The Stone Monkey nodded his head, skipped over the topic, and led a group of monkeys to go pick peaches again.

He initially thought the dream world was just a coincidence, but the next night, when the Taiyin Star rose again, he returned to the dream world.

Since he had returned, he didn't forget his goal—striving to train and defeat Yang Jian. However, the dazzling world still slightly disrupted the monkey's cultivation.

On the fourth night, during the fourth year in the dream world, the World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament was held again.

After three years of training in the dream world, the monkey had made significant progress. He easily broke into the finals once again and faced off against the Three-eyed Yang Jian.

However, although the stronger Stone Monkey felt he had improved, he also realized the gap between the two of them.

The Stone Monkey launched a full-force attack, but Yang Jian effortlessly countered, even managing to lecture him mid-fight: "You always settle for 'almost there' during your practice. When it counts, you're always 'just a little short.' If you keep this up, your entire life will be ruined by 'almost there.'"

For the first time since his birth, the Stone Monkey was reprimanded so severely that his entire demeanor descended into frustration and agitation. Yet Yang Jian paid him no mind. In his erratic and disorganized state, the Stone Monkey was even less of a match for him. While countering his attacks, Yang Jian continued to teach: "Regret and anger—what's their use at critical moments? Only by calming down and carefully considering all the resources at your disposal can you grasp a slim chance of survival."

The monkey bared his teeth in pain, scolded as though he were a rookie soldier. Although the anger in his heart didn't diminish, his body began to react quickly in accordance with Yang Jian's words. His distorted moves started to regain some form and order, becoming fiercer in the process.

Until finally, with a quick roll of his eyes, he tried a sneaky move—"Monkey Steals the Peach."

Yang Jian, who had been the True Martial Demon Cleansing Heavenly Venerate for so many years, had seen every trick imaginable. Not to mention, the monkey had a history of trying this exact move. Yang Jian clamped his legs together, trapping the monkey's hand with ease.

"You've improved, but not by much. Go back and keep practicing."

As expected, the monkey stopped at the top sixteen yet again. This utterly infuriated him—it was like failing to defeat a Newbie Village boss at Level One, and then after training for three years, still failing to defeat the same boss.

Little did the monkey know, this Newbie Village boss might not be an easy victory even when he reached max level in the future.

And so the Stone Monkey began roaming and training in the dream world, continuously challenging Yang Jian. During his journeys, he encountered all kinds of strange and unique individuals, which only deepened his yearning for the outside world.

He had no idea how many times he'd lost to the Three-eyed one, but he wanted to win!

After a year in the real world, one day, the monkey faced another defeat. Over this time, the Stone Monkey's progress had been nothing short of miraculous. In terms of martial arts alone, he had reached the peak of mortal achievement, yet he still couldn't win. In his current state, a fight against Yang Jian was inherently unequal.

He had not yet stepped onto the path of cultivation, while Yang Jian had already attained the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.

The Stone Monkey's eyes opened again, his gaze blank and vacant. Internally, he wrestled with himself over whether to abandon his peaceful life and explore the captivating outside world, to seek immortals and the Dao, and search for a way to triumph over the Three-eyed one.

Leaving one's comfort zone is a challenge for everyone. But the monkey's innate drive and unwillingness to admit defeat ultimately overpowered his complacency. I want to go out. I want to learn powerful immortal techniques. I want to defeat the Three-eyed Yang Jian. I want to see the expansive world beyond.

The Stone Monkey immediately summoned two elders along with the monkey tribe to announce his decision to go overseas to seek immortality. His announcement didn't take the elderly monkeys by surprise, though they hadn't expected it to come so soon.

After preparations were made, the Stone Monkey took off on a small wooden raft, embarking on his vast journey to pursue the Dao.

The Stone Monkey had set out to sea. Over on Nezha's side, learning of this through the Kunlun Mirror, Nezha began his preparations—not to intervene, since the Stone Monkey had Bodhi Ancestor watching over him and would eventually head to Fangcun Mountain. What Nezha needed to focus on now was enriching Bodhi's small classroom with new students.

How much would spots in a Saint's public classes sell for?

The selection of customers first excluded disciples from the Three Sects. Those people were already under the direct gaze of the Saints and didn't need this. Among the factions within the Primordial Realm that were more affluent and had new generations in need of training, there were only a few viable groups left:

Dragon Clan, Demon Clan, and Heavenly Court.

Nezha first contacted Bai Ze Demon Saint. Back when Nezha's cultivation was still weak, the two had often shared resources. With this excellent opportunity now, Nezha naturally had Bai Ze in mind.

