“You’re not killing me?”
“You’re not killing me, aren’t you afraid I’ll retrieve the Book of Earth and kill you instead?”
Upon hearing Sun Kong spare him, Zhen Yuanzi was utterly bewildered!
Even as one of the first beings to emerge since the creation of the world, having lived for countless eons, he still couldn’t grasp the meaning behind Sun Kong’s actions.
He inwardly assumed the other was toying with him, intending to lull him into a false sense of security before striking him down.
Therefore, he felt no gratitude, but rather heightened vigilance and wariness!
“Who said I was going to kill you?”
“Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, you’re overthinking things. Old Sun truly only wanted revenge for my brothers and couldn’t stand your disciple, Qing Feng, for seeking merit in the Journey to the West while also colluding with demons and the Heavenly Court.”
“Since he’s dead, you’re in the clear.”
“As the saying goes, being an immortal is not easy. Go home and retire. Later, during the eighteenth trial, my disciples and I will need to trouble you again.”
“As for this Book of Earth, I’m truly not trying to snatch or steal it. It simply refused to leave. So, I’ll have it for a few days to study. I’ll return it when we meet again later.”
“What do you say?”
When Sun Kong said this, those already shocked were even more perplexed.
Zhen Yuanzi was so stunned he couldn't speak.
His heart was a mix of disbelief, shame, guilt, and embarrassment!
Meanwhile, Guang Chengzi, Wu Zhiqi, He Xiangu, Jin Chanzi, Huang’er Yin Wenjiao, and the arriving Zhou Wu Xian and others, all exchanged glances.
They were utterly confused!
“Fellow Daoist Sun is truly benevolent. Though clearly in the advantageous position, you show leniency wherever possible. Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, why must you be so stubborn?”
“Why not concede this time? It’s no great loss. In the future, you’ll have opportunities to gain merit in the Journey to the West and even acquire a brother who is no weaker than you. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“You lost your last brother, Old Ancestor Hong Yun, in the past. Now, as fate dictates, another is being bestowed upon you in the form of Great Sage Sun. Not only did you fail to offer hospitality, but you remain obstinate, intent on leading yourself to ruin?”
Guang Chengzi, indeed worthy of being the foremost in emotional intelligence among the Eight Great Golden Immortals, delivered words that, while appearing stern and lacking in subtlety, provided the best way out for both Sun Kong and Zhen Yuanzi.
In an instant, Sun Kong understood and chuckled, repeating his promise to return the Book of Earth during the eighteenth trial.
Zhen Yuanzi, on the other hand, was deeply moved. Tears welled up, and he bowed repeatedly, offering his sincere gratitude. For the first time, he wasn't furious at being outmaneuvered by someone weaker.
Instead, after offering a sincere apology, he returned to Wuzhuang Temple with the sole remaining true spirit of Qing Feng.
He had arrived full of confidence.
He departed equally confident, but no longer due to his own strength. It was more so due to Guang Chengzi’s words that he was swayed!
Witnessing this scene.
Wu Zhiqi, He Xiangu, Jin Chanzi, Huang’er Yin Wenjiao, and Zhou Wu Xian and the others were quite perplexed, and they began to voice their questions.
“Big Brother Sun, sparing Zhen Yuanzi is fine, but must you insist on returning the Book of Earth? Isn’t that a bit too saintly?”
“This is a Half-Step Innate Supreme Treasure. You’re just going to return it? Why not give it to me instead.”
Wu Zhiqi, having suffered the most this time, harbored the deepest hatred for their enemies.
“Indeed, Big Brother Sun. Second Brother suffered the greatest loss. If not for your timely arrival, he might have been in serious trouble. Is killing only Qing Feng too lenient?”
“Also, those demon servants and Dragon Kings of the Rose who just fled should not have been let off so easily. In my opinion, a good beating would serve as a warning to others.”
Zhou Wu Xian, the most bloodthirsty among the Four Mixed Monkeys, predictably spoke of violence.
