Chapter 12: The Monkey King Returns Early, Seventy-Two Cave Demon Kings Established

Unable to understand, Shiyue stopped thinking about it. This was also a world where he could practice those life-saving spells. He believed that when the time was right, he would naturally find a way out. All he could do was pray in his heart that the old man wouldn't trap him for millions of years; if so, he would rather reincarnate again, if that was even possible.

As for Sun Wukong, driven out of the gate by Patriarch Bodhi, he couldn't understand why, so he flew away with anger in his heart. However, along the way, seeing many beautiful landscapes, his mood gradually improved, and he became increasingly homesick. In a matter of days, he arrived over the territory of Flower Fruit Mountain.

Nowadays, Flower Fruit Mountain was not just the area around the Water Curtain Cave. In fact, Flower Fruit Mountain had never been just the Water Curtain Cave, which was merely a central hidden place that had been unseen for ages. The entire Flower Fruit Mountain spanned almost a thousand miles.

Flying over Flower Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong's excitement grew. After being away for over a decade, returning home was a moment of deep emotion. He descended from the clouds, arriving just as the demon known as Chaos Demon from the Northern Five Elements Water Cave sought to occupy Flower Fruit Mountain.

He saw below him a demon, three zhang tall, wielding a large blade and surrounded by billowing black clouds, making his way toward the Water Curtain Cave. Countless monkeys below couldn't stop him, as they were no match for his power.

Ever since training under Patriarch Bodhi on the path of the Golden Elixir, Sun Wukong had come to understand much about cultivation. He knew that ordinary demons, without a great teacher to guide them on the path of enlightenment, could only gain human form after a hundred years and form a golden elixir after a thousand years, at which point they could be called minor demons. Once they formed a demon core within their bodies, they could be known as a lesser demon king.

However, even if one could independently cultivate to become a true or heavenly immortal, known as a demon king, it required countless years. They might develop various divine abilities, but their attacks would often be accompanied by rolling black clouds and intense demon winds, thus called demons or monsters. Those who practiced the great path, like Sun Wukong, would often be called superior immortals.

He also learned that above the rank of ordinary immortal, there was the Da Luo realm of Great Immortals. If one could achieve the Da Luo Dao, they would be called superior immortals by ordinary deities, or a Buddha or Bodhisattva in the Western Buddhist realm. However, Great Immortals in the realm of Da Luo were exceedingly rare in the world.

Understanding all this, much of it indeed "enlightened" by himself, Sun Wukong's anger inexplicably lightened, and he deeply appreciated Patriarch Bodhi's great kindness. As his eyes flashed with insight, his entire mindset transformed.

In the past, he might have seized this opportunity to kill the Chaos Demon to vent the anger in his chest. But now, influenced by Shiyue's consciousness, the direction of his thoughts subtly shifted.

Seeing that the Chaos Demon below had reached the heavenly immortal realm after an unknown number of years of cultivation, he knew this was no easy feat. He felt compelled to subdue him instead, not realizing that the key change was due to Shiyue's influence, which had been present from the beginning.

Originally, the path of seeking immortality should have kept him in the human realm of Southern Jambudvipa for seven years. Now, it had only taken half a year. Because time advanced unexpectedly, the Chaos Demon, who was supposed to have already occupied his home at Flower Fruit Mountain and taken his possessions, was just beginning to act and had not yet committed unforgivable deeds.

Having made up his mind, Sun Wukong invoked the divine skill of his Heavenly Body Form, suddenly transforming into a giant over ten zhang tall. He seized the Chaos Demon within the swirling black clouds with a single grab and demanded, "You scoundrel, what kind of demon are you, daring to run rampant in my Flower Fruit Mountain?"

Suddenly seized, the Chaos Demon, unable to struggle, was struck with terror. Seeing a giant over ten zhang tall, body aglow with golden light, glaring at him, his heart quaked, and he cried out in panic, "Spare me, oh superior immortal, spare me! The little demon means no harm, only wished to borrow some goods from the master of Water Curtain Cave."

Being called a "superior immortal," Sun Wukong felt a sense of achievement, but he still shouted, "You scoundrel, humph! Look closely at who I am! I am Sun Wukong, the master of Water Curtain Cave, returning from seeking immortality and the Dao. From now on, you will respect me as your king. I might allow you to be a demon king of one cave, otherwise, I will not spare your life!"

In that instant, Chaos Demon felt a deep sense of relief. He had long heard that there was a great stone monkey king from Flower Fruit Mountain, but due to unsure strength, he never dared to approach easily. Recently, he heard that this king had left to seek immortality and the Dao. He thought such a high immortal would never look upon a demon like him, thinking it unlikely for him to return, thus daring to come and provoke.

Unexpectedly, in just ten years, Sun Wukong had returned and developed such divine powers, leaving him utterly unable to resist. He was relieved that he hadn't come to provoke him lightly, otherwise, how could he hope to keep his life upon the great king's return?

Even if reluctant, for the sake of his life, Chaos Demon could only nod in agreement. He had long coveted the treasures of Flower Fruit Mountain, stone pots, and bowls crafted by a group of monkeys under Sun Wukong's command, modeled after those in the Water Curtain Cave.

Shiyue had long forgotten about this affair, otherwise, he might have burst into laughter at Sun Wukong slaying the Chaos Demon over such trifles, who had been cultivating for countless years.

