Chapter 97: The Seven Saints of Flower Fruit Mountain

Wu Ji, actually my visit this time also carries some intention from the Lady. The Sun Star Lord adjusted his demeanor and said again, "Mainly regarding major Buddhist affairs."

After the Great Consecration ended, Daozu Hongjun had appeared on behalf of the Heavenly Dao and uttered a single sentence: "In the next tribulation, Buddhism will prosper."

With the Heavenly Dao's decree in place, this Western Expedition had seen Buddhism exert itself greatly, such that not only would the Heavenly Court need to lend its strength but even the Jade Emperor might have to pay a price.

As for why the Heavenly Court was cooperating so fully with Buddhism, the chief reason lay in Hongjun's decree. It was precisely because of Hongjun's will that the Jade Emperor had become master of the Heavenly Court; otherwise the Heavenly Court would still lie under Hongjun's absolute control.

Now that Hongjun has become the Heavenly Dao's enforcer and stands in harmony with the Heavenly Dao, he cannot manage the Heavenly Court, so the reins of power have passed into the Jade Emperor's hands.

"In this period, the only representatives of the Nine Radiant Star Lords traveling between heaven and earth have been the Five Elements Star Lords. I and my other three younger brothers will not appear."

Perhaps it was the weight of their own pride that had driven them to withdraw for a time.

"Oh? Could that bring any impact?" Wu Ji inquired.

In truth Wu Ji's question was somewhat superfluous. The Western Expedition was a matter of great Buddhist importance, and with Hongjun's decree in force, no other events of consequence were likely to disturb the prehistoric world besides this expedition.

"No, and the Lady said you may roam freely. Your present cultivation is not inferior to my five younger brothers, so I hope you will be willing to lend assistance when the need arises."

"Of course."

Even without the Sun Star Lord's reminder, Wu Ji would have acted the same way. Hundreds of years of friendship meant that if the Five Elements Star Lords ever required help, he would not hesitate.

"Moreover... never mind, if I speak too much it may not serve you."

"If you trust me, big brother, speak freely." Wu Ji presumed Sun Star Lord had more to disclose and placed a hand on his chest in solemn promise.

"If you can discover it, go more often to the Peach Garden and Dourui Palace; perhaps those places will be unguarded."

The Sun Star Lord's face showed clear unease. He had heard the same rumors and could not vouch for Wu Ji, so he could only offer a fragment of truth.

Wu Ji understood the meaning at once.

The Peach Garden and Dourui Palace were places Wu Ji could not help but feel curiosity for; he had once observed them from a distance but had never dared to advance. Every time he had tried to step closer, an aura that threatened the very breath of life had appeared out of nowhere, so decisive that he had never taken another step.

Even after reaching the Great Yi Sanxian realm, he had not dared approach. The same suffocating pressure from that distant vantage had continued to cling to him.

Sun Wukong's cultivation was slightly inferior, making it even less possible for him to come near the Peach Garden and Dourui Palace, let alone steal peaches or immortal elixirs. The only explanation was that Buddhism had arranged it.

It seemed Sun Wukong would need to be watched more closely. For himself, the peaches and elixirs represented no small opportunity.

"Moreover, that monkey has rebelled against the lower realms. You must manage the rest yourself!"

With that the Sun Star Lord withdrew the nearby formations and departed the God Ape Great General's Mansion along with them.

The messages brought by this visit were of vital importance. Now the time to act had come.

Sun Wukong had learned that the Bima Wen was merely a petty minor official, that he had rebelled against the Heavenly Court, and that under the instigation of two Ghost Kings he had proclaimed himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

What interested Wu Ji far more was the origin of those two Ghost Kings and how they had persuaded Sun Wukong to make such a declaration.

After the proclamation, strange events had begun to occur elsewhere.

On Cu Yun Mountain the Bull Demon King had become inexplicably irritable, losing all his former shrewdness; pinkish red threads now laced his pupils.

"Great King, the Beautiful Monkey King has proclaimed himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and has sent monkey soldiers to invite you to a feast," a bull demon rushed in shouting.

"What? Bring my armor. I am going to Flower Fruit Mountain."

The Bull Demon King gave the matter no further thought, believing the Beautiful Monkey King was merely his seventh brother and therefore dared to proclaim the Great Sage Equal to Heaven; why should he not proclaim a title of his own?

Now that Sun Wukong was inviting the demon kings, it was the perfect moment to reveal the title he had chosen. Great Sage Equal to Heaven... Great Sage Equal to Heaven... Great Sage Equalizing Heaven. That would do.

Gallantly the Bull Demon King set off toward Flower Fruit Mountain, as though he could not wait.

Not only he, but the other five demon kings who had sworn brotherhood with Sun Wukong on Flower Fruit Mountain likewise hastened there, including the Yu Rong King.

On Flower Fruit Mountain the gathering had become a clamor, with so many demon kings assembled.

"Seventh Brother, I heard that your divine powers were used to send you up to raise horses for the Jade Emperor. Is this true?"

All the others were present as well, seated together drinking and carousing.

"Unexpectedly the Jade Emperor is so small-minded, deceiving me into going up to raise horses for him," Sun Wukong said, indignant; he hurled the wine cup in his hand to the ground.

"Seventh Brother, no need to grow angry. Since the Jade Emperor is petty and does not know your abilities, we will continue to be our own kings. Being a Great Sage Equal to Heaven on Flower Fruit Mountain is carefree and joyful," the Bull Demon King continued.

"Big Brother speaks correctly. Let us drink on," Sun Wukong took up another cup and resumed drinking with the remaining six demon kings.

Their purpose now differed from before; it centered entirely on the titles they sought.

"Since Seventh Brother has proclaimed himself a Great Sage, why should we not do the same?"

After three rounds of wine the Rimi Monkey King could no longer hold back and first voiced his intention.

"Good, Big Brother's abilities are not weak either," Sun Wukong called out happily from the side.

Their titles had already been settled on the journey here, so the replies came smoothly.

"Since Seventh Brother has spoken, I, this old bull, will not refuse. I will proclaim the Great Sage Equalizing Heaven."

"Good, Big Brother's title is excellent," the Rimi Monkey King echoed.

"Indeed excellent, then I will proclaim the Great Sage Overwhelming the Sea," the Jiao Demon King said.

"I will proclaim the Great Sage Mixing Heaven," the Peng Demon King said.

"..."

After the drinking session the legendary Seven Sages of Flower Fruit Mountain appeared: the Great Sage Equalizing Heaven, Bull Demon King; the Great Sage Overwhelming the Sea, Jiao Demon King; the Great Sage Mixing Heaven, Peng Demon King; the Great Sage Moving Mountains, Lion Camel King; the Great Sage Ventilating, Rimi Monkey King; the Great Sage Driving Gods, Yu Rong King; and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Beautiful Monkey King.

Besides the Great Sage Equal to Heaven's banner, six other flags now flew at the peak of Flower Fruit Mountain.

"Bad!"

The pinkish red threads in the Bull Demon King's pupils vanished, restoring his former wisdom. Realizing something was amiss, he immediately withdrew from Flower Fruit Mountain.

The Jiao Demon King and Peng Demon King had also sensed danger and left at once. As for Yu Rong King, he seemed to have understood and followed shortly after, leaving only the Lion Camel King and Rimi Monkey King behind.