The monsters in Stillwater Valley could hear every word of this exchange, and each one was tense and anxious.
Anna Yang's expression was grave. "If they really surround us, we'll be in trouble. Surely Crescent Star Cave can't go to war with the Heavenly Court? Even if they can't break in, we won't be able to stay here... There's no food left in the valley."
Yue Chao turned his head and said, "No, the three senior uncles will definitely have a solution."
It was truly a case of 'when it rains, it pours.' What you fear is exactly what comes.
The Monkey King lowered his head, rubbed his face, and said nothing.
"Hey, are you going to kill or release them? Say something!" General Skyler shouted loudly.
Elder Stillwater still remained silent. The enormous mask formed from swirling dust and fallen leaves floated in front of the fleet, its eyes shut and face expressionless.
A wild wind swept through, making the battle flags snap and flutter.
They waited a long, long time, but still received no reply.
The deputy general soared into the air, flew to General Skyler's side, and whispered, "General Skyler, in my opinion... he doesn't intend to answer. What should we do?"
"Encircle them!"
With a single order, the fleet scattered and formed a formation, surrounding Stillwater Valley.
"They really dare to encircle the valley. Hmph, looks like it's my turn to act." Danny Crimson gripped the hilt of his sword and prepared to take flight, but Elder Sky grabbed him.
"Let's hear what Second Brother has to say first."
Elder Stillwater, who had been standing behind them all along, opened his mouth slightly and said, "Let them encircle us. General Skyler dared to send men to infiltrate Stillwater Valley, but he absolutely doesn't dare to launch a direct assault. If he starts a conflict between Crescent Star Cave and the Heavenly Fleet, he can't bear that responsibility."
"So we're just going to let them keep encircling us? Or do you plan to simply release the prisoners, Second Brother?"
"They won't be able to hold the siege for long." Elder Stillwater smiled faintly. "Marshal Silver won't leave a ten-thousand-strong army idling here forever."
Not far away, Shawn Cloud approached carrying a lantern, bowed respectfully to Elder Stillwater and the other two, and said, "Master, the wine and dishes are ready."
"Since you two junior brothers are here, shall we drink and enjoy the moon together tonight?"
Elder Sky cupped his hands and replied, "That sounds wonderful."
Danny Crimson was clearly reluctant. "Don't tell me it's more of those weird things from the Underworld? Just seeing them makes me want to puke, let alone eat them."
"Relax. It's just ordinary food and drink."
"That's fine then." Danny Crimson cast a lingering glance at the battleships hovering in the sky before finally turning away to follow Elder Stillwater.
Within the valley, seeing the battleships encircling them, all the monsters grew anxious and uneasy.
But since nothing had happened for so long, and with confidence in his three senior brothers' strength, Simon Stone ordered everyone to disperse and go about their business.
Yet that night, no one could truly sleep.
Deep into the night, as Simon lay in bed, he could still hear restless sighs coming from other rooms.
Unable to sleep himself, Simon leaned on his Cloudwalker Staff, got out of bed, and pushed open the door, only to find Anna Yang sitting alone at the stone table in the courtyard, staring blankly at the moon.
Bathed in moonlight, she wore a white robe, her appearance unusually serene. It reminded him of that night in Lingyan.
Seeing Simon step out, she smiled, then tilted her head back to gaze at the moon.
"Can't sleep?"
Simon Stone said, "After a while, when they're healed, I want to return to Blossom Mountain. If they're willing to follow me, I'll take them along."
"Blossom Mountain? I remember... it's in Eastern Divine Land, isn't it? Seems not far from where I first met you. Is that your hometown?"
"I'm sorry. I've dragged you into this."
"If you go back there, aren't you afraid of Lord Lao?"
Simon said, "After a while, when they're healed, I want to return to Blossom Mountain. If they're willing to follow me, I'll take them along."
"Blossom Mountain? I remember... it's in Eastern Divine Land, isn't it? Seems not far from where I first met you. Is that your hometown?"
"More or less."
"If you go back there, aren't you afraid of Lord Lao?"
"Today at Second Brother's place, I saw Third Brother and Fifth Brother."