Fuling Mountain, spanning millions of li, was the most crucial location for the twelfth tribulation. It was also the most perilous mountain within the vast ninety million li stretch between Guanyin Monastery and Yellow Wind Mountain.
Among its many features, Yunzhan Cave, with its unique, winding structure, was the most renowned.
Not just mortals, monsters, or local deities respected this mountain; even passing immortals and monks spoke highly of it.
In recent decades, especially with Wuzhiqi establishing his residence here and behaving himself, the mountain's reputation, once associated with Zhu Ganglie's stronghold, had only improved.
It had to be admitted that since joining Sun Kong, Wuzhiqi had become increasingly sensible, performing acts that made all celestial beings and various factions envious to the point of jealousy!
Today marked another anniversary since his last separation from Sun Kong.
It was also, as Wuzhiqi had meticulously calculated, precisely five years before his next reunion with Sun Kong, Jin Chanzi, and others.
For this reason,
Wuzhiqi was as busy as ever. While attending to his tasks, he noticed the clouds darkening in the sky, clearly signaling the imminent arrival of a new storm.
He remained unfazed.
Instead, he swiftly made the necessary arrangements.
"Fellow villagers, cease your labor and head home quickly. Heavy rain is coming soon, and this grain cannot be harvested now. Life is more important!"
"If absolutely necessary, let me, Wuzhiqi, blow a breath for you, and I can send all your grain home. You can sort it out later; it's better than getting sick in the rain outside."
"My dear villagers, please rest assured. Although I am a monster, after all these years living among you, how can you not know my character?"
As he spoke, Wuzhiqi chuckled, revealing the true nature of an honest and simple monster, which brought heartfelt gratitude from the worried villagers.
Afterward,
Wuzhiqi channeled his magical power and, with a single breath, collected all the villagers' grain, transporting it to their homes. With them continuing their work, countless villagers within a radius of millions of li were filled with immense gratitude.
Words of thanks were unnecessary.
Wuzhiqi, having been repeatedly instructed by Sun Kong to be a "meaningful monster," felt immense joy seeing that mortals did not truly reject monsters but could coexist harmoniously.
He felt no pain or reluctance at the approaching tribulation.
Instead, he possessed the optimism, positivity, generosity, and openness that every monkey descendant in New Flower Fruit Mountain embodied.
In summary, he had not disgraced or shamed Sun Kong in any way!
After all,
Ever since Sun Kong had assigned him to this area, waiting for the opportune moment to transform into Jin Chanzi's second disciple, Zhu Bajie, Wuzhiqi had been anticipating this day.
During the day, he diligently descended the mountain to help the surrounding villagers. He had also inspected Gao Laozhuang on Sun Kong's behalf, confirming that it was no longer the same Gao Laozhuang from the original narrative.
It seemed unlikely to cause them any trouble.
At night, Wuzhiqi returned to Yunzhan Cave on Fuling Mountain. Even though he knew that Sun Kong had shone brightly in many previous tribulations, deterring any troublemakers, he still diligently practiced his cultivation, aiming to become stronger and more capable of assisting Sun Kong in the future.
Through such diligence, in just a few decades, although Wuzhiqi had not broken through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal realm, his previous Great Unity Golden Immortal perfected cultivation had become even more refined and stable.
During this period,
Whether it was the Sages of the Heavens, the deities and Buddhas of the celestial realms, or other powerful figures from the Earthly Immortal Realm, all had sent envoys to invite him to cooperate with them.
However, their answers were always the same!
"Thank you for your kind intentions, but I have only one word: I only listen to Brother Sun. I must refuse all other requests and cannot obey them."
"If you agree with this, we can talk further, perhaps over some tea, and then you may depart."
"If you disagree, then you are my enemy, or you are acting against me and my Brother Sun. Though I am untalented, merely a transformation of a Red-Bottomed Macaque, I will not permit anyone to slander my Brother Sun!"
It was precisely because of Wuzhiqi's unwavering stance that all visitors, no matter how resentful, had to leave dejectedly. Even with their deep-seated dissatisfaction, they dared not provoke Sun Kong.
To this day,
Based on Sun Kong's instructions from back then, Wuzhiqi naturally knew that his Brother Sun had already overcome the tenth and eleventh tribulations and was rapidly approaching.
He was only tens of millions of li away from Fuling Mountain.
At the fastest, three to five years.
At the slowest, about ten years.
He would arrive.
But Wuzhiqi was no fool.
As the number of visitors to him increased in recent days, from ordinary individuals to envoys from the Spirit Mountain Buddhas, the Heavenly Court immortals, and other factions, he could already infer.
The twelfth tribulation was likely to arrive soon.
This was why they were so anxious.
Therefore,
Wuzhiqi did not hesitate. While assisting the surrounding mortals with their harvest in the past few days, he was also actively preparing to face the tribulation.
Marry a new Gao Cuilan?
That was impossible.
Let alone the fact that he had no plans for marriage or children, even if he did, he would never seek out a mortal woman from such a sensitive location, giving outsiders an opportunity and causing trouble for Sun Kong.
However,
Helping local mortals more and using the opportunity to promote the good reputation of New Flower Fruit Mountain, including Sun Kong and everyone else, was indeed possible.
And so,
The next morning,
When another family of villagers sought his help, Wuzhiqi, without a word, shouldered the Nine-Tooth Rake he had expertly wielded for years and descended the mountain with the villagers.
He had expected this task to be resolved quickly, after which he would return and continue his patient wait.
But what Wuzhiqi did not expect was that
Upon arriving at the scene, he turned pale with shock.
It was not for any other reason.
It was because this particular villager had led him to Gao Laozhuang, where Duke Gao, Gao Cuilan, and others were present, and all of them harbored ill intentions.
Their bodies exuded demonic energy,
But it was different from the demonic energy of Rahu, who was inherently a demon.
This was clearly the work of the Heavenly Emperor's subordinates!
"It's over!"
"This will bring trouble to Brother Sun again! I, Wuzhiqi, would rather die than yield! Take my Nine-Tooth Rake... I will fight my way out!"
Just as Wuzhiqi was about to resist, the group opposite him, who appeared to be mortals but were in fact all subordinates of the Jade Emperor, moved faster.
They captured him within minutes, forcefully bringing about the original plot.
And leaving a time bomb for Sun Kong!
...
After the matter was concluded,
Wuzhiqi was forcibly united with that Gao Cuilan.
At this moment, Duke Gao, while instructing other members of the Gao family to prepare, revealed a ferocious and terrifying face, more monstrous than any demon!
"If you blame anyone, blame Sun Houzi for being disobedient."
"Blame him for disappointing the Jade Emperor too much. Last time, we failed. This time, I will definitely subdue this Bi Ma Wen."
As he spoke, Duke Gao's voice took on the tone of Taibai Jinxing!