Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

"Hmm!"

Sun Wukong grunted, his bones making a cracking sound as the overwhelming killing intent pressed down on him, almost causing him to kneel. A half-step saint really was too powerful, much stronger than a quasi-saint.

Facing the quasi-saint level Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Sun Wukong still had the courage to take action, but now, facing the Nether River Ancestor, the mere killing intent released by the other was enough to make Sun Wukong feel as though his body was about to split apart!

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"What a terrifying Nether River Ancestor, what a terrifying Path of Slaughter!"

A look of shock flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes. In the next moment, a stubborn spirit that refused to admit defeat surged within him. So what if it was the Supreme Path of Slaughter? What of the Nether River Ancestor? He was just someone who had cultivated for endless eons longer than himself.

Were I to cultivate for as many years, I would have proven the Tao and become a saint long ago, certainly not just a half-step saint. It seems the Nether River Ancestor also chose the path of severing a part of himself and then accumulating merit to become a saint.

It's just that his merit is nowhere near as great as that of Goddess Nuwa, Primordial Heavenly Venerable, or Tathagata Buddha, which is why he is only a half-step saint with a fine line away from saintliness!

Do not underestimate this fine line difference. Even if ten Nether River Ancestors joined forces, they would not be a match for Heavenly Dao Saints like Tathagata Buddha or Primordial Heavenly Venerable. The gap between a Heavenly Dao Saint and a half-step saint isn't merely a difference in cultivation. It's about qualitative strength!

However, even if facing Tathagata Buddha, Sun Wukong would not retreat half a step, let alone facing this Nether River Ancestor?

He would rather die standing than live kneeling!

"You think you can make me, Old Sun, submit just with your momentum? You're fucking dreaming!"

"Roar!"

A reluctant roar burst forth from the depths of Sun Wukong's throat. The Chaos Primordial Force erupted fully as the Six Paths Reincarnation Talisman within his dantian was also fully activated.

The Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms materialized behind him, unleashing a massive amount of the Power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, which, together with the Chaos Primordial Force, filled Sun Wukong's entire body, forming a protective aura around him that forcibly repelled the killing intent from the Nether River Ancestor.

"He can actually block my killing intent? Interesting. This kid is much more formidable than Sovereign Mara Papiyas! With a cultivation strength surpassing the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm, yet not even reaching that realm, he's indeed rare and admirable!"

The Nether River Ancestor's eyes flickered with shock once more; this was already the third time Sun Wukong had made him feel astonished. The Nether River Ancestor couldn't help but feel a bit of admiration for talent.

If he could take Sun Wukong under his wing like Sovereign Mara Papiyas, and develop him into a member of the Asura Tribe, perhaps once Sun Wukong also broke through to the quasi-saint level, the intrinsic shortcomings in the Asura Tribe's merit would be compensated, and he, too, might completely prove the Tao and become an immortal saint!

"Boy, what is your name?"

"Old Sun doesn't change his name, nor his surname when seated. I am the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong!"

"Great Sage Equalling Heaven? Bold! Impressive! Old Ancestor likes your spirit! Sun Wukong, would you be willing to pledge loyalty to me? I can bestow you with the Asura Tribe's Indestructible Body of the Path of Slaughter with my supreme magical power, helping you to reach the pinnacle!"

The Nether River Ancestor threw an olive branch to Sun Wukong, unaware that hearing these words was like a thunderclap to Sovereign Mara Papiyas of the Asura Demon King standing nearby.

An Indestructible Body of the Path of Slaughter—that was a state only the Nether River Ancestor's physical body had reached. Now he was saying he wanted to grant it to Sun Wukong. Even Sovereign Mara Papiyas had not received such a favor. What virtues and abilities did this brat have to be so highly regarded by the Ancestor?

Envy welled up in Sovereign Mara Papiyas's heart, and the thought of possibly being overshadowed by Sun Wukong in the future made him feel as if he had swallowed a fly—a deep regret emerged. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have cared about any dignity of a master back at the cliff above the Endless Abyss.

He should have eradicated Sun Wukong, given him no chance to react, and none of this would have happened!

"Old Sun refuses!"

As Sovereign Mara Papiyas was full of regret and envy, a crisp response rang out. He stared at Sun Wukong in astonishment; Sun Wukong's eyes were full of determination, with not the slightest bit of hesitation.

Refuse? He actually refused! Is this monkey crazy?

In shock and confusion, followed by ecstasy, Sovereign Mara Papiyas knew very well about the Nether River Ancestor's temper. Sun Wukong's blatant refusal was tantamount to slapping the Nether River Ancestor's goodwill to the ground and stamping on it. The Nether River Ancestor practiced the Path of Slaughter, not the feigned compassion of the Buddhist sect. He would definitely not let Sun Wukong off!

As expected, upon hearing this, the Nether River Ancestor's eyes flashed with a cold and penetrating light, and his eyes narrowed again, "You say you want to refuse my offer?"

"That's right!"

"Do you realize that I have never shown such goodwill to anyone, and do you know what fate awaits those who dare refuse me? My wrath is not something you can bear!"

"So what? In this life, I, Old Sun, will never become a servant to anyone, not even the Nine Heavens God Emperor or the Supreme Buddha Dao Master. Don't even dream of making me bow my head! To think that I would acknowledge you as my master and be loyal to you, you're dreaming!"

