Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Within the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, Jiang Liu and his group had already prepared a large pot of hotpot, with spicy and seafood flavors already simmering and sending out rich aromas.

The ingredients were ready early, and Jiang Liu and the others had taken their places at the dining table, which was laden with a variety of ingredients, looking incredibly abundant.

"Why hasn't Monkey Brother arrived yet?" With a pair of chopsticks in hand, Zhu Bajie kept looking outside, appearing restless.

This was already numerous times that Zhu Bajie had mentioned this.

Hot pot, in Zhu Bajie's view, was a very delicious thing; ever since he found chili peppers, and now with a hot-clear pot comparable to a Dharma Treasure, hasn't the flavor of the hot pot elevated to a new level?

Although he hadn't started eating yet, just the smell of these broths was enough to make Zhu Bajie feel irresistible cravings, his mouth watering.

"Bajie, in the three realms and six paths, who are some of the more formidable people when it comes to crafting Dharma Treasures?" Since sitting idle was boring, Jiang Liu thought of the two pots he had crafted from the Divine Craftsman today and curiously turned to Zhu Bajie.

Since they could craft Legendary Level kitchenware today, could they possibly find even more skilled craftsmen to create Epic Level or even Divine Level kitchenware in the future?

"Crafting Dharma Treasures?"

Hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, Zhu Bajie's attention shifted from the hot pot, and without thinking, he spoke, "The most formidable, of course, is the Supreme Elder Lord. His golden pills are recognized as the best in the three realms and six paths, and besides alchemy, the Dharma Treasures he crafts are also top-notch!"

"Hmm, that's true!" Zhu Bajie's remark made Jiang Liu nod in agreement.

Looking through the original story, it seems every Dharma Treasure from the Supreme Elder Lord's home was incredibly powerful.

Like the Purple Gold Gourd that would suck in people when called if they answered, quite a powerful treasure able to outperform others and triumph despite weaker abilities.

Like the Immortal Binding Rope, once bound by it, one was virtually helpless; like the Banana Leaf Fan, which was merely used by the Supreme Elder Lord to stoke the fire, and then there was the Vajra Bracelet that could capture all the weapons in the world—Sun Wukong had all the Heavenly Deities trying, and yet it was to no avail, all treasures escaped.

"This rake of mine is also personally forged by the Supreme Elder Lord. Within the Heavenly Court, it's definitely one of the top tier Dharma Treasures," Zhu Bajie then said.

"This rake, forged by the Supreme Elder Lord personally using divine ice iron, borrowing the power of the realms' supreme elements and virtues, the Thunder Deity of Nine Heavens, through Heavenly Mantras and combat forces, underwent forging for forty-nine days, and it was successfully completed!"

"What a treasure! Even more formidable than big brother's jingu bang!" Hearing Zhu Bajie's words, Sha Wujing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, addressing Zhu Bajie.

"Indeed, a fine treasure. Although it weighs less than half of the Jingu Bang, in terms of quality, it is indeed more formidable than the Jingu Bang!" Similarly, having already reviewed the attributes of the Jingu Bang and the Nine-Toothed Rake, Jiang Liu also nodded privately.

The quality of this rake is indeed higher than that of the Jingu Bang.

"Second brother, this rake is a supreme treasure. Listening to you, it seems the Lord put great effort into forging it. It appears Marshal Tianpeng has a great face even now!" Hearing Zhu Bajie's speech, Sha Wujing also spoke, his expression thoughtful.

"No, Junior Brother Sha, you are mistaken!"

However, confronted with Sha Wujing's thoughtful comments, Zhu Bajie shook his head and said, "Though the position of Marshal Tianpeng is high, merely relying on this status to have the Lord forge weaponry for you is impossible. After all, the Lord transcends the mundane, and even the Jade Emperor himself shows deference to him!"

"Then, how did second brother manage it!?" Zhu Bajie's words made Sha Wujing nod and then ask even more curiously.

As the General Juanlian in the presence of the Jade Emperor, Sha Wujing naturally knew of the transcendent nature of the Supreme Elder Lord's status.

"Because, I am somewhat like a half-disciple to the Lord!" After a moment's thought, regarding his identity, Zhu Bajie nonetheless told the truth.

"A disciple!?"

Listening to this, General Juanlian was slightly startled, looking at him incredulously, "As far as I know, the Lord has never taken any disciples. How could there be a half-disciple?"

"These, I, Old Pig, better not say!" Scratching the back of his head, Zhu Bajie hehe'd with a smile, not intending to continue the conversation.

"A disciple, huh?" However, it was Jiang Liu who was moved by these words.

According to legend, the Supreme Elder Lord seemed to be the good corpse transformed by the Sage Laozi, and Laozi's Human Sect only had the sole disciple Xuandu.

Zhu Bajie's identity seemed to be that of Xuandu's disciple!

