Within Purple Void Palace, in the purple bamboo grove, inside the bamboo house.

The burly Elder Daoist and the young cultivator had once again fallen into silence.

Li Changshou waved his hand, dispersing the scene before him, as if everything currently happening had nothing to do with him.

Hongjun revealed a slight smile, yet actively manifested behind him the situation Li Changshou had just pointed out:

[The Qiankun Cauldron refining the Heavenly Dao’s will, the Creation Jade Disc absorbing the Heavenly Dao’s will – the Dao Ancestor would soon, in a sense, devour the Heavenly Dao and rise above it.]

This situation was like an hourglass – when all the sand ran out, something terrifying would occur.

A game…

The two were still playing their game.

Hongjun used this to pressure Li Changshou, but Li Changshou sat there calmly, seemingly unconcerned, merely lowering his head to watch the situation with the monkey displayed on the table.

“Fellow Daoist… you won’t stop this poor one?”

Hongjun asked, somewhat puzzled.

Li Changshou nodded and said indifferently, “Fellow Daoists can act as you, please. When I move to eliminate you shortly, it won’t matter how strong you’ve become.”

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun truly found this amusing.

“Previously, this poor one always felt that Changshou, you excelled in wisdom and maintained a steady dao heart. Who would have thought you had such a stubborn disposition?”

“Fellow Daoist’s dao heart has already been disturbed by me,” Li Changshou said. “The purpose of my avatar coming to Purple Void Palace early has been perfectly achieved. Your plan of so many years, ending it prematurely seems to have some drawbacks. The Heavenly Dao’s will hasn’t grown to your ideal state, has it?”

“Indeed, it hasn’t absorbed enough free will yet.”

Hongjun was very frank at this moment, saying, “But it’s close enough. To guard against your trump cards, this poor one can make such a sacrifice, not pursuing this perfection.”

Li Changshou smiled and said, “Actually, I could wait longer, wait until you nurture the perfect Heavenly Dao and devour it, then move against you.”

Hongjun’s eyes revealed a trace of contemplation as he carefully sorted through Li Changshou’s words today, slowly saying:

“You want beings to mistakenly believe the world is false, thus smoothly recreating a realm?”

“How could that be,” Li Changshou sighed. “The most real thing in the world is the world itself. It exists objectively. If not for Fellow Daoists forcefully controlling it, and setting up scripts all along, it wouldn’t shift with beings’ subjective will. Beings seek freedom, and the Heavenly Dao only needs to set boundaries for this freedom. Yet Fellow Daoist has claimed the world as your own, like a landlord, treating beings as your tenant farmers – this is simply what’s wrong. I truly do not need to target the world. On the contrary, I will continue to protect this world after Fellow Daoist.”

Hongjun said again, “If according to the story you just told, this world was created by us.”

“No, you’re wrong. Senior Lang only added a definition to the world, embedded basic logical thinking. This world could have had other names. You merely named the creation deity Pangu, but didn’t create the Pangu God. The Pangu God is this world’s creation. What Senior Lang did was only tell the world – you can also go this way, nothing more.”

Li Changshou said indifferently: “The world’s evolution was actively and passively opened up by numerous true spirits gathering into a multi-spirit life, it was individual true spirit beings constantly striving, evolving step by step to today. Senior Lang has no merit and not too much fault regarding this world. And Fellow Daoist, after devouring Senior Lang, has become the greatest sin in the world.”

— Multi-spirit life actively opening up refers to Pangu God slaying the Primordial Divine Demons; similarly, passive opening up refers to Primordial Divine Demons being slain by Pangu God.

Hongjun smiled without speaking, sighing lightly:

“Changshou, throughout ancient and modern times, you are the being most similar to this poor one, and also the first being to see through this poor one’s origins. Will you truly not consider joining hands with this poor one, to create an eternal world that will never end?”

“Beings are real because of birth, aging, sickness, and death; the world exists because of creation and extinction,” Li Changshou said. “Fellow Daoists need not say more, let’s watch Wukong.”

Hongjun smiled and said: “When do you plan to move against this poor one?”

“First, when Fellow Daoist can’t resist moving against me, I will act directly; Second, when Fellow Daoist interferes with what happens next, I will act directly.”

