“Great Sage Equal to Heaven? Sun Wukong?”

In the Three Thousand Worlds, at a Heavenly Army encampment.

Ao Yi looked at the jade talisman before him, listening to several generals’ discussions, somewhat puzzled.

He still maintained a youthful appearance at this time. Though he had previously matured to look like a young adult, for some reason, Ao Yi still felt more comfortable maintaining this form.

Now, Ao Yi was also one of the most powerful marshals of Heaven’s Court outside the Five Continents, commanding not only a large contingent of battle-hardened military generals but also having many dragon clan experts ready to provide support at any time.

With the Dragon Palace’s power suppressing the Three Thousand Worlds, coordinating with the Immortal Palace and Immortal Alliance, they could maintain basic stability in the Three Thousand Worlds.

Hearing Ao Yi’s muttering, Heavenly Generals on both sides whispered, all discussing matters concerning Sun Wukong…

Some generals dismissed it contemptuously, saying ‘When the tiger’s away, the monkey becomes king’; others caught an unusual scent, trying to analyze the intentions of those above.

Ao Yi said: “Don’t waste time speculating about such useless matters.”

The Heavenly Generals quietly acknowledged.

“However,” Ao Yi hummed softly, “this title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven is truly rather grand. Heaven’s Court has always placed great importance on the conferment of divine positions. I wonder what the specific intention is behind such a title that doesn’t fit into Heaven Court’s divine position system.”

The Heavenly Generals chuckled, their discussions becoming more animated than before.

“Hmph!”

A light snort came from outside the tent, followed by a wave of pressure. All the generals stood up and saluted.

A figure entered through the tent entrance, wearing battle armor with a black cape draped over his shoulders, hawk-nosed with sharp eyes – it was the Golden-Winged Great Peng, an expert of the Phoenix clan.

He entered the tent, walked directly to the position below Ao Yi, and sat there in a gloomy mood.

The generals dared not speak, while Ao Yi asked with concern: “Marshal Golden Peng, what’s wrong?”

“Don’t mention it!”

The Golden-Winged Great Peng cursed: “Why would Heaven’s Court appoint a demon king as Great Sage Equal to Heaven? Heaven Court’s prestige has become nothing but a joke!”

“Marshal Golden Peng, don’t be anxious,” Ao Yi said gently, “There must be inside details to this matter.”

Golden-Winged Great Peng’s expression softened slightly.

Strangely enough, the marshal who originally sat in Ao Yi’s position was the Golden-Winged Great Peng himself. Due to repeatedly speaking against Heaven’s Court and the Heavenly Dao while drunk, he had been demoted by Heaven’s Court.

By reason, Golden-Winged Great Peng should have held some resentment toward Ao Yi, and Heaven’s Court had deliberately used the Dragon Palace to pressure Golden-Winged Great Peng, even having Ao Yi bring many experts from his family into the camp.

But unexpectedly… things were quite harmonious.

Not only did Golden-Winged Great Peng not make things difficult for Ao Yi, but he was quite gentle with him, actively helping Ao Yi shoulder many burdensome tasks.

Also because of Ao Yi’s arrival, Golden-Winged Great Peng had become much calmer, no longer causing trouble while drunk. After receiving this feedback, the Hall of Clarity didn’t transfer Great Peng away.

At this moment, Golden Peng sat in the circular chair, stretching out his form, and slowly exhaled.

“This Great Sage Equal to Heaven matter is somewhat unsettling, but there must be calculations regarding the demon race involved. It’s just unclear when Heaven’s Court changed its style of handling affairs, no longer calling for killing demons but primarily seeking to pacify them through recruitment.”

Ao Yi smiled: “Those above have their considerations. Perhaps they’re telling a story to the demon race, luring out those old demons in hiding to gather together, then catching them all in one net. Though Marshal Li Jing’s previous siege of Flower Fruit Mountain was tactically clever, the bait for demons was too obvious, and the demon race’s true experts all hid behind the scenes, not daring to appear. Now Heaven’s Court suddenly makes this move, the demon race must also be confused. Just let Sun Wukong stay peacefully in Heaven’s Court for a while, and then Heaven’s Court can release news, opening convenient doors wide for the demon race. Those old demons might be the first to rush out, afraid their juniors will steal the opportunity. The demon race is indeed just like this.”

Golden Peng and the other Heavenly Generals pondered briefly, and then each nodded.

