In the primordial world of the Three Realms, the Dao's influence wanes while Buddhism flourishes. In truth, Dao Ancestor Hongjun sits back in the Zixiao Palace, secretly laying out a scheme to keep the balance under the pretext of "restoring the Three Realms' fortune."
A shocking decree to "replace the Dao with Buddhism" sweeps across the Four Continents. The Buddha of Lingshan takes the calamity of the Journey to the West as his banner, sending Jin Chanzi west to obtain the scriptures. In reality, he leads Buddhist followers in seizing Daoist sacred lands and taking over incense offerings and tax revenue. Guanyin directs the operation from behind the scenes, setting eighty-one trials as a campaign to force through the "reforms." Anyone who resists is charged with "demonic rebellion."
In the Celestial Court, the Jade Emperor lies low and bides his time, while Patriarch Subhuti seeks to stop Buddhism's expansion. In the Southern Jambudvipa Continent, Sun Wukong emerges with discerning golden eyes and the Nine Transformations Profound Art. He is no demon-slaying monkey, but an "iron-faced immortal remonstrator" who uncovers the Three Realms' power plays. He wreaks havoc along the pilgrimage route to expose the truth: obtaining the scriptures is really a seizure of power.
The Journey to the West is a smokescreen, reform is the core, and power politics are the foundation.
When Wukong's fiery nature collides with Hongjun's deep cunning in the style of the Jiajing Emperor, and Lingshan's Buddhist corruption faces off against the Celestial Court's Daoist resistance...
