Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 552 Dan Yuan Conference
When Sun Wukong heard Xiao Chen reveal his plan to steal the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass, his monkey eyes suddenly flashed with golden light, shining brightly.

He scratched his head excitedly and did three somersaults in the study.

Upon landing, Sun Wukong grabbed the wine gourd from the table, gulped down several mouthfuls, and exclaimed excitedly:

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Having said that, Sun Wukong slammed his wine gourd heavily on the table, his gaze sharp and fixed on Xiao Chen:
"Since it's for treating my nephews' injuries, I, Old Sun, will do it!"

"only……"

After the initial excitement subsided, the monkey, being a monkey after all, was known for its quick wit and sharp mind.

Sun Wukong scratched his chin, then abruptly changed the subject, asking with a hint of cautious probing:

"Toad, the helpers you mentioned earlier, Wan Sheng Dragon Girl and Yellow Wind Great Sage... who are these two people?"

A look of inquiry crossed his monkey-like face, and he asked:

"How is the strength?"

"Are you nimble-fingered?"

The mosquito demon Shu Wen was an old subordinate of King Golden Horn, so Sun Wukong naturally recognized him and knew that he was a master at tipping off others.

Sun Wukong was naturally relieved.

However, he had never met Huang Feng Dasheng and Wansheng Longnu before. If they failed him at a crucial moment, it would be extremely bad.

"Yellow Wind Great Sage, Monkey King, you've actually seen him before."

Xiao Chen explained:
"When I broke through to the Golden Immortal realm in Chechi Kingdom, wasn't there a sneaky fellow who was hiding his head and tail, covered in withered yellow hair, with a rat-like face, and holding a three-pronged steel fork?"

"He hid in the cracks in the clouds, stealing my purest Golden Immortal Qi, which was gathered from heaven and earth."

"Back then, you even fought against him."

"Chechi Kingdom, covered in yellow hair, rat-like-looking, and carrying a three-pronged steel fork..."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes slightly and fell into reminiscence.

One day in heaven and one year on earth.

For Xiao Chen, more than a hundred years had passed since he parted ways with Sun Wukong.

But for Sun Wukong, only a few months had passed.

Soon, a comical yet cleverly mischievous scene of a rat sneaking away was clearly etched into his mind.

"Hey! I remember now!"

Sun Wukong slapped his thigh suddenly, his laughter tinged with a hint of mockery:
"So it was that sneaky, slippery yellow-haired rat!"

"I, Old Sun, didn't catch him that day, but I could smell that... well, how should I put it, it was the smell of a rat that had crawled into an oil can and was covered in ash!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

"However... that guy's skills aren't all just petty theft!"

A rare moment of seriousness appeared in Sun Wukong's eyes:
"He wielded that three-pronged steel fork quite well, managing to withstand more than ten blows from my old Sun's club!"

"Although I managed to escape after I charged at him with my momentum, he still has some real skills to rely on, and he's not the kind of petty thief who can just slip away on the ground!"

Sun Wukong's tone became more interested:
"His yellow evil wind is quite formidable."

"With a whoosh, a cloud of yellow sand filled the sky, like a sandstorm! It was intoxicating and bone-chilling, blinding and suffocating!"

"Last time we fought, if I, Old Sun, hadn't activated my protective golden light, I would have almost fallen for his trick too!"

Xiao Chen smiled and nodded, adding:
"At that time, I fought against Yun Cheng Wanlipeng, the 'uncle of the Buddha,' and also fought against the Yellow Wind Great Sage."

"My relationship with this Yellow Wind Great Sage can be described as one of unexpected friendships."

"Later, by sheer chance, he became my master and joined my ranks."

"As for that Wan Sheng Dragon Girl..."

"She is the apple of the eye of the Old Dragon King of Bibo Pool in Xiniu Hezhou."

“In my early years, I damaged many of the precious Ganoderma lucidum herbs that she had carefully cultivated, and I owe her a debt of karma.”

"However, she is quite skilled in cultivating Ganoderma lucidum. The nine-leaf Ganoderma lucidum is extremely delicate. Once obtained, if it is to be transplanted away from the special immortal soil of Yaochi and its medicinal properties are preserved, it still needs her care."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm..."

Sun Wukong nodded repeatedly, his monkey ears perking up.

When Sun Wukong heard Xiao Chen mention "owing Wan Shenglongnu karma," he winked and made a mischievous face, as if to say, "I know all about it."

