Great Demon Sun Wukong

Looking at Ming Tiekuang's very serious expression, Ye Zi couldn't help but pout and said, "You really know how to aggrandize yourself. Do you know that I, Ye Zi, am also a threat to this universe? And a very, very big one at that." Despite her words, Ye Zi quickly hid behind Sun Wukong. Ming Tiekuang paid no attention to Ye Zi's words and continued, "The combined strikes of the Underworld God Army can burst forth with several times, even up to a dozen times the power, but their weaknesses are quite obvious."

"First of all, the first weakness is that after using a combined strike, there will be a corresponding period of time during which their spiritual power will temporarily retreat back into their bodies. They will gather again for the next use of the combined strike, and this gap is the best opportunity to crush them. The more people involved in the combined strike, the longer this time will be." After saying this, Ming Tiekuang thought for a moment and continued, "If everything goes smoothly, I will lead everyone to infiltrate the main camp of the Underworld God Army. We may face an enemy several times our number, and I hope that by then, everyone can be comrades whom the other can trust with their back, otherwise, this mission is tantamount to a suicide mission!"

Penetrating deep into the enemy's main camp alone is an extremely dangerous undertaking. Not only must one face all the enemies without any support, but also the eight individuals present must become each other's solid reliance. Otherwise, this truly would be no different from courting death. Everyone nodded in agreement, even the usually jolly Ye Zi nodded repeatedly. Although he didn't like the look of Wu Ming no matter how he saw him, when it came to his own life, he couldn't afford to be careless.

With no further discussion, Ming Tiekuang led everyone on a half-day's and half-night's continuous flight, and finally stopped at dawn. "Rest for one Chinese hour, the fort of the Underworld God Army is just ahead. Let's use it as practice!" Pointing to a city that resembled a black fortress ahead, Ming Tiekuang spoke to the group. Although the current eight individuals could be counted as top fighters in the Patrolling Celestial World, they were about to face an Underworld God Army numbering in the tens of thousands, and the strength of the Underworld God Army was not weak. The saying goes 'ant numbers can overwhelm an elephant'; if they underestimated the Underworld God Army, they would only suffer for it.

At this time, mutual coordination among the eight became exceedingly important. However, aside from Hidden Mountain and Wu Ming who were very familiar with each other, the understanding between the rest was quite limited. Under these circumstances, if a battle were to commence, the combined strength of the eight might not even match their individual fighting prowess. Therefore, it was necessary to take some small points held by the Underworld God Army to practice and get to know each other better.

"This black fortress should be one of the smaller outposts of the Underworld God Army in the Patrolling Celestial World. I sense there are roughly over three hundred people inside, with the strongest being the Nine Patterns Supreme, numbering around forty to fifty. Moreover, judging by the color of this fortress, the people inside should be good at defensive combined strikes. Let's all talk about our strengths, and then allocate combat tasks!" said Ming Tiekuang. Immediately, the Dragon Emperor stated, "I'm good at direct frontal assaults, destroying anything with tremendous attack power!" Following that, Wu Ming said, "I excel at trapping, confounding, and eroding the enemy with the Blood Fiend Force from the blood fog, causing wide-ranging damage that varies depending on the enemy's strength and abilities." Then Hei Kui added, "I'm good at defense. Be it physical attacks or elemental spell attacks, I can defend against them. Moreover, my Earth-Shaking Roar can reflect the enemy's attacks while inflicting heavy damage." Ming Tiekuang promptly said, "I excel at speed and am highly destructive against the Underworld God Army's combined strikes." When it was Sha Wujing's turn, he mumbled, "I don't really know what I'm good at, but if I were to attack this little city, I could directly flood it with a deluge from the Ultimate Water Stele."

"Do you think they're all ducks that can't swim? It's not that simple!" Ye Zi said bluntly. Sha Wujing wasn't annoyed and just chuckled, asking, "Do you know what Nine Heavens Pure Thunder is?" Ye Zi was taken aback, a flicker of fear involuntarily flashing in his eyes upon hearing the four words "Nine Heavens Pure Thunder," he said, "Of course I know, what about it? Don't tell me you can produce that thing?"

Sha Wujing shook his head and said, "Of course, I can't produce that Nine Heavens Pure Thunder!" Ye Zi breathed a slight sigh of relief. If this bearded monk could produce Nine Heavens Pure Thunder, then she would probably become the weakest in the group. But then Sha Wujing immediately followed with, "However, my Nine Heavens Ultimate Water, I hear, is at the same level as the Nine Heavens Pure Thunder. I don't know if they can stay unscathed within the Nine Heavens Ultimate Water!"

