22: Chapter 23: The Sequel to Stealing Fruit (Part 3)

Zhen Yuanzi unfurled his Universe in the Sleeve, and the majestic pressure of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal swept through the entire Wuzhuang Temple.

Ao Lie, in response, summoned his three Commander-rank Shadow Servants: Xiao Hei, Huang Sanmei, and the Tiger Overlord.

Even though they collectively mobilized all their Shadow Power to resist, they were forced back repeatedly by that massive force, and the shadows around them began to twist and dissipate.

Ao Lie's heart sank; he was currently only at the Peak of the Mystic Immortal Realm, and his strongest servants were only at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level.

Before Zhen Yuanzi, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, they simply didn't stand a chance.

A direct confrontation would only lead to death, so he immediately willed all his Shadow Servants back into the Shadow Space, leaving no trace behind.

At the same time, he shouted to the Monkey King, "Senior Brother, do not fight him head-on! Protect Master and get him out of here first!"

The Monkey King also knew this old Taoist was powerful. He spun his Golden Cudgel so fast it was impenetrable, yet he still couldn't withstand that terrifying suction.

The Master and his four Disciples, along with Qingfeng and Mingyue on the ground, were instantly sucked into Zhenyuan's wide Taoist sleeves.

Their vision went black, and when they opened their eyes again, they had been tied to the stone pillars in the main hall of Wuzhuang Temple.

Zhen Yuanzi sat in the main seat of the hall, his face cold as he stared at the Monkey King and scolded him harshly.

"Vile monkey, you destroyed my Earthly Spiritual Root. Today, I will first throw you and your Master into the oil cauldron, then grind your bones to ash to satisfy my hatred!"

Tang Seng was so terrified his face turned pale, and he closed his eyes, continuously chanting 'Amitabha'.

Pigsy had a mournful expression and began to complain to the Monkey King.

"Monkey Brother, oh Monkey Brother, I told you not to be impulsive but you wouldn't listen. Now look at us, we're all going to die here!"

The Monkey King was tied up and couldn't move, yet he still held his head high, showing no fear.

"Old Taoist, do as you please with me."

"Besides, I'm the one who toppled that fruit tree. It has nothing to do with my Master or Junior Brothers. If you've got the guts, come at me alone!"

"Come at you?" Zhenyuan sneered. "You destroyed my supreme treasure; I will ensure you and your Master are punished together. No one escapes!"

With that, Zhenyuan waved his hand, ordering the remaining Immortal Boys in the temple to set up the oil cauldron, intending to throw the Monkey King and the others in.

Ao Lie remained calm even as he was tied to the stone pillar.

He did not panic, and his expression didn't change much.

Firstly, he knew this was a tribulation of the Westward Journey and was destined to end without true danger; secondly, his Shadow Servants were all lying dormant. As long as Zhenyuan didn't deal a killing blow, he didn't need to reveal his trump cards.

His cultivation was now stable at the Peak of the Mystic Immortal Realm, and he had just incorporated the shadows of hundreds of Immortal Boys.

They were now continuously providing him with power. Although he couldn't fully achieve a Breakthrough yet...

...he only needed one Opportunity to barely reach the Golden Immortal Realm. For now, he just had to wait for the right moment.

Seeing the Immortal Boys about to carry the Monkey King to the oil cauldron, the Monkey King had a sudden flash of inspiration and shouted.

"Old Taoist, stop! I, Old Sun, have traveled the Three Realms and will surely find a way to heal the Ginseng Fruit Tree. If I can't find it, it won't be too late to kill us then!"

Zhenyuan paused and waved the Immortal Boys away.

Though his rage was overwhelming, the Ginseng Fruit Tree was an Earthly Spiritual Root. If there truly was a chance to save it, he naturally didn't want to give up easily.

He stared at the Monkey King and said in a deep voice, "Fine! I will give you three days."

"But if you cannot find the formula to heal the tree, I will surely refine all of you!"

As his voice fell, Zhenyuan raised his hand to release the Monkey King's bonds.

