The moment Monkey spoke, everyone present was stunned, especially Fang Zhuguo and the others. The way they looked at Monkey turned somewhat hostile. Although they knew Monkey's identity, after spending these days together, they had come to regard Tongtian as a figure akin to both father and teacher, holding him in immense reverence, as if he were a deity. Yet now, this fellow whose fur hadn't even fully receded dared to challenge their Master—wasn't this an act of blatant provocation?

As for the Twelve Heavenly Witches, their expressions varied. They hardly knew what to say to Tongtian. The downfall of the Wu Clan was due to the rise of the Dao; it could be said that they, the Immortals, had a hand in destroying the Wu, yet Tongtian had never intervened. In fact, he had been quietly preserving the bloodline of the Wu Clan; the Corpse Cultivators were the very Wu he had saved.

They genuinely could not muster any hatred for him. As for Monkey, given his connection with Nuwa, he was naturally half-Wu himself. Now that the two of them were set to fight, the others could only settle in to watch the spectacle, without taking any position on support or opposition.

Ye Jingyu's gaze also fell upon Monkey and Tongtian, his face betraying no particular emotion. He had never known the extent of Monkey's current strength, and even less could he fathom Tongtian's cultivation. If the two of them dueled, perhaps their powers could finally be gauged. If he could ascertain Tongtian’s cultivation level, it might give him greater confidence in dealing with those few powerful beings above in the future. With this thought in mind, he remained silent, not even offering a pleasantry, as he was never one for pretense.

Liang Xiaoke’s mouth opened slightly. On one hand was his Master, whom he dared not offend; on the other was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, whom he equally dared not offend. He wanted to say something, but seeing Ye Jingyu had chosen silence, he decided to remain quiet as well.

Tongtian looked at Monkey, a faint smile appearing on his face.

“In the ancient era, I once fought Zhunti to a draw, with no victor declared. Your cultivation was entirely passed down by Zhunti. Since you have now surpassed your master, your current power should be even greater than his. If that is the case, I shall have a match with you…”

“Master…” Seeing their Master actually accept Sun Wukong’s challenge, Fang Zhuguo and the others were all utterly surprised. In their eyes, Tongtian was an invincible being. Although Monkey appeared formidable, to them he was at best a slightly stronger monkey, hardly comparable to a god.

However, Ye Jingyu was inwardly shocked upon hearing this. He glanced back at Monkey. If he had indeed surpassed Zhunti, then what level had he reached?

“All of you must watch closely later; it will be greatly beneficial to your cultivation!” Tongtian interjected, quieting his disciples. He was inherently inclined towards combat, unlike the rigidity of Yuanshi and Taishang.

Moreover, he had never viewed Sun Wukong as a junior. This monkey was the foremost Spiritual Monkey of the Three Realms and was incredibly diligent. Although his enlightenment came far later than Tongtian’s, his cultivation must not be underestimated. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been titled the Victorious Fighting Buddha by that fellow Amitabha, especially when Ksitigarbha, who was once the most likely candidate to achieve Sainthood, remained merely a Bodhisattva.

Seeing their Master speak, the others dared not utter another word.

“Monkey, let us go!” Tongtian said with a smile, making a sweeping motion with one hand in the void. A circular gate of light instantly appeared, and he stepped through it. Sun Wukong grinned widely and darted inside.

Ye Jingyu naturally followed suit, but Liang Xiaoke kept the others outside. He was acutely aware of the cultivation levels of the two fighters, and especially after hearing his Master express such high praise for Monkey, he understood clearly that a battle of this magnitude was not something they could participate in. Even the residual shockwaves would be enough to annihilate everyone present; it was better to remain here.

At this moment, the gate of light acted like a screen, projecting the figures of Patriarch Tongtian, Ye Jingyu, and Sun Wukong, while the world they entered was a vast, blank expanse of white void.

Immediately, they watched as Patriarch Tongtian continuously moved his hand. Out of the boundless white void emerged a blazing sun, followed by light, then blue sky, white clouds, great mountains, flowing rivers, and trees…

In the blink of an eye, the area had transformed into another world—albeit one devoid of any living creatures. Seeing Tongtian conjure a perfect world in an instant, the onlookers outside roared in admiration for the Patriarch’s divine power.

The Twelve Heavenly Witches also wore expressions of utter shock. This was a level of power once possessed only by the Pangu Sacred Emperor. Did Patriarch Tongtian now possess such a cultivation?

Ye Jingyu watched Tongtian evolve a real world, his face filled with contemplative thought. This was true creation ex nihilo. At his current level, conjuring a patch of forest was achievable, but creating an entire world was still beyond his grasp. It seemed there was still a significant gap between his cultivation and that of Tongtian and the others.

“Old Man Tongtian, regarding divine arts, Old Sun is inferior to you, but when it comes to fighting, we must trade blows to know the outcome!” Upon seeing Sun Wukong sincerely praise Tongtian for conjuring a new world in an instant, his own battle intent intensified further.

“Heh heh, Monkey, as you wish. Let us begin!” Tongtian chuckled softly, yet a verdant long sword appeared in his hand. Since the Zhuxian Sword had been bestowed upon Liang Xiaoke, he naturally did not reclaim it. This Qingping Sword in his hand, though not an innate primal treasure, had been personally tempered by him over countless years, and its might was certainly no less than the Zhuxian Sword.

“Heh heh, Old Man Tongtian, Old Sun will make the first move!” Sun Wukong grinned at Patriarch Tongtian, the Golden Cudgel instantly materializing in his hands. He took a step forward, instantly arriving before Tongtian, wielding the staff with both hands, bringing it down directly toward the crown of Tongtian’s head…

In that instant, Ye Jingyu, caught within the space, felt that this single strike was aimed not just at Tongtian, but at the entire world, which felt like a glass bottle—ready to shatter with the slightest touch.

Even before the strike landed, the void began to emit sharp cracking sounds. The sheer, overwhelming power of it brought a wave of awe to Ye Jingyu’s heart. This was merely a probing attack, and its might was already vastly superior to the strikes he had received previously!

Never mind Ye Jingyu inside, even those watching outside through the light screen felt this imposing pressure. It seemed the might of that single blow had breached the confines of that world, pressing down upon the hearts of everyone watching. All those who had just harbored slight dissatisfaction towards Sun Wukong were instantly silenced…

Faced with such a fierce strike, Tongtian’s expression remained utterly composed…

(Writing from the first point up to here totals only two thousand characters. My head is throbbing severely. I want to persist and finish, but my state is genuinely poor. I owe one chapter today, which I will make up tomorrow, delivering five chapters tomorrow. Xingchen rarely asks for time off, and now that the novel is nearing its end, Xingchen doesn't want to leave any regrets. I ask my brothers for understanding! Of course, if you feel disgruntled, feel free to curse me; it is my fault, and Xingchen accepts the reprimand!)