At dawn, on a flat platform halfway up Blossom Mountain, all four hundred and fifty-two demons preparing for battle had assembled, clustering in small groups as they made ready for combat.
Every single one was a Traveler's Path cultivator at the Spirit-Refinement Stage or higher.
With their flight wings not yet ready, only demons at Spirit-Refinement and above could participate in this battle. These were the entirety of Blossom Mountain's elite fighting force.
Monkey sat cross-legged at the cliff’s edge, leaning on his Cloudwalker Staff as he gazed northeast with Anna Yang, his expression calm.
Even now, with the Cloudwalker Staff damaged, he still habitually used his spiritual power to keep it at his side. It gave him a sense of security.
After this unavoidable battle, it would be time to go to the Sea King's Palace and claim his destined weapon. So he thought.
A gentle breeze lifted her hair as Anna Yang reached up to smooth it, quietly sitting beside him and watching him for a long time. Looking back, every demon behind them was wild with anticipation for the coming fight.
Even the wounded Rhino had clamored to join the battle, only settling down when Monkey personally ordered him to remain in the underground city.
Shortbeak approached from a distance carrying several pieces of fruit, reaching out to offer them to Monkey: "Would you like something to eat?"
Monkey waved his hand. "I never eat before battle."
If he doesn't actively seek a breakthrough, even after millions of years, Monkey will remain at his current cultivation level. But if he pursues a breakthrough, such a major move means they can no longer remain dormant.
The same problem doesn’t just exist for Monkey—it’s also true for countless demons in Cascade Cave.
It truly is a predicament.
Thinking of this, Anna Yang couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Even the best talent eventually reaches its end. After all, reaching the peak of the Celestial Sage realm is already a blessing. Erik Yang once stalled at early Celestial Sage, and Marshal Percy Silver only reached mid-Golden Immortal before his progress halted.
Further advancement requires walking the edge of life and death through slaughter, as well as acquiring Elixirs by any means possible.
Both Erik Yang and Marshal Percy Silver belong to the Heavenly Court and have distinguished military records, making it much easier for them to obtain Elixirs. Yet even so, they spent thousands of years for only modest gains.
For Monkey to obtain these in the mortal realm is truly...
Monkey glanced at Anna Yang and asked, "What’s wrong? Worried about me? If I can’t advance, isn’t that what the others are for? Otherwise, why would I need them? Besides, it’s not as if I can’t improve at all, right?"
As he spoke, Monkey looked over at Shortbeak, who simply returned a smile.
Shortbeak’s cultivation had also long since stagnated, at the peak of Spirit-Transformation rogue immortal. But unlike Monkey, with enough killing, he could still advance.
Turning around, Monkey softly said to Anna Yang, "You’re not going. Be good and stay in the cave."
"Afraid I’ll be in danger?" Anna Yang tilted her head and squinted at Monkey with a teasing smile.
"I’m afraid you’ll steal their kills."
...
......
By afternoon, the three-pronged fleet finally entered Blossom Mountain's domain.
The massive warships cruised slowly through the clouds, casting shadows over the land like ominous storm clouds overhead.
If killing intent builds up too much and isn't resolved, forcing progress leads to disaster—at best, inner demons; at worst, Heaven's Tribulation. For Monkey, the odds of a tribulation seem much higher.
The South Heaven Gate warships, except for the special swift vessels, were generally larger than those of the Heavenly River Navy. This design philosophy was most evident in their flagships.
Each flagship’s prow was fitted with a massive demon-faced ram, a feature that had long been the butt of jokes among the allied Heavenly River Navy.
And indeed, it made sense for mortal ships to have large rams—sea battles often involved ramming as an attack.
But for the Celestial Army?
Who exactly are they planning to ram?
Sky-ships are a Heavenly Court invention, crafted from metal; only Heaven possesses them now. Who are they going to ram with these? Isn’t the metal hull itself enough for ramming?