After Xiao Chen finished speaking.

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue and cursed angrily:
"Toad, you're quite something in the mortal realm."

Sun Wukong said bitterly:

"Pah! It's all that old man Donghua Dijun's fault for giving me a 'bewitching potion,' making me oversleep on the peach tree! I even missed all the fun and excitement in the mortal realm!"

"I heard that Emperor Donghua has been banished to the mortal realm. Next time I see him, I'll definitely hit him three times with a stick to vent my anger!"

……

A day in the heavens is equivalent to a year on earth.

In the Netherworld.

At this moment, the reincarnation of Emperor Donghua, "Lü Dongbin," had already forgotten all the grudges and affections of his previous life.

Under the arrangement of Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao).

The Peony Fairy descended to the mortal realm to seek out Lü Dongbin.

After Lü Dongbin rekindled his romance with the Peony Fairy, their love became as deep and inseparable as threads of silk.

Later, Lü Dongbin was enlightened by the mysterious magic of "The Dream of Yellow Millet" by Zhongli Quan, the cowherd boy of the Supreme Lord Laozi.

In an instant, Lü Dongbin felt as if he had been enlightened, his mind became clear, and he suddenly understood the ethereal divine secret. He then became Zhongli Quan's disciple.

Lü Dongbin became a disciple of Laozi, the founder of Taoism.

after that.

Lü Dongbin resolutely embarked on that arduous path to immortality, leading the legendary curtain of "the return of the Eight Immortals of Taoism" to its rightful place.

At this time, Xiao Chen and Sun Wukong were naturally unaware of this.

One day in the future, they will encounter Lü Dongbin, the reincarnation of Donghua Dijun, which will trigger a dramatic and earth-shattering event.

It is:

"The strong shall be respected, and I shall be the only hero daring to be first. The Eight Immortals cross the sea to display their supernatural powers, and the Great Sage of the Demon Clan also shows his strength."

……

Seeing that the monkey had steered the conversation a bit off-topic, Xiao Chen quickly steered the conversation back on track, asking the most crucial question with a serious expression:
“Monkey, you’ve been in the Heavenly Realm for a long time, so you’re familiar with the daily routines of those gods.”

"In your opinion, when would be the most opportune time for us to go to Yaochi to steal the treasure?"

Now, as the "Master of Ceremonies and Literary Praise of Yaochi," King Golden Horn can freely enter and leave the sacred land of Yaochi.

Moreover, he also held the position of "Celestial Patrol Captain," which allowed him to travel to most parts of the Thirty-Three Heavens.

In terms of action, it is already extremely convenient.

This means that the "advantage of location" has been achieved.

To accomplish great things, one needs the right timing, favorable location, and harmonious relationships.

In terms of "human factors," he and Sun Wukong have already joined forces.

Moreover, Wan Sheng Long Nu and Huang Feng Da Sheng have also joined his ranks.

It can be said that "human factors" are already in place.

The only thing missing now is the right timing.

"When will we do it?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's big, bright eyes, which had been darting around and flashing with golden light, instantly lost their playful expression. His monkey face turned serious, and he subconsciously and habitually reached out and vigorously scratched the back of his head.

This was his signature gesture when he was thinking about important matters; he would scratch his golden hair until a few tufts stood up.

After thinking for a moment.

Sun Wukong scratched his head and grinned:
"Hehehe, the key to stealing treasures is to do it without anyone noticing. If we alarm the Queen Mother of the West and that old Jade Emperor, it will backfire and make things worse, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"I recently overheard my subordinates, the celestial officials of the Qitian Palace, chatting idly. They say that the Heavenly Court is currently making intensive preparations for a major event!"

"In just a few days, in the Thirty-Three Heavens, in the place of the Departed Hatred Heaven, in the Tushita Palace of the Supreme Elder, a 'Dan Yuan Assembly' will be held!" "At that time, many gods and immortals of the Heavenly Court will gather together."

"I suppose they'll send me an invitation too. I'll just find an excuse to decline."

Sun Wukong speaks extremely fast, displaying the agile thinking characteristic of monkeys:

"The Dan Yuan Assembly is the most important event—presenting the 'Nine-Turn Golden Elixir' to the Jade Emperor!"

