The Protagonists' Chat Group: Beyond the Boundaries — Chapter 360

Chapter 360: I tried so hard, why are you still alive?

“Life, can you just let me go this one time…?”

“Next life, I want to be a child who never grows up…”

With the Hundred-Ton King’s exclusive, melancholic music playing, Xu Que and his motley crew embarked on their ‘Journey to the West’ with great fanfare, leaving the bewildered guards of Chang’an behind.

Moonlight shone brightly on the desolate path ahead.

The massive Hundred-Ton King rolled over the uneven ground, its immense weight crushing a hidden nest of spiders, centipedes, and various poisonous insects into paste. Pop, pop, squish.

The Hundred-Ton King wobbled slightly.

“Did we go over a speed bump just now?” Shi Jian asked, puzzled, looking up from the intense game of Golden Flower poker happening inside the spacious cab.

“Nah, probably just ran over some small animals. No big deal, no big deal!” Xu Que, currently driving the colossal truck with one hand while holding a winning poker hand in the other, replied without even blinking.

The Hundred-Ton King, produced by the Strongest Acting Cool, Be Tough System, was naturally no ordinary item. It came standard with the “Mountain-Moving Divine Ability” intrinsically attached.

Anyone crushed by this Hundred-Ton King, especially when enhanced by Xu Que’s other abilities, could not survive without possessing a great, life-saving divine ability of their own.

Those Gu worms just now… they seemed a bit unusual, radiating a faint spiritual energy? But it was not a big problem.

[Inorin’s Note: Gu worms are蛊虫 (gǔ chóng), often translated as venomous insects or parasites, commonly used in Chinese fantasy for poisons, tracking, or cultivation.]

In front of the mighty Hundred-Ton King, they were just insignificant speed bumps.

Xu Que nonchalantly switched the music inside the Hundred-Ton King’s cab.

“We are all trying hard to live∽”

A new, upbeat tune started playing. The Hundred-Ton King drove further and further away into the night, its ridiculously bright xenon headlights cutting through the darkness.

…

Meanwhile, hidden deep within the treacherous terrain of Double-Fork Ridge (Shuangcha Ling), a man clad in dark robes suddenly convulsed, his eyes rolling back into his head as he coughed up a large mouthful of black blood.

[Inorin’s Note: Double-Fork Ridge is the location of the first tribulation Tang Sanzang encounters in the classic Journey to the West, where his mortal attendants are eaten by demons.]

“My Gu worms… all of them were annihilated instantly! Not a single piece of information was sent back!” he gasped, clutching his chest.

“According to the normal Journey to the West script, at this time, the pilgrimage team should only consist of Tang Sanzang alone, a mere mortal! He absolutely doesn’t possess such overwhelming, crushing strength!”

“There must be… Reincarnators within this pilgrimage team!” the man concluded, covered in a cold sweat.

Hearing him say this, the faces of the other individuals gathered in the hidden cave grew serious.

“This mission world is not ordinary,” another member spoke grimly. “Multiple Main God Spaces and Reincarnation Spaces have acted together, sending teams into this ‘Journey to the West’ scenario. The fact that we could occupy this relatively minor location, Double-Fork Ridge, is already an incredible stroke of luck.”

[Inorin’s Note: ‘Main God Space’ (Zhǔ Shén Kōngjiān) and ‘Reincarnation Space’ (Lúnhuí Kōngjiān) are common tropes referencing systems like in the novel Terror Infinity (Wúxiàn Kǒngbù), where teams of ‘Reincarnators’ are forced to complete dangerous missions in various fictional worlds.]

“I heard several SSS-rank teams that went to contend for other, more significant Eighty-One Tribulation locations have already been completely wiped out. You can imagine how incredibly difficult the tribulations in this version of Journey to the West are now.”

“In such a dangerous situation, there are actually Reincarnators who dare to join the pilgrimage team itself?”

“Someone actually dared to accept the main pilgrimage mission? Are they insane?”

The identity of this group of people was self-evident. They were a team of Reincarnators from one of the many competing Main God Spaces.

The faces of the team members became grave. Their team’s internal rating was barely Double S. They had gotten lucky with their entry point and secured the relatively easy first tribulation spot.

Originally, they planned to slightly trouble the pilgrims before the main Journey to the West team (with Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, etc.) fully formed. They would make a show of completing one tribulation, get some basic mission rewards, and then immediately leave this high-risk world.

But it turned out that there were other Reincarnators who had already infiltrated the pilgrimage team itself.

Among the various dungeon missions available in this world… taking on the role of a member of the pilgrimage team was undoubtedly the highest difficulty, the main storyline quest.

