Erlang Shen Yang Jian

"I need to find water." Sun Goten stood up. "Zhi Zun Bao—"

He turned his head—only to find Zhi Zun Bao standing before the wall, staring motionlessly at a mural.

"Zhi Zun Bao?"

Zhi Zun Bao did not answer.

His gaze was nailed to the wall—it was a faded mural depicting a figure clad in Chainmail Armor, wearing a Purple Gold Crown, and wielding a Golden Cudgel, locked in a fierce battle against Heavenly Soldiers and generals.

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven—Sun Wukong.

Zhi Zun Bao slowly raised his hand—touching an old scar on his left shoulder—a mark left by a sharp weapon that he had always assumed was from a childhood fight.

But on the mural, Sun Wukong—in the exact same position on his left shoulder—had an identical scar.

"Impossible..."

He muttered to himself.

Sun Goten walked to his side, looking at the mural, then back at Zhi Zun Bao's expression.

"You—"

"I don't know." Zhi Zun Bao interrupted him, his tone somewhat flustered. "Don't ask me—I really don't know."

Sun Goten did not press him. He simply stood with Zhi Zun Bao before the mural, quietly watching the mottled image.

After a long while, Sun Goten spoke.

"My father once said—a true warrior doesn't need to run from who they are."

Zhi Zun Bao did not answer.

But his hand—kept tracing the scar on his left shoulder.

Late at night, moonlight spilled through the broken roof into the temple.

Sun Goten sat cross-legged before the Buddha statue, the Moonlight Box resting on his lap.

The moonlight shone upon the box, casting a soft, violet glow.

Sun Goten closed his eyes, attempting to enter the memory world of the box once more—but he controlled it well, not letting the box spiral out of control again.

This time, he entered of his own volition.

The scene emerged.

The same South Heaven Gate, the same Heavenly Palace.

But it was not the scene of Sun Wukong wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

Instead, it was—

Five Finger Mountain.

Sun Goten stood at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the peak that pierced the clouds.

The mountain was covered in golden runes—the seals of Tathagata. Each rune emitted a faint light, breathing like a living creature.

And beneath the mountain—a figure was pinned.

Sun Wukong.

Only his head and one hand were exposed. His fur was withered, his face haggard, but those eyes—remained startlingly bright.

"Who are you?" Sun Wukong looked at him, his voice hoarse.

"My name is Sun Goten."

Sun Wukong was silent for a long time.

Then he smiled—that smile was exactly like Sun Goten's father's.

"Your surname is Sun?"

"Yes."

"Whose son are you?"

"Sun Wukong's."

Sun Wukong's pupils contracted slightly—it was a complex look, as if he were surprised, or perhaps—as if he had known all along.

"The son of another me—from another world..." he whispered. "Interesting."

"You—"

"Don't speak," Sun Wukong interrupted him. "There isn't much time. The fact that you can enter here means the Moonlight Box has accepted you as its master. Remember—"

His expression turned solemn.

"I wasn't killed by the Sun Wukong of your father's world. I—chose death myself."

Sun Goten was stunned.

"Why?"

"Because—I saw the future. I saw a boy from another world, which is you, arriving. I saw—the true face of Tathagata."

"The true face of Tathagata?"

Sun Wukong opened his mouth, just about to speak—

The scene began to shatter violently!

A powerful force pulled Sun Goten's consciousness out of the memory!

He snapped his eyes open—only to find the Moonlight Box vibrating frantically!

And in front of the temple door—

A figure was standing there.

It was not Zhi Zun Bao, nor was it Zhu Bajie.

It was a man clad in silver armor with a third eye on his forehead.

He held a Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear, and a Slender Dog followed by his side.

"Found you."

His voice was calm and cold.

"Boy from another world—Sun Goten—come with me."

Goten slowly stood up, golden energy beginning to rise around him.

"Erlang Shen Yang Jian—by the order of the Jade Emperor—"

Yang Jian raised the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear, the tip pointing directly at Goten.

"—I am to bring you back."

Goten did not strike immediately.

Because he could feel it—Yang Jian was completely different from the opponents he had faced before.

It wasn't demonic energy, nor was it celestial power—it was a steady, refined battle intent without a single wasted opening.

Unlike Frieza's coldness, unlike Cell's madness, unlike Buu's insanity—Yang Jian felt like a mountain.

He wouldn't actively oppress you, but the moment you approached, you knew—you couldn't crash through him.

"Zixia is injured," Goten said. "I need to heal her first."

Yang Jian glanced at Zixia lying in the corner, his eyes devoid of any fluctuation.

"She is a traitor to the Heavenly Court. Even if you don't come with me—she must."

Goten's gaze turned cold.

"She is not a traitor."

"She drew her sword against the Heavenly Court for the sake of an outsider—that is a traitor," Yang Jian's tone remained calm. "The rules of the Heavenly Court do not change based on status."

Goten clenched his fists.

The golden energy flared—brighter than before.

He didn't want to fight here. Because Zixia was still unconscious, and a battle might hurt her.

But Yang Jian clearly wasn't going to give him a choice.

"I heard you sent the Bull Demon King flying with one punch—tore through the Heavenly Net—and wiped out the three Demon Kings," Yang Jian held the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear horizontally before him. "I don't believe it."

Goten stared at him and suddenly smiled.

"You want to test it yourself?"

"Not want," the corners of Yang Jian's mouth lifted slightly—it was the first time he had shown anything resembling an expression throughout the entire conversation. "Must."

As soon as the words fell—

The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Spear tore through the air!

The speed was twice as fast as the Great Peng Spirit!