In the depths of darkness, Lord Lao hovered without expression, watching intently.
He waited quietly.
The seabed, covered in moss, churned with currents. Pale light from the distant Dragon Palace cast everything in a ghostly hue.
Simon Sun, the Monkey King of Blossom Mountain, advanced step by step toward the colossal pillar, stopping only when the faint chill from its surface brushed his skin.
Behind him, Bluefin the dolphin demon, Horace Coil, and the shark demon watched in silence, their expressions unreadable, unable to fathom his intent.
No one could comprehend Simon Sun's state of mind at this moment.
His blood surged with excitement, yet anxiety gnawed at him.
This was the weapon destined for him.
Once he claimed the Golden Staff, Simon Sun would no longer be a mere monkey demon—he would become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, free to roam the Three Realms.
After so many years, he had finally reached this point.
Once he pulled free the Golden Staff, his next step would be the journey to the Netherworld.
To seek out the Hall of Life and Death, trace Birdie's soul, and restore her to life.
A wild beast roared within his heart, hoarse and unrestrained.
His hand trembled as he reached out, eyes wide, staring at the stone pillar before him—his heart pounding as if it would leap from his chest.
Around him, hidden currents surged. Dense kelp forests swayed with the water, and the creatures lurking within peered out at this unfamiliar intruder.
The whole world seemed so silent that, in the stillness of the deep sea, it felt as if he were utterly alone.
After a long pause, his fingertip finally brushed the moss sprouting from volcanic ash on the pillar's surface.
In that instant, golden ripples spread from the point of contact like waves, coursing along the entire stone pillar, making it tremble.
Startled, he took a step back.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar exploded in his mind, and Simon Sun couldn’t help but narrow his eyes against the force of it.
Before long, the entire banquet was prepared. The dolphin demon respectfully led Simon Sun into the grand hall.
Seeing the lavish scene, Simon Sun paused in surprise.
The Dragon King had not yet arrived, but the Turtle Chancellor was already in the hall, arranging the seats.
Naturally, the main seat belonged to the Dragon King, but beside it, on the steps, a special secondary seat had been set for Simon Sun.
Such arrangements were reserved only for distinguished guests—sometimes not even the Sea Dragon Kings received such honor.
Below were seats for the two dragon princesses; opposite sat the Turtle Chancellor. Unexpectedly, seats had also been arranged for Horace Coil and the shark demon, alongside several Dragon Palace warriors and civil officials—every courtesy attended.
Simon Sun had minded only being asked to enter by the side gate; the rest hadn’t bothered him. Now, faced with such grandeur, he was genuinely astonished.
Of course, he wasn’t the only one surprised. Everyone in the palace was baffled—how could a shabbily dressed demon monkey receive such treatment in the wealthy Eastern Sea Dragon Palace?
Once everyone was seated, a loud announcement rang out.
“His Majesty the Dragon King arrives—!”
By custom, all rose to their feet. The Dragon Palace officials knelt, crying, “Welcome, Dragon King!”
Palace maidens filed in from the side door. The old Dragon King, towering nearly twenty feet, strode in step by step, stopping before the throne. He first surveyed the hall, then bowed to Simon Sun.
Simon Sun hurriedly bowed in return.
Only then did the Dragon King take his seat, gesturing, "Everyone, please be seated."
Once all were seated, the Dragon King stroked his long beard and said, "Today’s banquet is held to welcome our honored guest to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace."
He turned to Simon Sun with a smile, "This must be Great King Sun of Blossom Mountain."
The address startled Simon Sun, who quickly bowed, "Your Majesty, you may simply call me Sun Wukong."
A trace of doubt surfaced in his mind.
Moments ago he’d been asked to enter by the side gate, but now the ceremony was so grand.
What had happened in between? Simon Sun was utterly perplexed.
The Dragon King, hearing Simon Sun’s words, chuckled, "Blossom Mountain is a blessed land, and you are its ruler—calling you Great King is only fitting. But you seem not to have an official title yet; calling you Great King Sun feels awkward. Have you considered choosing one?"
