Sun Wukong arrived at Yunxiao City.

Since he had promised Heaven, he had to complete the tasks at hand.

In Yunxiao City, he selected a group of demons and Taoists to compile introductory textbooks for human Daoist Skills.

These were textbooks to be created for the Kingdom of Aolai; the Taoists knew that this command would come sooner or later, but they did not expect that Sun Wukong would issue it before ascending to Heaven.

They gladly accepted the task.

Humans are different from demons, and popularizing Daoist Skills among them is more difficult, but with the experience of creating materials such as the "Transformation Guide," the introductory textbooks for Daoist Skills entered the substantial writing phase after half a year of research.

After the textbooks began to be compiled, Sun Wukong excused himself, deciding to go and clear some obstacles in the Kingdom of Aolai.

Ao Luan followed him as well.

"What are you doing here?"

Sun Wukong stopped halfway and asked.

"I can help my brother with these matters."

Ao Luan replied, knowing that Sun Wukong would leave in a few years, and she wanted to spend more time with him.

Sun Wukong was unaware of her thoughts, but Ao Luan indeed had more experience than he did.

He brought Ao Luan to the Kingdom of Aolai.

The arrival of Ao Luan startled the dragon guardians of the Kingdom of Aolai.

"Sister."

An Azure Dragon flew out from the Kingdom of Aolai and transformed into a graceful man standing in the air.

Ao Ling, a cousin of Ao Luan, was not outstanding before, but in recent years had accumulated quite a bit of merit, and seemed on the verge of attaining Immortal Dao through merit.

Ao Ling showed great respect to Ao Luan.

Although she was his younger sister, Ao Luan had achieved Immortal Dao earlier and was the de facto ruler of Huaguo Mountain, holding a prestigious status. Even the Four Sea Dragon Kings must treat her with due respect.

"Cousin, you'll have to take on an additional task, to protect the King of Aolai."

Ao Luan said.

Ao Ling was startled at first, but after being reminded by Sun Wukong, he realized that the upcoming reforms in the Kingdom of Aolai might endanger the King.

"No problem."

Ao Ling agreed.

It was not a bad thing for him either.

Sun Wukong and Ao Luan then went to the Royal Palace and found the King.

The King was delighted by Sun Wukong's visit and did not dare neglect Ao Luan — this was the Second Great King of Huaguo Mountain.

"I need to clean up the royal court, and you need to grant me the authority."

Ao Luan said to the King.

The King was initially stunned, then quickly agreed.

Ao Luan immediately started the administrative reform of the personnel in the Kingdom of Aolai. She exercised both grace and authority, eliminating hereditary officials and nobles, promoting some of the wise, and even transferring a group of demons from Huaguo Mountain.

Subsequently, she announced the news of the civil examination. The vacant official positions would be selected through this examination.

This news brought talents from all walks of life.

"Miss Ao Luan is truly remarkable."

The King of Aolai expressed his admiration. The Dragon Girl's methods were decisive and efficient, earning his respect.

However, Ao Luan's decisiveness was heavily influenced by Sun Wukong.

Having decided to ascend to Heaven and with limited time left, he let her act boldly.

"There are not as few Taoists here as I had imagined."

Sun Wukong said to the King.

"Yes."

The King of Aolai was also surprised.

There were not many Taoists under his command, but after Ao Luan started recruiting talent, many Taoists suddenly appeared from among the common folk.

The former Kingdom of Aolai could not attract these Taoists to serve, but now that they saw the Kingdom of Aolai was serious about learning from Huaguo Mountain, they all came forward.

"You're also remarkable."

Sun Wukong then praised the King of Aolai.

He was willing to delegate power to Ao Luan while also enduring the pains of change — Sun Wukong couldn't help but think how nice it would be if the Jade Emperor trusted him like that.

However, the Heavenly Palace as the dominion of the Human Clan is fundamentally different, and as the Great Venerable, every action taken by the Jade Emperor affects all living beings in the Three Realms; such easy trust in others is not possible.

