Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"Unfortunately, I didn't manage to break through to the Saint Realm of the Heavenly Dao, otherwise, no matter how many clones of the Nether River's Blood God there were, it wouldn't be enough for my World-Crushing Golden Wheel to slaughter!"

With a somewhat regretful sigh, the Yama Heavenly Son turned his head and focused his gaze on the Asura Demon King, Sovereign Mara Papiyas, who was trying to slip away, and Sun Wukong, who was busy breaking the barrier on the pond with his Void-Breaking Divine Eye. His expression was a mix of smiling and not smiling, "What about you? Thinking of fleeing as well?"

"Your Majesty, spare my life please!"

The legs of the Asura Demon King, Sovereign Mara Papiyas, gave way, and he directly knelt down. Sun Wukong disdainfully spat, thinking this guy was truly spineless. He hadn't even done much, and he was already kowtowing and begging for mercy. Sun Wukong had previously thought well of him, which now seemed like a foolish mistake!

"He's already kowtowing and pleading for mercy. Why aren't you pleading? Aren't you afraid of me?"

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A hint of contempt flashed in the eyes of the Yama Heavenly Son as he shifted his gaze from Sovereign Mara Papiyas to Sun Wukong, asking with interest.

"Afraid? Why should I be afraid? Old Sun has no old grudges or recent disputes with you, and we're both from the Demon Clan, so would you really attack Old Sun for no reason?"

Sun Wukong shrugged his shoulders, his face a picture of innocence and fearlessness.

"Truly unprovoked, was it not you who deliberately woke me up just now?"

The Yama Heavenly Son sneered, sounding like he was holding someone accountable, but Sun Wukong did not sense any intent to kill from his words. After all, he consistently referred to himself as "I," not using "this seat," right?

"Well, Old Sun's cultivation is too low to defeat that old ghost from the Nether River. Fortunately, I sensed that Senior Yama was awakening, so I took the liberty of bringing you out a little earlier. If I have offended you, please don't hold it against Old Sun, hehe!" Sun Wukong scratched his head and chuckled.

"You're quite honest!"

"Of course! Old Sun always speaks straightforwardly in front of real people. I never deceive or hide the truth from friends!"

Sun Wukong unapologetically accepted the compliment from the Yama Heavenly Son, nodding his head in agreement with a look of approval.

"Friend?"

A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Yama Heavenly Son, "You consider me a friend? Knowing who I am, you dare to be friends with me?"

"Why not?"

Sun Wukong raised an eyebrow, "Old Sun makes friends without regard for status or rank — if our spirits align, that's good enough. You just gave that old ghost from the Nether River a good thrashing on behalf of Old Sun. If you don't mind, Old Sun would really like to make friends with you!"

"Interesting! You really are interesting, boy! So bold — I like that!"

The usually cold face of the Yama Heavenly Son showed a hint of a smile, and he descended from mid-air to land in front of Sun Wukong. After sizing him up a bit, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, "The aura on you is quite strange, not like someone from my Netherworld. How did you end up here, and even provoke that old ghost from the Nether River?"

"Well, that's a long story. The situation is like this..."

Sun Wukong didn't conceal anything and briefly described the circumstances after he had been taken to the Netherworld by the Soul-Reaping Messenger. Since the Netherworld was created by the Yama Heavenly Son himself, it was better to tell him directly rather than letting the Ten Yama Kings add their own embellishments.

Sun Wukong's troubles were already enough, and he didn't want to provoke a powerful foe like the Yama Heavenly Son. Although he wasn't fearful, being on good terms with a Half-Step Saint like the Yama Heavenly Son was definitely better than being enemies.

"So that's how it is!"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's story, the Yama Heavenly Son nodded. He could tell that Sun Wukong wasn't lying. The young man's experiences were indeed unique, and his courage was truly admirable!

"King Qin Guang dared to abuse the powers of the Human Book to seal both realms? What audacity! It seems in my absence these past years, some people have really grown bolder. It's time to put the Netherworld in order!"

A cold light flashed in the eyes of the Yama Heavenly Son. He abruptly raised his hand. Just as the Asura Demon King, Sovereign Mara Papiyas, was trying to slip away quietly, his figure froze, trapped in place, feeling the space around him compressing endlessly, which made him cry out in panic, "Your Majesty, spare my life! Forgive me! I won't run, I won't run anymore!"

"Wukong, my little brother, how do you think I should deal with this fellow from the Asura Tribe?" the Yama Heavenly Son asked, looking towards Sun Wukong.

"How to deal with it? If it were I, Sun Wukong, there would only be one word, kill!"

Sun Wukong glanced at Sovereign Mara Papiyas, who was pleadingly looking at him. He felt a surge of revulsion and spoke without hesitation. The enmities he had formed with the Nether River ancestor and the Asura Tribe were already irreconcilable. Of course, he could not allow the tiger to return to the mountain.

