It turned out that the moment Yuan Shi Tian Zun made his move, his saintly body clashed with the Heavenly Court's unfathomable shielding.
There was a gap of one ten-thousandth of a second.
Such a short time might have been missed by others, but for Sun Kong, who had mastered the "Wu Hou Seven Star Array," it was no difficulty.
A brief calculation showed that Yuan Shi Tian Zun had not made a mistake this time.
In fact, he might have done the right thing more than anyone else!
Although subsequent heavenly secrets could not be seen.
Yet, Sun Kong's face showed no worry, tension, unease, or anxiety like others. Instead, he expressed his approval and admiration for Yuan Shi Tian Zun's rare display of anger!
And so.
Just as Guang Cheng Zi was about to charge towards the Heavenly Court, escalating the conflict between Chan Jiao and the Heavenly Court, Sun Kong, out of care for his ally.
Stopped him in time!
"Fellow Daoist Guang Cheng Zi, why be so tense?"
"Since your master has taken action, I presume the Jade Emperor will give him some face. Why not have tea and fruits with me?"
"Trust me, the moment your master moved, I did not sense any punishment from the Heavenly Dao or the Dao Ancestor. Clearly, he was only saving someone and not interfering with the Journey to the West calamity, nor did he attract trouble."
"If that's the case, let's wait and see. Perhaps your master will bring us a great surprise."
Guang Cheng Zi did not understand Sun Kong's words and thought he was being sarcastic.
He intended to retort a few words.
But unexpectedly.
At this moment, from the direction of the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor spoke again. However, this time it was not an angry scolding of Nezha, nor an indirect accusation.
It was even less of a bold challenge to Yuan Shi Tian Zun.
Instead, he announced a momentous event that no living being in the Primordial Three Realms could have imagined!
"Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor above, Six Saints above, I, your humble servant, spoke carelessly while drunk and misunderstood the Great God of the Three Altars of the Sea, Nezha. I hereby issue a decree of self-condemnation as an apology to him and Chan Jiao."
"Furthermore, given that I have been busy with various affairs recently and may have been mentally fatigued, I hereby promote Nezha to Deputy Marshal of the Heavenly Court, second only to the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing."
"From today onwards, I entrust the eight million heavenly river naval forces to Nezha, my esteemed minister, to jointly command the three armies with his father, Li Jing, to awe the Three Realms and maintain order. No one is permitted to disobey this command."
"As for the Curtain-Rolling General, for failing to report his absence from duty to me in advance, thereby violating heavenly law, I hereby hand him over to my esteemed minister Nezha to be brought back to Chan Jiao and dealt with by the Saint of Pure Origin."
"This decree is personally issued by me in the winter of the 287 billion, 999 million, 999 thousand, 501st year of the Primordial Calendar. All regions of the Three Realms must remember this decree of self-condemnation without fail!"
Upon hearing this, the entire Primordial Three Realms erupted in a frenzy!
The Jade Emperor, the lord of the Three Realms, who should have taken this opportunity to demand significant compensation from Yuan Shi Tian Zun, instead took a contrarian approach and issued a decree of self-condemnation.
As if intimidated by Yuan Shi Tian Zun's might, he had surrendered, and so thoroughly?
Everyone was greatly puzzled.
The only speculation was that Yuan Shi Tian Zun had threatened the Jade Emperor, forcing him to concede.
In an instant.
Rumors spread throughout the Primordial Three Realms, sparking various discussions!
...
Chan Jiao.
Within the Jade Void Palace.
The previous moment, everyone was worried about Nezha being apprehended by the Jade Emperor. Upon seeing their master take action, the Jade Emperor submitted within moments.
Not only did he cease pursuing Nezha's crime, but he also apologized himself and voluntarily handed over the Curtain-Rolling General, who would later become Sha Wujing.
Everyone was filled with joy and pride!
"As expected, Master is truly awesome. With just a casual move, he scared that damned Jade Emperor into trembling."