Li Changshou glanced at Hongjun, saying indifferently: “As half-townsmen, I will finally give Fellow Daoist enough dignity.”

Hongjun smiled and said: “Then as half-townsmen, after you move against this poor one, this poor one will use full power to eliminate you – this is treatment even your master never received.”

“Should I then thank Fellow Daoist for this recognition?”

Li Changshou cupped his hands.

Hongjun made a “please” gesture.

“Let’s watch the show. I want to see how your trained Wukong will impact the Heavenly Court system you established. This play is one this poor one has anticipated for long.”

Li Changshou: …

Ah, this old psychological pervert.

“Fellow Daoists may be disappointed.”

Li Changshou smiled, staring at the situation below.

Hongjun also shifted his gaze to Flower Fruit Mountain…

There, Sun Wukong leaped up from the cliff, gripping the Golden Cudgel as he charged toward the sky. In the heavens, over ten Celestial Generals had formed the Twelve Heavenly Battles Formation, descending to suppress Sun Wukong.

The momentum was magnificent, as if about to overturn heaven and earth.

Hongjun said indifferently: “As long as Sun Wukong kills some celestial soldiers and generals, this round is already lost for you, right?”

“This isn’t about winning or losing,” Li Changshou sighed. “It will just make me feel somewhat uncomfortable inside. But Fellow Daoist, you previously kept interfering, pushing Sun Wukong and the Heavenly Court to this point – this can’t be blamed on Wukong.”

Hongjun smiled and said: “Though you say so, you must be somewhat depressed inside. This is your flaw – caring too much about the life and death of irrelevant beings. For ones like us, this truly has no meaning.”

“No, I attained the Dao in the Primordial World, all beings in it are connected to me. Moreover, how does Fellow Daoist know I don’t have backup plans in this matter?”

Li Changshou countered thus, a smile suddenly blooming on his lips.

Hongjun showed contemplation, staring at the situation above Flower Fruit Mountain, no longer speaking much at this moment.

The changes in the situation there would directly reflect the extent of Li Changshou’s planning for this matter, indirectly proving whether Li Changshou had trump cards to deal with him, the Dao Ancestor.

Unable to gauge, impossible to see through – this was what Hongjun feared most at this moment.

While Li Changshou was truly calm and composed now.

…

Above Flower Fruit Mountain, the Stone Monkey’s low roars made the celestial soldiers and generals’ hearts tremble continuously.

More than ten Golden Immortal realm Celestial Generals laid down a formation, temporarily trapping Sun Wukong within.

Outsiders could only see a dark red flame charging left and right, while those ten-plus Golden Immortals were already struggling to maintain it, a few of them spitting blood from the formation’s backlash force.

High in the sky, Li Jing lowered his head watching this scene, the ‘Great White True Lord’ before him had already vanished.

Why had Sun Wukong’s strength suddenly increased so much?

Various thoughts arose in Li Jing’s mind, but he quickly put away such inappropriate thoughts and began deploying experts.

Battle formations were the Heavenly Court’s “unique skill” for dealing with Primordial World cultivator experts, having suppressed Greater Luo realm experts more than once or twice.

At present, thirty-six Celestial Generals formed the Heavenly Fierce Formation, encompassing those dozen or so generals who were about to falter.

At Li Jing’s command, those dozen-plus Celestial Generals retreated simultaneously, smoothly and swiftly escaping the Heavenly Fierce Formation’s range; the formation then closed, thirty-six Celestial Generals exerting force together to suppress Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong’s eyes bulged, and the Golden Cudgel nearly crushed in his grip as he kept charging forcefully with this iron staff!

In his dazed state, he heard those shouts—

‘The Heavenly Court is so treacherous! Using such evil schemes to destroy our demon race!’

‘Great King, run quickly! Great King, quickly… don’t leave us behind, Great King!’

‘Our Great King is the Great Sage Equaling Heaven!’

Opening his eyes, he stood dazed at the cliff edge, looking at the scene before him like hell incarnate.

His Flower Fruit Mountain! The already shattered Flower Fruit Mountain!

His monkey children! His monkey children were reduced to nothing!

Heavenly Court, Heavenly Court, damn Heavenly Court!

“Ah!”

