Meanwhile, outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
As she watched Axel and his group leave, the Jade Emperor slowly shook his head, a deep look flashing through his eyes before he turned and walked back into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
As the Jade Emperor moved forward, the millions of Heavenly Soldiers, Heavenly Generals, officials, and Star Lords gathered outside remained completely silent.
Not a single person dared to speak.
Only Chang'e, who stood beside Taiyin Xingjun while holding the Ruyi Jingu Bang, had trembling hands.
So the owner of this staff... was actually such a terrifying existence?
For some reason, when she looked down at the staff again, her eyes subtly changed, faint ripples spreading within them.
Taiyin Xingjun immediately noticed Chang'e's gaze.
She let out a cold snort before turning around and leading the group of moon maidens back toward the Moon Palace.
Once they arrived, Chang'e nervously prepared to leave, but Taiyin Xingjun suddenly stopped her.
"Chang'e, stay behind. The rest of you may leave and continue your usual duties... No, wait. Follow what the True Lord said earlier and practice... pole dancing?"
Even Taiyin Xingjun looked confused saying those words.
What kind of dance even was that?
She had lived for countless years and had never heard of it before. It sounded suspiciously like some vulgar mortal entertainment from the human world's pleasure districts.
Most things demons enjoyed were rarely respectable anyway.
The moon maidens exchanged awkward looks with one another.
They desperately wanted to ask what pole dancing actually was, but seeing Taiyin Xingjun's poor mood, nobody dared to speak.
In the end, they silently glanced at the uneasy Chang'e before quietly leaving the Moon Palace one after another.
Soon, only Chang'e, Taiyin Xingjun, and the Jade Rabbit remained inside the enormous palace.
The moment the others left, Chang'e's body trembled even harder.
Taiyin Xingjun looked down at her and coldly snorted.
"When you sought protection from that True Lord earlier, you seemed quite brave. Why are you shaking now?
"You dared to reveal things I specifically forbade you from mentioning, yet now that you possess his weapon, you've become timid again?
"If that's the case, then why don't you use that staff and smash my head with it?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a heavy pressure descended.
Chang'e's legs immediately weakened, causing her to collapse onto the floor.
Seeing her terrified state, the Ruyi Jingu Bang finally reacted.
The staff suddenly broke free from Chang'e's grasp and shot directly toward Taiyin Xingjun's forehead.
"No!"
Chang'e cried out in panic.
But Taiyin Xingjun casually raised her hand and caught the staff effortlessly.
"Hmph."
She lightly scoffed.
"If your master were here, I would naturally step aside. But you're only a weapon. What exactly can you do to me?"
The next second, she casually flicked the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
The massive divine weapon instantly shrank into a short rod no longer than a pestle.
Even then, it was obvious the staff was resisting with all its strength.
Taiyin Xingjun then lightly tapped the Jade Rabbit's head with the shortened staff before speaking again.
"Chang'e, you are already connected to the True Lord.
"Now that the Heavenly Laws punished her, you've also become the lead dancer of the Moon Palace. That's considered quite a fortunate opportunity.
"So continue serving as the troupe leader properly. Do not disappoint either me or the True Lord.
"Perhaps one day, I may even need you to save me."
A strange smile appeared on her face.
With a simple wave of her hand, Chang'e hurriedly retreated from the hall.
After she left, Taiyin Xingjun slowly tapped the short rod against her palm over and over again.
In her eyes, Axel's rise was already unstoppable.
If even the World Honored Tathagata failed to suppress him, then the Jade Emperor, Laozi, and the others would likely struggle just as much.
After all, everyone in Heaven and Spirit Mountain cultivated under similar systems. Whether Buddhist or Taoist, their methods still heavily relied on treasures, divine arts, and mystical techniques.
But Axel completely ignored those things.
Treasures were useless against him.
Spells failed to affect him.
Against someone like that, no matter how powerful Heaven and Spirit Mountain were, Axel would eventually become a permanent thorn in their side.
Since that was the case...
