It seemed that a new great battle was unavoidable, a scene that strongly resembled when Sun Kong stood alone against all the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain and all the Immortals of the Heavenly Court several months ago!
However.
Sun Kong had managed to court disaster to this day without ever being truly outmaneuvered by anyone. Instead, he had continuously broken through his cultivation, improved his strength, and expanded his network of acquaintances.
Naturally, he was no ordinary being.
Before the disciples of the Human and Chan Sects could find him, he had already sensed that something was amiss.
To be safe,
He immediately took out the *Wu Hou Seven Star Array*!
Humming sounds filled the air.
After a period of operation, dozens of images appeared within the array, depicting none other than the Human and Chan Sect disciples finding trouble with Sun Kong.
Sun Kong himself jolted, realizing the situation!
"Good heavens, I haven't even settled scores with you yet, to ensure your compliance in the eighty-one tribulations ahead without causing trouble, and you're coming at me first?"
"This is truly provoking me!"
Instinctively, Sun Kong pulled out the Journey to the West Gatling, ready to sweep through these Immortals and show them his might.
But then he thought, behind these two factions were not ordinary individuals, but the leaders of the Human Sect, Saint Taiqing Laozi, and the leader of the Chan Sect, Saint Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun.
Up to this point, he, Sun Kong, had not had any substantial conflict with these two sects. In fact, he had received considerable praise from Yuanshi Tianzun.
To attack without warning would be too presumptuous. It was better to be a bit more cautious and discreet.
"Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun are not to be trifled with. Moreover, they are particularly protective of their own, unlike the Two Saints of the Western Teachings, Sect Leader Tongtian, and Goddess Nuwa."
"Without solid evidence that favors me, forcefully courting disaster is still not wise."
"But to not retaliate at all would be too humiliating. What if, in the future, they truly think I'm a pushover and bully me every day? How can I accomplish the journey to the West then?"
"Alright, let's compromise. I'll put away my beloved Journey to the West Gatling and switch to this Primordial Golden Cudgel. Those I can scare away, I will. Those who foolishly insist on coming, then don't blame me!"
With this thought, Sun Kong felt no further psychological burden.
Before the two groups of Immortals could reach him, he put away the Journey to the West Gatling, temporarily setting aside this nuclear-level weapon, and opted for the most conventional weapon.
The Primordial Golden Cudgel!
As he sensed everyone was less than a million miles away, he suddenly formed a hand seal and chanted, causing the Primordial Golden Cudgel to extend ten thousand feet.
He performed a demonstration on the spot!
"I am the Great Sage Sun, my phoenix song laughs at Confucius.
With the Golden Cudgel in hand, I bid farewell to Yellow Crane Tower.
...
Far I see the immortal in colorful clouds, holding lotus, facing the Jade Capital.
Before I ascend to the boundless heavens, I wish to accompany Lu Ao on a journey to the Great Purity."
Sun Kong held the Primordial Golden Cudgel, wielding it up and down, demonstrating the seventy-two transformations and numerous martial arts techniques. He was incredibly imposing and heroic.
The wind and clouds, the flowers and trees, spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, were all drawn to his astonishing display.
Inanimate objects were stunned.
Living beings were even more astonished.
Even some flower spirits, grass spirits, tree spirits, wood spirits, fawns, rabbits, and other fantastical creatures were attracted by this atmosphere, which, while not the Great Dao itself, possessed a certain Daoist charm.
They spontaneously joined in,
Following his movements.
A scene of harmonious Dao unfolded, unlike anything seen elsewhere!
At the same time, he recited a slightly altered version of Li Bai, the foremost poetic immortal of Blue Star's "Ballad of Mount Lu, Sent to Censor Lu Xuzhou," which not only lacked any discord but also possessed an indescribable harmony!
This might have been the first time since his transmigration that he had sung so heartily and performed martial arts so purely, without any intent to court disaster, deceive, confront, or shock anyone.
He was purely immersed in this perfect state of unity between man and nature.
At first, there was a slight sense of pretense, intended to display his power and deter the dozens of foolishly arrogant Immortals.
He did not wish to truly fight them.
Later, as Sun Kong became more immersed, losing himself and returning to his past self, it was as if he were studying under Patriarch Bodhi again.
He felt truly carefree and unfettered.
Though a monkey demon,
He surpassed true immortals!
Even Sun Kong himself did not realize that as he recited this poem, certain places in the chaotic void seemed to respond in ways unknown.
The Daoist charm he exuded became even more potent.
As a result, besides the nearby plants, trees, birds, beasts, insects, and fish coming to listen, even in the chaotic void, some strange eyes were fixated on him!
These "beings" could not enter the Three Realms of the Great Desolation to cause trouble.
But their attention to Sun Kong and the calamity of the Journey to the West was increasing!
...
On the other side, the dozens of Immortals from the Human and Chan Sects gathered fifty thousand miles away, intending to gang up on him but also concerned about their reputation.
In the end, they devised a plan that they considered very dignified.
They would take turns to seek revenge!
"Brother Xuandu, fellow Daoists, please remember, we are only here to avenge this Monkey King's excessive arrogance. We must not kill him, otherwise, we would disgrace our masters. Understand?"
"Therefore, everyone, please be gentle when you strike later. Let's not make a big scene that everyone knows about, as it will be difficult for our masters to explain."
Guangchengzi, the foremost of the Eight Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, first glanced at Xuandu Grand Master, his equal. Seeing that he did not object,
He then instructed the seven Immortals behind him, the eight Immortals of the Human Sect, and the third-generation disciples of both sects.
Upon hearing this, everyone readily agreed.
Thinking back to the last time Sun Kong had caused chaos in the Jade Void Palace, he was merely at the low grade of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal. He wouldn't be *that* much more powerful.
With so many of them, taking turns would ensure they wouldn't be accused of bullying him with numbers, while also exhausting Sun Kong and forcing him to admit his mistakes.
Truly a win-win solution!
However.
Just as everyone thought their plan was excellent, the outcome that followed was something no one could have foreseen.
The eight Immortals went first.
Namely, Tieguai Li, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Lü Dongbin, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Guojiu.
They had set out with their hearts full of displeasure.
However, due to the overwhelming Daoist charm emanating from Sun Kong, they were each stunned on the spot, their minds bewildered.
They didn't even fight!
Behind them, Guangchengzi and the others waited for half an hour. Seeing that the eight Immortals had not returned and hearing no sounds of fighting, they became even more bewildered.
"Chi Jingzi, you seven go and check. Don't let that Monkey King harm the eight Immortals."
Guangchengzi gave an order, and the seven Immortals of the Chan Sect behind him set out.
The result...
Unsurprisingly, they were equally entranced by the Daoist charm around Sun Kong, not making a move, completely dazed.
Seeing this, Guangchengzi and Xuandu Grand Master could no longer sit still and quickly led the remaining individuals to the scene.
They intended to investigate the situation.
In the end, even they became captivated!
Their fighting spirit vanished.
Only enjoyment remained.
It was only then that two of them remembered their past grievances with Sun Kong and snapped back to reality!