Guang Hui's arrival didn't impact Sun Wukong much.

The old monk was eager to teach the Buddhist Law, and he would come to Shuilian Cave two days out of seven; unfortunately, Sun Wukong's mind was steadfast, not even Buddha himself could change it.

On the contrary, it was Sun Wukong who occasionally asked a few questions, leaving Guang Hui unable to respond, often spending all night tapping the wooden fish, deep in contemplation.

That day, Guang Hui left Shuilian Cave again with a puzzled face.

Sun Wukong watched his retreating figure, thinking that perhaps he should ask fewer questions in the future.

It wouldn't be good if that old monk died.

"Ao Luan, you need to get to work."

Sun Wukong reminded Ao Luan at his side, not understanding why she seemed even more antagonistic towards monks than him, eyeing Guang Hui fiercely every time she saw him.

"I'll go right now!"

Ao Luan huffed and strode out of Shuilian Cave,

Immortal Zhen Yuan walked in from outside just in time to see her icy expression.

"Little brother, you've upset her."

Immortal Zhen Yuan came up beside Sun Wukong, smiling: "You're clever and talented, yet there's one thing you haven't grasped."

Sun Wukong furrowed his brows: "Why is she angry?"

"A few days ago, I went to a banquet, and The Bodhisattva Guanyin just happened to be sitting opposite me..."

Immortal Zhen Yuan chuckled: "She mentioned something to me, did you once save a big fish in Southern Continent on your quest for enlightenment?"

Sun Wukong nodded: "Yes, I did."

"Then that's it."

Immortal Zhen Yuan flicked his horsetail whisk and continued: "That big fish was fated to meet the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva sent a novice monk, transformed into a young monk, to enlist it, but you saved it first."

"Ao Luan told me that the big fish was her friend."

Sun Wukong nodded again: "Does she know the Bodhisattva wanted to enlist it? So that's why she dislikes Buddhism."

Immortal Zhen Yuan couldn't help but grin.

That big fish was in fact Ao Luan - alas, Sun Wukong, then just a mortal in the flesh, naturally could not tell that the big fish was transformed from a Dragon Girl.

"Should I tell little brother?"

Immortal Zhen Yuan thought for a moment but said nothing.

Sun Wukong's mind was all about the heavenly Tao, devoid of romantic distractions. Telling him the truth would be harmful to Ao Luan.

It might be better to let Ao Luan keep trying—maybe, one day, she could unlock Sun Wukong's emotions.

But this process would undoubtedly be very lengthy—

"After all, he was born from a stone."

Immortal Zhen Yuan muttered under his breath.

A few days later, the four elder monkeys brought news: the millennia-old Fox King and his group had produced a Floating Daoist Talisman that could make heavy objects levitate.

"That Fox King is indeed capable."

Sun Wukong thought to himself.

Years ago, the millennia-old Fox King and his family came to Huaguo Mountain, entrusting all the family wealth to the Jade-faced Fox. The Jade-faced Fox had been Ao Luan's deputy, managing the six blessed islands for many years.

Meanwhile, the millennia-old Fox King became fascinated with crafts and technology, inventing many things in collaboration with the Rakshasa master and disciple.

Sun Wukong decided to go see the Floating Daoist Talisman.

He and Immortal Zhen Yuan headed to the seashore and, surprisingly, Ao Luan also put down her work and came to watch.

The millennia-old Fox King and the others had created the first floating spiritual object—a Floating carriage.

Its design was very simple and easy to understand; the carriage's body was covered with Daoist Talismans.

After absorbing spiritual energy for several days, the carriage, filled with demons, easily rose before everyone's eyes.

"Oh oh!"

The Demon Kings on the beach all clapped excitedly.

Immortal Zhen Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement: "It seems building a Royal City is truly not a pipe dream."

Sun Wukong looked up at the carriage; the lift and stability provided by these Daoist Talismans were quite reliable.

But...

"How does this carriage move?"

Sun Wukong asked.

In a recent discussion, the demons had reached a consensus: the Royal City must be mobile.

A stationary Royal City was vulnerable to attacks and would block sunlight, so being able to move was essential.

Sun Wukong did not see any moving Daoist Talismans on the carriage.

"This is the most brilliant part, Great King."

The Fox King shouted on the carriage, "We are going to catch a Phoenix."

"A Phoenix?"

"Yes, we plan to use a Phoenix to pull the carriage."

The Fox King explained.

"That's a great idea!"

Immortal Zhen Yuan's eyes brightened as he closely examined the carriage, "I think the carriage's design can be made even more beautiful."

Clearly, the carriage had ignited his inspiration.

Sun Wukong shook his head. Although the floating effect was well done, it was obviously incomplete.

Are these guys only capable of producing half-finished works?

Sun Wukong felt a bit regretful but, after all—innovation at the Royal City had begun.

He could sense the atmosphere of creativity permeating through Huaguo Mountain and naturally, he wouldn't discourage them at this moment.

"You've all done a good job."

Sun Wukong asked Ao Luan to give substantial rewards to the Fox King and the Rakshasa teacher and student.

After the rewards, he added, "The Royal City can't rely on Daoist Talismans to float; you must transform the Talismans into other stable and hidden technologies."

The demons clearly understood and nodded happily.

Sun Wukong turned to Ao Luan: "Ao Luan, have you gathered the Dragon King's herbal medicine data yet?"

"No."

Ao Luan snorted coldly and turned away.

Sun Wukong was taken aback.

At this moment, one of the two unnoticed tagalongs came forward.

"Great King," the boy said to Sun Wukong, "my sister has been in poor spirits recently; you could give her a gift."

He continued, "I know what she likes."

Sun Wukong glanced at the boy.

This boy, who had come all the way from the Northern Continent, was alone and forlorn on Huaguo Mountain, yet he had deep knowledge of the Hundred Herbs Map. Sun Wukong intended to have him help organize the herbal texts and thus kept him close at hand for assistance.

"Sister likes wood."

The boy said, "Great King, you could find a nice piece of wood for her."

"Wood?"

Sun Wukong looked surprised.

Why would Ao Luan have such a hobby?

But since the boy had a good relationship with Ao Luan, Sun Wukong thought about it and decided to give it a try.

He had four old monkeys bring over a piece of rare wood, but feeling that its appearance was plain, he cast a spell and carved the wood into a wooden sword.

"This is for me?"

Ao Luan received the piece of wood, almost unable to believe her eyes.

Not until Sun Wukong nodded did she ecstatically accept it.

The brother had finally come to his senses, knowing she was angry, he should have come to apologize earlier.

A simple apology, and she would have forgiven him.

However, Ao Luan had never expected that Sun Wukong would actually give her a carving.

This was the first real gift Sun Wukong had given her.

Ao Luan was deeply touched.

"Thank you, brother, I will take good care of it."

Ao Luan left Shuilian Cave, happy like a child, hopping and skipping.

"She's even skipping away..."

Sun Wukong watched Ao Luan as she left, utterly astounded.

Such a wooden sword given to someone else would be completely unappreciated.

Ao Luan really did love wood!

Sun Wukong no longer worried about the Dragon Girl being upset.

"I can carve a hundred wooden swords to keep on hand."

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