Great Demon Sun Wukong

Seeing that Xi Zhao, Sun Wukong, and the Flame God still seemed a bit confused, Caomei had no choice but to continue patiently explaining, "In a moment, you three should be able to receive the qualification tokens from Yue Huangquan. However, I still want to explain it to you, otherwise, you might still be clueless when you get there."

Upon hearing that Caomei was going to explain in detail, the three, including Sun Wukong, sat down cross-legged on the ground, ready to listen to a story. Caomei rolled her eyes in annoyance and then said, "Previously, the trials in the Netherworld World were indeed very dangerous and extremely difficult, but they were all within the Netherworld World itself.

Besides, the trials were nothing more than dealing with inner demons and some obstructions by powerful beings.

But this time it's different; for some unknown reason, the Heavenly Patroller, who has been quiet for nearly ten million years, suddenly issued tokens, summoning people from the existing Six Great Divine Nations, the Annihilation Demon Nation, the Genesis Divine Nation, the Netherworld World, the Myriad Gods Hall, the Myriad Demons Country, the Myriad Spirits Realm, and the four high-level worlds – Transforming Thunder Ancestral Realm, Ancient Primordial World, Fangcun Spirit Realm, and the Canglan River Realm – a total of ten superpowers to send people to the Patrolling Celestial World!"

As she spoke, Caomei walked over to where Sun Wukong and the others had their elixirs piled up, picked up a juicy-looking large peach and continued as she ate, "Each power sends thirty-six people with qualification tokens to participate in the trials of the Patrolling Celestial World.

At the end of the trial, rankings will be determined based on the number of people each power has left and the tokens they have seized. Plus, I heard from Yue Huangquan that this ranking will affect the major reshuffling of Divine Nations and high-level worlds. That is, after the trial, the top six powers will become the new Six Great Divine Nations, and the last four will be high-level worlds!"

After Caomei finished, Sun Wukong and the Flame God were still okay, but Xi Zhao took a sharp breath, seemingly extremely shocked, "Could it be that the Heavenly Patroller is dissatisfied with the current power structure? Preparing for a major reshuffle? Then why not set up Nine Great Divine Nations?" Xi Zhao held a very high status during his life, so he quickly grasped what this trial meant.

"I don't know. The envoy of the Heavenly Patroller only mentioned these details. Even Yue Huangquan can't fathom the reason behind the Heavenly Patroller's big move this time. However, he speculates that the three Heavenly Steles might have some other use. Otherwise, if they really wanted to establish Nine Great Divine Nations, that monkey would surely become a Domain Lord right away!"

"That's a possibility, but it's not very likely. A more likely scenario is that the Heavenly Patroller would just eliminate Wukong personally, given that something unpredictable has happened to the Wasteland Soil Stele.

Who knows if there will be another great devouring event in the future." Xi Zhao was well informed about these matters; though he had died before the Wasteland Soil Stele started showing anomalies and had not witnessed the desolation caused by the devouring power of the Stele, he was aware of some of the actions and methods used by the Heavenly Patroller.

"No matter what, in three days, the four of us must participate in this trial. No matter how dangerous it is, we cannot shrink back. Moreover, the powers that rank in the top six in this trial, and all those who participate and survive until the end, will also receive a reward prepared by the Heavenly Patroller.

This is a reward from the Heavenly Patroller, definitely something good!" Caomei said, somewhat longingly.

"Four people? What about the little fox? Is she not going? Oh, and how do you know all this?" Sun Wukong was still very worried about the little fox; if the four of them unfortunately died in the trial, the little fox would be left alone again.

"Hmph, I can communicate with Yue Huangquan's soul. Whatever he wants to tell me, he can do it with just a thought. And you three were able to participate in the trial, all thanks to my sweet-talking. As for the little fox, she will be protected by Yue Huangquan, so there will be no problems."

Hearing Caomei say this, Sun Wukong finally felt relieved. Then, everyone seized the last bit of time to consolidate their current cultivation levels, for after all, such a cultivation treasure land was likely an opportunity they would never have again. Sun Wukong didn't believe he could learn to completely conceal his cultivation level like Caomei could.
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And so, the four of them and the fox quietly seized the last bit of time for cultivation.

Finally, three days later, a Bronze Gate suddenly appeared on the wall that previously only had a window. Seeing this unique magic treasure of Yue Huangquan, the four exchanged glances, then Sun Wukong woke up the sleeping little fox. After looking around one more time, they took the little fox and promptly walked through the Bronze Gate without hesitation.

