Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

(Finally had enough sleep and recovered some, today five more chapters to make up for what was owed yesterday, this is the first one!)

With a thought of Divine Sense, Ran Deng Buddha's Dharma Body swung the Qiankun Ruler towards Sun Wukong's Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod. The ruler and rod collided with a thunderous roar, and a brilliant light burst forth, causing both figures to retreat two steps in the air.

"Truly worthy of being a Half-Step Saint, so formidable, come again!"

A golden gleam flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes as he activated his Void-Breaking Divine Eye, his eyes quickly turned dark gold, and his face boiled with the desire to fight. After steadying his stance, he charged at Ran Deng Buddha once again, unfolding the Frenzied Monkey Stick Technique, raining down a barrage of blows.

"How is this Demon Monkey so strong?"

Ran Deng Buddha had only exchanged a couple of moves with Sun Wukong previously and had somewhat underestimated him, suffering a disadvantage. Now, irritated, he had harnessed the power of the Twenty-Four Heavens' Worlds to trap Sun Wukong inside, not entirely clear on the extent of Sun Wukong's strength.

He initially thought that by using his Dharma Body and the power of the Twenty-Four Heavens' Worlds, he could firmly suppress Sun Wukong. Yet, he did not expect this strike to end in a draw. Was this Demon Monkey's power so abnormally strong?

Sun Wukong's Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod had once again blanketed the sky with strikes, and Ran Deng Buddha could no longer afford to be surprised. He swung his Qiankun Ruler to block the barrage. Deafening booms echoed in the air as the aftershocks of the fight spread all around. The clash was far more intense than Ran Deng Buddha's previous exchanges with Leng Xuan and others.

The Demon Soldiers and Demon Generals of Flower-Fruit Mountain had already followed Sun Wukong's order to fall back into Water Curtain Cave Heaven.

The Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals of the Heavenly Court had intended to continue attacking Water Curtain Cave Heaven, but now that the fierce battle between Sun Wukong and Ran Deng Buddha had started, the terrible shock waves caused everyone's face to change color as they hastily retreated from Flower-Fruit Mountain and evaded to the distant high sky.

When immortals fight, mortals suffer – although these Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals were immortals, the gap between them and Sun Wukong or Ran Deng Buddha was practically the same as between mortals and immortals, and no one wanted to be caught in the crossfire and lose their lives needlessly.

"Ran Deng you bald donkey, if you dare, come and fight me!"

After a dozen or so exchanges, Sun Wukong glanced at Flower-Fruit Mountain below and his brows furrowed slightly. With a feint, he turned and cloud-soared toward the Eastern Sea. Fighting here was too damaging for Flower-Fruit Mountain, and there was a chance that the Nine Dragons Gathering Stars Formation would be exposed. It was better to choose the battlefield above the Eastern Sea!
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As for the impact it might have on the Eastern Sea, that was outside Sun Wukong's concern. After all, it was the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea who had gone to the Jade Emperor to exaggerate and tattle, he deserved it!

"Demon Monkey, today I will definitely capture you!"

With no clear victor after a dozen rounds, Ran Deng Buddha felt his pride aflame. He was a Half-Step Saint Realm powerhouse, yet fighting on par with a Daluo Golden Immortal Demon Monkey. If word of this spread, how would he ever hold his head high in the Three Realms?

Faced with Sun Wukong's provocation, Ran Deng Buddha, of course, could not show weakness. With a loud shout, he rode the clouds in pursuit.

"The boss has dragged Ran Deng bald donkey to the Eastern Sea! Quick, everyone take this time to recover!"

A gleam of insight flashed in Leng Xuan's eyes; he had roughly guessed Sun Wukong's intentions. After alerting the others, he hesitated no longer, took out a Healing Immortal Pill, consumed it, and concentrated on channeling his energy to recover, with a massive Six-Tailed White Fox spectral image appearing behind him.

"Brother Nezha, thank you for protecting us!"

The little fox demon, Sun Xiaoqing, gave a bow to Nezha and then closed her eyes to cultivate and recover. The energy she had expended playing the battle music to boost the Flower-Fruit Mountain demons was not insignificant. Although she had only suffered minor injuries, not cultivating properly to recover could still affect her essence.

Leng Xuan, Jiao Demon King, and others did not delay, each cultivating to recover. Some of the less injured or lightly wounded among the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Clan were assigned to guard the gate to Water Curtain Cave Heaven, while the rest took their medicine and began cultivating to heal their wounds.

This was the breathing opportunity Sun Wukong had fought for them – an opportunity not to be wasted, as the Heavenly Army was still lurking with covetous eyes outside!

Hundreds of miles away from Flower-Fruit Mountain, Zi Lan Fairy was rapidly approaching Flower-Fruit Mountain on a green shuttle. This was the Flight Treasure called "Bi Yun Suo," bestowed by the Queen Mother, much faster than the usual cloud-riding magic.

Zi Lan Fairy's only thought was to reach Flower-Fruit Mountain before Donghua Emperor, and by all means stop him, or Flower-Fruit Mountain would surely meet with disaster.

The "Bi Yun Suo" pierced through the clouds, and Zi Lan Fairy kept her gaze fixed ahead, finally spotting a lucky cloud surrounded by auspicious colors appearing in her view – Donghua Emperor's lucky cloud. She had caught up at last!

A trace of joy crossed her face as Zi Lan Fairy pushed the "Bi Yun Suo" harder, catching up to the auspicious cloud while calling out, "Emperor, please halt, Emperor, please hold!"

