Wukong looked at the Old Lord's utterly self-righteous expression, then suddenly laughed and nodded repeatedly.
"All right, all right."
"Thank you for your care and hard work."
"Old Sun will certainly thank you properly on behalf of my junior brothers afterward."
With that, he turned and patted Great King Si on the shoulder.
"Let's save your disciple first."
"Once he wakes up, we can settle our accounts at leisure."
The Old Lord caught the meaning behind his words, and his beard twitched twice.
"Monkey, this old Daoist has a word of warning for you."
"Hmm?"
"Don't go too far, or you'll get struck by lightning."
Wukong looked up at the cave ceiling. Dense green root patterns had long since sealed the dome shut.
Then he looked at the Heavenly Venerable and asked, "Is there any lightning here?"
The Heavenly Venerable smiled. "None."
The Old Lord snorted, walked around Wukong, and came to stand before Great King Si.
"Since everyone has agreed, let us begin."
Bajie glanced around. "Dao Ancestor, what do we do?"
The Old Lord smiled. "To refine the sevenfold-return elixir, one must cultivate oneself and await the proper hour."
He raised a foot and stamped the ground.
Thud!
A muffled thunderclap rang through Jindou Cave. The root patterns on the dome drooped downward, fastening together along the walls. Heat rose from the ground, and the entire cave abode sealed itself shut.
The Old Lord pointed at Great King Si's wrist.
The Diamond Ring slipped off on its own and expanded in the air until it encircled Great King Si's entire body.
Heavenly fire emerged above the ring, while Yellow River water poured down from below.
Water and fire gradually enveloped Great King Si.
Great King Si's body trembled slightly, then suddenly swelled into a ball.
Bajie watched, smacking