Right in front of Mother Nuwa, the Golden Staff came crashing down onto the Emerald.
In an instant, the suspended Emerald shuddered violently, scattering countless fragments into the air.
Mother Nuwa, shielding Tripitaka, was utterly stunned.
A crack began to spread slowly from the point where the Golden Staff had struck. The entire Emerald plummeted from the sky, smashing heavily into the ground and sending a ripple of dust swirling outward.
The Golden Staff withdrew, and Damon Six-Ears hung in midair, grinning as he watched Mother Nuwa. His eyes had returned to normal, though they were still streaked with blood-red veins.
Everyone present, including Anna Yang, was left speechless.
"Has he already suppressed... his murderous intent toward Master Tripitaka?"
......
On the lotus throne, Lord Buddha remained expressionless.
......
On the mountainside, the assembled Buddhas ceased their chanting; one by one, they lowered their hands from prayer.
The Earth-Store King sighed helplessly, "He actually managed to deceive even us."
"No, he even deceived himself." Saint Raymond, the Right-Dharma Radiance Tathāgata, sighed softly. "Perhaps I too have made the same mistake as Tripitaka. No matter which incarnation of this Monkey it is, none can be restrained by a mere Golden Circlet. If you wish to borrow his power, you must be prepared to be used in turn."
As he spoke, he gave a helpless, bitter smile.
......
Staring at the widening crack in the Emerald, Anna Yang bit her lip and charged straight toward it.
"What is she trying to do?" King Roc was completely baffled.
Beside him, Many-Eyes let out a quiet sigh. "Since Her Holiness the Holy Mother has already decided, then let's do it."
With that, Many-Eyes also flew straight toward the Emerald.
Seeing this, the rest of the demon generals had no choice but to follow one after another.
In the end, only King Roc and the still-hesitant Clara Heart remained at the original spot. But how could King Roc compare to Clara? After all this struggle, hadn't he just been searching for a chance to survive this battle?
Helplessly, he braced himself and followed after the others.
Watching the figures depart, Clara Heart slowly turned back, gazing in the direction of the South Heaven Gate.
"Master..."
......
Inside Tusita Palace, Lord Lao's brows were tightly furrowed.
"So there really is a chance! As long as that monkey gets out, we'll have leverage for negotiations! If the three of us join forces, maybe we can help him avoid Heavenly Tribulation!" Lord Skygate shouted excitedly, but after yelling, he froze, "But... Damon Six-Ears is one thing, but if we personally deliver Mother Nuwa to Tribulation, isn't that a bit..."
"Mother Nuwa has performed immense meritorious deeds for the Three Realms," Lord Genesis raised his brows. "If we truly do this, even if the Buddhist Order collapses, I fear Daoism still won't be able to rule Heaven and Earth."
"Then what should we do?" Lord Skygate fumed. "Neither left nor right is right—so where exactly is this so-called chance?"
Lord Genesis smiled pleasantly at Lord Lao and said softly, "The chance is right here."
Lord Skygate also turned to Lord Lao, utterly perplexed.
Lord Lao remained seated, unmoving, caught in hesitation.
......
While Black Bear Spirit still carried Tripitaka, racing wildly toward Spirit Mountain, Damon Six-Ears and Mother Nuwa stood locked in confrontation. At the same time, Anna Yang and the demon generals landed atop the Emerald.
Inside the Emerald, the Monkey—soaked in liquid—could clearly see Anna Yang's figure. He waved frantically, signaling her to leave.
But Anna Yang seemed not to notice at all.
"Channel your spiritual power into the Emerald! Don't let it crack!"
"H-how do we channel it?" a demon general stammered.
"Just pour your spiritual power into the Emerald—don't ask how!" With that, Anna Yang spread her arms wide, channeling streams of spiritual power into the Emerald's wall.
The surrounding demon generals—including King Roc and Many-Eyes—also joined in, channeling their spiritual power into the Emerald. Though the strongest among them were only at the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal, their sheer numbers made the influx of power truly formidable.