"Think about it, the Nine Luminaries, the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Five Dipper Star Lords, the Four Heavenly Kings, Li Jing and his son Nezha, the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess of the Thunder Department, the Fire Department, the Water Department, the Plague Department..."

"Which of the great or small deities who have even a slight connection to the 'Taoist sect' and hold some influence in the Heavenly Court wouldn't want a piece of the pie?"

"Even smelling the exotic fragrance of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is a stroke of luck!"

"Not to mention the chance of getting one or two Nine-Turn Golden Pills!"

"When that happens, wow, wow, it'll be like all the gods flocking to a market, with everyone coming out in full force!"

At this point, Sun Wukong clicked his tongue and said:

"I have long heard that Lao Tzu's Nine-Turn Golden Elixir has extraordinary effects and endless uses."

"As for me, Old Sun, I have yet to taste its flavor?"

"If it weren't for helping you steal that Nine-Leaf Lingzhi Grass, I would have taken this opportunity to get a few gourds of Nine-Turn Golden Pills to taste and enjoy the good fortune."

"Sun Wukong steals the elixir..."

Xiao Chen's lips twitched upon hearing this.

In the original novel "Journey to the West", Sun Wukong not only disrupted the Queen Mother of the West's Peach Banquet, but also the Jade Emperor's Dan Yuan Assembly.

Sun Wukong once went to the Tushita Palace of Laozi in the Thirty-Three Heavens, and ate all the golden pills refined from five gourds.

After Laozi finished bowing to the Jade Emperor, he said:
"In my palace, I refined a small amount of 'Nine-Turn Golden Elixir' for use in Your Majesty's Dan Yuan Grand Assembly, but it was stolen by a thief. I have come here to report this to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor was terrified and his expression changed drastically.

Sun Wukong stole and ate the golden elixir, causing the Heavenly Court's annual Pill Refining Conference to fail.

……

Speaking of which.

Sun Wukong rubbed his hands together excitedly, his eyes seemingly already reflecting that magnificent scene, and laughed loudly:

"At that time, all the elite heavenly generals and palaces in the Heavenly Court will be drawn away! I'm afraid even the Lingxiao Palace will be empty!"

"The Queen Mother of the West in Yaochi... hehehe, as the head of the female immortals in the Three Realms, the invitation to the Supreme Lord Laozi's Dan Yuan Conference will surely be respectfully delivered to her desk in Yaochi!"

"That's true..."

Xiao Chen nodded upon hearing this.

The Dan Yuan Assembly is a major event concerning the allocation of core resources of the Heavenly Court and the reputation of the Daoist sect.

No matter what, the Queen Mother of the West had to personally make an appearance at the Heaven of Separation and sit down, to support Laozi and the Jade Emperor.

Sun Wukong swung his monkey paw forcefully and emphasized decisively:

"Toad, the Tushita Palace is located in the Lihen Heaven, above the Thirty-Three Heavens! Do you know what that means?"

"That truly transcends the Three Realms and is outside the Five Elements!"

Xiao Chen nodded and said:

"The world beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens is worlds apart from the world within our current Thirty-Three Heavens, separated by a vast galaxy spanning billions of miles!"

"I wonder how many spatial barriers there are..."

"The operating rules of the two worlds may be different!"

The intelligent stone monkey understands the timing of the seasons and the advantages of the location.

Sun Wukong was also a deity who was proficient in the great spatial power of "drawing a circle on the ground as a prison".

Sun Wukong, holding his Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel), swiftly drew two circles on the ground: one representing the Jade Pool Holy Land "within the Thirty-Three Heavens," and the other representing the Tushita Palace "outside the Thirty-Three Heavens."

The two circles are clearly separated, yet they convey a mysterious sense of spatial folding.

"exactly."

Sun Wukong laughed:
There are heavens beyond heavens.

"These are completely two different worlds."

"Think about it! Even if we accidentally make some noise in the Jade Pool, or accidentally trigger the restrictions on some flowers and plants."

"As long as the foundation of Yaochi isn't directly destroyed, the commotion won't be enough to penetrate the vast and boundless celestial spatial barrier and disturb those great immortals in the Tushita Palace of Lihentian who are drunk and discussing alchemy..."

The monkey scoffed, its face full of disdain:

"They have a hard time noticing it."

"The Dan Yuan Conference..."

"Nine-Turn Golden Elixir..."

Xiao Chen listened intently, his mind racing as he recalled information about the Dan Yuan Conference.

