The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 346 Marshal, Spare My Life
Seeing that Li Jingxiao was requesting to refine the Five-Turn Golden Elixir, Laozi naturally agreed without hesitation.

He instructed Golden Horn and Silver Horn to prepare elixirs, herbs, and other materials for him.

Lao Jun remained seated high on the Eight Views Platform, watching Li Jingxiao somewhat clumsily open the furnace and begin refining.

But in order to make it look more convincing, Li Jingxiao actually rehearsed the game more than a hundred times.

Moreover, so many failures made his acting seem completely devoid of any acting element.

You can make it look as much like a novice as you want.

I failed twice using the Bagua Furnace.

On the third attempt, I finally managed to refine a fragment of a fifth-grade golden pill.

It instantly restores 33% of health and mana, can increase a small amount of immortal energy, and can preserve one's youthful appearance.

This one is even slightly inferior to the flawed ones you get from training in the game.

But in Laozi's eyes, Li Jingxiao's talent in alchemy was absolutely outstanding.

Lao Jun no longer hesitated, and didn't even wait for Li Jingxiao to ask to become his disciple.

He couldn't help but ask, "Jingyou, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Li Jingxiao was stunned, while Jinjiao and Yinjiao beside him looked on with surprise.

Then, he stared at Li Jingxiao with wide eyes, almost in a frenzy of envy.

Li Jingxiao snapped out of his daze and, without a second thought, performed the three bows and nine kowtows ceremony to become a disciple.

As for the True Martial Emperor, Li Jingxiao had long forgotten about him.

Although Zhenwu the Great is good, he is far inferior to Laozi, the ancestor of Taoism.

Moreover, Li Jingxiao had also heard a theory that the True Martial Emperor was actually an incarnation of Laozi.

Although he didn't know if it was true or not, Li Jingxiao didn't care about that at the moment.

After Lao Jun finished bowing, he couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Laozi's acceptance of disciples was certainly extraordinary.

Not only was the Three Realms shaken, but even the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother personally came to offer their congratulations upon learning of it.

This was also the first time Li Jingxiao had seen this Great Celestial Venerable since arriving in the Journey to the West world.

He certainly looks dignified, but when he talks to Li Jingxiao, he becomes cute and approachable.

He seemed like just an ordinary middle-aged man next door.

The Queen Mother was all smiles, as kind and gentle as could be.

Fortunately, Li Jingxiao wasn't stupid; he knew this was out of respect for Laozi, and even the Three Pure Ones.

Otherwise, even if Li Jingxiao was more powerful than Sun Wukong and the Bull Demon King, in the eyes of the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, he would only be a minor character with some ability.

The other four Heavenly Masters, and the gods of the Dipper, Water, Fire, and Thunder Departments.

Li Jing and his son, the Four Emperors, and the Five Elders either came to offer their congratulations in person or sent their personal disciples with gifts.

Li Jingxiao also met Yuanshi Tianzun and Lingbao Tianzun, who never appeared in Journey to the West and were only briefly described.

One directly passed on the "Jade Purity Divine Thunder Technique" to Li Jingxiao, while the other gave Li Jingxiao a Purple Lightning Hammer.

When Li Jingxiao held this treasure, he thought to himself, shouldn't the Purple Lightning Hammer be the treasure of the Tongtian Sect Leader in the Investiture of the Gods?

How come it's also in the Journey to the West world?
But think about it: Journey to the West came first, then Investiture of the Gods.

Although the two worlds are different, they have too many similar characters.

Li Jingxiao, in the world of Journey to the West, also has the Purple Lightning Hammer.

However, because it is about the havoc in the Heavenly Palace and the journey to the West, it does not describe Lingbao Daozun and the Purple Lightning Hammer.

Purple Lightning Hammer - Increases all lightning-based attack power by 800. Increases the power of all lightning-based attacks by 400%, and grants the effect of Lightning Release.

Lightning Release - Travels Thousands of Miles in an Instant.

Just three attributes were enough to make Li Jingxiao ecstatic.

Without even thinking, I upgraded it to +9.
+9 Purple Lightning Hammer -- Increases all lightning magic attack by 837. Increases all lightning magic power by 445%.