Golden Peng Bird puzzled: “Would the demon race fall for such a simple trap?”

“Well…”

Ao Yi spread his hands and smiled bitterly: “Besides explaining it this way for Heaven’s Court, what other reasonable explanation could there be? Heaven Court’s recruitment of the demon king this time truly leaves one perplexed. Just speaking of the resulting fluctuations in people’s hearts and unrest among immortals and gods, it’s not something that can be offset by adding one expert. Let alone with such a title as Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”

Golden Peng’s forehead was covered in black lines as he laughed and cursed: “I almost believed your earlier explanation!”

Ao Yi smiled sheepishly, his fingers drumming on the table, also quietly pondering.

A military general nearby softly said: “This humble official has heard that in recent days, many immortals and gods were also dissatisfied with this matter, wanting to jointly petition to strip that demon king of his Great Sage Equal to Heaven title. But for some reason, this matter eventually came to nothing.”

“It’s said that the Gold Star of Venus suppressed it.”

“To speak frankly, the way this great one handled that handsome monkey king Sun Wukong this time, it makes one feel there’s some unclear relationship between them.”

“Watch your words, watch your words.”

“Ahem!”

Ao Yi cleared his throat and said: “There have been no wars in the Three Thousand Worlds recently. Generals, please attend to your duties and keep watch over those restless Daoist forces. Let’s end here for today, everyone go rest.”

The generals stood and saluted Ao Yi, then withdrew, still muttering as they left about whether Gold Star and Great Sage Equal to Heaven had some unspeakable secret.

This was the Three Thousand Worlds, where the Heavenly Dao’s surveillance was far less than in the Five Continents region, so the Heavenly Generals weren’t too worried.

Moreover, this was Heaven Court’s improper handling, so criticism was normal.

After everyone left, Golden-Winged Great Peng sighed.

“What’s wrong?”

Ao Yi asked: “Still no harvest?”

“Mm,” Golden Peng shook his head slightly, “Can’t find it, don’t know where to look, the shadow in my heart is still very faint.”

Ao Yi’s expression also darkened somewhat. He sat in the circular chair without speaking, his youthful face showing a trace of confusion.

The young dragon said softly: “Why can’t I even remember the shadow…”

Golden Peng encouraged him: “Don’t think too much about it. Previously a great expert advised me that when the time comes, we’ll naturally remember. I also only caught that shadow appearing in my heart when I was pursuing extreme speed. He had his back to me, sitting in a rocking chair, playing with two jade talismans in his hand. Inexplicably felt at peace, just wanting to wait for him to give an order, and I had shadows of you and Princess Longji beside me.”

“Don’t say too much,” Ao Yi pointed at the tent ceiling.

Golden Peng curled his lip and raised his eyebrows, seemingly unconcerned.

“Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” Ao Yi sighed, “Who knows what that Gold Star wants to do, but I feel the demon race isn’t far from great disaster.”

Golden Peng smiled and said: “Why don’t I go back and gauge the weight of this Great Sage Equal to Heaven in Heaven’s Court? Maybe I can even catch the extermination war against the demon race.”

“Hey,” Ao Yi hurriedly said, “You and I shouldn’t leave our posts without authorization. Returning to Heaven’s Court requires orders from the Hall of Clarity – these are the rules. Don’t give opportunities to those with ulterior motives.”

“Alright,” Golden Peng agreed, “If there’s nothing urgent in the army, I’ll try breaking through to extreme speed again. Perhaps the day I break through will be when I can recover my lost memories.”

Having said this, Golden Peng stood up, cupped his hands to Ao Yi in salute, and turned to leave the great tent.

After Golden Peng left, Ao Yi sat dazed behind his desk until two dragon-headed elders appeared in the spatial ripples behind him.

“Your Highness,” the left elder dragon said softly, “Don’t think too much about it, lest it invite the Heavenly Dao’s suspicion.”

Ao Yi nodded in response, stood up, and walked to the screen in the tent’s corner. Behind the screen was a soft couch where he lay down on his side, and closed his eyes to concentrate, but didn’t even have the mood for meditation.

The two dragon-headed elders protecting Ao Yi exchanged glances, each remaining silent.

Their Second Prince truly had it too difficult.

…

At Spirit Mountain, beside the lotus pond.

Li Changshou quietly guarded beside that Golden Cicada, his heart without much thought, occasionally calculating with his fingers.