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir was meticulously refined by Laozi in the Tushita Palace beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, showcasing the pinnacle of Taoist alchemy. It is truly a treasure of the immortals and a top-tier elixir.

The Jade Emperor is the nominal host of the Dan Yuan Conference, and the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is a "rare resource exclusively for the Jade Emperor," making it extremely precious.

The Dan Yuan Assembly, personally presided over by the Jade Emperor, demonstrates the Heavenly Court's control over resources related to longevity and cultivation, thus solidifying the Jade Emperor's supreme authority.

The "Dan Yuan Conference" of Laozi and the "Peach Banquet" of the Queen Mother of the West are the two major grand gatherings in Heaven for the distribution of longevity and cultivation resources.

Its influence is far-reaching, affecting all three realms.

but.

The Dan Yuan Assembly and the Peach Banquet also have many differences.

Peaches of immortality are believed to promote longevity; eating them can extend one's lifespan.

The Golden Elixir focuses on enhancing strength; consuming it can increase supernatural abilities.

For the great gods of Heaven, the Golden Elixir was undoubtedly more attractive.

The Queen Mother of the West's Peach Banquet invites all the gods and deities, great and small, from the three realms of Taoism and Buddhism, such as the Buddha of the West and Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea.

The Taoist and Buddhist families gathered together to enjoy the peaches of immortality.

The Dan Yuan Assembly, on the other hand, focuses more on "Taoism and the high-ranking officials of the Heavenly Court," while the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Western Paradise do not participate and form their own separate entity.

The Dan Yuan Conference is more like:
"The good things of the Taoist sect should be kept inside the sect and distributed among its own members, so that the benefits don't go to outsiders."

The Dan Yuan Assembly was not only a ceremony in which Laozi presented his respects to the Jade Emperor, but also a manifestation of the internal power structure of the Heavenly Court, where undercurrents surged and countless schemes and calculations were hidden.

This Grand Cultivation Assembly is of paramount importance, concerning the cultivation of all the gods in Heaven.

The Jade Emperor would also take advantage of the Dan Yuan Assembly to distribute elixirs to the gods, thereby consolidating his rule, strengthening ties with other deities, and tightly binding them under his command.

In Taoism, there are many different methods of cultivation. Some practice internal alchemy, while others practice external alchemy, thus dividing the religion into two schools: "internal alchemy" and "external alchemy".

The External Alchemy school regards alchemy and elixirs as the path to immortality. They use external minerals and spiritual herbs as raw materials and carefully refine them with the help of the fire in a furnace, hoping to create elixirs of immortality.

To put it bluntly, the external alchemy school relies primarily on "taking medicine" in the hope of achieving immortality through this method.

In the past, the "Master Xuan Kong" who captured King Jinjiao in order to refine the "Five Poisons Elixir" to improve his cultivation could be considered a member of the external alchemy school.

It is just as the saying goes: "After swallowing a golden pill, I realized that my fate is not in the hands of heaven!"

The Neidan school considers the human body as the alchemical furnace, the self as the training ground, and the refinement of "essence, qi, and spirit" as its foundation, focusing on the cultivation of Neidan.

This focuses on inner cultivation, pursuing personal perfection and transcendence.

It is precisely: "Concentrate your mind on the profound Dao, embrace the One and guard the Dantian!"

Sun Wukong belongs to the "internal alchemy" school and has deeply grasped the essence of internal alchemy cultivation.

Subhuti once said to Sun Wukong:
"Difficult! Difficult! Difficult! The Dao is most profound, do not take the 'Golden Elixir' lightly... It all comes down to 'essence, energy, and spirit'... It's good to admire the bright moon from the 'Elixir Platform'..."

Sun Wukong comprehends the nature of magic, obtains the source, and infuses his divine body... After the elixir is completed, he can avoid the three calamities and dangers... and then roam freely between heaven and earth.

Kui Mulang (Yellow Robe Monster), one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, is also a practitioner of "inner alchemy".

On their journey to the West, Sun Wukong once disguised himself as Princess Baihuaxiu, Kui Mulang's wife, and tricked Kui Mulang by saying that he felt sorry for her.

Kui Mulang believed him and led Sun Wukong to the depths of the cave. He then spat out a treasure from his mouth, the size of a chicken egg, which was a delicate "inner core" relic, intending to heal Sun Wukong's heartache.

(End of this chapter)