It was clear to anyone with half a brain that something was wrong.
Let alone Yuan Shoucheng.
Yuan Shoucheng didn't even have time to utter his usual scolding of the old Dragon King of Jing River for undercounting the rain.
He instinctively wanted to escape!
However.
Before Yuan Shoucheng could figure out how to flee, with a command from Emperor Li Shimin of Tang, an operation targeting the lackeys of the Heavenly Court was launched across the entire Chang'an city!
"I am the Emperor of Great Tang, and also the new Human Emperor recognized by the Heavenly Way. How dare you lackeys of the Heavenly Court collude from within and without to harm the virtuous?"
"Guards, quickly notify General Yuchi Gong to seal off Chang'an city and allow not a single remnant of the Heavenly Court to escape."
"Also, notify General Qin Qiong to swiftly lead his troops to apprehend the lackeys of the Heavenly Court, Yuan Shoucheng, Yuan Tiangang, and Li Chunfeng!"
"Anyone who dares to obstruct will be killed without mercy."
"Anyone who still blindly believes these lackeys of the Heavenly Court had better immediately get out of the Great Tang Empire, otherwise, from this moment on, I will declare myself an enemy of all demonic and heretical paths, all demon races, the Heavenly Court, and the Jie Sect forces."
"I, in the name of the Son of Heaven of Great Tang, call upon the hundreds of millions of people in the Great Tang Empire to stand in absolute opposition to demonic forces."
"Furthermore, summon the new National Preceptor, Master Guangchengzi, and the foremost eminent monk of our Great Tang Empire, Master Jinchanzi, to come and preside!"
Li Shimin's words shocked the entire Chang'an city!
Not to mention the many common people who had been deceived by Yuan Shoucheng and suddenly woke up.
Nor to mention that Generals Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong immediately led their men to seal off the city and arrest Yuan Shoucheng, Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang, and their disciples.
Meanwhile.
Seeing the truth exposed and witnessing the old Dragon King of Jing River act entirely outside the rules, disrupting his plan, the Grand White Immortal in the Ninth Heaven was furious!
"When did that damned Monkey King trick this old fellow?"
"This is bad. Losing one Yuan Shoucheng is not much, but if Guangchengzi and Jinchanzi truly become Li Shimin's trusted aides and replace Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, it will be even worse."
"They are my beloved disciples cultivated over many years, and also crucial pawns to help the Asura Demon Empress, Wu Zetian, ascend to the throne. How can they meet with disaster prematurely?"
As the Grand White Immortal thought, his fear grew. Just as he was about to send someone to rescue his three disciples and Wu Zetian, and to inform the Jade Emperor.
On the other side, Sun Kong, looking afar at the situation in Chang'an, felt immensely gratified. Having already foreseen it, he knew that Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang, and Yuan Shoucheng, apart from their prowess in divination, were otherwise mediocre.
They were no match for the old Dragon King of Jing River and Guangchengzi.
Therefore.
Sun Kong had no interest in participating in the prelude to this fifth tribulation, merely observing from afar and chuckling secretly.
As expected.
Before the Grand White Immortal could send reinforcements or request the Jade Emperor's intervention.
With Li Shimin's pronouncements and the elite Tang troops advancing towards the two National Preceptors' residences, an operation to suppress the lackeys of the Heavenly Court and set the Great Tang back on the right path was launched.
Of course.
With the mortal strength of Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong, it was still difficult to deal with Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang, and Yuan Shoucheng. However, with the addition of the Seven Immortals of Chan Sect and the old Dragon King of Jing River.
The situation changed instantly!
In less than ten rounds, all three were captured.
Among them, Yuan Shoucheng, who was directly guilty, was sent to Wei Zheng!
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
"Are there any specific instructions?"
Wei Zheng, as unyielding as ever, showed no fear despite these three being immortals and subordinates of the Jade Emperor.
"Reporting to Lord Wei, Your Majesty said that since they dared to harm the imperial court and disrupt the lineage of the old Dragon King of Jing River, Yuan Shoucheng will be punished in a similar manner."
"As for the other two, Your Majesty has heeded the command of the new National Preceptor, Master Guangchengzi, and will keep them for a ritual sacrifice to heaven, so that the Heavenly Court will not dare to underestimate our Great Tang Empire!"
The one escorting Yuan Shoucheng was none other than the old Dragon King of Jing River, who felt most satisfied with this outcome.
From then on, he admired and respected Sun Kong, Jinchanzi, and the Chan Sect even more.
Wei Zheng also understood the intentions of Sun Kong, the Chan Sect, and Li Shimin.
Although he was a little nervous about executing an immortal for the first time.
He did not flinch, laughed heartily, and before the Grand White Immortal could arrive to rescue them, he unleashed his unique dream-inducing divine ability.
Entering the dream.
He then executed Yuan Shoucheng.
This was only the first step.
Subsequently.
When Guangchengzi also spoke, agreeing to the execution of Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, Wei Zheng decisively acted again, executing three lackeys of the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court in one go.
This instantly stunned the Three Realms!
...
"Well done, Great Sage Sun!"
"Excellent! You were so meticulous that you even controlled the prelude to the fifth tribulation. No wonder the Jade Emperor is inferior to you. However, I hope you will continue to be so successful."
Laozi, once again impressed by Sun Kong's foresight, and by the brilliant coordination of Guangchengzi, Jinchanzi, and the old Dragon King of Jing River.
His eyes shone with countless lights.
"Brother Sun, you are magnificent!"
"I, the poor Taoist, never expected that Guangchengzi's opportunity would truly be in Chang'an. Now, the Jade Emperor has lost three mediocre lackeys, but his prestige has been severely damaged."
Yuanshi Tianzun and Empress Nuwa had almost identical thoughts, cheering for Sun Kong and feeling fortunate for the old Dragon King of Jing River.
Thinking about the other seven immortals who could likely seek Sun Kong's help, they were even more delighted!
At the same time.
The two saints of the Western Sect were greatly alarmed and secretly admired.
Tongtian Jiaozhu, on the other hand, was furious, scolding the Jade Emperor for his incompetence, but also felt a sense of schadenfreude since it was not his Jie Sect disciples who died this time.
Finally.
When it came to the Jade Emperor, before he could even finish listening to the Grand White Immortal's report, he witnessed the scene of the three being killed, and the scene of Guangchengzi obtaining opportunities from them and his cultivation soaring.
He spat blood on the spot!
"Grand White Immortal, is this what you call foolproof?"
"I hate this! We've lost face! You people are eating and doing nothing all day, don't you even check anything?"
"Guards, notify those seven fellows. The prelude to the fifth tribulation has been humiliating enough. When the main event of the fifth tribulation officially begins, there can be no mistakes. You must complete it with all your might."
"The Jade Emperor and Sun Monkey are irreconcilable!"
Hearing the Jade Emperor's words, the Grand White Immortal kneeling on the ground, along with other immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court, all erupted in anger.
The prelude to the fifth tribulation had passed.
The main drama of the fifth tribulation would also be violently ignited due to the escalation of conflict today!
Soon.
Seven Heavenly Immortals related to the word "tiger" received the Jade Emperor's orders and continued to sharpen their weapons, awaiting the arrival of Jinchanzi and his party.
As for Jinchanzi's group, due to Sun Kong's intervention, the step of Li Shimin having portraits of Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong made into door gods was omitted.
Nor was there a need for Guanyin Bodhisattva to bestow treasures.
He was directly canonized as an official eminent monk of the westward journey by a delighted Li Shimin!