"The number of days seems a little off."
"Could it be that because I, Old Sun, am too strong, and even summoned my innate demonic ape, it has caused the Great Dao to sense it and accelerate the subsequent tribulations?"
"I hope it's just my illusion. Otherwise, if this is true, the tasks ahead will not be easy."
Sun Kong, relying on his Pangu bloodline, vaguely felt that in the unseen realm, some heavenly numbers were accelerating their changes, as if his astonishing performance had caused the Great Dao to speed up the subsequent tribulations.
Even so.
He was so focused on these matters that he overlooked the people around him.
Until Jin Chanzi's voice rang out!
"Wukong!"
"Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi holds a venerable status, no less than a sage. How can you let him kneel to you personally? Quickly help him up."
"Regardless, with Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi's promise, the journey to the West for you and me will be much easier. From now on, we are all on the same side, and we cannot be suspicious of each other anymore."
Jin Chanzi's words were quite eloquent.
He managed to save face for the people of Wuzhuang Temple and indirectly reminded Sun Kong that as Sun Kong's performance became more prominent, with him at the core, Jin Chanzi and others, Wuchao Chan Shi, Chan Jiao, Ren Jiao, Wa Huang Palace, and Wuzhuang Temple.
With so many forces, including sages and non-sages, gathered together.
He dared not say that all future tribulations would be without hindrance and could be easily overcome.
At the very least, compared to the three major forces of the Demonic Path Alliance and the two branches of the Western Sect, Sun Kong's side finally had more reliable support!
"Yes, Master Jin Chanzi speaks very wisely. From now on, the Wuzhuang Temple lineage will obey your every command. Zhen Yuanzi, I will persevere to the end."
"It's just that the subsequent tribulations are not of great importance to this humble Daoist, so I must ask Great Sage Sun to instruct me in advance."
Hearing Jin Chanzi praise him, Zhen Yuanzi naturally had to respond. Moreover, as the Eight Immortals of Chan Jiao and Grand Master Xuandu returned one after another.
Zhen Yuanzi no longer felt constrained and took on the role of a younger brother, emphasizing Sun Kong's nobility at every turn.
Seeing this, the hundreds of disciples behind him immediately knelt down.
As for Sun Kong.
Stimulated by everyone's actions and forced to snap back to attention, he saw that Zhen Yuanzi and the others were even more respectful and admiring of him.
He did not stand on ceremony.
While helping up the people of Wuzhuang Temple and chuckling, he also briefly explained the subsequent major and minor tribulations and the general plot he had summarized.
Although he could not guarantee that every tribulation would play out with 100% accuracy, it at least served as a preventive measure, allowing everyone to have a clear understanding.
On the other hand, thinking of the significant changes he had sensed in the heavenly numbers, which might have accelerated both cycles of the journey to the West.
Sun Kong did not dare to hesitate, nor did he dare to conceal it from his people. He immediately cast the "Wuhou Seven Star Formation" to temporarily shield the entire Wuzhuang Temple.
He also gathered Jin Chanzi, Wu Zhiqi, Zhou Wuxian, Nezha, Zhen Yuanzi, and others.
And held a secret meeting.
The sole topic of discussion was:
That the subsequent tribulations might indeed be accelerating!
…
"Everyone, I, Old Sun, speak plainly. What I just sensed was purely my own intuition, and there is no concrete evidence to prove that the Great Dao has accelerated the subsequent tribulations."
"But regardless, you have all seen it. The original plots and tribulations stipulated by the Heavenly Dao, though minor ones were manageable, major ones would inevitably attract attacks from the Demonic Path Alliance, the Western Sect, and even local demons."
"Therefore, we must no longer maintain our previous casual and lazy attitude. If you all trust me, Old Sun, from today onwards, we will have to unite more closely and strike more fiercely."
"After the two tribulations in Wuzhuang Temple, for the most important tribulations, except for those related to Sage Taiqing, Sage Yuqing, and Empress Nuwa, all other aspects must be faced with utmost vigilance."
"As for my side, you can all see that after the previous battle where I overextended myself, I will likely need a long period of recuperation."
"During this period, internally, we will rely on Master Jin Chanzi, along with my second and third brothers, and fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi for support."
"Externally, we can seek out Wuchao Chan Shi, the Eight Immortals of Chan Jiao, Grand Master Xuandu, and others. If a life-or-death moment truly arrives, I, Old Sun, will have a way to come out of seclusion. I hope everyone will put in more effort and be more at ease in the coming days!"
Sun Kong spoke with the most serious and earnest tone since his transmigration. Not only did this make the attendees at the meeting look solemn and meticulously remember his words.
As for himself, starting from the next morning, he began to implement this new plan.
For no other reason.
But to adapt as quickly as possible to the sensed acceleration of the tribulations, so as not to let the demons, Jie Jiao, Heavenly Court, Western Sect, and other potential enemies.
Exploit their new weaknesses and strike ruthlessly!
After all.
Five hundred years ago, Sun Kong could single-handedly defeat the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain and the Immortals of the Heavenly Court, creating the first miracle. Five hundred years later, the second and eighth tribulations were two minor miracles.
These two minor miracles combined barely constituted a major one.
This time, him fighting five was the third miracle.
It was a good thing.
But it was also a bad thing.
As the saying goes, good things come in threes. He, Sun Kong, could not be sure that with the Great Dao accelerating the tribulations, and with all parties paying more attention to him, this rapidly rising Great Sage Equaling Heaven.
Whether the subsequent troubles could be resolved so easily.
Therefore.
After Sun Kong instructed everyone, and the next morning, he handed Jin Chanzi over to Wu Zhiqi, Zhou Wuxian, and Nezha for their dedicated protection.
He himself, however, had to immediately enter seclusion.
Firstly, to heal the internal injuries from his previous overexertion.
Secondly, it was time to have a long chat with the system and see what the three sequelae that he had not finished listening to last time entailed!
…
"Senior Brother, you should go into seclusion and recuperate well. We will officially set off, and until the twenty-fourth tribulation, before the Golden and Silver Boys, I believe there should be no major issues."
"However, you must return as soon as possible."
"We two brothers cannot do without you. Even our allies in the same camp must rely on your guidance."
Before departing, Wu Zhiqi and Zhou Wuxian were very reluctant to part with Sun Kong.
They gave various instructions and admonishments.
Sun Kong was almost moved to tears by their concern.
However, he remained resolute in his temporary departure from everyone and returned to Chan Jiao to find Yuanshi Tianzun, the only one who could completely shield him from the Heavenly Dao.
Under the protection of Yuanshi Tianzun's Primordial Treasure Box, Sun Kong began a seclusion that lasted for several years!
…
Outside, everyone acted according to plan, constantly keeping their eyes and ears open.
And within the box.
Sun Kong once again summoned the innate demonic ape, which even he himself did not fully understand. After a period of mutual observation and comprehension.
He gradually gained some understanding.
"They all thought I, Old Sun, had cultivated a clone ahead of time relying on my Pangu bloodline."
"But they did not expect that this clone came from the causal convergence of the Blue Star timeline."
"This demonic ape is me, Old Sun, and I, Old Sun, am this demonic ape!"