About two or three dozen shrimp soldiers and crab generals were lifting a rod about ten feet long, one side dark red, the other dark blue, adorned with patterns of water and fire, showcasing a balance of yin and yang.
Monkey King stepped forward, picked up the Water-Fire Staff, and casually tossed it, finding it easy as lifting a feather then shook his head slightly.
But East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang was taken aback.
A weapon weighing three thousand six hundred pounds— even deities in the heavens could scarcely wield it, yet this Immortal lifted it with such ease, truly his divine powers were vast.
However, Monkey King set down the Water-Fire Staff and said to the old dragon king, "As a guest, I shouldn't really say this, but this staff is somewhat light for me. Do you have anything heavier?"
The dragon king gave a bitter smile and replied, "Immortal, among pole weapons, this is the only piece we have that weighs three thousand six hundred pounds, and it's the heaviest there is. If the Immortal does not insist on a pole weapon, there is a Painted Halberd in my palace that weighs seven thousand two hundred pounds. That might suit the Immortal."
Monkey King stopped the shrimp soldiers and crab generals from fetching it and shook his head, "I know my own strength; seven thousand two hundred pounds is still light. It won't do. Is there anything heavier?"
The dragon king was at a loss for words, and if not for the Monkey King's impeccable manners, he would have thought the visitor was merely playing tricks on him.
Seven thousand two hundred pounds was the heaviest among divine weapons, truly there was no heavier.
Ao Yun also felt that Monkey King was putting his own father in a difficult position, and said, "Monkey King, seven thousand two hundred pounds is already the heaviest among divine weapons. Do you still want something heavier?"
"Ordinary divine generals, without using mana, can handle and effectively wield weapons that weigh up to three thousand six hundred pounds, especially since those are heavier weapons suitable for broader swings."
"This seven thousand two hundred pound Painted Halberd is the heaviest divine weapon in the dragon palace, quite suitable for you."
Just then, an elder dragon dragged the dragon king aside and said, "My king, observe this holy one, he is no ordinary being. In our sea vault, that piece of divine iron from the bottom of the Heavenly River has been emitting dazzling light and auspicious vapors these past few days. Could it be that it's time for it to emerge, now that this holy one is here?"
The dragon king exclaimed, "That's nothing more than a weight used by Great Yu during his water control efforts. When the rope tying it broke, it just rolled into my Eastern Sea with the river flow. At first, I thought it was just a piece of heavy divine iron and stored it in our sea vault, but there's nothing miraculous about it. Would it not be an insult to present such to the Immortal? You women really do think too small."
The old dragon lady, feeling aggrieved, said, "I was only trying to offer my counsel, and besides, maybe what this holy one wants is a piece of heavy divine iron to forge a weapon with."
Listening to her, the dragon king thought there might be some merit in her words.
Consequently, he returned from behind the curtains, interrupted Ao Yun who was still trying to persuade Monkey King, and said, "Immortal, speaking of which, there is another piece of divine iron in my sea vault, in the shape of a staff."
Before Monkey King could reply, Ao Yun exclaimed, "Father, that's merely a piece of divine iron! Monkey King is not a blacksmith. Are you expecting our benefactor to forge something himself?"
The old dragon king, visibly flustered and blushing, said, "But... "
"It's fine." Monkey King smiled, "I too know how to forge. If that divine iron is heavy enough, it would be a great help to me."
"Then please come this way, Immortal."
Ao Guang breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that at least this Immortal knew etiquette and had given him a face-saving way out. If need be, he could also gift the Water-Fire Staff later on.
Guided by the dragon king, Monkey King arrived inside the sea vault and immediately noticed a pillar emanating a golden light, seemingly resonating with his own breathing.
It truly was the perfect divine weapon for him!
The dragon king pointed to the pillar and said, "Immortal, that glowing one is the divine iron!"
Monkey King approached it, touched it, and remarked, "If it were a bit thinner and shorter, it could be used."
No sooner had he spoken when the pillar actually became thinner and slightly shorter.
The dragon king was also amazed.
Could this divine iron truly be a divine weapon?
Monkey King spoke again, "Shorter and thinner!"
In an instant, the pillar transformed into a rod that was just the right size for a person to use.
