The incantation scroll, along with most of the Five Elements Mountain, entered the inner world. Xiao Ning immediately separated a sliver of his mind to connect with the inner world and fully circulated the power of heaven and earth to refine it.
"Bang!"
Outside, the Five Elements Mountain had broken apart, with the upper part being completely absorbed by Xiao Ning's inner world, leaving only the root part intact.
The moment the spell and most of the Five Elements Mountain were swallowed up, Sun Wukong immediately sensed the change.
The overwhelming suppressive force vanished instantly, and the boundless magical power within his body returned from the void.
In a flash, it broke free from the foot of the mountain and arrived in mid-air, its magical power surging within it, and all the filth on its body was washed away.
A beam of light burst forth, and the mud monkey instantly changed its appearance.
He was dressed in golden armor, wore a golden crown, wore cloud-patterned boots, and held a Ruyi Jingu Bang (a magical staff).
Although he was short in stature, his aura filled the heavens and the earth.
"Hahaha! I, Old Sun, have finally come out!"
It roared, releasing all the pent-up frustration it had suppressed for over six hundred years, leaving nothing unsaid.
Xiao Ning returned his mind from his inner world to the outside world, leaving only a thought to refine the incantation scroll left by Tathagata.
"Monkey, congratulations! You've finally regained your freedom!"
Seeing the monkey's expression, Xiao Ning cupped his hands in congratulations.
"I, Old Sun, remember you said you injured Buddha? I'd like to challenge you!"
Holding the golden cudgel, the monkey looked eager to try it out.
"Never mind, it's pointless. You should focus on recovering from your injuries first!"
Xiao Ning waved his hand in refusal. He didn't want to fight this monkey. What was the point of winning if there was no reward?
"I, Old Sun, need to find someone to fight to vent my anger. You have no choice but to fight, so bring it on!"
Sun Wukong was not so easily dealt with. He swung his golden cudgel high and struck at Xiao Ning.
"Damn it, you scoundrel monkey!"
Xiao Ning rolled her eyes and couldn't help but complain before stepping forward to meet her.
"Bang bang bang!"
The two exchanged hundreds of blows high in the air. Xiao Ning was simply playing with a child, only needing to exert a fraction of his strength to easily handle the situation.
Sun Wukong, however, became more and more excited and courageous with each battle.
It felt its blood boiling, and its bronze and iron bodies, which had been idle for hundreds of years and were about to rust, once again shone with unparalleled brilliance.
"Ouch! Take this from my old Sun's staff!"
It let out a long howl, swung its massive club, and smashed it forward fiercely.
An aura of dominance, accompanied by immense force, pressed down on Xiao Ning like Mount Tai.
"Good timing!"
Xiao Ning stretched out one hand, clenched it into a fist, and smashed it towards the monkey's golden cudgel, while his other hand was behind his back, exuding an indescribable sense of ease.
"Bang!"
Sun Wukong felt an immense force coming from the staff, which he couldn't resist at all, and he staggered backward through the void.
It stopped its retreating body, swung its golden cudgel with all its might, and tried to charge forward again, but saw Xiao Ning shake his head and wave his hand to stop the fight.
"I'm not playing anymore, it's pointless!"
Xiao Ning withdrew his hand, finding the fight with the monkey rather boring.
"Alright! I, Old Sun, have finally stretched my muscles. That feels great!"
Seeing this, Sun Wukong had no choice but to abandon his stance, shrink his twelve-foot-long golden cudgel to the size of an embroidery needle, and put it into his ear.
"Monkey, now that you're free, what are your plans?"
Xiao Ning stood with his hands behind his back and asked.
"I, Old Sun, want to go back to Flower Fruit Mountain. It's been hundreds of years since I've been back. I wonder if my monkey descendants are still there? Are they being bullied?"
Upon hearing Xiao Ning speak of the future, Sun Wukong scratched his head and cheeks for a while, looking somewhat dejected.
"Want to go back and take a look? That's to be expected! My great new empire is about to go to war with the Western Heavenly Spirit Mountain, so you'd better think twice!"
Xiao Ning pondered for a moment, then nodded and said.
"Don't worry, I, Old Sun, have a great grudge against that Buddha. After I return to Flower Fruit Mountain, I will definitely go and cause trouble for him!"
Sun Wukong immediately understood his meaning and assured him.
"One man fights alone; only a brute can succeed. But with many men, things are easier! Think about it carefully! If I remember correctly, you have six demon king brothers, right?"
Xiao Ning didn't say much, leaving it at that.
"Don't mention the word 'brother' to me, Old Sun! What a load of rubbish! I've been locked up for so many years, and they haven't even come to see me once!"
The monkey spat and said with a look of disgust.