Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

As anticipated by Soul Chaser, the Artifact Spirit, after three days, the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod finally absorbed the entire Starfall Essence Crystal, leaving the massive celestial body an empty shell. The Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod gave a slight tremor, instantly reducing the shell to ashes.

Swish!

Sun Wukong dispelled the Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth; this was probably the longest he had ever maintained it!

The Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod reverted to a length of over a yard and a width similar to a bowl's mouth, once more resting in Sun Wukong's hand.

In appearance, the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod hadn't noticeably changed, but the feel in hand was entirely different. Sun Wukong could even sense the pulse and vibration emanating from within, as if the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod had come to life. This was vastly different from the cold, lifeless impression it used to give!

Is this what an Immortal Artifact feels like?

"Boss, this isn't the sensation of an Immortal Artifact; it's because the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod's harmony with me improved after becoming an Immortal Artifact, and what you're sensing is my vitality!"

The voice of Soul Chaser, the Artifact Spirit, rang out.

"So it's your vitality, no wonder I feel so familiar,"

Sun Wukong was slightly disappointed at first but quickly became excited again. Now that the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod was of Immortal Artifact level, its power was akin to a Divine Artifact. His attack power would surely increase significantly compared to before, which was undoubtedly a good thing!

It's been delayed long enough; it's time to finish this third trial and move on to the fourth. Sun Wukong had a feeling that many familiar faces would be waiting for him there!

He couldn't afford to dawdle any longer!

"Break for Old Sun!"

Grasping the Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod, Sun Wukong shouted fiercely, his power surging forth as he struck the void with a mighty blow, causing it to tremble under the force.

A ripple spread outward in all directions, scattering the black hole. An invisible force erupted from the void, enveloping Sun Wukong completely, and his figure vanished from the disintegrating black hole.

In the trial space of the fourth stage, Sun Wukong's figure unexpectedly appeared beside Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor and the others.

"Wukong!"

"Boss, you finally showed up!"

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor and the others showed expressions of delight, standing up eagerly; they had already restored themselves to their peak state, just waiting for Sun Wukong to arrive!

"Dao Ancestor, Elder Lord, to see you again here! This must be the trial space of the fourth stage, right?"

Sun Wukong was momentarily dazed but then smiled, realizing this must indeed be the trial space of the fourth stage. It seemed different from the previous stages, not a separate space but interconnected!

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, Leader of Tongtian, Leng Xuan, Six-Eared Macaque, only five people, could it be that only they passed the trials of the first three stages?

"Congratulations to all of you for passing the tests of the first three stages. Next is the fourth trial, defeating the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast. Successfully defeating and surviving it allows you to enter the final fifth stage, while those who fail will be sent out of the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault!"

Just as this thought crossed his mind, an imposing celestial voice resounded throughout the trial space of the fourth stage, echoing as it did in the third stage.

"It seems that only six people really passed the third stage test."

Sun Wukong sighed, unexpectedly realizing that Luo Bai and others had all been eliminated!

However, in such trials, luck often plays a part, and sheer strength does not guarantee reaching the end. Sun Wukong quickly came to terms, regardless of others, he had successfully entered the fourth stage and had to keep moving forward!

After all, he was the Heavenly Emperor of the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong. He must strive to seize the Ancient Heavenly Court's Heavenly Emperor's Inheritance in this Yuan Realm, for himself and for his brothers and sisters in the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court!

"Roar~!"

With the resounding celestial voice fading, a formidable presence suddenly emerged in the void ahead, soon revealing a massive beast obstructing the sky and sun.

"What is this thing? Sky-Devouring Demon Beast? Never heard of it!"

Six-Eared Macaque furrowed his brow, looking at the colossal beast whose form rose to the clouds, feeling quite strange, an oddly, um, awkward feeling!

Yes, awkward!

The beast had a spherical body reminiscent of a rabbit with a huge belly but only the hind legs of a rabbit, a tiger-like head, eagle-like front claws, and a tail just like that of the Monkey Tribe, topped with a single horn. It looked utterly mismatched, as if pieces from various creatures were spliced together.

"What Sky-Devouring Demon Beast, it's simply an Eight Unlike!"

Sun Wukong also furrowed his brow upon seeing the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast. It felt strange and very unappealing, and the glow in its enormous tiger eyes seemed particularly detestable to him, with an immensely sinister gaze filled with evil and greed, striking repulsion in a single glance. No malicious eye Sun Wukong had seen before compared!

"This demon beast is extremely wicked, everyone be cautious!"

Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor's expression instantly became grave. It was the first time he had seen such a monstrously evil beast, possessing such extraordinary malevolence, indicating this creature was far from simple!

"Hmph! I'll test the waters with this beast first! I want to see what kind of fierce creature requires us all to join forces!"

Six-Eared Macaque snorted coldly, gripping the Wishful Iron Staff, charging toward the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast, and leaped skyward with a thunderous step, unleashing the Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth mid-air, striking fiercely with a staff blow toward the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast.

"Void-Breaking Moon Eyes!"

Sun Wukong did not stop him but pushed his Void-Breaking Moon Eyes to the limit, observing the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast carefully.

Facing Six-Eared Macaque's fierce attack, the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast showed no sign of fear, casually letting out a burp.

An immensely powerful airflow burst from its massive mouth, clashing forcefully with Six-Eared Macaque's Wishful Iron Staff. The mighty staff force condensed on the staff scattered in an instant, sending Six-Eared Macaque's Myriad Fathom Divine Monkey form flying away under the Divine Power Dharma Aspect Heaven and Earth.

"How is this possible?"

Leng Xuan's eyes widened in shock. Among the group, Six-Eared Macaque's attack was only second to Sun Wukong's. Such a mighty blow was dispersed by the Sky-Devouring Demon Beast with just a burp of airflow—this was absurdly strong!