I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

Nezha suddenly realized and said, "I see. Then we need to be extra careful on our trip to Black Wind Mountain and keep an eye out for any trace of the Dragon, Phoenix, or Qilin clans behind that Black Bear Demon."

Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, nodded: "That's right, we can't be careless about this matter. We should go and return quickly, lest we waste time."

The two rode on auspicious clouds and flew towards Black Wind Mountain in the mortal realm.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the Five Elements Mountain, Guanyin still sat on her lotus platform, staring intently at Sun Wukong below who was refining the headband. Her gaze was sharp and unwavering.

Sun Wukong sat at the foot of the Five Elements Mountain, circulating his spiritual power to refine the headband while secretly glancing at Guanyin above his head out of the corner of his eye, a look of helplessness and frustration on his face.

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue and couldn't help but speak, his tone somewhat ingratiating: "Guanyin Bodhisattva, what brings you here? It's so stuffy and boring under the Five Elements Mountain. Is there anything you need from me?"

Guanyin snorted coldly, her tone icy: "Sun Wukong, you still have the nerve to ask me? I'm asking you, this headband, I gave you three months to refine it, and now fourteen years have passed, and you've only refined less than half of it. Did you deliberately slack off and sneak out to play?"

Sun Wukong quickly waved his hand, looking aggrieved: "Bodhisattva, you've wronged me! I didn't sneak out to play. For the past fourteen years, I've been refining the headband under the Five Elements Mountain, never leaving for even a moment. It's just that this headband is too strange, and refining it is extremely difficult. I've tried my best, but it just won't refine quickly. It's really not that I'm deliberately slacking off!"

Guanyin narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharpening as she stared intently at Sun Wukong. She said, "Oh? Is that so? You've given it your all? I think you're just being stubborn. This headband was personally crafted by me. Although it has a backlash effect, with your cultivation level, three months would have been more than enough to refine it. Now, after fourteen years, you've only refined less than half of it. If you hadn't deliberately been lazy, how could this have happened?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head in frustration, looking completely innocent: "Bodhisattva, I really didn't lie! If you don't believe me, you can examine my mind and see if I've been refining the headband for the past fourteen years, or if I've secretly run away to play!"

Guanyin snorted coldly and said, "Probing your mind? No need. I'll be watching you right here today and see how you try to deny it. If you dare to slack off again, I'll increase the backlash of the headband and let you taste a fate worse than death!"

Sun Wukong shrank back, not daring to speak again. He could only lower his head and pretend to be focused on refining the headband, but in his heart he was muttering to himself: "What bad luck! Why did Guanyin suddenly come and keep staring at me? Now I can't even slack off. This headband is difficult to refine. She thinks I'm deliberately being lazy. I can't clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River."

Above, Jiang Wang's clone remained hidden in his upright, shadowless state, having overheard the conversation between the two. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "Hehe, Guanyin was indeed kept in the dark. She thought Sun Wukong was deliberately slacking off, but little did she know, it was I who tampered with the flow of time. Let alone fourteen years, even forty years, Sun Wukong might not be able to refine this headband."

Jiang Wang's clone shook his head slightly, continuing to observe the movements below, muttering to himself, "With Guanyin watching here, Sun Wukong certainly won't dare to slack off. This is good, as it can delay things for a while and give the main body more time to prepare."

What exactly is that old codger Pangu brewing in the chaos? And what about the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans? If they really invade, the Three Realms will likely descend into war again. And that woman Luo Feifei, who knows where she's hiding? She's quite powerful and a significant threat as well.

Just then, Jiang Wang's clone sensed a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from afar. He raised an eyebrow slightly and thought to himself, "This fluctuation of spiritual energy, is it from the Heavenly Court? It seems that the Heavenly Court has made another move. I wonder what they're after."

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Secret Realm Tower in the Auspicious Chaos Realm and the One Heart Realm, a number of cultivators from the One Heart Sect had gathered. Most of them were young geniuses, and they were all eager to try their skills, their eyes filled with anticipation and tension. They had all come to challenge the Secret Realm Tower, hoping to obtain the opportunities within and improve their cultivation.

Lin Xiaoyou was already waiting there. When he saw Jiang Wang coming, he immediately rushed up to him and said in an urgent tone, "Little Milk Brother, you're finally here! Hurry up, the Secret Realm Tower is about to open. Look, so many people have arrived."

Jiang Wang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding cultivators. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he said, "It seems there are quite a few people challenging the Secret Realm Tower this time. They are all geniuses from the One Heart Realm. It seems the competition will be fierce this time."