He kept Tang Seng, Pigsy, and Ao Lie tied up as hostages.

Having regained his freedom, the Monkey King cupped his fists toward Zhenyuan, then turned to look at Ao Lie, signaling him with his eyes to be at ease.

Ao Lie nodded slightly, signaling him to go ahead. The two had a tacit understanding that required no words.

The Monkey King's form flickered as he transformed into a streak of golden light and flew out of Wuzhuang Temple.

He first went to Penglai Immortal Island to seek the Three Immortals of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, then rushed to Yingzhou to find the Nine Elders.

But as the various immortals looked at the destroyed Ginseng Fruit Tree, they all shook their heads. None had the ability to heal an Earthly Spiritual Root.

The three-day limit was fast approaching, and the Monkey King was at his wit's end. Finally, he had to rush to Mount Luojia in the South Sea to pay his respects to Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Guanyin Bodhisattva had already foreseen this. Seeing the Monkey King arrive, she gently scolded him.

"You reckless monkey, always so impulsive. You actually dared to topple Zhenyuan's Ginseng Fruit Tree. Truly audacious!"

The Monkey King hurriedly bowed and admitted his mistake with a sincere tone.

"Bodhisattva, save us! Your Disciple acted on impulse and caused a great disaster. I beg the Bodhisattva to show great mercy and heal the immortal tree to save my Master and Junior Brothers!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva sighed softly. Considering Tang Seng's earnestness for the pilgrimage and seeing that the Monkey King had realized his error...

...she ultimately could not bear to see the Master and Disciples perish. She immediately took her Pure Vase and Willow Branch and followed the Monkey King to Wuzhuang Temple.

Before long, Guanyin Bodhisattva descended upon Wuzhuang Temple, surrounded by Buddha-light and lingering Immortal Qi.

Upon seeing her, Zhen Yuanzi hurriedly rose to greet her with a respectful expression.

"I did not know the Bodhisattva was gracing us with her presence. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome."

"Zhen Yuanzi!" Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded in greeting and said, "Tang Seng is the one destined to fetch the scriptures from the West. His Disciple was reckless and destroyed your immortal tree."

"Today, I shall intervene to heal this Ginseng Fruit Tree for you. I hope that for the sake of the journey to the West, you will forgive the Master and his Disciples this once."

"I shall follow the Bodhisattva's lead!" Zhenyuan was overjoyed upon hearing this. He immediately ordered the ropes to be loosened for Tang Seng, Pigsy, and Ao Lie, and led everyone to the Ginseng Fruit Tree in the backyard.

Ao Lie stood up, nonchalantly stretched his wrists, and followed behind the group.

He looked up at Guanyin Bodhisattva, a hint of hidden caution flashing in his eyes, yet he was no longer as anxious as he used to be.

This Bodhisattva's cultivation was profound, but as long as he didn't actively mobilize his Shadow Power, she would certainly not detect the Monarch Authority within him. He just needed to act normally.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree lay on the ground, its roots exposed, its leaves withered and yellow, devoid of any life—a picture of complete death.

Guanyin Bodhisattva walked to the tree and asked the Monkey King to hold out his left hand.

She then used the willow branch to dip into the Manna within the Pure Vase and drew a Resurrection rune on the Monkey King's palm, saying solemnly:

"Press your hand beneath the tree roots and do not move."

The Monkey King did as he was told, pressing his palm firmly against the roots.

In just a moment, a clear spring gushed from the ground, flowing slowly along the roots.

Guanyin Bodhisattva waved the willow branch again, sprinkling all the Manna from the Pure Vase onto the withered tree while silently chanting a mantra.

A miraculous scene occurred instantly!

The withered branches turned green at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the broken trunk healed in an instant.

The scattered leaves grew back onto the branches, and the Ginseng Fruits that had originally disappeared into the earth reappeared one by one, hanging from the boughs.

Crystal clear and plump, their fragrance wafted everywhere. The destroyed Ginseng Fruit Tree was completely restored, appearing even more vibrant than before!

