Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

After saying that, Li Yan raised his hand and pointed in the air.

Golden light surged forth, transforming into a curtain of light.

A picture appeared on the screen of light.

That's Flower and Fruit Mountain, in front of the Water Curtain Cave.

Sun Wukong stood on a high platform, his body surrounded by golden light.

The golden light initially appeared as fine threads, then as mist and clouds, and finally transformed into a pillar of light that soared straight into the heavens.

The once clear sky above Huaguo Mountain suddenly darkened.

The golden light was so intense that it overshadowed the sunlight.

Within the golden light, the sun, moon, and stars faintly revolve, mountains and rivers appear and disappear, and dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns dance.

Even more striking was the fleeting phantom of the primordial chaos, the beginning of creation.

The strange phenomenon lasted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before slowly dissipating.

The ten kings' expressions changed drastically upon seeing the scene.

King Yama took a deep breath and murmured, "A Taiyi Golden Immortal... indeed a Taiyi Golden Immortal..."

King Chujiang frowned and said, "Since he has already attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, why is his name still on the Book of Life and Death?"

Li Yan said, "This is what I, the humble Taoist priest, wish to discuss with you, the Kings of Hell, today."

"The Book of Life and Death records the lifespan of all living beings in the Three Realms."

However, those who attain the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm have transcended the cycle of birth and death and are no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the underworld.

"Their names are on the register, but they are merely shadows of the past. If they are not removed as soon as possible, there will surely be the danger of them being mistakenly crossed out in the future."

"Today I am dealing with Sun Wukong. He is gentle by nature, and after my explanation, he did not retaliate."

"If one day we summon someone with a violent temper, and in a fit of rage they storm in, then, my lords of hell..."

The ten kings' faces paled slightly upon hearing this.

Having lived for tens of thousands of years, how could they not know the advantages and disadvantages involved?

King Yama pondered and said, "Fellow Daoist, what you say makes sense."

However, removing the name of the Taiyi Golden Immortal is no small matter. It requires the approval of the Heavenly Court before it can be carried out.

Li Yan said, "I understand. I have come here today not to demand that you Yama Kings eliminate me immediately."

"I only have one request."

King Yama said, "Fellow Daoist, please speak."

Li Yan said, "I beg you Yama Kings, please temporarily suspend the use of Sun Wukong's name and do not send any more ghost soldiers to capture him."

"As for the Heavenly Court, I will find a way to deal with it."

The ten kings exchanged glances.

Emperor Song said, "Fellow Daoist, this matter is of great importance, and we need to discuss it."

Li Yan nodded.

"Please make yourself at home, Your Majesties. This humble Taoist priest awaits you here."

The ten kings rose and went into the back hall.

Only Li Yan's wisp of divine consciousness remained in the hall, along with the two kneeling ghost soldiers.

The dark-faced ghost soldier secretly looked up at Li Yan, then quickly lowered his head again.

Li Yan smiled slightly.

"Two officers, there is no need to be afraid. This matter has nothing to do with you, and King Yama will not punish you."

Upon hearing this, the two ghost soldiers kowtowed repeatedly.

"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!"

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea has passed.

The ten kings emerged from the rear hall and took their seats again.

King Yama spoke up, "Fellow Daoist, we have discussed this. We can postpone taking Sun Wukong's name for now."

"But the removal requires the approval of the Heavenly Court."

Before that, fellow Daoist, please restrain that monkey and lest it cause trouble.

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesties. I will remember this forever."

As he spoke, he took something out of his sleeve.

It was a jade slip, pure white, with a faint golden light flowing within.

"This is a little insight I have gained from my practice in recent years, and it is called 'The Twelve Methods of the Evolution of Grotto Heaven'."

Though crude, it may be of some use. Consider it a token of my gratitude; please accept it, Your Majesties of Hell.

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in the eyes of the Ten Kings.

Yama, the King of Hell, took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.

A moment later, his expression changed slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, your 'Twelve Methods of Cave Heaven Evolution' is profound and extensive, pointing directly to the origin of the Great Dao."

How could we possibly accept such a generous gift?

Li Yan shook his head.

"You're too kind, Lord Yama."

"This is but a trivial skill, not worth mentioning. It is my blessing to have formed a good connection with you Yama Kings."

The ten kings exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

King Yama said, "Since that's the case, we'll shamelessly accept it."

"If you ever need anything in the future, please come to the Underworld. We will do our utmost to help you."

Li Yan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Lords of Hell."

After saying this, his divine thought gradually faded away and eventually dissipated in the hall.

The ten kings gazed at the jade talisman in the air, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, Yama, the King of Hell, sighed.

"This fellow Daoist Li Yan is unfathomable."

King Qin Guang said, "His words just now were all reasonable and insightful."

Yet, they show mercy at every turn, yielding at every step. Such people are the most difficult to deal with.

King Chujiang said, "I'm not afraid of him being difficult to deal with. What I'm afraid of is that he has a powerful backer."

Upon hearing this, all ten kings paled.

