Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

Just now, the unique environmental conditions of the netherworld triggered Sun Wukong's Earth Tribulation, inherent challenges, and soul trials all at once!

The berserk murderous intent within the Demon Clan's inherent nature, the Earth Tribulation and soul trials posed by the Netherworld's Chaotic Nether Thunder, erupted simultaneously. Moments ago, Sun Wukong nearly perished, his body almost pulverized under the dual pressures of the rampaging Immortal Force and the lethal power of the Chaotic Nether Thunder he couldn't control.

At the critical moment, the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod, which had been warming and upgrading within his body, suddenly exerted a massive suction force. It absorbed the violent Immortal Force and Chaotic Nether Thunder, transforming it into an overwhelming strength before channeling it back out.

It was precisely because of this that Sun Wukong was able to deliver a strike far beyond the strength expected from his cultivation level, a terrifying blow that would be inconceivable not just for his current Taiyi Scattered Immortal realm but even for a late-stage Daluo Golden Immortal or a Quasi-Saint!

The fierce attack had almost drained Sun Wukong completely. Now, he could hardly move, relying on the Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod to remain standing, his body trembling slightly. Managing to gather a bit of strength, he took out and swallowed the last Nine Spirits Gathering Pill he had, which upon entering his body, turned into a warm flow that spread throughout him.

Like a parched land receiving sweet rain, his dessicated body absorbed the essence qi within the spiritual medicine with great thirst.

For a full half stick of incense's time, Sun Wukong maintained his standing position, motionless, as the medicine of the Nine Spirits Gathering Pill was quickly absorbed under the operation of the Eight-Nine Profound Skill, and he finally returned to his normal state.

In the remains of the half-destroyed city of death, the dust slowly dispersed, the gigantic figure formed by the Yama Great Formation dissipated, revealing the nine Yama Kings who had survived by a narrow margin and the Underworld Soldiers of the half-remaining city. Aside from the nine Yama Kings, all of the Underworld Soldiers looked utterly frightened and dazed.

"This bastard!"

King Guang's legs went soft, and he half-knelt on the ground. Activating the Yama Great Formation had significantly drained the nine Yama Kings. Now, including King Guang, all nine were weakened, their mana nearly depleted. Even as strong Taiyi Golden Immortals, recovery would not be easy for them.

"How could this Demon Monkey's strength be so formidable? This defies all logic!"

King Guang couldn't understand, and neither could the other eight Yama Kings. While it is said that before the Quasi-Saint realm, cultivation level doesn't absolutely determine strength—with some Taiyi Scattered Immortals possessing innate talents potentially able to contend with Daluo Golden Immortals—the attack Sun Wukong had executed was clearly beyond the limits of a Daluo Golden Immortal.

That was an attack one would only expect from the realm of Quasi-Saint!

Could this Demon Monkey really be just a Taiyi Scattered Immortal?

Whoosh!

A figure arrived gliding on clouds from the distant sky and landed beside the nine Yama Kings—including King Guang. It was none other than the Yama King, who had sensed something amiss and fled earlier. Among the Ten Yama Kings, only he remained at peak condition, though his complexion was as grim as the others'.

"Yama King, what are you waiting for? With the Demon Monkey's cultivation, to execute such a fearsome attack, he must be as drained as we are now. Why haven't you captured him yet?"

When King Guang saw that the Yama King stood beside him without a word or any semblance of action, his irritation spiked, and he couldn't help but roar out his frustration.

"No, he still has strength left!"

Yama King shook his head. Unlike King Guang and the others, Yama King had never underestimated Sun Wukong; a fierce Demon Immortal who had reached the realm of Taiyi Scattered Immortal, by reason should have already transcended the normal cycle of reincarnation. The Book of Life and Death should not even have a record of him, so why was there an order to capture his soul?

There had to be a problem!

"Impossible! With an attack of that magnitude, even a Daluo Golden Immortal would be exhausted, let alone him being just a Taiyi Scattered Immortal! Yama King, are you in cahoots with this Demon Monkey? Why do you continue to hold back?"

"King Guang, watch your language! I have always been upright and proper, how dare you defame me so recklessly?"

King Guang's words infuriated the Yama King, who glared at King Guang with a chilling gaze, sending a shiver down his spine. "Yama King, what are you trying to do?"

The Yama King didn't respond but just snorted coldly. He had always had a discordant relationship with King Guang and had been patient only because they both were among the Ten Yama Kings. But now this insolent challenge to his integrity was unforgivable!

A flash of cold fury in his eyes, Yama King quickly considered his options. Should he take this opportunity to deal with King Guang? But with the other seven Yama Kings present, acting against King Guang now would leave too many witnesses. Surely, he couldn't eliminate the other seven Yama Kings as well?

"What does he want to do? Of course, he wants to kill you! It's just that there are too many people here, and he doesn't dare to make a move!"

A cold laugh rang out as the Yama King was vacillating over whether to act or not, Sun Wukong already holding the Ruyi Silver-Hooped Rod, emerged step by step from the deep pit towards the ruined city of wrongful death, enveloped in killing intent without a hint of weakness. This caused all the Ten Yama Kings, including the Yama King himself, to change color.

