Everyone stepped into the Sunset Forest, each step feeling as though they were walking on the sharp edge of a knife—every single stride fraught with danger!
The trees all around looked as ferocious as evil beasts, and their wantonly extending, twisted branches were marked with eerie black patterns resembling evil spell seals, exuding a bone-chilling, icy aura.
"Evil qi is rife in this place. All of you disciples must be extremely careful!"
Subodhi wore a solemn expression, his gaze like a torch as he sternly warned the group.
"Hmph! No matter what manner of fiends and evil spirits they are, my Old Sun's Ruyi Jingu Bang will surely beat them until their souls are scattered!"
Wukong opened his eyes wide, a blazing fighting spirit burning within them.
He abruptly swung the Ruyi Jingu Bang, and golden light brilliantly erupted from it like a scorching noon sun, emitting a terrifyingly powerful aura.
At that very moment!
A thick, ink-like, and bizarre fog surged up without the slightest warning.
This fog seemed to possess a life of its own, spreading crazily. In an instant, it completely swallowed the group whole.
"This is bad! This fog is immensely sinister!" Gonggong furrowed his brows, his expression grave.
He swiftly formed seals with his hands and cast the Water Control Arts, attempting to disperse the mist with aquatic magic.
However, that fog was as sticky as glue, refusing to be shaken in the slightest.
Right then, eerie, bone-chilling laughter echoed from within the mist.
The laughter seemed to drift faintly from the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds, piercing straight into people's hearts and making their very souls tremble.
"Who is it? A rat hiding its head and tail—if you have the guts, come out and fight me, Old Sun!"
Wukong roared angrily, his voice like a great bell echoing within the fog, carrying endless fury and majesty.
"Haha! You bunch of arrogant intruders who know neither heaven nor earth, today shall be your burial day!"
An icy-cold voice, brimming with murderous intent, reverberated wildly through the fog.
Accompanied by this sound, countless snake-like, cunning, and highly venomous vines came whistling from all directions like a fierce gale.
These vines flashed with an eerie green glow, and venom dripped from them, corroding everything it touched.
Subodhi rapidly formed hand seals, chanting incantations under his breath.
Mystical Daoist runes flew forth from his hands.
In an instant, a brilliant, dazzling light like the blazing sun flashed past, carrying the righteous might to purify all things, and cleanly sliced through the vines in one fell swoop.
"Such petty tricks, and you dare show them off before this patriarch!"
Subodhi let out a cold snort, his expression filled with utter disdain and contempt.
A powerful Daoist aura emanated from his body, causing the surrounding space to warp faintly.
Yet, even more vines surged forth like a roaring, overwhelming tide, blotting out the sky.
These vines intertwined to form a massive poisonous net that dazzled the eyes and left one overwhelmed.
Just as everyone was busy dealing with the chaos and rushed off their feet,
a colossal figure slowly emerged from the mist.
This figure stood several zhang tall, resembling a giant.
His entire body radiated a heart-stopping, evil aura.
His skin was like black bedrock, flowing with a bizarre purple light, and a pair of blood-red eyes seemed capable of devouring a person's soul in an instant.
"This is an ancient Demon God—Vine Demon! Everyone must face him with utmost care!"
Subodhi's expression turned grave as he shouted a reminder, his voice reverberating through the fog.
The Vine Demon swung his massive arms, carrying the howling sound of a fierce wind, and aggressively smashed down toward the group.
Wherever his arms passed, the air was compressed to produce a sharp screech, and even black spatial tears appeared, as if the entire world could be ripped apart.
Wukong felt not a shred of fear; his figure flashed like lightning as he met the threat head-on without the slightest hesitation.
"A puny Demon God, and you dare act so audaciously here!"
Wukong let out an angry shout, the Ruyi Jingu Bang bursting with boundless light and carrying the overwhelming, earth-shattering force of a collapsing mountain as it smashed fiercely toward the Vine Demon.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang collided with the Vine Demon's arm, producing a piercing sizzle accompanied by flying sparks and brilliant light.
The Vine Demon nimbly dodged to the side, easily avoiding the blow, and then swung his arm, sending a majestic and powerful dark force roaring outward.
This force transformed into a black ray of light, carrying an aura of utter destruction that knocked Wukong back several paces.
Deep spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the ground beneath Wukong's feet, and the surrounding trees instantly turned to fine powder.
Seeing this, Subodhi chanted profound Daoist incantations, his hands dancing as he executed the Chaos Divine Arts.
Countless rays of light were seen shooting forth from his body; these lights fell like dazzling stars, dazzlingly bright and carrying endless mystical power as they shot straight toward the Vine Demon like a rainbow piercing the sun.
Enveloped by the light, the Vine Demon let out a painful, shrill howl.
His body was scorched by the light, billowing thick black smoke, and the evil aura surrounding him instantly plunged into disorder.
"Take this opportunity, disciples, strike together!" Subodhi shouted, raising his arms, his voice filled with resolute determination.
The others successively unleashed their respective trump cards and unique spells.
Gonggong danced his hands, executing the Water Control Arts to manipulate surging aquatic magic, forming a massive water dragon that roared as it charged at the Vine Demon.
Wherever the water dragon passed, the poisonous vines were instantly submerged.
Taotie opened his blood-red maw and spewed a raging torrent of flames, reducing everything in their path to ashes.
The rest of the group also unleashed their powerful spells. For a time, lights intertwined in a riot of colors as they engaged in a thrilling, life-or-death battle against the Vine Demon.
Though the Vine Demon possessed great strength and ruthless methods, under the concerted and united siege of the group, he gradually grew overmatched, struggling left and right as he fell into a disadvantageous position.