King Yama whispered, "You all say he cultivates the ancient Dao of the Grotto Heaven, could there be something behind him...?"

King Yama quickly waved his hand.

"Don't say it, don't say it. That person's title is a great taboo in this world."

"Let's just do as he says and postpone the use of the monkey name."

"As for the rest, that's none of our business."

The ten kings nodded and dispersed.

Flower and Fruit Mountain, inside the stone chamber.

Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, starlight shimmered, with a hint of chaos.

He exhaled a long breath, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Within the mirror of the mind, lines of small golden characters slowly emerged.

[To resolve the calamity of being summoned by the underworld and to eliminate the karmic ties between Sun Wukong and the netherworld]

[Aura of Fate +800]

[By establishing a good relationship with the Ten Kings of Hell, one can borrow the power of the underworld in the future.]

[Aura of Fate +200]

[Gift: "The Twelve Methods of Cave Heaven Evolution," a connection with the Ten Kings]

[Aura of Fate +500]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 6700/5120]

Li Yan nodded slightly.

Although this trip to the underworld was only undertaken through divine thought, it yielded many rewards.

Eight hundred strands of karmic energy dissolved the calamity that would take one's soul.

Two hundred strands of karmic energy formed a benevolent connection in the underworld.

Five hundred strands of karmic energy earned him the favor of the ten kings.

More importantly, the gray-black causal thread has been temporarily suppressed.

The northerners wanted to use the underworld to lure Sun Wukong into their scheme.

Now that this plan has failed, he will surely seek another way.

Li Yan pondered for a moment, then got up and walked out of the stone chamber.

In front of the Water Curtain Cave, a group of monkeys are practicing martial arts.

General Bengba, leading a group of strong young monkeys, practiced staff techniques in a flat area in the mountains.

Marshal Ma Liu and Marshal Liu led another group of young and strong monkeys to patrol the mountains and guard against external enemies.

The monkeys were orderly and presented a fresh new look.

Sun Wukong sat on the highest rock, holding Little Drill Wind in his arms.

The little creature has grown quite a bit, its fur is glossy, and its eyes are bright and black.

He was holding a wild fruit, munching on it intently.

Seeing Li Yan emerge, Sun Wukong waved and said, "Brother! Come, come!"

Li Yan walked over and sat down beside him.

Sun Wukong said, "Brother, the more I think about it, the more something seems off."

Li Yan asked, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"

Sun Wukong said, "It's that dream."

"I've lived this long and never had a dream like this before."

"Two ghost soldiers came with a warrant to collect souls. This dream felt so real."

"I, Old Sun, always felt that it wasn't a dream."

Li Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but that was not a dream."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes narrowed.

"Not a dream? Then what is it?"

Li Yan said, "Last night, after Your Majesty fell into a drunken stupor, two ghost soldiers did come to take Your Majesty's soul."

Teng!

Sun Wukong stood up instantly.

The little drill in his arms was almost thrown off, so he had to grab onto his clothes and hang there, squeaking and chirping.

Sun Wukong quickly picked it up and put it on his shoulder.

His golden eyes were now filled with solemnity.

"Brother, what did you say? Those two ghost soldiers really came?"

Li Yan nodded.

"They held a document with the king's name on it, saying that the king's lifespan was coming to an end and that they were going to take the king to the underworld."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear, his eyes flashing with golden light.

"I, Old Sun, have already attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, transcending the Three Realms and outside the Five Elements. How could I still be summoned by the ghost?"

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. Let me finish."

"I noticed when those two ghost soldiers came."

They then used a secret method to conceal the king's presence, making it impossible for them to find him.

"Unable to find the king or sense his presence, they assumed there was a mistake in the document and returned disappointed."

As Sun Wukong listened, the solemnity in his golden eyes gradually turned into gratitude.

"Brother, you've saved me again."

Li Yan shook his head.

"Your Majesty is too kind. We are brothers, it is only right that we treat each other this way."

Sun Wukong took a deep breath and sat down again.

Li Yan added, "The names on the Book of Life and Death are shadows of the past. If they are not removed in time, they will surely cause trouble in the future."

Sun Wukong asked, "Brother, what do you think we should do?"

Li Yan pondered for a moment and then slowly said:

"Your Majesty, the Book of Life and Death is in the Ten Courts of the Underworld."

"If you want to clear away old memories, you have to go there in person."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes lit up.

"Go there personally? Me, Old Sun, to the underworld?"

Li Yan nodded.

"Exactly."

"However, we're going to take care of business, not to infiltrate."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear, somewhat puzzled.

"Brother, I don't understand what you're saying."

Li Yan smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty, please do not be hasty. Let me explain in detail."

"The Ten Courts of the Underworld govern the life, death, and reincarnation of all beings in the Three Realms."

The Ten Kings of Hell, though appointed by the Heavenly Court, are also beings of divine insight and understanding, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

"If Your Majesty attacks, you will be making an enemy of the Underworld and the Heavenly Court."