To these demons, such objects that may seem like trash in the human world were genuinely regarded as treasured possessions. Using cups and bowls to drink was a status symbol! Demons also couldn't disturb the human world by seizing possessions easily; otherwise, they would be hunted down by deities. Hence, demons were only legends in the human realm, seldom venturing into it.

Having subdued Chaos Demon and reunited with the monkeys he hadn't seen for years, Sun Wukong recounted stories and displayed his divine powers, garnering applause from the monkeys and envy from the Chaos Demon. His heart's desire to impress Patriarch Bodhi only grew stronger.

After hosting a grand banquet for several days, upon hearing that many demons had appeared within the thousand-mile Flower Fruit Mountain area over the past ten years, including wolves, tigers, leopards, and various creatures, Sun Wukong began leading the newly subdued Chaos Demon to conquer them one by one, establishing the seventy-two cave demon kings. Soon, he began to plan like a human king, establishing his own realm and becoming a true great demon king with troops and generals.

Vajra, Taibai, Chaos, and Titan were named the four great marshals, while Chaos Demon, humorously named "Great Black Face" by Shiyue, was made a general: "Brother, can we not mess around like this?"

The four great generals were quietly relieved, thankful that they had escaped such a fate, while looking at Chaos Demon with sympathy for being named "Great Black Face," despite being a majestic heavenly immortal-level demon king.

Feeling grateful, Chaos Demon could only accept it, though inwardly lamenting that his original title "Chaos Demon" sounded more dignified. However, it was a name given by the great king. Across Flower Fruit Mountain, only four, including himself, had been given names by the king. They said Flower Fruit Mountain even had a more mysterious great king and another second king without much ability.

Putting aside Chaos Demon's little grievances, Sun Wukong established the seventy-two cave demon kings, appointed four marshals, and twelve commanders. Flower Fruit Mountain was home to over a hundred thousand, with monkeys constituting half of this. Spirits soared high.

Yet, even with soldiers, they lacked sufficient weapons and armor. So, at Chaos Demon "Great Black Face's" suggestion, Sun Wukong used his body transformation ability, transforming his body hair into thousands of monkeys, who overnight raided the armory of Aolai Kingdom in the east, distributing weapons to the demon soldiers and generals.

As for himself, having achieved the golden immortal body, mundane weapons were useless to him. After several years of drilling troops, at the suggestion of loyal general Chaos Demon, he made his way to the East Sea Dragon Palace.

The East Sea Dragon King, Ao Guang, appeared to be an old man about sixty years of age, with yellow hair, yellow eyebrows, a lion-like nose, and a wide mouth, with two dragon horns atop his head. He was the one entrusted by a mysterious person to send Sun Wukong and Shiyue to Xiniu Hezhou. Upon hearing a report from a water demon general that a divine being born of Flower Fruit Mountain had come to visit, the old dragon was taken aback. Since when did Flower Fruit Mountain produce a naturally born divine being?

After contemplating for a moment, he quickly realized—could it be that demon monkey born from the Chaos Stone? How was that possible!

Ao Guang's face was full of disbelief. He couldn't imagine that in just over ten years, that demon monkey had already returned and could find his way to the underwater Dragon Palace, indicating at least a true immortal's level of cultivation.

However, when Ao Guang actually met Sun Wukong, he was immediately astonished, unable to close his mouth, at the unbridled Golden Immortal level power of Sun Wukong. Instantly, he felt a deep regret—being able to achieve the Golden Immortal level in just ten years was utterly extraordinary. Had he known earlier, he would have tried to make one of them a son-in-law! With such talent, they were destined to support the Dragon Clan of the Four Seas in the future.

Now, regretting was futile; unable to undo what was done, he could only warmly welcome Sun Wukong, respectfully calling him a superior immortal. With Sun Wukong being so frank and open-hearted, they soon became like brothers with the old Dragon King. Eventually, Sun Wukong expressed his wish to obtain a suitable weapon, having returned from learning the Dao.

With such goodwill, how could the old Dragon King refuse? He immediately ordered someone to fetch weapons and during the dinner, he asked, having heard that Flower Fruit Mountain was home to two naturally divine beings, why the other hadn't come along. However, Sun Wukong was reluctant to discuss matters about the two of them, brushing off the talk of seeking immortality with a simple statement that the other had not yet returned.

Seeing this, the East Sea Dragon King refrained from further inquiries. However, Sun Wukong's natural strength was unexpected; even wielding weapons weighing over a thousand pounds felt too light, likely because none were a staff! In the end, Sun Wukong grew inexplicably irritated and even threatened the Dragon King, saying, "If you don't bring out a weapon fit for me, I will destroy your Crystal Palace."

Sun Wukong still harbored resentment in his heart, thinking that his brother wielded such divine weapons; how could he accept ordinary ones?

Ao Guang was taken aback, knowing that his own cultivation was only at the Golden Immortal level, making it impossible to contend with Sun Wukong's divine powers. Especially since Sun Wukong had a brother yet to return.

The Dragon King was at a loss, until the wise Turtle Prime Minister suggested an excellent idea, saying, "Your Majesty, isn't there an immensely heavy piece of divine iron in the East Sea Eye? Why not let him try to take it; if he can, it would be a great favor done to our East Sea. If he cannot, it only means he lacks the ability."

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King's eyes brightened, repeatedly calling it brilliant, and he quickly invited Sun Wukong to the East Sea Eye.

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