Great Demon Sun Wukong

The crowd below, some of whom were still immersed in their sorrowful emotions, and others shocked by Strawberry, that is, Zijing's identity, witnessed not just the appearance of Ming Wanjie of the Underworld, ranked first among the top ten of the Inner City, but even the Domain Lord of the Supreme Pool, whose identity had always been extremely mysterious, and who earlier, in her soul state, was still a little girl.

However, the identities of these two pale in comparison to the third person who ascended the Appointing Platform, the Demon Monarch Xi Zhao. Although some in the audience were born after the fall of the Dominion of Soil and the consequent reshuffling of the Six Great Divine Nations, they had heard stories about that once most powerful individual among the Nine Great Divine Kingdoms.

It seemed, however, that the Demon Monarch wasn't previously known as Xi Zhao. Could it be a coincidence? But no, that couldn't be right, as the maid clearly introduced him as the former Domain Lord of the Annihilation Demon Nation, the Demon Monarch Xi Zhao. It seems he must have changed his name after dying.

No matter what, the title of Demon Monarch still spurred much discussion among the crowd. Especially Old Wang and his companions, who now realized that the seemingly harmless young man they had saved was once that bloodthirsty Demon Monarch, they exchanged looks of disbelief. Only the Evil Monarch seemed to show a sense of relief upon this realization.

Xi Zhao, hearing the discussions, was unconcerned and walked straight onto the Appointing Platform, giving Yue Huangquan a nod before saying, "Thank you for your efforts, Domain Lord. I will repay this debt in the future!" Having said this, he appeared somewhat excited as he sat down on the Tenglong Feiyun Chair.

However, Xi Zhao now took several steps forward, whispering into Xi Zhao's ear, "Yue Huangquan has limited capabilities. This body, though strong, still falls short compared to the one the Demon Monarch had before. I hope the Demon Monarch understands."

Xi Zhao shook his head to indicate it didn't matter. Yue Huangquan then activated his Magical Decrees and, just like before, a body dressed in a black robe decorated with gold embroidery descended from within the World Suppressing Stele and gradually fused with Xi Zhao's soul. This time, the process took slightly longer, with about eight breaths passing before Xi Zhao finally opened his eyes.

Standing up and moving his limbs, he found that his body and soul were in perfect harmony, with not the slightest discomfort, and once again he thanked Yue Huangquan with a respectful bow. However, someone from the crowd suddenly shouted, "Are you really the same Demon Monarch from back then? You don't seem like it at all?"

The moment these words were spoken, Xi Zhao's expression changed, and a bone-chilling Demonic Qi rolled out from within him, instantly forming the semblance of a Demon King's head behind him. Upon seeing this Demonic Qi and the enormous Demon King's visage, no one further doubted Xi Zhao's identity.

Joking, the formation of the Demon King's head out of Demonic Qi was not a simple transformation, it was the unique Annihilation Demon Decision known only to the Demon Monarch Xi Zhao.

After Xi Zhao demonstrated just a fraction of his power to confirm his identity, Yue Huangquan smiled and said to the audience, "This individual is indeed the Demon Monarch Xi Zhao, who once reigned above the Nine Great Divine Kingdoms. But now, he is our ally and will join us in the trial of the Patrolling Celestial World."

After finishing his announcement, Yue Huangquan signaled to the maid, who, surprised by Xi Zhao's imposing aura but having regained her composure, fetched a qualifying token and handed it to Xi Zhao.

He accepted it with both hands and was about to step down from the platform when the maid suddenly whispered, "Please wait, my lord, there's more!" Hurriedly, she reached into the Cornucopia and pulled out a pitch-black general's armor marked with countless blood patterns, cradling it with both hands to present it to Xi Zhao.

Upon seeing it, Xi Zhao became somewhat excited, yet he managed to conceal it well. Taking the Armor, he caressed it lovingly for a while, and in a low voice said, "Demon King Armor, I never expected to see you again!" Holding the Demon King Armor, Xi Zhao walked down from the Pointing Platform with heavy steps.

