I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Inside the teahouse, the dim light illuminated Ning Chen's furrowed brows.

He sat cross-legged on the stone bed, and the faces of the Jade Emperor, Zhang Tianshi, Qing'er, Sun Rongrong, and others flashed before his eyes.

Can one person fight against the Heavenly Court?

This idea itself is like a mayfly trying to shake a tree; even if you think about it, you feel there is no possibility at all, and you can only see endless despair.

"Junior brother, what's troubling you?"

The senior brother's unique voice broke the silence in the teahouse.

Ning Chen opened his eyes and saw that his senior brother, the monkey, had stopped meditating at some point.

He tilted his head, his golden eyes fixed intently on the unyielding solemnity on Ning Chen's face.

"Look at you, all gloomy and miserable! Which thief bullied you? Tell me, now that your cultivation has improved, I'll definitely get revenge for you!"

Monkey King still had that carefree, jovial look, as if he could be used as a blanket even if the sky were to fall.

Ning Chen looked at his senior brother, his golden eyes filled with concern.

He exhaled a long breath and recounted the question he had asked Sun Wukong in front of the patriarch's cave, omitting the specific person in question, to Sun Wukong exactly as he had asked.

Finally, he looked into his senior brother's eyes and asked.

"Senior brother, if it were you facing the overwhelming power of the heavens, knowing it was futile, what choice would you make?"

The playful smile on Sun Wukong's face slowly faded, and he revealed a rare serious expression.

He didn't answer Ning Chen's question immediately, but instead looked up at the deep night sky outside the window, his tone unusually clear, like the dawn of creation.

You mean me?

The monkey chuckled, but there was a hint of desolation in its laughter.

"I am just a stubborn rock on the top of Huaguo Mountain, born and raised by heaven and earth. I have no father or mother, and no relatives or friends. The only people in this world that I care about are the few people on Fangcun Mountain and those good-for-nothing monkeys and their offspring on Huaguo Mountain."

He paused, then stared directly at Ning Chen with his golden eyes.

"To have come this far, to have become a disciple of the Patriarch, and to have learned such extraordinary skills is already an immense blessing. After eating the peaches of immortality given to me by my junior brother, I have already glimpsed the path to longevity. From now on, every day I live is a bonus! I want to see more of the wonders of this world, and I also want to protect those I want to protect. If you ask me what my choice is?"

Sun Wukong's gaze was like lightning as he looked up at the endless sky outside the window.

"All I know is that if I'm resentful and my mind isn't clear, I don't care about heaven or hell, or even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I'll fight them all! I act only according to my conscience, never caring about any of that nonsense of gain or loss! If I can win, I'll fight; if I can't, I'll still fight! If I fight to my heart's content, even death will be worthwhile!"

What a lawless and unruly monkey!

When Ning Chen heard his senior brother's heartfelt words, it felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind!

Monkey King possessed a childlike heart rooted in the very essence of heaven and earth, and a pure Daoist spirit of courage, diligence, and unbridled pursuit of knowledge.

In an instant, all his hesitation and weighing of options vanished!

Yes!

All I ever wanted was to learn martial arts at Fangcun Mountain and find a way to make a living.

What about now?

He not only became a disciple of the Bodhi Patriarch and began to develop supernatural powers, but also formed a connection with the Little Dragon Girl of the West Sea Dragon Palace and had a grand ambition to change the fate of the Monkey King!

They even had to face the incredibly difficult eighty-one tribulations!

All of this has far exceeded his initial expectations!

People change. If he can't even protect a naive and innocent baby girl that he brought into this world with his own hands.

How can one's own mind be perfectly harmonious and unobstructed?

How can we dare to say that we can shake the already predetermined calamity of the Journey to the West, or change our senior brother's predetermined fate?

If you can't protect Qing'er, how can you protect Brother Monkey?

If you can't even protect the person in front of you, how can you talk about protecting the Dao and all living beings, or transcending the invisible net of heaven and earth?

boom!

