"Big Sister..."
Hearing those words, Second Sister instinctively wanted to object. However, before she could continue, Big Sister gently patted the back of her hand.
"It's settled.
Little sisters, listen to me.
The four of you will be serving by Great Sage's side from now on. You need to be more mature and stop causing trouble the way you do at home.
I'll stay behind and take care of Mother, so none of you need to worry. If any of you fail to meet expectations, Sixth Sister can take your place once she's older.
That's the end of the discussion."
Big Sister smiled warmly and squeezed each of her sisters' hands one after another.
Fourth Sister pouted.
Truthfully, she had never wanted to be a maid.
Still, seeing Third Sister and Fifth Sister practically glowing with excitement, she swallowed her complaints and kept them to herself.
Soon, the food and wine were brought out.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they began gathering their belongings.
The Spider Sisters possessed very little to begin with.
Spider Silk Ridge had been trapped beneath a powerful formation for countless years. Outsiders could enter, but those inside could not leave.
The ridge's resources were barely enough to support its inhabitants. Even Zi Zhuer had suffered from a severe lack of spiritual energy, causing her appearance to age prematurely.
Once everything was packed, Axel led the group to remove the three talismans suppressing Spider Silk Ridge.
As the talismans were torn down one after another, Fourth Sister stared silently.
Her emotions were difficult to describe.
The disappointment of not getting exactly what she wanted gradually faded, replaced by anticipation for the vast world waiting beyond the ridge.
Not long afterward, the group left Spider Silk Ridge behind and headed toward Ziyun Temple.
The sisters chatted excitedly along the way.
Meanwhile, Axel's attention drifted toward a patch of bushes near the roadside.
Hidden among the grass was a small snake covered in red and white patterns.
It was curled tightly and secretly observing the group.
The moment it realized Axel was looking directly at it, its entire body froze.
Ignoring its panic, Axel casually walked over and reached into the bushes.
A moment later, he pulled the snake out.
"Heh."
The snake dangled from his hand like a coiled rope.
Seeing this, Zhu Bajie burst into laughter.
"Great Sage Brother, what's this?
Didn't get enough food back there, so now you're hunting snacks on the roadside?
Too bad we don't have a tiger nearby. Otherwise, I'd throw them into a pot together and make dragon and tiger stew.
That aroma would be incredible."
Grinning maliciously, Zhu Bajie lifted his Nine-Toothed Rake.
The snake immediately stiffened.
It hurriedly climbed onto Axel's arm, raised its head, and spoke nervously.
"Marshal Tianpeng, please don't misunderstand!
This humble one means no harm.
My name is Hong Yi, daughter of the Old Mother of Mount Li.
Greetings, True Lord."
After speaking, the little snake lowered her head respectfully.
Axel nodded before flicking her forehead with a finger.
"If you're a snake, shouldn't you be hiding in a tree somewhere?
Why are you lurking in the bushes?
Afraid of people, or afraid of me?"
"No, no, no!"
Hong Yi immediately shook her head.
"True Lord, I truly have no ill intentions.
I only didn't wish to trouble you and your companions.
I came here because of a childhood friend.
My mother and Bodhisattva Pilanpo have been close friends for many years. Since childhood, I grew up alongside Pilanpo's son, Mao Ri Xingguan.
After the Journey to the West, rumors spread that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had died.
My friend refused to believe it and descended to investigate.
After that, he never returned."
A trace of sadness appeared in her eyes.
"Eighty years ago, I came down to search for him.
Eventually, I found him.
But what I found wasn't good news.
He's in Ziyun Temple ahead, yet he has become something neither human nor ghost.
He's suffering terribly."
As she spoke, Hong Yi jumped from Axel's arm and landed on the ground.
Her body transformed into that of a woman dressed in red.
However, the transformation remained incomplete. Her upper body appeared human, while her neck still retained the hooded shape of a cobra.
She bowed respectfully.
"Originally, I intended to stay hidden and avoid causing trouble.
If none of you noticed me, then I could simply continue waiting.
But my concealment was exposed with a single glance.
Truthfully, I've tried many times to rescue him.
I've also attempted to ease his suffering.
Unfortunately..."
Hong Yi forced a bitter smile.
"My abilities are lacking.
Even my transformation is incomplete.
I simply don't possess the strength to save him.
So I've remained here, hoping a powerful cultivator would pass by and be willing to help.
But after seeing your group..."
She hesitated awkwardly.
"I was scared."
Sticking out her tongue sheepishly, she pulled out a portrait scroll.
"True Lord, please look.
This was sent by my mother.
Only a few hours ago, she specifically warned me to avoid you at all costs."
The scroll unfolded, revealing Axel's image.
Hong Yi hurriedly waved her hands.
"I swear I wasn't spying on you.
It was genuinely a coincidence.
At this point, I won't try to defend myself.
I only hope True Lord will show mercy and allow me to..."
"What are you rambling about?"
Before she could finish, Axel suddenly extended his hand and grabbed at empty air.
A massive blood-red cocoon instantly appeared in his grasp.
Boom!
The cocoon crashed onto the ground with tremendous force, crushing flowers and grass beneath it.
Zhu Bajie jumped in surprise.
"Holy hell!
Great Sage Brother, don't tell me this thing is the Mao Ri Xingguan she was talking about?"
He hurried closer for a better look.
The cocoon pulsed rhythmically like a beating heart.
Through the translucent surface, a distorted figure could be seen floating inside.
It resembled a featherless chicken curled into a fetal position.
The sight was unsettling.
Hong Yi froze.
Then she rushed forward.
Her trembling hand pressed against the cocoon's surface.
Emotion filled her eyes.
"No wonder Mother told me to treat True Lord with the utmost respect.
Your divine abilities are beyond imagination.
This really is him.
This is Mao Ri Xingguan."
Her voice trembled.
"The proud and brilliant person I once knew has become... this."
She stared silently at the cocoon.
At least the transformation wasn't complete.
There was still a chance.
Turning toward Axel, she bowed deeply.
"True Lord, could you please entrust him to me?
I want to bring him back to my mother.
Perhaps she can find a way to save him.
Her powers are vast. If anyone can help, it's her."
Her expression darkened.
"And if even Mother cannot save him..."
Hong Yi gently stroked the cocoon.
"Then I will find a peaceful place for him and give him a proper burial."
Memories surfaced within her heart.
She and Mao Ri Xingguan had never been merely childhood friends.
For many years, she had quietly carried feelings for him.
Unfortunately, while her heart had always been occupied by him, his eyes had remained fixed on his ambitions alone.