Chapter 748: Great Sage [Large Cup]

Chapter 749: The Great Sage's Triumph!

How should he answer this?

Why did Li Changshou sense a hint of eagerness, a subtle stir of anticipation, in Saint Jieyin's question? Was the great Saint secretly expressing dissatisfaction, unable to openly defy Heaven? Unfortunately, there was no way to make him speak up voluntarily.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment, then whispered, "Teacher, your disciple is dull. Do you think... should I remove the realm restrictions set by the Heavenly Dao? Your disciple will follow all your instructions, and I also do not wish for you, Teacher, to be implicated in this." He passed the ball back to the server.

Saint Jieyin clearly hesitated, evidently unsure whether to help his disciple or risk offending the Heavenly Dao. Li Changshou was not in a hurry; he simply waited quietly.

Saint Jieyin sighed, saying, "Not removing the Heavenly Dao's restrictions also has benefits for you."Li Changshou: ...If he didn't dare, then he didn't dare. It wasn't as if he could mock a Saint.

The atmosphere in the thatched hut grew somewhat somber. Li Changshou, disguised as Subhuti, sat quietly, waiting for Saint Jieyin to speak. After nearly half a day, by which time the battle had already begun on Mount Huaguo in the Eastern Continent, Saint Jieyin finally spoke, saying slowly:

"Subhuti, what do you think of this Buddhist sect now?"Li Changshou deliberated for a moment before replying, "Teacher, your disciple only feels that this Buddhist sect is somewhat superficial and lacking in substance, entirely without the grandeur of a great sect established by a Western Saint. However, your disciple is somewhat confused as to why, on that day, you, Teacher, simply yielded. If you had given your disciple even a single word, or merely a glance, your disciple would have..."

Saint Jieyin revealed a gentle smile. "That is a matter of the past. There is no need for further complaint."'Subhuti' sighed. "But Teacher, your disciple truly remains puzzled."

Jieyin said, "On that day, Dao Brother Yuanshi was right beside us. Disciples like Manjushri, whom we sent to the Chan Sect in earlier years, no longer have their hearts in the Western Sect. Although that day was somewhat awkward, I, your master, knew that such a thing would happen when Manjushri and the others returned to Spirit Mountain. However, I did not expect that it would ultimately be Duobao from the Jie Sect who would come to seize power. But the doctrines of Buddhism and the essence of Buddhist Dharma were all established by me, your master. These are the foundations of Western fortune, and they cannot change or shake them. They can only mix in some Chan Sect doctrines. Tell me, did I, your master, lose or win in the end?"

Subhuti pondered for a moment, then replied, "Teacher, you naturally won, but the victory was a bit... undignified."

"Between dignity and life, which is more important?" Daoist Jieyin's Dao charm slowly flowed around him, temporarily isolating the Heavenly Dao's power nearby. Jieyin's eyes showed a hint of emotion as he slowly said, "The lifeblood of the Primordial World has, in fact, been in the hands of a few beings since antiquity. Being one step late means being late at every step; one wrong step means annihilation of body and Dao. Creatures of the Primordial World today do not know the dangers of ancient times; they still believe ancient times were an era when Innate Grand Sages walked everywhere and everyone was like a dragon. Subhuti, there are some things you cannot imagine or comprehend. The Primordial World has always had a predetermined path, and countless beings are pulled by threads, not allowed to deviate from it. Those few who control the destiny of heaven and earth have fallen out twice. Once in ancient times, the master of me and your Uncle-Master perished, and the Ancestral Dragon and Primordial Phoenix either fell or were severely wounded. Another time occurred in antiquity, where unique beings who once accompanied Pangu God in creating the world ultimately left not even ash behind. Alas..."

Daoist Jieyin sighed softly. "There is no so-called truth in this world, Subhuti. I deeply wish your Great Dao of Emptiness was truly correct, that everything arises from emptiness and returns to emptiness."

"Teacher," Li Changshou said slowly, "The Dao has no right or wrong, no true or false. Emptiness returning to unity is not the only path."