The Stone Monkey’s eyes seeped drops of golden blood, his whole body wrapped in seven-colored divine light, vast magical power surging in all directions. Wherever that iron staff swept, space itself showed layer upon layer of wrinkles.

Greater Luo power!

He had almost no capacity left for thought, no one could persuade him to calm down.

He would strike the Heavenly Palace, strike the Jade Pure Palace!

Go find that old Jade Emperor and ask!

What fairness, what beings, what ruler!

By what right did they destroy his Flower Fruit Mountain? By what right did they decide his monkeys’ life and death?

“Get out of my way!”

“Suppress!” The thirty-six Celestial Generals roared thunderously, mighty heavenly authority appearing between heaven and earth.

Sun Wukong’s form was directly pressed down, but only for several zhang. His body suddenly froze, flame-like markings appearing on his face as he rose again!

High in the sky, Li Jing’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper. He raised his hand, lowered it, and another batch of Celestial Generals began arranging the Minor Heaven Cycle Formation.

“Deploy one division to form the Ten Thousand Celestial Soldiers Formation, prepare to suppress Sun Wukong!”

“Yes!”

Behind him, celestial soldiers and generals responded thunderously.

And Li Jing raised his head to look toward the Eastern Heaven Gate, his eyes carrying some annoyance; that fake Great White had created such a mess and simply left.

This Sun Wukong was somewhat unusual. Years of battle experience told Li Jing that if this wasn’t handled properly today, their side might suffer massive casualties.

At the same time;

Above Central Divine Continent, that figure maintaining extreme speed in flight was also roaring.

Behind this figure was Jade Spring Mountain, his master True Lord Jade Pure’s cave dwelling.

By his ears still lingered True Lord Jade Pure’s sighs and those few instructions.

“This jade talisman is genuine, do as he says, no need to ask why… if there remains any final justice in this world, it must be with this person.

The Daoist who gave you the jade talisman is a kindhearted human being.

Your master cultivates the Way of the Heart, and most admires his heart.

He is your family’s benefactor, and also beings’ final hope. Go, help him do some things.

Name?

He is called Li Changshou, also called Li Changqing, he is the true Great White Gold Star.”

Li…

‘Yang Jian, do you know your crime?’

Remembered! It’s him!

Yang Jian clenched his fists, lowering his head with some pain as he roared, the fragments appearing in his mind swiftly gathering, forming figure after figure.

That young Daoist who liked disguising himself as an old Daoist!

That immortal who slapped him onto the clouds with one palm!

The bastard who arranged his path all along set his fate but then returned everything to him in the end.

That Daoist who gave him that silk bag inside the Six Paths Reincarnation Disc! (Note: Silk bag details in Chapter 565)

The jade talisman contained a letter, a letter densely written with over sixty possibilities, even having him match them one by one to find what fit the current situation.

He found one possible combination, the seventeenth condition of the second major category—

[An anti-heaven figure appeared in the world, and the anti-heaven figure charged toward the Nine Heavens, causing shock in all directions;

Many demon race experts were destroyed at Flower Fruit Mountain, the Heavenly Court pressuring Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong;]

The solution following this possibility was actually:

[Suppress Sun Wukong, play the villain suppressing beings’ free will, and find an opportunity to speak these few lines of dialogue.]

When Yang Jian hurried to Jade Spring Mountain and looked at the other possibilities, the solutions that followed were all very simple, roughly falling into three major categories:

[Play the villain suppressing Sun Wukong], [Move to assist Sun Wukong], [Secretly go to Holy Mother Palace to seek aid in protecting Sun Wukong’s life].

And above those corresponding entries, they had considered every possible scenario that might occur.

This was too much!

Who leaves an apocalyptic silk pouch like this? What if there wasn’t time to read the complex contents inside – wouldn’t that just be a trap?

Yang Jian’s lips twitched slightly, and in his heart appeared what seemed like a sigh, that voice from his memory reading the two passages attached to the jade talisman.

‘Yang Jian, consider this as meeting face to face.

You may no longer know who I am, the Heavenly Dao should have erased beings’ memories of me, but your master should know.

When you see these, if your actions are unrestricted, you can go to Jade Spring Mountain and have your Master Elder Brother Jade Pure verify this jade talisman – this is the most effective method.