It comes with lightning magic, allowing travel of 30,000 miles in an instant.

This treasure is the most powerful magic weapon in terms of attack and spell enhancement among all of Li Jingxiao's treasures.

Just by holding this treasure, Li Jingxiao's whole body crackled with lightning, as if the God of Thunder had been reincarnated.

Compared to the Thunder God, the Lightning Goddess, and the Thunder Goddess, the magical treasures in their hands are far more powerful.

Moreover, the speed of traveling 30,000 li in an instant sounds like it's not as fast as Sun Wukong's somersault which covers 108,000 li.

But doing somersaults also takes time.

And traveling 30,000 miles in an instant can definitely happen several times in the blink of an eye.

This supernatural ability is absolutely a life-saving technique.

Furthermore, Li Jingxiao has boots from the game that grant him +100% speed.

In reality, a single instant covers 60,000 li.

Li Jingxiao, who learned the Jade Purity Divine Thunder Technique, was essentially practicing the Jade Purity, Upper Purity, and Supreme Purity Thunder Techniques simultaneously.

With the addition of the +9 Purple Lightning Hammer, Li Jingxiao's lightning magic power instantly surpassed that of Samadhi True Fire and Samadhi Divine Wind.

It will definitely become Li Jingxiao's strongest offensive Taoist technique again in the future.

After welcoming and seeing off guests at the Tushita Palace for several days, Li Jingxiao finally had some peace and quiet.

He began to follow Laozi to practice alchemy every morning.

In the afternoon, I practiced other techniques on my own.

Laozi even specifically asked him if he wanted to cultivate the Taoist sect's protective divine skill, the "Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill".

Li Jingxiao got excited after hearing this, but after calming down, he thought about it carefully.

First, I should cultivate the three divine skills I've been practicing to their peak before practicing other skills.

To avoid trying to learn everything and ending up not mastering anything.

It's better to master one skill than to be a jack-of-all-trades.

The three techniques of sword control, lightning magic, and pure yang energy are actually sufficient to defend against enemies.

If he had to choose one cultivation method to practice, Li Jingxiao would actually prefer to practice a method like "Indestructible Vajra".

At least like Sun Wukong, one must have virtually invincible physical defense.

Even after being struck on the back of the head by Laozi's Vajra Bracelet, he only staggered.

He was hit a second time before he was dazed for a while.

Even if it were Pigsy's rake, it wouldn't break the skin even after hitting the head a few times.

This defensive capability will give Li Jingxiao more peace of mind.

After Laozi saw that Li Jingxiao had his own ideas,

So he didn't rush to teach him Taoist magic and supernatural powers, and didn't even teach him the "Great Dao of Taiqing".

He devoted himself to teaching him the art of alchemy.

It is hoped that Li Jingxiao can cultivate the sixth and seventh grade golden pills as soon as possible.

Then Laozi will have more free time in the future.

Li Jingxiao was confined by Laozi to the Tushita Palace to listen to the Dao and refine elixirs.

The pilgrimage team has arrived in the Kingdom of Jisa.

Just like in the original story, the Nine-Headed Insect will be with the Dragon King of Ten Thousand Saints.

Blood rained down in Jisa, polluting the pagoda of the Golden Light Temple and stealing the Buddha's relics from it.

It is said that the Buddha's relics could enable Princess Wansheng to conceive a child with a nine-headed serpent.

In reality, Princess Wansheng has been cultivating for 1500 years.

We are about to face the 'wind disaster', one of the three disasters, and this one is the most dangerous of the three.

It was also the most difficult one to overcome.

When Tang Sanzang learned that the Buddhist treasures had been stolen, he was naturally unhappy.

He ordered Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to go to Luanshi Mountain and Bibo Pool, more than 100 li east of Jisaiguo, to demand this treasure.

Hydra had always been arrogant, but it was only after truly fighting Sun Wukong that it realized its true worth.

The monkey's ability to wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace is no exaggeration.

After only thirty or forty rounds, the Nine-Headed Insect felt exhausted.

The crescent shovel in his hand was getting heavier and heavier, and he knew that if he continued to fight, he would definitely lose.

