Sun Wukong laughed upon hearing the words and said, "Isn’t it the big battle in Luzhou in the North that caused all this trouble? I reckon the Heavenly Court wants the Dragon Palace to lend a hand, but Ao Guang, that old sly fox, is reluctant to get involved in this senseless war."

"So that’s how it is!" Marshal Ma nodded slightly, realizing that facing the Heavenly Court directly was indeed challenging. No wonder their own King had to go and bolster the ranks.

After all, there were very few in the Three Realms who dared not to give the Jade Emperor face, and the Monkey just barely counted as one.

"My children, take good care of Huaguo Mountain. Old Sun will be back soon!" Sun Wukong called out and then leaped into the water, following the current straight to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

Within the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, as the three-day deadline was approaching, the Old Dragon King had already begun to pace around in the Crystal Palace.

The Divine Exorcist Great Saint was coming with an imposing force, clearly showing that he would offer politeness before resorting to force. This time, if he put off the matter again, he feared it would be difficult to explain.

However, facing the notoriously fierce Divine Exorcist Great Saint, Ao Guang had no confidence at all. Rumor had it that the Great Saint could bewitch the hearts of others, and he might be ensnared himself if he wasn’t careful.

Just then, he saw the hurriedly arriving Prime Minister Turtle and immediately asked anxiously, "How is it? Has the Great Saint agreed?"

Prime Minister Turtle replied, "Don’t worry, my King. The Great Saint has already agreed and will reach the Dragon Palace momentarily."

Hearing Prime Minister Turtle’s words, Ao Guang quickly showed a delighted expression and said, "Well, don’t delay, go and prepare to welcome the Great Saint’s arrival."

While everyone was bustling about, the Monkey had already arrived in front of the Crystal Palace, laughing, "Old neighbor, here I am!"

"The Great Saint has come, please come in." Ao Guang welcomed Sun Wukong into the Crystal Palace and quickly ordered that fine wine be offered.

Then he said with a smile, "This time, I must trouble the Great Saint to help me bolster the ranks. The Divine Exorcist Great Saint has vast divine skills, and I hear he is capable of beguiling the hearts of people. Old Dragon, too, fears his methods."

Sun Wukong replied, "I dislike Old Six the most—he’s so gloomy. Don’t worry, as long as I am here, I won’t let him make a move on you in secret."

"With that said, I can rest assured," Ao Guang said, his relief audible.

"Although I can prevent him from taking covert action, the Heavenly Court’s intentions are clear. Do you have any good strategies?" Sun Wukong asked curiously.

He was eager to know how the cunning Old Dragon would deal with this crisis.

Ao Guang gave a bitter smile and said, "What else can I do? With the righteousness of the Heavenly Court upon me, how can I refuse? But as you know, the might of the Demon Clan in Luzhou in the North is no small matter. For someone like me to stand up to them is akin to courting death. It’s best to stall and observe the situation for now."

"The Old Dragon King, in my opinion, you’re just too timid. Your Dragon Clan is after all one of the foremost races of ancient times, with countless masters among your ranks. If really pushed to desperation, a do-or-die battle would make everyone in the Three Realms fear you. There’s no need to be so overly cautious and timid. It’s quite frustrating," Sun Wukong said, waving his hand.

If it were him, he would come and go as he pleased; the Heavenly Court wouldn’t truly dare to push the Dragon Clan to join forces with the Demon Clan, would they?

In the midst of their casual conversation, a gloomy voice came from outside.

"Old Dragon King seems to be in high spirits!" It turned out that the Divine Exorcist Great Saint had already arrived, looking at Ao Guang and Sun Wukong with a seemingly amused expression.

Seeing this, Ao Guang promptly bowed respectfully and said, "I pay my respects to the Divine Exorcist Great Saint!"

"To think that Old Seven, once a Demon King, has now become a favorite of the Heavenly Court," the Divine Exorcist Great Saint said with a smirk.

