Heavenly Court, outside Tongming Hall.
Battle cries shook the heavens.
Sun Wukong swept seven or eight Heavenly Generals flying with one swing of his staff. Before he had even steadied himself, dozens more streaks of Immortal Light came striking in from every direction.
He whirled the Golden Hoop Rod into a blur to shield his whole body, his irritation growing by the moment.
These people could not be beaten to death or driven away. They were like sticky taffy glued to his body.
He was just about to put forth his strength and completely overturn this swarm of annoying flies.
Between heaven and earth, everything suddenly fell silent.
It was not that sound had vanished, but that an indescribably vast aura descended from beyond the heavens, suppressing all the clamor.
Before Tongming Hall, at some unknown moment, a figure had appeared.
It was a monk in a kasaya, his face compassionate, his jeweled countenance solemn. Barefoot, he stood in midair.
He did not radiate any heaven-shaking pressure, yet by merely standing there, he became the center of this chaotic battlefield.
All the immortals and gods, all the heavenly soldiers, unconsciously turned their attention toward him.
Sun Wukong hefted the Golden Hoop Rod onto his shoulder and tilted his head as he sized up the newcomer.
"Who are you?"
"Why are you blocking my way?"
Tathagata pressed his palms together and lowered his head slightly.
"This poor monk is Venerable Shakyamuni of the Land of Ultimate Bliss in The West."
When he spoke, his voice was calm, yet it clearly entered the ears of everyone present.
"By decree of the Jade Emperor, I have come to mediate this matter."
"You unruly monkey, your ferocity is too heavy. Why do you not swiftly withdraw your divine powers and take refuge in my