This world has some problems. On the surface, it may not seem like anything is wrong, but it’s already terminally ill.

There is a will above all beings, and the Heavenly Court is merely his tool. All beings are under his control, and the world must evolve in the direction he has set. This evolution, in several thousand years, may result in the Primordial World shattering into endless starry skies.

This will is the combination of the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor.

You don’t remember who I am, which to some degree means we have lost, but this is also within my alternate plan. Don’t worry too much, I will return.

Help me with a favor – do what fits the current world situation.

This is a flame, though weak compared to the force beings must face, but it will cause some resonance, igniting the flame of resistance for beings.

Doing this much is enough.’

After this passage, another section was squeezed into the corner of the jade talisman:

‘If your actions are restricted, don’t risk doing these things. Adapt to circumstances – focus on self-preservation.

Let me handle other matters, you don’t need to bear too much.

You and Sun Wukong are both immortals I like.’

This…

Yang Jian’s brows furrowed tightly, the memories in his heart had already linked together, and that soul-rending pain had also dispersed.

His celestial eye on his forehead suddenly opened. Due to his extreme speed, the immortal power and spiritual energy around him created streaks of flame through friction, making his flying hair appear as if he were a celestial god walking out of flames.

East Victory Divine Continent!

East Victory Divine Continent!

Flower Fruit Mountain! Flower Fruit Mountain!

Yang Jian’s brows furrowed, his celestial eye already seeing the current situation.

Sun Wukong was wrapped in seven-colored divine light, his form about a hundred zhang tall, with layer upon layer of dark clouds above his head where dense masses of celestial soldiers and generals stood.

Hundreds of immortal light beams condensed into chains, wrapping around Sun Wukong’s body. Sun Wukong struggled constantly, those chains precariously close to breaking, while the celestial soldiers and generals in the sky were pale-faced.

Li Jing was consecrating the treasure pagoda in his hand, pressing down to suppress Sun Wukong.

Such strong spiritual power…

It seemed this spiritual power was forcibly given to Sun Wukong, and he couldn’t directly control it yet.

Yang Jian instantly understood something.

Since that’s the case – since that’s the case!

Clang!

The Three-Point Double-Edge Spear let out a trembling sound as Yang Jian’s form cut through the heavens, charging straight toward Flower Fruit Mountain!

Just then!

Sun Wukong lowered his head and roared, suddenly raising both hands high – those chains wrapped around his body instantly shattered by half!

Large groups of celestial soldiers and generals were injured and spitting blood from the counter-shock force, with even more celestial soldiers directly fainting, those stretching dark clouds swiftly dispersing!

Sun Wukong raised his head and roared frantically, grabbing the similarly enlarged Golden Cudgel as he charged toward the sky.

“Suppress!”

Li Jing opened his mouth and roared lowly, the ancient pagoda transforming to a thousand zhang tall, descending to suppress Sun Wukong, swallowing his form within.

But in just one breath, the pagoda top was suddenly flipped open, and Sun Wukong returned to normal human size as he directly drilled out, raising the Golden Cudgel high as he charged toward Li Jing!

Zheng!

The sound of pipa strings vibrating rang out, and a transparent blade stretching several hundred zhang long descended to suppress Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong’s blood-red monkey eyes narrowed, suddenly changing moves, smashing this blade with one strike of his staff, though his charging momentum was blocked.

Behind Li Jing emerged four armored celestial gods, each with mighty builds and fierce faces, either holding precious pipas, wielding wind-fire swords, arms wrapped with red snakes, or raising glazed treasure umbrellas!

The Four Heavenly Kings, the four Mo family generals!

The Severing Sect immortals from the Investiture of the Gods, officially taking action!

“Demon~ monkey receive death!”

Heavenly King Mo Li Qing of Growth carefully emphasized each word as he shouted, his precious sword casting out beams of light.

Another pipa played chaotic strings, countless sharp blades shooting toward Sun Wukong;

The red snake transformed to several hundred zhang long, flicking its tongue following these sharp blades, opening its mouth to bite the Stone Monkey.

That glazed treasure umbrella spun round and round, ripple after ripple spreading out, constantly impacting Sun Wukong’s primordial spirit.

