Let's Go to Zixiao Palace Again; Two Shakya Pledge Their Loyalty-Could Qingyuan Be Behind This?

"Alas..."

Daoist Zhunti's gaunt face looked even more bitter than when he had arrived, and his voice carried an indescribable weariness. "Senior Brother, this path through Nephew-Disciple Qingyuan won't work. Since he said he didn't know, then he truly didn't know. There was no need for him to deceive us, nor would he deign to."

"Other than going to see our teacher, where else can we go? The Journey to the West game has been thrown into chaos, and even now, we don't know who is behind it."

"If this continues, the Western Flourishing that you and I painstakingly prepared for countless Yuan Hui may become the laughingstock of the Primordial Wilderness!"

Jieyin remained silent for a long while, slowly turning his prayer beads.

The beads circled his fingers again and again as waves crashed one after another behind them.

After an unknown amount of time, he finally spoke, his voice low and heavy. "Let's go to Zixiao Palace. No matter what, our teacher will give us an explanation. After all, we are his disciples."

"Good!"

The Two Shakya hesitated no longer and turned, rising upon clouds.

The sea breeze whipped their monk robes with a sharp rustle.

Two golden rainbows passed through layers of heaven, through the chaotic gale winds, and flew toward the lone palace in the deepest reaches of Chaos.

Within Chaos, there was no direction and no time, only endless gray-white turbulent currents surging without rest.

After flying for an unknown length of time, Zixiao Palace finally appeared before them.

That solitary palace floated quietly in the depths of Chaos, its gates tightly shut as always. The chaotic currents around it automatically parted before it, like obedient ministers clearing a path for their sovereign.

Deep within the great hall, Hongjun sat cross-legged upon a meditation cushion,