After transmigrating into the body of the Jade Rat Spirit, I became Nezha's adopted sister.

Pigsy shook his big head and looked around, saying in a muffled voice, "Yeah, Brother Monkey, wasn't that female bodhisattva quite familiar with you? Didn't she say goodbye after the fight? Is she afraid that I, Old Pig, will ask her for a thank-you gift?" He clicked his tongue, seemingly feeling a little regretful. He was quite curious about the relationship between that girl and the Third Prince.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together, gazing at the empty mountains and fields, and said slowly, "When fate brings us together, we gather; when fate takes us apart, we disperse. Since that female benefactor has already left, there's no need to force it. Wukong, Bajie, it's getting late, and we shouldn't stay here any longer. We need to find a safe place to stay."

Sun Wukong glanced at the sky again, where the clouds and mist swirled, and there was no longer any unusual aura.

He clicked his tongue, knowing perfectly well that it must have been Nezha who had quietly taken the person away at some point.

"Well, they ran fast." He muttered to himself, then stopped worrying and turned to get his luggage. "Master was right, let's go! This Huangfeng Ridge smells so earthy, I'm sick of it!"

Pigsy quickly led the white dragon horse over and helped Tang Sanzang mount. Once everything was ready, the group prepared to leave the mountains.

After settling his master in and cleaning up the battlefield, Sun Wukong suddenly remembered, "Huh? Where's that snake?" His golden eyes scanned the surroundings, but there wasn't a trace of the python demon. He stamped his foot and cursed, "That cunning beast! How dare it escape in the chaos! It mustn't be allowed to live!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang frowned and said, "Wukong, since it has already escaped, perhaps it has realized its mistake. Why must we pursue it to the bitter end?"

Sun Wukong said urgently, "Master! That's an old demon, fierce and untamable. If it escapes today, it will surely cause trouble tomorrow! Besides, it already knows where you are. If word gets out, or it gathers its kind to come and provoke us again, wouldn't that be troublesome? Let me, your old Sun, get rid of this threat!"

Having said that, before Tang Sanzang could persuade her further, she somersaulted into the air.

Meanwhile, the python demon, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the Yellow Wind Monster, saw Sun Wukong being entangled by the Yellow Wind and Pigsy yelling loudly, and knew that the opportunity was not to be missed.

He was still recovering from serious injuries and moved slowly, but his will to survive overwhelmed everything. Enduring the excruciating pain all over his body, he transformed back into his original form and quietly twisted his body, slipping into the deep ravine and among the rocks. Using the terrain as cover, he actually managed to escape.

Sun Wukong flew into the air and used his Fiery Eyes of Truth to search carefully.

With the python demon severely injured, how could it completely conceal its demonic aura and the stench of blood? In just a moment, Sun Wukong locked onto the direction it fled, which was towards a damp, deep valley to the south.

"Where do you think you're going!" Sun Wukong shouted, transforming into a golden light and giving chase.

The python demon was hiding in a secluded cave, licking its wounds, still shaken. It was filled with resentment, hating Nezha for almost killing it, hating Sun Wukong for taking it as a laborer, and hating its own bad luck. It was plotting how to heal its wounds and then seek revenge.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from outside the cave, followed by a deafening explosion of the massive rock at the cave entrance! A blinding golden light flashed as an iron rod came crashing down upon them!

"Sun Wukong!" The python demon was terrified and only had time to let out a scream before the golden cudgel struck its old wound squarely on its seven-inch spot!

With this strike, unleashed by Sun Wukong in a fit of rage, what power was it? A sickeningly loud "crack" was heard as the python demon's enormous head, along with half of its body, was instantly smashed to pieces, splattering foul-smelling blood everywhere. The mangled body twitched twice before falling completely silent.

Sun Wukong shook his staff in disgust, then set fire to the remains, burning them to ashes. He spat, "Pah! In your next life, remember to be a good boy!" With that, he flashed with golden light and returned to Tang Sanzang.

....................

