After a day, the Jade Emperor saw the familiar Immortal Official in the Palace of the Polestar.

"Five Immortal Ministers."

He asked with a smile, "What have you gained from descending to the Mortal World this time?"

The five immortals nodded one after another.

"Martial Star."

The Jade Emperor turned his gaze towards Martial Star: "What have you gained?"

Martial Star bowed and began to speak about his observations and experiences in Huaguo Mountain over the past year.

He primarily reported on the cultivation progress of the demons in Huaguo Mountain, which was something the Jade Emperor had asked him to pay close attention to before descending.

Overall, the demons of Huaguo Mountain posed no threat to the Heavenly Palace, and their increase in combat power was far less significant than their advancements in production techniques.

After listening, the Jade Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he turned the question to Literary Star, whose gains were much greater than those of Martial Star.

Literary Star detailed the management system of Huaguo Mountain, their pursuit of knowledge and talent, and suggested implementing Huaguo Mountain's examination system among humans.

Naturally, this suggestion sparked opposition from the other Immortal Officials.

"Immortals should not excessively interfere with the governance of the Mortal World."

"Humans have their own Emperor; why should we help them?"

the immortals spoke.

To maintain their identity, the immortals must have their own convictions. Interfering with human governance could not only be unhelpful but potentially harmful.

"Your Majesty, please consider deeply." Tota Li Heavenly King stood out and spoke, "If we overly interfere with human governance, how will the relationship between immortals and humans evolve?"

Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad had already caused some dissatisfaction by promoting rice cultivation, naturally disagreeing with more radical actions.

The Jade Emperor frowned slightly, finding the argument sensible.

"Let's not discuss this matter for now."

He dismissed Literary Star.

Literary Star felt regretful, but this was an expected response, so he said no more.

The Jade Emperor then looked towards Wang Lingguan.

"Your Majesty, a year ago, I asked Monkey King for freedom to work in Huaguo Mountain like a mortal," Wang Lingguan said.

The Jade Emperor immediately became interested: "Did Monkey King agree?"

"Agreed," Wang Lingguan nodded, "Huaguo Mountain is flourishing and indeed an exceptional place. Monkey King's great talent is truly impressive."

He shared some of his observations, and both the Jade Emperor and the immortals felt amazed.

However, after sharing his observations, Wang Lingguan stepped down without offering any suggestions.

Lastly, the Jade Emperor looked at The Immortal of Colossal Spirit, "Colossal Spirit, what did you see?"

The Immortal of Colossal Spirit broke into a cold sweat behind his back; how could this be managed? He was left hanging overseas, enduring a year of cold winds with no significant gains.

After a long thought, just as the Jade Emperor's expression grew stern, The Immortal of Colossal Spirit hurriedly replied, "Your servant has learned some seafood grilling!"

"..."

A period of silence followed in the Palace of the Polestar.

What is seafood grilling?

After asking a few times and learning the answer, the Jade Emperor sent The Immortal of Colossal Spirit to herd horses in the Heavenly River.

After the court dispersed, the Jade Emperor called upon Lord Lao Zi to report on Huaguo Mountain.

"Sun Wukong is indeed, as Your Majesty said, a rare wise talent, and moreover, is generous and will not become an enemy to the heaven..."

After talking about Huaguo Mountain, Lord Lao Zi also gave Sun Wukong a very high appraisal.

The Jade Emperor felt reassured; even Lord Lao Zi said so, confirming he hadn't misjudged.

"Just now in the Palace of the Polestar, Wang Lingguan seemed to have something to say."

The Jade Emperor continued, "He didn't speak up, do you know what it is?"

Lord Lao Zi smiled and nodded: "Wang Lingguan wanted to suggest that the Heavenly Palace adopt some management techniques from Huaguo Mountain."

The Jade Emperor frowned: "Then why didn't he say so?"

"Because Your Majesty would not agree," Lord Lao Zi replied, not just the Jade Emperor, but other immortals wouldn't agree either—Literary Star's suggestion was dismissed by them.

The Jade Emperor couldn't help but sigh.

"I highly trust Sun Wukong's management skills," the Jade Emperor said, "but his capability in this regard worries me more than his divine skills."

"What worries you?" Lord Lao Zi asked.

"He is skilled in management, and even without ill intentions, he might still influence the Heavenly Palace,"

the Jade Emperor said, "I sent Immortal Officials there hoping to learn some of his management techniques, to take the essence and discard the dregs, but now my worries have grown instead."

Lord Lao Zi nodded.

The management styles of the Heavenly Palace and Huaguo Mountain are completely different; hasty adoption could lead to major issues.

"This matter is not urgent."

Lord Lao Zi said, "There is something else I need to report to Your Majesty."

The Jade Emperor looked over.

"I have seen Elder Jin Chan a few times in Huaguo Mountain."

Lord Lao Zi spoke, "I believe the Western Heaven Buddha Ancestor is also interested in Sun Wukong."

"The intentions of the Buddha Ancestor are also obscure to me."

The Jade Emperor nodded: "It is precisely this point that makes Sun Wukong's overtures pleasing to me. If I were to become his enemy, he might later be taken by Western Heaven."

Lord Lao Zi was surprised; he hadn't heard of this matter before.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the Buddha Ancestor?"

"For a long time, the Buddha Ancestor has been harmless to me,"

the Jade Emperor said, with many of the Buddha Ancestor's people among the celestial officials of the Heavenly Palace.

But thus far, they have had no conflicts.

It was only this time, when the Jade Emperor made inquiries about the Sun Wukong matter, that the Buddha Ancestor remained almost completely silent.

Although the Buddha Ancestor advised him to act cautiously, he said nothing about what he would do himself.

The simple fact that Elder Jin Chan resided in Huaguo Mountain but the Buddha Ancestor acted as if he knew nothing raised the Jade Emperor's suspicions.

"Sun Wukong is no ordinary individual. The Buddha Ancestor's silence on him suggests an interest that probably far exceeds that of the other Buddhas of the West."

the Jade Emperor remarked.

Lord Lao Zi furrowed his brows: "Is Your Majesty perhaps overthinking?"

"I hope that I am overthinking,"

the Jade Emperor shook his head, "but this time, I'm afraid it's real."

The Western Heaven Buddha Ancestor is extremely wise, and although he has experienced fewer tribulations than the Jade Emperor, his divine abilities are far superior.

The Jade Emperor understood that the Buddha Ancestor must have seen something, which is why he was so reserved.

But if the Buddha Ancestor could see, then as the master of the Heavenly Dao, the Jade Emperor could also perceive certain things.

The Jade Emperor didn't know what the Buddha Ancestor had seen, but he could see that if Sun Wukong were to become a Buddha, his intellect and divine powers probably wouldn't be much less than those of the Buddha Ancestor.

"Sun Wukong is truly too clever..."

the Jade Emperor sighed.

Sun Wukong's unparalleled intelligence is a double-edged sword when in his hands, potentially harmful to himself.

But if given to others, it becomes a single-edged sword—no one knows what impact it could have on the Three Realms if he joins Western Heaven with his intelligence.

The Jade Emperor must remain vigilant.

There's none other in the world he cannot kill or release, nor safely use, except that one monkey.

"Nevermind..."

The Jade Emperor shook his head, smiling and said: "Fortunately, Sun Wukong has little interest in Buddhism."

Lord Lao Zi nodded.

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