Boom!
A tremendous shock suddenly rang out around them.
The entire mass of river water sank.
It was as though someone outside had struck it with something heavy.
The chanting stopped.
Its lingering echoes were swept away by the river.
Great King Linggan took his hands from his ears and looked up.
He froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! It stopped! It's gone!"
Then he looked up toward the river's surface.
Another tremendous force crashed down from above.
Another muffled boom came from overhead.
Black water surged all around, and water weeds whirled wildly.
Hearing that muffled boom, Great King Linggan laughed wildly again.
"Those junior brothers of yours are fools! Do they think they can get in?"
Great King Linggan laughed even louder.
"Go on, hit it! Smash it!"
"The harder they strike, the more chaotic this river becomes."
"They're only helping by making things worse."
Wukong stood in the water, his body swaying with the waves.
His expression was relaxed, as though he had heard nothing.
Black water rushed over his shoulders, flattening his fur backward.
The Golden Cudgel spun once in his palm, trailing a golden line through the water.
He narrowed his eyes and grinned. "Enough flapping your gums!"
"The chanting's gone? No matter. I'll sing you another verse!"
Great King Linggan's laughter faltered.
Wukong raised the tip of his cudgel, pointed it at Great King Linggan, and grinned.
"Listen carefully! Don't miss a single line!"
"Watch closely. I'm going to beat you!"
Before his words had faded.
Wukong shook his shoulders, and golden light erupted from his entire body.
The Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown emerged from the golden light, its two long plumes snapping upward in the torrent.
The Golden Chainmail Armor fastened itself over his chest, piece by piece.
Its plates