Rolling clouds and mist surround, an Immortal Bridge spans across the Heavenly River.

On one side stand over a hundred Golden Armor Guards wielding swords and spears; the other side, numerous female Immortals clad in brocaded Heavenly Clothes stand at the ready.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother walk and converse leisurely upon the bridge.

"Your Majesty seldom has the leisure to visit me."

The Queen Mother inquires, "What brings you here this time?"

"The Inspector Spirit Official reported to me that you chopped down the Flat Peach Tree."

The Jade Emperor declares, "That Flat Peach Tree was originally meant to pacify Sun Wukong; how did you end up angering him down from the heavens?"

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother comes to an abrupt halt.

"Is Your Majesty blaming me?"

"That's not it."

The Jade Emperor shakes his head, asserting, "I've entrusted the Immortal Peach Orchard to Sun Wukong; do not provoke him further."

"But that Immortal Peach Orchard has always been mine!"

The Queen Mother's expression chills as she states, "Someone dared to plant a peculiar peach tree in the Orchard right under my watch? Am I not allowed to cut it down?"

The Jade Emperor is left speechless.

It was indeed his fault for not informing the Queen Mother beforehand.

"Your Majesty is the supreme ruler of the Three Realms, I am the leader of the female Immortals."

The Queen Mother, still incensed, interjects, "Sun Wukong is just a Demon Immortal; why does Your Majesty always consider his feelings?"

"It's not out of consideration for him."

The Jade Emperor shakes his head, "Sun Wukong possesses vast Divine Skills; if I can subdue him, he will undoubtedly become a pillar of the Heavenly Palace."

"But the Heavenly Palace cannot contain him."

The Queen Mother asserts, "Observing his conduct, he is naturally rebellious. Even if we can accommodate him now, he will become a major threat in the future. It would be better to eliminate him sooner rather than later."

"You do not understand him."

The Jade Emperor shakes his head.

At that moment, a streak of golden light approaches from afar.

"How dare you!"

Another streak of white light blocks the golden light.

Tota Li Heavenly King stares down the golden light, "Sun Wukong, His Majesty is presently hosting the Queen Mother; you must not approach."

Sun Wukong halts, "If that is the case, I shall come back later."

"It's no trouble; come over."

The voice of the Jade Emperor emanates from across the Immortal Bridge.

Tota Li Heavenly King has no choice but to step aside, warily watching Sun Wukong pass by.

Sun Wukong sees the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother.

"I've been looking for you!"

The Jade Emperor smiles, "The Queen Mother cut down your Flat Peach Tree and intends to apologize to you."

He glances towards the Queen Mother.

"It was my mistake."

The Queen Mother, not daring to defy, says, "Great Saint, please do not take offense."

"It's of no consequence."

Sun Wukong responds, "I didn't take it to heart."

"Your Majesty…"

He bows to the Jade Emperor, "I am returning to Huaguo Mountain."

The Jade Emperor frowns, "Why so suddenly?"

"Having ascended to the heavens for fifteen days, fifteen years have passed in Huaguo Mountain."

Sun Wukong explains, "Please grant me permission to return."

"No hurry," the Jade Emperor shakes his head. "You've just arrived in the Heavens, and there are many Immortals you are yet unfamiliar with; you may still remain another year."

"I've already become acquainted, Your Majesty."

Sun Wukong states, "I'm holding a farewell banquet at noon, with a hundred Immortals coming to see me off."

"…"

The Jade Emperor falls silent.

How can this monkey have such good immortal relations!

He could find no other reason, only to say, "Wukong, you promised to play chess with me every day."

The Queen Mother looks at the Jade Emperor, her face a picture of astonishment.

"Your Majesty need not worry."

Sun Wukong has already thought everything through.

"I come to the Heavenly Palace punctually every year, to report the situation of Huaguo Mountain to you."

This sentence blocked the next excuse the Jade Emperor might have used.

