The wind howled through the ruined mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of ash, blood, and something older—divine, bitter, and broken.
Xuanzang stood frozen beneath the dead Bodhi Tree, the remains of the scripture scroll still glowing faintly in his left hand. Beside him, the ground was cracked from the weight of a celestial relic — the Ruyi Jingu Bang, golden inscriptions dancing along its length like living flame.
Sun Wukong stretched like a beast waking from a thousand-year slumber. His shackles—thin, golden rings around his wrists and ankles—jingled like cursed temple bells.
[Companion Bound: Battle Avatar – Sun Wukong]Status: Limited Awakening (10% Power Unsealed)Special Skill Unlocked: Heavenly Pillar Strike Lv. 1Debt Registered: -1,000 Karma Points.
Xuanzang's head throbbed as the system fed him data. Not words, but impressions. Strength. Rage. Ancient betrayal. Sun Wukong was no mere companion — he was a walking catastrophe wearing a grin.
The Raksha Beast didn't care for introductions.
It lunged with a snarl, its third eye opening wide, releasing a burst of corrupted spirit fire.
Sun Wukong yawned.
Then vanished.
CRACK.
The beast's jaw twisted violently sideways. A shockwave split the air as the Monkey King's staff swung upward, deflecting the spirit fire with effortless precision. He spun mid-air, caught the staff behind his back, and smashed the creature into the valley wall with enough force to level a small fortress.
Xuanzang shielded his face from the windblast, robes whipping around his legs.
Sun Wukong landed beside him with a huff. "Core Formation stage. That's it?"
"I'm... still Foundation-less," Xuanzang said quietly.
The Monkey King blinked, then let out a sharp bark of laughter. "A scripture host with zero Qi? What kind of Dao joke is this?" He leaned in close, eyes narrowing. "You got a plan, monk? Or am I just your blunt instrument?"
Xuanzang met his gaze. "You owe Heaven a debt."
Wukong's smile faded instantly.
"So do I," the monk continued. "And the only path forward is West."
[System Quest Triggered: Companion Pact Progression – Sun Wukong]Objective: Earn 1,000 Karma to restore Wukong's next power tier.Reward: Unlock "Asura Combat Style: Cloud Piercer Fangs"Optional Condition: Maintain Harmony to unlock hidden synergy bonus.
"Harmony?" Wukong scoffed. "Let's see if your spine is as straight as your talk."
The ground trembled again.
The Raksha Beast rose from the crater, blood dripping from its shattered maw. Its third eye glowed brighter now — it was invoking a forbidden art, fusing with nearby corrupted Qi veins.
Xuanzang frowned. "Can you handle it alone?"
"Could do it with my tail," Wukong muttered. "But sure—let's make a show of it."
The Monkey King raised his staff and twisted it once. The inscriptions flared as the weapon expanded—growing into a colossal, heaven-piercing pillar. The air thickened, gravity itself bowing under its presence.
[Skill Activated: Heavenly Pillar Strike – Level 1]Effect: Increases weapon weight by 10,000 jin. Devastates non-immortal constructs. Area Impact.]
With a roar, Wukong brought the staff down.
The Raksha screamed—but it was already over.
The blow didn't just crush the beast; it erased its presence. A crater bloomed beneath the impact site, Qi veins shuddering from the spiritual backlash.
[Enemy Eliminated. Karma Gained: +300.][Purified Area: Bodhi Ravine. Minor Karmic Balance Restored.]
Xuanzang exhaled slowly, trying to center his mind. The system interface flickered in the air before him—like a mental HUD only he could see.
System Log:
Karma: -8,588 → -8,288Scripture Fragments Collected: 0/36Companions: 1 Bound (Wukong - Tier 1)Main Quest Progress: 1st Step Completed – Rebirth Point Purified
Sun Wukong leaned on his staff. "So, what now, monk?"
Xuanzang looked west. Beyond the ravine, the land dipped into fog-shrouded plains, where whispers of Qi-beasts and rogue sects lingered in rumor and legend.
"The Scriptures are scattered," he said. "And Heaven is watching."
Wukong's smile returned, sharper this time.
"Good. I've got some unfinished business with Heaven."