Yang Jian, just wait! Once I recharge, this old Sun will come deal with you!

Doushuai Palace.

The moment the lid of the Eight Trigrams Furnace closed, the entire palace trembled.

Sun Wukong's furious roar echoed from inside the furnace walls. It was muffled and heavy, yet still full of vigor.

"Old man! Just you wait!"

"Once I'm out, the first thing I'll do is smash this lousy furnace of yours!"

The furnace walls shook violently, once, then again.

Taishang Laojun stood before the furnace, his face utterly impassive.

He raised one finger and lightly tapped the furnace.

Runes lit up one after another, spreading along the furnace walls and wrapping the entire Eight Trigrams Furnace airtight.

The impacts from within weakened somewhat, but did not stop.

"Seal the furnace."

The attendant immediately stepped forward, formed hand seals, and sent a spell toward the lid.

The bronze patterns on the lid flashed, linking with the runes on the furnace body without the slightest gap.

"Start the fire."

Beneath the furnace mouth, the attendant guided Samadhi True Fire into the bottom of the furnace.

Flames surged up from the base, climbing along the walls and burning the entire Eight Trigrams Furnace crimson.

Sun Wukong's agonized scream came from inside.

"Ah—! I'm burning to death!"

Another bout of frantic impacts followed.

Bang, bang, bang.

Each strike was fiercer than the last, as if he meant to smash straight through the furnace walls.

Taishang Laojun stood where he was, unmoving.

With a light sweep of his fly whisk, the two heavy doors of Doushuai Palace slowly closed, completely cutting off the outside world's view.

Only the crackling of the furnace flames and the repeated impacts against the walls remained inside the hall.

Laojun walked to the cushion before the furnace and sat down cross-legged.

Golden Horn and Silver Horn stood on either side, holding Plantain Fans and fanning