Though the skies above the East Sea were dangerous, they meant nothing to Shen Luo and Sun Wukong now. Sun Wukong summoned the Somersault Cloud, spread it out to carry the monkeys, and flew at full speed. In less than a day, they returned to the vicinity of Chang'an City.
Chang'an City had undergone considerable changes. Many new buildings had been erected outside the city, stretching endlessly into the distance. Their number and scale were almost no less than that of Chang'an City itself.
Restrictions had been set up around those buildings, and many cultivators flew back and forth without any concern for being seen by mortals.
"What is going on?" Shen Luo asked, his expression startled.
At that moment, three streaks of light flew over to meet them. The leader was Huangmu Adept of the Great Tang Government Office.
The man to Huangmu Adept's left was large and imposing, clad in dark golden armor. His face was covered in black fur. He was an old acquaintance of Shen Luo's—the Black Bear Spirit of Mount Putuo.
To the right stood a tall, thin monk in white robes, his appearance solemn and dignified.
Shen Luo did not recognize him, but judging from his attire, he was a cultivator from Huasheng Temple.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, Sun the Great Sage, what happened? Why are you in such a sorry state?" Huangmu Adept hurriedly asked upon seeing Shen Luo and the others.
Bai Xiaotian was quick to speak and opened his mouth, but Shen Luo raised a hand to stop him.
"It is a long story. There are too many people here, so we can discuss it later. I must trouble Fellow Daoist Huangmu to arrange accommodations for our friends from Flower Fruit Mountain first. They will likely be staying in Chang'an City for