Journey to the West: Break the entire Western Heaven!

"Master, riding person on person is awkward, how about I change back into a dragon... cough cough, let's stick to person on person." Bai Long initially wanted to say he would transform back into a dragon form to carry Tang Sanzang westward. But whenever he mentioned turning into a dragon, the bald one started drooling, so he decisively changed his statement.

Clearly, even Bai Long, who wasn't very bright, learned quite a few survival tactics when faced with life and death situations in front of the bald devil king.

"Master, if you want to travel in style, then ride a dragon. If you prefer to keep a low profile, I think riding a horse is best," Sun Wukong advised.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's eyes lit up. He had been diligently practicing the art of subtlety since he was young, so how could he allow himself to be too ostentatious?

So, Tang Sanzang slapped Bai Long and said, "Turn into a horse, and I'll ride."

Bai Long looked at Tang Sanzang nervously, "Master, horse meat doesn't taste good."

"Don't worry, having accepted you as my disciple, how could I possibly eat you? Rest assured." Tang Sanzang said.

Seeing the clarity and sincerity in Tang Sanzang's eyes, Bai Long believed he wasn't being deceived, and realizing he had no other choice, he nodded and said, "Alright... "

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Long shrunk in size and transformed into a white horse!

Tang Sanzang subconsciously wiped his mouth as the white horse knelt on the ground and spoke in human tongue, "Master, horse meat really isn't tasty!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Don't worry, I won't eat you."

After Tang Sanzang spoke, he mounted the white horse and pointed forward, saying, "Let's go!"

Bai Long then breathed a sigh of relief and headed west.

Sun Wukong followed behind, the trio—man, monkey, and horse—occasionally chatting.

What Tang Sanzang asked about most was the situation of the world. As they traveled, he gradually came to understand this world a bit more.

However, he couldn't understand why all those old acquaintances had become legendary figures known only by name and never seen in person, while some individuals he had never heard of had become enlightened or dominated their realms.

"Forget it, why bother thinking so much about it..." Tang Sanzang didn't feel like pondering anymore.

Several days passed, and just as Tang Sanzang was yawning out of sheer boredom, a continuous monastery appeared ahead!

The monastery was situated on a not-too-high mountain, with red tiles stretching far, filled with pavilions and buildings, and surrounded by drifting clouds and mist, appearing like a majestic earthly realm!

Critically, the monastery's gate was wide open, bustling with people. A crowd of faithful believers was walking toward the monastery, known as the Guanyin Monastery, their faces glowing with delight.

"Amitabha, sir, may I ask if there is any event going on at this Guanyin Monastery?" Tang Sanzang casually pulled an old man aside to ask.

The old man turned around, and in the next moment, almost passed out on the spot!

He saw a white tiger, standing upright on a white horse, talking to him!

"Oh my goodness, what is this?!" the old man exclaimed.

Just then, a monkey's face approached him, "Sir, don't be afraid, my master is a human, just draped in a tiger skin."

Upon seeing the monkey, the old man exclaimed again, "Oh my goodness, what is this?!"

Tang Sanzang lifted his tiger hood and said, "Sir, don't be scared, this disciple of mine is also human, just a bit hairier."

Sun Wukong's face darkened considerably, though restrained from speaking out due to Tang Sanzang's authority.

The old man looked at Tang Sanzang's harmless face and his bald head, reassured himself that he was indeed a human, and then relaxed, patting his chest and saying, "Oh, it scared me to death... It's good that you are all human, I was afraid you were monsters. But this disciple of yours, isn't his body hair a bit too lush..."

"By the way, are you also here to attend the Kasaya Festival that happens once every twenty years?" he asked.

Tang Sanzang asked curiously, "Kasaya Festival? What kind of grand event is that? To be honest, we are..."

Tang Sanzang didn't really know how to introduce himself.

Sun Wukong said, "We are monks from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land, preparing to travel to the Great Thunder Monastery of the Western Heavens to retrieve the True Scriptures. We're just passing through this sacred place, so we're not familiar with the local events."

The old man refrained from looking at the monkey as he felt the excessively hairy creature was rather spooky. Instead, he kept his eyes on Tang Sanzang, surprised, "So you are high monks from the Eastern Land's Great Tang, my apologies for the rudeness... Gentlemen, why don't we join up, and I can tell you about the origin of this Kasaya Festival?"

Tang Sanzang nodded, gracefully dismounted the white horse, and followed the old man towards the Guanyin Monastery.

It turns out, Guanyin Monastery is a historically significant temple, dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin.

The old abbot of the monastery, who had a passion for collecting kasayas, hosted a festival every twenty years to exhibit the kasayas he had collected over the years. It involved both showing off and competition...

Moreover, on this day, the abbot also conducted rituals to exorcise demons and bless everyone. Hence, this day gradually evolved into a moderately significant festival.

People from miles around would come to attend this festival.

Tang Sanzang, stroking his chin, muttered, "A kasaya can also hold a conference?"

As they entered the main gate, the sight of the Guanyin Hall greeted them. Seeing the devout men and women going up to offer incense, Tang Sanzang paid no heed and turned around to walk inside.