Sun Wukong fearlessly locked eyes with the Nether River Ancestor, his gaze not flinching in the slightest. After a short pause, Nether River Ancestor suddenly let out a light laugh, "It seems I have underestimated you. A fellow like you would never submit to anyone! Very good, you have spine! However, being too stubborn is not always a good thing; too rigid, and you may break!"

With the Nether River Ancestor's light laughter, two strangely shaped longswords, one black and one red, appeared in his hands—the Abi and Yuan Tu, two Innate Spiritual Treasure Divine Swords. The fierce intent to kill tightly locked onto Sun Wukong, ready to shock the heavens with a single strike.

"Sun Wukong, since you recognize me, you must also know the effects of these two Divine Swords. A talent like you is indeed cherished and protected by the heavens. Others may be tainted with karma for killing you, but if I slay you with the Abi and Yuan Tu, I won't be stained with even the slightest karma!"

Nether River Ancestor said, his Abi Sword pointing directly at Sun Wukong from afar, the look in his eyes indifferent, much like one beholding an ant—filled with cold disdain. Sun Wukong's heart sank. Nether River Ancestor was giving him a final ultimatum, no exaggeration—should he fall by these two Innate Spiritual Treasure Divine Weapons, his death would be utterly in vain!

No, I must get away quickly. Even though I would rather die than submit, it's always better to live if one can. Having been reborn, I have yet to ascend to the peak of Spiritual Mountain and seek revenge on Buddha, the bald donkey; nor have I fully expanded the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult, or stood proudly before Goddess Nuwa to call her "Mother" and make her proud.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

How could Sun Wukong just die here so senselessly?

Escape, I must find a way to escape!

He fully activated the Void-Breaking Divine Eye, and the three nebula-like patterns reappeared in his eyes as the second form of the Void-Breaking Divine Eye opened. Sun Wukong looked around. He was in the deepest part of Hell's Yellow Springs, and the junction between the Netherworld and the World of the Living mentioned by Yama King was right here. But where exactly was it?

"Eh? What's that?"

Without paying attention, Sun Wukong would not have noticed, but upon looking, he found something strange. In the distance, at the deep recesses of Hell's Yellow Springs and the edge of the Boundless Blood Sea, there appeared to be a deep pool.

That alone was not crucial; the key was that right now, there was a force emanating from within the pool that was no weaker than Nether River Ancestor's, slowly coming back to life. Beneath the scrutiny of the Void-Breaking Divine Eye, he could vaguely see a giant egg within the deep pool, and the being inside the egg seemed to have been disturbed by the recent commotion, awakening rapidly.

In the blink of an eye, Sun Wukong formulated a plan. Knowing the gap was too wide and that he wouldn't stand a chance even if he unleashed all his potential, it was nonsensical to clash head-on. Better to retreat for now—"He who fights and runs away, may live to fight another day." I, Old Sun, will come back!

"Cloning Divine Powers!"

Secretly employing his Cloning Divine Powers and with a ferocious roar, he drove the Power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation and pushed it toward the Nether River Ancestor, and seizing this chance, Sun Wukong's true body turned into a whirlwind, quietly fleeing towards the pool.

"Clever boy, to actually take the initiative! Truly audacious and presumptuous to the extreme! However, do you think that by risking your life, you could contend with me? How ridiculous and ignorant!"

The Nether River Ancestor glanced indifferently at the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms pressing towards him with formidable momentum, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. His expression remained calm.

Indeed, the Power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation was extremely terrifying, but after all, Sun Wukong was only a Taiyi Golden Immortal with low cultivation; he hadn't even condensed the three flowers atop his head or the five qi in his chest. Even if he could evolve the Six Paths of Reincarnation, how could it pose a threat to him?

"Slash!"

With just a light utterance, the Nether River Ancestor's Yuan Tu Sword in his right hand swept a light stroke towards the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms.

A streak of blood light burst forth from the sword's tip, expanding instantly into a semblance of a crescent blade shape; the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realms, which looked unstoppable in their ferocity, were slashed by this blood blade and instantly crumbled.

Sun Wukong's clone hurriedly dodged, but his shoulder was still grazed, and the body, which had reached the Vajra Indestructible state, was torn open like paper, revealing a long deep wound. Intense killing intent rushed into his body through the wound in an instant.

"Hmm!"

Sun Wukong's clone grunted, alarmed. He had thought the Six Paths Reincarnation Talisman could hold off the Nether River Ancestor for a while, but it was actually shattered by a casual sword stroke!

He stimulated the Chaos Primordial Force to envelop the invading killing intent. Fortunately, the Chaos Primordial Force could assimilate everything, otherwise it would be quite an effort to expel this killing intent launched by the Nether River Ancestor, an entirely different league compared to the Path of Slaughter's killing intent from Asura Demon King Sovereign Mara Papiyas.

The fleeing Sun Wukong trembled inwardly; he could sense everything happening to his clone. A Half-Step Saint was indeed terrifying, and his current cultivation strength was simply insignificant before his opponent!

He couldn't contend head-on; he must escape swiftly. Of course, escape didn't mean only running away, he had to make some trouble for this old fellow!