As Sun Kong sought Zhen Yuanzi's cooperation to banish Mingyue to the mortal realm for reincarnation as the future Li Bai, embarking on the path of an unparalleled Sword Immortal, the two highest-ranking figures of the Demon Race on the other side were also plotting and executing a world-shattering plan!
...
The Mortal Realm.
Deep within the thirteenth demonic land, still unknown to various factions.
Shielded and concealed by tens of thousands of demonic formations.
Behold.
Billions of miles below.
Before a peculiar palace inscribed with thirteen demonic statues.
Two men, one old and one young, exuding a sinister aura, were engaged in a conversation that would determine the fate of the demonic way and the demon race.
The elder was none other than the new Six-Eared Macaque.
And the younger one was actually his superior, the Demon Sage who personally rewrote the destiny of the new Six-Eared Macaque over five hundred years ago!
"Since you have decided to involve your three unworthy junior brothers, there is nothing more for me to say. However, you must be cautious."
"Although these three are not Sages, they are, after all, three of the nine Quasi-Sages of the Primordial Three Realms. Whether they emerge or not carries entirely different implications."
"If they truly help you, it will be a double-edged sword. It could very well shift the stance of the Six Sages, and then, your years of planning in the Mortal Realm would face grave threats."
"In other aspects, I can still divine heavenly secrets and conceal the celestial patterns for you, but this matter is rather difficult."
"I hope you have thought it through. After you leave, unless you face a life-or-death crisis, I will be unable to act. I must remain here to guard this place and await the successful resurrection of the thirteen Demon Sages."
The Demon Sage, who in public was so arrogant and boastful, wishing to rival Dao Ancestor Hongjun, now revealed a rare flicker of genuine emotion.
In his words, although the demonic way dared to confront the Heavenly Dao, instigating two cycles of Journey to the West and throwing the entire Primordial Three Realms into even greater chaos, he was, deep down, quite rational. He did not, on account of some new Six-Eared Macaque, arrogantly believe he could completely crush Sun Kong with a hundred percent certainty.
On the contrary.
Since he would be bound to these thirteen Demon Sages for many years to come, awaiting their revival and unable to venture out like the Six Sages or Sun Kong, he could only place all his hopes on the new Six-Eared Macaque!
As he spoke.
This seemingly cruel and malicious Demon Sage, in order to make the new Six-Eared Macaque a worthy senior disciple capable of suppressing his three junior brothers—namely, Old Ancestor Minghe, Old Ancestor Huangquan, and Old Ancestor Youming—did not hesitate to transfer his cultivation, accumulated over the years, little by little, to him.
In an instant.
The new Six-Eared Macaque, who was already at the lower grade of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, achieved another epic breakthrough, advancing all the way to the pinnacle stage, almost reaching the realm of Quasi-Sage.
Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal Grand Completion!
"Many thanks to the Demon Sage for bestowing this power!"
"Thank you to the Demon Sage for your guidance!"
"From this moment forth, I, the new Six-Eared Macaque, will absolutely obey the Demon Sage's instructions. I will ensure the smooth completion of the second Journey to the West in the Mortal Realm, steal the fortune of the Western Teachings, and resist the Heavenly Dao and all Sages!"
With a favor akin to a rebirth, the new Six-Eared Macaque's worship of the Demon Sage reached an even higher level. He didn't even wait for the Demon Sage to speak.
He prostrated himself, kowtowing eighty-one times.
This showed that despite his exceptionally venomous and insidious methods against Sun Kong and his ilk, he genuinely regarded the Demon Sage, who selflessly helped him rewrite his destiny, as a father!
Hearing this, the Demon Sage, although his cultivation had diminished, turning him into an ordinary member of the demon race, still exuded an imposing aura of natural authority.
He immediately laughed heartily and then sternly admonished him!
"New Six-Eared Macaque!"
"Your disciple is here, please bestow your teachings, Demon Sage."
"Since you intend to mobilize those three unworthy junior brothers, I will not impede you. But do not forget, utilizing these three old foxes comes with both benefits and drawbacks. Never trust them lightly."
"Your disciple understands!"
"Also, since you have received my legacy, from now on, the nameless and meaningless title of 'new Six-Eared Macaque' is no longer suitable. You shall henceforth be renamed Luohou."
"This means I hope you will uphold the last wish of our Great Demonic Ancestor Luohou and, one day, achieve a status comparable to his, at which point you shall be renamed 'Luohou' in full."
"Tell me, do you find my suggestion..."
"Your disciple most willingly accepts. Many thanks for bestowing this name, and even more thanks for entrusting the name of the Great Demonic Ancestor Luohou to me."
"Good! Since you are so full of fighting spirit, I shall waste no more words. Go now. Do not disturb me until the Journey to the West in the Mortal Realm is completed. Unless it is a matter of utmost urgency and life-or-death crisis, I will not emerge early."
After saying this.
The Demon Sage truly transformed his body into a blood-red light and descended into the colorless and odorless flames before the thirteen demonic statues.
It was as if he had truly relinquished power to the new Six-Eared Macaque, or rather, he should be addressed as Luohou.
Or perhaps, it implied that should any situation arise outside, he could intervene at any moment, and with his depleted cultivation, achieve what even Sages might struggle to accomplish!
Seeing this.
Luohou dared not ask further and respectfully retreated.
He had initially thought that finding the other three junior brothers would allow for discussions on strengthening internal cooperation within the demon race.
But unexpectedly.
Not long after Luohou departed, a cold laugh and a sarcastic remark echoed from the demonic flames. It was none other than the Demon Sage, who was supposed to be diligently in seclusion!
"Your stratagem is ingenious, almost deceiving all thirteen of us. To evade the coming immeasurable tribulation, you spared no expense in giving all of yourself to the Six-Eared Macaque, even letting him bear your karma."
"Heh heh, truly worthy of being the Demon Sage we chose. This move of yours is indeed brilliant. You, the actual transmigator, have bestowed your identity, cultivation, and power upon him."
"In the future, perhaps without our help, you will truly achieve that ultimate step, won't you?"
Thirteen seemingly mocking, yet more like praising, pronouncements emanated from within the thirteen demonic statues.
It seemed that the true relationship between the Demon Sage and Luohou, apart from the Demon Sage himself, was only vaguely perceived by these thirteen.
Hearing this.
The Demon Sage was not concerned about being betrayed, as their interests aligned. Moreover, their utilization of him surpassed his utilization of Luohou.
"My step, is it not also your step?"
"Hahaha, I was clearly a transmigator earlier than Sun Monkey, but due to various failures, without the help of this fool, the Six-Eared Macaque, how could I have reached this point?"
"I believe, let us stop mocking each other and discuss how to truly revitalize the demonic way, make the demon race rise, and bring about your resurrection."
As the laughter faded.
Unknown to anyone in the Primordial Three Realms other than these fourteen individuals, the coldness in the Demon Sage's eyes was exactly the same as Luohou's!