Killing Sovereign Mara Papiyas was equivalent to cutting off one of the Nether River ancestor's arms. Should they meet in battle again in the future, this would weaken the enemy's strength in advance.

"Sun Wukong, you damned monkey, even as a ghost I will not let you go!"

As Sun Wukong said this, Yama Heavenly Son nodded deeply, agreeing. He clenched his hand that was stretched toward Sovereign Mara Papiyas and a massive spatial pressure crushed down fiercely on him. Desperate to struggle, Sovereign Mara Papiyas was too late to react. With a miserable scream, he was completely obliterated, leaving no trace.

"Six Paths of Reincarnation!"

With a thought, Sun Wukong manifested the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms in front of him, sucking in a glowing orb that emerged from the crushed body of Sovereign Mara Papiyas. It was the Soul's True Spirit of Sovereign Mara Papiyas. Without hesitation, he activated the Power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

As the Six Paths turned, they instantly obliterated the Soul's True Spirit of Sovereign Mara Papiyas into nothingness. Now, Sovereign Mara Papiyas was truly dead, with no chance for reincarnation!

"This kid, ruthless and decisive, quite fierce!"

A gleam flickered in the eyes of the Yama Heavenly Son, who looked at Sun Wukong with increasing admiration. He had some understanding of Sun Wukong's strength; being a Taiyi Golden Immortal who could defeat Da Luo Golden Immortal Sovereign Mara Papiyas was indeed incredible.

However, as the Yama Heavenly Son himself could do the same, there had been no lack of incredible figures from Ancient Primeval times till now. The Power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation was not unique to Sun Wukong.

The Yama Heavenly Son had established the Six Paths of Reincarnation, transforming the intangible into tangible, creating the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms with great mana—his control over this power was not inferior to Sun Wukong's.

But all these factors combined, coupled with Sun Wukong's decisiveness, truly made the Yama Heavenly Son regard this junior member of the Demon Clan who had just reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm differently!

This kid had the potential to grow into a major power like them, perhaps even progressing further…

"Eh?"

The corner of the Yama Heavenly Son's eye suddenly twitched, and a strange smile curled up at the corner of his mouth. He nodded at Sun Wukong, "Alright, I have some matters to attend to and won't see you off. The gateway to the World of the Living within the Two Realms is deep in that pool. I assume you already know that, so go ahead on your own. If fate allows, we'll meet again!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the Yama Heavenly Son's figure flickered and vanished from sight.

"…"

Sun Wukong was speechless. Why leave so abruptly? It's not like he was here to collect debts. Really now!

Shaking his head, Sun Wukong dove into the waters of the pool, making his way toward the depths. The Yama Heavenly Son had already left, and he should not delay either. Should the Nether River ancestor make a deadly return unexpectedly, escaping would then be impossible!

Within the gateway of the Two Realms.

This was an independent space, floating between the World of the Living and the Netherworld, not very large—merely ten miles in radius. Nezha the Third Prince was attacking a barrier leading to the Netherworld, apparently intending to break through, though the fire-tipped spear he wielded exerted little force.

"I say, Zi Lan Fairy, it's quite nice staying here in the gateway of the Two Realms, why must you insist on going to the Netherworld? That place isn't exactly benevolent. Aren't you afraid some spirit might capture you?"

Nezha complained as he spoke, truthfully unwilling to venture into the Netherworld. Staying in this space of the Two Realms was quite pleasant; why suffer in the bleak Netherworld? He really couldn't understand what Zi Lan Fairy was thinking!

"Third Prince, a promise from a gentleman is as swift as a horse with a lash. You promised me, didn't you? Now, would you go back on your word?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Zi Lan Fairy glanced sideways at Nezha with an accusing look.

They had been in this space of the Two Realms for several years now. Relying on the resources meant for solace, Nezha had re-cultivated his strength back to the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal. However, further progression was impossible; there were not enough exotic materials to support that.

The spiritual energy in the space of the Two Realms, though purer than the outside, was only enough to maintain their normal consumption and had no surplus for cultivation, let alone breakthroughs.

Originally, when entering this space of the Two Realms, Nezha had promised Zi Lan Fairy that once his cultivation returned to the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal, he would open the barrier to the Netherworld and take her inside. Now, as Nezha had returned to the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal some time ago, Zi Lan Fairy could not help but grow impatient.

"Why would this prince go back on his word? I'm only thinking of your well-being! The Netherworld is filled with Netherworld Ghost Qi, unlike the World of the Living. Once inside, there would be no resources to replenish what is consumed, only becoming weaker. Do you want to gradually perish there?

Besides, in my opinion, that Demon Monkey Sun Wukong might have perished in the Netherworld already, it's just that the news hasn't come out. Why are you so insistent? If you ask me, you should… Eh?"

As Nezha was about to further persuade Zi Lan Fairy to abandon her intention of searching for Sun Wukong in the Netherworld, he suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His gaze fixedly turned toward the barrier of the Netherworld, which began dissolving at a visibility noticeable rate.

Someone was about to come out from the Netherworld!