Journey to the West: I am the fiercest bird under Bodhi's seat

"This is what I call 'taking'!" the bull demon sneered. "When you stormed the Heavenly Court and caused trouble in Tushita Heaven, that was real stealing!"

Wukong, too lazy to argue, coldly snorted, "Even if you've eaten the elixir of immortality, you still can't escape my grasp!"

Even a Taiyi Golden Immortal is still just a Taiyi. Even after consuming a divine elixir, there's still a vast chasm between them and a Daluo Golden Immortal!

Before he could finish speaking, Wukong flashed forward and closed in an instant, his golden cudgel crashing down with the force of thunder!

The bull demon's pupils constricted sharply, and he hastily raised his arm—raising the circle above his head!

boom!!!

A deafening roar shattered the void as the golden cudgel slammed heavily onto the circle. A ring of golden light suddenly burst forth, rippling like water, completely dissipating the immense force!

Wukong's wrist jerked, and his entire arm went numb; the force of his staff was completely neutralized!

"What the hell?!" His heart pounded, and he was shocked.

In that moment of stunned silence, the bull demon's left fist suddenly shot out, accompanied by wind and thunder, and slammed hard into Wukong's chest!

Bang-!

Caught off guard, Wukong was shot backward like a cannonball, retreating more than a hundred feet before barely managing to regain his footing. His chest burned with pain, and his face turned ashen!

"You beast!" he gritted his teeth, raised his hand to form a hand seal, and shouted fiercely.

"Certainly!"

A hum resounded in the void, and a beam of white light shot out—it was the Immobilization Spell! It was specifically designed to counter those with lower cultivation levels and had never been able to be broken!

The bull demon froze, unable to move as expected!

Before Wukong could even catch his breath, the circle shone with golden light once more, and trembled slightly—

click!

The immobilization spell was broken instantly!

"Hahahaha!" The bull demon roared with laughter, holding a ring in one hand and a spear in the other, striding forward with murderous intent. "With the Vajra Bracelet protecting you, so what if you're a Great Luo Immortal?!"

Before he could finish speaking, they had already attacked again!

With the appearance of the Vajra Bracelet, the Green Ox immediately gained confidence and his fighting spirit soared.

Seeing his deadly attack approaching, Wukong swung his golden cudgel without hesitation. But the golden cudgel possessed overwhelming divine power; with a flash of light, the golden cudgel seemed to lose its strength in mid-air, its power completely dissipated, and it drooped limply to the ground.

The Green Ox fought with increasing ferocity, his spear flashing wildly amidst swirling yellow sand and raining down spear shadows. In the blink of an eye, he had stabbed Wukong several times. Fortunately, the Monkey King had a deep foundation, was superior to him, and was protected by the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, so he wasn't pierced through.

But if you keep taking hits without fighting back, your monkey nature will eventually become unbearable.

"Ugh! I'm so angry!"

With a roar, Wukong took the spear head-on, using the momentum to retreat a thousand feet. The moment he landed, he slammed his golden cudgel into the ground and shouted:

"Big big!"

In an instant, the staff swelled, shooting straight into the sky, a thousand-foot-long giant staff rising into the air, blotting out the sun. The monkey leaped up and kicked out fiercely—

boom!

The giant club crashed down with earth-shattering force, causing the heavens and earth to tremble.

The green ox remained calm and composed, suddenly tossing the Vajra Bracelet into the air.

call out--

The bracelet hovered in mid-air, a flash of golden light appearing before it contracted into a wheel, rapidly expanding to half the size of a person in the blink of an eye. A central vortex emerged, and a terrifying suction force suddenly erupted.

The thousand-foot-long golden cudgel shook violently in mid-air, slipping out of control, as if being pulled by an invisible giant hand, and slowly flew towards the golden bracelet.

Wukong was in a great hurry. He gripped the staff tightly with both hands, his muscles bulging and veins throbbing, but he still couldn't resist the gravity that devoured everything.

"Hahaha! This broken stick of yours is mine now!" Green Ox laughed wildly, extremely proud.

Indeed, the Vajra Bracelet was forged by the Supreme Dao Ancestor with unparalleled merit. Although it is a treasure acquired later in life, it can overcome all divine weapons in the world. No matter how high the monkey's cultivation level is, he would still be helpless against this magic weapon.

This is the advantage of having a powerful backer. The Green Ox was merely a mount, yet wielding a sacred artifact, it could overwhelm the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, making him breathless.

Just like Ye Feng, who held the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand and did not move an inch, everyone in the Three Realms knew who stood behind him—the Bodhi Patriarch.

