The battle at Ling Mountain came to an unexpected end with the appearance of the Heaven-Covering Great Hand.

The remnants of the Buddhist sect at Ling Mountain did not perish, but were captured by the Great Hand.

A shadow formed in my heart. The owner of that hand couldn't possibly be the Tathagata. So who could it be?

A fierce fire ignited at Ling Mountain.

A crack tore open in the sky, and a fiery wheel descended like a shooting star.

It was Nezha, the top warrior of the Heavenly Court.

"Everyone, with Ling Mountain's destruction, the Jade Emperor has sent me with a message. His Majesty says that the gates of the Heavenly Court will always be open to you."

Then, Nezha revealed the Jade Emperor's arrangements for us:

Pigsy will return to being the Heavenly Marshal.

Sun Wukong will no longer serve as Bima Wen and instead become the Fighting Saint King, ranking above the Four Great Heavenly Kings.

The Dragon Prince Nalakuvera will replace the West Sea and become the new Dragon King of the West, granted with eight golden scales and promoted to patrol the Heavenly Dragon.

"Furthermore, the Jade Emperor has ordered me to capture Jiutou Chong. Whether he lives or dies is up to Dragon King Nalakuvera to decide."

Nalakuvera and Dumbfounded both were moved by this.

"As for General Juan Lian, His Majesty says he will speak to you personally and has plans for your future."

"Monkey brother, junior brother, let's go to the Heavenly Court and see. We'll contact each other later."

Pigsy and Nalakuvera decided to follow Nezha to the heavens and receive their appointments.

Wukong and the Dragon Horse made their own choices, and we wouldn't interfere. We only advised them to be careful.

I asked Wukong, "Big Brother, where are you going?"

"The Heavenly Court is too restrictive. Old Sun isn't used to it. I'd rather go back to my Water Curtain Cave in Flower-Fruit Mountain where I can be free."

I knew that Wukong truly didn't care about being a Fighting Saint King.

And since the Jade Emperor wanted me to return to the Heavenly Court, it was obvious he had ulterior motives, so of course I wouldn't go.

I decided to return to the Flowing Sands River.

That eight-hundred-li long river of sand was where the essence of a goose feather did not float, and was the best place to hide one's intentions.

Just as I was about to leave, Nezha stepped in front of me.

"Are we going to fight?"

Nezha quickly said, "No, Juan Lian, when I left, my father told me to warn you to be careful of the one at Wuzhuang Temple."

My heart skipped a beat.

Nezha took Pigsy and Nalakuvera back to the Heavenly Court.

Meanwhile, Wukong and I went our separate ways. He returned to his Water Curtain Cave in Flower-Fruit Mountain.

As for me, I returned to the Flowing Sands River.

The aftermath of Ling Mountain's destruction spread throughout the Three Realms, and as the instigator, I was thrust into the spotlight.

At this time, it wasn't wise for me to show my face.

Ultimately, strength speaks in this world.

I thought I could quietly cultivate for some time.

But I never expected to receive tragic news instead.

Three months after the battle at Ling Mountain, Wukong burst into my seclusion, bringing shocking news.

Pigsy was dead. This newly reinstated Heavenly Marshal died in the heavenly river he was patrolling.