Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"Fairy, there's no need to fear, I, the Emperor, have no ulterior motives. I'm merely curious, what has driven you to disregard your own safety and secretly pursue me to stop me? I have heard that you were brought back to the Heavenly Court from the Mortal World by the Fairy of Hundred Flowers. Could it be that you hail from Flower-Fruit Mountain?"

The Donghua Emperor spoke with a smile, but his words made Zi Lan Fairy swallow hard, as he had almost guessed half of the reason already!

"There's no need to panic, I, the Emperor, have little interest in the conflict between the Heavenly Court and Flower-Fruit Mountain. However, I am quite intrigued by your motives, and that's all. If you are willing, feel free to speak sincerely. Perhaps I can agree not to intervene."

"Really?"

Zi Lan Fairy's eyes suddenly brightened, then she bashfully turned her head away under the Donghua Emperor's seemingly smiling gaze. After her eyes flickered for a moment, she clenched her teeth and told him about her relationship with Sun Wukong without any concealment.

It wasn't that she was naive; the fact was that her story couldn't be hidden, as the Donghua Emperor already had suspicions about her, and once her identity and background were investigated, they would be revealed.

"So that's how it is! No wonder you are so protective of that demon monkey Sun Wukong, daring to risk your life to stop me. In the end, it all comes down to a love connection!"
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The Donghua Emperor nodded, his face showing a flash of realization, his gaze towards Zi Lan Fairy holding no malice. Instead, there was a hint of admiration. Zi Lan Fairy hadn't lied, nor had she seemed to hold anything back, which the Emperor could discern.

There was a strict decree in the Heavenly Court that immortals were forbidden to fall in love with mortals or to do so privately, with violators being stripped from the Immortal Registry and cast down to the Mortal World to reincarnate. However, not every Immortal and God agreed with such dogmatic rules, and the Donghua Emperor was one of them.

What is an Immortal and God? Besides having great power and long life, should they just sit above the Nine Heavens, desireless and free of distracting thoughts? Such immortals would be exceedingly dull! What the Donghua Emperor desired was freedom and spontaneity, going wherever the mood took him. This was his Dao.

As for matters of love, the Donghua Emperor might not understand much, but he wouldn't be strict about it. He wasn't hard on himself and wouldn't be on others, as long as it came from the heart without entangling benefits, then to him, it was in accordance with the Heavenly Dao.

It can be said that Zi Lan Fairy's sincerity had gained the approval of the Donghua Emperor!

"All right, no need to panic, as I said, this is just a casual chat between you and me. The words spoken today shall not reach the ears of a third party!"

Seeing Zi Lan Fairy becoming nervous again, the Donghua Emperor said with a smile to reassure her, then paused and slightly furrowed his brow, "This is troublesome! I have already accepted the Jade Emperor's decree, and not going to Flower-Fruit Mountain would be defying it. While the Jade Emperor won't punish me, it's ultimately not proper.

If I go and attack Flower-Fruit Mountain, I truly do not wish to. What should I do?"

While the Donghua Emperor mused aloud, his gaze fell on Zi Lan Fairy, clearly waiting for her to give him an idea that could satisfy both sides, as she had caused this predicament.

"Emperor, Zi Lan dares not ask you to defy the decree, but may I ask you to delay for some more time? Just to arrive at Flower-Fruit Mountain a bit later!"

Zi Lan Fairy bit her lip and pleaded with the Donghua Emperor.

"What's the difference between arriving earlier or later? Isn't it the same that I have to go and attack Flower-Fruit Mountain either way?"

The Donghua Emperor raised an eyebrow, a playful look flashing in his eyes.

"Emperor, you are a Half-Step Saint, and so is the Ran Deng Buddha. If you both take action at the same time, Flower-Fruit Mountain will surely be doomed! But if you could delay your arrival, the situation could be different, and Flower-Fruit Mountain might be able to hold on..."

"Oh? It seems you have a lot of confidence in that Sun Wukong," the Donghua Emperor looked at Zi Lan Fairy, somewhat surprised. "Do you think he can withstand Ran Deng Buddha?"

It was known that the demon monkey Sun Wukong had only the cultivation of a Da Luo Golden Immortal. What made Zi Lan Fairy think he could stand against Ran Deng Buddha, who was at the Half-Step Saint Realm? Wasn't her confidence a bit too blind?

"I believe he can withstand!"

Zi Lan Fairy's eyes flashed with determination as she clenched her fists, "If he cannot, then I will join him in facing the difficulty!"

"Good! A good spirit of facing difficulties together! Just for your words, I will stay here for three days. After three days, no matter the situation, I must immediately head to Flower-Fruit Mountain and can delay no further!"

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zi Lan Fairy was overjoyed, greatly relieved, while silently praying in her heart, Wukong, this is all I can do for you. The rest is up to you now. You must hold on!

At Flower-Fruit Mountain, inside Water Curtain Cave Heaven.

Two figures shot out from the Heaven-Piercing Tower; they were the Six-Eared Macaque and the Bull Demon King. Their injuries had mostly healed, and the minor ones they pushed aside, their combat power had recovered to seventy or eighty percent, so they could not resist leaving the tower.