Sun Wukong flicked his right hand, behind him floating that now pure golden Undying Golden Soul, leaping up from the air, directly facing the Four Heavenly Kings’ attack!

What wrong have we done, why does Heaven punish?

What error have we made, why does Heaven execute?

“Ha!”

Like lightning and fire, in an instant of crossing, the Four Heavenly Kings were all sent flying, some spitting blood, some cursing in rage.

Sun Wukong bared his sharp fangs, his gaze fixed firmly on Li Jing, his form leaping up in one step, the Golden Cudgel smashing down toward Li Jing’s head!

Li Jing coldly snorted, his left palm gripping the sword at his waist, his form suddenly charging forward with the motion of drawing his sword!

This was the Immortal-Crossing Sword!

But in just one exchange, Li Jing’s form was unreasonably blasted away by that seven-colored divine light.

He ultimately wasn’t skilled in martial combat.

Sun Wukong pressed his advantage relentlessly, his form flashing past, catching up to Li Jing’s flying form, raising his staff to strike forward.

At the East Heaven Gate, Nezha riding his wind-fire wheels saw this scene and couldn’t help but grit his teeth and cry out:

“Dead monkey, you dare!”

In the Jade Pure Palace, the Jade Emperor’s clenched fist trembled slightly, flames flickering in and out in his eyes.

Dao Ancestor, what fine work you’ve done!

The fake Great White had already returned to stand at his side, seemingly just closing his eyes with a slight smile, but watching this Jade Emperor.

Time seemed slow then, but it was fast!

Sun Wukong’s iron staff had already descended toward Li Jing’s forehead, the rage in his eyes leaving Sun Wukong without any hesitation – he just wanted to kill this heavenly immortal, to accompany his monkey children in death!

But!

Dang——

The sound of weapons clashing echoed across the East Seashore.

Li Jing who had already closed his eyes, and Sun Wukong who was already blinded by rage, both looked at the long blade that had blocked the iron staff!

That spear shaft with green and gold remained unmoved, a strand of red tassel from the battle helmet floating gently beside it.

What spear was it? The Three-Point Double-Edge Spear!

What general was it? True Lord Second Son!

Yang Jian stood at Li Jing’s side, behind him a trail of afterimages, the Three-Point Double-Edge Spear gripped tightly in both hands. Though he had used ninety percent of his strength, it still seemed effortless.

The Three-Point Double-Edge Spear trembled slightly, pushing Sun Wukong back half a zhang;

Yang Jian swept the long spear horizontally, the Three-Point Double-Edge Spear gently patting Li Jing away.

Yang Jian’s handsome face was full of coldness as he looked at this Stone Monkey before him, saying indifferently:

“Your opponent today is me, Sun Wukong.”

Sun Wukong gripped the Golden Cudgel tightly, asking in a low shout: “Why! I had already joined the Heavenly Court, yet the Heavenly Court destroyed my Flower Fruit Mountain!”

“Heaven’s way needs no explanation to you.”

Yang Jian, with the few lines from the jade talisman circling in his heart, said indifferently:

“All beings exist under Heaven’s shelter, and behind the Heavenly Court is Heaven’s will.”

Hearing this, Sun Wukong didn’t rage but smiled, then threw back his head and laughed loudly, tears of blood sliding down from his eyes.

“Heaven, what bullshit Heaven! Hahaha!

They all say I was born of Heaven and raised by Earth, what does my life have to do with Heaven?

Today I’ll smash this Heavenly Court and go find Heaven for an explanation!”

After roaring this, he raised his staff and charged forward, just about to battle with Yang Jian, when another black shadow pounced down from the sky, a spear striking Sun Wukong down from the clouds!

Nezha!

At this moment Nezha was completely wrapped in killing energy, his long hair constantly flying behind him, and the lotus battle armor on his body had ignited with pitch-black flames.

His shoulders shook, revealing his six-armed dharma body;

Turning his head left and right, condensing three faces of anger, wrath, and tranquility.

The bracelets on his wrists constantly flashed with light, yet he directly took them off and put them on his chest.

“Sun. Wu. Kong!”

Nezha lowered his head to look at the equally angry monkey below, his form charging down again.

“You dare hurt my father!”

