Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning
Chapter 13 - The Monkey Enters the Underworld, the Eighteen Arhats Block the Way:

Chapter 13: The Monkey Enters the Underworld, the Eighteen Arhats Block the Way:

The feast had ended. Everyone departed, and the blessed and cavernous land of Flower Fruit Mountain once again returned to its tranquil state.

Qin Chuan and the Monkey King spent their days practicing martial arts, debating divine powers, enjoying fine wine and delicious food—completely losing track of time. Life in the mountains was carefree and full of joy.

“Now that the Seven Saints have sworn brotherhood,”

Qin Chuan murmured to himself while seated in his cave abode, watching Ao Xue gracefully practicing her swordplay, “Those two soul-reaping ghosts should be coming soon.”

He furrowed his brow. “Black and White Impermanence are merely third-rate ghost immortals. Even if the monkey was drunk, how could they possibly get the better of him? Looks like I’ll need to be extra vigilant in the coming days.”

Having made up his mind, he concluded, I’ll have Monkey give up drinking for a while!

“What?! You want me to stop drinking?”

Monkey looked at Qin Chuan in astonishment.

Qin Chuan nodded seriously. “Just for a short while, Monkey. I can’t tell you the full details, but you know I would never harm you.”

Qin Chuan had indeed considered revealing the truth about the Journey to the West to the Monkey King. But whenever he was about to speak, his Golden Immortal cultivation began to falter—his divine power became stagnant, as though rejected by Heaven and Earth.

He could feel it clearly, if he revealed even half a word, he would be instantly annihilated—body and soul destroyed. This feeling was not like being targeted by some great divine master, but rather… something even higher!

Seeing Qin Chuan’s serious expression, the Monkey, though reluctant, still nodded and said, “Alright, alright, this old Sun will abstain.”

But a thief cannot guard against a thief every single day. One day, while Qin Chuan was off guard, the Monkey King drank deeply of the finest nectar and lay down to sleep beneath the pine trees on the Iron Bridge.

Before long, cold winds blew, and thick mist gathered. Two figures, one black and one white, appeared before the Monkey.

White Impermanence glanced at the Monkey and said, “Old Fan, this demon immortal has an extraordinary aura. His immortal light is dense and does not dissipate. He does not seem like a person who should die. Are we sure we aren’t mistaken?”

Black Impermanence looked at the drunken Monkey lying there and coldly said, “No mistake. This is Sun Wukong, the Stone Monkey born from Heaven, the very one the officials want. First, bind his soul and take him to the Underworld.”

As Black and White Impermanence debated openly, the Monkey was deeply drunk and showed no reaction. His soul slipped out of his body, was bound by ropes, and he was led away, stumbling, following the two spirits.

In just a moment, a rainbow light suddenly appeared. The rainbow dispersed, revealing Qin Chuan’s figure.

His face dark with worry, he looked up at the sky and said coldly, “Eighteen Arhats, you should be cultivating quietly in the West, but you come here to scheme against my brother. What is the meaning of this?”

After speaking, the clouds and breeze remained as before, with no response from the heavens. Qin Chuan smiled coldly, his Heavenly Eye opening wide as a beam of clear light shot straight into the clouds.

Suddenly, amidst the clouds, golden light shone, revealing eighteen Arhats. Some were ascetics, with white tufts between their brows, holding monk’s staff, dignified and majestic. Some had long brows, draped in robes, holding prayer beads, chanting tirelessly.

One was Kāśyapa, smiling kindly, with wisdom shining in his eyes. Another was the Dragon-Subduing Arhat, solemn and compassionate, wishing to save all beings.

Some were gaunt and bony, others plump and full; some bore the aura of immortals, others were lively and radiant. Their appearances varied greatly, but all were extraordinary, transcendent individuals.

The Eighteen Arhats were disciples named by the Tathāgata and guardians of Buddhist law, consisting of sixteen Arhats who dwell permanently in the world to uphold the Dharma, plus the two venerable ones who subdue dragons and tigers.

Sixteen were Golden Immortals, and two were Taiyi Golden Immortals.

