I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

The dragon's breath contained a chilling power that instantly froze the wounds of the Azure Water Turtle and seeped into its body.

The Azure Water Black Tortoise struggled in agony, its body convulsing, before finally collapsing to the ground, its breath gradually fading away.

Its body transformed into a beam of green light and merged into the puddles on the ground, leaving behind only a bright green demon core and a hard fragment of its carapace.

Jiang Wang and Bai Yuchen landed on the ground. Bai Yuchen picked up the demon core and the fragments of the carapace, and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, we owe you a lot this time. Otherwise, we would have had a hard time dealing with this Azure Water Black Turtle."

This fragment of the carapace contains the innate law of water, which will greatly benefit my cultivation. I'll give this demon core to Fellow Daoist Jiang.

Jiang Wang accepted the demon core and said calmly, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Bai."

Let's keep going up and see what challenges the third level holds.

The two continued up the stairs and arrived at the third floor.

The third floor was pitch black, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The air was thick with a sinister aura that sent chills down your spine.

"The eerie atmosphere here is so strong."

Bai Yuchen frowned, his body radiating white light that illuminated the surrounding area. "It seems that the guardian beast of the third level is a malevolent beast."

Jiang Wang nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily: "Be careful, evil-type demonic beasts are good at hiding and ambushing, and they are not easy to deal with."

As soon as the words were spoken, countless black shadows darted out of the darkness and pounced on the two of them.

These shadows were slender and ghostly, holding sharp daggers and exuding a strong aura of malevolence. They were the guardian beasts of the third level—the Shadow Demons.

The Shadow Demon is extremely fast and adept at hiding in the darkness, constantly launching sneak attacks on the two.

Jiang Wang and Bai Yuchen stood back to back, warily guarding against the Shadow Demon's attack.

Bai Yucheng waved his folding fan continuously, and white wind blades crisscrossed, slaying all the approaching shadow demons.

Jiang Wang then condensed purple-gold sword energy, and beams of sword energy shot out, illuminating the dark corners like searchlights, forcing out the shadow demons hiding there.

"This can't go on. There are too many Shadow Demons; we can't kill them all."

While fending off the shadow demons' attacks, Bai Yucheng said to Jiang Wang, "We must find the leader of the shadow demons and kill him. The other shadow demons will then disperse."

A hint of agreement flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes: "Alright, I'll distract the Shadow Demons, and you can take the opportunity to find the Shadow Demon leader's location."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Wang's body shone with a burst of purple-gold light, and countless purple-gold sword energies shot out, attacking the shadow demons around him.

The shadow demons all scattered, their attention drawn to Jiang Wang.

Seeing this, Bai Yuchen's figure flickered, transforming into a white streak of light, and he weaved through the group of shadow demons.

His eyesight was sharp, and he quickly detected a peculiar aura deep in the darkness.

Its aura was more intense than the other shadow demons, clearly indicating it was the leader of the shadow demons.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, the Shadow Demon leader is over there!"

Bai Yucheng pointed into the depths of darkness and let out a low shout.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang looked in the direction Bai Yuchen pointed and indeed saw a tall black shadow standing in the darkness, exuding a strong sinister aura. It was the leader of the Shadow Demons.

Jiang Wang snorted coldly, his figure blurred, and he rushed towards the Shadow Demon leader, condensing a huge purple-gold sword aura in his hand and slashing it towards the Shadow Demon leader.

The Shadow Demon leader sensed Jiang Wang's attack, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand and unleashed countless black energy blades that collided with the purple-gold sword energy.

With a deafening roar, the two forces canceled each other out, creating a massive shockwave.

The Shadow Demon leader swayed and lunged at Jiang Wang, the dagger in his hand carrying a strong sinister power, aiming straight for Jiang Wang's chest.

Jiang Wang's expression remained unchanged. He slightly shifted his body to avoid the dagger attack, and at the same time raised his hand and struck the Shadow Demon leader's chest.

The Shadow Demon leader quickly retreated, avoiding Jiang Wang's palm, while letting out a sharp screech.

Hearing the howl, the surrounding shadow demons rushed towards Jiang Wang, trying to protect their leader.

"It's in the way!"

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes. He raised his hand and waved, and a purple-gold protective shield enveloped him. The Shadow Demon's attack landed on the shield, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, having no effect whatsoever.

At the same time, he condensed an even larger purple-gold sword aura and shot it toward the Shadow Demon leader.

Upon seeing this, the Shadow Demon leader's eyes flashed with fear. He tried to dodge, but it was too late.

