Now, it is said that Tang Sanzang recited the Tight-Fillet Spell, which instead caused Sun Wukong to wake up.
However, although Sun Wukong had recovered his senses, he still could not break the formation.
At this moment, Sun Wukong remembered the three life-saving plumes Guanyin had given him. He plucked one out, transformed it into a drill, and intended to bore through the formation.
Ao Tu had been observing Sun Wukong's movements from atop the formation platform.
Blocked by the formation, he could see Sun Wukong, but Sun Wukong could not see him.
At this moment, seeing Sun Wukong pull out the life-saving plume, Ao Tu feared he would ruin his formation diagram. He uttered a “Withdraw,” and immediately the sky cleared, the red sand dispersed, and everything was withdrawn back into the diagram.
Sun Wukong looked around and spotted Ao Tu, who had put away the formation diagram not far away. Enraged, he shouted, “Demon dragon! It’s you again! What sorcery did you use to harm this old Sun? Take this!”
He raised his staff and struck!
Ao Tu blocked with his Dark Gold Iron Spear, and his arms immediately went numb.
When it came to martial skill, Sun Wukong’s abilities were absolutely top-tier.
Ao Tu did not immediately use the Five-Fire Divine Flame Fan. He wanted to test the extent of Sun Wukong’s strength so he could have a better estimate in the future.
Ao Tu opened his mouth and spewed out a sheet of golden light filled with killing intent.
Sun Wukong chanted “Enlarge,” transforming his Golden-Hooped Staff to the thickness of a mountain’s waist, standing it before him to completely block Ao Tu’s golden light.
Ao Tu let out a dragon’s roar, transforming into a five-clawed golden dragon, riding clouds and mist, spewing golden light as he charged at Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong mounted his Somersault Cloud, wielding his Golden-Hooped Staff to face the enemy, not the slightest bit afraid.
The two battled in the air—a divine dragon against a spirit monkey.
Ao Tu thrust out his dragon claws, transforming into ten streaks of golden light.
Wukong’s iron staff danced wildly, resembling a fierce gale.
Tiger Vanguard had been sent by Ao Tu to keep an eye on Bajie and Tang Sanzang. Hearing the sounds of battle, he hurried back to assist.
One had to admit, Sun Wukong was truly powerful.
His strength alone was not something ordinary gods or immortals could compare to, and his martial arts were supremely strong. That iron staff—if it brushed someone, they died; if it struck them, they perished. Even a graze would break skin, a scrape would sever tendons. Though somewhat exaggerated, he was indeed hard to deal with.
Relying on his dragon clan bloodline talents, Ao Tu forcibly fought over thirty rounds with him, gradually becoming somewhat outmatched. He was struck on the dragon tail by the iron staff, losing two or three scales. He fell back to the ground and resumed human form.
Tiger Vanguard stepped in front of Ao Tu and said, “Your Majesty, you go first; I’ll cover the retreat!”
Ao Tu said, “Don’t panic. It hasn’t come to that yet.”
Sun Wukong laughed, “Stop bragging. Today, I shall end the lives of you two demons together!”
Ao Tu laughed, “Stable Officer, in martial arts, I cannot beat you. But fighting isn’t just about martial arts! Behold my treasure!”
Ao Tu summoned the Five-Fire Seven-Bird Fan. He fanned it three times, and instantly raging flames soared into the sky, firelight shooting to the heavens.
“Not good!” Sun Wukong knew how powerful this fan was. He turned a somersault and fled.
Ao Tu did not give chase. He flew to Sha Seng’s house, exhaled a gust of wind, and overturned the building.
Tang Sanzang and Bajie inside tumbled to the ground. Ao Tu grabbed the two and flew into the Flowing Sand River.
Sha Seng saw this and followed them into the Flowing Sand River.
At the bottom of the Flowing Sand River was a pillar. When Sha Seng was formerly banished, he had been punished every seven days, tied to this pillar, suffering over a hundred flying swords piercing his chest and flanks.
Ao Tu tied Tang Sanzang and Bajie to the pillar together.
Tang Sanzang saw Ao Tu and recalled the incident at Yellow Wind Ridge. Tears fell like rain as he said:
“Pitiful! I, a monk who has left the secular world, have encountered this demon again and been captured here. I don’t even know whose banquet my ape disciple is attending, where he has gone for pleasure, or when he will return. How could he know I have encountered a demon and am suffering here!”