It had been some days since Sun Wukong’s second ascent to Heaven, and the development of various situations was basically within Li Changshou’s calculations.

This time ascending to Heaven, he naturally received Heaven Court’s attention, being granted a mansion, awarded spirit stones, and given many other benefits, yet was only made an ’empty position’ deity, not participating in any real affairs.

Regarding this, Sun Wukong was also happy to be idle, walking around Heaven’s Court every day, making acquaintance with many bored deities, and joining several banquets organized by Heaven Court’s bigwigs.

…joining several banquets organized by Heaven Court’s bigwigs, such as the Great Mystic Assembly held by the God of Wealth, or the small matchmaking class hosted by the Old Man of the Moon.

This monkey ate immortal fruits and drank immortal wine every day, occasionally watching celestial maidens dance, seemingly so delighted that he’d forgotten all about Flower Fruit Mountain.

While Sun Wukong was enjoying himself, Flower Fruit Mountain grew increasingly lively.

The Heavenly Dao had gone a bit too far this time.

If one were to reason normally, Flower Fruit Mountain was still a ‘thunderbolt’ waiting to strike, with Heaven’s Court hanging numerous sharp swords nearby. How could demon experts, who should be avoiding it, gather in such a place?

Yet the demon experts came anyway, carrying unrealistic ideas about possibly receiving Heaven Court’s rewards.

Truly dreaming of peaches.

Demons had always been cunning, especially those enlightened old demons who had previously escaped Heaven Court’s pursuit and the great spiritual explosion of Heaven and Earth.

Li Changshou strongly suspected that the Heavenly Dao had directly interfered with these demon experts’ minds, or simply controlled them to arrive near Flower Fruit Mountain, preparing them for a mass harvest.

Otherwise, this situation was inexplicable.

Setting aside the opposition between demons and humans, though demons were generally inferior, they were still living beings.

From the perspective of living beings, this was merely the Heavenly Dao abusing its private authority again.

Of course, Li Changshou was also happy to see these old demons cleared out, so he not only remained still but even pushed his plans back slightly.

Flower Fruit Mountain had now become a demon holy land.

Veteran demon experts came and went, establishing their cave dwellings;

Rising demon talents gathered, displaying their abilities everywhere.

The monkey spirits of Flower Fruit Mountain had become a rather special group, with various forces showing them considerable care, hoping to curry favor with Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong.

Consequently, the Southern Continent had fewer demon disturbances, as many demon forces began restraining their unruly junior demons, preventing them from going out to harm humans, lest it affect the demons’ grand plan.

What grand plan?

Simply the delusion of submitting to Heaven’s Court and being used by it.

‘The Dao Ancestor’s chess game has become stagnant water, just fishing for loaches in dead water.’

Just as he was feeling such emotions, Li Changshou suddenly sensed a familiar aura wrapping around him, followed by light laughter.

“When did friend arrive at Spirit Mountain?”

Behind him, golden light flickered slightly, condensing into Treasure Buddha wrapped in golden light.

Li Changshou didn’t turn around, only watching the pool water before him, seeing Treasure’s reflection… golden kasaya, curly hair, long earlobes, and wealthy Buddhist countenance.

He almost laughed out loud.

Ahem, don’t think about first meeting Senior Brother Treasure, don’t think about Senior Brother Treasure’s heroic bearing when battling the Seven Emotions Avatar.

Calm down, calm down.

Li Changshou quickly composed himself but didn’t answer, as if he hadn’t heard Treasure’s words.

Treasure didn’t overthink this either, sitting on his lotus platform and slowly moving forward, landing beside ‘Virtual Puti,’ his eyes carrying a slight smile as he said gently:

“Friend, have you come to see the Buddha of Ten Thousand Generations?”

‘Virtual Puti’ maintained a cold face, glanced at Treasure, and said coldly: “Is the Buddha speaking to this poor Daoist?”

“Indeed,” Treasure said gently, “Friend Puti, are you still resentful that I took the Western Teaching’s fortune?”

“Hmph!”

‘Virtual Puti’ swept his sleeve, “Does the Buddha wish to boast about his past achievements?”

“What boasting?” Treasure smiled, “Friend’s cultivation seems to have progressed, yet also seems to be sealed in the Dao Realm. Working for the Heavenly Dao usually brings good rewards, doesn’t it? Can’t be envied, sigh, can’t be envied.”