Donghua Emperor was leisurely making his way to Flower-Fruit Mountain when he surprisingly heard a woman's voice calling him from behind, so he stopped his cloud and saw a green "Bi Yun Suo" catch up, with Zi Lan Fairy standing upon it.

"It turns out to be Zi Lan Fairy, may I know why you've stopped me?"

Zi Lan Fairy was the most favored maidservant by the Queen Mother's side. Donghua Emperor had seen Zi Lan Fairy at the Queen Mother's banquet and recognized her at a glance. The Queen Mother even bestowed upon Zi Lan Fairy the Biyun Shuttle, a flight treasure, which showed great affection towards her. Naturally, Donghua Emperor was also quite amiable toward Zi Lan Fairy.

"Emperor, you, are you going to Flower-Fruit Mountain to join the battle?"

Previously determined to catch up with Donghua Emperor and stop him at any cost, now that Zi Lan Fairy had actually managed to do so, she suddenly didn't know what to say. She had no real acquaintance with Donghua Emperor, having met him only twice, and considering Donghua Emperor's status, would he heed the words of a mere maidservant like herself?

"By the Jade Emperor's decree, I have already received the command. I am indeed rushing to Flower-Fruit Mountain to aid the Heavenly Army in subjugating the rebellious Demon Path. Why, does the fairy have doubts about this matter?"

A sharp gleam flashed in Donghua Emperor's eyes. To be ranked first among the Five Emperors, it wasn't merely for his formidable cultivation strength; his mind was also the most astute among them. Zi Lan Fairy taking out the Biyun Shuttle to catch up and stop him surely wouldn't be for something as simple as asking a question!

"I have no doubts, it's just, just..."

Zi Lan Fairy bit her lower lip, truly at a loss for how to begin. Should she directly tell Donghua Emperor to stop attacking Flower-Fruit Mountain? On what grounds? She was nothing more than a maidservant by the Queen Mother's side, albeit a favored one; still a maidservant, merely with the title of a fairy. Why would Donghua Emperor listen to her?

"It seems the fairy has some unspeakable difficulties! No matter, the Jade Emperor's decree did not specify when I must arrive at Flower-Fruit Mountain, a little delay wouldn't matter. The fairy need not be anxious. Let's find a place to have tea and talk at leisure," Donghua Emperor said with a smile, seeing Zi Lan Fairy's predicament.

Truth be told, he wasn't keen on meddling with the affairs of Flower-Fruit Mountain either. Had it not been for the Jade Emperor sending Great White Golden Star to convey the decree with earnest words, he wouldn't have agreed. Whether he arrived early or late did not matter, as long as he went; the delay on the way was of no concern.

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zi Lan Fairy was delighted in her heart. Donghua Emperor's words were exactly what she hoped for. Even if she ultimately couldn't stop Donghua Emperor from going to Flower-Fruit Mountain, delaying him would give Sun Wukong and the others more leeway.

Thereupon, Zi Lan Fairy and Donghua Emperor descended upon a scenic platform atop a cliff on a high mountain. With a wave of his large sleeve, Donghua Emperor conjured a stone table and stone seats before them, gesturing for Zi Lan Fairy to sit down. After preparing and pouring tea, he pushed a cup towards Zi Lan Fairy and gestured for her to please drink.

Zi Lan Fairy expressed her thanks and, without rushing into the matter of Flower-Fruit Mountain, took up the tea cup and slowly savored it.

Above the Eastern Sea, Sun Wukong stopped in the heart of the sea, turned around to face the approaching Ran Deng Buddha, and his lips curled into a fierce smile. Now, at this distance, Flower-Fruit Mountain would no longer be affected. He needn't hold back any longer!

"Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth!"

Ran Deng Buddha had been chasing all the way without dispersing his Dharma Body. Naturally, Sun Wukong couldn't show weakness in front of him and without hesitation activated the Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth. His body grew to a tremendous size, no smaller than Ran Deng Buddha's Dharma Body, and his Ruyi Divine Armor also expanded without any signs of damage.

Pointing his Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod at Ran Deng Buddha, he shouted,

"Ran Deng bald donkey, take this!"

The True Solar Fire blazed violently upon the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod as Sun Wukong stomped in the void with both legs, creating a thunderous blast. He charged toward Ran Deng Buddha and swung his rod in a sweeping motion.

Every action under the influence of Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth carried immense power. As Sun Wukong made his move, spiritual energy within a hundred miles began to riot, and the sea surface of the Eastern Sea stirred up huge waves. Ran Deng Buddha, startled, hadn't expected Sun Wukong to launch an attack so suddenly and to use Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth to fight him.

His expression changing rapidly, he swiftly retreated, dashing into his Dharma Body at top speed, merging with it.

Ran Deng Buddha had not cultivated the Eight-Nine Profound Skill and naturally did not possess Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth. However, he could fight by merging with his Dharma Body, which was also extremely powerful. After integrating with his Dharma Body, his entire Dharma Body became his own form, enabling more nimble and precise control.

With a cold snort, he swung the Qiankun Ruler to block the incoming Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod.

Boom!

The Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod clashed with the Qiankun Ruler, creating a thunderous boom and shockwave far more potent than before that spread instantly to an area of a hundred miles. The surface of the Eastern Sea below was pressed into a massive whirlpool a hundred miles in circumference by the sheer force of their impact, with the seabed nearly visible at the deepest point!

A full-force collision between Dharma Bodies was terrifying indeed!