In the grand hall of the Dragon Palace, Ao Tingxin and Xu Fang took their seats, and a beautiful clam girl approached with steaming cups of tea.

  "I heard from the Crab General that you came to the Dragon Palace to deliver a message from the Three Holy Mothers?" Ao Tingxin asked, her tone curious.

  Xu Fang nodded and replied, "Indeed. The Three Holy Mothers are currently training under my master, Master Bodhi. She entrusted me with a message, inviting you to visit Mount Fangcun whenever you have the time."

  Having delivered Yang Chan's message word for word, Xu Fang felt there was no reason to linger in the Dragon Palace any longer. He had already completed his check-in upon arrival and received the rewards for mastering his weapons. Now, it was time to leave. After all, being in the depths of the East Sea was uncomfortable for someone with a fire affinity like him.

  "Why the rush, noble immortal?" Ao Tingxin stood up and suggested, "Why not stay longer in my Dragon Palace…"

  Before she could finish, a thunderous boom echoed throughout the East Sea!

  Boom—

  The sound reverberated across the ocean, causing waves to crash and the entire Dragon Palace to tremble.

  "What is happening?" Xu Fang frowned, his curiosity piqued.

  Ao Tingxin steadied herself against a coral reef and explained, "Noble immortal, what just caused such a disturbance is a magical artifact from the spring of the East Sea Dragon Palace."

  Seeing Xu Fang's puzzled expression, she paused for a moment before continuing, "This magical artifact is called the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a divine iron left by King Yu of the Great Flood, used to stabilize the waters of the East Sea."

  "However, in recent years, this magical artifact has been causing disturbances from time to time, leading to chaos in the East Sea!"

  Xu Fang understood exactly what the Ruyi Jingu Bang was. He couldn’t help but think of the original storyline—this was the very weapon that Sun Wukong would later acquire to dominate the Three Realms!

  In the original narrative, the Ruyi Jingu Bang was already under the ownership of Sun Wukong. When he journeyed to the East Sea to learn from his master, it was likely that the divine artifact sensed its destined owner, which explained why it occasionally caused a ruckus.

  "Since I’ve crossed over, I might as well take a look at this Ruyi Jingu Bang. Otherwise, it would be a wasted trip," Xu Fang thought.

  Turning to Ao Tingxin, he said, “If it’s convenient, could you take me to see this Ruyi Jingu Bang? I am quite curious about the commotion it’s causing.”

  Ao Tingxin was taken aback for a moment but quickly nodded, “It’s not a particularly precious artifact. Since you wish to see it, please follow me…”

  The Ruyi Jingu Bang, being a postnatal treasure, wasn’t something the East Sea would hide away. Since Xu Fang expressed interest, Ao Tingxin had no reason to refuse. Furthermore, in the eyes of the East Sea inhabitants, its only purpose was to stabilize the spring; there was no fear of anyone trying to steal it.

  East Sea, at the Spring.

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  A massive, dark pillar towered into the sky, emanating an endless aura of light.

  This was none other than the Ruyi Jingu Bang!

  The Ruyi Jingu Bang had stood here for millions of years, surrounded by seaweed and silt, yet its brilliance could not be concealed.

  Ao Tingxin quickly brought Xu Fang to the site, pointing at the Ruyi Jingu Bang with her delicate fingers. “Noble immortal, please look! This is the Ruyi Jingu Bang that caused the commotion!”

  Without needing her to elaborate, Xu Fang already laid eyes on the imposing figure of the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

  It was covered in mud and seaweed, yet countless runes were faintly carved into its surface, with two golden hoops connecting at both ends. Beneath it, a glimmer of golden light could be seen.

  Xu Fang stepped forward, brushing aside the seaweed, finally revealing the true nature of the golden light.

  The Ruyi Jingu Bang weighed 13,500 jin!

  Dozens of large characters were inscribed on the golden hoop, causing Ao Tingxin to gasp in surprise, “Huh? There are words on this divine iron?”

  Ignoring her, Xu Fang reached out to touch the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

  As Xu Fang approached, the commotion caused by the Ruyi Jingu Bang gradually diminished, and he could even sense its joyful energy!

  "This must be the benefit of mastering weapons," Xu Fang thought, stroking the golden hoop. "It’s not yet your time to emerge; just stay here and don’t throw a tantrum."

  Within the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a sense of grievance seemed to emanate, as if it were complaining about why Xu Fang wouldn’t take it away.

  In truth, Xu Fang also desired a divine weapon, but he wasn’t particularly fond of the Ruyi Jingu Bang.

  Although it seemed powerful, it was largely exaggerated by others!

  Weighing 13,500 jin might sound heavy, but to true masters, this weight was practically negligible. Moreover, the origins of the Ruyi Jingu Bang traced back to the efforts of King Yu in controlling the floods, casually refined by Lord Lao Zi, which didn’t place it at a particularly high level.

  The reason Sun Wukong could dominate after acquiring this weapon was largely due to the fact that others were merely playing along to facilitate the monkey’s antics!

  Therefore, Xu Fang’s aspirations for treasures went far beyond this.

  He merely wanted to see the Ruyi Jingu Bang and soothe it for a moment. If asked to take it away, he had no interest.

  Since he had crossed over, what he truly sought was freedom and enjoyment; carrying a stick that resembled a mournful club would hardly embody that spirit.

  “Stay here quietly!”

  Xu Fang lightly tapped the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and it obediently ceased its commotion, as though it truly understood Xu Fang's words.

  This scene left Ao Tingxin in utter amazement. “Noble immortal, you can communicate with this magical artifact?”

  “Magical artifacts have spirits; treating them sincerely is all that is needed,” Xu Fang replied nonchalantly.

  Watching the Ruyi Jingu Bang gradually quiet down, Ao Tingxin couldn’t help but believe Xu Fang’s words and silently vowed to treat magical artifacts with more care in the future.

  “Princess! Princess!”

  At that moment, a crab general carrying a steel fork rushed in, shouting from a distance, “Princess, the Nine-Headed Monster is back! This time he brought gifts and insists on marrying you!”

  “What?” Ao Tingxin’s expression changed. “That scoundrel is truly shameless!”

  “What’s going on?” Xu Fang asked, his brow furrowing in concern. “Nine-Headed Monster? What Nine-Headed Monster?”

  “Noble immortal, please lend your assistance!” Ao Tingxin gritted her teeth and explained, “That Nine-Headed Monster is utterly shameless…”

  She recounted her relationship with the Nine-Headed Monster and concluded, “Please help me drive away this Nine-Headed Monster. I will surely reward you generously!”

  A noble from Mount Fangcun should have no trouble dealing with a Nine-Headed Monster, right?

  Ao Tingxin would not let Xu Fang help for free and immediately offered, “If you require anything, my Dragon Palace treasury will allow you to choose a magical artifact as a reward, as long as you help me drive off the Nine-Headed Monster!”

  “Understood.”

  Xu Fang nodded. The Nine-Headed Monster was after the Fourth Princess, but unfortunately, she did not return his affections, prompting him to resort to force!

  He wondered whether this Nine-Headed Monster was the same one from the original text lurking in the Bi Po Pond or if all members of the Nine-Headed clan were just as despicable.

  With his journey in the mortal realm focused on following his heart, Xu Fang certainly would not stand by idly when faced with trouble.

  Moreover, he wanted to test the skills he had learned on Mount Fangcun, so it wouldn’t hurt to confront this Nine-Headed Monster.