"I do have a title, but I rarely mention it," Simon Sun replied.
"Oh? May I hear what it is?"
"Handsome Monkey King of Cascade Cave, Blossom Mountain."
No sooner had he spoken than Princess Coral Ao burst out laughing.
Everyone turned to look at her. Realizing she was the only one laughing, she quickly closed her mouth and sat up straight, feigning innocence.
Tina Ao, sitting nearby, whispered, "Sister, what’s so funny?"
"Don’t you think it’s hilarious? Handsome Monkey King? He dares call himself that—what’s handsome about him?" Coral Ao glanced at Simon Sun with open disdain.
Tina Ao fluttered her long lashes, covered her mouth, and giggled quietly, "Sister, you’re as blunt as ever."
"A furry face, no matter how pretty, is still just that."
"Maybe among monkeys, he is handsome?"
"Only the female monkeys would think so," Coral Ao retorted, rolling her eyes.
At that, Tina Ao couldn’t help but laugh louder, tilting her head back—until she suddenly noticed Simon Sun watching her from afar. She quickly stifled her laughter, lowered her sleeve, and sat up straight again.
The old Dragon King, seated on the throne, pondered for a moment. "Handsome Monkey King? It’s a resounding title. Since you have one, why not use it?"
Simon Sun replied, "I’m not one for formalities. On Blossom Mountain, some call me Monkey, some Monkey-brother, some King. Everyone has their own reason, and I’ve grown used to it. It’s just a title—not like a Heavenly Court post with a salary, so why fuss over it?"
The Dragon King laughed heartily and raised his cup. "Such a demon king is rare indeed. This first cup is to your detachment! Cheers!"
Everyone lifted their wine cups.
The wine looked much like that of the mortal world, but being brewed in the Dragon Palace and served underwater, not a drop leaked from the cup.
Simon Sun brought the cup to his lips and sniffed cautiously, finding no scent of alcohol. He hesitated.
He glanced around and saw everyone downing their drinks in one go, faces unchanged. Relieved, he followed suit.
Unexpectedly, the moment the wine hit his throat, a fiery heat exploded, nearly making him choke.
Clutching his mouth, Simon Sun took a long moment to recover.
Seeing his awkwardness, the two princesses giggled softly, though no one else dared to laugh.
The old Dragon King quickly asked, "Are you all right, Monkey King?"
Simon Sun tried to answer, but the heat hadn’t subsided; he could only wave his hand to indicate he was fine.
Relieved, the Dragon King smiled gently, "I was inconsiderate. You’re not a water-tribe; tasting our wine for the first time, it’s natural to be unaccustomed. Take it slow, don’t rush. Enjoy as you wish."
Simon Sun finally caught his breath and managed a wry smile, "No problem, it’s nothing."
With that, the banquet officially began.
Throughout the feast, the Turtle Chancellor was exceptionally warm, and the Dragon King constantly asked if Simon Sun was satisfied with the reception—so attentive that Coral Ao felt a twinge of jealousy.
She remembered when she and Erik Yang visited, they hadn’t received such treatment. Erik even had to fight the gate guards before the old Dragon King relented. Now, with all this attention on Simon Sun, how could she not feel uneasy?
After several rounds of wine, the old Dragon King, emboldened by drink, asked, "When did you move to Blossom Mountain, Monkey King? Why haven’t you visited the Dragon Palace before?"
"Move to Blossom Mountain? I was born there. I never had anyone to introduce me, so it didn’t feel right to visit uninvited," Simon Sun answered.
"Oh?" The old Dragon King exchanged a glance with the Turtle Chancellor. "Since it’s your first visit, I have a gift for you. I wonder if you recognize it?"
The Turtle Chancellor stood and clapped twice.
Two shrimp soldiers carried in a long, red case and set it before Simon Sun.
Without much thought, Simon Sun opened the case, and his expression froze.
Inside, resting quietly, was the Cloudwalker Staff.