"Watch me give you the fatal blow, Old Sun!" Wukong leaped high into the air, the light of the Ruyi Jingu Bang blazing brilliantly like the noon sun.
The radiance on the Ruyi Jingu Bang instantly transformed into countless golden threads that tightly bound the Vine Demon.
At Wukong's loud shout, he forcefully swung the Ruyi Jingu Bang, carrying the thunderous, heaven-splitting momentum as he smashed it viciously into the Vine Demon.
With a deafening "rumble" that shook the earth and mountains, the Vine Demon crashed heavily to the ground, kicking up a sky-full of dust as the very earth trembled violently.
Yet, before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief,
the surrounding fog grew even denser and heavier, feeling as weighty as blocks of lead.
A formidable pressure, as though capable of crushing everything, suddenly struck, leaving the group barely able to draw breath.
"Not good! I fear an even more formidable heavyweight has arrived!"
Gonggong's expression changed drastically as he cried out in alarm, his voice filled with tension and worry.
At that moment, a mystical, majestic, and oppressive voice exploded beside everyone's ears like a thunderclap:
"You thought defeating the Vine Demon meant everything was settled? How utterly naive!"
As the voice faded, a figure slowly walked out from the depths of the mist.
The aura surrounding him was as vast as the open ocean, profound and boundless.
With every step he took, a cluster of black flames rose beneath his feet, warping the surrounding space beyond recognition.
His terrifying pressure surpassed even that of the Vine Demon, striking terror into the heart.
"Could... could this be the head of the evil gods—Hundun!"
Subodhi's heart tightened, a trace of solemnity and resolution flashing in his eyes as his hands involuntarily clenched.
Hundun cast a cold gaze over the group, his eyes like icy blades, and said coldly:
"Today, you shall all become food in this Demon God's belly!"
Stepping forward, Subodhi stood tall and straight like a pine, showing not a shred of cowardice as he loudly proclaimed:
"With this patriarch here, don't even think about harming a single hair of my disciples!"
Right at that moment, Hundun waved his hands, and black flames gushed from his palms, instantly transforming into countless fire dragons that bared their fangs and brandished their claws as they pounced on the group.
Subodhi showed no fear whatsoever; pressing his palms together and chanting incantations, a massive golden shield appeared before the crowd, blocking the fire dragons' attack.
"Hmph, is that all the skill you have, Hundun?" Subodhi taunted.
With eyes blazing with fury, Hundun increased his power once more, and the black flames grew even more ferocious as they incessantly battered the golden shield.
Cracks began to appear on the shield, and everyone's hearts leapt into their throats.
Gritting his teeth, Wukong brandished the Ruyi Jingu Bang and tried to charge forward to help, but was stopped by Subodhi.
"Don't be hasty, Wukong. Let Master find his weakness," Subodhi said.
Just then, Gonggong suddenly spotted a flaw in Hundun and shouted aloud, "Master, attack the top of his head!"
Understanding the hint, Subodhi instantly transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the top of Hundun's head.
Realizing something was amiss, Hundun tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
Subodhi's spell struck heavily upon his crown, and with a miserable shriek from Hundun, the black flames instantly dissipated.
"While we have the chance, disciples, attack together!" Subodhi shouted.
The group swarmed forward, and the light of various spells flashed once more.
Hundun retreated step by step, his body covered in wounds.
"I won't let you off!" Hundun roared as he turned into a plume of black smoke and vanished.
Only then did the group breathe a sigh of relief.
"This place is not to be lingered in; let us leave swiftly," Subodhi said.
Just as the group was about to move, an exotic bird call suddenly rang out from the sky.
A massive Three-Legged Golden Crow descended from the heavens, its body engulfed in raging flames and rolling heat waves.
"What kind of freak is this again?" Wukong frowned and said.
The Three-Legged Golden Crow spoke in human language: "You dare offend the Demon God—your crimes warrant death!"
With that, it flapped its wings, and countless fireballs rained down upon the group like shooting stars.
Subodhi formed hand seals, instantly raising a barrier that blocked the fireballs' assault.
"A mere little Golden Crow, and you dare run wild!" Subodhi rebuked angrily.
Yet the Three-Legged Golden Crow refused to yield, launching another attack.
Just as both sides reached a stalemate, a melodious flute tune drifted from afar.
A mysterious woman in white, holding a jade flute, was seen walking slowly toward them.
"All of you, stop fighting!" the woman lightly commanded.
Everyone was stunned, unsure whether this woman was friend or foe.
Looking toward Subodhi, the woman said, "This is a trap set by the Demon God; you have already fallen deep into it."
Subodhi furrowed his brows: "Why does the young lady say this?"
The woman smiled faintly: "I am the guardian of this forest and know of the Demon God's conspiracy.
They intend to trap you here, pick you off one by one, and seize Wukong's true spirit."
Hearing this, Wukong opened his eyes wide in fury: "Damnable Demon God! My Old Sun will surely tear them to pieces!"
The woman said, "To break this situation, you must find the Spirit Spring within the forest. Only by borrowing the power of the Spirit Spring can you shake off the Demon God's shackles."
Exchanging glances, the group decided to follow the woman in search of the Spirit Spring.
Along the way to find the Spirit Spring, they encountered all sorts of hardships and obstacles.
Yet under Subodhi's leadership, the group never gave up.
At last, they found the Spirit Spring.
Utilizing the power of the Spirit Spring through his spells, Subodhi shattered the Demon God's trap.
"Many thanks for the young lady's assistance." Subodhi offered his thanks to the woman.
The woman shook her head gently: "The Demon God will not let this rest. Your road ahead remains perilous—take care of yourselves."
With those words, the woman vanished.