“Great Sage Sun, greetings. Since matters here are concluded, I cannot linger. I will certainly remember this favor today. My Human Sect and the Eight Immortals of the Upper Realm will surely reward you.”
“However, what Great Sage Sun has done is somewhat excessive. The Book of Earth may temporarily favor you due to your Five-Colored Stone physical body, but it does not truly belong to you. You must be cautious of this karmic entanglement.”
Unlike Wu Zhiqi and Zhou Wu Xian, He Xiangu, despite her average cultivation, was indeed a disciple of Laozi, possessing a refined demeanor.
Her ability to divine heavenly secrets and karmic cycles surpassed that of everyone present.
After she spoke.
She departed.
However, her insightful observation that the Book of Earth was a "hot potato," temporarily "defecting" to Sun Kong, then "drawing close," and that mishandling it in the future could lead to great karmic repercussions, earned everyone’s admiration.
It also made Sun Kong look at her with renewed interest!
Before He Xiangu could fully depart.
Sun Kong cheerfully produced a bowl of holy water soup and offered it to her, as a token of his appreciation for her timely reminder.
After drinking it, He Xiangu immediately broke through from the Great Perfection of Heavenly Immortal to the Lower Grade of Golden Immortal. Overjoyed, she expressed her profuse thanks.
After she left.
And after Guang Chengzi heeded his advice, seeing that the second trial was successfully completed, he returned to Chang’an City to continue monitoring Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang.
Only then, looking at his own people around him, did Sun Kong begin to offer explanations one by one.
“This Book of Earth is indeed powerful, but it already has an owner. Just as He Xiangu said, it is only temporarily close to me, not truly submitting.”
“How dare I truly become entangled in this karma?”
“Give it to you, Wu Zhiqi? You’re just a little fellow who isn’t even a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal. How dare you hold onto it?”
“And you, Zhou Wu Xian, always resorting to violence. Have you forgotten that our New Huaguo Mountain lineage is a major player in the Journey to the West tribulation? The most important thing is to complete the journey.”
“How can this continue?”
“I sentence you to return and copy the 1.08 million rules of New Huaguo Mountain ten thousand times. If even a single character or punctuation mark is missing, you’ll regret it!”
With a few words, Sun Kong disciplined his second brother, Wu Zhiqi, and third brother, Zhou Wu Xian, forcing them to listen and obey promptly.
Turning.
He looked at Jin Chanzi and Huang’er Yin Wenjiao with much greater tenderness.
Just as he was about to instruct them on their future course of action.
Suddenly.
A voice from the Heavenly Dao echoed from the Nine Heavens. It was none other than the declaration that the second trial had been recognized by the Heavenly Dao as complete. Although it differed greatly from the original plot, it had not exceeded its tolerance.
Thus, the rewards of merit for the Journey to the West were sent to everyone!
Among them.
Except for Qing Feng, who had perished, there were no rewards.
Everyone else, such as Guang Chengzi, He Xiangu, Wu Zhiqi, Zhou Wu Xian, Dragon King of the Rose, Golden Carp Demon, Jin Chanzi, Feng’er Chen Guangrui, and Huang’er Yin Wenjiao.
All received something, though not in large quantities, ranging from 10 to 30 points.
Only Sun Kong would receive the most in the future!
“The first trial of the Journey to the West, ‘Several Kills During Birth,’ has been successfully overcome. All who participated in this trial shall receive merit rewards, the amount varying, determined by Heaven.”
“The primary contributor, the Qi Tian Great Sage, Wondrous Monkey King of New Huaguo Mountain, Acting Deputy Buddha of Spirit Mountain, Sun Wukong, is hereby rewarded for his exceptional wisdom in resolving the tribulation and forgiving his enemies, serving as an exemplary model.”
“Reward: Sun Wukong, Two Hundred Heavenly Dao Merit, Twenty Thousand Journey to the West Merit!”