A young man dressed in black overheard their conversation, turned around, glanced at Jiang Wang with disdain, and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Someone like you dares to challenge the Secret Realm Tower? I think you should go back as soon as possible, lest you lose your life in the Secret Realm Tower and disgrace the One Heart Sect."

Jiang Wang looked up at the black-clad youth, his smile unchanged, and said in a calm tone: "Whether I can challenge the Secret Realm Tower is none of your business. But you, with such a big mouth, must have some skill. However, the Secret Realm Tower is extremely dangerous. Don't be the one who gets knocked down first."

The black-clad youth's face darkened, and his tone became even more mocking: "Hmph, arrogant! I am Zhao Hu, with a cultivation level of the mid-stage of the first level of the Strength Realm. Passing through the first level of the Secret Realm Tower is more than enough for me. You are just a cultivator at the early stage of the first level of the Strength Realm, yet you dare to speak to me like that. You are simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Lin Xiaoyou immediately stepped forward, blocking Jiang Wang's path, glaring at Zhao Hu, and said, "Zhao Hu, don't go too far! Little Milk Brother is a genius of our One Heart Realm. Even if his cultivation is slightly weaker than yours, he might not lose to you. Stop being so arrogant!"

Zhao Hu sneered and said, "Genius? I think you're more like trash. You're only at the early stage of the first level of Strength Realm, and you dare to call yourself a genius? I think you two are cut from the same cloth, both here in the Secret Realm Tower to die."

Jiang Wang gently tugged at Lin Xiaoyou's arm, signaling him not to act impulsively, then looked at Zhao Hu, his tone still calm: "Verbal disputes are meaningless. Once the Secret Realm Tower opens, we'll know who is stronger and who is weaker in a single test. If you have the ability, defeat me in the Secret Realm Tower. If you don't, then stop wasting your breath here."

Zhao Hu's face darkened with anger, and he was about to lash out when a girl in a purple Daoist robe spoke up, "Zhao Hu, don't cause trouble here. The Secret Realm Tower is about to open. If you're so capable, let's see who's the real deal inside the Secret Realm Tower. What kind of skill is it to bully a cultivator at the early stage of the first level of the Strength Realm here?"

Zhao Hu turned to look at the girl in the purple Taoist robe, his expression softening slightly, and his tone becoming somewhat ingratiating: "Senior Sister Su, I just can't stand this kid's arrogance. He's clearly so weak in cultivation, yet he dares to challenge me."

Senior Sister Su frowned and said, "Alright, enough said. The Secret Realm Tower is dangerous. Everyone should prepare themselves. Let's not start fighting amongst ourselves before we even encounter the Secret Realm Guardians and embarrass the One Heart Sect."

Zhao Hu dared not speak again, glared fiercely at Jiang Wang, turned around and walked to the side, still muttering to himself, "Kid, you just wait. Once we get to the Secret Realm Tower, let's see who can protect you. I'll definitely let you taste my power!"

Jiang Wang remained unconcerned, a faint smile still playing on his lips. Lin Xiaoyou whispered, "Little Milk Brother, that Zhao Hu is arrogant and domineering, and his cultivation is indeed not weak—he's at the mid-stage of the First Heaven of Strength. You must be careful of him; he'll definitely cause you trouble." Jiang Wang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not afraid of him. If he really dares to cause me trouble, I naturally have ways to deal with him. As for you, when we enter the Secret Realm Tower, you must stay close to me and don't wander off. There are many traps inside; be careful not to fall into one."

Lin Xiaoyou nodded vigorously: "I understand, Little Milk Brother, I will definitely stay close to you and never run away."

Just then, a majestic voice rang out from the sky—it was the voice of the Supreme Elder: "Disciples, it is noon. The Secret Realm Tower is about to open. Please prepare yourselves. After the Secret Realm Tower opens, you will be randomly teleported to different locations on the first level. Remember, fighting is allowed inside the Secret Realm Tower, but you must not kill each other. If you encounter a danger that you cannot handle, simply crush the communication jade talisman in your hand, and you will be teleported out of the Secret Realm Tower. Alright, Secret Realm Tower, open!"

As the Supreme Elder finished speaking, the Secret Realm Tower in front of them suddenly emitted a dazzling light. The patterns engraved on the tower slowly lit up, and a powerful spatial force spread out, enveloping the entire entrance of the Secret Realm Tower.

Jiang Wang sensed the powerful spatial force, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Young friend, get ready, we're about to be teleported in."

Lin Xiaoyou nodded, staying close to Jiang Wang, his voice tinged with nervousness: "Little Milk Brother, I'm a little nervous. Is this Secret Realm Tower really that dangerous?"