The purple-gold sword energy pierced through its body in an instant. The Shadow Demon leader let out a shrill scream, and its body turned into a wisp of black smoke, dissipating into the air.

With the death of the Shadow Demon leader, the other Shadow Demons lost their power, collapsed to the ground, and turned into ashes.

Jiang Wang and Bai Yucheng breathed a sigh of relief; the challenge on the third level was finally over.

The two continued up the stairs and arrived at the fourth floor.

The fourth floor is completely different from the first three floors. Here, the sun shines brightly, birds sing and flowers bloom, and the ground is covered with exotic flowers and plants, exuding a rich spiritual energy, just like a fairyland on earth.

"How can it be so peaceful here?"

Bai Yucheng looked around with some doubt, "Could it be that there are no guardian beasts on the fourth level?"

Jiang Wang shook his head, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily: "Something's not right. The more peaceful a place seems, the greater the hidden dangers it might be."

Be careful, don't be careless.

Just then, a gentle female voice came from the flower bushes: "Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. Why don't you stay and rest for a while, and have a cup of tea before you go?"

Jiang Wang and Bai Yuchen looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in a pink dress walking out of the flower bushes.

The woman had a beautiful face and a gentle temperament. She held a teacup in her hand and looked at the two of them with a smile. She exuded a faint floral fragrance.

"who are you?"

Jiang Wang frowned, watching the woman warily. He could sense the powerful force contained within her, and this force carried a strange quality, unlike that of an ordinary cultivator.

The woman smiled slightly and said in a gentle voice, "I am the guardian of this fourth level, and my name is Hua Yao."

"My two fellow cultivators have come a long way through these trials; they must be tired. Why not have a cup of tea that I brewed myself to ease your fatigue?"

As she spoke, she handed over the teacup she was holding.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Bai Yucheng's eyes. He could sense that the woman meant no harm, but Jiang Wang's vigilance made him dare not relax easily.

He looked at Jiang Wang, waiting for Jiang Wang's decision.

Jiang Wang glanced at the teacup indifferently, his tone icy: "No need."

We're just passing by and want to go upstairs, so please make way, young lady.

He could sense that the teacup contained a faint bewitching power; if he drank it, he would probably fall into an illusion.

Hua Yao's smile froze slightly, then returned to its gentle tone: "Why are you being so formal, fellow Daoist? I only meant well."

Since you don't want to drink tea, that's fine too.

However, to ascend to the upper levels, you must pass my test.

"What kind of test?"

Jiang Wang asked.

Hua Yao smiled slightly, raised her hand and waved, and the exotic flowers and plants around her bloomed one after another. Countless pollen flew out from the flower stamens and drifted towards Jiang Wang and Bai Yuchen.

"My test is simple. As long as you can withstand my pollen illusion, you will pass the test and I will let you go to the upper level." The pollen floated in front of the two of them, and Jiang Wang and Bai Yuchen quickly circulated the power in their bodies to resist the invasion of the pollen.

But this pollen was extremely strange; it was able to penetrate their protective shields and enter their bodies.

Jiang Wang felt a wave of dizziness, and the scene before his eyes began to blur.

"Oh no, it's an illusion!"

Jiang Wang thought to himself, and quickly concentrated his mind, circulating his primordial power to resist the invasion of the illusion.

Various images kept flashing through his mind: the chaos of war in the primordial world, the binding with the system, and the image of Tang Sanzang and his disciples being trapped.

These images flooded in like a tide, trying to disturb his mind.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, hold on!"

Bai Yucheng's voice came through, trembling slightly.

He too was caught in an illusion, with images of the East Sea Dragon Clan being suppressed by the Heavenly Court appearing before his eyes, filling him with anger and resentment.

Jiang Wang gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes.

He knew all too well how terrifying the illusion was; if one lost their composure, they would be trapped in it forever.

He circulated his primordial energy to form a solid barrier in his mind, blocking out those distracting images.

At the same time, he let out a low shout, and the purple-gold light around him surged, forcibly expelling the pollen power from his body.

"puff!"

Jiang Wang exhaled a breath of stale air, and the scene before him gradually became clear.

He looked at Bai Yucheng, who still had his eyes closed and looked pained, clearly still struggling in the illusion.

"Hua Yao, how dare you!"

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes as he charged toward Hua Yao.

He raised his hand and unleashed a burst of purple-gold sword energy, attacking Hua Yao.

Hua Yao's expression changed, and she quickly retreated. At the same time, she raised her hand and waved, and countless petals fell from the sky, forming a petal shield that blocked the attack of the purple-gold sword energy.

