Although initially captured by Zhen Yuanzi with his Sleeve Universe technique, the master and his disciples were not overly concerned, believing Zhen Yuanzi had used some sort of treasure, similar to Taishang Laojun's Purple Gold Gourd. They never expected that even after employing transformation arts, Sun Wukong was still detected immediately!
If not bound, Zhu Bajie would have likely pressed his forehead in shame, too lazy to even comment. "This monkey, is he mad? You're playing tricks in front of Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi? Good heavens, do you think his quasi-saint cultivation is fake? Besides, he subdued us all with a single move of Sleeve Universe; where do you get the nerve to play like this? Truly a wild monkey from the countryside!"
At this moment, Zhu Bajie had long given up hope. Even if the Tathagata himself were here, there would be no salvation, as far as Zhu Bajie was concerned. He would not accept any arguments!
Now, Sun Wukong, struck down by a whip, was utterly bewildered!
However, Zhen Yuanzi would not give him time and said, "Since you agreed, you shall endure these few lashes!"
With that, he whipped Sun Wukong. The monkey cried out in pain. There was no helping it; it hurt terribly! Even his bronze skin and iron bones were struck with extreme pain! He read, "The book."
Zhu Bajie looked at the monkey with sympathy, thinking, "Now you know the severity, right? Didn't you see the treasure light flashing on that whip? It's at least a Innate Spiritual Treasure. Not many possess such items now!"
After a few lashes, although Sun Wukong cried out, he no longer resorted to petty tricks!
Zhen Yuanzi nodded. "Not bad," he said. "These lashes were for your master. Now my Ginseng Fruit Tree has fallen, how will you compensate me?"
Sun Wukong wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Isn't it just a fruit tree? Your old Sun has extensive connections in the Heavenly Court. I'm not afraid to fix your fruit tree!"
Zhen Yuanzi said nothing, but Zhu Bajie's mind was already complaining, "You must be dreaming! What's the Heavenly Court worth? That is a supreme grade Innate Spiritual Root. Who on earth has the ability to heal it? Tell me, so that I, Old Pig, can broaden my horizons!"
"Alright, as long as you can heal my fruit tree, I will not pursue this matter further!" Zhen Yuanzi stated directly!
Sun Wukong immediately leaped away, riding a somersault cloud straight to the Heavenly Court. There was no other choice; there were many immortals there, and they should have a solution!
"Old Official, help!" Sun Wukong happened to see Taibai Jinxing and immediately called out!
Taibai Jinxing rolled his eyes. However, remembering that this monkey was now a Great Golden Immortal and he could no longer defeat him, he chuckled, "Great Sage? Why are you here instead of protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West?"
Sun Wukong quickly replied, "Old Official, your old Sun has encountered a great trouble. Please, Old Official, help me!"
Taibai Jinxing was puzzled. "What great trouble could you possibly encounter? Aren't you under the protection of the West? What is it?"
"Thus and so, thus and so!" Sun Wukong recounted his story of toppling the Ginseng Fruit Tree!
Taibai Jinxing's mouth widened as he looked at Sun Wukong, feeling tempted to say, "Why are you still alive?"
Then he turned to leave!
Seeing Taibai directly leaving, Sun Wukong quickly grabbed him. "Old Official, you know everyone. Help your old Sun think of a way!"
Taibai Jinxing's eyes turned glassy. "If only I had a solution! That is one of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots. You, you are too much of a player, no, too much of a troublemaker! This is courting death!"
"Great Sage," Taibai said, "that is a supreme grade Innate Spiritual Root. I am not capable, and the immortals I know are likely not capable either. Ask someone else!" Taibai then fled, joking, "This involves Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, I cannot afford to offend him!"
Seeing Taibai Jinxing run away, Sun Wukong did not pursue him. Instead, he scratched his head and thought of Southern Pole Immortal Weng. This fellow seemed extraordinary, rumored to be the eldest outer disciple of the Chan Sect and now a great emperor!
He quickly went to find him. This time, Southern Pole Immortal Weng was playing chess with Wen Qu Xing Jun. Seeing Sun Wukong, he smiled, "Great Sage, why have you come to visit me?"
Sun Wukong quickly recounted his story of toppling the Ginseng Fruit Tree and asked if Southern Pole Immortal Weng had any solutions!
Southern Pole Immortal Weng was also shocked. "This monkey is so good at causing trouble! You know, that is the Ancestor of Earth Immortals, on equal footing with your teacher Yuan Shi. Even he must call him senior! Now, you monkey have knocked down his lifeblood? And how are you still alive?"
"Great Sage, to be honest, I truly do not know!" Southern Pole Immortal Weng shook his head!
Sun Wukong sighed. This was going to be difficult!
Wen Qu Xing Jun, who was nearby, was stunned. "This monkey is so good at causing trouble!"
"Why not ask your Buddhist sect?" Wen Qu Xing Jun suggested!
Sun Wukong blinked and then nodded. Since he couldn't get any answers from the Heavenly Court, he would go to Spirit Mountain!
With that thought, Sun Wukong performed a somersault cloud and went to Spirit Mountain!
On Spirit Mountain, the Tathagata was preaching. Sun Wukong suddenly burst in. Many Bodhisattvas and Arhats looked at him. Sun Wukong paid them no mind and strode directly to the Tathagata.
He said, "Buddha Ancestor, something big has happened!"
Indeed, usually he would call him "Old Man Tathagata," but now, needing a favor, he naturally called him "Buddha Ancestor!"
The Tathagata glanced at Sun Wukong and asked, "What is it?"
Sun Wukong repeated the story of the fruit tree. The Tathagata was shocked and almost jumped up from his Golden Lotus of Merit. "Damn it! I thought you were just stealing a few fruits, but you monkey knocked over their fruit tree! Can this end well? When I went to ask Zhen Yuanzi, I was just making a token gesture, stealing a fruit, then getting a scolding, and the calamity would pass. I never imagined you would dare to knock over the tree! This is even harder than letting the Three Sects arrange it!"
Thinking of the Zhen Yuanzi he would have to face later, the Tathagata also felt a bit apprehensive. There was no helping it; he had the Book of Earth. If that book were opened, Spirit Mountain would be trapped, and their Buddhist sect would be in dire straits!
The many Bodhisattvas also looked on, especially Cihang and others. They had been to Wuzhuang Temple before, as disciples of the Three Sects, and had eaten a Ginseng Fruit. They never expected the monkey to be so bold as to knock down the fruit tree!
"Guanyin, will you go?" the Tathagata said!
Guanyin frowned directly. "Good heavens, although my Jade Pure Bottle contains some Three-Light Divine Water, it's really just two drops! Can two drops heal the Ginseng Fruit Tree? I don't believe it!"
However, no matter what, he had to go and see first!
Nodding, the two set off towards Wuzhuang Temple!
On the way, Guanyin said, "Wukong, you were too impulsive this time. You must know that Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi, even I would have to call him senior. Such a figure is not to be provoked!"
Sun Wukong was speechless. He knew that now. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had such expressions. But it was too late. It would have been better to do something meaningful!