After Lin Daiyu dies in the Jia family compound with all her tears spent, her soul transmigrates to the world of Journey to the West. She wakes in a desolate mountain and is attacked by wolves, but Sun Wukong saves her, and she joins Tang Sanzang’s pilgrimage west.
Along the way, they face one hardship after another. Natural dangers such as the scorching heat of the Flaming Mountains bring not only the twists and turns of borrowing the Plantain Fan, but also the mysterious clue of the search for the Vermilion Bird’s Tears. When the Blackwater freezes over, Lin Daiyu falls in and is rescued, uncovering a hidden connection between the Blackwater demon and an ancient clan. Demonic trials abound as well. During the “Three Teases by the Corpse Demon,” Lin Daiyu anxiously tries to mediate between Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong. In the “Pipa Demon’s Poisonous Scheme,” her mastery of music helps Sun Wukong defeat the pipa spirit. She also faces trials of the heart: in a homesickness-induced illusion, she struggles between her past and her mission before finally finding the resolve to press on. And in her dealings with others, she shows her kindness and wisdom by rescuing monks in Chechi Kingdom and subduing demons at Tongtian River.
Through these trials, Lin Daiyu grows, changing from a frail and sensitive girl into someone strong and wise. When she reaches Spirit Mountain, the Buddha grants her the title “Immortal of Literary Wisdom” in recognition of her sincerity and hardships. After returning to the Great Tang, she lectures on Buddhist teachings in Chang’an, blending them deeply with Tang culture. She organizes poetry gatherings and encourages the creation of works inspired by Journey to the West, fostering cultural exchange. Later, she takes on many disciples and writes books, including Record of Enlightenment on the Journey West, Collection of Poems from a Wise Heart, and On the Fusion of Buddhism and Tang Culture.