Watching Xi Zhao leave, Yue Huangquan's gaze flickered with a glimmer of hope. I hope this time, my choice is the right one. Although the crowd below the platform was still buzzing with discussion, the Pointing would continue. Experience new tales on empire

The maid waited for the discussions to quiet down a bit before announcing, "Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, Pangu Realm, the holder of the World Suppressing Stele, please come up to the Pointing Platform."

This time, the crowd below had completely stilled as if frozen, without a single sound of discussion. Everyone, including Ming Wanjie, stared at Sun Wukong with incredulous expressions.

Sun Wukong felt somewhat uncomfortable under their gazes and even forgot to walk up to the stage; instead, he leaped straight up to it. Seeing Sun Wukong do this, Yue Huangquan smiled and shook his head.

When Sun Wukong was ready, a light barrier emanated from the Soul Suppressing Stele, and a flesh body identical to Sun Wukong's in life fell from within the World Suppressing Stele, merging with Sun Wukong's spirit.

This body was clad in Chain Golden Armor, crowned with a Phoenix Wing Purple Gold Crown, its feet shod in lotus-patterned cloud-stepping boots, with a scarlet cloak draped behind him. It was exactly as he had appeared after first obtaining the Jingu Bang in the Dragon Palace, majestic and imperial.

Seeing these familiar clothes, Sun Wukong was momentarily taken aback, as though he had returned to those days. However, he quickly recovered his senses and, without even thanking Yue Huangquan, couldn't wait to stomp his foot and then shot up into the sky.

However, he soon returned to the Pointing Platform and extended his hand with a beaming smile. The maid, understanding, took the token and handed it to Sun Wukong, then took out a small purple-gold jug from the Cornucopia.

Seeing the small jug, Sun Wukong couldn't help but ask, "What is this? I haven't had time to refine the flag I got from that basin before." Indeed, as a reward for passing the Desolate Island, Sun Wukong had obtained a small flag, Xi Zhao a token, the Flame God a red bead, the little fox a bundle of Ghost Fire, and Caomei a Puppet Mount.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hearing Sun Wukong's question, Xi Zhao stepped forward and said, "This small jug is not important, what matters is what's inside it. Take out that piece of Wasteland Soil Stele!" Sun Wukong was also curious, so he summoned the Wasteland Soil Stele and held it in his hand.

Xi Zhao and the others had seen it before, so they were not impressed, but the rest of the crowd saw it for the first time and were shocked. This was the World Suppressing Stele, which could only be possessed by a Domain Lord, and there were only nine in the entire universe. So far, the whereabouts of only six were known, those belonging to the Domain Lords of the Six Great Divine Nations.

Including this one, two remain unaccounted for.

Although the crowd below was shocked, no one showed any signs of greed. Setting aside whether they could defeat Sun Wukong, who possessed the World Suppressing Stele, there was also the question of whether they were worthy of the World Suppressing Stele's recognition. The Stele had always chosen its master on its own; others, even if they obtained it, couldn't use it.

At most, it was nothing more than a sturdier stele.

Seeing Sun Wukong summon the Wasteland Soil Stele, Xi Zhao approached the maid, took the small pot from her, then flipped the lid open and shook it, releasing countless glittering granule-like objects that scattered in all directions. Simultaneously, the back of the World Suppressing Stele in Sun Wukong's hand suddenly burst forth with a brilliant silver light.

Sun Wukong flipped the Heavenly Stele over and saw that it was the Formation Map of the celestial stars on the back that was glowing. Illuminated by the golden light, the bright granular objects transformed into innumerable giant stars which rose swiftly into the sky. These silver granules had turned into stars were arranged according to the layout of the celestial star Formation Map.

Upon seeing Sun Wukong's astonished gaze, Yue Huangquan said, "This is called Stars Sand, created specifically to work in conjunction with the formation on the Wasteland Soil Stele and form the celestial star formation. The power of a Great Formation laid out by human hands is on a completely different level from one built with this Stars Sand."