Qin Chuan thought, The Buddhist tradition’s foundation is indeed profound. Among the Buddhist immortals, the Arhats rank just above the lowest level. Yet these eighteen Arhats possess such cultivation!

In the original story, the Blue Bull Demon used Vajra Bracelets to sweep invincibly, while the Heavenly Court dispatched the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Nezha, and 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals. Later, they also invited the Fire Virtue Star Lord and the Yellow River Water Marshal.

The Buddhist sect sent forth the Eighteen Arhats! This shows just how powerful and significant these Arhats are.

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat, solemn and majestic, spoke.

“Amitabha Buddha, this is the karmic connection of the Monkey King. Practitioners have a difficult path; it is best not to interfere.”

His voice was clear and full of compassion. Although an Arhat, he bore no anger, only mercy.

Qin Chuan sneered, “Truly worthy of you all—talking endlessly, turning black into white.

If one’s self is not in control, what use is fate?”

He finished speaking, raised his hand, and the Frost Dragon-Howl Spear appeared in his hand. Knowing that the Monkey had already entered the Underworld, time was of the essence. He must hurry to stop it, or a great disaster would follow.

The waters of the Underworld… are very deep!

“If you want to stop me, death is uncertain!”

Qin Chuan then unleashed the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Subduing Divine Power, his entire body surging with divine energy. Even the Monkey was unintentionally affected. Naturally, he would not underestimate the Eighteen Arhats.

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat joined his hands and said, “If so, please follow me to the Western Pure Land to meet our Buddha Tathagata! Brothers, form the Arhat Heavenly Realm!”

The Eighteen Arhats combined their powers to form the Arhat Heavenly Realm, enveloping the entire Flower Fruit Mountain.

Qin Chuan’s tone turned grim.

“You seal off Flower Fruit Mountain, cutting off yin and yang, thinking this will hold me?”

Before his words finished, a cold gleam arrived first, followed by the spear darting out like a dragon. Qin Chuan soared to the clouds and engaged in a fierce battle with the Eighteen Arhats.

In an instant, the wind and clouds shifted, golden light scattered everywhere. Qin Chuan and the Eighteen Arhats fought intensely, neither side able to gain the upper hand. Spear shadows danced, magical weapons clashed.

“This man is only a Golden Immortal, how is he so fierce?”

The Sitting Arhat secretly complained. Known for his strength, he was the first Arhat to face Qin Chuan, and at this moment he felt his arms going numb.

If it weren’t for the support of the other Arhats, he would have been defeated long ago.

The Tiger-Subduing Arhat sat down and let out a mighty tiger roar that shook the clouds and sky. His eyes blazed angrily as he shouted, “Do you really insist on acting alone, Master?” His voice thundered with authority.

“Since it has come to this, what is there to fear!” Qin Chuan shouted loudly, his entire body surging with divine power.

As the Frost Dragon-Howl Spear moved, the wind howled and the temperature plummeted. A chilling dragon’s roar echoed through heaven and earth, shaking the clouds, causing the eighteen Arhats to stagger.

Seizing this opportunity, Qin Chuan’s spear technique grew even stronger. The battle with the Eighteen Arhats became fiercer. Every strike was deadly; between attack and defense, the tension was immense.

One spear strike swept aside the attacks of the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Subduing Arhats. Qin Chuan glanced up at the Arhat Heavenly Realm above, knowing the others were trying to stall for time. He then performed the Golden Crow Rainbow Transformation technique. His figure flashed and he escaped the barrier. Next, he used a secret passage method, heading straight toward the Nine Nether Underworld.

This series of moves was extremely fast, dazzling to watch. Seeing Qin Chuan disappear, the Arhats all showed expressions of surprise.

The Tiger-Subduing Arhat hesitated and uncertainly said, “Isn’t that the Great Sun Tathagata’s…?”

“Amitabha,” the Dragon-Subduing Arhat softly chanted a Buddha’s name.

“This man, with only Golden Immortal cultivation, can fight us—he is no ordinary being. He must have an extraordinary teacher. With things as they are, we must return to the Western Pure Land and report to our Buddha Tathagata.”

With that, the Dragon-Subduing Arhat and the others vanished into the clouds, leaving only the sky above—the clouds rolling and drifting in silence.