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

Seeing Ning Chen turn to leave, Nezha rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother Ning, please wait!"

Nezha's handsome face was full of pleading.

"These child soldiers... are all orphans who lost their parents because of me during the flood at Chentang Pass. Their talents are limited, and they have no hope of achieving great things..."

Nezha pointed to the group of somewhat immature soldiers in the clouds, his voice lowered.

"The Heavenly Court dislikes their innate talent and has not approved them for a formal position for thousands of years. But if they make meritorious contributions in this battle, I will have a reason to let them join the ranks of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals and receive the salary of the Heavenly Court."

Nezha cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his face full of sincerity.

"For this mission, the Heavenly Court is also rewarding you with a Three-Turn Golden Pill personally refined by Laozi. Consuming it will increase your cultivation by five hundred years! As long as you return victorious, all the mission rewards will belong to Brother Ning!"

Three-stage Golden Elixir?

Ning Chen's heart stirred. The efficacy of the elixir produced by Laozi was undoubtedly beyond question.

He is already at the Dao Integration Realm, and should be slowly accumulating experience and comprehending the laws of heaven and earth in order to have a chance to advance to the Mahayana Realm.

This process could take anywhere from ten years to a hundred or a thousand years.

To say that he has cultivated for a thousand years is quite an achievement. Many demons in the mortal realm have already established their own sects with a thousand years of cultivation.

However, because his cultivation time was too short, progressing through each stage in a year, he failed to properly observe many subtle aspects of cultivation. Now, no matter how much his cultivation level increases, his realm remains unchanged.

However, as far as Ning Chen knew, there was another way: to consume various rare and precious herbs and accumulate a large amount of cultivation, and then forcefully break through the realm!

Marshal Tianpeng once described himself in this way.

I was born with a clumsy nature, and I am always lazy and fond of leisure.

Without cultivating one's nature and practicing spiritual cultivation, one's mind is clouded by chaos, and one wastes time passing the days.

Suddenly, I encountered a true immortal in my leisure time, and we sat down and talked about the cold and warmth.

They advised me to turn back from my mortal ways and not fall into depravity, lest I harm life and create boundless sins.

When the time comes for them to die, they will suffer endless regrets in the eight evil paths and three mortal realms.

Hearing words, one's mind should be guided to cultivate oneself; hearing words, one's heart should turn inward to seek the profound secrets.

If you are fortunate enough to be accepted as my teacher, I will immediately acknowledge you as my master and guide you through the gates of heaven and the gates of earth.

Having received the Nine-Turn Great Elixir, he practiced diligently day and night without ceasing.

From the Niwan Palace at the top of the head to the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of the foot.

The kidney water circulates into the Jade Pool, nourishing the Dantian with warmth.

Infants and girls are paired with yin and yang, lead and mercury are combined to divide the sun and moon.

The dragon and tiger are harmonized, and the spirit turtle absorbs all the blood of the golden crow.

When the three flowers gather at the top, they return to their root; when the five elements converge, they achieve complete understanding.

When one's merits are complete and one's deeds are fulfilled, one ascends to heaven, where celestial beings come to greet one another.

What I mean is that I, Old Pig, was originally lazy by nature, but suddenly received guidance from a great being, which inspired me to pursue the Dao. Subsequently, this great being bestowed upon me the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill, and after cultivating for a few years, I ascended directly to immortality.

Even a lazybones like Zhu Bajie could ascend directly after obtaining a Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill. With his current aptitude, if he had the assistance of pills, what difficulty would it be for him to reach the Heavenly Immortal Realm?

Seeing Ning Chen pause slightly, Nezha pressed his advantage and added another bet.

"From now on, Brother Ning, if you ever need my services, as long as it doesn't violate the Heavenly Laws or involve any illegal or criminal activities, Nezha will obey your every command three times! I will face any danger without hesitation!"

With his back to Nezha's handsome face, Ning Chen couldn't help but let a slight smile curl up at the corners of his mouth.

Five hundred years of cultivation!

The Third Prince's favor!

Three summons!

You little scorpion demon and snake demon, prepare to die!

