In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

"This humble monk admits defeat today."

Zen Master Wuchao rode away on auspicious clouds, without asking for the few branches back.

This made Sun Wukong smile slightly. He could tell from the Zen Master Wuchao's admission of defeat that it was a scheme against the young Sword Master.

But how could Sun Wukong not be angry at Zen Master Wuchao for mocking him like that?

Now that they've vented their anger, the monkey can move around much more freely.

"Amitabha, Wukong, don't be so reckless in the future."

"Master, listen to me."

This time, it wasn't that I, Old Sun, was reckless; rather, I, Old Sun, had no choice but to do this, otherwise I, Old Sun, would be a faithless person.

"Why?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang looked at Sun Wukong with curiosity. What did this have to do with being untrustworthy?

"Master, did you see the golden light on my old Sun stick just now?"

That was the golden light of merit, a wisp of golden light that only appears when someone accumulates immeasurable merit through good deeds. The merit on my staff just now wasn't just a wisp of golden light; otherwise, my staff wouldn't have been able to break through those layers of auspicious clouds.”

"Amitabha Buddha, Wukong, what's going on?"

Did Sun Wukong perform good deeds and accumulate merit?

Tang Sanzang naturally knew that this was not Sun Wukong's merit, and how Sun Wukong obtained these golden lights of merit was probably related to this incident.

Even Pigsy could tell that someone was using the monkey to plot something.

"That person infused the golden light of merit into my Ruyi Jingu Bang iron needle, and asked me to use this stick to knock down a few branches from the bird's nest when I encounter a monk sitting in a bird's nest and cursing me as a 'thousand-year-old stone monkey'."

The old monk insulted me, which was unreasonable, so I, Old Sun, wouldn't mind if he poked me a couple of times.

The man only wanted a few branches, though he didn't know what they were for, but each took what they needed.

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's promise, even Zhu Bajie looked on with envy, and his mouth watered.

So simple?

He merely poked off a few branches, and the golden light of merit was directly integrated into the monkey's golden cudgel.

However, since whoever was so willing to part with it must have possessed extraordinary bird nest branches, and Zen Master Wuchao must be no ordinary person.

The fact that Zen Master Wuchao just admitted defeat shows how complicated this matter has been.

"Master, I'll be right back."

Having obtained the branch, and fearing that things might change, Sun Wukong decided to deliver it first, since it was only two somersaults.

···

"The branches of the hibiscus tree are quite nice!"

Inside the Xuanzhen Temple, Zhang Xiaoshan took the withered branch that appeared to have no unusual signs, and using only his primordial spirit to sense its authenticity, he knew whether it was real or fake.

The Fusang wood is the essence of the Bing fire element. Although it is only the branches and trunk, it is still a top-grade natural treasure and cannot be fooled by Sun Wukong's transformation techniques.

"Hibiscus?"

Could this be the legendary ancient tree that nurtured the sun?

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's whisper, Sun Wukong was greatly shaken.

At the same time, he suddenly realized why Zhang Xiaoshan only wanted these few branches, and he never expected that the origin of these branches was so great.

And the bird's nest woven from the branches of the Fusang tree—could the Zen Master Wuchao have been the son of the Heavenly Emperor in the past?

While Sun Wukong was imagining things, Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but put away the branch and explain to Sun Wukong:

"Indeed, these are the branches of the legendary ancient sacred tree, the Fusang tree."

"My reason for this calculation is that I have cultivated for a thousand years, but have stagnated at the Taiyi Loose Immortal realm for five hundred years. It's not that I lack talent, but rather that the five elements within my body are not yet complete; I am still lacking the essence of fire and earth, and this Fusang tree branch is one of them."

"So that's how Taiyi gathers the five elements in his chest!"

Sun Wukong was also a Taiyi Scattered Number. Although he cultivated profound skills, he knew that the Taiyi realm was the most important stage for condensing the five elements.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan needed such a precious treasure as the Fusang Divine Tree to condense the five elements in his chest.

"The Taoist priest said that we are still missing another element of earth essence. I wonder what it is?"

"The Fruit Tree of Life!"

Speaking of which, you will also be passing through Wuzhuang Temple this time, and you will face a calamity.

If you cause a great disaster within the Wuzhuang Temple, you can go to the Donghua Emperor's Palace and ask the Donghua Emperor for help in overcoming this calamity. At the same time, I can also take this opportunity to obtain the essence of the Life Fruit Tree!