"Why are you angry, fellow Daoist? I am merely following the rules."

"Follow the rules?"

Jiang Wang sneered, "Using illusions to harm people, do you even deserve to call it rules? Today I will dismantle your illusions and take you away from here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved swiftly and appeared in front of Hua Yao, raising his hand to strike her with his palm.

Hua Yao quickly dodged, and at the same time let out a soft shout. The strange flowers and plants around her withered and turned into black vines that wrapped around Jiang Wang.

These vines contain a dense, sinister power, even more eerie than the aura of the Shadow Demon.

A hint of disdain flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes. He raised his hand and waved, unleashing a purple-gold sword aura that severed the black vines.

At the same time, he conjured a giant purple-gold palm and slapped it towards Hua Yao.

Unable to dodge, Hua Yao was struck heavily by the purple-gold palm, spitting out a mouthful of blood as her body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

"You...you actually managed to break my illusion and vine spell?"

Hua Yao stared at Jiang Wang in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Her illusions and vine techniques are inherited from the laws of innate flowers, which ordinary experts simply cannot break.

Jiang Wang ignored Hua Yao, walked to Bai Yuchen's side, raised his hand and slapped Bai Yuchen's chest.

The power of primordial chaos was injected into Bai Yuchen's body, helping him to dispel the pollen power within him.

Bai Yucheng groaned and slowly opened his eyes, the confusion in them gradually fading away.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Jiang."

Bai Yucheng looked at Jiang Wang gratefully, "That was really close. If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Jiang, I would probably be trapped in the illusion."

Jiang Wang nodded and looked at Hua Yao: "Now, can we go to the upper level?"

Hua Yao, pale-faced, struggled to her feet and nodded: "You two fellow Daoists are highly skilled and have passed my test. You may proceed to the upper level."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and waved it, and a staircase appeared in the void in front of her, leading to the fifth floor.

Jiang Wang and Bai Yucheng did not stop, but continued up the stairs to the fifth floor.

The fifth floor was a vast, empty space, with the ground covered in golden runes that emitted a rich golden light, forming a massive array.

At the center of the formation stood a man clad in golden armor. His face was dignified, and he held a golden spear. His aura was powerful, like that of a war god.

"Welcome to the fifth floor. I am the guardian here, the Golden Halberd War God."

The man in golden armor spoke, his voice authoritative, "To pass the fifth level, you must defeat me."

Bai Yucheng looked at the Golden Halberd War God with a solemn expression: "Golden Halberd War God? The legendary innate war god of the auspicious realm, I never expected him to be a guardian here."

A hint of interest flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes. He could sense the immense power contained within the Golden Halberd War God, which was stronger than any of the guardians he had encountered before.

"In that case, I'll have a go at you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Wang's figure blurred, and he rushed towards the Golden Halberd War God, condensing a huge purple-gold sword aura in his hand and slashing it towards the Golden Halberd War God.

A glint of battle intent flashed in the eyes of the Golden Halberd War God as he thrust his golden spear toward Jiang Wang.

The spear, radiating a powerful golden light, clashed with the purple-gold sword energy.

With a deafening roar, the two forces canceled each other out, generating a massive shockwave that caused the surrounding runes to flicker.

"Such immense power!"

Jiang Wang thought to himself that he could sense that the Golden Halberd War God was extremely powerful, on par with himself.

He dared not be careless, and the primordial power around him surged again, while the purple-gold sword energy in his hand became even more concentrated.

The Golden Halberd War God also sensed Jiang Wang's power, and the fighting spirit in his eyes intensified.

He held a long spear and kept thrusting it at Jiang Wang, his spear technique fierce and each move deadly.

Jiang Wang, relying on his agile movements, constantly dodged the attacks of the Golden Halberd God of War, while simultaneously counterattacking with his purple-gold sword energy.

The two engaged in a fierce battle in the center of the formation, their golden spears and purple-gold sword energy crisscrossing and colliding to create dazzling light.

The surrounding runes flashed continuously, providing power to the Golden Halberd War God and making his attacks stronger and stronger.

"At this rate, it will be difficult to determine a winner."

Jiang Wang thought to himself, "I must find a way to break his array enhancement."

His gaze swept over the surrounding runes and he discovered that they were interconnected, forming a complete array. If any one of the key runes was destroyed, the array would become ineffective.

While fending off the attacks of the Golden Halberd War God, Jiang Wang moved toward the direction of the key rune.

The Golden Halberd War God sensed Jiang Wang's intention, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. He quickly increased his attack speed, trying to stop Jiang Wang. (End of Chapter)