Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

The ghostly flames of the netherworld gathered upon the sword palm, clashing with the rod shadows of Sun Wukong's Heaven-Breaking Eighteen Sticks. The Slaying Immortal Domain and the Heaven-Breaking Domain collided as well. Sun Wukong had exerted his full strength; this was the final strike of his battle with Ran Deng Ancient Buddha, the last comparison of their might!

Victory or defeat, life or death, it all hinged on this ultimate strike!

The formidable force of the impact surged within the domains, rippling outward, eventually pushing both great domains beyond their limit of endurance and shattering them simultaneously. The terrifying waves of residual strength instantly spread in all directions.

Luo Bai, Nezha, Six-Eared Macaque, and Bull Demon King were all struck with alarm and hurriedly channeled their Primordial Force to erect protective shields, warding off the onslaught of the aftermath. Donghua Emperor, with a wave of his hand, conjured a protective shield, enclosing Zi Lan Fairy within it.

The vicious waves of residual strength battered against the Primordial Force Shields of Luo Bai and the others, causing the shields to waver as if they were candles flickering in the wind, their light unsteady and uncertain, while the protective shield of Donghua Emperor remained utterly unshaken. Zi Lan Fairy, safe within it, felt not the slightest tremor of the impact.

"This Donghua Emperor is indeed formidable! Nezha spoke true; the strength of Donghua Emperor is unfathomable!"

Six-Eared Macaque glanced at the protective shield of Donghua Emperor with a chill in his heart. While they four struggled so desperately to defend, Donghua Emperor appeared as calm as a cloud in a gentle breeze; the disparity in strength could not be clearer.

In an instant, a vast expanse of the Eastern Sea's surface evaporated, a radius of dozens of miles of seawater vanishing without trace, turning into naught. Even the seabed of the Eastern Sea cracked open, revealing a gaping, bottomless abyss.

Bright light enveloped an area of a hundred-mile radius, the dazzling radiance nearly blinding to behold—though this was only for those of lesser cultivation; Nezha and the others could still make out the scene, except for the core that enveloped Sun Wukong and Ran Deng Ancient Buddha.

After a long while, the energy waves began to dissipate, and the East Sea's waters that had been pushed away began to flow back toward the center, pouring into the vast abyss. The bright light that had shrouded Sun Wukong and Ran Deng Ancient Buddha started to recede, revealing the figures of the two, hovering ten yards apart high above the ground.

Compared to their previous collision, this time, their bodies bore few traces of injury.

Previously, they had both suffered heavy blows, inflicting mutual damage. But this time, it was a clash of ultimate moves. Although exceedingly powerful, the resulting harm to each other was not as severe. Both Sun Wukong and Ran Deng Ancient Buddha had not sustained serious injuries, but their strength was significantly drained.

Ran Deng Ancient Buddha even swayed in the air, showing signs of weakness.

"What an adversary you are, Sun Wukong! What a Great Sage, Equal to Heaven! I truly underestimated you!"

Ran Deng Ancient Buddha glared at Sun Wukong, filled with resentment. It was unthinkable that he, an esteemed figure of the Buddhist Sect and an Ancestral Buddha of the past, had fought on par with this demon monkey, a mere Daluo Golden Immortal. It was an utter humiliation! The strength and potential of this demon monkey, Sun Wukong, were frightening.

If only he had known, he should have utilized the Slaying Immortal Domain right from the start and obliterated him with overwhelming force, giving him no chance to grow!

Upon his return to Spiritual Mountain, he would certainly report this matter to Tathagata Buddha. If this demon monkey were not eliminated, he would one day become a grave threat to the Buddhist Sect!

A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall; Ran Deng Buddha had always been cautious and would withdraw at the first sign of danger. Now that Sun Wukong had mastered the power of domains, it was improbable to defeat him quickly. Continuing to fight served little purpose. With this thought, Ran Deng Buddha felt the urge to retreat.

He cast a deep look at Sun Wukong and then transformed into a rainbow of light, attempting to flee toward the horizon. However, having barely escaped a short distance, he found himself intercepted by someone.

"Donghua Emperor, why do you block my path?"

The one who stopped Ran Deng Buddha was Donghua Emperor, who had been observing from the sidelines. In his hand appeared a feather fan, which he twirled with ease and a slight curl of his lips formed a faint smile. He spoke to Ran Deng Buddha, "Ran Deng daoist friend, I do not wish to make things difficult for you. Leave behind the Sword of Slaying Immortal, and I will let you leave in peace.

Otherwise, do not blame me for any unpleasantness!"

"Donghua, are you trying to take advantage of the situation?"

Ran Deng Buddha was furious. The Sword of Slaying Immortal was hard-won; he had even plotted and killed Chi Jingzi to acquire it. Now that he had completely refined the sword and mastered the Slaying Immortal Domain, how could he surrender it so easily?

"You could put it that way, though I prefer to call it returning to its rightful owner."

Donghua Emperor's expression remained impassive, still carrying a light smile, "The Four Swords of Immortal-Slaying originally belonged to Leader of Tongtian. After the Divine Enthronement Battle, they fell into the hands of Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, Real Man of Jade Cauldron, and Cultivation Heavenly Venerable. After so many years, it's time they were returned to Leader of Tongtian!

Ran Deng, you seized the Sword of Slaying Immortal from Chi Jingzi. Now I shall take it back from you and return it to Leader of Tongtian. What's wrong with that?"