The old man quickly grabbed Tang Sanzang and said, "High monk, this is Guanyin Bodhisattva's Taoist temple, aren't you going to pay respects?"

Tang Sanzang smiled and said, "Forget it, he can't handle it."

As soon as he said this, the old man had no reaction, but a monk nearby was not pleased, "Your words are exceedingly arrogant! You, a mere mortal, what difference does it make if the Bodhisattva receives one bow from you, ten bows, or even a hundred?"

The old man, sensing the tension between them, quickly interjected, "Guang Zhi, this master is a high monk from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land..."

Upon hearing this, Guang Zhi raised his eyebrows, his eyes flickering with a sharp light.

At the same time, an old voice came from behind, "A high monk from the Great Tang in the Eastern Lands? Then I, a humble monk, must meet you."

Everyone turned around and saw an elderly monk being supported by two young monks, walking out.

This elderly monk was feeble and frail, walking with difficulty, but his attire was extremely exquisite. He wore a Vairocana hat on his head, adorned with a cat's eye gem; his body clothed in a brocade vest with gold-edged, jade-furred trim that sparkled brightly.

A pair of monk's shoes were inlaid with the eight treasures of Buddhism, and a walking stick embedded with diamonds that shimmered like stars in the clouds.

His face, full of wrinkles, resembled terraced fields, and his dim eyes were so cloudy they seemed unable to see anything within three meters; his mouth slightly open, showing only a few teeth...

The old man hurriedly introduced, "This is the former abbot of the Guanyin Zen Monastery, who is already over two hundred and seventy years old."

Tang Sanzang appeared slightly surprised, as it was not easy for an ordinary person to live so long.

Tang Sanzang smiled and said, "Ah, so it is the former abbot, nice to meet you."

This guy was all smiles, not resembling a high monk at all. Sun Wukong and White Dragon Horse both turned their heads away as if they did not recognize him.

The former abbot nodded slightly and said with a smile, "I've heard that the master comes from the Great Tang of the Eastern Lands, and I especially came out to meet you."

"Master, people say he's a highly accomplished monk who does not even bow to Guanyin Bodhisattva," Guang Zhi said with a peculiar tone on the side.

The former abbot slightly frowned and asked, "Master, is this true?"

Tang Sanzang glanced at the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva and said, "It's not that I won't bow, but that he can't withstand it."

At these words, the entire place was in uproar!

The former abbot, as well as the many worshippers in the Guanyin Zen Monastery, commanded immense respect. As he appeared, those faithful men and women had already crowded around to see and greet him.

Thus, when Tang Sanzang spoke those words, it was clearly heard by everyone!

They were all followers of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and now, with what Tang Sanzang had just said, their faces showed anger instantly!

"This monk is outrageously arrogant!"

"Guanyin Bodhisattva's mana is boundless, how could she not withstand a bow from this ordinary monk?"

"If you ask me, he must be a fake monk! Who wears tiger skin?"

"Killing is a grave sin, and his conduct is akin to encouraging killing and mistreating corpses, it's sin upon sin. If you say he's a monk, I'll be the first to disbelieve!"

"Exactly, he must be fake! Which monk has such a shiny head, glowing like a Luminous Pearl come to life!"

Tang Sanzang narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

Sun Wukong quickly pulled him aside and whispered, "Master, don't bother with the common folk..."

However, Tang Sanzang did not act out, but still cocked his head and sternly asked, "You don't believe me?"

The former abbot hummed, "It's not that we don't believe, but that it's impossible! The East might be thriving, but I've also heard that Buddhism isn't flourishing there. Seeing it today, heh... indeed that seems to be the case!

If a monk doesn't know how to respect the Bodhisattva, how can we expect the believers to do so?"

The abbot spoke with a tone heavy with resentment, almost as if pointing at Tang Sanzang's nose and cursing, "You damn fake monk!"

Tang Sanzang raised his eyebrows, then with a hint of a mischievous smile said, "Are you sure you want me to bow?"

"Bow! You must bow!"

"Whatever monk you are, making such bold claims, you must bow and also kneel, hoping for the Bodhisattva's forgiveness!"

"Exactly, you must kneel!"

A crowd shouted.

Sun Wukong frowned and said, "Master, should I throw them all out?"

Tang Sanzang shook off his tiger skin and walked straight towards the Guanyin Hall!

At that moment, Sun Wukong, also full of common resentment, shouted, "Master, I'll ring the bell for you!"

The former abbot said, "Guang Zhi, go beat the drum!"

Guang Zhi nodded and climbed up to the drum tower.

The next moment, the bell rang, and the drum boomed, instantly stirring up the entire mountain.

All eyes turned to Tang Sanzang as he walked towards the Guanyin Hall.

Tang Sanzang stepped into the Guanyin Hall under the angry stares of the crowd.

At that moment, the entire Guanyin Hall emitted a thunderous, earth-shaking rumble...

But it only shook once and then stopped.

As everyone came to their senses, they looked at each other in dismay...

Guang Mou scoffed, "Trickery!"

The former abbot also urged, "Master Sanzang, please bow."