After finishing her explanation, she moved the pot slightly and the countless Stars Sand once again turned into twinkling points of light, returning to the small pot. "Great Saint, now you know what this is. As for that small flag, you'll have to figure it out for yourself."

After Yue Huangquan finished speaking, Sun Wukong hurriedly took the small pot, withdrew the World Suppressing Stele, and thanked Yue Huangquan profusely before stepping down from the platform.

Next up was the Flame God, who received a Phoenix Fire Body, delighting him to the point where his mouth almost skewed, and he also received a treasure named the Fire-Seeking Needle, which had him excited beyond measure, almost wishing to immediately use the needle to seek out Strange Fire to devour.

After this, all the others took their turns on stage, with each person receiving a body that was a perfect fit for them as well as one treasure. However, a person named Rogue Heart Sword Hero is worth mentioning. He was neither from the top ten of the Inner City nor from the Outer City, but a wandering swordsman who had once been saved by Yue Huangquan.

Due to his formidable strength, he was also selected to be part of the team for this trial.

Rogue Heart Sword Hero did not have a real name and wore a somewhat worn garment resembling a Taoist Robe, with a black Tang Blade hanging from his waist. He had some stubble on his face and always looked as if he didn't care about anything. However, Xi Zhao appeared somewhat surprised when this man stepped onto the stage, although he said nothing.

In this way, the thirty-six individuals from the Netherworld World completed the selection process and all obtained suitable bodies. Finally, after Yue Huangquan marked each person with an orange crescent-shaped symbol using the World Suppressing Stele, the thirty-six people dispersed.

Nearly all of them eagerly found close friends, both old and new, to spar with. After all, many techniques couldn't be used with their new bodies, and they were all curious to test how powerful their new bodies were.

This included Sun Wukong, who was laughing heartily as he clashed with Zhan Yunyi, and then Lao Wang, who was fighting with the eyes. Xi Zhao, too, walked with the Evil Monarch to a place where they could rest and talked. Shang Sheng and Du Tianyang were stopped by the Rogue Heart Sword Hero.

Though he always seemed nonchalant, he was actually a straightforward person, and they began to fight after exchanging a few words.

On the afternoon of the third day, Yue Huangquan called the thirty-six individuals together again. They were set to depart the next day, so Yue Huangquan ordered a banquet that was nearly the most luxurious the Netherworld World had to offer. Although everyone had sparred with each other the day before, they weren't too familiar with each other.

However, the banquet changed that. At first, everyone was a bit reserved, but after the wine went around three times, they were all slapping each other on the back, calling each other brother. The Rogue Heart Sword Hero even picked up Du Tianyang, loudly proclaiming his intent to marry Zijing as his wife.

Indeed, these thirty-six individuals were all clever people. They knew that this mission might be a one-way trip, so they understood that this group of people would be their only support from now on. Even the normally stern and domineering Ming Wanjie let down his guard, competing in a drinking bout with Lao Wang bowl for bowl.

Perhaps drinking an extra bowl today and acknowledging another brother might increase one's chances of survival in the Patrolling Celestial Realm. Everyone understood this reasoning. Therefore, no matter how lofty or aloof they typically were, at this moment, they put all that aside, speaking and laughing with the most genuine feelings.

Yue Huangquan saw all this, and relief washed over him. He had indeed been worried that this group of prideful individuals wouldn't mesh well.

The banquet lasted all night, and the people eventually dispersed. By then, no one cared about whether they knew each other well or not; the thirty-six of them were like brothers who had lived together for countless years.

"It's finally starting. Patrolling Celestial World, let's see just how strong the warriors of the Netherworld World are!" Yue Huangquan sat alone atop the Bronze Gate, looking into the void of the starry sky, and murmured.

(Special thanks to classmate Rogue Heart for the ten thousand Starting Point Coins reward. Please continue to support me, friends!)