Soon, the second wave—the Spirit-Focusing Realm demons—set out as well, heading for Crescent Star Cave.
Given that, it's better to let them depart early.
At this moment, they were already at the edge of the Skyward Ranger's defensive zone. If they used a warship and headed east, it would only take half a day to cross. On foot, it would take ten days.
As for safety, with warships and such a large group of demons, unless the Skyward Ranger is blind, no one would dare charge straight in.
The only concern was the Celestial Army that had yet to appear. Fortunately, Shortbeak was scouting ahead, providing some measure of security.
As for the Serpent Lord, he was likely coming directly for the Monkey King.
That was also why the Monkey King didn't stay with them.
Now, the two thousand stronger demons remaining here were armed to the teeth with weapons captured from warships and equipment dropped by fallen celestial soldiers. Even if another Celestial Army of two or three thousand came, they wouldn't necessarily be at a disadvantage.
If the Serpent Lord really showed up, he'd have to face a force with combat strength equivalent to two or three thousand celestial soldiers.
After being surrounded and beaten so many times, it was finally their turn to do the surrounding and beating.
Thinking of this, the Monkey King couldn't help but chuckle.
If the Serpent Lord faced him plus two thousand demons, the outcome would be hard to predict. Besides, many of the celestial weapons were designed specifically to counter demons—perfect for use against him.
Taking advantage of the break, the Monkey King let the demons familiarize themselves with their weapons and take care of their food.
With a single order, smoke from cooking rose everywhere. The demons all grabbed wine captured from the Eastern Army's camp and drank merrily.
“You can't tell, can you? They're all pretty optimistic. Don't they know who our enemies are?” The Monkey King turned his face and asked.
Leo tilted his head, twisted his neck, and frowned, "We've told them everything—the Serpent Lord, and the other Celestial Army."
Watching the demons drink and eat so cheerfully, the Monkey King smiled helplessly. "They really are optimistic."
"What good would it do not to be optimistic? We've gotten used to life and death." Leo sighed lightly. "It was chaotic at first—from last night until now, we've been through too much. We're numb. Living in this world, when are we ever truly safe? Who knows if our lives will end the next moment? Might as well enjoy ourselves while we can."
With that, Leo looked at the Monkey King and grinned. "Come on, let's drink!"
The Monkey King raised his bowl and clinked it with Leo's. Both drained their drinks.
Wiping his mouth, Leo chuckled. "Heavenly Fleet wine really is different. No idea where it's from. In all my years, I've never tasted anything this good."
"Once we're out of here, you'll have all the wine you want."
"What do you mean by that?" Leo quickly turned his head to look at the Monkey King.
The Monkey King lowered his head and filled both bowls. "You've reached the Spirit-Refinement Stage. If you learn a transformation technique, getting wine won't be hard at all."
"Too bad I've never gotten my hands on any spell formulas."
"I have some. I'll teach you when the time comes."
"Thank you so much! For that, we have to drink another bowl!"
He had once promised Old White Ape to teach him formation spells, but in the end, he couldn't keep his word.
Thinking of this, the Monkey King's expression grew a bit bitter.
Not far away, Tiger King carried roasted meat over to Leo and the Monkey King. "Come, have a taste."
Leo took the meat from Tiger King, sniffed it, and pursed his lips. "I usually eat mine raw."
After a bite, he said, "Not bad."
"Picky, even when there's food? Hmph." Tiger King shook his head, took a few fruits from his pocket, and handed them to the Monkey King. "There's no fruit among the Eastern Army's supplies, and the hills around here are almost all burned. Just make do."
The Monkey King took a fruit, bit into it, and smiled. "Tastes good. No need to fuss—I eat everything except meat."
"Oh? There are some pastries. I'll go get them for you."
"It's fine, just sit. Big Bull already went to get them for me." The Monkey King patted the ground beside him.
