Chapter 111: Arrival at Mount Huaguo

"Absurd! Is it possible that the Heavenly Court is truly helpless against a mere monkey demon?"

The Jade Emperor could clearly see that they were all just putting on a show, lacking any real intent to fight. Although most of the monkey demons on Mount Huaguo had been apprehended by the heavenly soldiers and generals, the sight of no one daring to actually harm Sun Wukong ignited an inexplicable rage within the Emperor.

"Is there any immortal willing to descend to the mortal realm and assist Heavenly King Li in capturing Sun Wukong?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go," said Yuan Wuji.

King Yu-Rong was still on Mount Huaguo, which was now sealed by eighty-one layers of celestial nets. It was a trap no demon king at the Taiyi Loose Immortal stage could escape from. Only by descending himself could Yuan Wuji hope to create an opportunity for King Yu-Rong to slip away.

"Very well. I appoint the Great General of the Divine Apes to descend and assist Heavenly King Li."

The Jade Emperor was somewhat surprised by Yuan Wuji’s initiative. Having long been aware of Yuan Wuji’s background, the Emperor had not expected him to step forward. Nevertheless, it was a welcome development; with Yuan Wuji present, he could at least teach Sun Wukong a lesson. In the Emperor's view, Yuan Wuji was young, headstrong, and likely annoyed by Sun Wukong’s arrogance, eager to prove himself through victory rather than playing the role of the seasoned, slack-off veterans below. Thus, the Emperor felt quite pleased.

Having received the Emperor's approval, Yuan Wuji stepped onto a golden ray of light and streaked toward Mount Huaguo.

"Great General of the Divine Apes, what brings you here?" Li Jing asked upon his arrival.

"I am here by the Emperor’s command."

"Does the Great General wish to observe the situation on Mount Huaguo first, or enter directly?"

"Enter directly."

Yuan Wuji’s sole concern was King Yu-Rong. Since the mountain was shrouded in celestial nets, he required Li Jing’s authorization to pass through the barrier.

"This way, Great General."

Li Jing opened a gap in the celestial net, allowing Yuan Wuji to pass through. As he entered, Yuan Wuji took a quick look at the construction of the net, though he could glean little in such a short time.

"After you."

Yuan Wuji did not linger, diving straight into the heart of Mount Huaguo. The mountain was thick with the smoke of battle. As the monkey demons were being systematically rounded up, Yuan Wuji’s attention was drawn to only two primary fronts.

In one, Sun Wukong was battling the Four Heavenly Kings. The restrained fighting style of the Kings only made Sun Wukong more vigorous; if they continued to fight this way, their defeat was inevitable.

On the other side, King Shi-Tu and King Yu-Rong were facing the Five Planets Lords. Unlike Sun Wukong’s opponents, the Five Planets Lords fought with no mercy, and their brotherly synergy made them even more formidable. King Shi-Tu and King Yu-Rong could not hold out for long; they were not Sun Wukong, and the consequences of capture were unthinkable.

Fortunately, Yuan Wuji possessed a unique method of communicating with King Yu-Rong, through which he could coordinate his escape.

"Second brother."

"Eh?"

Hearing Yuan Wuji’s voice, King Yu-Rong faltered for a heartbeat. That slight delay allowed the Fire Lord to seize the initiative, putting King Yu-Rong in greater peril, though he managed to stabilize his position just in time.

"Big brother? Why are you here?"

"Did I not tell you not to get too involved with Sun Wukong? Why did you run to Mount Huaguo?" Yuan Wuji ignored his question, countering with one of his own.

King Yu-Rong was about to explain, but Yuan Wuji cut him off. This was no place for conversation; his priority was to get him out.

"Say no more. I will secretly pass the Nine-Dragon Fire Cover to you. Use the Samadhi True Fire within it to burn a small hole in the celestial net and escape while you have the chance."

Although Yuan Wuji could not decipher the structure of the celestial net, he believed the Samadhi True Fire of the Nine-Dragon Fire Cover could breach it. The cover now held only six dragon souls—Yuan Wuji having consumed the other three—so while it was no longer a primordial spiritual treasure, it remained more powerful than any acquired treasure, existing in a unique state.

"This..." King Yu-Rong hesitated. He had come to help Sun Wukong, and fleeing alone felt like a betrayal of his word.

"What are you still hesitating for? Do you know the fate that awaits you if captured?"

King Yu-Rong remained silent. The Heavenly Court was indeed not a power that three Taiyi Loose Immortal demon kings could hope to defy.

Seeing no response, Yuan Wuji grew anxious, as time was running out. He wrapped the Nine-Dragon Fire Cover in a beam of light, masking its aura, and charged toward the battlefield where King Yu-Rong and King Shi-Tu were fighting. He hurled the glowing bundle at King Yu-Rong. The immense kinetic force of the throw sent King Yu-Rong flying far away.

To any observer, it appeared that Yuan Wuji had launched a powerful divine technique against him, and the situation looked grim for King Yu-Rong.

"King Yu-Rong!" shouted King Shi-Tu.

The sudden arrival of Yuan Wuji and the strike against King Yu-Rong left King Shi-Tu even more vulnerable. Fear took root in his heart; he finally realized that the Heavenly Court was a force he could not contend with.

"Five Planets Lords, take down King Shi-Tu. I shall go assist the Four Heavenly Kings."

Yuan Wuji commanded the Five Planets Lords, knowing their combined strength was more than enough to subdue the remaining King Shi-Tu.

"Understood."

Yuan Wuji flew to the battlefield of Sun Wukong, standing guard to prevent the Four Heavenly Kings from falling too quickly, though he did not join the fight directly. His mere presence exerted significant pressure on Sun Wukong, who now had to remain vigilant against him, which in turn prevented the Four Heavenly Kings from being forced into defeat.

The Four Heavenly Kings felt a bitter irony; they wanted to lose, but because of Yuan Wuji’s presence, Sun Wukong’s offensive intensity eased, ensuring the battle would drag on for some time.

Meanwhile, King Yu-Rong, having been knocked away, stood up. Yuan Wuji’s seemingly powerful attack had been devoid of malice, designed only to push him out of the fray. King Yu-Rong clutched the Nine-Dragon Fire Cover to his chest, his thoughts unreadable.

He had been deposited at the very edge of Mount Huaguo, with no pursuers in sight. All he had to do was unleash the Samadhi True Fire and he would easily escape this place of turmoil. Yet, the expression in his eyes showed he was reluctant to leave. He gripped the treasure tighter and tighter, his inner turmoil plain to see.