Perhaps this chaos could become her opportunity.
As that thought surfaced, Taiyin Xingjun's body shivered slightly.
Almost unconsciously, her hand touched her backside.
How long had it been since someone had treated her like that?
The answer was simple.
Never.
She was born from the essence of the Taiyin itself, destined to hold a supreme position beneath the heavens, yet she remained trapped on the moon forever, managing dancers while generation after generation of Heavenly Queens enjoyed true freedom.
The more she thought about it, the darker her expression became.
Suddenly, she stood up from her couch and casually tossed the Jade Rabbit aside.
"I'm going out for a while. Stay here properly. If you run around causing trouble, I'll turn you into spicy rabbit meat."
After threatening the Jade Rabbit, Taiyin Xingjun took a deep breath, grabbed the shortened staff, and instantly transformed into light as she flew toward the lower realm.
At the same time, many others throughout Heaven and Earth quietly made similar choices.
The Heavenly Court had existed for far too long.
Its hierarchy had solidified ages ago.
Anyone who missed the right era, no matter how talented or powerful they became, would forever remain suppressed beneath the older generation who controlled everything.
But Axel's appearance had changed things completely.
His existence was proof that a new era was beginning.
And whenever a new tide rose, countless people would inevitably try riding it.
Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
After returning to his throne, the Queen Mother softly shook her head before speaking to the Jade Emperor.
"Your Majesty, that True Lord likely does not care much for rewards. If you wish to win him over, you may need to offer him even more."
"More?"
The Jade Emperor let out a quiet breath.
"The title of True Lord no longer suits him. But would one of the Four Imperial positions satisfy him?
"Or should I personally build another Spirit Mountain and hand it over to him?"
He slowly shook his head.
"At present, both sides are merely testing one another.
"And since we've reached a stalemate, everyone should remain cautious.
"Contact Kunlun and tell them to temporarily restrain themselves. They cannot continue attacking the forces of the Western Heaven. We cannot afford enemies on multiple fronts.
"If possible, I will eventually invite both the Buddha and the True Lord to negotiate directly.
"If major powers like us can avoid personally entering future conflicts, then things remain manageable.
"After all, even if the True Lord possesses Yang Jian, Nezha, and the others, his current territory is still too small.
"We only need to delay him long enough."
"I understand."
The Queen Mother immediately left to arrange everything.
At the same time, Axel and the others also finished discussing their next moves.
"Then it's settled.
"Pigsy and I will head to Webbed Ridge.
"Erlang, go bring back that bear.
"As for the Yellow Wind Demon of Yellow Wind Ridge, Nezha and Bull Demon King, that's your job.
"That oversized weasel possesses the Samadhi Divine Wind, and I originally didn't have a Wind-Fixing Pearl."
As Axel spoke, a pearl suddenly appeared in his hand.
"But thanks to some generous donations, now I do."
He tossed the pearl toward them.
"Take it and don't screw this up."
"Understood, Big Brother!"
Nezha and the Bull Demon King immediately departed on clouds.
The moment they left, Pigsy nervously shuffled closer to Axel.
"Ahem... Great Sage Brother, with your overwhelming strength, retrieving Senior Brother's root should be easy enough without me, right?
"Besides, someone needs to remain behind and receive guests.
"You understand how this world works. News spreads fast.
"If Old Pig isn't mistaken, your territory will soon become even livelier than Zhenyuanzi's Five Manor Temple.
"And luckily for you, Old Pig happens to be excellent at entertaining visitors.
"So why exactly do I still need to go to Webbed Ridge?"
"That's fine too."
Axel nodded with a grin after seeing Pigsy fidgeting nervously.
"In that case, I'll head there myself and wipe out every monster in Webbed Ridge while I'm at it.
"You can stay here and guard the house."
The moment Pigsy heard that, his expression instantly changed.
"Wait, Brother! Suddenly my legs don't feel tired anymore. Actually, I think traveling together sounds perfect."
Axel laughed.
"Then stop wasting time and move your ass, idiot."