It can only transform into its original form, the nine-headed bird.

Although the Nine-Headed Insect is called an "insect" by some, it is not an insect with nine heads or a snake with nine heads.

In the words of Buddha, there are five kinds of insects in the world.

Birds are one of the five insects. After the Nine-Headed Insect transformed into its true form, the Nine-Headed Bird, its combat power indeed increased significantly.

Sun Wukong attacked for more than a dozen moves, but it became clear that the Nine-Headed Insect's true form was not easy to deal with.

I wanted to use the divine power of the Dharma Body and Heaven, but then I thought, why should I work so hard?

If you can't win, just find help.

Unexpectedly, Erlang Shen happened to be passing by with the Six Sages of Meishan.

Seeing this, they naturally came over to help.

Erlang Shen was already stronger than the Nine-Headed Insect, and he also had six brothers helping him.

How could the Nine-Headed Insect be a match for him?

A head hidden in the abdomen was originally intended to launch a surprise attack on Erlang Shen.

But it was bitten off by the Howling Celestial Dog.

Having suffered such severe injuries, the Nine-Headed Insect dared not remain and immediately fled to the North Sea.

Erlang Shen wanted to give chase, but Sun Wukong stopped him.

Yang Jian was only a step too slow, and the Nine-Headed Insect vanished without a trace.

They couldn't help but blame the monkey, saying, "If we let him go today, he will surely become a scourge in the future."

Sun Wukong didn't care at all, since he was still a criminal at the moment, and what if the journey to the West failed?

He'll inevitably have to go back to Flower Fruit Mountain to be the mountain king again.

Therefore, there's no need to offend the demons of the North Sea and Beiju Luzhou.

Moreover, if the Nine-Headed Insect is to hate, it will hate Yang Jian first.

However, the relationship between the monkey and Yang Jian is not as good as it seems on the surface.

Back then, when Yang Jian led his troops to attack Flower Fruit Mountain, countless monkeys and their offspring were killed or wounded.

With the help of Laozi's Diamond Bracelet, they captured Sun Wukong and pierced the monkey's collarbone.

Not only did they hurt the monkey, they also humiliated him.

Sun Wukong is vengeful, so it would be strange if his relationship with Yang Jian were good.

However, after capturing Sun Wukong, Yang Jian did indeed stop his eight hundred grass-root gods and heavenly soldiers from wiping out Flower Fruit Mountain.

Otherwise, Sun Wukong's monkey followers would most likely have been wiped out.

Therefore, in the monkey's mind, his attitude towards Yang Jian was a mixture of resentment and gratitude.

But overall, there's definitely more resentment.

After all, Yang Jian was able to defeat him because of Laozi's help.

Moreover, the monkey knew that he didn't need Yang Jian's help to drive away the Nine-Headed Insect.

If all else fails, you can ask Li Jingxiao for help.

Yang Jian showed up uninvited, and while the monkey wore a smile on his face, he was probably cursing under his breath.

Princess Wansheng saw that the Nine-Headed Insect had been defeated so thoroughly, and that Erlang Shen and the Six Saints of Meishan were helping Sun Wukong.

They would never dare to keep the Buddha relics of Jinguang Temple.

When she tearfully held up the Buddhist treasure with both hands and presented it to Sun Wukong.

Old Pig was about to strike again with his rake when he heard Princess Wansheng shout in a hurry.

"Marshal, spare my life! This humble woman and Master Li are old friends. I am also a close confidante of Master Li's beloved concubine, Xingxian."

I implore the Marshal, for the sake of our friendship, to spare this young woman this time.

Both Pigsy and Monkey King were taken aback by these words.

Old Pig put away his rake and asked with some doubt and unease.

"Who is this Master Li that the princess is talking about?"

Princess Wansheng knew from the expressions of Pigsy and Monkey King that she probably wouldn't die.

She smiled and said, "Marshal, the person I am referring to is Master Li Jingyou."

Pigsy and Monkey King exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly.

He thought to himself that Li Xiandi was good in every way, except that he was a bit outrageous when it came to women.

