"Give Me Some Face"
Knocked back by the Bull Demon King's punch, Sun Wukong steadied himself, quickly realizing that he wasn't the match of this mighty demon.
Still, admitting defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.
The Great King Yellow Wind stepped forward and called out, "Monkey Brother, let's not push this any further."
Hearing this, Sun Wukong had an excuse to back down. "Fine, I'll give my brother some face!"
Standing tall and proud, he refrained from further action.
The Yu Monkey King, equally insulted earlier, also joined the group.
The Bull Demon King, his gaze steady and piercing, cupped his hands. "Brothers, my third brother can be tactless with his words. Allow me to apologize on his behalf."
"Please, for my sake, let's let this matter go."
He turned to the Lion Camel King and commanded, "Apologize."
Though reluctant, the Lion Camel King clasped his hands and said gruffly, "My apologies."
The Bull Demon King smoothed things over with a booming laugh.
"Today, we are blessed by such esteemed company. It's a great honor for me. Let's not let minor disputes mar this occasion."
"Come now, there's nothing a good drink and a hearty meal can't resolve!"
His bold and magnanimous demeanor left onlookers in awe.
"No wonder he thrived so mightily in five hundred years," thought Yellow Wind. "He truly has the charisma of a leader."
Even Sun Wukong's temper cooled.
"Old Sun shouldn't have barged in uninvited. I apologize for the intrusion."
The Bull Demon King laughed heartily. "Don't say such things! Come, come, let's drink!"
The Fortress of Ji Tu
The Ji Tu Fortress, nestled in Mount Chiyang, stood tall and imposing. Four massive mountain peaks formed the city's pillars, with towering stone walls surrounding its expanse.
At the entrance, a stone stele inscribed with "Ji Tu Fortress of Mount Chiyang" loomed over visitors.
The architecture, crafted from wood and stone, was rugged but not crude. It boasted a unique style befitting the Bull Demon King's territory.
Within the fortress, a vibrant festival was in full swing:
Lanterns adorned the streets.
Demons thronged the markets.
Performers and merchants filled the bustling square.
At the heart of the city stood the grand Power Palace, fronted by an expansive square where rows of stone tables and chairs were being set for the feast.
Ordinary demons could roam freely and partake in free food and drink but had no place at the banquet tables. The feast was reserved for generals, while the demon kings would dine within the Power Palace itself.
The Duel Stage
Curious about the other demon kings, Yellow Wind, Sun Wukong, and the Yu Monkey King arrived early.
The Ruyi Taoist, assigned to accompany them, chuckled and suggested, "Why not visit the duel stage?"
The Taoist explained:
"Brother Bull understands the nature of demons. Untamed and fiery, they only respect strength. Many also come here eager to prove themselves or settle disputes."
"So, a mountaintop was leveled to create a stage. Any demon who wants to fight for glory can do so there. Grudges, too, can be resolved—but for death matches, participants must sign a life-and-death agreement."
He added with a grin, "Of course, the stage has been monopolized by the earlier-arriving demon kings. They've been sparring for days now."
A Spectacle of Strength
The duel stage was colossal, the result of a mountaintop being sliced cleanly in half. Its iron-brown surface was rugged and sparse, exuding a sense of raw power.
The three arrived just as a fierce battle was underway.
BOOM!
Lightning and thunder echoed across the stage as two demon kings clashed in a dazzling display of strength and skill.
Suspended in the air around the stage were eight other demon kings, observing the fight with crossed arms and keen eyes.
"That Jiao Demon King's mastery of lightning is extraordinary!" one of them remarked.
"And the Macaque King's wind magic is no less impressive," another observed.
The Jiao Demon King and Macaque King
On the stage, the two combatants were engaged in a spectacular showdown.
One was a massive demon with the head of a dragon and the body of a serpent, wielding a gleaming silver spear crackling with lightning. He summoned thunderclouds and torrents of rain as he moved.
[Race: Demon – Kui Thunder Jiao]
[Realm: Mystic Immortal – Taiyi Ghost Immortal]
[Traits: Kui Dragon True Blood (Gold), Jiao Demon Body (Gold), Overturn Rivers and Seas (Gold), Command Wind and Rain (Gold), Master of Spear Techniques (Purple), Swallow Thunder and Spit Lightning (Purple)...]
"A mixed-blood demon," mused Yellow Wind. "No wonder his control of lightning is so refined."
The other was a grey-furred macaque wielding a long staff. He moved with unparalleled agility, manipulating winds to disperse his opponent's lightning strikes.
[Race: Demon – Macaque]
[Realm: Mystic Immortal – Taiyi Ghost Immortal]
[Traits: Mastery of Wind (Gold), Lucky Breaks (Gold), All-Seeing Clarity (Gold), Trifold Wind (Purple), Master of Staff Techniques (Purple), Whispering Wind Hearing (Purple)...]
"He lacks divine bloodlines," noted Yellow Wind. "But that Lucky Breaks trait (Gold) must bring him countless opportunities."
The Clash Ends
Lightning surged across the stage as the Jiao Demon King unleashed a devastating attack. The Macaque King dodged nimbly but was ultimately struck by a bolt of lightning, sending him flying out of the arena.
Though skilled, the Macaque King's frailer physique couldn't withstand the Jiao Demon King's sheer power.
Ten strikes from the Macaque King left minor scratches on his opponent.
One strike from the Jiao Demon King was enough to knock him out of the fight.
The Jiao Demon King stood triumphantly in the center of the stage, his silver spear glinting as he scanned the crowd.
"Who else dares challenge me?" he roared.
Yellow Wind Takes the Stage
"I'll give it a go," Sun Wukong said, readying his Golden Cudgel.
Yellow Wind raised a hand. "Monkey Brother, let me handle this one."
His eyes gleamed with excitement as he fixated on the Jiao Demon King's Swallow Thunder and Spit Lightning (Purple) trait.
Noticing new challengers, the Jiao Demon King arrogantly pointed his spear at them. "Why waste time? Come at me together!"
Sun Wukong arched an eyebrow. "High and mighty, aren't you?"
Stashing his cudgel back in his ear, he chuckled. "Fine, Brother Yellow Wind, I'll let you handle this one. I'll save my strength for that little lion cub."
Yellow Wind leaped onto the stage, bow in hand. As his cold iron spear floated to his side, it elongated into a deadly weapon.
The Jiao Demon King sneered. "Who are you?"
"From the Southern Continent's Yellow Wind Ridge, Wuzhen Mountain—Great King Yellow Wind!"
The Jiao Demon King smirked. "Yellow Wind, huh? Do you know who I am? I'm the Jiao Demon King of Thunder Lake in Mount Tiandang, Northern Continent!"
Yellow Wind raised his bow, summoning crackling lightning. A glowing arrow of pure thunder energy formed on the string, dazzling the onlookers.
"You, too, wield lightning?"
The Jiao Demon King's arrogance faltered as he tightened his grip on his spear.
BOOM!
The thunder arrow shot forward, illuminating the entire mountain with its radiant energy, leaving the onlooking demon kings speechless.
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