The golden goblet brimmed with clear, verdant wine.

On the loft, Sun Wukong drank as he listened to the Emperor of Shouma Country recount the history of this world.

The stories from his mouth mostly matched with what Sun Wukong had heard, but they were more detailed—it turned out that the original sun disappeared because it was devoured by a Demon Beast that emerged from Chaos.

That Demon Beast split into countless smaller ones, scattered at the center of the world, which is now the Oasis.

"Are you sure it was a Demon Beast?"

Sun Wukong put down his golden goblet and asked, "And not some round thing?"

"There's that rumor as well."

The Emperor replied.

Sun Wukong understood in his heart.

Seeing that Sun Wukong's wine had run out, the Emperor ordered someone to refill it.

Sun Wukong gazed at the translucent wine: "How did the sun of the Northern Wilderness disappear?"

"I don't know."

The Emperor shook his head and said, "But it's likely swallowed by a Demon Beast too."

"Most probably."

Sun Wukong nodded: "In that case, you summoned Kua Fu here because..."

"To protect the sun."

The Emperor answered: "That's the only spark of fire left in the world, and the Kua Fu are too simple-minded to protect it."

The people of Shouma believed that only they could protect the sun.

"In the past, the world was split in two, and the new fire was nurtured by our lineage."

The Emperor said.

Both suns of the north and south were protected by them.

Only then did Sun Wukong understand what the Immortal meant by the deep connection the people of Shouma had with the sun.

The people of Shouma were worried that something might happen to the sun if it was left outside, so they used the opportunity with Kua Fu to snatch it for themselves.

"Why would you need the sun if you dwell at the bottom of the lake?"

Sun Wukong was quite perplexed.

"The Shouma Country is but the moon in the water, reflecting what's on the surface. If there's no sun on the other side, there's none here too."

The Emperor answered: "It's critical for our survival as well; we cannot afford to lose it."

Sun Wukong fell silent for a moment.

"But if you take the sun, what will happen to the common people?"

"The fire is of utmost importance; we have no other choice now."

The Emperor said.

He was more concerned about the people of Shouma than the safety of everyone else.

That is but human nature.

Sun Wukong sighed and turned his gaze out the window, where there was a garden planted with exotic flowers and herbs.

"I still have to take it back."

Sun Wukong said.

His resolve was not shaken by the Emperor's words, and he expressed his own desire to the Emperor.

"We have discussed the thoughts of the immortal thoroughly, but it's difficult to realize them."

The Emperor of Shouma shook his head: "Those Demon Beasts possess immense Divine Skills and cannot be opposed."

He did not believe that Sun Wukong could clear out those Demon Beasts.

Fortunately, Sun Wukong did not need his belief, only a promise.

"If I can clear out those Demon Beasts, would you hand over the sun to me?"

"This..."

The Emperor of Shouma hesitated for a moment, then said: "I have to ask my subjects."

He refused Sun Wukong's inquiry, citing the reason that the people of Shouma currently could not trust Sun Wukong, and he could not decide this matter alone.

Sun Wukong knew these were just excuses to delay.

"In that case, why don't you ask those civil and military officials?"

Sun Wukong said: "If Your Majesty cannot decide, let them decide."

The Emperor was taken aback.

How could he ask that?

But then he thought that all those civil and military officials were under his command, so it was futile for Sun Wukong to ask.

"Very well."

The Emperor agreed.

Both of them returned to the main hall, where the officials had not yet dispersed.

Those civil and military officials were now all gathered around Immortal Zhenyuan, brimming with curiosity and peppering him with questions.

"Is Daji truly that beautiful?"

"Can Immortals indeed live as long as the heavens and the earth?"

Every person looked like a curious child, not even noticing the appearance of the Emperor.

"What are they discussing?"

The Emperor asked.

"Listening to stories, I guess."

Sun Wukong answered.

He couldn't help coughing, and Immortal Zhenyuan heard the sound and looked up.

"The worthy brother has returned."

He bowed to the civil and military officials around him: "If you wish to know more, please return and find me some miraculous medicines in exchange."

The civil and military officials nodded their heads and then became serious, standing in order one by one, paying respects to the Emperor.

The Emperor then voiced Sun Wukong's proposal.

"Hand over the sun?"

Upon hearing this, the officials naturally objected.

"That's not possible, we can't give it away."

"That is the last spark of fire, it must not be lost."

"We do not agree!"

No one agreed to hand over the sun to Sun Wukong.

The Emperor secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Sun Wukong: "Immortal, at this point, you..."

"I can trade with the Immortal Dao."

Sun Wukong spoke up at this moment, to everyone's astonishment: "You may choose any one of the Three Thousand Immortal Paths."

Upon hearing this, all the officials were stunned.

"Three Thousand Immortal Paths?"

The Emperor furrowed his brow, wondering what this was.

Before he could react, the whole court of civil and military officials suddenly became excited.

"Three Thousand Immortal Paths? Isn't that the Path of Immortality that the Immortal just talked about?"

"This we can do!"

The officials looked at Sun Wukong with eager eyes.

"This stone monkey is indeed as generous as the Immortal said!"

"No wonder he could transform from a stone monkey into the Heavenly Emperor!"

Many thought that seeing is believing, and the Heavenly Emperor from the outside world was different, both powerful and generous.

"I agree."

"I agree as well."

On the spot, many changed their minds.

The Emperor was furious inside and glared at the Prime Minister, the head of all the officials.

The Prime Minister, with an understanding of the Emperor's thoughts, immediately knew what to do and stepped forward to scold: "How important the spark of fire is, how can you give it away so easily!"

The Prime Minister looked around the hall, and the civil and military officials shrank their heads.

"How about giving everyone one of my hairs instead?"

Suddenly, Immortal Zhenyuan spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the officials were shocked once again.

"We can do that!"

"We want the hair!"

"Yes, we want the hair!"

They shouted.

Even the Prime Minister suddenly changed his attitude.

The Emperor was surprised: "What hair?"

"Your Majesty need not concern yourself."

Sun Wukong said, glancing at Immortal Zhenyuan.

"Let's not talk about this matter."

Sun Wukong spoke: "If you all agree to give me the sun, I am willing to lift the curse for you all."

As soon as these words came out, the hall once again fell silent.

The people of Shouma Country looked heavy, exchanging glances, and even the Emperor's face darkened.

"Immortal, how do you know of that curse?"

"Just one look, and it is clear."

Sun Wukong answered.

With one glance, he could see the black light on these people of Shouma Country.

"Your curse relates to shadows."

Sun Wukong said.

The Emperor's expression grew even more somber.

"Can the Immortal truly lift the curse?"

He asked.

"Yes."

Sun Wukong nodded, though it was a bit troublesome, he could do it.

The Emperor closed his eyes and pondered for a moment.

"Our ancestor once said..."

When he opened his eyes again, his expression had changed.

"If someone can lift the curse, they must be a Pioneer of Hongmeng, and the people of Shouma Country should be at his command."

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