Daoist Jieyin gazed at 'Subhuti' before him with a slightly surprised look and chuckled: "Subhuti, since that person was defeated and cast out of the Primordial World, you have truly overcome your inner demons. It's no wonder your Dao realm has made such a great leap, having comprehended such principles. The Heavenly Dao sealing your Dao realm might very well be a sign of its apprehension towards you. Throughout history, fewer than a hundred Qi Refiners have achieved this."

Li Changshou: Why was he now taking pride in having his Dao realm sealed by the Heavenly Dao? Out of respect for the Western Sect's "corporate culture," Li Changshou dutifully lowered his head and affirmed.

"Teacher, my Dao realm..." Saint Jieyin said no more, instead closing his eyes in contemplation, adopting an expression that encouraged Li Changshou to comprehend on his own.

Li Changshou assumed a posture of frowning in deep thought, but internally he was calculating how to make Jieyin oppose the Heavenly Dao and divert the Dao Ancestor's attention. If his predictions were correct, Jieyin was already being monitored and restricted by the Heavenly Dao at this moment. Was this Saint truly so resigned? Li Changshou absolutely wouldn't believe that Saint Jieyin had no thoughts in his heart; moreover, their recent conversation had proven that Saint Jieyin was quite dissatisfied with the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor. He was almost ready to directly curse the Dao Ancestor for having an illegitimate position, secretly controlling the Primordial World since ancient times, and imprisoning living beings, and so on. However, Jieyin and the Western Sect he represented did not have much backbone. Their doctrines preached forbearance, and expecting them to defy Heaven was even less reliable than hoping the Dao Ancestor would abandon the world's origin himself.

A long silence settled in the thatched hut. This reminded Li Changshou of his conversations with his teacher in the Grand Pure Temple. The difference was that his teacher, being close to the Great Dao, was accustomed to the passage of time; between Jieyin and Subhuti, it was simply awkwardness.

Finally, Jieyin decided this was no big deal. He raised a hand and drew a circle before him, using his Saintly power to monitor the region of Mount Huaguo in the Eastern Divine Continent. "Subhuti, this disciple of yours is quite good. Let's see how his path unfolds next.""Yes, Teacher."

'Subhuti' assented. Jieyin pushed the cloud-mirror aside and slowly expanded it, transforming one entire wall of the thatched hut into a 'screen,' displaying the scene of the recently concluded battle on Mount Huaguo. Desolation filled the world. Within a radius of several hundred li around Mount Huaguo, there were dozens of battlefields, now strewn with the corpses of demon tribes. When Heavenly Soldiers died in battle, their bodies would transform into points of light, and their primordial spirits would return to the Heavenly Court's Merit Pond. If they had enough merit, they could use it to reshape their true bodies; if not, they would be sent to the Six Paths of Reincarnation to be reborn as celestials. Demon soldiers, however, did not receive such treatment. Usually, a more powerful great demon would cast a demon flame that only consumed demon bodies, returning dust to dust and earth to earth. Any remaining magic treasures and armor would belong to the demon forces clearing the battlefield.

On Mount Huaguo's peak, the two great banners that had fallen earlier were now re-erected. All the demon kings gathered on the mountainside, most cheering and celebrating another repulsion of the Heavenly Soldiers that day, yet Sun Wukong's figure was conspicuously absent.

Daoist Jieyin's finger swiped, and the image within the cloud-mirror blurred like ink spreading in water, transforming into the scene inside Water Curtain Cave. Sun Wukong's somewhat slender figure was slumped in a stone seat. Water Curtain Cave was empty and the light was dim. The phoenix-wing tips of his purple-gold crown extended over the back of the stone chair. The monkey's face was hidden in shadow, only his chainmail armor retained a faint golden glow, and his Golden-Hooped Rod remained unsheathed, resting diagonally on his shoulder.

"Hoo..." The monkey slowly exhaled, bowing his head slightly, lost in thought.

"Great King!" A somewhat shrill voice sounded from outside Water Curtain Cave; it was his monkey subjects, who had come to invite Sun Wukong to the celebration feast. Sun Wukong waved his hand, stating calmly, "After fighting Nezha today, your Great King here is a bit tired. Let our brothers celebrate; I will meditate and recuperate. Do not let anyone disturb me." The few monkey spirits were stunned, unsure what was wrong with their Great King, but they could only obey, turning and quickly running away.

