Journey to the West (Black Myth)

The scene in the sky was clearly visible to Shi Yue, and a flash of malice crossed his eyes. Yet, the possibility of crashing the Peach Banquet to strike a blow against The Heavenly Court or the Queen Mother kept him restrained. Allowing Ne Zha to live for a few more days seemed no great concern. Meanwhile, he considered what the reaction might be if Sun Wukong's boast about kidnapping the Queen Mother reached the heavens—the Queen Mother's own reaction would be interesting, though the ten thousand celestial soldiers might hesitate to carry such a message, fearing her notorious wrath.

Shi Yue was contemplating how to steal the Queen Mother's peach trees. Despite the absence of sunlight, the Measuring Sky Staff's space was rich with spiritual energy, much different from later eras. In this mythic time, everything possessed spiritual energy and could manifest into form if given this vital force; sunlight and moonlight were merely supplementary. He thought of planting peach trees to yield some variant peaches.

If Sun Wukong stole peaches, he could steal the trees too!

Sun Wukong's spontaneous boastfulness delighted him, while the hidden million demon soldiers of Flower Fruit Mountain shared in the glory. The greater their Great King's audacity, the prouder they felt, roaring towards the sky, although Sun Wukong couldn't hear them.

Yet, this million-strong chorus thundered powerfully enough to make the tranquil Flower Fruit Mountain below seem alive and vivid, from the perspective above.

While Sun Wukong reveled in his triumph, a figure emerged from the ranks of the celestial army: a youthful figure, around thirteen or fourteen, with two small braids atop their head, red shorts and a red bellyband, standing on two fiery wheels. With a Universe Ring over his shoulder, a Fire-tipped Spear in hand, a sword and a saber on his back, a Demon-Subduing Rope around his waist, and a red embroidered ball hanging, he was a picturesque sight. Sun Wukong found it amusing.

Sun Wukong couldn't contain his laughter, calling out, "Whose child are you? Dressed like that, it's truly ridiculous!"

Shi Yue couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, thinking that Sun Wukong's remarks were becoming increasingly cutting. He thought it best for now to let Sun Wukong vent some grievances on his behalf.

The figure on the Wind Fire Wheels, Ne Zha, was filled with rage upon hearing Sun Wukong's mockery and shouted angrily, "Vile demon monkey! Do you not recognize me? I am Ne Zha, third prince of Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing! I come by decree of The Jade Emperor to capture you!"

Sun Wukong was unfazed, laughing heartily, "So, you're the whelp of the coward Li Jing? How are you braver than your father? Still teething, baby hair not yet shed, wearing just a bellyband—how disgusting! You dare challenge me? Better scamper back, or I’ll tear off that bellyband and shorts of yours, ha ha ha!"

Shi Yue nearly rolled his eyes, and even Six Paths couldn't help but chuckle at Sun Wukong's rowdy demeanor.

Ne Zha, infuriated but unable to match Sun Wukong's banter, let out a frustrated cry and transformed into a three-headed, six-armed form, each hand gripping one of his six weapons.

Sun Wukong shouted, "What kind of creature are you, appearing like this, claiming to be the son of the coward Li Jing?"

Sun Wukong’s challenge had unexpected repercussions. In The Heavenly Court's ranks, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing couldn’t help but let out a snort. Ever since he learned that Ne Zha was the reincarnation of the Spirit Pearl, Li Jing had never truly considered Ne Zha his son.

After countless years as a deity, Li Jing understood much about the world. He believed spirits were always forming and dissipating, and he thought the Spirit Pearl had usurped his son’s body and consumed his soul. How could he favor Ne Zha after that? Especially knowing that Ne Zha’s master, Perfected Taiyi, originated from a Taiji Pearl during the Great Desolation, made him feel even more conflicted. But that’s another story.

Seeing he couldn't win a verbal spat against Sun Wukong, Ne Zha chose to act, transforming into his three-headed, six-armed form—the only magical ability his current physical form could use.

With three heads and six arms, each wielding a weapon, his feet turned the Wind Fire Wheels. He became a blazing, rainbow-like streak charging toward Sun Wukong.

At the same time, the Demon-Subduing Rope transformed into a silver snake darting from his hand, the embroidered ball danced in the air, the Fire-tipped Spear howled, his two-handed sword swung, and the Universe Ring spun forth.

Sun Wukong, wasting no time, engaged him immediately. Realizing Ne Zha’s innate strength, he found him formidable indeed. As the Ruyi Jingu Bang clashed with Ne Zha's array of weapons, booming sounds erupted, sending shockwaves in all directions.

In an instant, the seismic impact sent a wave through the ranks of The Heavenly Court’s hundred thousand celestial soldiers, toppling them like dominoes. Though neither used their spiritual powers, the sheer intensity was enough to shatter the clouds, dispersing them into oblivion.

Everyone watching was struck dumb by the spectacle, including Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, whose face betrayed his terror. He hadn’t realized Ne Zha was this powerful, thinking perhaps he hid his abilities with intent to harm.

At the Water Curtain Cave entrance, Shi Yue’s eyes gleamed with interest, while Six Paths’s eyes shone brightly, clearly eager for battle. He recognized Ne Zha’s strength, estimating it comparable to his own.

However, after just a few rounds, Sun Wukong grew impatient, swirling in the sky to create hundreds upon thousands of his forms surrounding Ne Zha, raining blows with their staffs.

Even with three heads and six arms, and six weapons, Ne Zha was overwhelmed by the onslaught.

After just one round, Ne Zha’s body plummeted, but in mid-air, the Wind Fire Wheels reappeared beneath him with a whoosh, allowing him to regain his position, though his face flushed red.