The Underworld soldiers such as Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Black and White Impermanence, were even more perturbed, their faces turning ashen as they didn't dare to even breathe.

"Esteemed Immortal, the previous matter was a misunderstanding. We were merely acting according to the records in the Book of Life and Death and had no intention of opposing the Immortal. I beseech you to quench your thunderous rage for a moment. After we've verified the situation, we can discuss it further. What do you think about that, Immortal?"

The Yama King's eyes darted around as he put on a smile and approached Sun Wukong with a bow, devoid of any of the Yama Lord of the Netherworld's arrogance.

"Exactly, a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding! Please calm your anger, Immortal. We will immediately check the Book of Life and Death and will surely give you a satisfactory explanation!"

The City King, King of Reincarnation, King Chujiang, and other Underworld Yama Lords also hurriedly voiced their agreement. This Sun Wukong was just too abnormal; as a Taiyi Scattered Immortal, he could unleash Quasi-Saint level attacks. Moreover, he now seemed to have a surplus of Divine Primordial Qi, as if he hadn't suffered any loss at all. Just too damn abnormal!

In the face of such a monstrous star, it was best to show submission—this was the common thought in the minds of the several Yama Kings at the moment, except for King Qin Guang.

King Qin Guang's expression was unsettled, alternating between shades of red and white. He was the one who had previously mocked and provoked Sun Wukong. The other Yama Kings could kowtow and ingratiate themselves with Sun Wukong, but he couldn't swallow his pride. To be arrogant one moment and obsequious the next was the most contemptible!

"King Qin Guang? King Qin Guang!"

The call from Mount Tai King snapped King Qin Guang out of his dilemma, "Quickly bring out the Book of Life and Death, the Immortal wants to check it!"

The Book of Life and Death was a superior grade Innate Spiritual Treasure that, when combined with the Spring and Autumn Judges' Pen, could reach the level of a top grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Normally, it was kept in rotation by the Ten Yama Kings, changing hands every ten years, and it was currently King Qin Guang's turn to guard it.

"The Book of Life and Death is in my palace; I shall retrieve it. Please wait a moment, Immortal."

King Qin Guang rose from the ground, still somewhat unsteady, but had recovered some strength. He sneaked a glance at Sun Wukong, and, seeing him staring with murderous intent, felt a chill in his heart. Pride was, after all, not as important as life. Steeling himself, King Qin Guang managed a strained smile, bowed to Sun Wukong, and turned towards his First Hall.

Sun Wukong watched King Qin Guang's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly. For some reason, he felt a sense of unease, but he didn't dwell on it too much. At the earnest invitation of the Yama King and others, he took a seat in the relatively intact Great Hall Master's seat, waiting for King Qin Guang to retrieve the Book of Life and Death for inspection.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

In the First Hall of the Ten Halls of Yama, King Qin Guang entered the back hall, standing before the divine statue of the Yama Heavenly Son, his face twisted in ferocity, eyebrows and eyes twitching incessantly.

Humiliation, unparalleled humiliation; he was the foremost among the Ten Yama Kings, King Qin Guang! Since taking charge of the Netherworld, when had he ever suffered such indignity? Even the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sent by the Western Heaven to oversee the Netherworld always treated the Ten Yama Kings with courtesy.

Ksitigarbha was at Quasi-Saint Cultivation level, while this Sun Wukong was merely a lowly Taiyi Scattered Immortal. By what right did he dare to be so presumptuous?

The more he thought, the more resentful he felt. Gazing at the Yama Heavenly Son statute, his expression grew more and more malevolent—a crazy idea surged in his heart. The next moment, a black light shone from his palm, and he cast several spells on the divine statue of the Yama Heavenly Son.

A magical Array appeared upon the statue, revealing a hidden void from which the Book of Life and Death slowly floated out.

"Demon Monkey, you dare to humiliate and insult me; I shall trap you in the Netherworld for eternity, where you will be eroded day and night by the Netherworld Ghost Qi. Let's see how long you can last!"

A fierce light flashed in his eyes as King Qin Guang drew a huge two-foot-long brush from his bosom. The pen, wrapped in Great Dao Runes, resonated with the Book of Life and Death as soon as it appeared. It was the Spring and Autumn Judges' Pen, which King Qin Guang had sneakily taken from the mangled corpse of the unfortunate left judge upon his arrival at the Senluo Hall.

Now, it would prove useful!

The Human Book, also called the Netherworld Book, consisting of the Book of Life and Death and the Spring and Autumn Judges' Pen, records and controls the reincarnation of all beings below Earth Immortals in the Three Realms. However, it also has another major function—it is the treasure that anchors the Netherworld, controlling the passageway between the World of the Living and the Netherworld.

What King Qin Guang intended to do was to completely seal off the gateway between the two realms—allowing entry, but no exit!

"Hum~!"

A beam of black and white light emitted from the Spring and Autumn Judges' Pen and struck the Book of Life and Death. Instantly, the entire Book of Life and Death shone brightly and then expanded rapidly. Within a few breaths, it had enveloped the entire Netherworld.

The barriers between the Netherworld and the World of the Living were covered in dense Dao Patterns that connected in an instant, completely separating the two realms.