The events themselves were actually quite simple. To put it bluntly, Old Ninth Warren Hao courted the Fairy Cloudnymph, which caused the Moon Tree to blossom. The Heavenly Court dispatched troops to arrest them, and Old Ninth fled with his companion.
Since Old Ninth was a cultivator on the Sage’s Path and far less powerful than his senior brothers, and now burdened with another person, he was even less able to outrun the Heavenly Generals. With no other choice, he turned to his closest friend, Skylar Loft, for help.
A ‘god longing for the mortal world’ is considered a crime tantamount to rebellion in the Heavenly Court. The Jade Emperor himself would not hesitate to execute even his own sister for such a transgression, so there was no doubting Heaven’s resolve to enforce its laws.
Once Skylar Loft understood the situation, he knew he could not withstand Heaven’s might alone. Reluctantly, he notified the other senior brothers, but even then, they could not arrive in time. With no other options left, he turned to the nearest real power—Monkey.
Thus, the previous scene unfolded.
If Monkey hadn’t arrived in time, Dreamford Immortal—who, first, was not a true god, and second, bore the protection of Crescent Star Cave—might have escaped trouble. But Fairy Cloudnymph would have been doomed, for the Jade Emperor’s imperial edict clearly ordered her ‘execution on the spot.’
Soon, the other senior brothers and sisters arrived one after another, and with them—Master Sage Subhuti.
After more than a century apart, Master Sage Subhuti was still clad in white robes, with his long beard and that transcendent, otherworldly aura.
What had changed was that Monkey was no longer a destitute little monkey, but a demon king whose power shook the world. There was now a faint coldness in Subhuti’s eyes as he looked at him.
At the sight of Master Sage Subhuti, the once-chattering senior brothers and sisters instantly became as quiet and obedient as quails. Only Monkey wore a look of utter disdain.
Subhuti cast a cold glance at Monkey and Fairy Cloudnymph and said calmly, "Kneel."
With a single word, all nine senior brothers and sisters dropped to their knees, followed by Fairy Cloudnymph, trembling as she bowed her head. Only Monkey remained standing, meeting Subhuti’s gaze.
Elder Gale coughed twice, but Monkey ignored him.
Monkey slowly folded his arms and muttered, "Damn. This old man, nowhere to be found when it’s time to save someone, but when it comes to throwing his weight around, he sure doesn’t hold back."
Subhuti’s face twitched at Monkey’s words, and the senior brothers and sisters all shrank their necks in fear. Elder Gale, the eldest brother, hurriedly tugged at Monkey’s sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.
But Subhuti only slowly turned his head aside, without rebuking Monkey. He took a deep breath, pointed at Dreamford Immortal, and said, "You, come here."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode into the forest.
Dreamford Immortal had no choice but to stoop and hurry after him, glancing at Fairy Cloudnymph before he left.
Since no magic was used to mask the sound, everyone could hear Subhuti’s harsh scolding from afar, and they could only frown and smile wryly.
"Junior Brother," whispered Third Brother Danny Crimson, who knelt nearby and covered his mouth with his sleeve, secretly giving Monkey a thumbs-up. "Nicely done."