As soon as the Six-Eared Macaque and the Bull Demon King exited seclusion, they saw many members of the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Clan healing within the Water Curtain Cave Heaven. Leng Xuan was there among others, which immediately changed their expressions. Had the great formation barrier of Flower-Fruit Mountain been breached after all?

After inquiring about the situation from a few lucid Demon Clan members, both the Bull Demon King and the Six-Eared Macaque furrowed their brows. They had not expected that the battle situation had turned so dire. Thankfully, Sun Wukong had finally returned, even rescuing Nezha from the Twenty-Four Heavens' Worlds.

Whether Sun Wukong could defeat Ran Deng Buddha was uncertain, for the Ancient Buddha's cultivation was too profound, and even if they banded together, they might not be his match. Their only hope now lay with Sun Wukong.

"Are those bastards from the Heavenly Court just outside?"

A cold light flashed in the Six-Eared Macaque's eyes as he suddenly asked aloud.

"That's right, they're just outside. Six-Eared, are you thinking of..."

Leng Xuan was taken aback, then quickly understood what the Six-Eared Macaque meant!

"Hmph! Those bastards have turned our Flower-Fruit Mountain into this. We can't let them off lightly!"

The cold light in the Six-Eared Macaque's eyes burst forth as he gritted his teeth and said coldly, "Bull Demon King and I have almost fully recovered. We will take on Erlang God Yang Jian, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva; the rest are up to you to deal with! Nezha, haven't you always wanted to take revenge on Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing? He's yours!"

"That's right, let's do it! Let's deal with those Heavenly Court scum while Ran Deng Buddha isn't here!"

"Exactly! Kill them all!"

The spirits of the Demon Clan were collectively lifted, each one's eyes lighting up, especially Nezha, whose eyes burned with a flame of vengeance. After so many years, the time had finally come to settle things!

"Move out!"

Except for those of the Demon Clan who were too severely injured to move, the rest followed Leng Xuan, Luo Bai, and others as they flew out of Water Curtain Cave Heaven and charged toward the Heavenly Court's army in mid-air.

Luo Bai confronted Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Bull Demon King went after Erlang God Yang Jian, and Six-Eared Macaque tangled with Guanyin Bodhisattva. Led by Leng Xuan, the others charged toward the Heavenly Court's army, their roars shaking the heavens and their killing intent boiling!

"How have these demons recovered so quickly?"

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing was astonished. Not long ago, the Demon Clan of Flower-Fruit Mountain had all been severely wounded, on the brink of death; how had they become so lively and vigorous in such a short time? If his memory served, the Six-Eared Macaque and the Bull Demon King were almost too weak to maintain their cloud-riding spells, nearly plummeting to the ground.

How could they now seem so full of divine primordial qi?

"Form up! Form up for counterattack!"

Facing the ferocious charge of the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Race, the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals of the Heavenly Court panicked. What they feared most were opponents who were not only hard to kill but also feared nothing, even death. The fierce aura terrified these immortals and gods who rarely fought against tough opposition.

If not for the fear of being punished by the Heavenly Dao, some would have thought to turn and flee right away!

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing roared loudly, trying to organize the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to fight back. But as he saw a figure flash before his eyes, Nezha, riding his Wind-Fire Wheels and wielding his Fire-tipped Spear with murderous intent, appeared before him, locking Li Jing down with his overwhelming aura, a face and eyes full of hatred.

"You old thief, today is the day our grudge ends. This time, no one can save you! I, Nezha, swear to slay you under my spear! Meet your end!"

With a thunderous shout, Nezha swung his Fire-tipped Spear at Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, unleashing the full fury of a Da Luo Golden Immortal's combat power without holding back.

"Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda!"

Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing was terrified; he was no match for Nezha. Even with Nezha injured, he couldn't last ten moves against him!

In his panic, Li Jing could only once again bring out the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. Although the pagoda was damaged, it could still be used and might block Nezha's attacks momentarily.

Taking advantage of the moment when Nezha was blocked by the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing turned and fled on his cloud, totally disregarding the dignity of being the Heavenly Court Grand Marshal. His life was nearly lost; what use was dignity now?

"Break for me!"

Seeing Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing turning to flee, Nezha became desperate. He clenched his teeth and activated his Golden Fire Annihilation Divine Spear. After a brief energy accumulation, he launched a fierce assault on the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda blocking his way.

With a loud boom, the already damaged pagoda couldn't withstand the full-force blow of Nezha's ultimate move in his rage. It shattered into pieces, completely destroyed.

"Qiankun Ring, go!"

Pulling the Qiankun Ring from his shoulder, Nezha let out a stern cry and flung it at Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing. The ring transformed into a streak of golden light, instantly catching up with Li Jing and hitting him hard in the lower back, sending him screaming to the ground below.

Boom!

The body of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing slammed forcefully into the ground, creating a huge crater, blood spurting from his mouth. His bones were broken in who knows how many places. Struggling to rise, Nezha descended from the sky and placed his foot firmly on his chest.