The next day.
The tremors that shook the entire Panshi Ridge were still reverberating.
Nearly all the Taoist priests of Huang Hua Temple were paying attention to the events of the previous night.
It wasn't that they were neglecting their cultivation.
But yesterday, Xu Yuan's single strike had almost completely caved in a mountain peak in Panshi Ridge.
That peak was where many Taoists resided for their cultivation.
It was now being repaired by the little demons.
The battle from the previous night had sparked heated discussions among the Huang Hua Temple Taoist priests.
After all, whether it was the scene of the Hundred-Eyed Demon King's manifestation of a hundred eyes, the golden demonic light that obscured the sun and moon, or the image of the mysterious monkey demon wielding the thousand-pound club, smashing down mountains a thousand feet high, it was all something that these Huang Hua Temple Taoist priests, who sought immortality and divine powers, longed for and discussed.
Therefore, some went even further, analyzing more critical details.
For example,
“How did that monkey enter Huang Hua Temple yesterday, and what were its intentions? You know nothing about it?”
At this moment, inside the sealed Jin Guang Garden.
A raspy voice rang out.
But the speaker was not from Huang Hua Temple.
He had a crimson topknot and a white body, his entire body covered in feathers.
He had a long, elegant beak and held a whisk in his hands.
He was a Xian, a celestial being, with the body of a white crane.
“Reporting to Xianjun, I truly have no knowledge of it whatsoever.”
The one accompanying the crane Xian at this moment was none other than...
The Abbot of Huang Hua Temple, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King.
But at this moment...
The powerful demon king, whose name was known throughout the three realms and four continents, had clear injuries covering half his body.
Some of the wounds were still oozing blood.
Evidently, these were the injuries he sustained yesterday.
“However, this humble demon has already instructed the Huang Hua Temple disciples and the insect demons within the Panshi Cave to thoroughly investigate, hoping to find some trace of that monkey demon from last night.”
But at this moment, he seemed to completely disregard his injuries.
He was merely cowering, ingratiating himself.
He was beaming at the crane Xian, his face full of flattery.
Of course.
For his words.
Both the crane Xian and he himself.
Had no hope.
After all, they both knew very well.
The monkey’s divine powers and techniques, even if not as great as Sun Wukong, were still among the top tier of Great Sage demons.
Even someone as powerful as the Hundred-Eyed Demon King was suppressed by him.
Such a powerful demon king, who had infiltrated Huang Hua Temple.
How could he leave any trace?
Therefore, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King's words at this moment were nothing more than a formality.
“Strange.”
The crane Xian ignored him, merely sweeping his whisk.
A hint of human-like perplexity appeared on his crane face.
“The Heavenly Court has already sent people to investigate Flower Fruit Mountain - the golden-armored rhinoceros, the cloud-riding deer, the jade-arm mantis, the Phoenix Winged General, and that golden hoop are all still on Flower Fruit Mountain.”
As he said this, he looked at the Hundred-Eyed Demon King.
That’s right.
Generation after generation, Heaven-Chosen Ones have continued to fulfill the destiny of recovering Sun Wukong's six faculties.
And those celestial Buddhas at the very top of Heaven, as the players in this chess game.
Naturally, they know very well where Sun Wukong’s armor and weapons are hidden.
“Impossible!”
But at this moment, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.
“I've fought with Sun Wukong more than once.”
“The monkey from yesterday, its armor and weapon, are definitely Sun Wukong's. There's absolutely no mistake!”
He said loudly.
“This Xian knows this.”
The crane Xian merely glanced at him.
“This is precisely what makes it strange.”
That’s right.
Yesterday’s battle at Huang Hua Temple had already shaken the Three Realms.
Celestial Buddhas from Heaven had already investigated and confirmed using various methods.
“That monkey does indeed possess the essence of Sun Wukong, and its armor and golden hoop are genuine.”
“These characteristics point to a Heaven-Chosen One without a doubt.”
“But, the Heaven-Chosen One of this era still has several hundred years before they are due to be born.”