Water Curtain Cave became quiet once more. Sun Wukong conjured a bunch of bananas from a pile of fruit in the corner and sat there, slowly peeling and eating them.

Spirit Mountain, thatched hut.Daoist Jieyin asked gently, "Subhuti, has this disciple of yours perhaps realized that he is being used by the Heavenly Court?"'Subhuti' gave a wry smile, saying, "Teacher, Wukong is more than just clever; he can discern human hearts and understand changes. Perhaps before he didn't grasp it because he was in the midst of it, but now he has long since seen where the problem lies."

"Oh?" Daoist Jieyin watched Sun Wukong's figure in the cloud-mirror. "Then, can he find a way to break out of this situation?"

"This situation was set by the Dao Ancestor; it is not for him to resolve," 'Subhuti' said, hesitant to elaborate.

Daoist Jieyin nodded slightly, a hint of emotion in his eyes. Before Subhuti arrived, he had actually not paid attention to the Eastern Continent's war, nor had he focused on this heaven-mending stone monkey, who should have had a great connection with his Western Sect. It was only because Subhuti was present, and the master and disciple couldn't find a topic of conversation, that he thought of peeking at the monkey's situation. This glance, though seemingly insignificant, made Jieyin fall into contemplation, as if he had found some 'opportunity.'

Li Changshou used the cloud-mirror technique opened by the Saint to take a good look at Sun Wukong. He could understand the pressure on Sun Wukong and sense Sun Wukong's current predicament, feeling some worry that Sun Wukong's temperament might change because of it. Therefore, the light in 'Subhuti's' eyes at this moment was filled with a master's concern for his disciple.

Daoist Jieyin watched this scene, and a glint also flickered in his eyes. He gently slid his fingertip again, and the image in the cloud-mirror changed once more. This time, it showed a scene within the dark clouds above Mount Huaguo. Jieyin said, "Look more closely. Perhaps you can find an opportunity to help him."

"Thank you, Teacher," Li Changshou whispered. "However, the Dao Ancestor has strictly ordered your disciple not to interfere further with Wukong's matters. Your disciple can only watch..."

Jieyin nodded slightly, saying no more. In the image, however, there was a sound of flames bursting. Nezha, with his Universe Ring slung diagonally and his Wind Fire Wheels underfoot, leaped directly over the heads of the Heavenly Generals, rushing toward Li Jing, who was currently discussing strategy with the generals.

"Father! Why are we marching and deploying troops like this? Your child cannot understand!"Li Jing frowned, glanced at Nezha, and said slowly, "Do not charge recklessly through the army. Later, go and receive five strokes of the Thunder Whip."

"Yes..." Nezha assented, cupped his fists in apology to the surrounding Heavenly Generals, then took two steps forward, his intelligent face showing a hint of anger. "Father, in these dozens of battles, why have you let Sun Wukong go every single time?"

Li Jing replied, "Sun Wukong is exceptionally valiant. He is quite astute in combat and possesses excellent escape techniques. If he could be easily captured, I, your father, would have acted long ago. Why would I need your reminder?"

Nezha clenched his fists, facing Li Jing before him, and the numerous Heavenly Generals behind Li Jing. Nezha said firmly, "Father, your child alone can clearly suppress Sun Wukong, yet every time your child is about to use his Fiendish Qi Dharma Body, Father orders a retreat! Father, why must you needlessly let our soldiers bleed in a matter that could be resolved quickly! If the Heavenly Court wants to gather the demon race and deplete their vitality, then raising an army to seal off the four corners of the Five Continents and suppressing them with a grand army would naturally be able to slay all demons! Why resort to such schemes and tricks!"

"Silence!" Li Jing sharply reprimanded, "Cease your nonsense, or you will be dealt with according to military law and Heavenly rules!"

Two flames appeared in Nezha's pupils. "Father, your child will go and capture Sun Wukong right now!"

"Without this Marshal's order, no one is to leave the formation easily!""Father!" Nezha tightened his grip on his Fire-tipped Spear, and the flames on his Wind Fire Wheels flared high.

"Stand down," Li Jing said, his face calm and radiating immense authority. "This is a military order.""Hmph," Nezha turned and left, clearly indignant.