Sun Wukong also said nothing, directly meeting Nezha’s charge, immediately starting a great battle. The aftermath of their magic combat disturbed the void for ten thousand li, spiritual energy to boil, and beings terrified.

Yang Jian frowned slightly, seeing that though Nezha now fought at full power, trading injury for injury, he could only maintain a stalemate with Sun Wukong, while Sun Wukong’s injuries could always recover extremely quickly.

It was that spiritual power within Sun Wukong, that spiritual power comparable to a late-stage Golden Immortal of the Great Luo.

Fine then, though fighting two against one was somewhat improper, those few lines of dialogue weren’t finished yet.

Whoosh——

Yang Jian joined the battle group with his spear, though cursed a couple of times by the annoyed Nezha, but steadily suppressed Sun Wukong.

And those few lines Li Changshou had Yang Jian say to Sun Wukong were thus spoken;

From this great battle spreading across the Three Realms, falling into the ears of those beings watching this battle situation, watching the circumstances above the Nine Heavens.

“Sun Wukong, Heaven wants to destroy your Flower Fruit Mountain, yet you dare not submit.”

“Without following Heaven’s will, Heaven naturally should destroy it.”

“This is the Heavenly Dao.”

Heavenly Dao?

In the Holy Mother Palace, the Holy Mother reclining on her throne gradually had flames ignite in her eyes.

In Purple Void Palace, Hongjun looked at Li Changshou with an expression between smile and non-smile, that expression seeming to ask – this is your strategy?

Li Changshou smiled calmly.

His action here was just to use Yang Jian to suppress Sun Wukong to speak these words, stirring up beings’ dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Dao and Heavenly Court, making beings not forget their will to struggle against Heaven and Earth.

Eliminating the Dao Ancestor was certainly important;

After eliminating the Dao Ancestor, building a stable, free, and orderly world was more important.

However, Li Changshou’s eyebrows raised, suddenly feeling like something seemed to be changing.

Hongjun also frowned slightly, looking at Li Changshou.

“What did you do?”

“This is not my scheming,” Li Changshou stared at Hongjun, “To deal with Fellow Daoist, I alone am enough.”

Just as his words fell, ripples appeared in the cloud mirror on the table, a peculiar dao rhythm spreading across Heaven and Earth.

In the Underworld, at the Samsara Tower.

That young monk who had shaved his head smiled while holding a flower, sitting quietly on the meditation cushion in the center of the Samsara Tower’s top floor.

The blue-furred great dog beside him asked tremblingly: “Master, are- are we doing this?”

“Do it.”

Ksitigarbha said slowly: “Though I have many opinions about him, at this time he fights for beings, I can’t let him fight alone.”

“No, he might not need your help!”

The blue-furred great dog anxiously shouted: “Aren’t you just causing trouble for no reason?”

“Hm?”

Ksitigarbha quietly put down the flower petal in his hand, pulling out an iron pot from his sleeve.

Suddhipanthaka trembled, bared his teeth, and grimaced at Ksitigarbha for a while, then complained annoyedly: “Really… fine then, I originally thought that Great White Gold Star fellow would use me as a dharma tool, to say some comforting words to beings after the great battle.

Unexpectedly, in the end, the one using this move of mine is my foolish master.”

Ksitigarbha smiled and said: “Whatever I do, I need not look at anyone’s face. The world has reached this point, I should do something.”

“Fine, fine!”

Suddhipanthaka lay down behind Ksitigarbha, closing his eyes, his six small ears trembling slightly, his whole body’s blue fur bursting with light!

“If we die we die together, it’s all your fault anyway.”

Divine Ability: Listen to All Beings’ Hearts!

Reverse Divine Ability: Speak to All Beings’ Hearts.

Ksitigarbha took a gentle breath, that gentle voice transmitting into the hearts of all beings across the Three Realms:

“Heaven has private desires, beings suffer calamities.

I Ksitigarbha, Western Teaching Saint Qianjie’s disciple, master of the Samsara Tower, completing the Six Paths of Reincarnation;

Today cannot bear beings’ suffering, and rebel against Heaven and Dao’s Ancestor Hongjun.

Willing to use my thin life to kindle beings’ unyielding will;

May my path ignite the flames of stars in the long night.

Beings should stand on their own, the Heavenly Dao should restrain itself.”