"It's alive! It's really alive!" Pigsy's eyes widened. Looking at the lush Ginseng Fruit Tree, he couldn't help but cry out in surprise.

Zhenyuan looked at the restored Ginseng Fruit Tree with great joy, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

He thanked Guanyin Bodhisattva repeatedly, "Thank you, Bodhisattva, for your help in saving my Earthly Spiritual Root. Words cannot express my gratitude!"

Tang Seng also pressed his palms together and bowed, "Thank you for the rescue, Bodhisattva. Amitabha."

Ao Lie stood to the side, looking at the Rebirth of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, silently calculating in his mind.

Through this tribulation, he had secretly incorporated dozens of Immortal Boy shadows.

His Common Grade Shadow Servants had increased to 2,500, and his Knight Grade and Elite-level servants had also expanded significantly.

His own cultivation had touched the threshold of the Golden Immortal Realm, making this a very fruitful harvest.

Seeing the immortal tree revived, Zhenyuan's anger vanished completely. Looking at the Monkey King again, he felt the monkey was someone who dared to take responsibility for his actions and possessed quite a bit of spirit.

He immediately gave the order to harvest ten Ginseng Fruits and hold a Ginseng Fruit Gathering.

He invited Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Three Immortals of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, and Tang Seng and his Disciples to enjoy them together.

Looking at the fragrant Ginseng Fruits, Pigsy's mouth watered with greed.

He simply stopped being polite, took the Ginseng Fruit handed to him by an Immortal Boy, and took a large bite, his mouth filled with sweetness.

The Monkey King and Ao Lie each took one as well. As Ao Lie ate the Ginseng Fruit, the Spiritual Qi in his body surged again.

The barrier of the Peak of the Mystic Immortal Realm loosened completely; he was now only one step away from a Breakthrough into the Golden Immortal Realm.

All the Shadow Servants under his command were simultaneously nourished, and their strength improved once more.

After everyone had finished the Ginseng Fruits, Zhenyuan looked at the Monkey King and laughed heartily.

"Sun Pilgrim, though you are reckless, you are also loyal and responsible. Today, I shall overlook your fault in destroying the tree and wish to become sworn brothers with you. What do you say?"

The Monkey King was overjoyed upon hearing this.

To be able to become brothers with the Ancestor of Earth Immortals was a massive Opportunity. He hurriedly cupped his hands and replied:

"To become sworn brothers with the Great Immortal is my, Old Sun's, good fortune!"

Right then, the two set up an incense altar in the temple and bowed to Heaven and Earth to become brothers. A massive disaster was thus completely resolved.

Seeing the matter reach Perfection, Guanyin Bodhisattva gave Tang Seng a few instructions about being cautious in speech and action during the journey.

She then rose to take her leave and returned to the South Sea.

The Three Immortals of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity also departed, and harmony returned to Wuzhuang Temple.

The next day, the Master and his four Disciples bid farewell to Zhenyuan and continued their journey to the West.

Zhenyuan personally saw them off, gifting them many dry rations and immortal fruits, and repeatedly urged the Monkey King to visit often in the future.

Ao Lie walked within the group, his white robes fluttering. His aura was restrained, yet it was hard to hide the power surging within him.

Through this trip to Wuzhuang Temple, he had secretly strengthened his shadow forces, and his cultivation was about to break through to the Golden Immortal Realm. His path of endurance had taken another major step forward.

He looked toward the West, his eyes calm and without ripples, yet his mind was incredibly clear.

The surveillance of the Buddhas of the Western Heaven and the gods of the Heavenly Court still existed, but he was no longer that Mystic Immortal who had to cautiously hide his abilities. As his Shadow Servants grew stronger, he would eventually have the confidence to confront everything.

The Monkey King was in high spirits after becoming sworn brothers with Zhenyuan, skipping and jumping as he led the way.

Pigsy carried his rake and ate Ginseng Fruits, leisurely following behind, while Tang Seng focused on his prayers, walking steadily forward.

The Master and his four Disciples, each with their own thoughts, proceeded step by step toward the West along the mountain path, with the next tribulation waiting quietly not far away.