Who are you, a demon?

Chen Tong laid out the three staffs in front of Sun Wukong.

The Golden Cudgel, with its swirling patterns and radiant colors, was naturally the most supreme treasure among the three.

Although the Silver Cudgel was a tier below, it also emanated the radiant aura characteristic of high-level treasures.

Chen Tong had racked his brain to figure out how to smoothly give the Golden Cudgel away.

The difference was so obvious, even an idiot would know which one to choose, right?

The monkey looked at Chen Tong, who was neither human nor ghost in the middle of the river, and his furry face and thunder god's mouth quickly became wary.

"You... what kind of demon are you, daring to play tricks in front of me, Old Sun!"

Chen Tong also sized up Sun Wukong, who looked like a beggar.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, This yellow-haired monkey calls himself "Old Sun," and with this appearance, could he really be the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who will one day cause havoc in the Heavenly Palace?

"I'm not a demon, I'm a good person!"

"Bah! I think you're a water ghost who's become a spirit. I'll smash you into smithereens!"

Without another word, Sun Wukong raised his fist and swung it at Chen Tong.

Damn it!

This mischievous monkey is too unreasonable!

Chen Tong frowned, and the river water suddenly gathered in front of him, forming a defensive barrier.

Bang!

The water splashed like a clap of thunder.

Sun Wukong, however, stumbled back a few steps, looking at the unharmed Chen Tong with a face full of shock.

He was, after all, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal after his training. His punch just now couldn't even break the opponent's defense!

This water ghost's strength is actually so astonishing!

But he was not convinced.

He had graduated from the "Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave," a prestigious academy of the Primordial Era. How could he be unable to defeat a mere water ghost?!

If this were to get out, wouldn't it be embarrassing for Patriarch Bodhi?

The monkey leaped backward heavily, reached behind his neck, plucked a clump of fur, and blew a strong breath onto his palm.

Whoosh!

Instantly, the monkey fur scattered and, upon landing, each strand transformed into a monkey spirit, charging menacingly towards Chen Tong.

It was Sun Wukong's signature skill - Body Outside Body!

But Chen Tong showed no fear. With a thought, the river water surged.

Numerous green-eyed water chains shot out like arrows, piercing through the charging monkey spirits.

A few even flew further, pointing directly at Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong turned to flee, but the water chains were faster, binding his hands and feet.

"Demon, let me go! If you have the guts, come up and fight me for three hundred rounds!"

"Shut your mouth! I'm just here to return something, you mischievous monkey, don't be too arrogant!"

Chen Tong's expression turned somewhat grim.

Even though he's the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, he can't just act like a brute without distinguishing right from wrong!

Tathagata saw through Sun Wukong's fiery temper back then, which is why he used a small trick to confuse him, ultimately leading him to obediently embark on the journey to the West...

Sensing Chen Tong's formidable strength, Sun Wukong naturally dared not underestimate him. He immediately suppressed his temper and said, "Alright... alright! Since you say you're returning my staff, then hand it over!"

"So, I asked you, which staff did you lose..."

"The iron staff, Old Sun lost the iron staff!"

Sun Wukong pointed to the ordinary iron staff on the far right. It had no spiritual energy and wasn't very comfortable to wield, but it was undoubtedly the one he had just lost.

"You should have said so earlier."

Chen Tong was about to hand the iron staff to the monkey, but he immediately realized... wasn't his mission to give the Golden Cudgel to Sun Wukong?

Damn it! I almost forgot the most important task in my confusion!

"Wait a minute, are you sure the one you lost before was this useless iron staff?"

Chen Tong asked.

He muttered to himself, Is this monkey really an idiot?

No way, right? In this day and age, are there monkeys who don't like the Golden Cudgel?

"Yes, Old Sun lost this iron staff!"

The monkey nodded with great certainty.

"Is that so?! Then…"

Snap!

Chen Tong gripped both ends of the iron rod and struck it hard against his thigh, snapping it in two like breaking sugarcane.

"You!!!"

Sun Wukong, seeing his weapon broken by Chen Tong, was furious. "Bastard, give me back my weapon!"

The water chains appeared soft, but Sun Wukong, bound by them, couldn't break free no matter how hard he struggled.

Chen Tong casually tossed the broken iron rod into the water, a smile on his face, and continued to ask:

"Young monkey~"

"Did you drop this Golden Cudgel…"

"Or this Silver Cudgel?"

Sun Wukong knew he was no match for this water ghost and stopped struggling. Instead, he calmed himself and carefully examined the Golden Cudgel and the Silver Cudgel.

Seeing Sun Wukong focused on the rods before him, Chen Tong let out a heavy sigh of relief.

I hope he doesn't choose wrong this time!

A moment later.

Sun Wukong suddenly pointed forward at one of the rods and said to Chen Tong, "I want this one!"

Even though the golden one looks like a higher-level item, if I'm not mistaken, it's exactly what they want me, Old Sun, to choose, right?

Old Sun won't fall for it! Aren't you mad?

"That's right… right for your sister!"

Chen Tong's expression changed.

He clearly saw where the monkey's claw was pointing – it was the Silver Cudgel.

Chen Tong's patience was truly wearing thin.

He grabbed the Silver Cudgel, swung his arm, and the Silver Cudgel flew into the air like a meteor, disappearing without a trace.

Then, Chen Tong's voice rang out again.

"Young monkey~"

"Did you drop this Golden Cudgel…"

"Or this Golden Cudgel…"

"Or this Golden Cudgel?"

Sun Wukong was speechless at Chen Tong's triple question.

Damn it!

What's there to ask? There's only one left!

"I… I dropped this Golden Cudgel…"

"Alright! Here you go!"

Chen Tong happily handed the Golden Cudgel to Sun Wukong. As soon as Sun Wukong took it, the water chains automatically dissipated.

After performing a few flourishes with the cudgel, Sun Wukong suddenly looked astonished.

Why does this Golden Cudgel feel so comfortable to use?

It's as if it was meant to be his weapon from birth!

"How is it! Isn't this Golden Cudgel much better to use than your iron rod?"

"It can also change its height and size according to your will. It's a rare treasure in this world!"

Sun Wukong shrunk the Golden Cudgel down to the size of an embroidery needle, tucked it behind his ear, and bowed to Chen Tong. "Wukong thanks Senior for the gift of this divine weapon!"

The fact that he could casually bestow such a treasure was enough to show the extraordinary nature of the person before him!

Although he, Sun Wukong, feared nothing, he had a sense of righteousness and naturally had to express his gratitude.

"No need to thank me, but monkey, I must remind you of one thing: your time is running out."

"When I was studying the Immortality Technique under my master on Mount Fangcun, how could my time be running out? Senior, you…"

Sun Wukong looked up. When his gaze returned to the lake, it was already empty, with no trace of Chen Tong.

What kind of existence was that guy?!

In the mountain forest, clouds and mist swirled.

A gray-furred monkey leaped nimbly through the trees.

Swish!

A black panther sprang from a blind spot, lunging to bite the gray monkey's neck.

But the gray-furred monkey seemed to have eyes on its sides, its body sinking down to dodge the fatal surprise attack.

"Hehehe!"

The gray-furred monkey let out a burst of laughter, its six ears trembling.

Suddenly, its gaze was drawn to a large moss-covered boulder in front of it.

On top of the boulder, a silver staff carved with soaring dragons and phoenixes was inserted