Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

Each layer of the staircase contained a part of the Formation, and although Sun Wukong had the Void-Breaking Divine Eye, unraveling the Formation on the entire staircase all at once was still too difficult and too consuming!

Sun Wukong chose to unravel the Formation one layer at a time and stepped forward progressively. As for whether the Formations would restore themselves after he passed, that wasn't for Sun Wukong to worry about.

An hour later, Sun Wukong stepped onto the Eighth Layer of the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault, his eyes widening instantly. This Eighth Layer was much larger than the previous seven layers!

Not only had its area increased by much, but the number of treasures also exceeded the total of the first seven layers. Sun Wukong estimated roughly, there were at least thousands of treasures in this layer!

Obviously, very few people had come to this layer, and most of the treasures were still preserved in it. Likely, this was due to the powerful Prohibitions and Restraints in the staircase between the Seventh Layer and the Eighth Layer?

That's just perfect! I can take my time selecting!

Sun Wukong laughed, having two opportunities to select treasures, he had to seize them well and choose the most suitable one for himself!

Unfolding the Void-Breaking Moon Eyes, Sun Wukong carefully examined each treasure, one by one.

"This rod isn't bad, but it's not as good as my old Jingu Bang!"

"This armor seems better than the Primordial Armor, but the Primordial Armor is my Lifebound Divine Armor, and it can still be upgraded, so better not!"

"Hmm, this treasure is nice, but it looks like it involves Taoist Techniques, not very suitable for me!"

While probing with the Void-Breaking Moon Eyes, Sun Wukong also evaluated. Indeed, the treasures in this Eighth Layer were quite formidable, leagues above the previous seven layers.

Many Magical Treasures tempted Sun Wukong, but after thinking it through, he gave them up. Although they were excellent, they weren't the most suitable for him; either he already had something similar or they didn't fit his circumstances.

Among them was a lotus platform-like treasure that Sun Wukong found appealing, somewhat akin to the Twelve Graded Lotus Platforms of the Three Realms. However, after much consideration, he gave it up. Such a Magical Treasure was more suited for a powerhouse like Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor who consolidated attacks using Taoist Techniques and the Great Dao Laws. Sun Wukong preferred close combat, thrilling melee battles. This Lotus Platform treasure wasn't suitable for him.

"Tap Tap!"

Footsteps sounded as Sun Wukong looked up in surprise towards the staircase leading from the Seventh to the Eighth Layer. A figure appeared on the last few steps, a Jade Disc spinning in front, radiating brilliance that shrouded the figure, shielding the Formation runes on the staircase.

Creation Jade Disc!

It was Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor!

"Daoist Ancestor!"

Sun Wukong smiled and welcomed him. Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor paused, then smiled upon recognizing Sun Wukong, "Ah, it's Wukong! Indeed, there shouldn't be anyone else to get here before me except you."

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor had also noticed the small characters in the light cluster early on, so he didn't dawdle and ascended layer by layer directly. Now seeing Sun Wukong here before him was somewhat surprising but soon accepted.

He was well aware of Sun Wukong's strength, especially the all-solving nature of the Void-Breaking Moon Eyes against any Formation and Prohibitions, making it unsurprising for Sun Wukong to reach the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault Eighth Layer faster.

"Wukong, you look like you've been here a while, did you find any treasures?"

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor asked with a smile.

"Actually, I've just arrived not long ago myself, haven't found anything suitable..."

Suddenly recalling something, Sun Wukong turned and headed for the Lotus Platform treasure, pointing to it in the light cluster and said to Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor, "Daoist Ancestor, I think this treasure suits you well!"

"Oh, is it? What treasure?"

A gleam of interest flashed in Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor's eyes; he trusted Sun Wukong's judgment. What kind of treasure could be so highly recommended by Sun Wukong?

Upon reaching the light cluster containing the Lotus Platform, Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor's pupils slightly constricted, Lotus Platform a treasure?

Generally, lotus platform treasures had strong defensive capabilities and might have other attached abilities, like escaping into the void, fast flying, or releasing certain attack skills, among which the most famous in the Three Realms was the Twelve Graded Merit Golden Lotus, the Twelve Graded Karmic Fire Red Lotus, and the Twelve Graded World-Extinguishing Black Lotus.

Originally, the Twelve Graded Merit Golden Lotus belonged to the Guiding Daoist, but after Mosquito Daoist extracted three grades of its essence, it was downgraded to the Nine Graded Merit Golden Lotus and taken by Tathagata Buddha.

After Tathagata's death, the Nine Graded Merit Golden Lotus was returned to the Guiding Daoist by Sun Wukong, while the Twelve Graded Karmic Fire Red Lotus and the Twelve Graded World-Extinguishing Black Lotus were with Nether River Lao Zu and Demon Ancestor Luo Hu respectively.

These three Lotus Platform treasures were top-tier within the Three Realms but paled in comparison after ascending to the Yuan Realm, especially the Nine Graded Merit Golden Lotus, its defensive abilities were as good as nothing against the destructive power of the Yuan Realm!

Therefore, when ascending to the Yuan Realm, neither Nether River Lao Zu, Demon Ancestor Luo Hu, nor Guiding Daoist brought them along; they only took their respective Lifebound Divine Weapons, leaving all other treasures, including the three Lotus Platforms, behind in the Three Realms.

Guiding Daoist ascended to the Yuan Realm fairly late and had only just reached the Domain Marshal level. With Ban Tian Que Boundary opening this time, he wasn't able to enter; otherwise, this Lotus Platform treasure might have suited him better.

"It indeed is a great treasure, though its Grade is unknown?"

It appeared with brilliant radiance atop the Lotus Platform, likely indicating a high Grade. Even so, Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor couldn't discern this Lotus Platform's exact Grade and effects merely by looking.

"How about the Grade, Daoist Ancestor, just take it, and you'll know?"

Sun Wukong laughed, "If not for its unsuitability with my combat style, I'd have claimed it long ago!"

"Alright! With even you praising it so highly, it must be a great treasure, so I'll take it then!"

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor quickly made up his mind. Any treasure praised by Sun Wukong certainly wouldn't have a low Grade, no point in hesitating!

Henceforth, Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor reached into the light cluster and pressed his hand on the Lotus Platform, activating Primordial Force to Refinement and absorb it.

The brilliance emanating from the Lotus Platform intensified several fold, radiant and colorful, beginning to tremble violently, so much so that Sun Wukong's pupils subconsciously tightened slightly beside him.

What's happening? Could it be that this Lotus Platform exceeds the Immortal Artifact Level?

Is it of Divine Artifact Level? Or Saint Artifact Level?

Swish!

Suddenly, the Lotus Platform ceased trembling, and the radiance emanating from it vanished instantly, being absorbed into Hong Yun Daoist Ancestor's palm.

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor successfully completed the Refinement!