Upon hearing that Zhang Xiaoshan wanted to use him to obtain the essence of the Life Fruit Tree, Sun Wukong immediately smiled disdainfully.

joke!

Why would he retrieve such a precious item for Zhang Xiaoshan if there were no benefit to it?

However, Zhang Xiaoshan did not explain, since it was destined that the monkey would knock down the ginseng fruit tree. As long as he acted faster than Guanyin and used the Three Lights Divine Water he had obtained to heal the ginseng fruit tree, the essence of the Earth element would naturally be collected.

"In that case, I, Old Sun, will take my leave."

Zhang Xiaoshan did not come out to see him off.

This monkey is unruly; if it weren't still of some use, Zhang Xiaoshan wouldn't want to have any dealings with it.

Ultimately, it was a foregone conclusion that this monkey would become a protector of Buddhism, and no amount of benefits would bring any return; this was merely a transaction.

Without the golden light of merit, the monkey would not have been able to break through the bird's nest's defenses.

After obtaining the branch of the Fusang tree, Zhang Xiaoshan chose to go into seclusion to cultivate and refine his fire energy.

Throughout the entire Journey to the West, there were only three things that Zhang Xiaoshan was truly interested in—

Zen Master Wuchao, Zhenyuan Daxian of Wuzhuang Temple, and the Six-Eared Macaque—other matters were insignificant to him, and even the Golden Horn, Silver Horn, and Green Ox Demon were not worth Zhang Xiaoshan's attention.

Zhang Xiaoshan also has three other people in charge of the overall situation, so he doesn't need to get too involved himself.

Chapter 143 The Monkey Returns to Zhenyuan Daxian

The journey to the West is filled with eighty-one tribulations, and everything Zhang Xiaoshan needs is already ahead of him.

Therefore, the first thing Sun Wukong thought of when he was frustrated was the most powerful being in his knowledge—Zhang Xiaoshan, who possessed three incarnations:

Emperor Donghua, one of the supreme beings in the Heavenly Realm, Chonglou, the God of War of the Three Realms, and the Sword Master, the strongest sword master in the Earthly Realm—who in the Three Realms is more powerful than these? Therefore, the stronger the target of their help, the better.

In Sun Wukong's mind, if he were not bound by the golden headband, he might not have listened to Guanyin's teachings.

After all, even Guanyin had to use deception to subdue a black bear spirit.

At that time, Sun Wukong wanted to ask the Jade Emperor for help, but he thought that the Black Bear Spirit was not very strong and just avoided fighting.

If it were a one-on-one fight, he would undoubtedly win.

Longevity Hill and Wuzhuang Temple!

After Sun Wukong vented his anger and frustration, he realized he had caused a huge disaster and immediately thought of Zhang Xiaoshan.

Because Zhang Xiaoshan once said that the essence of Earth, one of the five elements, is the ginseng fruit tree.

Moreover, he had already foreseen his impending doom at Wuzhuang Temple and said he could seek help from him.

After promising Zhenyuan Daxian that he could find immortals to heal the ginseng fruit tree, Sun Wukong went directly to the Donghua Emperor's Palace.

Compared to the strength of the young sword master and the war god Chonglou.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree is a rare and precious treasure of heaven and earth; Emperor Donghua should have a way to save it. In any case, it doesn't matter who the three of them turn to.

"Old man, old man..."

As soon as Sun Wukong entered the main hall, he saw the Taoist Wuji fiddling with a jade bottle.

This was the Three Lights Divine Water that he obtained from Laozi; otherwise, it would have been impossible to save the ginseng fruit tree. Moreover, the best artifact in the world to hold the Three Lights Divine Water is the Jade Purification Bottle.

Although he did not have Guanyin's willow leaf, Wuji Daoren had his own methods.

"Great Sage!"

Wuji Daoist looked at Sun Wukong and nodded.

At this time, Wuji Daoren was already in the late stage of the Heavenly Venerable realm. Among all the emperors in the Heavenly Realm, he could be on par with the Four Emperors, second only to the Great Heavenly Venerable.

After all, the true gods and celestial beings such as Doumu Yuanjun, Ziwei Tianzun, and Leishen Yingyuan Tianzun were all conferred gods by their true spirits, and their faith was not as widespread and prosperous as that of Donghua Dijun. Therefore, even the Mother of Ten Thousand Stars and the Lord of Ten Thousand Stars could not cultivate as fast as Donghua Dijun, who had been given a cheat code.

