Sha Wujing immediately looked up.
"Master."
Xuanzang's gaze fell on the Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff in his hands. "Let wherever this staff rests serve as the Central Palace for now."
Sha Wujing froze for a moment, his grip tightening instinctively. The Central Palace...
His eyes lit up. "This disciple understands!"
Xuanzang nodded. "Go."
"Yes, Master!"
Sha Wujing turned and left, passing Bajie and A-Hu in a few strides before heading straight to the hall entrance.
Bajie had just blown back another wave of people, his face flushed crimson. He had barely caught half a breath when he saw Sha Wujing step in front of him.
"Old Sha, what are you...?"
Sha Wujing had no time to explain.
He gripped the Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff with both hands.
Then he slammed its butt against the ground.
Thud.
The sound was not loud.
It could not even compare with the clash of spear and trident high overhead.
Yet the instant the staff touched the ground, Bajie suddenly felt the sounds around his ears fall away.
The Golden Wings A-Hu had just raised remained suspended in midair. The black wind swept from Bajie's sleeves past Sha Wujing, then abruptly slowed.
Even the dust on the ground seemed to grow heavy.
The golden patterns on the Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff lit up from its base.
They neither shot toward the heavens nor dazzled the eyes.
Only a faint yellow halo rippled out from the staff, spreading in layers like waves of water toward both sides of the long stairway.
The women surging toward the hall entrance suddenly faltered, as though they had struck an invisible wall. They could not take another half step.
Bajie stared blankly for a few moments before realization struck.
"Old Sha!"
"Right! The Wu Earth Daoist Brother Miaole gave you!"
"Why are you