Who, since Pangu first opened the heavens and the earth, has managed to gain even the slightest advantage from a Saint?
None.
Truly, none.
Not one, not half a one.
Let alone gaining an advantage, even one who could slightly avoid being utterly crushed by a Saint in a battle was only one person.
That was Kong Xuan.
Namely, the present Peacock Great Bright King.
Besides him, there was truly no one.
Yet, Sun Kong could do it!
He could be considered the most formidable person below the Saint level.
There was no second.
It was a pity that Sun Kong, at this moment, could not directly announce this to the three realms of Hong Huang. Otherwise, the fact that even a Saint's spiritual treasure would be rewarded to him would surely make countless people cry and shock the Seven Great Sages.
This was a supreme honor that many dreamed of but could not attain. Yet, Sun Kong had to remain somewhat low-key for now and reveal it later.
Thus.
Before Empress Nuwa could chase after him to reclaim the spiritual treasure, Sun Kong immediately activated the Chaos Somersault Cloud. With a few leaps, he left the Wa Palace and headed towards the Heavenly Realm.
He felt great all the way.
However, at the same time, Sun Kong had not forgotten that after successfully completing this trip, there were still other important matters to attend to.
The first was to give the gathered Tiangang Guiyi Gong to Zhu Yishi immediately, so that he could regain the consciousness of the original Zhu Jiuchong.
And from him, obtain the opportunity for his second brother, Wu Zhiqi, to replace him in the Journey to the West.
This point was not Sun Kong's own guess, but from the last time he saw Zhu Yishi and Cuilan, he knew that old Zhu truly loved his wife and was not aiming for the Journey to the West.
To separate them?
Definitely not.
To ask him to give up the opportunity of the future Zhu Bajie?
It was highly likely to succeed.
The second was the Jin Chanzi that many people had mentioned. After parting ways months ago, who knew where this fellow had gone.
The Tathagata Buddha and others could not find him.
Even when Sun Kong used the "Marquis of Wu's Seven Star Formation" several times, he could not deduce his whereabouts.
It was likely that this kid was either hiding and refusing to come out, or he had gone to a place that could shield heavenly secrets.
But no matter what, the Journey to the West still had to proceed, and Sun Kong had already made plans for the specific format and personnel.
As for the White Dragon Horse, it was not yet known.
There was no suitable replacement found yet.
However, Tang Sanzang still had to be Jin Chanzi himself, the eldest disciple would naturally be Sun Kong, and the second and third would be his second brother Wu Zhiqi and third brother Zhou Wuxian, if nothing unexpected happened.
Among these five people, two were already absolutely confirmed.
Only the White Dragon Horse, Sha Wujing, and Jin Chanzi were missing.
Sun Kong believed that if others found Jin Chanzi and cooperated with him for the Journey to the West, they would definitely not be able to convince him and would only cause him to run away again.
But if he went, it would be different.
If nothing else,
Just for the last time, he reminded Jin Chanzi to flee in advance and avoid enduring suffering ten times in reincarnation. Jin Chanzi had promised to repay this favor.
This was Sun Kong's greatest confidence!
"Old Zhu, Old Zhu, don't worry, your Monkey Brother is here."
"This trip has been very rewarding. Eighty-one fragments have been combined into the Tiangang Guiyi Gong. I hope it can truly restore your original consciousness."
With this expectation, Sun Kong accelerated the Chaos Somersault Cloud. After descending to the Heavenly Realm from beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, he did not delay at all.
He continued to traverse the clouds of the Heavenly Realm and entered the Immortal Realm, and before the other Saints and various factions noticed.
He entered the Human Realm.
And arrived at Zhu Yishi's home.
Before he could even speak.
Zhu Yishi, worthy of being the true Marshal Tianpeng, despite being forced to reincarnate once, still keenly sensed the eighty-one fragments on Sun Kong.
Before Sun Kong could speak.
Zhu Yishi, with a smile, thanked him first and reached out, attracting the eighty-one fragments.
They were immediately synthesized.
Tiangang Guiyi Gong!
[Ding! Host has shocked Zhu Yishi and brought back the eighty-one fragments of Tiangang Guiyi Gong he needed, successfully synthesizing the complete version of Tiangang Guiyi Gong, restoring his original consciousness.]
[Zhu Yishi is especially grateful to the host. Therefore, in addition to the Nine-Toothed Rake previously given to the host, he has also become sworn brothers with the host.]
[Reward: A heart of hundred percent brotherhood from Zhu Yishi. With this, the host and Zhu Yishi will be good brothers for all eternity, never separated, never betrayed!]
Upon hearing the system's reward this time, Sun Kong couldn't help but laugh heartily. Just as he was about to seize this opportunity to express his idea of asking Zhu Yishi to abdicate.
Unexpectedly.
At this moment, as Zhu Yishi obtained the complete version of Tiangang Guiyi Gong and learned it immediately, his entire aura changed drastically!
At first, it was just a recovery of Zhu Jiuchong's facial features from Zhu Yishi's appearance.
Gradually, his cultivation was restored to its former state, making him a formidable expert at the peak of Hunyuan Da Luo Jinxian!
Finally, it was even more exaggerated.
The man's appearance alternated between Zhu Yishi, Zhu Jiuchong, and sometimes half Zhu Yishi and half Zhu Jiuchong. Sun Kong, of course, was not afraid, but it nearly scared Cuilan, who was beside him, to death.
But fortunately.
Even though Zhu Yishi had regained his original consciousness, he had not forgotten the experiences of this life, especially his deep love for Cuilan.
While Sun Kong was dazzled, he suddenly stabilized his appearance, still looking like Zhu Yishi. He picked up Cuilan and kissed her on the spot!
"Husband, it's so embarrassing with your brother here."
Cuilan, kissed fiercely by Zhu Yishi, instinctively blushed.
She urged Zhu Yishi to put her down quickly.
"It's alright, it's alright. Sister-in-law and Old Zhu can kiss as they please. I, Sun Kong, will just watch the show and won't say a word. Besides, I am a Buddhist disciple and don't interfere in others' affairs."
Sun Kong, standing beside them, was moved by Zhu Yishi's bold and sincere affection. Thinking that they, because of him, had avoided the subsequent eight reincarnations and the separation after the ninth reincarnation.
He couldn't help but let out a monkey-like laugh.
"Wife, I'll listen to everything you say. How about this, you go inside first and cook us some food, so we brothers can have our fill."
Zhu Yishi finally regained his composure. While gently inviting Cuilan into the kitchen to busy herself, he turned back and looked at Sun Kong with gratitude.
Without a word.
He immediately knelt down and kowtowed.
After kowtowing, it seemed he had guessed Sun Kong's intention, so without any further words, he took a drop of his vital essence blood from the depths of his primordial spirit and handed it to Sun Kong.
"Just this?"
"With this, can my second brother replace you and go on the Journey to the West?"
"Is this thing reliable or not?"
Sun Kong was somewhat uneasy and had to ask again.
"Hahaha, Brother Sun need not worry. This vital essence blood is the foundation of my Journey to the West opportunity. With it, your second brother will have no trouble replacing me."
"This time, with Brother Sun's fulfillment, I, Zhu, have finally let go of all the past. To hell with the Heavenly Court, to hell with the Jade Emperor."
"They all thought Old Zhu was an idiot, destined to be tricked by him. Now, I would never be enslaved by him."
At this point, Zhu Yishi was radiant.
Much more handsome and dashing than the later Zhu Bajie!