Jiang Wang patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Don't be nervous, I'm here, everything will be fine. As long as we are careful, we should be able to get through the first level."

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful suction force came, and Jiang Wang and Lin Xiaoyou were instantly sucked into the Secret Realm Tower. The surrounding scenery changed instantly, and the two were teleported to a dim stone chamber. The walls of the stone chamber were engraved with complex patterns, and a faint killing intent permeated the air.

Lin Xiaoyou looked around, his face pale, and grabbed Jiang Wang's arm tightly, saying, "Little Milk Brother, is this the first level of the Secret Realm Tower? It's so dark, and there's a murderous aura about it, it's so scary."

Jiang Wang looked around warily, sensing the killing intent around him, and said, "That's right, this is the first level of the Secret Realm Tower. This killing intent should be emanating from the Secret Realm Guardians. We need to be careful. The Secret Realm Guardians should be near this stone chamber and could appear at any time."

Just then, heavy footsteps came from a corner of the stone chamber. The footsteps grew closer and closer, and a tall figure slowly appeared. The figure was entirely black, more than three zhang tall, with bulging muscles all over his body. He held a huge mountain-splitting axe in his hand, and his eyes were cold and devoid of any emotion. It was the Stone Demon, the guardian of the first level of the Secret Realm Tower, who was at the peak of the first level of Strength.

The Stone Demon looked at Jiang Wang and Lin Xiaoyou, letting out a low roar, its tone icy: "Intruders, die!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Stone Demon raised the mountain-splitting axe in his hand and swung it fiercely at Jiang Wang and Lin Xiaoyou. The mountain-splitting axe, carrying a powerful force, cut through the air and made a whistling sound, its momentum terrifying.

Jiang Wang's eyes narrowed, and he pulled Lin Xiaoyou aside quickly. He swung his axe heavily into the ground, instantly creating a huge crack and sending debris flying.

Lin Xiaoyou turned pale with fright, his voice trembling: "Little Milk Brother, so...so amazing! This stone demon's strength is too great!"

Jiang Wang stared warily at the stone demon, his tone serious: "Don't be afraid. Although this stone demon is powerful, it is slow. As long as we avoid its attacks and find its weakness, we can defeat it."

"Young friend, stay behind me and don't run around. I'll handle it."

Lin Xiaoyou nodded vigorously, then quickly hid behind Jiang Wang, keeping a close eye on the stone demon, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

The stone demon, having missed its first attack, let out an angry roar and raised its axe again, slashing at Jiang Wang. This time, the force was even stronger than before, and a faint spiritual light flowed across the axe.

Jiang Wang's eyes narrowed, and he quickly dodged the attack by changing his footwork. At the same time, he raised his hand and condensed a stream of spiritual energy, which he then slapped towards the stone demon's chest. The spiritual energy carried a faint force and struck the stone demon's chest.

With a muffled thud, spiritual energy struck the stone demon's chest. The stone demon's body trembled slightly, but it was not harmed at all. Instead, it became even more furious and roared as it charged towards Jiang Wang, its axe slashing at Jiang Wang relentlessly.

While quickly dodging the stone demon's attacks, Jiang Wang observed its movements, muttering to himself, "This stone demon's defense is too strong. Ordinary spiritual energy attacks can't hurt it at all. It seems that the only way is to attack its weakness."

Lin Xiaoyou, hiding behind Jiang Wang, watched Jiang Wang constantly dodging the Stone Demon's attacks and felt extremely anxious. He couldn't help but ask, "Little Milk Brother, where is the Stone Demon's weakness? We can't keep dodging like this!"

While dodging the attacks, Jiang Wang said, "Although the Stone Demon has strong defense, its eyes should be its weakness. Look at its eyes, although they are black, they have no luster at all. That should be its weak point. In a moment, I will distract it, and you can take the opportunity to attack its eyes. As long as you hit its eyes, it will be injured, and then we will be able to defeat it."

Lin Xiaoyou nodded, his eyes resolute: "Okay! Little Milk Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely hit its eye!"

Jiang Wang nodded, then suddenly sped up and rushed toward the left side of the stone demon. At the same time, he raised his hand and condensed several streams of spiritual energy, striking the stone demon's chest to deliberately attract its attention.

As expected, the stone demon was attracted and roared as it charged towards Jiang Wang, its axe slashing towards Jiang Wang's left side, its eyes fixed on Jiang Wang, ignoring Lin Xiaoyou behind it.

Jiang Wang's eyes narrowed, and he shouted, "Young friend, now's the time!" (End of Chapter)