In the study, Simon Sun's four senior brothers sat upright and silent, exchanging messages through spiritual arts.
"Belle is hiding behind the bookshelf..."
"She probably doesn't want to see us."
Isn't it obvious? With Simon Sun getting married, how could she possibly be happy?
"Does she really think we don't know she's behind the bookshelf?"
"Knowing that girl's temperament, she probably really thinks we don't know."
"So what should we do now? Expose her?"
"Better to pretend we don't know. I really don't want to have to comfort her later."
The four senior brothers exchanged glances and sat in silence. Belle stifled her sobs, remaining motionless.
The entire study was utterly silent, with only the soft sizzling of candle flames on the altar.
Standing atop the mountain, Lord Lao could already faintly sense the Monkey King's approach.
This matter could not afford any mistakes.
"What are you waiting for?" A voice rang directly in Belle's mind.
The elders are all here, I... I want to wait until they've left...
"If you walk out now, you can leave just the same."
"What if they ask me to stay?"
"Then just say you need to go change clothes."
Lord Lao pointed his index finger in midair. The bookshelf Belle was leaning against shifted slightly, and a vase began to tip and fall. Water started to spill from the vase, and unless something intervened, it would splash onto Belle's clothes.
But at that moment, the water flowed back, the vase silently returned to its original place, as if nothing had happened.
Even the Monkey King's senior brothers in the room noticed nothing unusual.
Lord Lao stiffened abruptly.
......
The bright moon hung high overhead.
On a sheer cliff twenty li away, on the far side of Blossom Mountain, Lord Genesis stood quietly, his whole form glowing with a pale white light.
A gentle breeze brushed his sleeves.
Lingering spiritual energy still shimmered on his two outstretched fingers.
He slowly lifted his eyelids and gazed toward Lord Lao’s direction, a faint smile on his lips.
......
In just an instant, Lord Lao understood.
He gritted his teeth, thrust out a palm, and silently released another surge of spiritual power.
Ten li away, inside the study, a thread of spiritual energy quietly formed at Belle’s feet, poised to trip her.
But just then, a surge of energy instantly cloaked Belle’s senses; a pair of invisible hands silently lifted her up and set her back down, deftly dodging the force that had been aimed at her.
“What is this...?”
......
Behind Lord Genesis, Lord Skygate emerged with a faint smile, stepping forward as moonlight illuminated his face.
Dark red spiritual power churned around his hands, hidden inside his sleeves.
“The Heavenly Dao Stone has already cracked. Do you still imagine yourself omniscient? We’ve only been waiting for the right moment. Now that moment has come...”
......
Lord Lao’s ancient eyes widened slightly.
Suddenly, he jolted and looked toward the far side of Blossom Mountain.