Sun Wukong was intent on enhancing the war strength of Huaguo Mountain, and immediately informed the Demon Kings of each cave. Their responses were very swift.

Among them, the quickest were four elderly monkeys; on the very night after Wukong had spoken, they selected the most outstanding bunch of Monkey Spirits from Huaguo Mountain.

"Great King, are they suitable?"

The four elderly monkeys inquired.

Sun Wukong carefully looked over the thirty young women, exceptionally beautiful. If it weren't for the monkey tails behind them, one would hardly recognize them as Monkey Spirits.

"They are."

Seeing that they were of good aptitude, Sun Wukong nodded in agreement.

While the four elderly monkeys were joyful, they also felt a tinge of regret — the Great King didn't even change his expression while looking at these female monkeys, clearly uninterested in their gender.

The elderly monkeys had their own ulterior motives in choosing the female monkeys.

But clearly, Sun Wukong was not at all preoccupied with such thoughts.

The elderly monkeys could only console themselves that the Great King was not disinterested in female monkeys, but rather indifferent to worldly matters.

In the following days, other Demon Kings also brought Sun Wukong many excellent demons — most of whom were female.

Sun Wukong didn't take it too seriously.

He preached the Tao to these demons for a day and then sent them off to contemplate on their own, keeping only the one with the best aptitude.

And as it turned out, she was precisely a Monkey Spirit, which made the four elderly monkeys elated once again.

"You can follow me for three years."

Sun Wukong said to the Monkey Spirit, who was incredibly bright and had vast potential for cultivation, sure to be no less than the Demon Kings from the various caves in the future.

He hoped to select batches of demons with good potential over time, and together with the Demon Kings from the various caves, they would build the foundational war strength for Huaguo Mountain.

However, before the selection of the second batch of demons, Sun Wukong received a transmission from Immortal Zhen Yuan.

"Junior Brother, it is your turn to preach."

They no longer wished to preach to Ao Luan.

Sun Wukong arrived at the mountain peak.

"This girl won't listen anymore."

Immortal Zhen Yuan stood up and said to him, "You take over the rest."

Sun Wukong looked towards White Dragon and saw her figure ethereal, enveloped by Auspicious Clouds, with her cultivation having entered a pleasant phase. How could it be that she wasn't receptive?

He was about to ask Immortal Zhen Yuan when Immortal Zhen Yuan flew away on a cloud ahead of him.

"Elder."

Sun Wukong looked towards Elder Jin Chan.

"Amiṭābha, this monk should not stay here."

Elder Jin Chan chanted, stood up to bow, and then turned to leave.

"Elder." Sun Wukong wanted to stop him but saw Elder Jin Chan step into the empty air and fall from the mountain peak.

"..."

Sun Wukong shook his head, turned to look at White Dragon, but White Dragon had already opened her eyes, and her gaze joyfully fell upon him.

"Brother, I have consumed the Immortal Pill, and my foundation is gradually solidifying. Soon, I will achieve the Tao. Could I ask you to protect the Way for me?"

Ao Luan asked.

Sun Wukong nodded.

White Dragon circled the mountain peak, confirming those two had left before she opened her mouth, revealing a bright and shining pearl.

"This is my Cultivation Pearl; it must not be carelessly exposed."

Ao Luan explained.

Sun Wukong looked towards the pearl, which radiated with essence and seemed to contain surging seawater.

He immediately understood that this pearl was Ao Luan's Lifebound Dragon Pearl, and also the foundation of her Tao — not life itself, but surpassing life.

Such a vital thing naturally could not be revealed in front of those whom one could not fully trust.

"Most excellent."

Sun Wukong nodded and sat cross-legged: "I shall expound the Tao and protect you, to aid you in becoming an immortal."

With her heart full of joy, and under the protection of Sun Wukong, Ao Luan began to daily refine the treasure pearl, and soon she attained the Immortal Dao.

Once the Immortal Dao was obtained, the White Dragon soared into the sky, and the entire Huaguo Mountain was enveloped by auspicious clouds, with a shower of Spiritual Rain falling down.