Each end was capped with gold rings, the center being a segment of black iron; near the rings were engraved characters resembling dragon scripts and phoenix seals, named the "Ruyi Jingu Bang."
It shuddered, weighing thirteen thousand five hundred kilograms.
Sun Wukong was overjoyed and didn't wave it around carelessly like his avatar in the simulator, but instead, he shrunk it to the size of an embroidery needle and tucked it into his ear.
Once in his ear, the Jingu Bang vanished into his Primordial Spirit. With every breath he took, all the acupoints throughout his body vibrated simultaneously, and each of his eighty-four thousand hairs stood on end, glistening like gold and jade.
"What a treasure! What a treasure!"
Sun Wukong exclaimed, "Not only is this weapon perfect for me, but it can also merge with my Primordial Spirit, transforming into a spiritual essence, filling in what's missing—truly a law of fate!"
With this Ruyi Jingu Bang, his Metamorphosis Skill had no flaw.
A truly great fortune!
"Congratulations, immortal, on acquiring such a divine weapon," the Dragon King congratulated, while secretly lamenting his lack of discernment.
"Thank you, Old Dragon King." Sun Wukong plucked a hair from his body and said, "As I said, each at its own price, this hair is from my body, capable of transformations at my enlightenment, eighty-four thousand in total, each with endless uses and can summon me—just call 'Sun Wukong,' and I'll appear to help my dear neighbor out of trouble."
The Dragon King took the hair, held it in his palm, and felt a cool sensation, realizing indeed that this hair was extraordinary.
The monkey born from a celestial stone truly possessed Great Divine Power!
After that, the Dragon King hosted a feast for Sun Wukong, and both the guest and host were delighted.
During the feast, the Dragon King also invited his three brothers, who came to make Sun Wukong's acquaintance and brought gifts: a pair of Lotus Thread Cloud-Walking Shoes, a set of Locked Gold Armor, and a Phoenix Feathered Purple Gold Crown.
It turned out the East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang thought that Sun Wukong was still missing a suit of armor and, knowing his three brothers had a set, suggested they bring it to Sun Wukong and forge a good relationship.
Sun Wukong accepted them all and gifted the South Sea Dragon King Ao Qin, West Sea Dragon King Ao Run, and Northern Sea Dragon King Ao Shun each a hair.
After a satisfying feast, Sun Wukong said goodbye to the four Dragon Kings, left East Sea Dragon King Ao Guang, pushed through the water, and returned to the coast of Huaguo Mountain, followed by the dragon maiden Ao Yun.
"What's a girl like you following me for?" Sun Wukong turned and asked.
"I haven't yet repaid your life-saving grace; how could I leave?" said Ao Yun earnestly.
"That's quite strange," Sun Wukong said. "I've obtained the weapon I wanted, and even received a suit of armor; how have I not repaid your grace?"
"Those were gifts from my father and uncles; what do they have to do with me?" Ao Yun pouted, aware that even if she hadn't introduced them, with the Monkey King's capabilities, her father and uncles would still treat him as an honored guest.
Though the Dragon Clan, endowed with the divine duty to manage the rain, lived on earth, they inevitably interacted with various Demon Kings.
As long as they weren't bullied by the Demon Kings, they wouldn't report it to the heavenly court.
Not only the Dragon Kings but also the local Mountain Gods, Earth Deities, and River Lords all behaved this way.
Of course, most lesser gods and immortals, such as those of desolate mountains and wilderness, with insufficient mana to ascend to heaven, when encountering bullying by Demon Kings, could only endure it, which was rather sad.
Although the laws of the Three Realms were well-established, they ultimately had their loopholes.
Having a kind and powerful helper was essential for those divine beings living on earth.
Thus, the Dragon Clan extensively made "virtuous friends."
That's also why Ao Yun felt that she hadn't truly repaid a favor but merely guided Sun Wukong, which hardly counted as a repayment.
"Now, that's an unusual way to think."
Sun Wukong chuckled, "You're quite a self-reliant girl. Well then, if you really want to repay a favor, why not come to Huaguo Mountain and help me lead the group of demons?"
In doing so, he could also enjoy a bit more leisure.