Even if he was not on par with the Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and Emperor Jun, how significant could the difference be?
All of them were Supreme Level powerhouses of the Three Realms. Even if there was a gap between them, it wouldn’t be too great.
Just like these secondary powerhouses, they were all relatively equal in strength.
In the end, Sun Wukong’s gaze fell upon the Great Emperor Ziwei.
He let out a cold laugh, "First, don’t worry about how powerful Great Emperor Ziwei is now. When he became a Supreme, he was indeed a bit hasty, and his power wasn’t strong at that time. But now, after just over a hundred years, hasn’t he already become no weaker than you, Your Majesty? If I remember correctly, today you were captured by Great Emperor Ziwei, aren’t you convinced by his strength?"
"Naturally, I am convinced."
The Queen Mother of the West did not argue.
The rise in power of Great Emperor Ziwei took her by surprise; she never expected him to advance so quickly.
As Sun Wukong spoke, he laughed.
"Ascending from the strength of a top-tier Great Heavenly Venerate to his current level, it took Great Emperor Ziwei just over a hundred years. With such talent, how could he possibly be weaker than Emperor Jun? If Your Majesty hadn’t been biased in your views, you would have noticed Ziwei’s excellence by now. It won’t be long before Ziwei can possess the true strength of a Supreme of the Three Realms. Maybe it will take a hundred years or two hundred years, but certainly no more than three hundred."
The Queen Mother of the West nodded.
If Great Emperor Ziwei continued to perform as he was now, it would take him no more than three hundred years to become a Supreme Level powerhouse.
Seeing her agreement, Sun Wukong smiled brightly, and his pride was evident.
"A Heavenly Court where there will be at least four Supreme combat powers in the future, plus the Eastern King making it five Supreme Level powerhouses—why would Your Majesty not be optimistic about Great Emperor Ziwei?" Sun Wukong countered.
The Queen Mother of the West had no answer.
The pride of an Ancient God?
But after being questioned by Sun Wukong, she now found the so-called pride of the Ancient Gods to be utterly ridiculous.
Caught in this realization, the Queen Mother of the West suddenly paused.
Just now, one of Sun Wukong’s statements dawned on her.
"No, what did you just say? How could the Eastern King have submitted to the Heavenly Court?"
The Queen Mother of the West was incredulous.
In the past, even the Jade Emperor had not succeeded in having the Eastern King emerge from seclusion, and the Eastern King had declined and even hidden away from the world.
The Eastern King knew the true identity of the Jade Emperor; he did not show respect even to the Haotian God, so how could he be willing to serve under Great Emperor Ziwei?
It was utterly inconceivable.
Great Emperor Ziwei smiled faintly. After being highlighted by Sun Wukong, he regained his confidence.
Hearing the Queen Mother of the West’s question, Great Emperor Ziwei responded, "It’s not for my strength that the Eastern King pays homage. He did it for you, Your Majesty. Otherwise, do you think I would agree not to kill you after you slaughtered tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals of the Heavenly Court?"
The Queen Mother of the West immediately understood.
The Eastern King had voluntarily become a subordinate of Great Emperor Ziwei to save her life.
At this thought, her face turned pale.
She never really wanted to involve the Eastern King, but in the end, she still did.
If it weren’t for her sake, why would the Eastern King agree to serve under Great Emperor Ziwei? After all, he was the man who had refused the Haotian God, even rejecting the position of Supreme of the Three Realms.
"Kill me, and grant the Eastern King his freedom," the Queen Mother of the West said.
Her dream-like eyes fixed on Great Emperor Ziwei, "Even if you don’t kill me, I will take my own life. I don’t want him to do things he doesn’t want to because of me."
The Eastern King unwilling?
Considering the Eastern King’s eagerness, Sun Wukong seriously doubted the Queen Mother of the West’s words.
Although unaware of the reasons behind the Eastern King’s willingness to serve under Great Emperor Ziwei, Sun Wukong was certain it wasn’t against his will.
It was then that Great Emperor Ziwei finally showed the demeanor of a Supreme of the Three Realms.
He said coldly, "Your Majesty, you are free to take your own life. However, having become my subordinate, a Supreme Level powerhouse, I will not let him go. Even if you die, I won’t release the Eastern King. If he dares to betray the Heavenly Court, he will be punished according to the laws of heaven."
The Queen Mother of the West trembled, pointing to Great Emperor Ziwei with disbelief, "When did you become so ruthless?"
"Didn’t Your Majesty just say? Ziwei does not match Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and Emperor Jun. Ziwei is not content when it comes to cultivating strength, but I also feel I’m not cruel enough, so I should learn from them. Thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty."
Sun Wukong and the others nearly laughed out loud.
The ferocious act of Great Emperor Ziwei was indeed amusing.
However, only the Queen Mother of the West, in her distracted state of mind, did not perceive it.
It was apparent to all the immortals present that Great Emperor Ziwei was putting on an act.
Of course, they could not tell the Queen Mother of the West. If they did, it would be even harder to subdue her.
At this time, the Eastern King arrived.
He paid his respects to Great Emperor Ziwei, "I have seen Your Highness."
"Dispense with the formalities."
Great Emperor Ziwei fully assumed his role.
Witnessing this scene, the Queen Mother of the West sighed.
The once proud Eastern King.
It was all because she hadn’t been obedient that he exhausted all his efforts to protect her.
If she had just listened to a bit of what the Eastern King said back then, there wouldn’t be the scene before her now.
Ultimately, her defiance brought harm to both others and herself.
Seeing the Queen Mother of the West in such a dispirited state, the Eastern King smiled faintly within.
Without this condition, it would be difficult to eradicate some of the Queen Mother’s obsessions.
With this in mind, he said to Great Emperor Ziwei, "Your Highness, please leave the Queen Mother of the West to me. I will make her agree to serve under Your Highness."