The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha

As they ventured further, they encountered the Three Demons of Shituo Ridge: the eldest, the Green Lion Spirit; the second, the White Elephant Spirit; and the third, the Roc.

These three demons were presently discussing the matter of Xuanzang and his disciples. The Green Lion and White Elephant were not particularly interested in Xuanzang, but the Roc was different—he was there to cause trouble.

The Green Lion and White Elephant, although reluctant to act, understood that their current opportunity to roam freely depended on someone else's favor.

They were originally part of the famous group of Seven Attendant Immortals; who would willingly become someone else's mount?

The Roc, being quite cunning, had already gathered all the information about Sun Wukong and his disciples beforehand, knowing full well that he couldn't defeat the Monkey. Hence, he sought the aid of the Green Lion and White Elephant.

The Green Lion and White Elephant, having advised him several times, saw that the Roc was stubbornly targeting Xuanzang and had no choice but to agree to help.

Sun Wukong, disguised as Little Drilling Wind, listened for quite some time and didn't want to confront these three veteran demons. He thought it might be better to scare them off instead.

So, pretending to be terrified, he hurried forward and said, "Oh no, the three Great Kings! That Sun Wukong is sharpening his staff outside, and all our little monsters have fled!"

The three demons didn't care much about those little monsters. The Green Lion feigned fear and said to the Roc, "Third brother, that Sun Wukong is highly skilled. I think we better shut the mountain gates and let them pass."

The White Elephant also pretended to be scared and echoed, "Yes, yes!"

The Green Lion and White Elephant actually just wanted to be lazy and weren't keen on fighting. After the Divine Enthronement, they had genuinely become more docile.

The Roc, naturally, couldn't admit cowardice, but upon hearing that his good elder cousin Red Boy had been dealt with by the Monkey, he was also wary and had to rely on the Green Lion and White Elephant.

"Brother, how could the three of us be afraid of that Sun Wukong?"

After saying this, he felt something was amiss. Given Little Drilling Wind's courage, if all other demons fled, how could he dare come to report?

Seeing this, his eyes gathered light and fixed on Little Drilling Wind, instantly spotting the Monkey fur all over.

"No good, we've been tricked by this Monkey!"

As he spoke, he lunged at Sun Wukong's shoulder, causing the Green Lion and White Elephant to startle and instinctively use all their strength.

The immense power of the two Taiyi Golden Immortals erupted suddenly, and it wasn't the spell of any mountain or loose cultivator but the true Shangqing Magic Power; even with a Golden Immortal Dao Body, Sun Wukong could hardly resist.

Sun Wukong was instantly caught off guard and captured on the spot, having previously thought Little Drilling Wind was bluffing in ignorance; now, he began to believe it a bit more.

The Roc, perhaps born ruthless, or perhaps influenced by the Kunpeng to some extent, possessed a similarly venomous nature.

His concern was Xuanzang, and he cared not a bit for the life of this unknown Monkey.

Without hesitation, he threw him into the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence. Some things, once lost, are gone forever. Even if Nezha once again gave the Yin Yang Qi to the Roc, he could no longer merge it with himself as initially.

So now Sun Wukong was placed in a bottle, for the Roc to comprehend later, while using it as a Magical Treasure that could dissolve people into essence fluid.

This flask had a higher ceiling than the bottles of Jin Jiao and Silver Horn, but because it wasn't specifically made as an offensive Magical Treasure, it appeared rather cumbersome.

Inside, Sun Wukong felt a force spinning, constantly wearing down his physical body. He felt it emanated from underneath him as he carefully perceived.

Without hesitation, he raised his staff to smash at it, but after pounding for ages, nothing budged; instead, his own strength was severely drained, and he started to feel weak all over.

The Roc had acquired numerous treasures in Lingshan, and while his craftsmanship was a bit crude when crafting this bottle, the materials used were ample.

Thinking hard, Sun Wukong recalled the life-saving strand of hair given by Guanyin, and after some experimentation, indeed punched a big hole at the bottle's bottom.

One could only say that Guanyin Mama's creations were truly top-notch.

The other layer's Yin Yang Qi immediately exposed itself to Sun Wukong. Unknowing of its nature, he instinctively began channeling his Great Heavenly Immortal Technique…

Outside, the Roc and the other two hadn't expected to resolve their conflict with the strongest Monkey so easily, and were merrily drinking.

The Roc, seeing Xuanzang already as his possession, felt even less urgency now. What was this called?

This was called the composure of the victor!

After a grand feast, the Roc remembered the Sun Wukong in his bottle. Opening the bottle to take a look, his bird face twitched.

Not only had the bottle developed a large hole at the bottom, but his Yin Yang Qi was now missing!

"My Yin Yang Qi!"

By this time, Sun Wukong, having absorbed the Yin Yang Qi, felt as if he had consumed a great tonic, spirited and full of endless strength.

"Demon, come out here! Dare to scheme against my master, I'll thrash you today, Sun Grandpa!"

The Green Lion and White Elephant exchanged slightly bitter glances, noting that their nominal junior brother's treasure was lost. If not managed, it wouldn't bode well with him afterwards!

Repayment was out of the question; the Yin Yang Qi was already precious, and as mere mounts now, how could they provide compensation?

They could only exert some effort.

"Brothers, wait for me. I'll go out now and capture that Sun Wukong!"

The Green Lion grabbed his Big Blade and charged out, while Sun Wukong awaited confidently outside the cave.

The two didn't waste time with words and immediately began to fight. After a hundred rounds or so, despite sensing his increased Mana, Sun Wukong felt something was off.

He seemed to be no match for this Green Lion Spirit?

The Green Lion had originally been Qiu Shou Immortal of the Jie Sect; while all his Magical Treasures were confiscated and his cultivation drastically fell, his cultivation still surpassed Sun Wukong by a bit, with experience unmatched by the Monkey.

After testing a bit, he no longer held back, and the powerful output of Mana forced Sun Wukong to retreat after ten rounds.

The Green Lion did not pursue; he was never keen on capturing Tang Seng and preferred to remain leisurely in this place.

He was already a mount; what else could he resign to?

He turned back to find his master and juniors, hoping they might come up with a plan to deal with these three demons, but just dealing with one was unbearable, let alone all three.

But when he turned back, everyone had disappeared!

This really got Sun Wukong anxious. He rushed around Shituo Ridge to inquire, finally calling the Earth God to find out that they were taken by a woman, thankfully not too far away.

Following the directions, Sun Wukong arrived at a gorgeous villa, using his Flame Golden Eyes to see auspicious light shining from within.

???

Which Bodhisattva is strolling here again?

As Sun Wukong transformed back, he saw a beautiful, noble woman conversing and laughing with his master.

Sha Wujing was tending to the horse, and Zhu Bajie looked aggrieved while munching on something.

"Master, Master!"

Xuanzang, upon seeing Sun Wukong return safely, exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Wukong, it is good that you've returned safely. Listening to what this female benefactor said, the demons in this mountain are quite powerful, and I was truly very concerned for your safety."

Hearing this, warmth filled Sun Wukong's heart, and the little bit of resentment he had from searching disappeared entirely.