"Let me think about it."

He waved his hand and said, "You may go back for now."

Sun Wukong turned and took his leave.

As soon as he left, the Jade Emperor's face darkened slightly.

"Your Majesty."

Queen Mother said, "You see, I was right, the Heavenly Palace cannot accommodate him."

The Jade Emperor's brows were tightly furrowed.

He did not want Sun Wukong to return to Huaguo Mountain; that monkey was too troublesome.

"Your Majesty, why have you become so indecisive?"

Queen Mother asked, "Didn't Your Majesty take the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence specifically to deal with him? Why have you not used it?"

"How do you know?"

The Jade Emperor's complexion changed, then he showed anger: "Heavenly King Li!"

"Present."

Tota Li Heavenly King approached.

"Did you tell Queen Mother about the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence?"

The Jade Emperor asked coldly.

The Flask of Yin and Yang Essence was brought back by Heavenly King Li, and its secrets were known only to him.

"This…" Li Heavenly King quickly knelt down: "The Queen Mother commanded, your servant dared not disobey."

"Don't blame him." Queen Mother said, "I only asked out of curiosity because I saw he had thirty-six new immortals under his command."

Hence, she knew the Jade Emperor was wary of Sun Wukong and urged him to act sooner rather than later to avoid prolonged troubles.

The Jade Emperor paced back and forth; the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence was his last resort, not to be used lightly unless absolutely necessary.

"That flask is a Heaven and Earth Treasure. Your Majesty had Lord Lao Zi reforged it; once Sun Wukong is trapped inside, he won't be able to escape."

Queen Mother said, "If Your Majesty is worried that you can't capture Sun Wukong, I have a strategy that will ensure he enters it."

The Jade Emperor was startled.

His concern was precisely this. The newly forged Flask of Yin and Yang Essence was astoundingly powerful; it was the only Magical Treasure he was confident could kill Sun Wukong in one fell swoop.

But the Flask had an obvious weakness: it needed thirty-six people to carry, and the target must be seized before being absorbed.

With Sun Wukong's immense divine skills, how could he be captured?

The Jade Emperor listened to Queen Mother's suggestion.

He frowned slightly, hesitating.

"Your Majesty, it has come to this," the Queen Mother said. "Whether to kill or release, the decision rests with you."

She bowed slightly, walked down the Immortal Bridge, leading the female immortals away.

"Your Majesty."

Tota Li Heavenly King, seeing the Jade Emperor still hesitating, spoke up: "The Queen Mother's concern stems from Sun Wukong's destiny of the Purple Star."

The Jade Emperor's heart trembled.

"Forget it..."

He made up his mind: "I'll ask Sun Wukong again."

Huaguo Mountain, Sun Wukong had left for several months.

Lord Lao Zi rarely left the Daoist Temple, and it was in Yunxiao City that he learned Sun Wukong intended to return to Huaguo Mountain.

"He's going to the Lower Realm?"

Lord Lao Zi was having a meal with Ao Luan. He shook his head and said, "Don't be too pleased; the Jade Emperor won't agree."

He knew that the Jade Emperor had Sun Wukong come to Heaven to keep him from meddling in the affairs of the Lower Realm.

Even more so, Sun Wukong had become very close with the immortals of the Heavenly Palace in just over ten days, which worried the Jade Emperor even more.

If Sun Wukong really insisted on returning to Huaguo Mountain, then perhaps…

Lord Lao Zi was struck by a strange sense of dissonance in his thoughts.

He frowned slightly, pondered carefully, and then suddenly stood up.

"Could it be..."

He remembered the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence.

The Jade Emperor had Lord Lao Zi forge the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence, told him not to divulge a word, and gave no reason. Could it be—

"No way."

Lord Lao Zi inhaled sharply, the more he thought, the more he felt something was amiss: "I must go to the Heavenly Palace to check."

He certainly did not want his suspicions to be confirmed.

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