On the other side, above the sea of ​​clouds, a gust of wind brushed against one's face.

Wrapped in the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon), Bai Yeying leaned against Nezha, fiddling with the jade medicine box. A drop of the shimmering white ointment touched her fingertip; the cool sensation made her squint comfortably. She applied the ointment to the slightly reddened area between her thumb and forefinger, and the stinging pain was immediately relieved.

"This medicine is really effective." She looked up, her eyes curving into crescents. "Thank you, Third Prince!"

Nezha looked ahead, riding his Wind Fire Wheels through the clouds, and simply grunted in response.

After Bai Yeying finished applying the medicine and put the small box into her bosom, she finally had the leisure to look back, but Huang Fengling was already out of sight.

"I wonder if the Great Sage has found Tang Sanzang yet," she murmured. "That Yellow Wind Monster was taken away by the Bodhisattva; he shouldn't cause trouble again, right?"

She paused, then suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Nezha, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with curiosity: "By the way, Third Prince, do you think Lingji Bodhisattva knows that I am also..." She pointed to herself, the meaning was clear, that she was also a rat-like fugitive from Mount Ling.

Nezha glanced at her sideways, somewhat speechless: "So what if I know?"

"Then, what if she takes me along too..." Bai Yeying shrank her neck and made a grabbing gesture.

"He doesn't have the time for that." Nezha withdrew his gaze. "You're not important enough for a Bodhisattva to make a special trip for you."

Bai Yeying: "................."

Although this sounds a bit harsh, it seems to be true? She was just a little mouse who secretly slipped down to the mortal realm and at most stole some incense and candles. Compared to the Yellow Wind Monster, who stole the Buddha's oil and dared to act like a king and tyrant, obstructing the journey to the West, her crime seemed much lighter.

Wait a minute! They all seem the same? But she's not afraid anymore, she has a powerful backer now.

She cheered up again and began to ramble on about the battle: "That was really fun today! That Yellow Wind Monster's Samadhi Divine Wind was really powerful. I was almost stunned by it at first, but thankfully the Water Spirit Orb kept me calm. Next time I encounter something that can blow wind like that, I think I can do this first... then that..."

She gestured animatedly, speaking with great enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the slight furrowing of the boy beside her and the hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Noisy.

Nezha made his own assessment, but the speed of his Wind Fire Wheels did not increase; instead, it slowed down.

After Bai Yeying finished speaking, she noticed that the direction of the Wind and Fire Wheels did not seem to be towards Trapped Sky Mountain.

"Third Prince, where are we going?" Bai Yeying asked curiously, the night breeze blowing her wisps of hair across her forehead.

Nezha did not answer, but landed on a hillside overlooking a deep pool, covered with spiritual flowers.

The Heavenly Silk ribbon loosened, and Bai Yeying stood firm, looking around. She saw that the pool water was as black as ink, reflecting the starry sky and a bright moon. The surroundings were quiet and deserted, with only the faint chirping of insects.

"You're covered in dust from the fight," Nezha finally spoke, his gaze sweeping over her dust-stained skirt. "It's quiet here."

Bai Yeying blinked, then suddenly understood. He brought her here to tidy up and give her a rest?

She walked to the edge of the pool, scooped up a handful of spring water to wash her face, and the coolness dispelled some of her fatigue.

Nezha stood a few steps away, his back to her, gazing at the distant mountain shadows. Under the moonlight, his red robes lost some of their daytime intensity and gained a touch of serenity.

The night breeze ruffled his hair and red ribbon, and his tall, straight back under the starry sky inexplicably made Bai Yeying feel at ease and couldn't take her eyes off him.

After washing up, Bai Yeying snuggled up to him and, imitating him, sat down on a large rock with her knees drawn up to her chest, looking up at the stars.

"Where do we go next? Back to Trapped Sky Mountain?"

Nezha then turned his head and looked down at her. The moonlight fell into his eyes, clear and cool, yet seemingly gentler than usual: "In a hurry to go back?"