To dare to join the pilgrimage team from the very beginning… the strength of this infiltrating Reincarnator was probably unimaginably powerful.

The few people were deeply worried. Their simple plan had just become infinitely more complicated and dangerous.

“How about… we contact the Heavenly Fiend Team?” one of the members suddenly suggested, breaking the tense silence.

The Heavenly Fiend Team…

That was the top-ranked team within their affiliated Reincarnation Space. Among the numerous SSS-rank teams across countless Reincarnation Spaces participating in this event, they were also considered a top-tier existence.

Within the same Reincarnation Space, engaging in such large-scale, multi-team battle dungeons… it was normal, even encouraged, to help each other out a bit, sharing information or providing support.

Moreover, the crucial information about the inclusion of a powerful, unknown Reincarnator in the pilgrimage team was definitely important news that higher-ranked teams would want to know.

They could just inform the Heavenly Fiend Team, curry some favor, and perhaps get some guidance or protection in return.

“Alright… Then I’ll ask them,” the team leader nodded. “Last I heard, they seem to be planning to replace the Golden Horned Mountain (Pingdingshan) tribulation among the Eighty-One Tribulations.”

[Inorin’s Note: Golden Horned Mountain is the lair of the Gold Horned King and Silver Horned King demons in Journey to the West, who possess powerful treasures belonging to Taishang Laojun.]

“Golden Horned Mountain? The difficulty of replacing that one is not just high… That Unhorned Rhinoceros isn’t just an ordinary outlier demon, and his background is ridiculously formidable!” another member exclaimed.

[Inorin’s Note: The text mentions ‘Unhorned Rhinoceros’ (青牛 Qīng Niú), which refers to Taishang Laojun’s mount, the Azure Ox. The original demons of Golden Horned Mountain were Laojun’s attendants, not the ox itself. This seems to be a deliberate change or error within the Reincarnators’ intel.]

“Naturally, it’s impossible to fight head-on,” the leader explained. “It is said that they have obtained a token from that one… Although it’s from another world entirely, they believe it’s enough to convince the Unhorned Rhinoceros to cooperate or step aside.”

The team leader spoke while simultaneously contacting the other Reincarnation team through their system interface.

As he communicated with them, his expression gradually became strange, then utterly bewildered.

He lowered his communication device, looking blankly at his teammates.

“The… the Heavenly Fiend Team said there’s no Unhorned Rhinoceros on Golden Horned Mountain. There was only a… sheep demon.”

“That sheep has now been killed by them, roasted into skewers, and… eaten.”

“Golden Horned Mountain has now been successfully occupied by them.”

“A sheep? How could there possibly be a sheep on Golden Horned Mountain?” the team members echoed, completely baffled.

Shouldn’t there be the Grand Supreme Elder Taishang Laojun’s powerful mount, the Azure Ox, or at least his attendants, on Golden Horned Mountain? How did it turn into a mere sheep?

And how did a lowly sheep demon manage to occupy such a significant tribulation location? It was hard to guess.

…

Meanwhile, in another location within the Journey to the West world…

“Your Spirit Mountain… certainly has something to it,” Li Qiye commented lightly, his gaze sweeping over the magnificent scene before him.

Before him, mist was hazy, divine light was diffused, and countless gods, buddhas, arhats, and monks sat cross-legged on high mountain peaks, chanting scriptures. It was a perfect scene of Spirit Mountain’s (Lingshan) splendor.

[Inorin’s Note: Spirit Mountain is the abode of the Buddha in Journey to the West.]

Golden palaces stood preserved and complete, adorned with glazed tiles and bricks, reflecting lightning like celestial mirrors. It was beautiful beyond compare, like a true Immortal Palace.

Those monks depicted had tall, imposing bodies, radiated golden light all over, wore golden kasayas, clasped their hands together, and smiled slightly, as if carrying the ultimate truth of the world, allowing people to comprehend the true meaning of Buddhist Zen.

Around the grand Buddhist temple, shimmering cracks bloomed in the void. One after another, ethereal Udumbara flowers bloomed behind the various Buddha statues.

[Inorin’s Note: Udumbara flowers are legendary flowers said to bloom only once every 3,000 years, coinciding with the appearance of a Buddha or enlightened being.]

Behind each mystical flower was a glimpse into a Buddhist pure land. When the flowers bloomed, they revealed a smile full of profound Zen. When the flowers fell, all things were united in emptiness.

“Heh, it’s just so-so,” Meng Qi replied with a modest smile, standing beside Li Qiye. “When Xu Que comes to my Spirit Mountain, I must let him know why the flowers are so red.”

This magnificent Spirit Mountain was, of course, a construction, a stage set by Meng Qi and the others who were playing the roles of the ‘tribulations’.

