Military-Industrial Interest Complex

Auspicious clouds churned above the viewing platform of the Monster-Capturing Assembly, immortal light curling through the air.

The immortals took their seats according to rank, conversing in low voices.

A lean figure entered quietly.

It was Venus Star Lord.

When the old star lord entered, not a single immortal rose to greet him, nor did any old friend come over to exchange pleasantries.

Some immortals stared straight ahead, while others laughed and chatted with those beside them, as though they had not seen him at all.

Venus Star Lord found an inconspicuous seat and sat down, lowering his eyes in silence.

Su Yuan stood attentively at his side, taking it all in.

Suddenly, a commotion arose ahead.

Wenqu Star Lord entered proudly in splendid robes, surrounded by a crowd of immortal officials.

At his side was his younger brother, Martial Star Lord, clad in gleaming armor and brimming with vigor.

Immortals along the way rose one after another to greet them warmly. Some even voluntarily gave up seats at the very front with the best view.

Wenqu Star Lord smiled and nodded, then took a front-row seat with Martial Star Lord. They chatted merrily, basking in unmatched glory.

Su Yuan mused inwardly:

No wonder Wenqu Star Lord has been so proactive about war. He was paving the way for his younger brother, Martial Star Lord.

In an instant, golden light descended. Heavenly flowers rained down, golden lotuses sprang from the earth, and wondrous phenomena appeared one after another.

The Jade Emperor's avatar hovered high above the viewing platform, surrounded by swirling purple qi.

All the immortals bowed in unison. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The monster-capturing officially began.

A hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals descended upon the skies above Flower-Fruit Mountain. Their banners blotted out the sun, their momentum immense.

Sensing the shifting aura, everyone looked down.

They saw a rolling sea of golden clouds gradually form.

The heavenly soldiers and generals, along with all the demons of Flower-Fruit Mountain, were concealed beneath the cloud sea.

"What's going on? Why has everything been covered up?"

An immortal grumbled unhappily.

Martial Star Lord immediately explained in a loud, proud voice:

"Do not worry, fellow immortals! This is the Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare, newly developed by our Heavenly Court Ministry of War at tremendous expense!"

"Not only is it peerlessly powerful, it can also block all observation from within and without, ensuring that not a single demon escapes! In this battle, that demon monkey will have no way to flee!"

Su Yuan watched coldly, understanding at once.

Influencing central decision-making, stirring up geopolitical conflict, pouring vast sums into product development, controlling mid-level commanders, and sacrificing grassroots soldiers.

The pro-war faction's roots ran deep. It had become a massive interest complex. Yet this pattern seemed especially familiar.

Sure enough, there was nothing new under the sun.

The sea of clouds roiled as war drums thundered.

The battle below had already begun.

The immortals could not see a thing and could only sit there in stifled silence.

Suddenly, the cloud sea churned violently, like a pot of boiling soup!

With a thunderous boom, a huge figure flew backward like a dolphin leaping from the water—though in a far less graceful posture—and slammed viciously into the distant clouds.

Whispers immediately spread across the viewing platform.

"Giant Spirit God lost?"

"How is that possible?!"

"What's impossible about it? Is this your first time watching a battle? This is a standard part of the show. Don't you know Heavenly King Li's three-pronged opening?"

Another old immortal teased softly.

"Giant Spirit God! Lead the charge!"

"What a Giant Spirit God!"

"Quick, save Giant Spirit God!"

Before the words had even faded, the cloud sea churned again.

Two more figures flew backward—it was the Fish-Fork General and Yaksha General!

They were in even worse shape than Giant Spirit God. Their weapons had flown from their hands, their immortal armor was shattered, and their auras were weak. It was impossible to tell whether they were alive or dead.

"Trash!"

Heavenly King Li's furious roar came from beneath the cloud sea.

"Where is the Third Prince, Great God of the Three Altars and Sea Assembly?! Go repel the enemy at once!"

A red light erupted with a crash, forcibly tearing a gap through the thick curtain of clouds and revealing everything below.

Now there was something worth watching.

The immortals all rose and crowded forward to look down.

At the center of the gap, the Third Prince revealed his Dharma body!

His three heads glared with fury, while the muscles of his six arms bulged and coiled.

Each of his six hands held a magical treasure, striking at the demon monkey from every direction.

The demon monkey was no less formidable.

He reached into his ear and pulled out his Golden-Hooped Staff. With a shake in the wind, it lengthened at once, becoming as thick as a bowl.

Then he shouted, "Transform!" and assumed a three-headed, six-armed Dharma form as well!

His three Golden-Hooped Staffs spun like whirling wheels, impenetrable even to splashing water.