Huh?

Ning Chen was suddenly slightly surprised. He knew a Third Prince, Little White Dragon, in the West Sea, and now he knew another Third Prince, Nezha, here.

Why do I always seem to target the Third Prince for his money?

Am I destined to be connected with the Third Prince?

Does anyone else have a third prince?

"Brother Zha, what are you doing!"

Ning Chen suddenly turned around, a smile as warm as a spring breeze spreading across his face. He cupped his hands in greeting and said earnestly.

"Exorcising demons and upholding justice is our duty. I was merely testing your resolve to eliminate demons!"

Ning Chen's gaze swept over the 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, and he waved his hand.

"Let's get going without delay!"

Nezha was stunned by Ning Chen's rapid change of expression.

"All troops, listen to my command! Target: Beiju Luzhou..."

A scattered force of 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, riding auspicious clouds, sped towards the Northern Continent of Julu.

........

Sun Wukong rode his somersault cloud, soaring over the mountains and rivers of Dongsheng Shenzhou.

The outline of Huaguo Mountain became clearer and clearer under the clouds, and the familiar roar of the Water Curtain Cave waterfall could be faintly heard.

Wukong couldn't help but sigh, remembering how it had taken him more than a decade to finally reach Fangcun Mountain after his voyage to seek the Dao.

Today, he has achieved great success and returned to his hometown in just over half a day. All the hardships and dangers he has overcome over the years have not been in vain.

Sun Wukong descended from the clouds and landed on the giant rock in front of the Water Curtain Cave. He took a deep breath and shouted loudly.

"My children! Your old grandson is back!"

This long, powerful roar was like thunder rolling across the sky above Flower Fruit Mountain.

In an instant, the once tranquil mountain forest erupted in chaos!

Countless golden, brown, and gray figures darted out from the woods and streamsides, their chattering monkey calls converging into a deafening wave of cheers that swept across the entire mountain.

"It's the King! The King has returned!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Monkeys and their offspring, old and young, male and female, swarmed towards the Water Curtain Cave like a tide.

Many of the older monkeys were moved to tears, while the younger monkeys, born in recent years, crowded at the front with curiosity and excitement, eager to get a good look at the legendary, all-powerful Monkey King.

Looking at the countless monkeys and their offspring before him, even with his lively and unrestrained nature, Monkey King couldn't help but feel a heavy sense of responsibility welling up in his heart.

Where are Marshals Ma and Liu?

Two red-bottomed macaques pushed through the troop and knelt at the feet of the monkey king.

"Your Majesty has returned! This old monkey has failed to greet you from afar; please forgive me!"

"It doesn't matter. How many monkeys and their offspring are there in the mountains right now?"

"More than 47,000 people!"

After Monkey King and Ning Chen returned last time, they selected two marshals and two generals, and were protected by martial arts such as the Golden Bell Cover.

"The monkey troop has grown stronger day by day over the years," the two marshals replied, bowing their heads.

Sun Wukong nodded to himself.

"In just four years, their numbers have increased considerably."

He recalled the consequences his junior brother Ning Chen had mentioned before their parting: all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens coveted his Flower Fruit Mountain and gave him two true scriptures.

"After you return to Flower Fruit Mountain, senior brother, you can choose a monkey with a pure heart and decent physique to teach you this skill. It will strengthen your muscles and bones, enough to protect you..."

Upon thinking of this, Sun Wukong's eyes narrowed. If used properly, the mountain full of monkeys and their offspring could be a force not to be underestimated.

Junior brother is right. All these gods and Buddhas are full of poison. If we have no power to protect ourselves, today's joyous gathering will turn into tomorrow's blood-stained hills!

"My lords!"

Sun Wukong's loud voice silenced the clamor that filled the mountain.

He carried the golden cudgel on his shoulder and surveyed the monkeys.

"When I, Old Sun, returned this time, I saw you all frolicking in the mountains and forests, having a great time! However, Heaven and Earth are ruthless; the strong prey on the weak! If you do not have any skills to protect yourself, when a powerful enemy comes to invade one day, you will be lambs to the slaughter!"