Ten days later, Sun Wukong once again arrived at the Heavenly Palace.

The Four Great Heavenly Gates had been completely destroyed, but the Palace of the Polestar and the many other palaces had been rebuilt.

"Zhang Lu's team is indeed fast,"

Sun Wukong thought to himself, regretting that he couldn't invite those two craftsmen Immortals to Huaguo Mountain.

In front of the Palace of the Polestar, Immortals and Buddhas stood on both sides, densely packed, representing the powers of the Heavenly Palace and Lingshan.

Sun Wukong brought no one except Emperor Donghua.

"The power is still far off,"

Sun Wukong thought to himself.

The Heavenly Palace held the advantage in this competition.

Although severely damaged, the Three Pure Ones, the Four Emperors, and countless gods remained in the Heavenly Palace. They would presumably soon regain their former strength.

The Western power was not inferior to the Heavenly Palace, not to mention those five hundred Arhats whom all the Demon Kings and Erlang's infantry of Huaguo Mountain together couldn't defeat.

Overall, Sun Wukong had only lured twenty to thirty Immortal Officials from the Heavenly Palace, which was almost negligible compared to the other two sides.

For the next five hundred years, talent would be his greatest limitation.

But fortunately, talent could be poached too.

"Emperor,"

Before entering the Palace of the Polestar, Sun Wukong said to Emperor Donghua, "Wait for me outside."

The Emperor nodded.

On this visit to the Heavenly Palace, Sun Wukong intended to discuss the numerous details of the five-hundred-year competition with the Jade Emperor and the Buddha.

They talked for a whole day without any results.

"I have a proposal,"

Sun Wukong realized that five hundred years was too long.

"Let us first set the rules for a hundred years, and when the time is up, we can discuss the next hundred years."

The Jade Emperor and the Buddha both thought it was a good idea.

"In that case, the rules of the competition should not be too complicated. How about each of us set down one rule?"

the Jade Emperor asked.

Sun Wukong and the Buddha nodded in succession.

"Let me start,"

The Jade Emperor picked up the Jade Seal.

A golden light flashed, and a decree appeared on the table.

"In the span of a hundred years, no proactive coercion or interference in the political affairs of various countries is permitted,"

the Jade Emperor declared, and the characters immediately appeared on the decree.

He pressed the Jade Seal onto it, then smiled slightly at Sun Wukong.

*"He truly wasn't going easy on me,"* Sun Wukong thought, realizing that the Jade Emperor had changed from before.

*This rule was harsh and precise, seemingly designed specifically to target him.*

*Prohibiting interference in the politics of various countries blocked Sun Wukong's attempt to take over the royal power of nations and implement reforms from top to bottom.*

The Buddha remained unmoved.

"Now it's my turn,"

he said, "If turmoil is caused by reforms, bringing disaster to the masses, it will be deemed a failure!"

After the words appeared on the decree, the Buddha pressed the Jade Seal onto it.

*Sun Wukong felt a sinking sensation in his heart.*

*The Buddha's rules imposed strong restrictions on all three parties, but hit him particularly hard.*

*Sun Wukong's reforms were the most thorough.*

*Once this rule was implemented, he could not control politics from the top, nor initiate revolutions from the bottom.*

*With no options from above or below, how could he develop the Western Continent?*

Sun Wukong furrowed his brows, "It's my turn now,"

he said to the decree.

"No Daoist temples and monasteries shall teach Immortal Law,"

The words appeared on the decree, startling the Jade Emperor and the Buddha.

The monkey was indeed ruthless. If that rule stood, they wouldn't be able to do anything for a hundred years.

Just as Sun Wukong was about to press the Jade Seal, he stopped midway.

He furrowed his brow slightly, sighed, and then waved away the previous words.

"All technologies and Immortal Laws must be compiled into books, and a Book Pavilion shall be established to preserve them,"

Sun Wukong instructed, then pressed the Jade Seal onto the newly surfaced words.

"Why a Book Pavilion?"

The Jade Emperor couldn't help but ask, "What do you intend to do?"

"The culture we develop is a valuable treasure,"

Sun Wukong replied, "It ought to be preserved."

The Jade Emperor felt ashamed, acknowledging that Sun Wukong's actions made them appear petty.

"I would also like to add another rule,"

Sun Wukong continued, "For a hundred years, no interference among us."

The Jade Emperor and the Buddha exchanged a glance. This rule benefitted all three parties.

They had already gained an advantage, so they could not refuse.

"Very well,"

The Jade Emperor and the Buddha agreed to the fourth rule.

After deciding on the four rules, they pressed the Jade Seal together, and the decree flew up, disappearing in a flash of golden light.

*Sun Wukong felt a subtle shift, as if something indescribable had formed between heaven and earth.*

*The four rules, mutually recognized by the three, had already transformed into new Heavenly Rules.*

The Immortals and Buddhas outside instantly learned about the four Heavenly Rules.

Emperor Donghua furrowed his brow slightly, sensing that these Heavenly Rules imposed the greatest restrictions on them.

After the Heavenly Rules took effect, Sun Wukong turned to the Jade Emperor, "I have one more matter to trouble Your Majesty with."

"What is it?"

The Jade Emperor wondered if perhaps Sun Wukong felt disadvantaged and wanted to propose some condition.

"I want the West Sea Dragon Palace,"

Sun Wukong stated.

The Jade Emperor frowned but did not answer.

"The Great Saint speaks with merit,"

The Buddha supported Sun Wukong, "The cloud and rain affairs of the Western Continent still rely on the West Sea Dragon Palace to execute. Assigning the Dragon Palace to the Great Saint facilitates management and benefits all people."

The Buddha took the opportunity to request a North Sea Dragon Palace.

Without the help of the Dragon Clan, arranging clouds and rain in the Northern Continent would be a significant problem as well.

"So be it,"

The Jade Emperor sighed and consented.

He then divided beams of light from his Jade Seal, handing them to Sun Wukong and the Buddha.

The Buddha stored the beams of light into his Jade Seal, rose to bid farewell, and left the Palace of the Polestar.

Sun Wukong also secured the ownership of the West Sea Dragon Palace and was about to take his leave when the Jade Emperor stopped him.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave,"

the Jade Emperor said, "Both the Buddha and I have our titles. Since you are now equal with us, using your previous designation is not appropriate."

Sun Wukong thought it over, "But what should I be called?"

"The Immortal Ministers have suggested one for me,"

The Jade Emperor smiled, "What do you think of 'Great Sage Equalling Heaven'?"

"..."

Sun Wukong was somewhat astonished.

*He never expected that after going full circle, he would end up with this title.*

*"Is this destiny?"* Sun Wukong pondered, so he did not refuse.

With the matters at the Palace of the Polestar concluded, Sun Wukong bid farewell to the Jade Emperor.

"Emperor, let's be off,"

Sun Wukong exited the Palace of the Polestar and signaled Emperor Donghua to leave.

The two had not flown far when a voice suddenly called out from behind.

"Great Sage!"

Sun Wukong turned to see Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad riding the green ox towards him.

"What does the Lord want with me?"

Sun Wukong asked.

"I wonder if I could accompany you for five hundred years,"

Lord Lao Zi said with a cheerful smile.

Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned, then delighted, "Do you mean it?"

"Naturally I do,"

The Lord stroked his long beard and smiled, "There are enough Immortals here for the Jade Emperor. Huaguo Mountain is rather intriguing and suits my taste. I will come to assist the Great Sage."

Sun Wukong showed his joy.

"Welcome!"

He quickly welcomed Lord Lao Zi back to Huaguo Mountain.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.