Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 307 - 308 Maybe It Can Really Be Borrowed

Chapter 307: Chapter 308 Maybe It Can Really Be Borrowed

When a terrifying pillar of fire suddenly erupted in front of them and scattered in all directions,

the ground shook violently with a loud boom. Zhu Bajie let out a miserable scream and fell onto his backside, then quickly jumped up while holding his bottom.

"I’m being burned to death, how can this ground be so hot?"

"The volcano is erupting!" Xuanzang also shouted in panic.

In the place where the pillar of fire rose, flames surged towards the sky, dust filled the air, and groups of fire continuously spewed from the ground, truly resembling a volcanic eruption.

What was most terrifying was that the flames that shot out from the ground instantly ignited it, as if the ground had been doused in oil, quickly starting to burn, connecting into one massive blaze.

Looking into the distance, everything had turned into a sea of fire.

Most importantly, the raging inferno was spreading towards them at an alarming speed.

"We must run, now!" Sun Wukong shouted after seeing this scene, urging everyone to hurry.

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk, one on each side, supported Xuanzang and started to flee, while Sun Wukong and the White Dragon Horse, having no mood to admire the spectacular sight before them,

also followed by Xuanzang’s side, quickly heading east.

"Boom!"

Just then, a pillar of fire burst forth in the east, and huge fireballs continuously shot up from the ground, flying hundreds of meters into the air like magnificent fireworks, before falling around.

"It’s erupting here too! Now we are really in trouble!" Zhu Bajie cried out in despair.

One by one, the fireballs fell to the ground, igniting it instantly, and in the blink of an eye, the east also turned into a sea of fire.

Not only that, but flames also erupted in the north and south, engulfing the entire Flame Mountain region in a sea of fire, with the raging inferno closing in from all sides.

"Brother Monkey! My fur is about to be scorched. Think of something quick!" Zhu Bajie shouted, "We have to fly up to the sky now!"

Sand Monk retorted irritably, "That’s easier said than done. Our master has a mortal flesh; how can he possibly fly?"

"Master, it’s not that we don’t want to help you; we truly have no other choice! You’ll have to forgive us. On holidays, I, Old Pig, will burn incense for you," Zhu Bajie said with a drooping face.

Xuanzang was petrified with fear, and if not for Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk holding him up, he might have already succumbed to the sea of flames.

Now Zhu Bajie’s words undoubtedly meant he was preparing to abandon his master and flee for his life.

"What nonsense are you talking about! Cast spells quickly! Block the flames!" Sun Wukong immediately shouted and quickly cast a spell to form a protective barrier around everyone.

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk also hurriedly used their mana to help reinforce the protective barrier.

Meanwhile, in the celestial Court’s Ninth celestial Palace,

"This time, the four travelers of the Journey to the West have encountered a great calamity; it is their destined fate,"

said the Jade Emperor slowly.

His expression was calm, showing no sign of concern.

After all, the greatest beneficiaries of this Journey to the West calamity are not them but the Western Buddhist Sect, so naturally, they would not make much effort.

However, Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li couldn’t hold back and urgently stepped forward to kowtow, saying, "Your Majesty, I think we should lend them a hand. Otherwise, if the Journey to the West calamity fails, all previous efforts will be wasted!"

Many Orthodox Deities present looked on unconcernedly.

Most of these Orthodox Deities were from the Daoist Sect, naturally preferring the Journey to the West calamity to fail, which would then prevent the prospering of Buddhism.

And the Jade Emperor nodded slightly and said, "Wide-Eyed celestial King, don’t you have a Fire-Avoiding Cloak? Go and assist the four travelers of the Journey to the West!"

Wide-Eyed celestial King, one of the Four celestial Kings, stepped forward to receive the command.

"I shall obey Your Majesty’s decree!"

Afterward, Wide-Eyed celestial King flew away.

At this moment, the sky-high flames had turned the eight hundred miles of Flame Mountain into a sea of fire.

The blazing fire colored the sky a bright red.

However, within the flames, there was a region not engulfed by the fire, where Sun Wukong, Xuanzang, and the others were located.

Around them was a light shield blocking the flames,

like a glass ball thrown into the midst of fire.

Sun Wukong and the others were trapped inside, unable to escape.

Of course, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to escape with their divine skills,

but there was no way Xuanzang could leave. Once the golden protective barrier disappeared, it wouldn’t take half a minute for Xuanzang to be burned to the point where not even his ashes would remain.

"Big Brother! At this rate, I’m afraid we won’t hold out much longer!" Zhu Bajie shouted loudly.

"We’ll hold out as long as we can," Sun Wukong replied helplessly.

He didn’t believe that the Orthodox Deities of the celestial Court and Buddhism wouldn’t intervene.

"The celestial Court and Buddhism are not intervening this time? This is really odd. Do they want to watch us die?" Zhu Bajie couldn’t help but complain.

"Impossible, this is a matter that concerns the rise of Buddhism; they will not give up!" Sun Wukong frowned and said.

At that moment, Sand Monk also looked towards the heavens above, hoping for the celestial beings and Buddhists to intervene; otherwise, their master was likely to die.

"Great Saint, I come to lend you a hand!"

Just then, a voice came from the sky.

Sun Wukong and the others couldn’t help but look up at the sky, and it was indeed Wide-Eyed celestial King.

"Here it comes!"

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but think to himself.

Shortly after, a transparent protective barrier descended, enveloping them.

The approaching flames retreated as soon as they touched the barrier.