"Haha, who would have thought that the Demon Master of the Demon Clan would turn into a highly valued figure in the Heavenly Court," Sun Wukong said, his tone laced with a touch of sarcasm.

When they first became sworn brothers, Wukong had not liked this constantly grim Divine Exorcist Great Sage, but only because figures like King Niumo had vouched for him, did he tolerate his scornful remarks.

However, the Divine Exorcist Great Sage was unfazed, as he would not let himself become angered, his heart had long since become as still as still water in his line of work.

Wukong saw that the other was indifferent to his provocation and, feeling utterly bored, curled his lips in disdain. He had originally thought that he could have a proper exchange with this former Old Six, but the other party did not even respond to his taunts.

This made the Monkey feel as if his punch had landed on cotton.

"Seventh, why aren’t you staying put in your Huaguo Mountain? How did you end up running to the Dragon Palace?" the Divine Exorcist Great Sage asked with a smile.

"Just stopping by to mooch a drink from my old neighbor," Wukong replied with a brilliant smile.

"Old Dragon King, how goes your consideration? I must return to the Heavenly Court to report back soon. Don’t make His Majesty wait too long," the Divine Exorcist Great Sage said, turning his head towards Ao Guang.

Ao Guang revealed a wry smile and said, "His Majesty has commanded, and we of the Dragon Clan naturally obey. But mobilizing a large army requires preparation of food, fodder, and logistics. The aquatic creatures of the Four Seas have not fought for a long time, and need some time to prepare."

Upon hearing this, the Divine Exorcist Great Sage showed great interest and sized Ao Guang up, his eyes deep and penetrating as if they could see into one’s soul, making Ao Guang’s heart flutter.

Fortunately for him, Wukong was by his side to embolden him, or else that one glance would have instilled fear in him.

After all, this was the being who had outwitted the Demon Court, a place where the Demon Emperor and Demon Master were renowned throughout the Three Realms, and who had likewise fallen into his schemes. Had he not revealed his true identity, today’s Divine Exorcist Great Sage might still be one of the high-ranking officials of the Demon Court. How could Ao Guang not be shaken by such a character before him?

"If that is the case, there should be a deadline. I need to report back to His Majesty."

The Divine Exorcist Great Sage pressed on relentlessly, determined to make Ao Guang commit.

Ao Guang glanced at him nervously, then said softly, "Three months should suffice, no, two months."

After seeing the disapproving look in the Divine Exorcist Great Sage’s eyes, Ao Guang hastily changed his statement.

"Good, it’s settled then. Since the Old Dragon King has given a deadline, I shall report this to His Majesty." With that, he turned and left.

"Great Saint, why not stay for a drink before you go!" Ao Guang feigned insistence.

"No need, lest someone becomes unhappy," the Divine Exorcist Great Sage waved his hand and disappeared into the Eastern Sea in a streak of rainbow light.

Watching him leave, Ao Guang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, the Divine Exorcist Great Sage’s relentless pressure and terrifying demeanor made him feel as though he couldn’t breathe, and he hardly dared meet his gaze, which seemed to hold mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

"Old neighbor, you’re too much of a pushover. With me, Old Sun, here, what’s there to fear? Worst comes to worst, we’ll have a fight. I’ve been wanting to beat that guy up for a long time now," Wukong said to the disheveled Ao Guang in a teasing tone.

"I’m not like you. If he takes a grudge against me, my Dragon Palace might never have peace," Ao Guang said with a sigh.

He did not want to bow his head, but the other’s strength was evident, and with the right of the Heavenly Court preceding all, there was simply no room for resistance.

"Now you’ve got yourself in a fine mess, turning three months into two. I’ll see how you handle this."

"Don’t worry about it, Great Saint. Old Dragon has his ways," Ao Guang said, a smug look appearing on his face.

When it came to leading troops into battle or competing in magical prowess, he admitted his inferiority, but when it came to dragging one’s feet, prevaricating, and playing a double game, he was an expert.