"In the future, you will be entangled in karma, and the consequences will be endless."

"But if Your Majesty goes in, treats them with courtesy, explains your purpose, and asks them to erase the old shadows, they may well agree."

"not to mention……"

As he spoke, he looked at Sun Wukong.

"Moreover, I have already spoken with the Ten Kings of Hell."

Sun Wukong was taken aback.

"Bro, when are you...?"

Li Yan said, "Just now, I used my divine sense to go to the underworld."

"I explained the King's situation to the ten Yama Kings and asked them to postpone the soul-collecting. They have agreed."

"Now that Your Majesty is going there, it is only natural and proper, not an act of trespassing."

As Sun Wukong listened, his golden eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Brother, you...you even thought of this for me, Old Sun?"

Li Yan said, "The King's affairs are my affairs. Of course I need to think about them."

Sun Wukong grabbed him and hugged him tightly.

"Good brother! Good brother!"

Li Yan was a little out of breath from his embrace, so she quickly patted him.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please be gentle."

Sun Wukong then released him, his face still full of gratitude.

"Brother, when am I, Old Sun, going?"

Li Yan said, "No rush. Your Majesty, please wait a few days and let me make some more preparations."

Sun Wukong nodded.

"Alright! I'll listen to you, Old Sun."

The following night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Li Yan and Sun Wukong sat facing each other.

"Your Majesty, there is an important matter that must be taken care of before we go to the Underworld."

Li Yan poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong took the teacup, his golden eyes flickering slightly: "Brother, are you referring to those lesser ones?"

Li Yan nodded: "That's right. If Your Majesty and I leave at the same time, the monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain will be without a master."

If someone takes advantage of the situation to plunder and kill, even if we possess extraordinary abilities, we will return too late to regret it.

Sun Wukong scratched his ear, a hint of seriousness flashing in his golden eyes:

"Brother, what you say makes sense."

My monkey brethren and their descendants, though they possess some martial arts skills, are no match for true masters.

Li Yan got up, walked to the cave entrance, looked at the sleeping monkeys outside, and slowly said:

"For the past three days, I have set up an array to protect Flower Fruit Mountain."

Having said that, he raised his hand and waved it.

Three hundred and sixty-five small flags flew out from her sleeve, their five colors swirling and dazzling.

"This flag is named the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Flag,' and it was made by me in imitation of the ancient demon court's treasure."

Although it falls short of even a fraction of the power of a primordial spiritual treasure, it still possesses three-tenths of its essence.

As they spoke, the 365 small flags soared into the sky and hung above Flower Fruit Mountain.

Li Yan made a hand gesture.

Flags fluttered in the breeze, and starlight fell like rain.

A single flag can draw upon the power of a celestial body.

The sun, the moon, the Purple Star, the Big Dipper, the Southern Dipper... 365 rays of starlight descended from the heavens, enveloping the entire Flower and Fruit Mountain.

The starlight transformed into a protective shield, extending from the mountaintop to the foot of the mountain, completely protecting the entire mountain range.

Above the light shield, the sun, moon, and stars faintly appear and disappear, and birds and beasts run about.

Sun Wukong looked up at the light barrier, his golden eyes gleaming: "Brother, what's the name of this formation?"

Li Yan said, "This formation is called the [Zhou Tian Xing Dou Small Formation]. Although it is only a miniature version, it still contains a trace of the evolution of the Zhou Tian."

Ordinary demon kings and ghost immortals become lost once they enter the formation.

Even a master of the Celestial Immortal level would need to exert considerable effort to break the formation.

"More importantly..."

As he spoke, he pointed.

Suddenly, a phantom appeared within the light barrier.

That phantom image was none other than the likeness of Sun Wukong.

Wearing a phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, dressed in chainmail gold armor, with lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes on his feet, and holding a Ruyi Jingu Bang (a magical staff).

Majestic and imposing, exuding a murderous aura.

Sun Wukong was stunned: "This is...?"

Li Yan smiled slightly: "This is a trace of the Great King's aura that I left in the formation, condensed from starlight."

If a powerful enemy attacks, this phantom will manifest, using the might of a Taiyi Golden Immortal to intimidate the intruder.

Even if we can't intimidate them, we can at least buy some time for you and me to get back.

Sun Wukong grinned broadly: "Good brother! You've thought of everything perfectly!"

Li Yan added, "There's one more thing."

He took out four jade talismans from his sleeve. They were pure white and had starlight flowing inside.

"Please give these four jade talismans to General Bengba and Marshal Ma Liu, Your Majesty."

If there's an emergency, they only need to crush the jade talisman, and I'll sense it and rush back immediately.

Sun Wukong took the jade talisman and carefully put it into his pocket.

The next morning, in front of the Water Curtain Cave.

The monkeys gathered together, a dark, dense mass.

Sun Wukong sat high on the stone platform and summoned Generals Bengba and Marshals Ma and Liu to his side.

"My brother Li and I will be away for a few days. We'll leave the affairs of the mountains to the four of you."