“Kill!”

  As the fierce wind howled, Xu Fang's long hair whipped around him, and his dark cloak fluttered violently. Accompanied by the resounding war drums, the Ghost-Mourning Blade sliced through the air towards Sun Wukong with furious intent!

  He no longer held back!

  At this moment, he understood that what Sun Wukong needed was a thrilling battle to push through his limits!

  “Not good, retreat!”

  Witnessing Xu Fang’s overwhelming presence that shook the heavens, Li Jing’s expression changed abruptly. He immediately commanded all the heavenly troops to withdraw!

  Meanwhile, within the Hall of Divine Mists, Xu Fang's thunderous shout threw the hall into chaos, causing the celestial beings present to glance at one another in surprise.

  The Jade Emperor’s expression darkened as he ordered, “Qianli Yan and Shunfeng Er, go and investigate!”

  “Yes!”

  After receiving the Jade Emperor's command, Qianli Yan and Shunfeng Er rushed to the Southern Heavenly Gate and used their divine abilities to peer down into the mortal realm. They soon returned with a report.

  “Your Majesty, the Demon-Slaying General and that demon monkey are indeed fighting! The sounds of battle come from the Demon-Slaying General; they are currently locked in fierce combat!”

  The Jade Emperor was momentarily taken aback. “They are truly fighting? Or is Xu Fang merely putting on a show?”

  After pondering, he asked, “What is the current situation?”

  Before Qianli Yan and Shunfeng Er could respond, Taishang Laojun stepped forward, a hint of an inscrutable expression flitting across his face. “Your Majesty, do not worry. Allow me to show you.”

  With a wave, Taishang Laojun conjured a luminous disc that transformed into a glowing screen.

  Within the screen, two figures emerged—Xu Fang and Sun Wukong, engaged in their fierce battle!

  The two fought with such intensity that the skies darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light. The shockwaves from their clash rippled outward, affecting the entire Eastern Divine Continent.

  “They are genuinely fighting to the death, not just putting on a show!”

  The Jade Emperor gazed at the figures locked in combat on the screen, his eyes flickering with thoughts he kept to himself.

  Among the gathered deities, the Goddess of Huashan, Yang Chan, was also present, anxiously watching Xu Fang in the shimmering projection.

  As a deity of Huashan, she was not obligated to attend court in the Hall of Divine Mists. However, ever since Xu Fang ascended to the heavens, Yang Chan had been visiting the Heavenly Court frequently, almost every few days.

  After the Seven Fairies reported Sun Wukong's mischief, Yang Chan felt a sense of grievance and went to Huashan to confide in her friend.

  Upon learning of Sun Wukong's troubles, Yang Chan, knowing the bond between Xu Fang and Sun Wukong, rushed to the Heavenly Court in her concern. Unfortunately, by the time she arrived, Xu Fang had already descended to the mortal realm.

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  ……

  “Xu General’s prowess is truly magnificent; he is indeed a pillar of the Heavenly Court.”

  Among the spectators, Guanyin Bodhisattva quietly observed the glowing screen and spoke lightly.

  The Jade Emperor’s expression shifted slightly as he inquired, “Bodhisattva, do you think Xu Fang can capture that demon monkey?”

  “I'm afraid not.”

  Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head and explained, “Xu General ranks among the top of the Supreme Golden Immortals. Normally, capturing a demon monkey of the same level would be manageable. However, it seems that this demon monkey is on the verge of a breakthrough…”

  Boom—

  As she spoke, Sun Wukong’s aura suddenly surged!

  The barrier within him shattered with the fierce battle!

  Great Luo Golden Immortal, achieved!

  “This is bad! That demon monkey has broken through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal level! Xu General will surely face defeat.”

  Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head. Indeed, as her words fell, the tide of battle shifted in an instant!

  Xu Fang, who had held a slight advantage, was suddenly struck hard by Sun Wukong’s golden-hooped rod, crashing down into a mountain!

  Boom—

  Rocks exploded into the air as the mountain trembled and collapsed!

  “Brother, thank you!”

  Sun Wukong wasted no time, quickly stabilizing himself and transmitting a message to Xu Fang before letting out a triumphant roar!

  “Hahaha, the Heavenly Court’s Demon-Slaying General is nothing but this!”

  His voice echoed to the heavens, emanating a golden light from his eyes that shot forth like beams!

  “This is bad! Quickly, rescue the General!”

  At that moment, a figure from the heavenly army led dozens of warriors into the battlefield, rushing to save Xu Fang, who had been sent tumbling into the rubble by Sun Wukong.

  “Wuqu? Why are you all here?”

  Feigning defeat, Xu Fang knew that with Sun Wukong achieving the Great Luo Golden Immortal level, his purpose was fulfilled, and he allowed Wuqu and the others to carry him away.

  “My Lord, we heard you were coming to subdue the demon monkey Sun Wukong and were worried about your safety, so we came to protect you without your permission.”

  Wuqu, sensing Xu Fang might misunderstand, quickly offered an explanation. “You need not worry; the Divine Strategy Camp is directly under your command. Even without His Majesty's decree, we can still mobilize!”

  Xu Fang nodded, glancing back at the raucous Sun Wukong, then returned with Wuqu and the others to the Heavenly Court’s ranks.

  ……

  Within the Hall of Divine Mists.

  The Jade Emperor and the others watched as Xu Fang fell in battle, yet no one dared to say that Xu Fang had intentionally thrown the fight.

  After all, everyone had witnessed Xu Fang's desperate struggle against Sun Wukong, and with that demon monkey breaking through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, Xu Fang’s defeat was only to be expected.

  “Bodhisattva, Xu Fang has already fallen. May I ask who you recommended?”

  The Jade Emperor’s expression was inscrutable, and it was unclear if he had realized Xu Fang’s deliberate defeat.

  However, he turned his attention to Guanyin Bodhisattva, for she represented the Buddhist sect, and everything happening could be seen as a complication of their making.

  Since Guanyin Bodhisattva had come to the Heavenly Court, she must have a detailed plan. With a faint smile, she replied, “I recommend Erlang Shen Yang Jian from Guanjiangkou!”

  “Yang Jian?”

  “Second brother?”

  Both the Jade Emperor and Yang Chan were momentarily taken aback, and the Jade Emperor cast a sidelong glance at Yang Chan, though he remained silent.

  “Indeed, it is Yang Jian!”

  Guanyin Bodhisattva continued with a smile, “Erlang Shen is renowned throughout the Three Realms for his incredible powers. During the Great Investiture of the Gods, he single-handedly defeated the Six Monsters, and with the assistance of the Meishan Brothers and twelve hundred Grass-Head Deities, capturing that demon monkey should pose no issue.”

  At this point, Guanyin paused briefly before continuing, “However, Yang Jian is known to heed commands but not decrees. Therefore, Your Majesty must send someone to deliver a military order to summon him to help capture the demon monkey.”

  Her words left the Jade Emperor in deep thought.

  Yang Jian was his nephew, and due to past grievances involving Yang Jian’s mother, the two had never seen eye to eye. Yet, Yang Jian had formidable strength and had performed many meritorious deeds during the Great Investiture of the Gods, which granted him the privilege of heeding commands rather than decrees.

  However, with Sun Wukong proving to be such a formidable opponent, even Xu Fang had been defeated. Who else in the Heavenly Court could subdue Sun Wukong?

  The earlier battle had been witnessed by the Jade Emperor, and he recognized that Xu Fang had indeed given it his all.