Whether it's the Jade Emperor or Buddha, who would dare to offend them easily? They might not show them any respect openly, but they would have to think twice before doing so behind their backs. If they really angered that reclusive sage, no one could cover it up.

Right now, the suction force of the Vajra Bracelet is becoming increasingly violent. Wukong's arms are going numb, his face is turning purple, and he is almost being pulled in himself.

"This thing is outrageous!"

He was anxious but had no solution.

Little did they know, this Vajra Bracelet was inherently extraordinary. It was infinitely changeable, impervious to water and fire, and unharmed by any magic. It was especially effective at capturing divine weapons. Back in the Journey to the West, the Green Ox used it to sweep through the Heavenly Court, forcing all the immortals to shut themselves away. In the end, even Laozi had to personally intervene to subdue it.

No wonder the Jade Emperor, after calculating with his fingers, shook his head and said, "No one in Heaven can control him except Ye Feng."

At this moment, Wukong gritted his teeth and persevered, but finally exhausted himself, and his fingers loosened—

Finished!

His heart sank; he knew defeat was inevitable. If even the Golden Cudgel couldn't subdue him, what use were fists and kicks?

It's one thing to lose, but the real problem is the embarrassment. They boasted so much beforehand, only to be completely outmatched in just a few rounds.

The only hope now is whether Liu Er can rescue Tang Sanzang.

Just as the golden cudgel was about to be sucked into the golden bracelet, a crack appeared in the sky, and seven-colored celestial light poured down!

"Senior brother is here!"

Wukong perked up and looked up.

The void twisted, and Ye Feng arrived stepping on light, his bamboo staff lightly raised, his expression calm.

He slightly raised his wrist, and a waterfall of seven-colored light cascaded down, gently brushing it—

boom!

The golden bracelet trembled violently, its suction force dissipated, and the golden cudgel slammed back to the ground with a thud. Immediately afterward, the bracelet went out of control and flew up, swept away by a seven-colored light, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The Seven Treasures Tree is a supreme innate treasure, an instrument wielded by sages. How could it be compared to a mere acquired magical artifact? Even the powerful Vajra Bracelet would have to bow down before it.

Of course, if Laozi himself were to come, that would be a different story.

The green ox stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as its reliance vanished. It looked up at Ye Feng, then caught sight of the bamboo staff, and its pupils constricted, its voice trembling:

"You...you're shameless! You're cheating!"

As Laozi's mount, how could he not recognize the Seven Treasures Tree? Upon recognizing it at a glance, his blood rushed to his head and his eyes turned bloodshot.

Unfortunately, Ye Feng never wastes words.

With a single finger, it was made silently.

The blue ox felt a sharp pain in the back of its head, its vision went black, and it collapsed with a thud, almost fainting on the spot.

Wukong looked up and laughed, grinning, "Brother, you didn't trick me this time. You're a good friend."

Ye Feng glanced at him sideways, too lazy to pay him any attention.

Just then, figures moved at the entrance of the Golden Gourd Cave, and several figures slowly walked out—it was Liu Er who had rescued Tang Sanzang and the others.

Everyone looked up and saw the Green Ox lying on the ground, its demonic aura completely dissipated, knowing that this calamity had passed. The fact that Ye Feng had saved them was no longer surprising; the master and his disciples tacitly raised their heads and bowed in greeting from afar.

"Thank God for his help."

Ye Feng nodded slightly.

"No need for such formalities."

"You stupid ox, I'll beat you to a pulp today!" Wukong was furious. He grabbed his golden cudgel and strode toward the limp ox on the ground.

"Great Sage, spare my life!" The green ox trembled, its voice trembling.

But Wukong didn't care about any of that. He glanced back at Ye Feng and, seeing that the other party had no intention of stopping him, immediately swung his golden cudgel and smashed it down hard!

however--

At this moment, Ye Feng looked up at the sky with a calm expression, as if he had already expected everything.

Sure enough, a beam of clear light split open in the sky, and the celestial radiance of Taiqing poured down. Without further ado, Laozi arrived.

In an instant, heaven and earth froze, time and space were frozen, and the golden cudgel hung in mid-air, motionless.

A melodious sound came from beyond the heavens, accompanied by a light dust mote, and Laozi arrived riding on a cloud.

"Monkey, spare his life."

The words were merely a formality. Since he had come in person, how could he allow anyone else to make a move?

Lao Jun landed and turned his gaze to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng was also looking at him.

This was the first time he had faced the Supreme Dao Ancestor directly, and the second sage he had seen after Bodhi. Though an incarnation, the sage possessed divine power.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Ye Feng dared not presume and bowed respectfully.

