tacit understanding."

Sun Wukong gave a thumbs up: "Brilliant!"

Next stop, the Women's Kingdom of Xiliang.

There is the Mother-Child River, the Abortion Spring, and... a devoted Queen of the Women's Kingdom.

Lu Chen looked westward, a smile flashing in his eyes.

"The tribulations of love are the hardest to overcome."

"But this time, Tang Sanzang should choose for himself."