His Spirit Mountain, however, was made of genuine articles. This wasn’t just an illusion; it incorporated the actual setting of the ruined Spirit Mountain from his own world, The Sage Who Transcended Samsara. He had even ‘borrowed’ a few potent ‘relics’ and lingering auras from the Spirit Mountain of his home world to serve as a convincing facade.

Let alone Xu Que and his group of fake pilgrims… even if the true Tathagata Buddha came to this Spirit Mountain, he would likely be stunned for a while by its authenticity.

The Spirit Mountain film studio, opened by the Crown Prince of the Three Pure Ones Group (Meng Qi)… who wouldn’t be dumbfounded seeing it?

“It seems you’re planning to be quite ruthless with them?” Li Qiye smiled shallowly, sensing the undercurrent of malice beneath Meng Qi’s polite facade.

“Naturally,” Meng Qi responded, his smile turning sharp. “Since it’s a confrontation game, a scenario designed for conflict, of course we have to play it well!”

He added, grinding his teeth slightly, “What’s more… the Tang Sanzang of this pilgrimage team — is Xu Que!”

Clearly, Xu Que’s usual antics in the chat group had not endeared him to Meng Qi.

“You won’t hold back, will you?” Meng Qi looked at Li Qiye, seeking assurance.

Li Qiye shook his head calmly. “Since you are all taking this so seriously, I will naturally be serious too.”

“I’ve read Journey to the West. I am replacing the Azure Ox Demon tribulation…” he paused, correcting the Reincarnators’ misinformation, “…specifically, the Golden Horned and Silver Horned Kings of Golden Horned Mountain.”

“However, to ‘kill’ them, there must be a reason, with solid grounds provided by the scenario, just like the original tribulation.”

He added thoughtfully, “I raised a particularly plump sheep on Golden Horned Mountain recently; it tastes very fatty. From my understanding of Xu Que and the others… they will definitely lay hands on my sheep. At that time… I will have sufficient reason to act.”

“Awesome!” Meng Qi gave Li Qiye a thumbs up. A perfect excuse.

“Good idea. I’ll also find a legitimate reason then,” Lin Dong spoke thoughtfully from the side. He was slated to play the role of the Bull Demon King.

Then he started to worry slightly. “But… I don’t think I can beat all four of them – Xu Que, Shi Jian, Yang Qi, and Li Changshou – by myself!”

“It’s okay,” Shi Hao chimed in, holding up a small, intricately carved balance scale. “I have something here that can help you!”

“This is something I… acquired… from a Reincarnation team. It can balance strength. The weak become stronger, and the strong become weaker, forced onto the same level!”

While Shi Jian, Xu Que, Yang Qi, and Li Changshou were preparing for their pilgrimage to the West… the other members of the chat group were also busy scheming, figuring out how best to ‘deal’ with them within the rules of the game.

…

The Hundred-Ton King roared past Double-Fork Ridge, leaving flattened ground in its wake. Soon, it arrived at the base of the next mountain range.

“Hmm, there are a few small bugs hiding up ahead,” Xu Que commented, holding a cigarette and squinting, his System interface highlighting several hidden figures. He immediately recognized the energy signature.

“Under normal circumstances, the demons here at Double-Fork Ridge would be Bear Mountain Lord, Special Scholar, and General Yin. Now they’ve been replaced by a Reincarnation team?”

“But this Reincarnation team… their strength is a bit weak, barely SS rank,” Shi Jian also chimed in from the back, easily sensing their hidden positions.

“That’s normal,” Xu Que replied, unconcerned. “The Journey to the West scenario has just begun. The intensity will definitely be progressive, getting harder later on.”

He grinned. “Just right to test out my Hundred-Ton King’s road capabilities.”

“Heaven-and-Earth-Transforming Divine Ability — Activate!”

“Let them talk to my insurance!”

Xu Que slammed the accelerator pedal to the floor.

Beep! Beep! Beeeeeeep!

With a car horn blast that could pierce eardrums and shatter souls, the heavy truck, painted entirely crimson red, charged forward. It carried a large, ominous oil tank marked with the characters “Explosive” strapped to its back.

Its xenon headlights flashed blindingly bright.

The truck grew larger and larger as it charged up the mountain path, its massive shadow instantly enveloping the entire Double-Fork Ridge area where the Reincarnators were hiding.

…

“The pilgrimage team is here!”

The hidden Reincarnators, who had replaced the Double-Fork Ridge tribulation demons, became alert, tensing up.

“First, let’s observe the Reincarnator who supposedly joined the pilgrimage team. Then we’ll decide whether to act!” the team leader instructed.

The others nodded in agreement. They each used their specialized methods – magical scrying, technological sensors – to observe the approaching pilgrimage team from a distance.

