Chapter 441: Failed Persuasion
Ever since returning to the Heavenly Court, the Jade Emperor's spirits had been rather low. He simply couldn't believe that the reward he'd received was nothing more than a single Peaches of Immortality. Wasn't that just mocking him?
"From now on, I'm done with this Golden List Livestream," he said.
Hearing this, the Queen Mother of the West chuckled and said, "Jade Emperor, don't be so disheartened. A reward is better than no reward, isn't it? Besides, you only find the Peaches underwhelming because our Peach Garden is full of them. But think about it—others would treasure them like priceless treasures! A single peach can extend one's life by countless years. Don't you agree?"
At that moment, the Jade Emperor found her words oddly comforting. Stroking his beard, he replied, "Queen Mother, you really know how to talk sense!"
"Of course! When have I ever said anything unreasonable?"
The Golden List Livestream hadn't appeared again throughout the entire following year. During that time, Ye Tian had been helping Di Jun recover, and his condition had improved significantly.
Boom!
Golden light surged from Di Jun's body as he laughed aloud. "This is great—my body has recovered!"
Seeing how well Di Jun had recovered, Ye Tian nodded in satisfaction. "Di Jun, your body is mostly healed now. But remember—your strength still isn't enough. If you're thinking about challenging the Jade Emperor, then with your current power, you're still no match for him."
"You mean I still can't beat him at this stage? Then when will I be able to?"
Ye Tian had initially told him that with enough training, he'd eventually surpass the Jade Emperor. But time had flown by, and now, even after all this, was he still not strong enough?
Di Jun felt extremely anxious. At this rate, how was he ever supposed to restore the glory of the Demon Race?
"Keep cultivating a while longer. Staying put and laying low is better than rushing out to die."
"Still laying low?"
"Yes, keep at it."
Ye Tian smiled faintly. A true man knows when to advance and when to retreat. There was no need to throw his life away before he was truly ready. While Di Jun had made tremendous strides training under him, the gap between his strength and that of the Jade Emperor was still massive.
Truth be told, Ye Tian didn't like the Jade Emperor much either. That's why he was nurturing Di Jun—so he could act in his place when Ye Tian himself couldn't. But Di Jun simply wasn't strong enough yet to stand against the Jade Emperor.
"Oh right, I'll be away for a while soon. During this time, make sure you stay here and focus on cultivating. Without my permission, absolutely do not go looking for the Jade Emperor. Got it?"
"I got it!"
Only after Di Jun gave his word did Ye Tian leave.
The first thing Ye Tian did after leaving was seek out Sun Wukong. Since the Monkey King hadn't participated in the Golden List Livestream, he naturally hadn't received any rewards. After all, he had been busy escorting Tang Sanzang to fetch the scriptures in the West and hadn't had time for the livestream.
To Ye Tian, Sun Wukong was an exceptional talent. But traveling to the West with Tang Sanzang felt like such a waste. Did that path really offer any future?
Over the past few days, Sun Wukong had encountered many demons, and Tang Sanzang had even been captured once. If not for that, he might have joined the livestream. Honestly, sometimes he truly felt like he had no time to cultivate while constantly protecting Tang Sanzang.
Even if he made it to the West and attained Buddhahood or sainthood—what was the point?
In the end, all he would gain was an empty title. Deep down, he often felt a strong sense of resentment. Why did fate have to be this way? But no matter how much he hated it, there was nothing he could do.
"Sun Wukong."
As he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly called out to him. It was Ye Tian.
"It's you, Ye Tian."
"Yes. I came this time to ask you to leave the Journey to the West and become my disciple. What do you say?"
"What? Ye Tian, are you talking nonsense? I'm Tang Sanzang's disciple! My mission is to fetch the scriptures from the West. And now you want me to be your disciple? Are you drunk or something?"
Sun Wukong figured Ye Tian must be drunk. Why else would he say something so absurd?
But Ye Tian remained perfectly serious. "Even if you are Tang Sanzang's disciple, even if you reach the Thunderclap Temple in the West and obtain the scriptures—don't you find that life dull and tedious? Is this really what you want?"
Ye Tian looked directly at him. If Sun Wukong was truly smart, he'd know this wasn't the life he longed for.
"No. You can't decide what to do just based on what you like or dislike. The question is whether it's meaningful. Going to the West to fetch the scriptures is something I believe to be deeply meaningful—so I must do it. Ye Tian, don't try to sway me with your words. Leaving Tang Sanzang and the Journey to the West is absolutely out of the question!"
Clearly, Sun Wukong was quite stubborn. Ye Tian had only extended the offer because he saw great potential in him, but he hadn't expected Sun Wukong to be so unwilling to adapt to the times.
Since that was the case, Ye Tian felt there was nothing more to say. "Alright then, Sun Wukong. If you won't become my disciple, so be it. But if you ever change your mind, you can come find me anytime."
Ye Tian chose to leave Sun Wukong with an open door. After all, he truly believed Sun Wukong was a rare talent, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.
With those parting words, Ye Tian departed. Sun Wukong breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Of course, he wanted to leave, but he also knew the weight of his responsibilities. He had already sworn to be Tang Sanzang's disciple—how could he abandon that?
Without continuing the journey to the West, they wouldn't be able to obtain the scriptures. And for him, fulfilling the mission entrusted by Guanyin Bodhisattva was of utmost importance.
How could he let Ye Tian's few persuasive words shake that? Absolutely not.
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