Although Princess Wansheng said that she and Xingxian were best friends, she did not explicitly say that she had an affair with Li Jingxiao.

But Pigsy and Monkey King didn't believe that she had no relationship with Li Jingxiao.

Otherwise, how could this woman dare to attach herself to Li Jingxiao?

Besides, if they didn't have that kind of relationship, where would she get the confidence to beg her two brothers to spare her life?
Erlang Shen was equally startled.

When Laozi accepted a disciple, he did not personally go to the Heavenly Court to offer his congratulations, but he did send a generous gift through his trusted confidants.

Naturally, they knew that this True Man Li had risen in status and become an object of courtship for many forces in the Three Realms.

Moreover, it is said that before becoming a disciple of the True Martial Emperor, this Master Li was a student of the True Martial Emperor.

The reason why Laozi took a liking to Li Zhenren was because he recognized Li Zhenren's talent in alchemy.

He was able to refine a five-stage golden pill after only one or two months of learning alchemy from Laozi.

In the future, who knows, we might be able to refine the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

If that were the case, Yang Jian felt he would have to find an opportunity to befriend this person.

The Jade Emperor has now bestowed upon him the new title of "Great Spiritual Official Who Subdues Demons in the Capital".

He hurriedly pulled Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie aside.

He whispered about how Laozi had taken Li Jingxiao as his disciple a few days ago.

I wanted to persuade the two of them to stop making things difficult for Princess Wansheng.

But the monkey and the pig had already lost interest in killing Princess Wansheng.

Instead, they asked Erlang Shen about Laozi taking on disciples.

Princess Wansheng heard that Li Jingxiao had become Laozi's personal disciple.

The smile on his face was impossible to hide.

The woman even considered not handing over the Buddhist treasure.

But Pigsy was very shrewd; he simply said, "If you refuse to return the Buddha's treasure..."

He then went to Boyue Cave to complain to Li Jingxiao.

Tell Li Jingxiao to keep his wife in check.

Princess Wansheng was startled, realizing that her only support at this moment was her nemesis.

If it were for the sake of brotherhood, Li Jingxiao might actually punish himself.

With that thought in mind, Princess Wansheng no longer cared about whether it was a Buddhist treasure or not.

He hurriedly returned the Buddhist treasures and repeatedly begged Old Pig not to complain to Li Jingxiao.

Not only Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, but even Erlang Shen and the Six Sages of Meishan burst into laughter.

He secretly thought that although Li Jingxiao was fond of women, he was quite strict in disciplining his own women.

After releasing Princess Wansheng, Erlang Shen bid farewell to Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie.

They took the Six Sages of Meishan and went straight back to Guanjiang Estuary.

The pilgrimage team continued westward, but before leaving, they learned that the Thorn Ridge lay ahead.

The monkey and Pigsy couldn't help but recall what Princess Wansheng had said before: Li Jingxiao had a lover, a fairy maiden, who lived in Thorn Ridge.

Busy, he went to Bibo Pool to inquire about Xingxian from Princess Wansheng.

Finally, Sun Wukong simply asked Princess Wansheng to go to Thorn Ridge and inform Xingxian.

To avoid any accidents caused by not knowing each other.

Of course, if the Fairy of the Apricot Blossoms were to capture Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong wouldn't mind cooperating with a performance.

Princess Wansheng thought about it and immediately agreed without hesitation.

The woman even considered inviting Xingxian to live in Bibo Tan in the future.

Firstly, with Li Jingxiao as their backer, they could protect the family business of Bibo Tanlong Palace.

Secondly, it would prevent her from being alone and weak, unable to compete with Li Jingxiao's other women.

Unfortunately, Xingxian stayed in Thorn Ridge for countless years, so she must have gone to Bibo Pool.

Besides, who would willingly live in someone else's home when they already have their own?

Princess Wansheng had no choice but to stay at the Muxian Nunnery and wait for Li Jingxiao to return.

Lest that nemesis forgets about himself.

Meanwhile, Li Jingxiao was in the Tushita Palace, where, under Laozi's tutelage, he was already able to consistently refine the Five-Turn Golden Elixir.

(End of this chapter)