Wukong and Bajie looked at Bai Ling with utmost caution, as if scrutinizing his every move.
"Hey, do I know you? I have a bit of a memory issue," Wukong said cheerfully, gripping her Ruyi Bang tightly.
"Oh no, no, this is the first time we've met, little girl!" Bai Ling waved his hand in a friendly manner, as if he had no intention of fighting.
"Really? In that case, let's pretend nothing happened. We'll each go our own way, alright?" Wukong replied.
"Huh?! I thought we were going to smash this guy to pieces?" Bajie asked Wukong, visibly confused.
"You idiot, he's level 8. Not someone to underestimate. Fighting him would be exhausting and pointless," Wukong whispered to Bajie.
"I can hear you, you know," Bai Ling interrupted.
"Is that okay?"
"Doesn't matter to me," Bai Ling replied nonchalantly.
"Cool."
Suddenly, both Wukong and Bajie sensed something and quickly turned to look outside.
The scene before them was horrifying: countless villagers collapsed, their bodies turning into dry husks as their life force was drained away. The energy was flowing toward the heart of the Dragon Palace.
"Master is in danger!" Wukong exclaimed and dashed toward the palace, only to be stopped midway by Bai Ling.
"Come on now, what's the rush? Did you forget I'm your enemy?"
"Move aside. Don't think just because you're a higher level, you have the right to block me."
"Unfortunately for you, you don't have the authority to command me. Unless, of course, you kill me."
"Then die!"
Wukong swung her Jingu Bang swiftly toward Bai Ling, but he dodged it with ease.
Her flaming arm followed with more strikes, but Bai Ling avoided each one.
Bajie joined the fight, swinging her Nine-Tooth Rake at Bai Ling's head.
He ducked low, evading the blow, and then countered by kicking at both of them. Wukong leapt to dodge, but Bajie wasn't quick enough.
"Ouch!"
As Bajie fell, Bai Ling reached for her neck, but the sound of metal clashing rang out as Wukong intercepted him with her staff.
With a sharp glare, Wukong yanked out strands of her hair and blew on them, creating clones that immediately attacked Bai Ling.
Though he managed to block many strikes, the sheer number overwhelmed him, leaving cuts on his arm, right thigh, and left torso. Blood seeped from the wounds.
Bai Ling retreated out of range, assessing his injuries with a smile.
"Stronger than I thought," he murmured. This is what makes a fight worthwhile. Without it, things would be so dull.
Bajie got up, rubbing her backside and glaring at Bai Ling. Wukong continued to glare as Bai Ling assumed a peculiar stance, with one arm raised upward and the other pointing downward.
"What the hell are you doing?" Wukong asked.
"My martial arts," Bai Ling replied.
"It looks ridiculous. Are you sure it's martial arts?"
"I know, but it's something I created for myself. Why don't you come closer and see for yourself?" Bai Ling teased.
Hearing this, one of Wukong's clones shot a fiery arrow at his head.
In an instant, the clone realized Bai Ling was already in front of it. Before it could react, its head was severed, turning it into smoke.
Wukong stared in shock at how quickly her clone had been destroyed, but Bai Ling seemed to do nothing at all.
"Wait… did he actually do something?"
Another clone cautiously threw a chakram at him, but this time Wukong could see it clearly: Bai Ling's downward hand grabbed the clone's neck and pulled it close, while his upward hand slashed it, killing it instantly.
"Like a fishing rod," Wukong muttered mockingly, watching him. "Is that your martial art?"
"Yep, I call it the 'Cutting Rod.' Nice name, huh?" Bai Ling replied with a grin.
"Sounds like garbage, old man."
"You youngsters really lack respect for your elders."
Wukong exchanged a glance with Bajie, who seemed to catch on. Bajie struck the ground with her Nine-Tooth Rake, creating earthen walls to block Bai Ling's view.
Wukong and her clones leapt into the air, firing fiery arrows that created a massive explosion, engulfing Bai Ling in flames.
"Did it work?!" Bajie shouted.
"Of course not. He's level 8, not level 5. Don't get your hopes up," Wukong replied.
As expected, a powerful gust of wind extinguished the flames. The earthen walls were sliced cleanly, and Wukong instinctively pulled Bajie to the ground. The clones still standing were cut down in an instant, vanishing into smoke.
"You've got to be kidding me," Wukong muttered as she stood, while Bajie was still in shock.
From the smoke, Bai Ling emerged unharmed, standing before Wukong.
"Strong, but not enough. You two should try something a bit more exciting."
A vein bulged on Wukong's forehead. She was starting to get angry.
"If you want excitement, then fine. I'll show you."
Flames began to gather around Wukong's feet, creating an intense heatwave. Bajie backed away in fear while Bai Ling's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I'll show you how easily a level 7 can defeat a level 8!" Wukong declared arrogantly, pointing downward.
In an instant, the surrounding area exploded, debris flying everywhere. Both fighters leapt high into the air, exchanging blows.
"ASURA!"
Two fierce, demonic heads and four fiery arms materialized, each wielding a Jingu Bang. Bajie coughed from the smoke, then looked up.
"What the hell is that?!"
The two clashed violently, crashing into a nearby building. Flames erupted from the impact, creating a massive firestorm.
But it was swiftly cut apart by Bai Ling's winds, sending Wukong flying upward.
Blades of wind followed her, but Wukong blocked them with her staff. Two fiery arms drew bows, shooting more fiery arrows that reignited the firestorm.
"GO FIND MASTER AND PROTECT HIM, NOW!" Wukong shouted at Bajie.
"Ah! Got it!" Bajie replied, quickly heading toward Tang Seng.
As Bajie ran, Wukong suddenly felt a hand gripping her neck, pulling her toward Bai Ling. She narrowly dodged but lost half of a demonic head and one fiery arm.
Angered, she struck at Bai Ling's stomach and yelled, "RUYI JINGU BANG, ENLARGE 100 TIMES!"
The staff expanded massively, launching Bai Ling into the sky. Wukong grabbed the enlarged staff and slammed it down on him, causing a devastating impact that shook the surroundings.
"If that didn't kill you, it'd be a waste," Wukong muttered, returning to her normal form, gripping her Jingu Bang tightly.
Wukong approached the spot where Bai Ling had been struck down, scanning her surroundings.
But his body was nowhere to be found.
"Fuck, he's still alive." she muttered.
Pulling out a strand of her hair, she prepared to summon her clones.
But before she could act, her hand was grabbed tightly.
She turned to see Bai Ling standing there, blood dripping down his forehead.
"Impressive. Now, it's my turn," he said calmly.
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure spread out from Bai Ling, and Wukong realized what was about to happen.
"What the—? Let go of me!"
Her entire body ignited in blazing red flames, capable of incinerating anything.
Yet Bai Ling's grip remained firm, even as his hand began to burn.
"Heavenly Technique: Fish-Cleaving Blade," he declared.
In an instant, winds gathered around Wukong, and her steel-like skin was torn apart by countless cuts, blood spraying everywhere.
"AGHHHHHH!!!!" Wukong screamed in agony as blood poured like a river.
Bai Ling then plunged his hand into her chest, tearing out her still-beating heart.
Wukong stared at him for a moment, wide-eyed, before collapsing to the ground.
Bai Ling casually tossed her heart back at her body and shook the blood off his hand.
"That was an excellent fight. Now then…"
He turned his gaze toward the center of the Dragon Palace and smiled.