The East Sea, Golden Turtle Island.
Rumble! Overwhelming saintly might erupted from the Jade Wandering Palace. Every living creature on the island instantly felt a mountain weighing down on them and bent at the waist despite themselves. They all knew their master was furious.
And rightly so. Their senior-or junior-brother, the Feathered-Wing Immortal, had been captured by Ran Deng and made into a mount. That was even worse than suppressing or killing him. It was a slap squarely across Jiejiao's face. Their master was a Saint who cared so much about his dignity. How could he possibly tolerate this?
"Jin Ling!"
"Your disciple is here."
"Go to the Heavenly Court and summon the Heavenly Emperor for me," Tongtian ordered from inside the Jade Wandering Palace.
Outside the palace, Holy Mother Jin Ling bowed toward the interior and answered respectfully, "Yes, Master."
With that, she summoned an auspicious cloud and flew into the sky.
In the Heavenly Emperor Palace, in the Heavenly Court.
Gungun had only recently returned. It lay on its imperial throne, gazing at the stars overhead and pondering matters.
Kunpeng had fallen, Kong Xuan was gravely injured, and Golden Roc had been captured by Ran Deng. Yet Xiong Meng had emerged completely unscathed. This had foiled its original plan and set it thinking. Could Xiong Meng have such profound good fortune that it was destined to weather every scare without coming to harm?
Hmm... that's certainly possible.
But whatever the case, I still have to make it suffer a little. That'll be good for both of us.
"Reporting to Your Majesty: Holy Mother Jin Ling of Jiejiao requests an audience." An hour later, a Divine Attendant entered the hall and reported to Gungun.
"Jin Ling?" Gungun, which had almost fallen asleep, jolted fully awake at the announcement.