Ne Zha steadied himself, ascending to Sun Wukong’s level again, his face burning with anger. “You wretched monkey, this is all you’ve got, hmph!”

Sun Wukong’s challenge had unexpected repercussions. In The Heavenly Court's ranks, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing couldn’t help but let out a snort. Ever since he learned that Ne Zha was the reincarnation of the Spirit Pearl, Li Jing had never truly considered Ne Zha his son.

After countless years as a deity, Li Jing understood much about the world. He believed spirits were always forming and dissipating, and he thought the Spirit Pearl had usurped his son’s body and consumed his soul. How could he favor Ne Zha after that? Especially knowing that Ne Zha’s master, Perfected Taiyi, originated from a Taiji Pearl during the Great Desolation, made him feel even more conflicted. But that’s another story.

Seeing he couldn't win a verbal spat against Sun Wukong, Ne Zha chose to act, transforming into his three-headed, six-armed form—the only magical ability his current physical form could use.

With three heads and six arms, each wielding a weapon, his feet turned the Wind Fire Wheels. He became a blazing, rainbow-like streak charging toward Sun Wukong.

At the same time, the Demon-Subduing Rope transformed into a silver snake darting from his hand, the embroidered ball danced in the air, the Fire-tipped Spear howled, his two-handed sword swung, and the Universe Ring spun forth.

Sun Wukong, wasting no time, engaged him immediately. Realizing Ne Zha’s innate strength, he found him formidable indeed. As the Ruyi Jingu Bang clashed with Ne Zha's array of weapons, booming sounds erupted, sending shockwaves in all directions.

In an instant, the seismic impact sent a wave through the ranks of The Heavenly Court’s hundred thousand celestial soldiers, toppling them like dominoes. Though neither used their spiritual powers, the sheer intensity was enough to shatter the clouds, dispersing them into oblivion.

Everyone watching was struck dumb by the spectacle, including Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, whose face betrayed his terror. He hadn’t realized Ne Zha was this powerful, thinking perhaps he hid his abilities with intent to harm.

At the Water Curtain Cave entrance, Shi Yue’s eyes gleamed with interest, while Six Paths’s eyes shone brightly, clearly eager for battle. He recognized Ne Zha’s strength, estimating it comparable to his own.

However, after just a few rounds, Sun Wukong grew impatient, swirling in the sky to create hundreds upon thousands of his forms surrounding Ne Zha, raining blows with their staffs.

Even with three heads and six arms, and six weapons, Ne Zha was overwhelmed by the onslaught.

After just one round, Ne Zha’s body plummeted, but in mid-air, the Wind Fire Wheels reappeared beneath him with a whoosh, allowing him to regain his position, though his face flushed red.

Ne Zha steadied himself, ascending to Sun Wukong’s level again, his face burning with anger. “You wretched monkey, this is all you’ve got, hmph!”

Sun Wukong couldn't help but laugh out loud at Ne Zha's words.

Ne Zha sneered, still unconvinced, "It's just unfortunate that my Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield no longer works, or else you'd never defeat me. Hmph!"

Sun Wukong roared with laughter, "What flimsy shield? I don't believe a little kid like you with a broken shield can best me. Stop blabbering and return to your ranks, or I will not spare your life."

Ne Zha retorted, "You blustering monkey! You have no idea! My Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield was forged from nine primordial fire dragons by my grandmaster. The fire emitted from the nine dragon pearls could burn even a Golden Immortal, and can unleash True Samadhi Fire, akin to the sun's flames. Even a Taiyi Golden Immortal couldn’t escape being reduced to ashes by my shield! How could you, a mere monkey, possibly withstand it?"

"Hmph! I suppose you're unaware that I know your brother Shi Yue. Your brother knows well the power of my Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield; he was tormented by my True Samadhi Fire, lost in agony, unaware of himself, like a wild beast roaring and writhing. Truly caught between life and death!"

Sun Wukong, infuriated by this, shouted, "You little brat, how dare you boast so? My brother is as holy as I am, equally powerful. How could he fall to you?"

Ne Zha sneered again, "Do you remember your brother Shi Yue disappearing mysteriously for eighteen years?"

Sun Wukong's eyes widened, and he retorted, "So what if I do?"

Ne Zha replied with cold satisfaction, "That’s it. How else would I know? Because he spent those eighteen years in my Nine Dragons Divine Fire Shield, suffering under my True Samadhi Fire! Day in, day out, like a beast, rolling and howling! Truly caught between life and death! How can you doubt this?"

Below, at the entrance of Water Curtain Cave, The Six-Eared Macaque, Six Paths, had bloodshot eyes and suddenly turned to Shi Yue, asking in a low, tense voice, "Brother, is this true?"

Shi Yue, his own face pale with rage, nodded with eyes flashing dangerously, "I will kill this brat one day! But today is not the time!"

Just then, a roar reverberated across the heavens.

In the sky, Sun Wukong had entered a berserk state, eyes wide with rage, head thrown back as he howled unstoppably. It struck him then that during the long absence of his brother, not only had he failed to search earnestly, but he had also harbored resentment, wondering why his brother never visited, mistakenly thinking he had been abandoned. The realization filled him with deep regret, remembering their shared birth from stone and their inseparable bond, thicker than blood.

Reflecting on the suffering his brother endured, how his brother always supported him, like both brother and father, without uttering a complaint even after such torture, presumably to protect him from worry—Sun Wukong was overwhelmed with rage, furious at himself for not caring, and angrier still at those who tortured his brother. He felt as if a fire blazed in his chest, consuming him with sacred fury.

To the hundred thousand celestial soldiers above and the million demon soldiers below at Flower Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong seemed to surge with power with every furious scream, clearly breaking through to become a Taiyi Celestial Immortal!

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