Li Jing said in a deep voice, "Two generals, go keep an eye on Nezha; do not let him cause trouble.""Yes!" Two Golden Immortal-level Heavenly Generals willingly assented and turned to follow Nezha.

Once Nezha had gone far, Li Jing exhaled, saying, "Continue to report the casualties from today's battle for each division." The Heavenly Generals each assented, and the general who had previously spoken continued to report the casualties from today's battle.

Li Changshou watched this scene unfolding within the Heavenly Soldier formation, feeling a slight sense of relief in his heart, while the expression on 'Subhuti's' false body was somewhat conflicted. He truly felt relieved, both for Nezha's untainted Dao heart and his adherence to his own sense of right and wrong; and for Li Jing's composure and steadfastness. From Nezha's perspective, what he cared about were always the casualties of the Heavenly Soldiers. From Li Jing's standpoint, he had to consider both the orders from above and the morale of his soldiers, bearing immense pressure, yet he had to shoulder this burden.

However, based on Li Changshou's understanding of Nezha as his 'Uncle Chang'an', it would be absolutely abnormal if Nezha didn't cause trouble next. Saint Jieyin temporarily dispersed the cloud-mirror, his eyes also filled with emotion.

Li Changshou asked, "Teacher, are you...""Subhuti, tell me, have I and your Uncle-Master, who have been busy saving sentient beings to expand the Western Sect, chosen the wrong path?" Daoist Jieyin said, "Now, seeing Nezha, I suddenly realize that previously, when I and your Uncle-Master took disciples, it was merely to expand the Western Sect's fortune and consolidate its foundation, yet we neglected the matter of legacy. Excluding Wukong for a moment, not a single third-generation disciple of the Western Sect is useful. The Chan Sect has Yang Jian, Nezha, Leizhenzi; the Jie Sect has Huoling, Yu Yuan, and countless others. Only our Western Sect... later, I, your master, even mistakenly trusted Primordial Fierce Beasts, which led to today's bitter fruit."

"Teacher," Li Changshou could only humor him, "You and Uncle-Master also had no choice back then."

"Enough," Daoist Jieyin shook his head. "There is no Western Sect anymore, only this Buddhist sect remains. Subhuti, your wisdom is exceptional. Do you have a way to save Wukong?"

"Teacher, there is no way," Li Changshou hastily said. "But I expect the Heavenly Dao will not truly harm Wukong's life."

Jieyin performed a divination with his fingers, quickly falling into contemplation, seemingly divining the heavenly secrets related to Sun Wukong. —Now that the Great Tribulation had dispersed, there was naturally no karmic interference with the path of divination. The more he divined, the deeper Jieyin's brows furrowed. "Strange, why is Sun Wukong's fate different from what I, the poor Daoist, calculated before?" Having said that, the Saintly Dao charm around Jieyin grew even denser. His left hand slowly made a pinching motion, and a surge of Heavenly Dao power reappeared, this time within Saint Jieyin's body. Clearly, this was the activation of the power of the Grandmist Purple Qi.

Li Changshou waited quietly, secretly somewhat concerned. According to his calculations, with Nezha's temper flaring up, he must have already charged towards Mount Huaguo, and the two Golden Immortal Heavenly Generals would certainly not be able to stop him. Who was Nezha? His physical body entered the Investiture of the Gods, a famous righteous deity of the Heavenly Court, the grand-disciple of Primordial Heavenly Venerable, and the disciple of the Grand Yin-Yang Master! Although he had been reprimanded by his own father, his master would definitely support him. At worst, he wouldn't be a righteous deity, and could return to the mountains to live freely, cultivate, sleep, and hit little bunnies. In fact, Li Changshou suspected that Li Jing was deliberately provoking Nezha.

On second thought, this possibility was quite high. Li Jing was quite fond of Nezha. Normally, if they disagreed, he would patiently reason with him, rather than issuing a cold, unyielding military order. That's right, Li Jing also didn't want to continue fighting like this, but the orders given to him from above could not be openly defied. Allowing Nezha to disrupt the arrangements of a certain powerful deity in the Heavenly Court, and ending the battle of Mount Huaguo sooner, would be entirely beneficial.