The two holy warriors clashed, fighting until:

Crimson clouds tore apart golden waves, and flaming wheels crushed the Somersault Cloud!

After sixty exchanges, neither side had gained the upper hand. Nezha fought with rising ferocity.

The weapons in his six arms suddenly transformed. Blades and swords formed a forest, while pestles and ropes twisted like serpents.

He also unleashed his embroidered ball and flaming wheels, turning them into two scarlet suns that blazed through heaven as they crashed down from above!

Yet at that moment, the demon monkey gave a strange laugh, his true body secretly working a spell—

"Hit!"

A single hair drifted soundlessly behind Nezha's head.

It suddenly transformed into the demon monkey's true form, who swung his iron staff in a full arc and smashed it savagely into Nezha's left shoulder blade!

The gap slowly closed, turning back into a sea of golden clouds.

Well then, they were not letting anyone watch anymore.

This time, even the immortals stopped whispering.

Only endless silence remained.

Su Yuan clearly saw it.

Beneath Venus Star Lord's wide sleeve, his fingers were trembling slightly.

Su Yuan instantly understood why his master was so agitated.

Venus Star Lord was the core of the peace faction. Once the pro-war faction suffered a crushing defeat,

the Heavenly Court would inevitably reopen peace negotiations with the demon monkey.

And he, the former "incompetent, cowardly" envoy of pacification,

would immediately return from the margins to the center of power and rise again!

Su Yuan promptly offered him a cup of clear tea and said softly:

"Master, stay calm. Stay calm."

Venus Star Lord did not take the tea. Instead, he grabbed the wrist of the hand Su Yuan had extended.

His grip was so strong that even with Su Yuan's Celestial Immortal body, his bones ached.

Venus Star Lord stared fixedly at the golden sea of clouds, his chest rising and falling faintly.

Clearly, he was far less calm inside than he appeared.

Just then, the Jade Emperor's avatar hovering above had vanished without anyone noticing.

Only a majestic decree echoed across the viewing platform:

"Venus Star Lord is hereby appointed Envoy for Pacification and Suppression, with full authority over the pacification of the demon monkey in the lower realm."

Before the decree's echoes faded,

Wenqu Star Lord had already pushed through the crowd and hurried from the main platform to Venus Star Lord, cupping his hands warmly.

"Congratulations, old brother! Such a heavy responsibility! His Majesty truly recognizes talent. Star Lord, if my brother and I can be of any help, just say the word!"

Watching Wenqu Star Lord's attitude change in an instant, Su Yuan thought to himself:

Another old fox. A smiling tiger.

Venus Star Lord released Su Yuan's hand, took a deep breath, and put on an appropriately helpless expression as he returned the salute.

"You are too courteous, Star Lord. This old man is simply fated to toil without rest. Not even a moment of leisure. Heh heh."

Then he signaled to Su Yuan.

"Return to the manor with me."

On the way out of the viewing platform, the situation had become completely different.

Immortals continually took the initiative to bow to Venus Star Lord:

"Take care, Lord Venus Star!"

"Congratulations on receiving the mandate, Star Lord!"

"Star Lord, you have worked hard!"

Venus Star Lord looked as though he had been bathed in spring breezes. With a gentle smile, he nodded in response to each of them.

His steps remained steady, but none of his former loneliness remained.

The two returned to the cave residence.

Venus Star Lord sat down and looked at Su Yuan, who stood waiting beside him.

He let out a long sigh, his eyes carrying lingering fear and relief. "You really called it."

He then turned serious.

"Set aside the matter of the Southern Heavenly Gate construction site for now. Do not leave tonight. Draft a pacification work plan for me here. Establish a lower-realm pacification task force, with an office under it, as well as six working groups: the negotiation liaison group, intelligence assessment group, security group, legal documentation group, ceremonial outreach group, and logistics support group. You will draft the specific structure and responsibilities."

Su Yuan nodded. "Yes, Master."

Venus Star Lord pondered for a moment, then picked up his communication jade talisman. His fingertip brushed across the congratulatory messages sent by the immortals, and his brow furrowed slightly.

"I have just received word from the Heavenly Court Central Office. This pacification effort will be personally led by Heavenly Emperor Gouchen of the Upper Palace, while I will serve as executive deputy leader. It seems His Majesty is truly enraged. The matter has been escalated for handling; this is no small affair. With your current cultivation..."

He glanced at Su Yuan.

"I am afraid it will be difficult for you to secure even a deputy leader position in the pacification mission. If you had already reached the early Yuan Immortal realm, your master might still be able to arrange a staff position in one of the working groups."

Su Yuan remained calm, without the slightest sign of disappointment, and replied respectfully.

"This disciple understands. I will follow Master's arrangements."