KUMA

tldr; Sandalwood Merit Buddha sacrificed his cicada wings to fulfill the Victorious Fighting Buddha's wish and to resolve karma(aka wukong messed up big time and master had to clean his mess). Thus, he lost half of his divinity, Buddha status, and ended up in a vast desert. Traveling across the desert, he met a six-eared macaque, and both became travel companions. At first, the six-eared macaque felt disdain and suspicion towards Jin Chanzi, eventually warming up to him and learning about Jin Chanzi’s reason to be in the desert. When both of them finally reached the Sea of Suffering, the six-eared macaque went across and noticed Jin Chanzi had not come along. Jin Chanzi pressed his palms together, "I'll go help the next person" and turned around. After crossing the sea of suffering, the six-eared macaque chose to remain at the edge, became the guardian of the shore, and watching as Jin Chanzi trekked back and forth, bringing different people across.

I AM BAD AT GIVING SUMMARY BUT I TRIED!!! There's a lot of Buddhism reference in the fanfic and it was so beautiful. I really love the funny interaction between jin chanzi and six eared macaque too!! The part where he decides to stay at the shore instead of leaving jin chanzi or find redemption(?) is so cute. Macaque staying true to his word!!

"No matter where you go, I'll follow you." "I've seen it. You are not some travel companion, but my guide. Following you is the right path."

I found this in lofter and this makes me sad for Liu er