Monkey King Series by Wei Dong Chen

'The Monkey King' follows the adventures of Sun Wu Kong, born from a stone on Spring Mountain who seeks to learn the secret of eternal life. Wu Kong possesses immense strength and is supremely fast... more'The Monkey King' follows the adventures of Sun Wu Kong, born from a stone on Spring Mountain who seeks to learn the secret of eternal life. Wu Kong possesses immense strength and is supremely fast. He knows 72 transformations allowing him to turn into various animals and objects but has trouble changing into a human, because his tail will not transform! A skilled fighter, capable of holding his own - even against the gods - he has magical hair, each strand of which is capable of transforming into a clone of the Monkey King himself, or various weapons, animals, and other objects. He also knows spells that can command wind, part water, conjure protective circles against demons, and freeze humans, demons and gods alike! less

Sun Wu Kong, punished by Buddha centuries before, has spent five hundred years buried under Five-Finger Mountain when he encounters San Zang, a priest headed west in search of Buddhist scriptures. On the Goddess of Mercy's instructions, Wu Kong frees himself and assists the priest on a journey to the west that will be fraught with peril... moreSun Wu Kong, punished by Buddha centuries before, has spent five hundred years buried under Five-Finger Mountain when he encounters San Zang, a priest headed west in search of Buddhist scriptures. On the Goddess of Mercy's instructions, Wu Kong frees himself and assists the priest on a journey to the west that will be fraught with peril. But San Zang soon learns that trouble won't come only in the form of dragons or bandits; it will come from the violent and impetuous monkey who is now his companion. less

From the moment they crossed the western border of the Tang Dynasty, San Zang and Sun Wu Kong have been in danger. When not struggling to keep the monkey from causing trouble or angering the gods, the priest must worry about threats from both monsters and people. But the two journeymen have found fortune and the occasional friend along the way, and now another unlikely companion is set to join them on their journey to the West.

Chosen by a goddess and an emperor, and hunted by almost everyone else, Sun Wu Kong, San Zang, and their new companion, Zhu Bajie, have overcome numerous obstacles on their journey to the West, from monster kings to mountain bandits to sea dragons. Now, the three companions face three very different trials that will test their fidelity, their compassion, and their individual impulses. Failure will doom the journey; success will make them stronger, and give them one final, invaluable companion.

San Zang and his disciples have only just escaped danger when they arrive at the temple of Zhen Yuan, the most distinguished Taoist in the world and the owner of the magical Ren Shen tree. When Wu Kong and Bajie discover the secret of the RenShen's precious fruits, the travelers must once again face the consequences of the pig's appetite and the monkey's temper.

Having barely survived their most recent and difficult test, San Zang and his disciples must now pass through the treacherous Fire Cloud Kingdom, where an infant king with tremendous power aims to become the first monster to taste San Zang's flesh. While struggling to save his master, Sun Wu Kong discovers his surprising relationship to the infant king... moreHaving barely survived their most recent and difficult test, San Zang and his disciples must now pass through the treacherous Fire Cloud Kingdom, where an infant king with tremendous power aims to become the first monster to taste San Zang's flesh. While struggling to save his master, Sun Wu Kong discovers his surprising relationship to the infant king. But while blood is thicker than water, it is no match for fire, and it will take more than Sun Wu Kong's bond with the young king to ensure that he and his three companions come out alive. less