Hearing this, Ao Tu laughed.
Tiger Vanguard said, “You fleshly-eyed, mortal-bodied monk, you still don’t know you’ve fallen into Our King’s scheme!”
Tang Sanzang did not understand. Seeing Sha Seng behind them, he exclaimed in surprise:
“Fisherman, why are you with these two demons?”
Sha Seng laughed upon hearing this, “Holy Monk, don’t you understand? I am the third calamity!”
He then explained the whole story to Tang Sanzang.
After learning the truth, Tang Sanzang realized he had wronged Wukong and silently recited Amitabha Buddha in his heart.
Actually, Ao Tu’s plan this time had not been fully carried out.
Originally, Ao Tu’s plan was to let Bajie slowly subdue the “evil tiger” and “venomous dragon,” then have Sha Seng make his move to capture the master and disciple into the river, delaying them for the maximum amount of time.
Even if Bajie went to the Heavenly Court for aid, because Ao Tu had changed the Flowing Sand River into the Black Water River, Sha Seng’s identity would most likely not be exposed, allowing for more delay.
But what Ao Tu hadn’t expected was that that lazy, blockheaded Bajie had no intention of seeking help at all. In the end, it was Tang Sanzang who couldn’t endure it and sent him to find the Bodhisattva.
If Guanyin were brought here, the matter would definitely be exposed.
Ao Tu could only transform into Wukong’s appearance to intercept Bajie, thus disrupting the entire plan and creating the current situation.
After learning that Sun Wukong was actually Ao Tu in disguise, Bajie cursed in anger:
“Plague-ridden demon dragon! You transformed into Senior Brother’s appearance to trick me again!”
Hearing this, Ao Tu pinched Bajie’s ear and said:
“You blockhead, you still dare curse me! Someone, set up the pot and boil him for me to eat!”
Tiger Vanguard said, “Yes!”
Bajie panicked and quickly begged for mercy, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this old pig was just talking nonsense. Don’t eat me—my meat doesn’t taste good!”
Ao Tu laughed and looked at the system progress.
[Current Progress: Sixty-seven days]
Unfortunately, he was still twenty-three days short of one season.
Sun Wukong would most likely go invite Guanyin next.
He probably wouldn’t achieve the reward for stalling them for one season.
So be it. Seek it through proper means; obtain it according to fate.
In the future, Tang Sanzang and his disciples still had countless tribulations. He could plot again later.
Outside, Sun Wukong saw that his master and junior brother had both been captured; he felt the situation was incredibly thorny.
Sun Wukong stood among the clouds and shouted, “Demon dragon, release my master at once! Release my master!”
Ao Tu simply ignored him, pretending to be deaf.
Having no other choice, Sun Wukong strode forward, enlarged his Golden-Hooped Staff, placed it in the river, and used his River-Turning Sea-Overturning divine ability.
Immediately, the waters of the Flowing Sand River churned violently, raising waves and whirlpools, unsettled from top to bottom.
Ao Tu said, “Sha Seng, go out and fight that monkey. No need to prolong the battle; just pretend to lose and lure him down.”
Sha Seng accepted the order and leaped out of the water, saying:
“Monkey, if you keep stirring, your master and junior brother will turn into paste! Stop at once. If you truly have the ability, fight me for three hundred rounds!”
Wukong stopped upon hearing this and said:
“You demon, you have quite the gall! You deceived my master with honeyed words and schemed to harm this old Sun. Who are you? Report your name at once!”
Sha Seng said, “I am not a demon. I am the god of this Black Water River, Sha Tuolong!”
Sun Wukong found this somewhat familiar but didn’t think much of it. “You minor god! Take this!”
He leaped down from the cloud and struck at the head.
Sha Seng raised his staff to meet it. With a clang, he nearly tumbled over.
Sun Wukong showed no mercy and struck again.
Sha Seng barely blocked it; the web of his hand split open.
Sun Wukong struck a third time, and Sha Seng’s precious staff nearly slipped from his grasp.
“What a fearsome monkey!”
Sha Seng quickly dove into the water.
“Minor god, don’t flee!”
Sun Wukong chased after him.
Ao Tu had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Sun Wukong arrive, he activated the Post-Heaven Spirit Treasure, the Water-Overturning Seal. That small seal carried the qi of myriad waters and smashed onto Sun Wukong’s back, causing him to immediately stumble.