"Master, Master, don't you have the Brocade Robe bestowed by the Bodhisattva Guanyin? Take it out to show this old monk."

Xuanzang had no desire for competition, and he wanted to refuse. However, the Monkey had already taken out the Brocade Robe. The robe was covered in gold threads, with embedded Wind Avoidance Pearls and Dust Avoidance Pearls, and adorned with other treasures like pearls and agates.

In broad daylight, the radiant Treasure Light was indeed dazzling to the eyes.

Jin Chi's centuries-old cultivated Buddha-heart shattered upon seeing the Brocade Robe. What he had were just worthless rags?

Then he was somewhat dazed. Is there really such a treasure of a kasaya in this world?

His excited, trembling hands touched it, and he felt his Buddhist Law improving just by touching it.

"Oh, Saint Monk, why hide such a treasure?"

Jin Chi caressed the robe, and Xuanzang, the high monk, had evolved into a Saint Monk in his eyes.

Feeling worried about Jin Chi's state, Xuanzang wasn't reluctant to part with his robe, but he was afraid it would ruin Jin Chi's hundred years of cultivation.

He didn't know what to say. Any modest words now would seem like showing off, so he simply chanted the Buddha's name.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Sun Wukong was different. Seeing Jin Chi's dramatic change satisfied his competitive spirit. He took out the robe not just to win but largely because he couldn't stand Jin Chi looking down on Xuanzang.

He didn't say it, but he had already accepted Xuanzang; otherwise, he wouldn't think of standing up for him.

"Old monk, did you open your eyes today? Give back the item to me."

Jin Chi reacted as if he had lost his mother when the Monkey demanded the robe back.

"Saint Monk, Saint Monk! This little monk is shortsighted, having never seen such a treasure. Could you let me meditate on it for one night? It might further my Buddhist Law."

This was utter nonsense. No matter how precious the Brocade Robe was, it didn't have Buddhist Scriptures embroidered on it. How could meditating on it for a night improve Buddhist Law?

Xuanzang, of course, understood this, but he still agreed. He noticed some of Jin Chi's obsession and thought that if the desire was satisfied, Jin Chi might achieve great enlightenment.

It showed that Xuanzang underestimated human nature when he first entered the world.

Receiving permission, Jin Chi was overjoyed and ordered his disciple Guangzhi to entertain the master and disciple with the most luxurious accommodations, while he returned to admire the treasure Brocade Robe.

Even a brief possession was still possession, and he, like a lovesick fool, couldn't wait to return and admire it thoroughly.

After the two main characters departed, the Guanyin Monastery returned to tranquility. However, no one noticed a large black and white bear eavesdropping on everything.

This bear was the Iron-Eating Beast, Old Bear, who had long been waiting here to come ashore.

After watching the entire event, Old Bear was scratching his head, pondering how to attract the attention of Sun Wukong and his disciples. Rushing in to snatch it wasn't dignified. After all, he was the mount of Chiyou.

He was deep in thought when he noticed the actions of the temple monks. He had arrived earlier than Sun Wukong and his disciples and knew he had to work for Guanyin in the South Sea later, so he shared some familiarity with Jin Chi but had never revealed his true form.

After all, how could any normal Human Clan member live for two hundred years?

Old Bear appeared simple on the outside but wasn't a fool.

In the end, Jin Chi took a path of no return. To illustrate, imagine that you're an ordinary person with a monthly salary of four thousand yuan who suddenly wins ten million in a lottery, only to be deceived in business and lose it a few days later.

Would your mindset be the same throughout?

Jin Chi was like this now. The Brocade Robe was that ten million, and the thought of Xuanzang and his disciples leaving tomorrow with the treasure caused him more heartache than death.

Combined with Guangzhi's incitement, it's understandable how he ended up on a path of no return. One thought leads to becoming Buddha; another thought leads to becoming a demon. The thoughts were there, but it was a matter of choosing.

Jin Chi took a wrong step onto a divergent path.

This was Xuanzang's difficulty and Jin Chi's calamity.

The monk sparked the fire, the Monkey King fueled the wind. Sun Wukong playfully borrowed the Fire Avoidance Shield from the King of Broad Eyes to protect his master. To him, the monks first had ill intentions, so suffering now was deserved.

Old Bear watched the fire with some regret in his heart. It wasn't easy for a Mortal to have what he had today, and he couldn't understand why Jin Chi would sacrifice everything, even his life, for a Kasaya.

In the end, he concluded that humans and bears have entirely different ways of thinking, just as he never understood Chiyou.

Seeing the still jewel-like, unstained Kasaya amidst the flames, he made up his mind. But just as he was about to act, he hesitated.

As a mighty Ancient Divine Beast and mount of Chiyou, stealing a Kasaya wasn't something to boast about!

His black-ringed eyes turned towards an idea. He got up and rolled around in the burnt ashes, turning his once mixed black and white fur entirely black. He clapped his hands on the ash pile and rubbed his bear head.

Old Bear was satisfied with his soot-covered body, resembling a coal ball.

The old black bear looted the Kasaya—what does that have to do with me, an Iron-Eating Beast!

I have sacrificed so much for the reputation of my clan!

Having done all this, Old Bear snatched up the Kasaya and ran. Hmph, now won't the Horses' Fortune come knocking? A happy life as a security guard in the Purple Bamboo Forest wasn't far off!

...

Xuanzang was unaware of what had transpired that night. After being on the road for so long, he finally had a good rest, feeling refreshed as he woke. As he stepped out to begin his morning duties, he was dumbfounded.

How did such a great fire suddenly erupt?

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