The turbulent floodwaters began to recede; high temperatures traveled along the currents, boiling and sending up plumes of steam that banished the harsh cold of winter, causing vast amounts of aquatic life to float to the surface.
Meanwhile, in the forest, animals scurried about, fleeing from the rising steam.
A white-haired monkey clutched a tree branch and, with a few leaps, landed on the topmost boughs, looking distantly at the enormous bell-shaped cover wrapped by nine dragons, its eyes flickering with lively resentment and mockery.
"You plotted and schemed so much, but in the end, you couldn't foresee that this divinity still had a trick up its sleeve."
With two chirps, the white monkey's mouth twisted into a sneer, then, as if recalling something, it angrily punched the tree trunk.
