Just like in the original tale, Sun Wukong found himself ensnared once again by the silver-tongued persuasion of the Gold Star of Venus, Taibai Jinxing. As thoughts of Xu Fang serving in the Heavenly Court crossed his mind, he decided to return to the Heavenly Court and accept the Jade Emperor's summons, ultimately being conferred the title of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!

  Word of this spread swiftly throughout the three realms.

  Far away in Uttarakuru, Xu Fang received the news.

  “It seems Sun Wukong has, as expected, fallen into the trap once more,” Xu Fang mused, rubbing his temples. Truth be told, he genuinely wished to pull Sun Wukong out of this quagmire, honoring their brotherhood.

  However, the situation was unfolding just as the saints had planned, which left Xu Fang feeling quite uneasy.

  “Next, they will surely conspire against the monkey,” he concluded, standing up with determination. He decided to return to the Heavenly Court!

  In the years since he had last descended, he had honed the Divine Strategy Camp to near perfection, while his own cultivation had reached the late stage of the Supreme Golden Immortal, with only the gathering of the Three Flowers at the Crown necessary for him to step into the realm of the Great Luo Golden Immortal!

  Though his outward cultivation was that of a Supreme Golden Immortal, his personal attributes had already surpassed those of a typical Great Luo Golden Immortal. After all, he had traversed this world for two to three hundred years, signing in daily and accumulating impressive attributes.

  He intended to return to the Heavenly Court and see if he could lend support to the monkey!

  When he bid farewell to Master Bodhi all those years ago, Xu Fang had promised the master that if he had the ability, he would lend a hand to Sun Wukong. He had no intentions of breaking that promise!

  “Martial Star, immediately order the entire army to pack up and return to the Heavenly Court!” Xu Fang commanded.

  Martial Star was momentarily taken aback and replied, “My lord, we have nearly cleared out the demons in Uttarakuru. Are we not going to pursue the other three continents?”

  “Not for now. My brother has been conferred the title of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and as his elder brother, I must return to support him!” Xu Fang declared, his voice devoid of emotion, leaving Martial Star momentarily stunned. “I have not heard of you having any sworn brothers… Could it be that your brother is that monkey?”

  “That’s right!” Xu Fang nodded. “I have a strong bond with that monkey. When he was appointed as the Stable Keeper, we swore brotherhood!”

  “Now it makes sense,” Martial Star realized, and immediately complied.

  After a moment of contemplation, Xu Fang added, “Also, once we return to the Heavenly Court, send out invitations widely, announcing that I will be hosting a banquet at the Divine General's residence to celebrate my brother. I want all the celestial beings to attend!”

  He intended to announce to the entire celestial realm that Sun Wukong was his sworn brother!

  This way, it would serve to deter any ill-intentioned individuals while also making future dealings easier for him.

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  Although Martial Star was unaware of Xu Fang's deeper intentions, he was currently filled with admiration for him and promptly nodded in agreement.

  The army set forth, marching grandly back to the Heavenly Court under the orders given!

  ……

  In the Jade Pool.

  As soon as Xu Fang returned to the Heavenly Court, he made his way directly to the Jade Pool.

  After all, he had descended to exorcise demons by decree of the Jade Emperor, and having completed the task of training the Divine Strategy Camp within the span of a century, he felt he had fulfilled his duty.

  The Jade Emperor was evidently pleased with Xu Fang’s training of the Divine Strategy Camp. With a wave of his hand, he rewarded everyone from Xu Fang to the ordinary heavenly soldiers!

  Xu Fang bowed in gratitude, then returned to the Divine General's residence to prepare for the upcoming banquet.

  ……

  “Your Majesty, after returning to the Heavenly Court, Divine General Xu has sent invitations to all the celestial beings for a feast…”

  At that moment, the Curtain-Raising General approached the Jade Emperor and whispered.

  The Jade Emperor nodded, squinting slightly, and casually remarked, “It must be for that monkey, right? Let him be…”

  The Curtain-Raising General straightened up, falling silent, but the Jade Emperor’s half-closed eyes glimmered with a sharp light.

  “Xu Fang, oh Xu Fang, you must know my intentions. Yet, you have become so close to this monkey. Could it be… I have placed my trust in the wrong person?”

  As he murmured to himself, only he could hear his own sigh.

  ……

  In the Divine General's residence.

  As Xu Fang landed on the cloud, clad in armor, he spotted Sun Wukong at the entrance, adorned in a Phoenix-Winged Purple-Gold Crown, wearing Golden Chainmail Armor, and stepping into Lotus-Thread Cloud-Walking Boots. Wukong stood there, swaying back and forth with an imposing presence!

  “Master… Brother! You’ve finally returned!”

  Upon seeing Xu Fang descend from the clouds, Sun Wukong burst into joy, rushing forward with a hearty laugh. “It’s been so long, brother, and you still look as gallant as ever!”

  “You monkey, causing trouble for no reason! This time, it’s only because the Emperor is magnanimous that he hasn’t held it against you. Don’t let it happen again!”

  Xu Fang feigned anger, saying, “The Heavenly Court is not so easily rebelled against! You must act more prudently in the future!”

  “Of course, of course! I must thank you for hosting this banquet for me!”

  Sun Wukong understood that he couldn’t reveal their true brotherly relationship in public. Fortunately, he was aware of Xu Fang’s plan to host a banquet for the celestial beings.

  Standing at the entrance of the Divine General's residence, amidst the crowd, he knew he needed to temper his demeanor to avoid causing trouble for Xu Fang.

  “Hmm.”

  Xu Fang nodded. “We brothers need not speak of such matters. Martial Star, have the invitations been sent out?”

  He glanced at Martial Star, who had returned from the Jade Pool.

  Martial Star nodded and reported, “I have dispatched my men to ensure that all the celestial beings have been invited.”

  “Good. Have the Divine Strategy Camp soldiers work hard for the next few days as attendants for this banquet and help with the arrangements.”

  Xu Fang’s reputation within the Divine Strategy Camp was at its peak, so this task posed no issues.

  The banquet was scheduled for seven days later!

  During these seven days, Xu Fang, Sun Wukong, and all the soldiers of the Divine Strategy Camp busied themselves preparing for the feast, and all invitations were sent out.

  Everything was ready, awaiting the arrival of the celestial beings!

  ……

  “The Gold Star of Venus has arrived…”

  On the day of the banquet, the Divine General's residence finally welcomed its first guest.

  Xu Fang stood at the entrance with Sun Wukong to greet him. The Gold Star of Venus, beaming with a smile, presented a gift box and said, “This humble celestial being has come to congratulate the Great Sage on his elevation!”

  “Ha ha, Star Lord is too polite! Please, come in!”

  Xu Fang gestured for the nearby heavenly soldiers to accept the gift box, then welcomed Taibai Jinxing inside.

  “Demon-Slaying Heavenly Lord, True Martial Emperor is here!”

  A heavenly soldier at the entrance announced.

  Xu Fang excused himself to Taibai Jinxing with a smile before stepping out with a beaming expression to welcome the True Martial Emperor.

  Indeed, it was Xu Fang’s rising prestige in the Heavenly Court over the years that made many celestial beings willing to pay him respect.

  Otherwise, a mere Sun Wukong would hardly warrant a personal visit from the True Martial Emperor.