The Star Lord Taibai Sets Out for Flower-Fruit Mountain, and Sun Wukong Returns to Lingxuan Dao Field!

"Are you saying that the monkey crossed out the Netherworld Book, not the Book of Life and Death?"

The Jade Emperor narrowed his eyes, his voice ominous.

King Yama nodded. "Absolutely true. This humble king wouldn't dare make anything up."

The Jade Emperor's mouth twitched. He lowered his gaze to the memorial King Yama had submitted and skimmed through it. Gradually, his expression darkened.

Something's not right...

The Jade Emperor furrowed his brows. His fingers tapped lightly against the jade desk as one thought after another raced through his mind:

"This Sun Wukong first blasted two Bodhisattvas from Spirit Mountain to death!"

"Now he's crossed out the Netherworld Book!"

"The trouble he's caused and the karmic consequences he's incurred are even greater than planned!"

"Is there some hidden scheme behind this, or is someone pulling strings?"

Lightning flashed through the Jade Emperor's mind. He tried to divine the truth, but the secrets of Heaven were shrouded in mist. He couldn't make out a thing.

"Which Saint has made a move?"

"Senior Brother Tongtian? Or Senior Sister Nuwa?"

Forget it. It doesn't matter. The more trouble this monkey causes, the better it is for the Great Tribulation of Journey to the West!

His thoughts racing, the Jade Emperor lifted his head and looked around the hall once more.

At that moment, King Yama kept his head bowed in apparent deference, but a sheen of cold sweat had already formed on his forehead.

He understood better than anyone that Sun Wukong's rampage through the Underworld had been arranged in advance. But crossing out the Netherworld Book was still a serious matter. If the Jade Emperor used this as an excuse to punish him, he would have little grounds to defend himself.

Seeing that the Jade Emperor remained silent, King Yama cautiously added in a low voice:

"Great Celestial Venerable, that monkey... Not only did he cross out the Netherworld Book, he also demanded that the Underworld become a lackey to Flower-Fruit Mountain, pay him tribute every year, and support the million demons under his command. This is clearly treasonous! If this matter isn't severely punished, it may lead to disaster in the future!"

At this, the Jade Emperor gave a slight nod. His expression returned to its lofty, composed dignity.

"King Yama, you need say no more. I know of this matter. Return to the Underworld, keep watch over the Netherworld Book, and await further orders."

Hearing this, King Yama let out a long breath and hurriedly bowed.

"This humble official obeys."

Watching King Yama withdraw, the Jade Emperor surveyed the hall. His voice suddenly dropped, echoing through the entire Hall of Miraculous Mist.

"This demon monkey shows no respect for his superiors. He disturbed the Dragon Palace, seized the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron, defied the Underworld, and even crossed out the Netherworld Book! His crimes are heinous and intolerable. Which of you ministers is willing to descend to the mortal realm and capture him for me?"

When his words fell, silence filled the hall.

The immortals glanced at one another. Every one of them kept their heads bowed, their hands clenched in their sleeves, palms nearly slick with sweat.

Though the monkey had attained the Dao only recently, he had casually blasted two Bodhisattvas from Spirit Mountain, both at the Great Perfection of the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, to death. What ordinary immortal would dare volunteer to face him?

After a long while, the Jade Emperor's expression darkened, and his voice turned cold.

"In this vast Heavenly Court, is there not one person capable of easing my burden?"

At once, the civil and military officials fell silent, too afraid to raise their heads and meet his gaze.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, a streak of white light flashed. Star Lord Taibai stroked his beard and stepped forward, his pace unhurried as he spoke in a clear, resonant voice:

"Great Celestial Venerable, please calm your anger. I believe Sun Wukong was born from the stone Empress Nuwa used to mend the heavens. Now that he has attained the Dao and become an immortal, why not extend an offer of amnesty? Issue an edict summoning him to the Heavenly Court to serve. If he can be brought to heel, grant him an official post and a title. If he refuses to mend his ways, capture him on the spot. This would preserve the Heavenly Court's dignity without mobilizing a great force."

At his words, the gods in the hall secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The Jade Emperor listened, his gaze shifting slightly as an inscrutable smile appeared on his face.

"Good! Taibai, your suggestion is excellent. It suits my intentions perfectly."

He gently stroked the jade desk and spoke in a clear voice.