Sun Wukong felt some regret.

And so, another year passed, and Ao Luan's administrative reform was completed.

This reform was not a complete overhaul; the excellent officials and Taoists of the Kingdom of Aolai were retained. After Ao Luan let go, the King single-handedly managed the royal court. Although he encountered some difficulties, he gradually adapted.

On the other hand, the effects of the Spiritual Network of the Kingdom of Aolai were gradually becoming apparent.

The Spiritual Network of the Kingdom of Aolai differed from that of Huaguo Mountain; the nodes on Huaguo Mountain were evenly distributed, whereas the nodes within the Kingdom of Aolai were densely packed in the cities and sparse in the areas outside the cities.

In the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Aolai, the dense nodes could already support the operation of some Spiritual Objects.

For this, the King held a Lantern Festival to celebrate and even invited the Demon Kings from various caves of Huaguo Mountain.

This gesture was an attempt to bolster relations, and with the completion of the Spiritual Network, the relationship between the Kingdom of Aolai and Huaguo Mountain was expected to grow ever closer.

Not only the Demon Kings from various caves, but Immortal Zhenyuan and Elder Jin Chan were also invited.

After the evening banquet in the Royal Palace, at the King's command, countless lanterns inscribed with Daoist Talismans were released, floating up into the night sky.

Such a sight of brilliant lights had never been seen by humans before.

"Father, it's like a dream."

The youngest Prince tugged at the King's hand.

"Mm."

The King nodded, his heart surging as he looked up at the night sky.

Perhaps the Kingdom of Aolai could become another Huaguo Mountain.

A sense of longing for the future welled up in the King's heart.

Not far away, Ao Luan, too, stared at the lanterns, her heart filling with courage.

"Brother!"

Ao Luan turned her head.

There stood Sun Wukong beside her, gazing up at the night sky.

Ao Luan's courage dissipated.

Sun Wukong's eyes were fixed on distant stars, seemingly not paying attention to the lanterns, which left her a little disappointed.

Sun Wukong soon looked away and asked, "What's the matter?"

"No… It's nothing."

Ao Luan shook her head.

Every time she felt the atmosphere was right, she would inadvertently notice her brother's gaze drifting to the distance.

Those eyes, they would not pause for anyone.

"I really want to know what Brother is thinking."

Ao Luan sighed inwardly, the words slipping out without meaning to.

Sun Wukong looked at her.

"What am I thinking?"

He smiled faintly, "I am wondering what lies beyond the Three Realms."

Ao Luan turned to look at him, about to inquire, when suddenly there was a disturbance in the Royal Palace.

"Elder Jin Chan has disappeared."

"What?!"

"Search for him immediately!!"

The guards at the Royal Palace were in a panic, frantically searching for Elder Jin Chan.

The Demon Kings from Huaguo Mountain watched the scene, indifferent.

Immortal Zhenyuan was even brewing tea, seemingly enjoying the show as he drank.

"Elder Jin Chan truly lives up to his reputation!"

A nearby Taoist remarked with admiration.

Immortal Zhenyuan looked at him, feeling as if he had seen the man before.

"Do you know Elder Jin Chan?"

Asked another Taoist.

"Although I do not."

The Taoist shook his head, saying, "But I've heard that before becoming a Buddha, Elder Jin Chan was a golden cicada spirit who had cultivated for a thousand years, possessing the Divine Skills of Teleportation, known as the Golden Cicada Shedding. His sudden disappearance today is undoubtedly due to this divine skill!"

Immortal Zhenyuan spat out his tea.

"So it's you!"

He slapped the table and stood up.

The Taoist was taken aback and hurriedly bowed, "I am Qing Yuanzi, I apologize to Immortal Zhenyuan."

Immortal Zhenyuan looked at him.

"The words you just said…"

He nodded, "Are quite correct!"

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