Li Changshou mentally timed it, thinking that perhaps they were already fighting this instant, or one of them might have been injured in these few breaths. Unfortunately, he could only wait for Saint Jieyin to open the cloud-mirror. Since Saint Jieyin was using the Heavenly Dao for divination, perhaps the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor were also observing them. To be safe, he did not shift his spiritual sense to Mount Huaguo to watch the battle. Being rational, even if he saw the specific situation, it wouldn't help much.

Finally... Saint Jieyin divined for half an hour, then his face showed a hint of relief, and he said, "Rest assured, Wukong has a great destiny, closely linked to the flourishing of Buddhism, and will not face too much trouble." He then raised his hand and pointed, opening the cloud-mirror that Li Changshou had been eagerly anticipating.

Li Changshou secretly thought, 'Just as expected,' though the worry in his eyes was not feigned.At sunset, in a mountain forest on the East Sea coast. There, large tracts of forest had turned to ash, the earth was cracked, and rocks were shattered. A figure enveloped in black mist hovered in the air, revealing six arms, holding various weapons, and unleashed a torrential assault downwards. Where the streams of light crashed, Sun Wukong held up his Golden-Hooped Rod, forcefully enduring the blows. His feet were already sunken into the earth's rocky layer, and the area around him had been blasted into a huge crater.

"Sun Wukong!" Nezha shouted coldly, "Do you really think I can't defeat you?"

Sun Wukong scoffed, but under the suppression of Nezha's Six-Armed Dharma Body and numerous heavy treasures, he was unable to counterattack from beneath the earth. This was pure suppression, a suppression of treasures and magical power. In truth, a hint of suspicion also flickered in Sun Wukong's eyes. He had fought Nezha many times before, was well aware of Nezha's fighting style, and had seen Nezha unleash his Six-Armed Dharma Body. But today, it was the first time Sun Wukong saw Nezha enveloped in such dense fiendish energy, and the first time he saw Nezha's pupils turn blood-red. The attacks Nezha unleashed at this moment forced him only to parry, unable to find an opportunity to counterattack. Was this the true strength of this young child? Indeed, the Heavenly Court was merely using his reputation as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to lure more demons to come, then capture them all in one fell swoop. Indeed, just as Elder Brother Niu had secretly warned him, there was no justice or fairness in this world. The demon race was inherently an enemy of the Heavenly Court, and the Heavenly Court intended to eliminate the main forces of the demon race. Indeed, he could not protect Mount Huaguo.

Roaring sounds, sword wails. The Golden-Hooped Rod vibrated continuously, fiercely resisting the barrage of magic treasures Nezha hurled. Potent forces continuously dispersed in all directions, shattering the surrounding earth and stone. Even the ground, mixed with that strange power, was now torn apart by the aftershocks of their battle. He had once secretly asked a few of his sworn brothers about that power; it was the power of the Heavenly Dao, responsible for protecting this world. Heavenly Dao. In the monkey's understanding, it meant the way of the Heavenly Court, the laws of the Heavenly Court, the rules set by the Heavenly Court. His master hadn't taught him these things, but it was probably like this.

Before, he hadn't known the immensity of Heaven. After encountering a few Heavenly Court generals, he thought the Heavenly Court was nothing special. But when the Heavenly Court's grand army pressed in, Sun Wukong only then remembered that on Mount Huaguo, only he possessed the strength to fight the Heavenly Court. His monkey subjects could not face such a vast number of Heavenly Soldiers. That was the first time he felt pressure. The pressure of being a Great King.

When the Heavenly Court's army advanced, he didn't feel anything when the old demons who had originally joined him left. Mount Huaguo was free; one could come if they wished, and leave if they wished. He would not force other demons to do anything, nor would he owe anyone favors because of it. But in the past few months, he suddenly realized that if he had a few more allies, perhaps Mount Huaguo's situation would greatly improve.

However, gradually, Sun Wukong found that nothing was as simple as he had imagined. The Heavenly Court's strength was unfathomable. Heavenly Soldier battle formations were often like mills of living beings; once activated, they could annihilate large numbers of demon soldiers and demon experts. His own strength, of which he was so proud, would likely be directly suppressed under such battle formations. But the Heavenly Court had always only allowed Nezha or a few other generals to fight him together, never employing such battle formations.