"Star Lord Taibai, I'll trouble you to make the journey and carry my decree to offer amnesty to that demon monkey of Flower-Fruit Mountain. Remember, you must not let the Heavenly Court lose face."

"This humble official accepts your decree."

Star Lord Taibai bowed, received the decree, and rode off on a cloud...

Flower-Fruit Mountain, Eastern Continent of Divine Sands.

After returning from the Underworld, Sun Wukong had acquired quite a few treasures, and his heart brimmed with delight.

"I've come into quite a haul lately!"

"It's time I went back to the Dao field to see Master!"

"I'll bring these treasures back and offer them to Master. He'll surely be happy!"

Sun Wukong spoke to himself. As Zhou Xuan's appearance and voice came to mind, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Hehe, Master will be amazed when he sees all the wonderful treasures Old Sun brought back!"

Sun Wukong slowly closed his eyes and silently recited the incantation passed down by his sect. In an instant, a bright golden light burst from the wisp of the Dao's aura belonging to Lingxuan Dao Field and enveloped him.

This wisp of the Dao's aura could be brought forth to conceal the secrets of Heaven; even Saints couldn't peer through it.

Likewise, reciting the incantation allowed one to return to Lingxuan Dao Field in an instant.

Sun Wukong felt his whole body grow light. Space folded, and in the next moment, the world spun and light and shadow crisscrossed. He had already stepped into Lingxuan Dao Field.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, familiar spiritual energy washed over him, seeming even denser than before.

Sun Wukong grinned, strode through the main hall, and headed farther into the Dao field.

In the distance, the ancient willow tree that stretched from Heaven to Earth stood lush and verdant, its branches swaying as Daoist Charm flowed ceaselessly through them.

But the green vine rocking chair where Master usually reclined was empty.

"Huh? Where did Master go?"

Sun Wukong scratched the back of his head, looking puzzled. He surveyed the area, but couldn't find him.

"Master, I'm back!"

"Master, are you here?"

"Master, Wukong brought you a gift!"

Sun Wukong walked along, calling out a few times.

Lingxuan Dao Field appeared to float above the sea of Western Ox Continent.

In truth, it was an immense little world carved out with a Greater Divine Ability.

To outsiders, it was no more than a grain of sand or a drop of morning dew. But once they stepped inside, they found a boundless world within.

"Master! Please don't tease Old Sun! Master, are you here?"

Sun Wukong cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted. His voice shook the Dao field, and layers of echoes rolled into the endless depths of the spiritual mist.

Suddenly, spiritual light flashed beneath Sun Wukong's feet. A gentle yet supremely imposing divine wind rose from deep within the earth and formed an invisible vortex, lifting him up and carrying him away.

"Huh?"

The monkey was startled. He tried to break free, but discovered that the divine wind held the power of profound laws, sealing away all his Demonic Power and leaving him unable to move. He could only drift along with it.

Sun Wukong was both startled and impressed.

"Good heavens! I've attained the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Who in the Three Realms would dare look down on me? Yet in this Lingxuan Dao Field, I can't even resist a gentle breeze... Master truly is unfathomable!"

The divine wind flowed like water, gentle yet impossible to resist. Before long, it carried Sun Wukong to Zhou Xuan.

In fact, Zhou Xuan controlled all of Lingxuan Dao Field with his thoughts. The instant Sun Wukong stepped inside, Zhou Xuan sensed him.

However, at that moment, Zhou Xuan was practicing calligraphy above the Chaos Celestial River.

Sun Wukong stood silently to one side, watching the scene. He was utterly dumbstruck!

"Is this the legendary Chaos Celestial River? Old Sun has only ever seen it in the inherited memories of the Chaos Demon Ape!"

"They say this Chaos Celestial River contains boundless Daoist Charm and innate spiritual energy!"

"I heard that Old Thief Hongjun has only a little pond's worth, which he treats like a treasure. I never imagined Master had an entire river this vast!"

"Did Master gather all the celestial river water in Chaos?"

"That's terrifying!"

Sun Wukong murmured to himself, his heart filled with shock.

He had gotten some Water of the River of Forgetfulness from the Underworld after a friendly exchange with King Yama, intending to offer it to Master. But beside the Chaos Celestial River, his little bit of water didn't even come close.

Sun Wukong felt a little dejected. Then he had another thought: But Old Sun still has plenty of Dragon Meat. Master surely has never eaten dragon meat before. I can offer him some!