True to Nezha's expectations, Bai Ze Demon Saint immediately expressed interest, saying he'd take as many spots as possible. The Ancient Demon Clan, inhabiting the impoverished North State with limited resources, would gladly make any sacrifices for these coveted places.

The next day, the Thunder Bird delivered ten promising and fine-looking young men and women to Nezha. These were the rising stars of the Demon Clan's future.

As for the Dragon Clan, Nezha reached out to the Four Sea Dragon Kings. Grudges were one thing, but business was business. Despite the despicable actions of Candle Dragon in the past, the Dragon Clan had officially severed ties with him. The largest victim of the incident, Hao Tian, now had little option but to pick on the Dragon Clan—perhaps killing a few dragons or finding faults with them—but lacked any substantial means to retaliate against the Four Seas Dragon Clan.

Such is the power of institutionalization.

When the Four Seas Dragon Clan heard about this opportunity, they were thrilled. Nezha raised the price fivefold with tears in his eyes, and yet they still thanked him profusely!

The Four Seas Dragon Clan sent over a batch of dragon sons and daughters. The Dragon Clan lived up to its reputation as an Ancient Strong Clan. Standing side by side, just the aura of their group completely overshadowed the Demon Clan.

Finally, there were the Heavenly Court Immortals, who sent their young protégés to enroll upon hearing the news—fifteen in total.

Those who came were not Gods listed in the Investiture of the Gods. Many of those listed Gods currently had problems with their longevity and wouldn't spend a fortune to buy enrollment spots. Instead, those sent were protégés of ancient great powers officially affiliated with the Heavenly Court, such as Taiyi Jiu Ku Heavenly Venerate, Liu Bo Heavenly Emperor, Emperor Tai Huan Jiyao, Emperor Yuan Zai Kong Sheng, and Emperor Tai'an Huangya.

One by one, out came a dazzling array of Heavenly Venerates, Emperors, and Heavenly Emperors. Nezha nearly believed that Heavenly Emperor positions were being wholesaled! Such high-ranking titles weren't bestowed by the Daoist Ancestor but arose through the Heavenly Court. Over time, political shifts and historical accumulation led to this redundant roster of officials.

The Ancient Demon Clan had originally established the Heavenly Court, liberally bestowing positions to various great experts to gain their favor, regardless of these titles' actual authority but certainly for their prestige. Later, after the demise of the Demon Clan, the Human Clan briefly controlled the Heavenly Court, issuing another wave of titles.

When mortal Human Clan Heavenly Emperors' lifespans proved too short, the Daoist Ancestor finally appointed Hao Tian as the Heavenly Emperor. By then, the Heavenly Court had already changed hands three times, yet earlier God titles couldn't be revoked—they had been granted formally, and their holders hadn't committed any misdeeds. On what grounds could those positions be stripped away?

When Hao Tian initially took control of the Heavenly Court, he only ousted those who actively opposed him, leaving the honorary titles untouched, fearing widespread backlash.

This legacy resulted in today's Heavenly Court—a muddle of redundant and overlapping roles, with plenty of historical baggage to contend with.

Now that so many "wealthy elites" had emerged, Nezha had no intention of refusing their offers. Isn't it obvious? Heavenly Court Immortals couldn't possibly be poor. If you find yourself broke, shouldn't you reflect on whether you've been diligent enough in your efforts?

Nezha truly raked it in this time, profits pouring in like never before!

However, when partnering with Saints in business, there's no room for clever tricks. He personally pocketed a modest three-tenths of the earnings and sent the remaining seven-tenths along with all forty-five students to Fangcun Mountain.

Why did the initial 10+10+15 tally increase to forty-five students?

Well, with such a rare opportunity, fostering a few relationships by sponsoring some protégés for advanced studies seemed perfectly reasonable. Plus, Nezha didn't want the monkey to feel isolated.

The host of Fangcun Mountain, Master Puti, didn't reject Nezha's request for visitation, so Nezha brought his group smoothly to the destination. Bodhi Ancestor, adhering to Hong Jun Daoist Ancestor's teachings, had established a Daoist Temple in the area.

At present, the Daoist Temple had only three individuals within—Bodhi Ancestor, the Sweeping Child, and the Gatekeeper Child.

Nezha escorted his party into the grand hall of the Daoist Temple, where Bodhi Ancestor was seated on a meditation cushion. Nezha stepped forward and bowed.

"Disciple greets the Master-Uncle."

"Disciple greets the Teacher."

Here, the term "Teacher" was similar to today's concept of a mentor—it implied studying there for a limited period, unlike disciples such as Nezha and Nuwa, whose karmic fortunes were deeply linked.

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