At dusk, Prince Adrian—the Little White Dragon—finally returned to the foot of the mountain and rejoined the others. His expression was one of utter dejection; he seemed completely lost, as if his soul had fled.
"Where did you go?" Monkey asked softly.
"I... I went to the Western Sea Dragon Palace... and visited the other Dragon Palaces as well."
"Did you find her?"
Prince Adrian slowly shook his head.
Step by step, he walked to Monkey's side and collapsed to the ground. His eyes darted back and forth, lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out for a long time.
The group sat together in silence.
After a while, Marshal Silver and Barry Bear arrived from afar, arms full of firewood, and built a bonfire on the open ground.
As night fell, the bonfire blazed to life.
Prince Adrian remained silent, staring blankly at the flames. Tripitaka offered him two thin cakes, but he gently refused.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew even heavier. Everyone exchanged glances, occasionally casting worried looks toward Prince Adrian.
After a long while, Tripitaka said softly, "Great Sage, perhaps you could think of a way to help Aiden Ao find his wife's whereabouts?"
Monkey tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then frowned: "If the Celestial Army took her, that's easy enough—I could just go to the High Sky Throne Hall and demand her back. But if it was demons, that's a bigger problem... There are countless demon factions in the Three Realms. Even six hundred years ago, though Blossom Mountain stood out, it wasn't the only power. Big Horn was often sent out to recruit or suppress others. Now it's even messier. All I can do is ask Louis Quickpaw to help look for her."
As he spoke, Monkey glanced sidelong at Marshal Silver.
At that look, Marshal Silver happened to raise his eyes as well. After a brief hesitation, he said quietly, "Even if Louis Quickpaw carries your token, he probably won't find much, not if the kidnappers are intent on hiding her. If you want my advice... If you can persuade Lord Lao to restore the Adamantine Ring, that's the fastest way. Once the Ring's power is at its peak, as long as she's alive and anywhere in the Three Realms, it will find her."
At these words, everyone—including Prince Adrian—turned to look at Monkey.
Monkey snorted, flustered, and poked at the fire with his stick. "Why are you all staring at me?"
Sparks floated up into the night.
Beside him, Prince Adrian was still gazing at him with wide, anxious eyes.
After another long silence, Monkey stared into the fire and muttered, "I'm not sure Lord Lao would agree to help me repair it now. Besides, he never said outright that the Ring was mine. Maybe if I go, he'll just take it back... Don't you think?"