Guang River Estuary.
Anna Yang sat motionless in her bridal chamber, lost in thought.
"How... is he doing now?"
"I don't know," Erik Yang said bluntly, standing by the window.
"Could you... find out for me?"
"Why do you still ask about him? He left you on your wedding day, and you still care?"
Anna Yang lowered her head, blinking vacantly as tears streamed down: "I knew what he was like before we married. His heart was always with his 'Birdie'... I brought this on myself. Please, just ask about him for me, will you?"
Erik Yang turned his face away slowly. "I'll try."
With that, he walked out and saw Skyhowl and Skypride standing guard at the door. He lowered his voice: "You two, stay with her. Whatever happens, do not let her know anything about the Monkey King."
"Understood."
...
Netherworld.
Above, the Adamantine Ring spun furiously, swooping again and again to strike the battle formation of Heavenly Generals, each impact echoing like thunder.
The Monkey King flashed as a streak of gold, leaping again and again to smash into the formation.
"Southeast main station, fall back to the inner circle! Eleven, fill the gap!"
"Southwest left support, rotate out! Swap with northeast support! Hurry!"
"Left Spirit Xuan, replace Azure Dragon!"
As the ground shook violently, Heavenly Generals withdrew one after another to recover their strength, with new ones immediately stepping in to fill their places.
Every Heavenly General concentrated fiercely on the formidable foe before them, faces solemn and tense.
After hundreds of rapid adjustments, the intricate formation of hundreds of Heavenly Generals finally managed to hold.
No matter how fiercely Monkey attacked, it was futile.
Marshal Silver glanced up at the vortex gathering overhead, then at Monkey raging with unchecked spiritual power, and asked quietly, "He's absorbing spiritual energy—what's going on?"
"Sevenfold Cloud-Veil Pill."
"Lord Skygate's Sevenfold Cloud-Veil Pill?"
"Yes." Zhenyuan nodded.
Marshal Silver let out a wry laugh. "Lord Skygate's Sevenfold Cloud-Veil Pill, Lord Lao's Adamantine Ring, Master Sage Subhuti's disciple—ha ha ha... Looks like General Lee was absolutely right. This is nothing but a game for the great powers. No wonder His Supreme Majesty fears it so much. Pity our sixty thousand Heavenly Fleet soldiers..."
Zhenyuan fell silent and shook his head, helpless.
"Can the Everlasting Sage still keep up with us?"
Zhenyuan pressed two fingers to his pulse, closed his eyes briefly, and replied in a low voice, "I'm fine."
"Then please stay close." Marshal Silver pointed with the Nine-Toothed Rake, and the entire formation began to move.
"What are you planning? The demon generals of Blossom Mountain will arrive soon. I advise you to return to the Heavenly Court at once. After all, that demon monkey can't get past South Heaven Gate—just stay inside and you'll be safe."
"Does the Everlasting Sage underestimate Marshal Silver?" With a gesture, Marshal Silver sent dozens of beams of spiritual light to various positions in the formation, prompting the Heavenly Generals to adjust again. "Since we're here, we won't give up this chance so easily. Otherwise, what use is all the incense offered in the mortal world?"
"Chance?"
"Advance at top speed!"
"Yes, sir!"
As they spoke, the formation pressed forward under Monkey's fierce assault.
Marshal Silver stood at the center, wielding the Nine-Toothed Rake, while Zhenyuan hurried to keep up.
Every Heavenly General within the formation poured out spiritual power, the energies floating overhead like a glowing mist, weaving a massive shield that enveloped them all.
"What's that pig-head up to?" Monkey was momentarily stunned; by the time he recovered, the formation was nearly at the Hall of Life and Death.
"Damn it, he's trying to hold the Hall of Life and Death at all costs!"