Actually, there is no conspiracy here, it was all done by the Jade Emperor. Yuan Shoucheng is just his alias. He was the one who read Yang Yuhuan's fortune back in the day, and this time, it's just his twisted fun to mess with the Dragon Clan.

The Jing River Dragon King wasn't the first to climb the Dragon Slaying Platform, and certainly won't be the last.

Hao Tian himself is quite petty, so how magnanimous can the Jade Emperor be, being his corpse-cutting avatar?

Besides, listening to music every day can be boring, right?

Now Xuanzang is the most respected and prestigious Mage in all of Chang'an.

Xuanzang, of course, is the reincarnation of Jin Can Zi, while Li Shimin is the representative of the Daoist Sect, Li Qing. After a thousand years, the two reunite their brotherhood once again.

One can only say it's destiny, indescribably wonderful.

Although Jin Can Zi was the predetermined Sutra Collector, he still had to follow the process, with Guanyin taking Mu Zha and transforming into two beggar monks to attend the Water and Land Dharma Meeting.

The Water and Land Dharma Meeting, supported by Li Shimin, was lavish, and the two of them looked completely out of place. The guards at the gate stopped them, not allowing them entry.

From above, Li Shimin inexplicably felt peace and trust whenever he looked at Xuanzang, a feeling he hadn't had during his ten-plus years as Emperor.

"Imperial Brother, henceforth I shall appoint you as the National Guardian Master, overseeing the Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian realms, sharing the world with me!"

For an emperor, this was already the greatest promise.

Xuanzang, in his early twenties, had a handsome appearance that would have made an ordinary person ecstatic upon hearing such words, but he merely frowned slightly. Growing up in the Buddhist Sect, he didn't put much weight on worldly desires for power.

At this moment, Guanyin in the guise of a beggar directly shouted, "What Saint Monk? Just a greedy monk blinded by wealth and power, confounded by fame and preference, unable to save himself, let alone others with Theravada Buddhism!"

Initially still a bit confused, Xuanzang felt as if awakened by a sudden realization, and humbly descended the platform to ask, "What is Mahayana Buddhism?"

"Mahayana Buddhism involves universally saving lives, bringing salvation and benefit to others. You hold authority, reciting Buddhist scriptures in your mouth, but you are not worthy to be called a Saint Monk."

Xuanzang immediately knelt and asked, "Then how can I pursue Mahayana Buddhism?"

"After experiencing endless hardship, risking death without regret, journey to the Western Heaven's Great Leiyin Temple to retrieve the True Scripture, only then can you achieve Mahayana Buddhism by saving the world."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang suddenly felt that his once aimless life had found direction. He had considered ways to help more people but had never found a way. Now he felt that retrieving the True Scripture was his path forward.

"Amitabha Buddha, I am willing to go."

"Are you willing to give up everything you have now?"

"Yes, I am willing."

"Do you not fear the dangers of the journey ahead?"

"I do not fear."

"Good, then I will exchange this tattered Kasaya for everything you have. Are you willing?"

"I am willing."

Behind, Li Shimin and his array of civil servants and military generals were bewildered, wondering how Xuanzang, who seemed quite smart, was exchanging everything he had for a tattered Kasaya just after a few conversations.

"Wait a moment!"

The Emperor spoke, and the guards immediately restrained Xuanzang, who was dressed in rags and about to set off.

"Imperial Brother, what is this?"

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Brother wishes to go to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and retrieve the True Scripture, to save mankind. I hope you will consent."

Xuanzang's tone was very calm, as if leaving everything behind was just an ordinary matter.

Li Shimin could somewhat understand his Imperial Brother's mindset, otherwise, he wouldn't trust him so much, but wasn't he afraid this might be a scam?

Seeing Xuanzang's genuine intent to retrieve the scriptures, Guanyin revealed her true form, and everyone present naturally bowed on the spot.

Thus, the Sutra Collectors were finally determined, and the journey to retrieve the scriptures from the Western Heaven officially began. Not long after, Xuanzang set out with the guards assigned to him by Li Shimin.

Guanyin was satisfied with this scene and nodded, yet dared not relax.

Back during the time of the Divine Enthronement, Jiang Ziya experienced death and revival repeatedly. Now she hoped not to repeat such events. The Kasaya she had given Xuanzang was crafted from Jin Can Zi's own cicada shedding, making it a Magical Treasure immune to weapons and impervious to fire and water, serving as a protection for Xuanzang.

However, Xuanzang clearly hadn't realized this yet.

The journey to retrieve the scriptures was full of hardships. Within half a month, the guards were already exhausted. Xuanzang felt he shouldn't force others to do what they didn't want to do, so he wrote a letter to King Tang, dismissing all of them.

He even lost his horse, but with his determined spirit, he finally reached Shuangcha Ridge. Though he encountered a fierce tiger on the way, luckily a passing hunter helped him.

Beyond Shuangcha Ridge lies the Five-finger Mountain.

Sun Wukong, originally reflecting on Guanyin's parting words, felt a sense of connection upon seeing Xuanzang by the roadside, realizing the person who would save him had arrived.

"Are you the Elder who is to retrieve the scriptures?"

By this life, Xuanzang was a mere mortal. Initially, with the guards taking care of him, things were okay, but now, walking alone exhausted him. Hearing someone calling, he immediately approached and discovered a Monkey trapped under the mountain.

"I am indeed the one heading to the Western Heaven to retrieve the scriptures. What can I do for you, benefactor?"

Sun Wukong was immediately overjoyed.

"Master, Master, save me! I am the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. Guanyin asked me to wait here for you, to accompany you to retrieve the scriptures!"

Upon hearing "wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace," Xuanzang unexpectedly felt a sense of familiarity.

Though kind, he was not foolish. He realized that attempting to reach the Western Heaven on foot with just his own strength was impossible. Coupled with Guanyin's mention, he decisively agreed to Sun Wukong's request.

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