A few days prior, while drunk, Elder Brother Niu had secretly conveyed a few words that made Sun Wukong somewhat despondent. 'Younger brother, do you know where Nezha ranks in terms of strength in the Heavenly Court?' 'That number... at most, in the top thirty.' 'You are still young. Don't be used by the demon race, nor by the Heavenly Court. If the Heavenly Court truly wanted to eliminate you, they wouldn't even need to send troops; a direct Ten Directions Heavenly Punishment would instantly destroy Mount Huaguo.' 'You, you are being used as a pawn to scheme against the demon race, to make more demon experts come to Mount Huaguo as collateral, especially those ancient old demons hiding underground and not showing their faces.'

Nezha, top thirty? Sun Wukong looked up at the figure enveloped in fiendish energy in the air, his raised Golden-Hooped Rod trembling continuously. A pawn, a scheme, ancient old demons... Mount Huaguo, collateral... His Mount Huaguo had become a burial ground for demons. Then his own monkey subjects would also be shattered and turned to ash?! Was this the power of Heaven? It truly made this demon king feel somewhat suffocated.

Sun Wukong thought for several nights, searching for a way to break out of the situation, wanting to carve a path between the Heavenly Court's encirclement and the demon race's entanglement. He tried to think, tried to analyze, but the more he thought, the more he analyzed, the more he realized that only a tragic end awaited Mount Huaguo.

The Heavenly Court was feigning weakness, and the demon race was intoxicated by their so-called victories. Mount Huaguo now hosted an increasing number of demon tribes. The voices of his own monkey kind had become negligible and had suffered more or less damage in previous battles.

'Perhaps, I am not a good Great King.' Sun Wukong thought this in his heart, the golden light in his eyes dimmed slightly, and the raised Golden-Hooped Rod slowly pressed closer to his face. Nezha's attacks grew more fierce, and the fiendish energy in the air surged, condensing into Nezha's dark silhouette.

Twilight fell. Li Changshou gazed at this scene in the cloud-mirror. He could almost feel the monkey's inner struggle, yet he also knew this was a mental hurdle the monkey had to overcome. Being the Great Sage Equal to Heaven wasn't something one could achieve just by shouting; the Handsome Monkey King was not just a title; for this stone monkey, picked up by a monkey troop, it was a responsibility.

It was just that, was Nezha's firepower a bit too strong? He hadn't expected that the fiendish energy Saint Zhunti had implanted in Lady Yin back then would ultimately lead to the Heavenly Court general who now controlled fiendish energy for combat. Both were dear to him; Li Changshou himself couldn't bear to see either of them get hurt.

Saint Jieyin, now smiling, watched 'Subhuti' before him. He gently raised a hand and pointed, dividing the cloud-mirror's display into two. The left side still showed Nezha activating his Fiendish Qi Dharma Body, suppressing the monkey with his treasures; the right side displayed Li Jing and the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals high up in the clouds. At this moment, the Heavenly Generals exerted pressure from the sky, blocking the demon kings who wanted to assist Sun Wukong on the ground, creating immense pressure on the demon side, and another battle could erupt at any moment.

Li Jing, however, only watched Nezha, monitoring the erosion of Nezha's Dao heart by the fiendish energy, always ready to summon the pagoda in his hand. A Heavenly General nearby quietly suggested whether to assist Nezha, but Li Jing cut him off. "Just watch," Li Jing said. "Nezha still has strength to spare." The Heavenly Generals exchanged glances.

At the coastline, the power of the Heavenly Dao had appeared, spreading a faint grid pattern across the land. Sun Wukong was already half-buried in the earth, and the large crater around him spanned dozens of li. Nezha stood unmoving in the air, the force of the magic treasures he hurled showed no decrease, and their frequency was even subtly increasing.

Sun Wukong's palm was stained with blood. Even his indestructible physical body was being damaged by the force transmitted through the Golden-Hooped Rod. 'Younger brother, we are just a few Golden Immortals...' Elder Brother Niu's voice seemed to still echo in his ears. 'Grand Unity Immortals are nothing in the Heavenly Court, and there are various realms above Grand Unity. You and I are just a few scapegoats pushed out by the demon race.' 'What are we fighting for? Just have some fun, then find an opportunity to leave when you can, and slip away when you should.' 'Fly out of the Five Continents; the Primordial World is vast.'