Blue veins immediately popped up on ‘Virtual Puti’s’ forehead.

How did he get infected by Senior Brother Tayi? A dignified Buddha, nominally on the same level as the Dao Ancestor, what’s with this sarcasm?

Li Changshou feigned anger and said: “The Buddha also seems to have no choice in the matter, pushed to his current position, confined within Spirit Mountain. I wonder how many treasures the Buddha has left?”

The treasure was struck at a sore point and glared at Virtual Puti before him.

Li Changshou had a thought.

According to the Dao Ancestor’s insisted script, Treasure would later have to go to Heaven’s Court to subdue the monkey, which could help with many matters.

But could Senior Brother Treasure still be trusted at this time?

Li Changshou harbored some doubts, was unable to probe verbally, and was even less able to connect with Treasure as he had with Lord Lao under the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Dao and Sage Jieyin.

The risk was slightly high, the benefit insufficient.

These thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, and Li Changshou added:

“Buddha, there is no more Western Teaching now, and Buddhism shows signs of great prosperity. You are the leader of a great teaching, why come to mock a suffering immortal like me?”

Treasure gave an embarrassed laugh and chanted a Buddhist phrase.

“Be more peaceful in heart, no need to speak much of past experiences, you and I have something in common to sympathize about. Puti, do you still remember the Heavenly Dao’s taboo?”

Li Changshou was silent for a while, then answered: “I remember.”

“With your Dao Realm, it’s normal that you remember,” Treasure sighed, “I truly miss his days in Heaven and Earth, now only dryness remains. I wonder how he and my Junior Sister Yun Xiao are doing. That fellow lucked out!”

Li Changshou reminded me: “That’s my enemy.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m complaining to you,” Treasure smiled, “All related to him, isn’t that our only connection?”

Li Changshou: …

“Puti, do you think that fellow will return?”

Treasure squinted and smiled, “Descending from Heaven, fighting back to the Primordial World, so unrestrained. However, then you’ll be anxious, and worried about whether you’ll be held accountable. Sigh, I also don’t know how to face him, how to explain my current situation, becoming a Buddha in confusion, having to spread Western Teaching doctrine everywhere.”

Li Changshou was about to speak some sarcastic words, reminding Treasure not to be so ‘unrestrained,’ but just as he was about to speak, his spiritual sense lightly jumped, sensing a change in Treasure’s aura.

Turning his head, he saw Treasure slightly frowning, calculating with his fingers while staring at his palm.

Soon, Treasure put away his previous leisurely expression, a pressure surging from around him as he raised his head to gaze in the direction of the Heavenly Palace.

Li Changshou asked: “What’s wrong, Buddha?”

“Nothing to do with you,” Treasure said coldly, pressing his palm toward the lotus pool before him, opening a cloud mirror that showed the scene within the Lingxiao Palace.

In the palace, a female immortal wearing golden armor stood among the civil and military officials, directly facing the Jade Emperor on his throne and the fake Gold Star beside him.

The female immortal’s figure was nearly perfect, the form-fitting battle armor adding a sense of strength to her originally delicate curves, her simple ponytail complementing her overwhelming heroic spirit.

You Qin Xuanya.

At this moment, she cupped her hands and bowed her head, speaking these words clearly:

“Your Majesty, this humble general’s words carry little weight, and today’s remonstrance may be overstepping. I request punishment for myself. However, Heaven Court’s conferment of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven title is unfair!

Sun Wukong has no merit or military achievements, originally being an enemy Heaven’s Court sought to eliminate. If Heaven’s Court gives such rewards merely because his abilities are strong, won’t all-powerful beings in the Three Realms oppose Heaven’s Court in the future, waiting for Heaven’s Court’s recruitment?

How can this satisfy the Heaven Court soldiers and generals who shed blood to suppress demons, and how can it satisfy the heroic spirits who fell at Flower Fruit Mountain? Please, Your Majesty, withdraw this decree! Heaven Court’s warriors would rather die in battle with strong enemies than drink with them.”

Beside You Qin Xuanya, most military generals lowered their heads and cupped their hands, joining in the petition.

On the high platform, the Jade Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, while the fake Gold Star beside him wore a stern expression.

By the lotus pool at Spirit Mountain, Treasure stared at this situation, Dao rhymes surging around him, already prepared for space-time transfer.