"Nine Heavens..." Ye Zi realized then, this bearded monk might look simple and honest, but he was quite cunning underneath. Only uttering two words, Ye Zi found herself at a loss for words. After all, who could bathe in Nine Heavens Ultimate Water apart from the Lord Pioneer back in the day?
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"Then your ability should be to inflict devastating destruction with the Ultimate Water Stele. I think you can be our ace in the hole. When they underestimate us, thinking there are only eight of us, you can directly turn the land into a sea, and we'll see who can remain unscathed!" Ming Tiekuang seemed to have an unrelenting determination to wipe out the Divine Army completely. And upon learning of the bearded monk's possession of Nine Heavens Ultimate Water, everyone's mood visibly lightened. With such a powerful weapon at their disposal, it seemed that the Underworld God Army might not be so tough to deal with after all.

Afterward, Sun Wukong mused, "Attack, defense, control, speed—I seem to be fairly proficient in all and not particularly outstanding or weak in any one area. I believe I can play a supporting role at the center." Ming Tiekuang nodded in agreement, having some understanding of Sun Wukong's capabilities. In terms of attack, he had Chaos Five Decisions and Nine Decisions; for defense, he possessed the World Suppressing Stele Wasteland Soil No. 3; and in the realm of control, he knew the Seal Heavenly Stamp. Moreover, what Ming Tiekuang did not know was that most elemental spell attacks were essentially ineffective against Sun Wukong.

Finally, it was only Sha Wujing and Ye Zi left, "As long as you give me a mountain peak I can merge with, I can exhibit different abilities based on the mountain's characteristics," said Sha Wujing before shifting his gaze back to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong spoke indifferently, "Direction, you surely won't be disappointed when the time comes. Sha Wujing will act as one of our variables. Depending on the situation, I'll grant him different powers."

All eyes then turned to Ye Zi. "Don't look at me; all I can do right now is provide support, replenishing your energy and spiritual power, and tending to injuries. Don't count on me for battle!" Without Ye Wu's presence, Ye Zi could only be an indestructible nurse. However, this was also good. With the existence of the Dragon Emperor and Sun Wukong, they did not truly need Ye Zi for battle. His role as a support was perfect, especially because, facing a multitude of enemies without any external aid or resupply, having Ye Zi there would certainly enhance their stamina significantly.

An hour passed quickly. "This time, let's not sneak around. To prevent them from transmitting any messages about us, Sha, later use the Nine Heavens Ultimate Water to completely envelop this castle. If anyone tries to escape, you may strike at will. Sha Wujing, don't take action this time—just stay outside with Sha. The same goes for Ye Zi. To deal with so few people, we won't need you. Dragon Emperor, Great Saint, Hei Kui, Wu Ming, the goal this time is to familiarize with one another, not to take down this castle, so I want you all to keep your powers at the Primary Grade Nine Patterns Supreme level. Unless there's some unexpected danger, maintain this power level until all are defeated!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Although Ming Tiekuang was neither the strongest nor held the highest status among them, he was the most knowledgeable about the Underworld God Army. Having him in full command was naturally most appropriate. After confirming the details once again, the five of them went straightforwardly towards the Black Castle.

As they approached within three thousand meters of the castle, they had already been spotted by the guards of the Underworld God Army. However, they paid no heed to the army's inquiries. The Dragon Emperor's hand flashed with golden light, and the golden Dragon Lance appeared in his grasp. With a strong throw, the lance split in mid-air—one into two, two into four, four into eight—piercing the chests of eight city guards of the Underworld God Army.

Even if somewhat foolish, the Underworld God Army knew then that these five were not to be trifled with. They reacted immediately. A unit of two hundred soldiers filed out from the gates of the Black Castle in a highly disciplined and coordinated manner, resembling an elite troop, despite their armor being severely damaged and each of them wearing chains. But apart from the solemn military demeanor on their faces, there were no signs of any negative emotions. This was Underworld Venerate's most elite legion from back in the day.

Despite millions of years passing, despite no longer having Underworld Venerate's command, despite enduring a long period of hard survival in the Patrolling Celestial World that was like a prison. All of this had not made these soldiers forget their duties and mission. Upon truly witnessing the Underworld God Army for the first time, Sun Wukong and the others were also slightly taken aback. According to Sun Wukong's expectations, the Underworld God Army, although nominally a military force, should have had a hard time just staying alive under such conditions, and each face should have been filled with despair.

Wearing those chains, the soldiers of the Underworld God Army had long become the living dead, unable to live yet unable to die. Such a group, still maintaining their current state, truly astonished Sun Wukong.

"Who goes there? Killing the members of my Underworld God Army without cause, what is your intention?"

"Oh, it's nothing, nothing, we're just here to look around, just to look!" (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to vote for it with a recommendation or monthly pass at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)