Journey to the West: Rising Through the Ranks in Heaven

When you're making your way in the world, you need either strength or connections!

In the Heavenly Court, the gods of the various departments had connections, their names were recorded in the Investiture of the Gods, and they had the Daoist sects backing them. Their iron rice bowls were secure.

The Five Elders and the various Great Emperors and Heavenly Venerables had strength, making them partners in the Heavenly Court.

Lu Ye was something else: he had neither strength nor connections! To this, he declared:

"If you have no connections, find some. Borrow connections to cultivate immortality."

"With no one to help me fulfill my lofty ambitions, I'll tread through snow and reach the mountain peak myself!"