Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

The Donghua Emperor had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, never concerning himself with the conflicts within the Three Realms, yet this time he personally rode the clouds here, and one could easily guess that it must have been the Jade Emperor who commanded him to come out of isolation. The purpose was clear—it was to exterminate the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Race!

"Is this Donghua Emperor very powerful?"

The Six-Eared Macaque blinked and asked.

"Very powerful, extremely powerful!"

Nezha's expression was very grave, "He is the Green Emperor of the Eastern Direction, the strongest among the Five Directional Great Emperors, and historically the strongest to ever hold the title. With a cultivation nearing that of a Half-Step Saint at its peak, his strength is surpassed only by the Three Purities!"

"Hiss~!"

The Bull Demon King and the two others couldn't help but inhale sharply, astonished that there was such a formidable figure in the Heavenly Court! Moreover, it was evident he had come specifically for Flower-Fruit Mountain; it was just to deal with a lower realm's demon race power.

The Buddhist Sect mobilized Ran Deng Buddha, not to mention, after the utter defeat of the Heavenly Army's one hundred thousand troops, the Heavenly Court had now even summoned an exceptional powerhouse like the Donghua Emperor—weren't they giving them too much credit?

"I've heard the name of the Donghua Emperor mentioned by my master; he's also a Sword Immortal, but I didn't realize his cultivation was so high!"

Luo Bai suddenly understood, no wonder the Sect Hierarch had spoken of the Donghua Emperor with a tone of admiration when he mentioned him inadvertently. So this Emperor was so capable! If not for the Great Calamity delaying the ascension, and a lack of sufficient sanctity, he would have probably already broken through to become a Heavenly Dao Saint already!

"Isn't that big sister next to the Donghua Emperor? How could she be with him?"

The Bull Demon King rubbed his nose and pointed at Zi Lan Fairy standing beside the Donghua Emperor, speaking in a deep, muffled tone. He had seen Sun Wukong and Zi Lan Fairy being intimately close more than once and knew the relationship between Sun Wukong and Zi Lan Fairy was deep.

In his heart, Zi Lan Fairy was already Sun Wukong's woman, and now seeing her appearing together with the Donghua Emperor, he found it rather strange.

"Big sister? That is Zi Lan Fairy, the most favored maid beside the Queen Mother, when did she become a big sister?"

Nezha was somewhat shocked. As the Third Prince of the Heavenly Court, although he was secretly constrained and marginalized by the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, his status was still very respected.

He had attended several feasts hosted by the Queen Mother and was quite familiar with Zi Lan Fairy, the most favored maid beside the Queen Mother, but he hadn't expected there to be any special relationship between her and Sun Wukong.

"I've not only seen big brother and big sister secretly meeting more than once, the advance notice that the Heavenly Army was going to attack Flower-Fruit Mountain also came from big sister. Oh right, Nezha, Six-Eared, you both were cultivating at that time, so you didn't know."

The Bull Demon King snorted.

"There was such a thing!"

Luo Bai and the others exchanged glances, and Nezha's eyes flickered with a playful light. Going by what the Bull Demon King said, Zi Lan Fairy and Sun Wukong's relationship was indeed deep. She might indeed become their big sister someday. If that's the case, her presence here with the Donghua Emperor might have an interesting purpose—maybe she came to persuade the Donghua Emperor?

Given the Donghua Emperor's status, of course, Zi Lan Fairy couldn't restrict him, but given the Emperor's free-spirited and unconventional nature, it wasn't inconceivable that he might listen to Zi Lan Fairy's persuasion.

Well, it would still be best to go over and greet them to find out.

"You all stay here, Luo Bai, let's go and pay our respects to the Emperor!"

Nezha nodded towards Luo Bai, who nodded back, and together they flew towards the Donghua Emperor. Approaching him, they bowed, and Nezha greeted with a smile, "Your Eminence, it's been a long while, what wind has blown you to the Eastern Sea today?"

"Third Prince, I previously heard that you had unfortunately fallen, and I was saddened for a while. I never expected that you had switched allegiance to Flower-Fruit Mountain.

But it seems you have gained significantly, breaking free from the limitations of the Lotus Incarnation, the origin of the Spirit Pearls returning, the shackles are gone, and your prospects are limitless—truly a joyous occasion!"

Instead of responding to Nezha's inquiry, the Donghua Emperor sized Nezha up and down, a gleam of approval in his eyes, as he nodded and smiled appreciatively.

"A good bird chooses a tree to nest," Nezha shook his head and spoke, "I was constantly restricted by that old thief Li Jing within the Heavenly Court; Wukong saved me, helped me break free from my shackles and be reborn. It's only right to show gratitude; it's not really a change of allegiance."

"Not knowing what your purpose is in coming here, Your Eminence?" Nezha asked.

"I am here by the command of the Jade Emperor to help the Heavenly Army in eradicating the Flower-Fruit Mountain!"

As soon as the Donghua Emperor spoke, Nezha and Luo Bai's faces changed instantaneously, Luo Bai's eyes sparkled with a chilly light, and a fierce Sword Qi surged from his body.

"Eh? A sword cultivator?"

Emperor Donghua's eyes flashed with a strange light as his gaze shifted to Luo Bai. After looking him up and down twice, he revealed a look of surprise, "He's an Innate Sword Body, such pure Sword Qi! Who is your master?"

"My master is the Leader of Tongtian."

"Ah, a distinguished disciple of the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Venerate, no wonder, no wonder!"

