Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"It's been a while since I've seen Old Brother Nether River, I've missed you, you know? Your brother Sun Wukong made a special trip to visit you today!"

Sun Wukong said with a chuckle. He had come to the Boundless Blood Sea to borrow the Blood God Stone from Old Ancestor Nether River as a substitute for the Samsara Stone, but borrowing things also required tact. It was too direct to just ask for someone's supreme treasure right from the start!

"Oh, did you really just come to see me?"

The eyes of Old Ancestor Nether River slightly narrowed, his face filled with disbelief, "Alright then, just spit it out if you need something from this old ancestor. Beating around the bush isn't like you!"

"Haha, Old Brother Nether River is indeed straightforward. Then I'll cut to the chase! Sun Wukong came here today to borrow your Blood God Stone!"

As soon as Sun Wukong said this, Old Ancestor Nether River's expression immediately changed: "The Blood God Stone? What do you need that treasure for?"

"Here's the thing..."

Sun Wukong explained his need for the Blood God Stone to replace the Samsara Stone to block the entrance and exit of the River of Oblivion, in order to retrieve the memories of Golden Cicada Child from ten lifetimes ago in the River of Oblivion.

"Was it Yama who told you that my Blood God Stone could replace the Samsara Stone?"

As soon as Old Ancestor Nether River heard this, he instantly understood. It must have been Yama Heavenly Son who suggested this idea to Sun Wukong; otherwise, how would Sun Wukong know that the Blood God Stone could block the entrance and exit of the River of Oblivion?

"Old Brother Nether River is wise, indeed! It was Brother Yama who told me! He said that within the Three Realms, the only thing that could substitute the Samsara Stone to block the entrance of the River of Oblivion is Old Brother Nether River's Blood God Stone! That's why I had the audacity to come and ask you to lend it to me. I promise to return it immediately after using it, without any delay!"

Sun Wukong spoke resolutely and, after finishing, stared intently at Old Ancestor Nether River, waiting for his response.

"Wukong, my Asura Tribe and your Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Race are allies, and we even share some personal ties. By all rights, I should agree immediately to lend you the Blood God Stone, but do you understand how important this Blood God Stone is to the Boundless Blood Sea and the entire Asura Tribe?"

Old Ancestor Nether River's brow furrowed, and after a moment of silence, he looked up at Sun Wukong and asked.

"This, I do not know!"

"The Boundless Blood Sea is called boundless not because it has no borders, but because it can regenerate endlessly. No matter how much is consumed, it can always replenish itself, all thanks to the Blood God Stone! The Asura Tribe also needs the power of the Blood God Stone to breed descendants. Now do you understand what the Blood God Stone means to the Boundless Blood Sea and the Asura Tribe?"

Having heard this from Old Ancestor Nether River, Sun Wukong's heart sank. He had not expected the Blood God Stone to be so important to Old Ancestor Nether River, who explained that the Blood God Stone was the life-sustaining source of the Boundless Blood Sea and the Asura Tribe!

"This..."

Sun Wukong was somewhat at a loss for words. Were he in this situation, he too would not readily lend an artifact critical to his own and his tribe's fate. He understood the concerns of the Nether River Ancestor well, yet giving up was something Sun Wukong simply couldn't accept!

After much hesitation, Sun Wukong still steeled himself to speak, "Nether River Brother, I know this is a big ask, but I promise you, I'll take good care of the Blood God Stone and will return it as soon as I come back from the River of Oblivion! Consider this a favor that I owe you, Nether River Brother. Should you need help in the future, I won't hesitate!"

"Well... all right!"

The Nether River Ancestor's eyes revealed a hint of reluctance but eventually nodded in agreement. He knew Sun Wukong's determination well—he would not stop until he achieved his goal. If he were to refuse to lend it, it was hard to guarantee that Sun Wukong wouldn't just steal the Blood God Stone or take it by force!

The news that Sun Wukong had slain two Heavenly Dao Saints within a day also reached the Boundless Blood Sea. The Nether River Ancestor was well aware that, with Sun Wukong's current strength, he might not be able to stop him if he decided to forcefully take it!

If that were the case, the relationship that was not easy to establish between him and Sun Wukong could be destroyed!

Since the outcome was likely unchangeable, it was better to be generous and lend the Blood God Stone to Sun Wukong. With this promise of favor from Sun Wukong, lending the Blood God Stone didn't seem like a loss!

"Wukong, I can lend you the Blood God Stone, and this is solely based on the friendship between us. But this Blood God Stone is critical to the rise and fall of the Asura Tribe. You must take good care of it and ensure absolutely no mistakes!"

Sending a Dharma Decree into the great hall, the Nether River Ancestor drew the Blood God Stone into his palm. It was a palm-sized blood-red diamond-shaped crystal stone. Sun Wukong could not see anything special about it, and such a small stone, compared to the much larger Samsara Stone, seemed very insignificant. Could it really replace the Samsara Stone and block the entrance of the River of Oblivion?

With some doubts in his heart but more of joy, Sun Wukong took the Blood God Stone from the Nether River Ancestor's hand, placing it into the Ruyi Qiankun Bag, and assured solemnly with a nod, "Brother, rest assured, I will definitely return the Blood God Stone in one piece!"

After expressing his thanks to the Nether River Ancestor again, Sun Wukong left the Boundless Blood Sea and returned to the River of Oblivion. He descended his clouds in front of the Nostalgia Platform and excitedly shouted to the platform above, "Yama Brother, I have borrowed the Blood God Stone!"

The Yama Heavenly Son was meditating quietly in front of the Samsara Stone on the Nostalgia Platform. Hearing this, he opened his eyes, a spark flashing in his eye as he smirked slightly, "The Nether River old ghost really lent out the Blood God Stone. Wukong sure has some clout! But, the Nether River old ghost must have done it reluctantly, right?"

Sun Wukong, now no longer the junior he once was, though possessing only the cultivation of a Half-Step Saint, the Yama Heavenly Son knew well that Sun Wukong had deliberately fallen from the Primordial Taiji Da Luo Gold Immortal to the Half-Step Saint Realm. It was for the purpose of Slaying Three Corpses to validate his Dao and achieve the fruit of a Chaos Saint.

Sun Wukong's combat prowess should not be simply judged by his cultivation. The Evil Emperor and Lei Kuang, whom he had slain in one day, were the best proof!

The Nether River Ancestor surely knew this too, which is why he reluctantly lent out the supreme treasure, the Blood God Stone, right?

"Nether River Brother, the Blood God Stone is here. What should we do now?"

Sun Wukong stepped onto the Nostalgia Platform, took out the Blood God Stone from the Ruyi Qiankun Bag, and handed it over to the Yama Heavenly Son, asking for instructions.