"Return it? That's a nice way to put it! It seems to me you're just coveting the Sword of Slaying Immortal, desiring to claim it for yourself!"

Ran Deng Buddha protested angrily, his gaze darting around as he sought an opportunity to escape. But he saw Sun Wukong ascending silently, positioning himself with Donghua Emperor both in front and behind Ran Deng Buddha, trapping him in the middle. He inwardly cursed his luck, knowing that Donghua Emperor was stronger than him.

He would struggle to deal with Donghua Emperor alone, not to mention with Sun Wukong as well, there would be no fighting this—let alone escaping!

"If that's what you think, so be it. Why should I justify my actions to anyone? Ran Deng, you are not a sword cultivator. The Sword of Slaying Immortal won't display its fullest potential in your hands. Hand it over, and I will ensure your safe departure. Otherwise, do not blame this emperor for being ruthless!"

Donghua Emperor's expression remained calm, embodying the picture of serenity, yet the slight coldness in his eyes was a clear indication of his earnestness—he was not joking!

"Donghua, do you truly wish to destroy the alliance between the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court?"

Ran Deng Buddha gritted his teeth, somewhat frustrated and flustered.

"Alliance? Has there ever been an alliance between the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court? This Emperor does not know of such a thing. Moreover, this Emperor does not belong to the Heavenly Court; I only respect the Jade Emperor as the ruler of the Three Realms, that's all. Neither the Heavenly Court nor the Buddhist Sect has jurisdiction over this Emperor!

Ran Deng, using such insubstantial words as threats, don't you think it's quite beneath you? Enough with the nonsense, will you hand it over yourself, or shall this Emperor take it from you by force?"

As Donghua Emperor spoke, an extremely astonishing Sword Qi suddenly erupted from his body, and a Domain Power fiercely spread out from him, enveloping Ran Deng Buddha within it.

Ran Deng Buddha's face drastically changed. This was Donghua Emperor's Domain, something no one had ever witnessed because those who had were all dead. He had no knowledge of the specific properties of this Domain. The only clarity he had was that in his current state, he absolutely could not withstand the Domain's attack!

The Slaying Immortal Domain had collapsed in the previous clash along with Sun Wukong's Heaven-Breaking Domain and could not be used for a while. At this moment, Ran Deng Buddha was like an ordinary Half-Step Saint, and even less than that, for he was wounded!

"You're ruthless! Donghua, I will remember this affair today. There will come a day when I will claim it back from you!"

Facing the stronger opponent, Ran Deng Buddha had no choice but to compromise. In great agony, he threw the Sword of Slaying Immortal towards Donghua Emperor, who caught it. After Donghua Emperor took a sweeping glance at the sword to confirm it was the right one, he nodded and withdrew his Domain.

Ran Deng Buddha cast a resentful look at the Sword of Slaying Immortal in Donghua Emperor's hand, his gaze lingering on Sun Wukong with venom for a moment. Everything that had happened today was because of this Demon Monkey. Otherwise, he would not have revealed the Sword of Slaying Immortal, nor would he have been so forcefully robbed of it by Donghua Emperor.

"Demon Monkey, I will never let you go! This debt, I will make you pay back a hundredfold, a thousandfold someday!"

In a furiously low roar, Ran Deng Buddha transformed into a long rainbow, fleeing towards the horizon and quickly disappearing from sight. Throughout it all, Sun Wukong's expression remained icy, without uttering a single word.

"That's enough, kid, stop putting on a brave front; Ran Deng won't be coming back!"

Donghua Emperor looked at Sun Wukong and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. With his light chuckle, Sun Wukong's eyes closed, and the aura around his body vanished in an instant. He fainted midair, his body falling towards the ground below, where Zi Lan Fairy rushed to catch him in her arms.

"Wukong! Wukong!"

"Boss, are you alright?"

"What happened to Monkey Bro?"
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Nezha, Luo Bai, and others who had hurried over were shocked as they began examining Sun Wukong. They found that he was mainly exhausted, and although his injuries were serious, they were not fatal. This greatly relieved them.

"This kid really knows how to endure! After that ultimate move during the clash just now, he was already exhausted, and his injuries were not light. Yet he could still hold on without immediately fainting; truly remarkable!"

Donghua Emperor looked at Sun Wukong in Zi Lan Fairy's arms and nodded in admiration. With a flip of his palm, a crimson jade vial appeared in his hand and drifted slowly towards Zi Lan Fairy, "This is the Resurrection Pill refined in Old Lord Taishang's Eight Trigrams Furnace. Have him take two, and it will protect his vital essence from damage and help his injuries."

"Thank you, Emperor!"

Zi Lan Fairy gratefully thanked Donghua Emperor and quickly administered two Resurrection Pills to Sun Wukong. As the Resurrection Pills were swallowed, Sun Wukong's pale complexion visibly regained its color, and though he was still unconscious, his breath had stabilized considerably.

"Luo Bai, as a disciple of Sect Hierarch Tongtian, this Sword of Slaying Immortal will be entrusted to you to pass to your teacher," Donghua Emperor said, turning his gaze to Luo Bai. With a motion of his hand, the Sword of Slaying Immortal flew from his right hand towards Luo Bai, "Ran Deng's Divine Sense Seal has been temporarily sealed by this Emperor.

To remove it completely, I fear your teacher will have to act, though this should not be difficult for him."

"Thank you, Emperor! I will surely convey your gracious offer to my teacher!"