So, it appeared he was the only inheritor of the Human Sect, and indeed aptly called Laozi's disciple?

Thus, he could naturally also be considered half a disciple of the Supreme Elder Lord...

"That's really impressive!" Realizing this, Jiang Liu looked at Zhu Bajie, his eyes filled with more amazement.

Zhu Bajie's identity was more formidable than he had imagined. Was he the real powerhouse hidden within the Journey to the West team?

Among the settings of Primordial and Journey to the West, there were many rumors, and even in an era that had experienced an information explosion, there were some things Jiang Liu could not confirm.

For example, the identity issue of Zhu Bajie, although such rumors had long existed, Jiang Liu could never confirm them.

It wasn't until today, when Zhu Bajie said he was half a disciple of Supreme Elder Lord, that Jiang Liu could confirm the authenticity of this claim.

Just like the identity of Tathagata, which originally had three explanations.

First, Tathagata was a prince from the Mortal World who achieved Buddhahood through enlightenment and thus became the Tathagata.

Second, Tathagata's identity was actually that of the Sect of Intercepting's leading disciple, Taoist Duobao, who transformed into him after the Sect was defeated in the Deification War.

Third, the identity of Tathagata was actually from Ancient Times during the great war between shamans and demons, where the Demon Emperor Taiyi's ten Golden Crows were shot down, nine by Houyi, and the surviving one transformed into the Great Sun Tathagata.

According to various rumors and settings, Tathagata's real identity had three versions.

So, which one is true? Jiang Liu naturally found it difficult to confirm.

"The issue with Zhu Bajie's identity is even stranger!" Realizing that Zhu Bajie's identity as the only disciple of the Human Sect, Jiang Liu felt even more amazed.

This identity was far superior to that of Marshal Tianpeng, but how could he have fallen to such an end?

Even though Sage Laozi believed in inaction and letting things take their natural course, the decline of a disciple of the Human Sect to this extent must not look good on him, right?

"Eh, wait..." However, amidst the surprise, Jiang Liu suddenly had a startling realization.

Zhu Bajie's identity concerning his own Nine-Toothed Rake had never been explicitly discussed by him these days, so why mention it today?

Although this was not some unspeakable secret, it surely isn't something worth flaunting, right?

As a disciple of the Human Sect, having fallen to such a state today, what is there to boast about? And besides, Zhu Bajie did not speak of it in a boasting tone.

"Could it be!?" Amidst the astonishment, Jiang Liu's gaze fell on the Taiji Yin-Yang Pot on the table, causing a shock in his heart.

This Taiji Yin-Yang Pot, besides adding attributes of freshness and deliciousness, also had a heartfelt special effect.

Could it be, due to this special effect, it inadvertently influenced others?

With this thought, Jiang Liu's heart stirred slightly, and soon his eyes were on Sha Wujing beside him.

Heartfelt?

These days, he had been somewhat distant from him, and likewise, Sha Wujing was not sad but just followed along as if merely passing the days. So, what really was Sha Wujing thinking?

After a brief contemplation, Jiang Liu organized his words and spoke, "Disciples, from here to our Journey to the West, there are still a hundred thousand miles to go, and I will have to trouble you to escort me all the way!"

"Master, what are you talking about? Old Pig and you are already tied together!" Hearing what Jiang Liu said, Zhu Bajie spoke.

"Master, on this journey west, I have put in the least effort and cannot accept such words!" Meanwhile, Sha Wujing, with a hint of guilt on his face, spoke.

Originally, the fierce demons were almost all annihilated by Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing was left to do some carrying tasks, merely killing off little demons.

But now, due to the space for carrying all their belongings being taken up by Jiang Liu, Sha Wujing no longer had loads to carry.

Moreover, with Jiang Liu's own abilities to level up by fighting monsters, those little demons no longer required Sha Wujing's intervention; Jiang Liu could handle them alone.

Therefore, in this Journey to the West team, the value of Sha Wujing really could be considered negligible.

"Cough cough, this journey west, my initial purpose was to obtain the True Scriptures of Tripitaka, to save all beings from the sea of suffering and guide them to the other shore. So what were your initial motives?"

After clearing his throat, Jiang Liu was somewhat astonished by the heartfelt special effect, which seemed to make Sha Wujing feel guilty, then he proceeded to ask.

"The initial purpose ? Old Pig naturally wanted to learn how to flirt with girls from you, master, hehehe. From what I've seen and thought along this journey, I feel I've already grasped the basics from you, master!" Zhu Bajie responded with a chuckle, evidently very satisfied with the journey west.

Enjoying delicious food and drinks, having a great place to stay, and learning techniques of flirting along the way...

Zhu Bajie felt that this journey to the west was much more interesting than being a demon king on the mountain.

Zhu Bajie's response was within Jiang Liu's expectations.

Immediately, his gaze shifted to Sha Wujing beside him.