This thought arose in Sun Wukong's heart and immediately became somewhat uncontrollable. But how could he leave? The various demon kings likely wouldn't permit it, and he couldn't take all his monkey subjects with him. Mount Huaguo was also his root; he was born there, it was his homeland. How could he leave? Fear the Heavenly Court? Fear Immortals and Gods? Yes, at some point, he had developed fear in his Dao heart—fear of a power like the Heavenly Court. Wanting to protect his monkey subjects was also an excuse; most of the family members close to him had already died of old age when he sought immortality. Everything was merely the fear within his Dao heart, a crack in his Dao heart. Everything was due to his insufficient strength, which led to his current predicament.

Why! This world was vast, yet there was no place for him! And why! This Heavenly Court controlled everything, and merely giving the Heavenly Court a hard time was labeled as defiance!

Sun Wukong gritted his teeth and let out a heavy snort. Streaks of golden firelight appeared in his eyes, and the blood in his palms and between his thumb and forefinger burst forth with golden radiance! The Universe Ring crashed down, and the Golden-Hooped Rod sank, but Sun Wukong gripped it in his right hand, propping it before him. Golden light flared brilliantly from his forehead. The streams of light raining down from the air mercilessly pounded towards Sun Wukong's face, but were all blocked and repelled by the golden light erupting from around Sun Wukong!

Indestructible Golden Soul! A phantom, dozens of feet tall, a figure like a giant ape dozens of feet high, appeared behind Sun Wukong, rearing its head and roaring at Nezha in the sky.

"Empty bluster." Nezha gripped his Fire-tipped Spear, Universe Ring, Hun Tian Ling, Golden Brick, and Yin-Yang Blade. Behind him, the shadow of his True Self as a Demon Venerable emerged, and he swooped down from the sky. Demonic flames surged to the heavens, yet were encircled by the power of merit!

The ape phantom behind Sun Wukong clenched its fists and slammed them forcefully into the ground. Sun Wukong's figure shot up from deep within the earth, the giant ape enveloping his form! Sun Wukong gripped his Golden-Hooped Rod tightly and swung it at Nezha, while the giant ape clenched its fist and smashed it towards the shadow of the Demon Venerable.

'Great King, when will you achieve immortality?''Great King, our Mount Huaguo is now famous throughout the Five Continents!''Great King... Great King...''Wukong.'

Sun Wukong's eyes filled with golden light, and an overwhelmingly powerful aura suddenly erupted from his entire body! What does it matter how high the sky is, or how deep the earth is! This sky is within reach, this earth is beneath my feet! The Heavenly Court is powerful? Then he would smash his way into the Heavenly Court and plant his banner on the Lingxiao Palace! He was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong!

Look into the sky! The two figures collided abruptly, and waves of ripples swept and ravaged the air in all directions. The golden ape and the dark demonic shadow simultaneously burst apart, making many Heavenly Generals' eyelids twitch! A soft shout, an angry roar, followed by the clang of weapons. Heavenly thunder surged chaotically, and Heavenly fire spread far and wide.

Amidst the roar, Nezha's figure flew backward through the air, he lowered his head and spat out a mouthful of blood, and a dent appeared on his chest. Sun Wukong's figure likewise plummeted towards the earth, a nail-sized bloody hole appearing on his forehead, making his face appear even more ferocious.

These two figures almost simultaneously stopped, then lunged forward to attack each other! The shouts of the demon race were chaotic and piercing, and behind the Heavenly Generals, the rolling sound of drums began. Li Jing gripped the sword at his waist even tighter, ready to step forward and break the balance of the field at any moment.

Just then!"Stop! Both of you, stop quickly!" In the twilight, a white-robed figure appeared at the edge of the battle between Nezha and Sun Wukong, holding high an imperial decree. "By the Jade Emperor's decree, the Handsome Monkey King Sun Wukong is enfeoffed as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, to receive sustenance in the Heavenly Court! And to build the Great Sage Equal to Heaven's Residence!"

"Scram!" Nezha and Sun Wukong almost simultaneously cursed at the old immortal figure, making the eyelids of all the immortals, gods, and demons of various sizes throughout the sky twitch.

(End of Chapter)