"We’re finally safe, Master!"

Zhu Bajie breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.

"You fool, safe? Even though the flames can no longer approach, the temperature is still rising!"

After hearing Zhu Bajie’s words, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but smack him on the head.

Stunned by Sun Wukong’s remark, Zhu Bajie certainly didn’t want to stay here and end up a sacrificial offering alongside his Master.

Sun Wukong had no intention of letting Zhu Bajie stay behind either.

"Junior Brother Sand, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you to protect Master here. Bajie and I will go out to borrow the Banana Leaf Fan, extinguish this damned flame, and rescue you all."

"But, with my limited mana, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold out long against such fierce flames," Sand Monk said, furrowing his brow.

"Don’t worry about that, this Fire-Avoiding Cloak is more than enough to keep the flames at bay and ensure your safety," Sun Wukong quickly explained.

"Although the Fire-Avoiding Cloak can keep out the flames, it can’t completely block the heat. The temperature inside is still rising. If this continues, I’m afraid Master will be steamed alive before long," Sand Monk replied, still somewhat worried, although he knew of the cloak’s protection.

"We’ll have to hurry, then!"

Sun Wukong nodded, acknowledging there was no other way.

With a hint of complexity, Sand Monk added, "However, it is strange that Flame Mountain would erupt so suddenly."

Sun Wukong responded helplessly, "Yes, it had to erupt right when we walked into Flame Mountain, neither earlier nor later!"

The circumstances they faced now could only mean one of two possibilities: a conspiracy where someone deliberately ignited Flame Mountain, or, it was predestined that Xuanzang should face this fiery trial as part of fate.

Of course, it seemed more likely that it was a deliberate act by the Buddhist sect.

"However, Brother Monkey, Second Senior Brother, you’d better hurry up!"

Sand Monk glanced back at Xuanzang, knowing that the Fire-Avoiding Cloak could only protect him for so long.

Seeing Xuanzang sweating profusely, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "In that case, let’s head to Emerald Cloud Mountain immediately. We must obtain the Banana Leaf Fan, even if it means taking it by force."

"Right!" Zhu Bajie nodded urgently.

All he wanted was to leave this place as swiftly as possible.

Without hesitation, Sun Wukong, joined by Zhu Bajie, took to the clouds and sped towards Emerald Cloud Mountain.

As Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong sped away, Xuanzang and Sand Monk watched, their feelings mixed.

In a low voice, Sand Monk said, "I hope Brother Monkey and Second Senior Brother come back quickly; otherwise, we might really end up being steamed."

Xuanzang continued to chant Buddhist scriptures, trying to maintain his composure.

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie had already reached Emerald Cloud Mountain, thousands of miles away.

With a stomp of his foot, the Land Deity emerged: "Land Deity of Emerald Cloud Mountain, at your service, Great Saint."

Sun Wukong waved his hand dismissively, "Spare the formalities. Tell me, is this Emerald Cloud Mountain?"

Without daring to show any negligence, the Land Deity promptly nodded, "Indeed it is."

Frowning, Sun Wukong asked, "Is there a Banana Leaf Cave on this mountain? And within it, an Iron Fan Immortal?"

"Yes, yes, everything’s there," the Land Deity replied. "Great Saint, if you look over there towards the mountaintop shrouded in mist—that’s where Banana Leaf Cave is!"

Sun Wukong was delighted and then asked further, "Can you tell me about this Iron Fan Immortal? Her background, preferences, and alliances?"

He felt that, being a stranger to the Immortal, it would be difficult to ask for a loan directly.

It would be best to establish some form of rapport or find common ground first.

After a moment’s thought, the Land Deity said, "Great Saint, Iron Fan Immortal is what outsiders call her; around here, we prefer to call her ’Rakshasa Woman,’ or just ’the Rakshasa.’

"Does she really possess a Banana Leaf Fan that can extinguish the flames of Flame Mountain? Is that true?" Sun Wukong inquired.

The Land Deity confirmed with a nod, "That is no lie. The Rakshasa indeed possesses a treasure that can do just that. She often helps the people near Flame Mountain by putting out fires and bringing rain, which is why they call her Iron Fan Immortal."

"However, since we, the locals of Emerald Cloud Mountain, have no need to seek her help due to the fine weather, we call her the Rakshasa Woman."

"As for her interests, I truly don’t know, since she seldom interacts with us deities. Her doors are usually tightly shut, and it’s unclear what she busies herself with."

"About her relationships... I’ve heard that she is the wife of the Great Strength Bull Demon King."

At this, both Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie felt their heads ache.

Zhu Bajie muttered to himself, "Brother Monkey, this doesn’t look good; borrowing from her may be quite difficult now!"

Sun Wukong, too, was feeling perplexed, as the Land Deity curiously asked, "Great Saint, are you facing some sort of difficulty?"

Sun Wukong grimaced, saying awkwardly, "Well... how should I put this? Along the way, I’ve had some... misunderstandings with her family..."

Saying it was just a misunderstanding made him feel guilty.

Her son had been taken away by Guanshiyin, and an in-law of hers had been killed by him.

The Land Deity, thinking it was genuinely just a misunderstanding, laughed, "Great Saint, the world is vast; news doesn’t travel that fast."

"Moreover, the Rakshasa rarely appears even once a year, so she likely remains unaware. You go ahead and knock on her door; if you avoid mentioning any unpleasantness and just ask for the fan, you might indeed be able to borrow it."