Mist swirled, and spirit cranes danced in the air.

  Within the Jade Pool, the Jade Emperor reclined lazily on his dragon throne, surrounded by celestial attendants. Before him, fairies danced gracefully, their movements as fluid as butterflies fluttering through a sea of flowers. Their slightly revealing attire, combined with the ethereal mist, caused the Jade Emperor's eyes to glaze over in a daze. Half-lidded, he enjoyed the performance with great relish.

  From time to time, the celestial attendants fed him divine delicacies and poured him cups of immortal wine, creating a scene of blissful indulgence and carefree luxury.

  At this moment, Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear, who had just gathered their intelligence, hurriedly arrived at the Jade Pool.

  The herald immortal bowed deeply and addressed the Jade Emperor, who was still entranced by the fairies' enchanting dance. "Your Majesty, Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear request an audience. They claim to have urgent news to report."

  "Hmm?"

  The Jade Emperor's drowsy eyes flickered as he processed the herald's words. It had been centuries since Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear last reported anything to him, to the point where he had begun to suspect they had gone deaf and blind. Now, just as he had retracted his divine sense from the Northern Uttarakuru Continent, these two suddenly had something to report?

  "Summon them," the Jade Emperor said lazily, waving his hand. The dancing fairies bowed and retreated.

  "Summon Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear!" the herald called out toward the entrance of the Jade Pool.

  Upon hearing the summons, Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Following Ear quickly entered the Jade Pool.

  "We pay our respects to Your Majesty!" they knelt and proclaimed respectfully.

  "Rise," the Jade Emperor waved his hand. In the Heavenly Court, it seemed only these minor immortals still treated him with such reverence. The others were all scheming and calculating in their hearts.

  However, while these minor immortals were loyal, they were of little practical use.

  "Your Majesty, earlier we overheard the immortals discussing the possibility of Divine General Xu rebelling against the Heavenly Court. Given the gravity of the matter, we hurried to report it and seek Your Majesty's guidance," Thousand-Mile Eye said, bowing deeply.

  Stolen story; please report.

  He then recounted everything they had seen and heard in detail.

  After he finished, the Jade Emperor waved his hand and said, "I am aware of this matter. You may leave."

  He already knew why Xu Fang had gone to Tushita Palace. Therefore, there was no possibility of Xu Fang joining forces with Sun Wukong to rebel.

  Meanwhile, Xu Fang moved swiftly and soon arrived at the gates of Tushita Palace in the Thirty-Third Heaven.

  The celestial guards stationed there were puzzled by Xu Fang's disheveled appearance. Divine General Xu had only left not long ago. How had he returned in such a state? It seemed as though he had just emerged from a fierce battle, and his opponent must have been no ordinary foe to have reduced him to this condition.

  "Divine General Xu, what happened to you?" one of the guards asked with concern.

  "It's nothing serious. Just a minor incident, but it's been resolved. I need to see Lord Laozi. Please let me through," Xu Fang replied.

  Only then did he notice the tattered state of his robes, remnants of his battles with the demon kings and the Kun-Peng avatar. In his haste to return to the Heavenly Court, he had forgotten to change his attire. Still, it wasn't a major issue.

  "This..." The guard hesitated, unsure whether to allow Xu Fang entry. Although Lord Laozi had permitted Xu Fang to enter earlier, the guard wasn't certain if he should let him in again now.

  "I've already been inside once. Why the hesitation?" Xu Fang pressed, growing impatient.

  Every moment delayed increased Sun Wukong's danger. The Six Ding Divine Fire was no trivial matter.

  "But Divine General Xu, Lord Lao Zi didn't give any instructions. This puts us in a difficult position," the guard said, his expression troubled.

  Just then, the gates of Tushita Palace slowly opened, and the Golden Robe Boy emerged. "Divine General Xu, the Grand Elder summons you. Please enter."

  "Understood," Xu Fang nodded and strode inside.

  Within Tushita Palace, Lord Laozi had already prepared everything and was about to begin the process of refining Sun Wukong.

  "Ancestor of Dao, I apologize for the disturbance, but I have some matters to discuss," Xu Fang bowed and said respectfully.

  Lord Laozi did not respond. Instead, accompanied by his two attendants, he rose and left, leaving the area to Xu Fang.

  Xu Fang understood the gesture and immediately approached the furnace, calling out Sun Wukong's name.

  "Big Brother, why have you returned?" Sun Wukong crouched near the furnace's vent, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at Xu Fang. He was utterly confused. His big brother had only just left. Why had he returned so soon?

  Had Xu Fang changed his mind? Did he now plan to join Sun Wukong in overthrowing the Heavenly Court?

  "Big Brother, why are you in such a state? Who dared to bully you? Tell me, and once I escape, I'll avenge you!" Sun Wukong exclaimed.

  Xu Fang remained silent. Instead, he slowly handed over the wisp of Primordial Qi he had retrieved from the Bull Demon King.

  "This is..." Sun Wukong's eyes widened as he stared at the Primordial Qi in Xu Fang's hand. He was momentarily speechless.

  Though he was a monkey, he understood the complexities of human emotions. Xu Fang's disheveled state was the result of his efforts to reclaim the Primordial Qi stolen by the Bull Demon King and his allies.

  Sun Wukong, born from heaven and earth, had no family except for the teachings of Master Bodhi. To him, Xu Fang was his only true kin.