After entering the Bronze Gate, before they could take in their surroundings, they found the entire space suddenly open and clear. "Having been in that small room for almost a year, if it weren't for the fact that I was once crushed under the Five-Finger Mountain for five hundred years, I might have really been unable to bear it."

The space in the Supreme Pool was indeed very spacious, but staying there for a long time still felt oppressive. Now, coming out and seeing the dazzling stars, surrounded by nearly hundred-meter-tall stone pillars, they couldn't help but be astonished.

"Haha, it's really embarrassing, making you stay in that small room for ten months!" Sun Wukong had just finished speaking when they saw a young man wearing a white Taoist robe approaching them.

The man was strikingly handsome, dressed in white with a few ink marks that immediately suggested an air of scholarly elegance. Moreover, this young man was very amiable, giving off the feeling of an old friend despite years of separation.

However, after Yue Huangquan finished speaking, the four men and one fox opposite him suddenly fell into silence, not responding to his words. Yue Huangquan felt somewhat awkward, but he didn't show any anger. Instead, he continued, "What's the matter? Is there a problem? Caomei, why aren't you talking either?"

After Yue Huangquan spoke, Xi Zhao was the first to step forward and bow with his hands clasped, saying, "Domain Lord, it's great to see you again!" Following Xi Zhao's lead, the others also came to their senses. Then Sun Wukong stepped forward, examining Yue Huangquan closely before asking in confusion, "You are the Tyrant? You don't look the part at all. I thought you'd be a rough and burly man!"

"Sun Wukong, show some respect," said Caomei. Flame God, on the other hand, remained silent, giving nothing away.

Yue Huangquan chuckled and replied, "Would you like me to turn into a rough and burly man?" He then bowed to Xi Zhao and added, "Indeed, we meet again. Not counting the time in the Netherworld World, it's been eons since the last time I saw the Demon Monarch!"

"Yes, it seems like just a blink of an eye, and eons have passed. However, I have to thank you, Domain Lord, for your protection all this time. Without it, I would have likely been reduced to ashes long ago." Xi Zhao was sincere, and in truth, he had long decided to express his gratitude upon their reunion.

Yue Huangquan waved his hand dismissively, "Those are trifles. For the upcoming grand event, we will still need the Demon Monarch's support. Enough talk here; I've prepared a feast especially to welcome you all."

With that, he made an inviting gesture, then led the way deeper into the grand hall. Guided by Yue Huangquan, the four men and the fox arrived at an exquisite side hall, where six jade tables were laden with precious delicacies rarely seen in the Netherworld World.

Again making an inviting gesture, Yue Huangquan took the seat of honor, followed by Caomei and Xi Zhao, and then by Sun Wukong, Flame God, and the little fox. As Sun Wukong and the others had just taken their seats, Caomei sent a meaningful glance towards the little fox. To the astonishment of Sun Wukong and the others, the little fox twirled and transformed into a beautiful woman in a white dress.

This truly surprised Sun Wukong and Xi Zhao so much that their jaws nearly dropped to the floor. When had the little fox learned to transform into a human? But Sun Wukong knew this wasn't the time to ask questions, so he suppressed his curiosity and gave the little fox a fierce glare.

"What are you glaring at, monkey? If you scare Leilei, you'll have me to answer to," Caomei scolded Sun Wukong, then, astonishingly, she picked up her own jade table and chair and moved to sit opposite the little fox. Turning her head to Yue Huangquan, she chuckled, "Since I already know what you're going to discuss, I won't disturb you. I'll just play with Leilei."

Yue Huangquan shook his head helplessly, then raised a jade cup, saying, "First, let me thank you for taking care of Caomei during this time. This is the exclusive Six Paths Netherworld Wine of our Netherworld World, a treasured rarity." After speaking, he raised the jade cup in salute and then drank its contents in one go.

Seeing Yue Huangquan's forthright action, Sun Wukong and the others also felt it was natural, so they too lifted their cups and emptied them.

Drinking the Six Paths Netherworld Wine didn't pose an immediate effect; it was fragrant and pleasant. But soon, Sun Wukong, Xi Zhao, and Flame God simultaneously felt a profound realization dawn within their souls, as if they'd experienced the Six Paths of Reincarnation in a flash. Their eyes brightened, and they couldn't help but exclaim in admiration for the excellent wine.

"Of course, it's excellent. Even the Demon Monarch might never have tasted anything like it in his lifetime. Since we've shared this drink, it means at the very least we aren't enemies. There are things we must discuss. After all, as remarkable individuals, having more friends than enemies is better in the times of great change ahead, isn't it?"