Running out of food and tobacco, Sanzo and his followers come upon a lake with a beautiful, mirror-like surface—a saltwater lake. The local village has prospered as a salt producer and distributor. The numerous villagers are happy and lively.

Continuing west, the Sanzo party are climbing a nearly vertical cliff face. During their cruel rock climbing, a band of demons attack. The party fends off the demons and reaches the top, only to be greeted by numerous vultures.

500 years ago in Heaven, Konzen Douji is suddenly put in charge of taking care of a heretic child named Goku, who has golden eyes.

Goku continuously tries to see Nataku to tell him his name, but is refused every time. Tenpou and Konzen talk about Nataku's true origins and how Goku's existence may be a threat to Li Touten.

Goku's true power is revealed and Konzen, Kenren, and Tenpou are deemed traitors for protecting him. With no other choice, the four make a run for it, and try to get Goku safely down to Earth before any harm can come to him.

Sanzo, Gojyo and Hakkai start feeling the effects of altitude sickness as they travel further west. They are attacked by demons when a man named Hassan saves them. He takes them back to his hideout, where they meet someone rather unexpected...

The barrier that Sharak Sanzo had erected to protect the surrounding area has been breached. Demons pour in to attack the villages and the Kouten temple.

Sanzo and Kougaiji continue their battle as Sharak continues the spell to put the barrier back up. Hakkai worries about what might be happening to Gojyo, and Dokugakuji thinks back about the first time he met Kougaiji.

Sanzo was badly hurt after his battle with Kougaiji and was still asleep three days later. However, Sharak and Sanzo then received a message summoning them to have an audience with the Sanbutsushin...

Because Prince Nataku had awakened after five hundred years and was the original person to defeat Gyumaou, Sanzo and his party were relieved of continuing their journey west.

Will the Sanzo party be able to defeat the War God Prince Nataku?