"Old man, I have come to ask you for a method that can cure the spiritual roots of heaven and earth. Do you have one?"

"I already know what the Great Sage is seeking."

This jade bottle contains the Three Lights Divine Water, which can heal the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Great Sage, please lead the way.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was overjoyed.

As expected, Zhang Xiaoshan had already planned it all out, even anticipating its arrival to find Emperor Donghua.

At this time, it was also the first time that Daoist Wuji had left the Heavenly Realm. If it were any other matter, he could have instructed Wang Ao and Wang Chan to do it.

But when it comes to Wuzhuang Temple, he must be present in person.

Whether it is the essence of Wutu or the identity of Zhenyuan Daxian, he cannot afford to underestimate it in the slightest.

Soon, Sun Wukong brought Donghua Dijun to Wuzhuang Temple.

At this moment, even when Zhen Yuanzi looked eastward at the purple aura rising from the east, the myriad clouds and mist inside the Wuzhuang Temple were still surprised.

Not to mention Pigsy and Sandy.

Having served in the celestial realm for thousands of years, they naturally knew that such an extraordinary phenomenon was a sign of the descent of a Celestial Venerable, and not just any ordinary Celestial Venerable.

Auspicious purple clouds rising from the east, a clear sign of a supreme celestial being's journey.

The only Celestial Venerable in the entire Heavenly Realm with such extraordinary phenomena is likely a top-tier Celestial Venerable of the Four Emperors level.

At this moment, Zhenyuan Daxian began to calculate with his fingers, his expression gradually becoming solemn. If it were a Heavenly Venerable of the Four Emperors level, Zhenyuanzi wouldn't be too surprised.

However, according to his calculations, the person who came was merely the Donghua Emperor, who lived only a thousand years ago.

Even with Donghua Dijun's high starting point, reaching the mid-stage of the Heavenly Venerable realm is still an extremely fast cultivation speed. However, Donghua Dijun's cultivation has already reached the late-stage of the Heavenly Venerable realm, and with such momentum, it is not impossible for him to reach the Great Heavenly Venerable realm in the future.

After all, Wuji Daoren is not a true spirit on the list. Although he is an incarnation, he has the foundation of his true self's realm.

"The lineage of Taiqing has a worthy successor!"

Although Xuandu Daoist is known as the senior disciple of the Xuanmen sect, he inherited the temperament of Taishang Daoist, who advocated non-action and governance.

And now, this second disciple of the Taiqing lineage, not only has a thriving faith in the human world, but has also schemed to such an extent for the essence of the five elements, no less than those old cunning fellows he remembered.

In addition, their two incarnations reached the top level in the Three Realms.

This disciple of the Taiqing Sect has collected the essence of the five innate spiritual roots, established the foundation of the five elements, and gathered the three flowers at the top. His advancement to the Great Luo realm is now a certainty, and he will be the most top-level Great Luo Venerable.

After all, with his innate five elements spiritual roots forming an immortal body and a pure yang divine body, he had already regained some of the splendor of the ancient Eastern King.

His future achievements will likely be no less than those of the Great Celestial Venerable or the Tathagata.

With the arrival of Emperor Donghua and Sun Wukong, everyone saw Emperor Donghua's figure. He was dressed in a magnificent and noble nine-dragon imperial robe and a purple-gold Taoist crown, holding a jade bottle in one hand and a white jade tablet in the other. Tang Sanzang couldn't help but bow in respect.

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

The Heavenly Emperor, whose status was equivalent to that of an earthly emperor, and who had come to their rescue, naturally commanded the utmost respect from Tang Sanzang.

"Pig Wuneng (Sha Wujing) pays his respects to the Eastern Emperor!"

Upon seeing that it was Emperor Donghua, even the two celestial generals from before couldn't help but be surprised.

But then they realized that the other party's extremely noble status was beyond the comprehension of ordinary gods like themselves, who had no real power. They could only sigh in dismay.

No wonder they are disciples of the Dao Ancestor.

“Tripitaka Master, Venerable Ones.”

Daoist Wuji nodded to the two of them, then bowed respectfully to Zhen Yuanzi:

"Wuji greets Zhenyuan Daxian!"

"Zhen Yuanzi greets Your Majesty!"

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