"Fellow disciple Taiyi, now you don't have to worry about having no successor. Hurry and welcome your nephew Nezha back."
"At the same time, we must also quickly wipe away our tears, clean up the scene, and await Master's return for further instructions."
"Furthermore, fellow disciple Taiyi, you will have to trouble yourself to find our senior disciple brother Guang Cheng Zi at the new Flower-Fruit Mountain. With Master's move, our negotiation with that fellow Daoist Sun will be much easier."
Hearing everyone's words, True Man Taiyi did not hesitate. He indeed went to find Guang Cheng Zi, brought back the Three Treasures Ruyi that Sun Kong had returned to them, and happily returned to the Jade Void Palace.
Before leaving.
Guang Cheng Zi recalled Sun Kong's words from earlier, thinking that as the senior disciple of Chan Jiao, he was not as accurate in his calculations as this newcomer.
Half of his face was flushed with shame.
The other half was solemn.
He actually adopted a rare posture of respect and bowed to Sun Kong!
"Senior disciple brother, what is this..."
Taiyi Zhenren, who was beside him, did not understand this action and thought Sun Kong had done something to Guang Cheng Zi again, immediately showing some ferocity.
"Fellow disciple Taiyi, do not be rash. Although Master is far-sighted and decisive, Daoist Sun's help was also indispensable."
"Just now, I had no idea what the outcome would be, but unexpectedly, Daoist Sun's divination skills are unparalleled in the Primordial Three Realms, and he predicted in advance that Master would give us a surprise."
"How can Guang Cheng Zi not be convinced by such divine calculation? If I am not mistaken, I believe my master will soon invite Daoist Sun to the Jade Void Palace for a discussion. I hope Daoist Sun will not mind our clumsiness."
"From now on, Chan Jiao and Daoist Sun's New Flower-Fruit Mountain will stand side by side to welcome the Journey to the West calamity, advancing and retreating together, sharing honor and disgrace!"
Well said, Guang Cheng Zi.
As expected of the foremost disciple of Chan Jiao, his words were impeccable.
Even Sun Kong could not find any flaws.
Finally.
Sun Kong, with a smile, saw off these two Golden Immortals of Chan Jiao.
Turning back.
His expression immediately turned serious!
"General Ba, pass down the order. From today onwards, any monkey and grandson of my New Flower-Fruit Mountain must be extremely cautious when dealing with those people from the Heavenly Court."
"This reaction from the Jade Emperor is too abnormal. It's definitely not like he was threatened by Yuan Shi Tian Zun. It's more like they have some secret agreement."
"Also, prepare some valuable fruits and spiritual herbs for me. In a few days, Yuan Shi Tian Zun will definitely come to discuss major matters with me, and it will surely be more explosive than our previous ordinary cooperation."
Upon hearing these words, General Ba was deeply shaken and felt unprecedented tension. He immediately rushed to warn the other monkeys and grandsons.
And prepared various fruits and spiritual herbs overnight.
As expected.
Three days later.
When Nezha replaced Zhu Jiuzhong's original position, leading eight million naval forces to patrol the Heavenly River, and subsequently captured and killed hundreds of millions of offending demons and monsters.
From Chan Jiao, Taiyi Zhenren came again. This time, besides bringing Nezha, who had made corrections, to be disciplined by Sun Kong, he also invited Sun Kong to visit the Jade Void Palace.
An invitation.
But it was not an invitation from these second-generation disciples of Chan Jiao.
It was, as Sun Kong had predicted, an invitation from Yuan Shi Tian Zun!
"General Ba, tell the two marshals Ma Liu and the others that after I leave, you three and the million monkeys and grandsons will all obey the Second King Wu Zhi Qi."
"Do not fail to comply!"
Sun Kong, while outwardly thanking Yuan Shi Tian Zun for the invitation, secretly hinted to his subordinates to be wary of any enemies who might be detrimental to the New Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Including Chan Jiao!