Ultimately, it just proves the South Heaven Gate fleet is all show and no substance—too rich, with money to burn.
Of course, General Lee of South Heaven Gate scoffs at this view. In his opinion, the Celestial Army’s main purpose isn’t to exterminate demons or suppress rebels—it’s to awe the Three Realms. In that case, appearances matter greatly.
This, in turn, serves as a rationale for why the South Heaven Gate garrison spends its days stationed at the gate.
Naturally, if the Heavenly River Navy heard this, it would be yet another joke to them.
Standing at the ship’s rail, the red-skinned King Broadgaze peered through his Far-Seer, surveying Blossom Mountain from above.
Amid swirling clouds and mist, he saw lush forests, towering peaks, and rushing rivers—nothing else.
Putting away the Far-Seer, he frowned slightly and muttered in doubt, "Weren’t there supposed to be thousands of demons? Why do I see no army, no encampments? Could they have already slipped away?"
A celestial general behind him bowed slightly and said, "King, according to the scouts, most demons are hiding in the forests. From the air, they’re hard to spot."
"Oh? Have you found their cave?"
"Not yet. Only a few suspicious locations have been marked. The terrain model is ready, King—would you like to see it?"
Broadgaze waved his hand dismissively, his face expressionless. "Don’t waste time. If they escape, this whole trip will be pointless."
With that, he turned and strode toward the command tower, calling out in a loud voice, "Tell them—set the forests on fire. These trees help them hide and offend my eyes."
"Yes, sir!"
The fleet split into three prongs and slowly spread out into formation as a rain of fire arrows showered down.
The forests began to burn with a sharp, hissing sound.
Lying prone on the mountainside, Monkey’s face went stiff. His mouth twitched violently as he glared at the rising flames and spat a furious curse: "You sons of...! Burning my Blossom Mountain?"
And indeed, it made sense for mortal ships to have large rams—sea battles often involved ramming as an attack.
But for the Celestial Army?
Who exactly are they planning to ram?
Sky-ships are a Heavenly Court invention, crafted from metal; only Heaven possesses them now. Who are they going to ram with these? Isn’t the metal hull itself enough for ramming?
Ultimately, it just proves the South Heaven Gate fleet is all show and no substance—too rich, with money to burn.
Of course, General Lee of South Heaven Gate scoffs at this view. In his opinion, the Celestial Army’s main purpose isn’t to exterminate demons or suppress rebels—it’s to awe the Three Realms. In that case, appearances matter greatly.
This, in turn, serves as a rationale for why the South Heaven Gate garrison spends its days stationed at the gate.
Naturally, if the Heavenly River Navy heard this, it would be yet another joke to them.
Standing at the ship’s rail, the red-skinned King Broadgaze peered through his Far-Seer, surveying Blossom Mountain from above.
Amid swirling clouds and mist, he saw lush forests, towering peaks, and rushing rivers—nothing else.
Putting away the Far-Seer, he frowned slightly and muttered in doubt, "Weren’t there supposed to be thousands of demons? Why do I see no army, no encampments? Could they have already slipped away?"
A celestial general behind him bowed slightly and said, "King, according to the scouts, most demons are hiding in the forests. From the air, they’re hard to spot."
"Oh? Have you found their cave?"
"Not yet. Only a few suspicious locations have been marked. The terrain model is ready, King—would you like to see it?"
Broadgaze waved his hand dismissively, his face expressionless. "Don’t waste time. If they escape, this whole trip will be pointless."
With that, he turned and strode toward the command tower, calling out in a loud voice, "Tell them—set the forests on fire. These trees help them hide and offend my eyes."
"Yes, sir!"
The fleet split into three prongs and slowly spread out into formation as a rain of fire arrows showered down.
The forests began to burn with a sharp, hissing sound.
Lying prone on the mountainside, Monkey’s face went stiff. His mouth twitched violently as he glared at the rising flames and spat a furious curse: "You sons of...! Burning my Blossom Mountain?"