"AHHHHHHH!"

  With a heart-wrenching scream, Sun Wukong slowly pulled the twin blades from his Lute Bones. The sound of bone scraping against metal echoed through the furnace, a grating noise that drove one to madness. Blood and flesh fell into the raging Six Ding Divine Fire, instantly turning to ash.

  "Ah!"

  With a piercing howl, Sun Wukong yanked the blades out of his Lute Bones. Instantly, it was as if he had lost half his life force, his aura weakening significantly.

  The blades embedded in his Lute Bones were no ordinary weapons. They were treasures of heaven and earth, capable of sealing his cultivation and suppressing all his abilities. They carried a trace of destructive energy, which now, as the blades were removed, began to erode Sun Wukong's body from within.

  After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Sun Wukong tossed the blades into the Six Ding Divine Fire.

  Standing at the furnace's vent, Sun Wukong, though weakened, still wore an expression of defiance and pride. His gaze pierced through the furnace, locking onto Xu Fang with unwavering determination.

  "Big Brother, I will prove to you that I, Sun Wukong, will never submit to anyone!!!"

  "I hope that the bold and fearless Big Brother I once knew will return soon. You can go now. I am already satisfied that you came to see me. Tell Master that I have disgraced the skills he taught me."

  "If I can escape from this tortoise shell of a furnace, I will make the heavens and earth tremble! I will turn this world upside down!"

  "What does it matter if it's the Buddha or the Jade Emperor? Watch me, Sun Wukong, overthrow them all!"

  Listening to Sun Wukong's bold declarations and unyielding spirit, Xu Fang felt a stirring in his heart.

  Although he didn't want Sun Wukong to eventually join the Buddhist sect, it seemed he couldn't stop the defiant Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

  The indomitable, peerless Great Sage Equal to Heaven might have earned his fame precisely because of this unyielding pride. Without this pride and spirit, perhaps he wouldn't deserve the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

  It seemed that even though Xu Fang had entered this world of Journey to the West, some events from the original story were still difficult to change.

  However, he couldn't stand by and watch Sun Wukong bow to the Buddhist sect, becoming a slave and a useless pawn in this grand game.

  According to the plot, Sun Wukong was destined to join the pilgrimage to the West.

  But even if it meant defying heaven and risking his own life, Xu Fang was determined to save Sun Wukong and ensure he remained the awe-inspiring, proud Great Sage Equal to Heaven!!!

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "If it weren't for my Primordial Qi being stolen, I wouldn't be in this mess!"

  Sun Wukong laughed loudly. "Big Brother, even with my strength diminished, I fear neither heaven nor earth. What about you?"

  "Your Primordial Qi was stolen?"

  Xu Fang was stunned, and Sun Wukong gritted his teeth. "That's right!"

  He then explained how his Primordial Qi had been taken.

  Xu Fang's heart burned with rage!

  Bull Demon King!

  That damned Bull Demon King!

  "Wukong, I will remember this. Wait for me here!"

  Xu Fang spoke firmly, then comforted Sun Wukong before leaving the alchemy room.

  In his heart, he had already formed a plan!

  Since Sun Wukong wanted to turn the world upside down, as his senior brother, Xu Fang would stand by him unconditionally!

  He would show Sun Wukong that the bold, fearless Xu Fang of the past had never changed!

  Sun Wukong would be trapped in the furnace for at least forty-nine days. That was more than enough time for Xu Fang to make his preparations!

  Because neither he nor Sun Wukong had the strength to truly overthrow the Heavenly Court or topple the Buddhist sect, Xu Fang had to plan carefully!

  Laozi seemed to have some connection with their master, and his earlier words suggested that he didn't truly intend to kill Sun Wukong. In fact, it seemed he wanted to help him.

  But for now, Xu Fang couldn't be sure. Aside from himself, he couldn't trust anyone!

  After all, the Three Realms were in chaos, like a swamp. Once you were trapped, it was hard to escape.

  Even someone as powerful as the Jade Emperor was nothing more than a slightly more useful pawn in the grand scheme of things.

  The true powers behind the scenes didn't care about the Jade Emperor at all.

  In a way, the Jade Emperor was a tragic figure, struggling to break free from the chessboard and control the situation. But in reality, he was just a small fly, unable to stir up any real waves.

  The true powers could crush all his efforts with a single finger.

  And wasn't Xu Fang in the same situation?

  If he hadn't gotten involved in this muddy water, this swamp, perhaps he wouldn't be in such a difficult position now.

  Even as his sworn brother faced execution, he was powerless to help. In fact, he had been the one to lead the mission to capture him.

  Because he was already trapped. To escape this predicament, he had to take action. Only by gaining the power to resist could he have a voice.

  As Xu Fang left the furnace, he found that Laozi had returned. However, only Laozi was present. The other attendants and guards had already left the Tushita Palace.

  Laozi, holding a horsetail whisk, looked at Xu Fang with a kind expression, a faint smile on his lips.

  "Divine General Xu, how did it go?"

  "Thank you, Dao Ancestor. Xu Fang will remember this kindness!"

  "It's good that you remember. After all, you will have to repay it eventually. You can repay it all at once then."

  Laozi smiled, his words carrying a deeper meaning that left Xu Fang puzzled.

  The phrase "repay it all at once" made Xu Fang pause.

  Among the Daoist sects, the top sages were capable of divining certain events. Could it be that they had foreseen what would happen in the future?

  If so, then the Jade Emperor and Buddha's plan to spread Buddhism eastward must also be known to the Daoist sect.

  But if they knew, why did Laozi spare Sun Wukong's life instead of killing him outright?

  For a moment, Xu Fang's mind was filled with countless thoughts, his brow furrowing unconsciously. The connections and implications were too complex, leaving him unsure of the true state of this chaotic situation.

  "Dao Ancestor, your words leave me somewhat confused."

  Xu Fang decided to ask Laozi directly.

  Since he couldn't figure it out, why not just ask?

  "Haha, if the Divine General cannot understand now, then when the time comes and the karma arrives, you will naturally comprehend everything."

  Laozi's tone was gentle, his smile warm.