After figuring all this out, Ning Chen felt as if an invisible shackle was shattering inch by inch within his body!

An unprecedented sense of clarity surged forth from the depths of my soul!

All hesitation and deliberation vanished at this moment, replaced by an almost transparent clarity and determination!

Ning Chen suddenly jumped off the stone bed, his eyes shining brightly, no longer showing any confusion!

Ning Chen bowed solemnly to Sun Wukong.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother! I understand now!"

Monkey King scratched his head, looking quite puzzled. "I didn't say anything, so what has Junior Brother realized this time?"

My junior brother's comprehension is terrifying!

While he was pondering, Ning Chen transformed into a golden streak of light, unleashing the Golden Light of Leaping Earth, soaring into the sky and heading straight for the Ancestral Master's cave.

The stone gate to the cave remained tightly closed, bathed in the soft, clear light.

Before Ning Chen could speak, the patriarch's calm and serene voice pierced through the stone door and resounded in his heart.

"Since your mind is made up, then go."

Ning Chen felt a warmth in his heart; the patriarch truly knew everything.

Just as he was about to take his leave, the patriarch's voice came again, carrying a profound meaning of guiding him through his confusion.

"Wuchen, remember my words: even with the power of a dragon, you can still borrow the force of wind and thunder. Do not be reckless and fight alone."

Fearing he wouldn't understand, the patriarch gave an example.

"Back then, during the Investiture of the Gods, what was Jiang Shang's cultivation level? What was his talent? Yet he skillfully borrowed the power of the world and made good use of the strengths of everyone, ultimately stirring up the winds and clouds and establishing the world. In this Fangcun Mountain, your many senior brothers are all extraordinary individuals, and they may very well be able to lend you a hand. The key lies in how you borrow and utilize that power."

The Jiang Shang mentioned by the patriarch is actually Jiang Ziya. This person has limited talent and no hope of becoming an immortal.

However, relying on his strategic skills, he assisted the wise ruler King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, in overthrowing the Shang dynasty and defeating the immortals of the Jie Sect, thus defeating King Zhou's army.

After the great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, he even acted as the deity in charge of the Investiture of the Gods, and by order of the Jade Void, he bestowed titles upon 365 righteous gods.

Ultimately, for his meritorious service in defeating King Zhou and participating in the Investiture of the Gods, he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Qi by King Wu of Zhou, granted land in Yingqiu, and ranked above the Five Marquises and Nine Earls, thus enjoying worldly wealth and honor.

If someone with no hope of becoming an immortal can hold his own against a Golden Immortal under the Tongtian Sect Master, why can't I, with my Void Returning cultivation, compete with that old Jade Emperor?

Upon hearing the patriarch's words, Ning Chen felt a sudden sense of clarity!

The patriarch is teaching him the strategies for victory!

I am not alone!

Moreover, the patriarch clearly stated that he could borrow the power of his senior brother from Fangcun Mountain, which greatly helped him.

Among the senior brothers of the Guang and Da generations, there are many talents like Senior Brother Dayan. If they are used well, there is something that can be accomplished!

Ning Chen bowed deeply.

"This disciple will heed the teachings of the Patriarch! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

There was no further response from inside the stone gate.

Time was of the essence, and Ning Chen had many things to plan, so he dared not linger and quickly turned and left.

Inside the cave, the patriarch slightly opened his eyes, a look of approval on his face.

Ning Chen was the first to find Senior Brother Dayan.

Although his senior brother's cultivation level wasn't top-notch, he had extensive connections and his information network spanned the entire world.

Ning Chen bowed respectfully.

"Senior Brother Dayan, I have a matter to ask of you, it's extremely urgent! Please, Senior Brother, be sure to deliver one message to one person!"

Upon hearing who Ning was referring to, Senior Brother Dayan looked troubled and hesitated.

"However, I have only met this person once. He is aloof and arrogant, and I fear it will be difficult to communicate with him..."