Monkey landed lightly on his toes and strode slowly toward Master Taiyi. From the mocking look on his face, it was clear what fate awaited Master Taiyi next.
Before Monkey could even get close, the other six Golden Immortals trapped beneath the earth had already lost their composure and began shouting one after another.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Demon monkey, stop! Take me instead!"
"If you dare lay a hand on Brother Taiyi, our Celestial Sect will be your mortal enemy from this day forth!"
"The net of Heaven is vast—sooner or later, you'll be sliced to pieces!"
Hearing these powerless curses only made Monkey laugh harder. He slung the Golden Staff over his shoulder and deliberately slowed his pace, letting them savor every moment of terror.
Master Taiyi, however, remained stoic. From start to finish, he hadn't uttered a word or even glanced at Monkey, accepting defeat like a true gambler—win or lose, he would take it all.
"Great Sage! Great Sage! Nathan Young begs the Great Sage to spare my master!"
From afar, Nathan Young, who had just managed to catch his breath, rushed over in a panic. But before he could reach Master Taiyi, Monkey stretched out his hand and pinched the air. Instantly, it was as if an invisible grip had seized Nathan's throat—no matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free, not even able to utter a word.
Monkey squatted down in front of Master Taiyi and gently blew, sending a breeze that swept the stray locks from Master Taiyi’s forehead, revealing his tightly shut eyes and aged face—fearful yet gritting his teeth in stubborn endurance.
"Damn it, I really regret not killing you outside South Heaven Gate back then. I shouldn’t have spared you for Nathan Young’s sake. Otherwise, none of this mess would’ve happened." As he spoke, Monkey reached out and lightly patted Master Taiyi’s cheek, as if coaxing a three-year-old, and chuckled: "But it’s just as well. Now I’ll wipe out all twelve Golden Immortals at once, and there won’t be any more trouble. Don’t worry—flaying, dismembering, grinding your bones—none of it will be spared. This is what you deserve."
Master Taiyi kept gritting his teeth, stubbornly silent.
Nathan Young’s face turned ashen in the distance, but he still couldn’t break free.
Clara Heart landed quietly in the distance, watching in silence.
Suddenly, a wild wind swept through, tearing a few leaves past Monkey. The sky abruptly darkened.
Monkey’s hand paused on Master Taiyi’s cheek. He squinted and looked up.
From the northeast, a mass of black clouds streaked with lightning sped toward them, looming overhead in an instant.
Monkey snorted coldly, stood up with his Golden Staff, and dug at his ear as he drawled, "So, has the master come to rescue his disciples? Or were they your pawns all along, and now the mastermind finally shows himself?"
The black clouds quickly dispersed, revealing the figures of Lord Genesis and Lord Skygate.
Nathan Young stopped struggling, staring hopefully at Lord Genesis. Clara Heart unconsciously gripped her weapon at her waist.
For two of the Three Pure Ones—Lord Genesis and Lord Skygate—to appear together was no trivial matter, especially since Monkey was beating up Lord Genesis’s disciples.
Yet Monkey seemed unfazed, leaning on his staff and gazing at them with playful mockery.
"Great Sage, you jest," Lord Genesis said with a dry laugh. "These unruly disciples have offended you and deserve severe punishment. But since they are disciples of the Celestial Sect and I happen to be passing through, why not let me take them back for strict discipline? I will see that justice is done for you."
"Is it really just a matter of 'offense'?" Monkey glanced toward the ruined capital of Dharma-Quest and smiled coolly. "I didn’t provoke them, yet an entire nation is nearly wiped off the map. And you call that mere offense? Well then, if I come to 'offend' your sect someday, don’t get upset."
At these words, the smile vanished from Lord Genesis’s face, replaced by a grave expression.
Lord Skygate frowned at his seven battered disciples, silent and brooding. Hidden inside his sleeve, his hand was already preparing for battle.
After a brief silence, Lord Genesis lowered his gaze and said, "Surely the Great Sage knows by now—this is all just a misunderstanding..."
"A misunderstanding? That’s not what they just said." Monkey cut him off, nudging Master Taiyi’s head with his foot and grinning. "Your precious disciples told me that, no matter who attacked Kunlun, they’re here to settle the score with me. Heh, six hundred years of old grudges—still waiting to be paid. Why not settle it today?"
As if ignoring Monkey’s taunts, Lord Genesis pursed his lips and called out, "If this is all a misunderstanding, doesn’t the Great Sage want to know how it happened?"
Monkey cocked his head and answered bluntly, "Nope."
"Suppose someone impersonated you, Great Sage—"
"What’s that got to do with me?"
That single line instantly shut down Lord Genesis, leaving his words stuck in his throat.
Seeing Monkey had no intention of listening, Lord Genesis was at his wits’ end. Lord Skygate immediately cut in, barking at Monkey, "You insolent demon! The Sevenfold Cloud‑Veil Pill’s power has long since worn off. If the two of us join forces, your only way out will be to ascend to the Heavenly Dao. Then we’ll see how you face—"
"How I face Buddha is none of your business!" Monkey snapped before he finished, his expression twisting into a snarl. Gone was the mocking bravado—now he was ferocious, pointing at Lord Skygate and roaring, "Just remember: if I’m forced to ascend, the first thing I’ll do is sacrifice the banners of both your Celestial and Sundered Sects!"
For a moment, Lord Skygate faltered, unable to finish his threat.
Tension crackled between both sides, ready to explode at any moment.
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting dust in ripples across the flattened earth.
This chapter isn’t over yet~ Please click next page to continue reading!