Emperor Donghua suddenly realized. In the Three Realms, sword cultivators were rare, and someone like Luo Bai who possessed an Innate Sword Body was even rarer, a sight not seen in ten thousand years. Looking at Luo Bai's form, which had clearly condensed into a sword body, there must be a highly skilled mentor behind him. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Among the Three Purities, the Leader of Tongtian was indeed considered the ancestor of all sword cultivators in the world, which made perfect sense.

"Emperor, are you really here to exterminate Flower-Fruit Mountain?"

Nezha's body also surged with a fighting spirit. If Emperor Donghua was truly here to exterminate Flower-Fruit Mountain, then, even knowing he was outmatched, he would still have to fight with all his might and not allow him to succeed!

"Third Prince, don't misunderstand. Although the Emperor has accepted His Majesty the Jade Emperor's decree, he has already promised me to delay the attack on Flower-Fruit Mountain as much as possible. He won't make a move against you here!"

Zi Lan Fairy hurriedly explained before Emperor Donghua could speak, fearing that Nezha and the others might start a quarrel with Emperor Donghua and anger him, wasting all her previous efforts!

"Is that so?"

Nezha and Luo Bai were startled, but seeing Emperor Donghua nod in approval of Zi Lan Fairy's words, they let out a huge sigh of relief. No wonder Zi Lan Fairy was seen with Emperor Donghua; she had really come to persuade him!

"Sister-in-law, thank you!"

Luo Bai, straightforward by nature, bowed deeply to Zi Lan Fairy, causing her cheeks to flush red. She opened her mouth as if to explain but didn't know how to express herself, and could only shuffle her feet, casting her gaze toward the gradually dispersing haze of bright light where her beloved was fiercely battling with an enemy.

"Alright, this emperor has already seen the Heavenly Army's defeat and withdrawal from Flower-Fruit Mountain. Naturally, there's no need to talk about assisting anymore. Today, this emperor came to watch the battle, and I won't make a move against Flower-Fruit Mountain. You can rest assured!"

Emperor Donghua said, his gaze also turning towards the battlefield between Sun Wukong and Ran Deng Buddha, a meaningful look flashing in his eyes. Being able to withstand a half-step saint with the strength of a Daluo Golden Immortal in his domain without falling at a disadvantage, this Beautiful Monkey King Sun Wukong could indeed be considered the most monstrous talent ever!

No wonder Zi Lan Fairy is so devoted to him, interesting, very interesting indeed!

In the battlefield, the huge mushroom cloud gradually dissipated, and the strong light vanished, revealing two figures standing a few yards apart. The first to reveal his form was Sun Wukong, whose Ruyi Divine Armor bore several deep sword marks, and his forehead also had a bone-deep sword slash, blood at the corner of his mouth.

The pale golden blood dripped down the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod held in his hands; even the Diamond Indestructible Body cultivated to perfection by his Eight-Nine Profound Skill couldn't withstand such wounds. The Chaos Primordial Force was actively expelling the invasive Heavenly Dao Sword Qi, and although the wounds were slowly healing, it was extremely slow.

In that blow just now, Sun Wukong had indeed blocked Ran Deng Buddha's sword palm, but the Heavenly Dao Sword Qi contained in that sword palm was too strong, and the Heaven-Breaking Stick Technique was not enough to fully withstand it. Were it not for the Ruyi Divine Armor protecting his body, he might have been more than just severely injured; his physical body could have shattered!

The destructive power of a half-step saint with the addition of domain power was truly terrifying!

Sun Wukong's clones had also vanished. After deploying the Heaven-Breaking Eighteen Sticks, ferocious Sword Qi from the Slaying Immortal Domain swept towards the clones.

Already somewhat drained from the all-out effort to execute his ultimate move, how could his clones withstand such an onslaught of Sword Qi Storm, instantly ground into dust, transforming into an essence Qi that returned to Sun Wukong's body, and the Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod flew back to merge with the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod.

The annihilation of the clones, due to the fore-mentioned energy extraction feedback, added even more to Sun Wukong's injuries. If it weren't for his Heavenly Demon Body, which had begun transforming into a Chaotic Divine Body, with greatly increased resilience and recovery capacity, he might have exploded from this double blow!

However, Sun Wukong's expression was not heavy. As he concentrated on fully repairing his injuries with the Chaos Primordial Force, his eyes firmly fixed on Ran Deng Buddha emerging from the bright vaporous dust across from him, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. He was injured, true, but Ran Deng Buddha was in no better shape!

The sword armor had already disintegrated under the bombardment of the Heaven-Breaking Eighteen Sticks, his Buddha's robe torn beyond recognition, barely covering his shameful parts, his body a patchwork of blues and purples, his large bald head swollen like a big steamed bun, his eyes nearly swollen shut.

The current state of Ran Deng Buddha, appearing like a beggar beaten by countless people at a street corner in the Mortal Realm, bore no resemblance to his past grandeur as an ancient Buddha; he was completely disfigured!

"Damn Demon Monkey! I, I will break you into ten thousand pieces!"

The voice filled with endless hatred and malevolence rose from Ran Deng Buddha, his gaze towards Sun Wukong venomous to the extreme. If looks could kill, Sun Wukong wouldn't know how many times he had died!

"People have been after old Sun's life for ages, don't whine if you can't back it up! Come on, keep it coming, and if old Sun even frowns, he's not the Great Sage Sun Wukong who equals Heaven!"