Journey to the West: Wukong Imprisoned on Half-Finger Mountain, Ksitigarbha Turns into a Sarira

The truth about the impostor Monkey King was finally revealed: the Six-Eared Macaque took his seat on the lotus throne as the Victorious Fighting Buddha, while the real Sun Wukong was nailed to Half-Finger Mountain in the Asura Realm. Chains bearing the sinister Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra pierced his shoulder blades, draining away his magic until he shrank to dwarf size. For five hundred years, lava caked his body, leaving him unable to live or die. Back then, Di Ting had used the words “Buddhism knows no bounds” to lead the Monkey King toward Spirit Mountain, though he had known all along about the switch. After learning the truth, Ksitigarbha charged alone into the forbidden zone. The instant he stepped onto Half-Finger Mountain, three rings of his rainbow halo were corroded by the malevolent aura, and his cultivation of ten thousand years began rapidly to evaporate. He sat cross-legged before the Monkey King. “I gave you the wrong guidance back then and led you into this trap. Today, even if I must sacrifice all my cultivation, I will set you free.” Sun Wukong roared, “Get lost, you bald monk! Old Sun isn’t worth it!” Ksitigarbha closed his eyes and formed a hand seal. His body melted like an ice sculpture, and the last of his golden sweat dripped away. He became a dazzling Sarira that rolled into the Monkey King’s palm. Swallow it, shatter the chains, and break out. Lava surged backward up Half-Finger Mountain, and blood-red lightning exploded. In the darkness, the Fiery Golden Eyes suddenly lit up. Old Sun is back. This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.