“That… that bald monk in the kasaya robes should be Tang Sanzang, right?”

“What’s with the sunglasses on his face?”

“And… why is he still smoking a cigar?”

“What the hell is that giant red truck?! The Hundred-Ton King?!”

Upon seeing the approaching ‘pilgrimage team’, the members of the Reincarnation team were utterly stunned, their jaws dropping.

They watched wide-eyed as the Hundred-Ton King continued to grow larger and larger, clearly using the Heaven-and-Earth-Transforming Divine Ability, and simply rolled towards their hidden location like an unstoppable avalanche.

Someone subconsciously used the Main God Space’s detection skill on the truck.

Then they saw a string of characters so obscure and complex they didn’t belong to any known writing system, flashing rapidly across their interface.

[Item Name: Immortal Artifact-level Oil Tank Double Over-Hundred-Ton King (Can use Heaven-and-Earth-Transforming Divine Ability)]

This was the only information detected before impact.

Boom!

A loud, deafening bang echoed between heaven and earth.

The entire Double-Fork Ridge was simply rolled over, flattened by the colossal Hundred-Ton King.

The truck, having used the Heaven-and-Earth-Transforming Divine Ability, was extraordinary at this moment, its mass and power amplified exponentially.

After rolling over the entire Double-Fork Ridge, the people inside the group only felt a slight jolt, like hitting a small pothole.

They then received a notification message from the chat group’s scenario interface.

[First Tribulation: Double-Fork Ridge – Complete.]

“Eh? It’s over already?” Shi Jian stroked his chin, looking up from his cards, slightly surprised by the speed.

“Of course! I tried so hard driving over them. How could they possibly still be alive?” Xu Que replied nonchalantly, performing a cool, unnecessary Hundred-Ton King drift on the flattened ground before continuing down the path.

“Blind spot awareness is crucial,” Li Changshou sighed, shaking his head as he collected his poker winnings. “I didn’t even see Double-Fork Ridge on the map. I genuinely thought it was just a speed bump.”

“Don’t worry about minor details! Let’s keep playing cards! I feel my card luck is good tonight! Directly covering fifty Heavenly Dao Qi!” Yang Qi urged impatiently from the side, eager to win back his losses.

The Hundred-Ton King’s cab was ridiculously spacious, equipped with comfortable seating, a mini-fridge stocked with snacks and drinks specifically provided by the System, and even a holographic card table.

It was truly delightful. The four continued their high-stakes game of Golden Flower poker as the truck rumbled onwards.

…

Meanwhile, hovering invisibly in the clouds above…

“The Great Heavenly Venerate… wants me to help them with the pilgrimage to the West?”

Taibai Jinxing (Grand White Gold Star), the messenger of the Jade Emperor, looked down at the Heaven-and-Earth-Transforming Divine Ability Hundred-Ton King rumbling below, utterly bewildered.

[Inorin’s Note: Taibai Jinxing is a benevolent deity from the Heavenly Court in Journey to the West, often acting as a messenger or guide.]

He then peered inside the truck’s cab, observing the four occupants playing cards, smoking, and arguing.

He was even more bewildered.

These pilgrims… how did they feel a bit… off? A bit… hard to describe!

Taibai Jinxing was pondering how he could possibly get involved with this bizarre pilgrimage team, how to even approach them…

Suddenly, the Hundred-Ton King swerved violently, making an impossible turn, and crashed upwards, directly towards his cloud.

“Three Jacks?! And you opened the pot in just two rounds?! Do you even know how to play this game?!” Xu Que’s enraged cursing voice came clearly from inside the truck’s cab.

“You damn well drive your car properly! It’s crooked! Watch the road!” Yang Qi yelled back.

“Did we hit something?” Shi Jian asked calmly, not looking up from his hand.

“If we hit it, we hit it. If there’s a problem, tell them to talk to my System!” Xu Que retorted dismissively.

…

“My… my old back!”

Watching the Hundred-Ton King drive away through his now-dissipated cloud, Taibai Jinxing grimaced in pain, clutching his lower back.

That monstrous truck couldn’t kill him, an immortal official of the Heavenly Court.

But… anyone who suddenly gets hit like that… it felt like Mount Buzhou itself had fallen directly on them. Who could possibly endure that without injury?

“What kind of ridiculous mission is this, Heavenly Venerate?” he grumbled, rubbing his aching spine. “If these Outer Realm Demonic Immortals want to fight, just let them fight! Why must you interfere and make me deal with these lunatics?!”

“How can these guys possibly be good people destined for Buddhahood?” Taibai Jinxing cursed under his breath.

“Ouch… my old back!”