At dawn, wisps of cooking smoke rose from the village by the North Sea.

The boy took a steamed bun from the wood-fired stove, carefully wrapped it in cloth, and handed it to his father who was about to leave.

"Father, will you be able to return from the sea tomorrow?"

The boy asked.

"Yes, I will return."

The fisherman hoisted his cloth bundle and said, "This time I'm not going to sea, you'll come with me to the mountain to seek immortality."

"Seek what kind of immortality?"

The boy asked.

"Some people nearby have seen Immortals; if we find him, maybe he can cure your mother's illness."

The fisherman replied.

His wife had been bedridden for half a month, and all the doctors said she was beyond help; now they could only seek Divine aid.

Together, the boy and the fisherman left the village.

"What kind of Immortal is he?"

The boy asked on the way.

"The Heavenly Emperor, the ruler of all Immortals."

The fisherman, patting the boy's head, said: "Stay close and make sure not to get lost."

"Yes."

The boy nodded and then got lost.

He followed his father into the forest, but in the blink of an eye, his father vanished without a trace, leaving him alone.

"Father, father..."

The boy searched all around.

He wandered in the forest for a long time, and unwittingly, he came across a glowing place.

The boy walked towards it.

It was the end of the forest.

Stepping out of the forest, a stretch of golden sands appeared before the boy.

He had never seen such a beautiful beach here, but before he could ponder the reason, his gaze was drawn to a figure on the sand.

Upon first sight of that figure, the boy knew that this must be the Immortal his father was seeking.

"Heavenly Emperor."

The boy took a step forward, and immediately his feet were wrapped in something soft.

He looked down to find several poisonous snakes winding their way up from his feet.

He was about to cry out in alarm when suddenly a strong force pulled him from behind, dragging him back into the forest.

"Child, don't go over there."

An old man appeared beside the boy, and chased away the snakes for him.

"The Demons on the beach are bathing in the Heavenly Emperor's Immortal Energy, and if you disturb them, they will instantly tear you to pieces."

It was only then the boy noticed that the beach was packed with all sorts of vicious birds and fierce beasts.

Hawks, leopards, scorpions, pythons—all the terrifying animals lay quietly on the ground, basking in the Heavenly Emperor's radiance.

The boy had been so captivated by the Heavenly Emperor that he had completely failed to notice how terrifying this place really was.

He didn't dare to move forward.

In the North Sea Dragon Palace, the Immortals were shrouded in anxiety.

"When is Sun Wukong going to come over?"

"What is he doing standing by the sea?"

They maintained the Barrier while waiting for Sun Wukong to take action.

But once Sun Wukong reached the shore of the North Sea, he no longer advanced.

"Crown Prince..."

The North Sea Dragon King was anxious and summoned the Crown Prince: "Send someone to check the situation quickly."

"As you command, Father King."

The Crown Prince summoned an old turtle to go and observe Sun Wukong.

The old turtle carefully approached the shallow sea and before it landed on the shore, it was stunned to see the seabed teeming with shrimp soldiers and crab generals.

"What are you doing?"

The old turtle asked.

"Bathing in the Heavenly Emperor's Immortal Energy."

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals replied: "A single day of cultivation here is equivalent to a year in the Dragon Palace."

The old turtle gave it a try and indeed, Sun Wukong's Immortal Energy was far more effective than any nature's spiritual energy.

Immediately forgetting its orders, it also lay down and began to absorb the Immortal Energy.

Sun Wukong was also meditating, apparently waiting for something, sitting on the beach for several days.

During these days, the boy from the fishing village came over every day.

"The Heavenly Emperor hasn't eaten for many days."

Today, the boy brought over a steamed bun.

Gathering his courage, he once again stepped onto the beach.

All the Demons looked over.

The boy was too scared to move at first.

But after a while, he cautiously stepped forward.

The Demons were furious and wanted to stop him, but somehow, they couldn't move anymore.

The boy arrived in front of Sun Wukong.

"It really is you."

Before he could speak, Sun Wukong turned his head and said to him: "You can take control of the Heavenly Taoist Sect for me."

The boy was captivated by his gaze.

The boy didn't understand.

"Can you save my mother?" he asked.

Sun Wukong did not answer, because another voice appeared.

"Heavenly Emperor!"

A Giant Dragon rose from the sea into the sky, its massive figure terrifying the boy into kneeling on the ground.

"Dra, Dragon King!"

He kowtowed several times, people from other places might not recognize this dragon, but fishermen who grew up by the sea naturally could.

This was the North Sea Dragon King.

He was the deity all fishermen worshipped; whenever he got angry, the big waters would flood the nearby villages.

The boy feared the Dragon King.

But when he looked up again, the body of the Dragon King suddenly shrank, transforming into an old man, kneeling in front of him.

"Please, Heavenly Emperor, spare the North Sea Dragon Palace."

The majestic Dragon King crouched before Sun Wukong, full of fear and unease like the boy.

"Why do you say such things, Dragon King."

Sun Wukong said: "I haven't done anything."

"Please, Heavenly Emperor, spare the North Sea Dragon Palace."

The old Dragon King repeated.

Sun Wukong looked at him: "What do you know?"

The Dragon King shook his head, afraid to speak.

"It's fine."

Sun Wukong looked away: "The Northern Continent will soon be under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Palace again. Bless this place with calm winds and good rains, don't cause me trouble, and I'll let you off for now."

"Great Saint, rest assured."

The Dragon King immediately agreed.

"…If that is the case, you may return."

Sun Wukong waved his hand: "The Dragon Palace is safe now."

"Thank you, Heavenly Emperor."

The Dragon King transformed back to his original form and flew back into the sea in a panic.

"Aren't you afraid of me?"

Sun Wukong then turned his gaze to the boy.

The boy came to his senses and hurriedly said: "I beg the Heavenly Emperor to cure my mother."

"Someone will solve your mother's illness."

Sun Wukong replied: "But you must promise me one thing."

The boy looked over.

"This book is for you."

Sun Wukong took out a book and handed it over saying: "Study it well; after that person heals your mother, he will take you away."

"Yes."

The boy carefully took the book.

Afterwards, Sun Wukong left.

As soon as he did, the beach shattered like a dream.

The boy found himself back in the forest.

"Lucky child, leave this place quickly."

The voice of the Mountain God rang in his ear: "Leave here with that book before other Demons find out."

The boy put the book in his chest and ran towards home.

In the sky, Sweeping Star was following behind Sun Wukong.

"Is that the one capable of leading the Heavenly Taoist Sect?"

Sweeping Star asked, "Why so young?"

"He still needs nurturing."

Sun Wukong said: "This person has great talent, skilled at creating. He also contributed to the creation of the small Pure Land in that world."

The boy merely represented a potential, a potential that even Sun Wukong could not see through.

"He's connected to the Pure Land?"

Sweeping Star was a little surprised: "Won't Buddha prevent it?"

"If he stops this one, others will come forth."

Sun Wukong replied: "The major trend has started, and no one can stop it."

With a hint of expectation, he ended this journey.

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