Laozi smiled and bowed in return: "God, there's no need for such formalities. This ox is my mount, and its misbehavior in the mortal realm is indeed due to my oversight."

"You flatter me too much," Ye Feng replied calmly. The two exchanged a glance, both understanding each other perfectly, and smiled at each other.

Wukong had already bounced up and approached Laozi, speaking in a cheeky tone, "Your Majesty, your mount has run away to the mortal realm and even captured the chosen ones on their pilgrimage. Aren't you being a little too lax in disciplining it?"

This monkey is quite bold and quick-witted. Knowing that old grievances are hard to dredge up, it simply went straight to the point and used the opportunity to hold someone accountable.

Laozi was not angry. He stroked his beard and sighed, "I have been away from the palace recently, leaving only a young boy to guard it. Who knew that the boy would secretly take the elixir of immortality and fall into a deep sleep? This allowed the Green Ox to take the opportunity to steal the Vajra Bracelet and descend to the mortal realm without permission, causing this disaster."

"I see." Wukong scratched his head, nodded, and didn't ask any more questions.

Ye Feng, standing to the side, chuckled inwardly: This monkey is really easy to fool.

If what Laozi said is true, then it's too much of a coincidence—the gatekeeper just happened to eat the elixir that puts people to sleep? Not only did the Green Ox escape, but it also stole the Vajra Bracelet?

Under the very nose of a sage, how could a beast possibly sneak away and escape with the pirate treasure? Nobody would believe that.

He knew perfectly well that all of this was clearly arranged by Laozi. He used the journey to the West to set up tribulations and difficulties, just to gain some incense offerings and merits.

However... when a saint acts in disguise, he naturally won't be as unrestrained as his true self. He leaves some flaws to ensure his actions are legitimate.

That smile just now meant that we both saw through each other, but we didn't say anything.

You experience your tribulations, I'll overcome mine; you accumulate your virtues, I'll earn my merits. Each gets what they need, and everyone is happy.

Now the truth is clear.

Feeling ashamed, the blue ox revealed its true form, transforming into a blue-haired water buffalo, lying prostrate on the ground, too afraid to move.

The four-person pilgrimage group packed their belongings and prepared to set off.

Ye Feng also turned to leave, bowing respectfully to Laozi: "Your Excellency, farewell."

If my foot slips, I'll have to run away.

Unexpectedly, a soft voice called out from behind: "God, wait a minute, you can't take that Universe Ring with you."

Ye Feng paused, a slight chill running through him.

Sure enough, the old man still remembered.

He had just used the Seven Treasures Tree to collect the Universe Ring, intending to steal it, but his plan failed, and he could only sigh inwardly.

"Truly worthy of being called a saint."

Although Laozi is an incarnation, he is a sage, omniscient and omnipotent, and understands everything that his thoughts lead him to. Mere hidden thoughts are as naked as nakedness before him.

Compared to the half-baked supernatural powers of Di Ting, it's like comparing heaven and earth.

All aspects of human life are contained within this game of chess.

What was forbidden in the Tushita Palace five hundred years ago, is still forbidden to touch today.

Although his thoughts had been seen through, Ye Feng remained unfazed. Instead, he feigned surprise and slapped his forehead.

"Oh dear, look at my memory, I completely forgot about that."

As he spoke, Ye Feng took out the Vajra Bracelet, tossed it casually, and it flew straight towards Laozi.

Lao Jun caught it steadily, a slight smile playing on his lips, but he didn't reveal anything. He simply nodded gently to Ye Feng and Wukong, then turned and mounted the green ox. Amidst the swirling clouds, he soared into the sky, his figure gradually disappearing into the horizon.

After he walked away, Wukong scratched his head and shook his head repeatedly, "Ah, what a pity, what a real pity."

The conversation was, of course, still about the diamond bracelet.

Ye Feng remained calm and smiled faintly: "What's there to regret? In the eyes of a sage, all living beings are like dust, like ants."

Upon hearing this, the monkey fell silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with longing: "Senior brother, when do you think... we'll be able to attain sainthood?"

Ye Feng glanced at him sideways and sneered, "With your cultivation level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, you still want to become a saint? The position of saint is an opportunity that only comes once in countless eons! When that day comes, even the Jade Emperor and Buddha will be lining up. Do you think it'll be our turn?"

"Senior brother, you can't say that." For once, the monkey shook his head, his tone unusually serious. "As for me, I guess I have no hope. But you're different—I think you can definitely succeed."

Ye Feng was secretly pleased, thinking to himself that this monkey really trusted him to an extreme degree.

But who doesn't like to hear that?