Maybe all meat-eating demons have a taste for this. Tiger King liked wine even more than Leo. The three demons sat together, drinking bowl after bowl. Before long, the Monkey King couldn't keep up.
The Celestial Army's wine wasn't strong, but not getting drunk didn't mean you couldn't get full.
In terms of drinking capacity, not to mention physique, the Monkey King couldn't compare to these two giants. After three or five bowls, he couldn't drink anymore, leaving the two big demons to continue their contest.
Soon, the meat-eating demons crowded around, shouting and making a ruckus. The Monkey King took the chance to slip away and sit quietly to the side.
He carefully sensed his injuries, which seemed to have eased a bit. But if he used his spiritual power again, he'd have to hold back—his strength would be cut to seventy percent, maybe even fifty.
Still, if things got desperate, he might go all out. In battle, there's no time to worry about such things. Survival comes first.
Wasn't this always how he'd lived?
Big Bull came over from afar, carrying some pastries. He handed them to the Monkey King and sat down beside him.
"Not joining the fun?" He glanced back at the demons playing together.
"Can't outdrink them." The Monkey King smiled faintly, picked up a flatbread, tore off a piece, and popped it in his mouth. "I have to admit, the Celestial Army's stuff is good—even this bread has filling."
Big Bull grabbed a piece and started eating too. "It's no surprise we like it, but you..."
"What's wrong with me liking it?"
"I heard your surname is Sun, your name is Wukong, and your master is a great immortal. Shortbeak really guessed right. How did you end up here? If I had a sect to stay in, I'd never leave. You don't look like White Ape, who was expelled from his sect. Even your junior found you here."
The Monkey King smiled faintly. He really didn't want to talk about Crescent Star Cave. "Did you and Shortbeak make up?"
Mentioning this, Big Bull lowered his head, his gaze dimming. "Never talked to him, so I don't know."
After that, he became withdrawn, only recently improving a bit. But he seemed different—less arrogant than before.
He looked a lot more down-to-earth now.
"You should talk to him when you get the chance. We're brothers—can't fight side by side with grudges between us."
Big Bull didn't reply, just kept his head down.
It really was a tangled problem. Even if Big Bull wanted to make up, things might never be the same.
After a couple of awkward laughs, the Monkey King asked, "Have you figured out where you'll go after we leave here?"
"Didn't we say we'd scatter? Just go our own ways."
Taking a deep breath, the Monkey King said, "I have an eighth senior brother who loves taking disciples. When the time comes, you can follow Miles Moon to him. It's better than wandering around."
"Really?" Big Bull turned to stare at the Monkey King, eyes shining. "Why didn't you mention this earlier if it's such a good thing?"
The Monkey King smiled awkwardly and didn't answer.
After a moment, Big Bull scratched his head and laughed awkwardly too.
Times have changed.
Staring at the stars, Big Bull's gaze grew hazy. Maybe he was sleepy, maybe not. He sighed deeply, "If I could really become a proper immortal's disciple, that would be wonderful. Never thought I'd be so lucky in this life. What about you? Will you come with us?"
"I won't go."
"Why not?"
"I have some unpleasant history with that senior brother. It'd just be awkward if we met."
"What kind of unpleasant history? Worse than what I have with Shortbeak?" Big Bull laughed.
The Monkey King laughed along with him.
Yeah, compared to that, it's really nothing.
He lowered his head and sipped his wine.
Rubbing his eyes, the old man looked up. "Doesn't it feel like the wind's gotten stronger?"
"Now that you mention it, it really has..."
Suddenly, the Monkey King was startled and stood up, leaning on his Cloud-Walker Staff.
In the sky, a massive cloud was moving steadily toward them!
"Everyone, be on guard—!"
Before he finished speaking, a warship burst out from beneath the clouds. Then a second, a third, a fourth...
A total of fifteen warships!
On the flags and sails, the emblem of the cresting wave and sharp sword was everywhere.
"The Heavenly Fleet!"