Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong

Sitting by the window were two Domain Kings from the Blood Fervor Sect, grumbling about the Yuanspirit Sect's quota for handing over Mystic Yang Ores this year.

After listening for a while, Sun Wukong understood that the current Yuan Realm is dominated by the Yuanspirit Sect, whose sect master, Mu Yin, is the king of the entire Yuan Realm. However, even this king is merely an obedient dog in front of the divine envoys from the Cangqiong Immortal Palace in the Han Hai Realm of higher dimension.

Every year, the Cangqiong Immortal Palace sends the quantity of Mystic Yang Ores required from the Yuan Realm to the Yuanspirit Sect, which then distributes quotas to the major sects and forces in each domain of the Four Continents.

The various sects and factions, no matter the method, must fulfill the quota of Mystic Yang Ores within the stipulated time. Otherwise, they will be punished, their cultivation resources will be confiscated, and they will be forced into labor for the Yuanspirit Sect in alchemy and artifact refining.

So all the major factions manage to gather enough Mystic Yang Ores to avoid punishment and significant loss of Primordial Qi.

Originally, everyone could still persevere under such circumstances. However, over the past century, the appetite of the Cangqiong Immortal Palace has grown larger, and the Mystic Yang Ore quotas allocated to major powers have increased. Some small and medium-sized sects have already collapsed under the pressure, with their quotas being passed onto the other large sects.

Now, even the disciples of large sects are under great strain. Aside from constantly gathering Mystic Yang Ores, they have no time to cultivate and improve their own cultivation. At this rate, their cultivation base may actually regress!

"If you can't stand it, why don't you resist?"

Sun Wukong frowned upon hearing this and couldn't help but ask aloud. He had transformed his appearance using transformation techniques, so these people did not recognize him as the former Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong.

"Resist? Who dares to resist? Do you have a death wish?"

The two engaged in the discussion laughed bitterly, "Since the Dimensional Gate opened 5,000 years ago, making the entire Yuan Realm a subject of the Han Hai Realm, resistance has never succeeded! Those sects and loose cultivators who oppose the Yuanspirit Sect's rule are either ruthlessly slaughtered by the divine envoys of the Cangqiong Immortal Palace or die at the hands of the Yuanspirit Sect's lackeys, with no exceptions!"

"Who said there are no exceptions? The Great Sage Equalling Heaven, Sun Wukong, was an exception, wasn't he? He was the one who discovered the Yuanspirit Sect's conspiracy!"

Someone beside them offered a different perspective but soon lapsed into silence, their voice growing softer, "It's a pity that at that time, the major sects didn't realize the severity of the situation and chose to wait and see instead of stopping the Yuanspirit Sect from opening the Dimensional Gate. As a result, the entire Yuan Realm was plunged into darkness!"

"Yes, it's been over 5,000 years! Since the beginning of the Yuan Realm Era, more than 5,000 years have passed, during which we've lived in boundless darkness with no hope in sight. When will such days come to an end?"

The oppressive atmosphere once again enveloped the entire tavern, and all the patrons seemed infected by it, sighing and drinking gloomily without saying another word!

Sun Wukong furrowed his brows, never expecting the Yuan Realm to have become like this!

Truly tragic!

If at the time, the Heavenly Dao Sect, Blood Fervor Sect, and Myriad Ghost City had joined forces to attack the Yuanspirit Sect immediately, perhaps they would not have had enough time to open the Dimensional Gate, and these 5,000 years of dark history might not have happened.

As for Dimensional Annihilation, as long as one person could break through to the Cave Spirit Realm, they could eliminate all calamities sent down by the Heavenly Dao, allowing the Yuan Realm to enter the next era peacefully.

It can be said that hesitation on the part of the Yuanspirit Sect, Blood Fervor Sect, and Myriad Ghost City was the fundamental cause of today's disaster!

Sighing deeply, Sun Wukong stood up, having lost his appetite.

Sun Wukong had gathered a basic understanding of the situation in the Yuan Realm from the conversation in the tavern. It was clear that the Yuanspirit Sect reigned supreme, with the other sects and forces daring not to speak out for fear of bringing disaster upon themselves.

Yet, the more this happened, the harsher the Cangqiong Immortal Palace's exploitation became, not considering the limits of what the Yuan Realm's factions could bear, and constantly increasing the quantity of Mystic Yang Ores they must submit. The current Yuan Realm is full of grievances, but under the high-pressure rule of the Yuanspirit Sect, people can only complain in whispers.

"If this had been known, why do they continue as they are now!"

Leaving behind a sigh, Sun Wukong soared into the clouds, flying toward the Battle God Mountain. He cared nothing for any sects in the Eastern Continent except for the Battle God Ape Clan.

When the decision was made for the Heavenly Que Realm to leave the Yuan Realm for safety, it was done so hastily that he hadn't had the chance to notify the Battle God Ape Clan. Now, 5,000 years have passed, and he wonders how the Battle God Ape Clan is doing now?

After all, Sun Wukong still considers himself a member of the Battle God Ape Clan and feels some guilt in his heart. However, at that time, he didn't dare to let the Battle God Ape Clan know about the existence of the Heavenly Que Realm.

Carrying this trace of guilt, Sun Wukong flew rapidly, taking less than half a day to reach the outskirts of Battle God Mountain.

"What, how did Battle God Mountain become like this?"

Battle God Mountain was originally surrounded by heavy barriers, hidden within a small-world space. But standing before the mountain gate of Battle God Mountain now, Sun Wukong found that all the barriers were gone, and the entire Battle God Mountain was fully exposed.

The Battle God Ape Clan members, who should have been cultivating inside Battle God Mountain, were now swarming through the mountains, digging out masses of Mystic Yang Ores from the depths, with expressions of numbness and exhaustion on their faces, lacking the lively aura of the past.

Is this still the Battle God Ape Clan?

"Yuan Long, old brother!"

Suddenly, Sun Wukong's pupils shrank sharply as he noticed a familiar figure emerging from the underground caverns of the mountain, carrying large blocks of Mystic Yang Ores. Who else could it be but Divine General Yuan Long?

Divine General Yuan Long, who was carrying the Mystic Yang Ores, froze upon hearing Sun Wukong's shout, turned his head towards the direction of the voice, and his lips trembled slightly: "Wukong, is that you?"

"Yuan Long, old brother, it's me, Old Sun, I'm back!"

Sun Wukong released his transformation technique, reverting to his original appearance, and flew to stand beside Divine General Yuan Long. Seeing the once high-spirited Divine General Yuan Long had become such a frail old figure was a great pain to his heart, "Yuan Long, old brother, how did you end up like this?"