“Moreover, throughout these many cycles of reincarnation, few Heaven-Chosen Ones have reached the level of cultivation that the monkey from yesterday had.”
The crane Xian spoke thus, his words laced with a hint of doubt.
“But the Daoist Lord and His Majesty have both calculated it.”
“However, when all the celestial secrets were exhausted, there was no sign of the monkey from yesterday—it was as if it appeared out of nowhere and had no cause and effect.”
With these words, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King was even more panicked.
“It actually alarmed His Majesty and the Daoist Lord?”
Those two were among the most powerful celestial deities in the East Heaven.
And most importantly, even those two couldn’t calculate the origin of the monkey from yesterday.
“Could it be the Western Heaven...”
So, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King asked tentatively.
If there was any other force in the Three Realms that could have access to Sun Wukong’s essence and possibly train such a ‘Heaven-Chosen One’.
Then the Western Heaven’s Vulture Peak was the most likely candidate.
The Western Heaven and the East Heaven had long had a feud, and the Hundred-Eyed Demon King was acutely aware of this.
After all, the fate of the Western Heaven’s Viśva-Bhu Vasudevi Bodhisattva and her son, the Constellation of Antares, was at his hands.
But as soon as he spoke, the crane Xian merely gave him a cold look.
“Do you dare inquire into such matters?”
His words were filled with coldness and warning.
Therefore, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King hurriedly bowed and said in a panic, “This humble demon has spoken out of turn!”
“Humph!”
The crane Xian snorted coldly, arrogantly saying, “For the sake of that one on Kunlun, I will not hold it against you—take care of your own affairs.”
“The ten-year deadline is approaching, and the Daoist Lord’s alchemy ingredients are still missing thirty portions.”
“And those few spider demons…”
As he spoke, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King hurriedly said,
“Xianjun, rest assured—those ingredients will not be missing. In a few years, this humble demon will instruct someone to take them to the Nest Cloud Peak to send them to the Heavenly Palace.”
“As for those spider demons... those four formation eyes, laid down by the Daoist Lord himself, are still there.”
“As long as Huang Hua Temple is still standing, and there are no outsiders to assist them—they cannot escape.”
“When their essences are fully developed, this humble demon will send them to the Daoist Lord for alchemy.”
Upon hearing these words.
The crane Xian finally nodded slightly.
“Good!”
He said “good” and then raised his hand, tossing out a pill that emitted essence.
“This is a Great-One Jade Golden Elixir, bestowed by the Daoist Lord. You shall cultivate it after you recover from your injuries.”
“As for that monkey, you need not worry anymore—if it appears in your Huang Hua Temple again, someone will come to take care of it.”
With these words.
He said no more.
He leaped into the air, soaring towards the heavens.
He returned to the Heavenly Court.
The Hundred-Eyed Demon King, left behind, looked up at the vast expanse of blue sky.
His eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions.
There was resentment and anger, longing and anticipation.
The resentment was, naturally, towards the crane Xian’s attitude towards him.
In fact, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King knew very well.
The attitude of those celestial Buddhas in Heaven towards them, the demon kings.
To them.
Demon kings were merely the puppets they used to carry out their plans and schemes.
If they disobeyed, they would be slaughtered in an instant.
He was both furious and helpless about this.
His anticipation was also for this very reason.
He, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King, also harbored ambitions of becoming a Xian.
And he knew very well.
Among the current demon kings of the Three Realms, he had the best chance.
Not only did he work for the Daoist Lord and Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court, preparing alchemy ingredients.
But he was also valued by the one in the Western Kunlun, acting as her proxy.
Once he had done his job well, if either of those two dropped anything from their fingertips.
Perhaps there would be a chance for him to become a Xian.
Just like the Great-One Jade Golden Elixir in front of him.
“Someone.”
His eyes burning with passion as he put away the Great-One Jade Golden Elixir.
The Hundred-Eyed Demon King gave orders to his close disciples inside Jin Guang Garden.
“This Daoist will be going into seclusion to heal my wounds. Everything in the temple will proceed as usual.”
“If it’s not a matter of great importance, do not disturb me.”