When she descended from the clouds, she had a pair of horns on her head, her body was covered in shining white scales, and beneath her claws were Five-colored auspicious clouds. She circled the peak of the Mountain several times, then transformed into human form and paid respects to Sun Wukong.

"Thank you, elder brother, for passing on the Tao."

At this moment, Ao Luan was no longer the girl of before, having transformed into a mature and beautiful woman with a graceful figure, surprising Sun Wukong a little.

However, he calmed down and still felt happy for Ao Luan.

Ao Luan had achieved the Immortal Dao, and everyone at Huaguo Mountain was delighted, with each Demon King from various caves bringing congratulatory gifts to celebrate for her at Shuilian Cave.

"Congratulations, Second Great King."

Mei Hu brought a mirror: "Now your beauty can match mine."

Ao Luan smiled faintly: "You flatter me, sister."

There was confidence in her natural smile. Ao Luan felt she had surpassed Mei Hu and saw no need to compete with her.

Mei Hu clicked her tongue; the Second Great King wasn't looking at her with distaste, which she found somewhat unaccustomed to.

"What's there to be proud of? Once I attain the Immortal Dao, I will surely surpass your beauty."

Mei Hu glanced at Ao Luan's figure and felt a twinge of irritation.

Fortunately, Ao Luan lacked that kind of allure to men. Mei Hu had deliberately kept her hair long and dressed up a bit, and once again, the Demon Kings were revolving around her.

The East Sea Dragon King from the Crystal Palace also rushed over and joined the other demons in celebrating for Ao Luan at Shuilian Cave.

Ao Luan thanked him for the Immortal Pills he brought.

Aoguang accepted her gratitude, and, seeing Ao Luan achieving the Immortal Fruit, felt extreme joy in his heart.

The West Sea Crown Prince Ao Moang also brought a gift for Ao Luan: "You've cultivated an Immortal Body, and if the Jade Emperor commends you, you might be invited into the Immortal Records…"

Upon hearing this, Ao Luan's expression changed slightly.

"I have no desire to ascend to heaven."

She shook her head and said: "The rules in the Heavenly Palace are too many; how can that compare to the freedom of Huaguo Mountain?"

"You're right, Lu'er."

Aoguang nodded inwardly.

Although he did not say it aloud, he also hoped that Ao Luan would stay at Huaguo Mountain.

The Heavenly Palace had strict laws, and even he, the East Sea Dragon King, could not afford the slightest negligence in his duties, issuing rain orders daily. If he made any mistakes, he might be arrested and beheaded.

How could such a Heavenly Palace compare to Huaguo Mountain?

Sun Wukong was broad-minded, and as the Second Great King, Ao Luan held a high position and significant authority at Huaguo Mountain. Aoguang never heard of Sun Wukong restricting her power.

There were not only no restrictions, but even punishments were rare, let alone threats of beheading.

Sun Wukong trusted Ao Luan, and with Huaguo Mountain being so prosperous, what reason did she have to leave and take office in the Heavenly Palace?

The more Aoguang thought about it, the more he agreed. Hence, he took Ao Luan and once again approached Sun Wukong to express his gratitude.

"There's no need to thank me."

Sun Wukong said: "She has dedicated herself heart and soul for Huaguo Mountain, such a reward is deserved."

Aoguang shook his head: "This is no ordinary reward. The Immortal has shown great kindness to Ao Luan; in my Crystal Palace, we may lack other things, but not treasures. Whatever treasure you desire, Immortal, I will present it to you."

This time, Sun Wukong didn't refuse.

"I would like to take a weapon from the Crystal Palace."

He said.

"That's easy, you can choose any weapon you like from the Crystal Palace," the East Sea Dragon King replied with a smile: "When would you like to take it?"

Sun Wukong pondered.

"There's no rush right now, I'll naturally go and get it when I want it."

And thus, the issue with the Jingu Bang was resolved.

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