Bodhi Fruit: Ji Yuan Comprehends a Divine Ability! [Please vote with your monthly tickets]

Meanwhile.

Deep within the Water Curtain Grotto Heaven.

On a raised stone platform in a cavern sealed off by a thousand-year curtain of water.

An old monkey with snow-white fur sat cross-legged.

He looked ancient beyond measure. His face was covered in wrinkles, and even his white fur had grown dull and brittle.

He was Sun Daoxuan, the only Body Integration Realm ancestor of the Spiritbright Stone Monkey Tribe.

Below the platform.

Sun Tong knelt obediently on the cold stone slabs, his forehead nearly touching the ground. He had respectfully laid the ebony cane that never left his hand beside him.

Two jade flasks stood side by side on the stone before him: the Nine-Yang Lifebuilding Brew and Peerless Wine that Ji Yuan had traded to him.

Sun Tong kept his voice low, unease mingling with confusion.

"Ancestor, since you recognized those two as humans in disguise long ago, why did you still have me make this trade with them?"

On the platform, Sun Daoxuan slowly opened his eyes.

He looked down at Sun Tong with eyes as still as an ancient well. He said nothing for a long while before asking, "What difference does it make to us whether they're human or demon?"

Sun Tong froze.

He opened his mouth, but no answer came. After a long pause, he finally managed, "Humans are humans, and demons are demons. The Human Race slaughters us like grass. Their hands are stained with our kin's blood. How can we trade with them?"

At that, Sun Daoxuan gave a low chuckle.

There was neither mockery nor reproach in it, only the detached compassion of one who had seen through the ways of the world.

"The divide between human and demon, the distinctions of bloodline—when you get down to it, they're all shackles put