Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 152 Ao Tao
Niu Yi slowly stepped forward and looked up at the endless dragon skeleton.

The most striking feature of this dragon bone is the pair of crystal-clear dragon horns on its head, which are permeated with the Daoist charm of the Water Path.

Even without taking the dragon bone, Niu Yi was confident that by cultivating here, he could comprehend a trace of the Great Dao of Water within half a year, and completely master the Great Dao of Water in less than a hundred years.

After all, although this place is filled with the Daoist charm of water, it is different from the Earth Spirit Pearl.

This is like the difference between having to find food yourself and being fed by the heavens.

"However, the old Zen master also wrote very clearly in the book that the dragon bone of the true dragon is not so easy to take. If you want to take the dragon bone, you must bear the karma of this place."

Niu Yi looked around and sure enough, he saw a black stone tablet covered with inscriptions not far away.

Niu Yi slowly stepped forward and looked at the black stone tablet, where he saw that it was inscribed with:

Later generations, I am Ao Tao, a dragon of the West Sea. This abyss is the place I chose for my demise.

I imagine that the heavenly soldiers and generals are on their way, and my days are numbered. I only hope that my sworn brother can help me collect my remains and preserve them here in the future.

Alas, I was ignorant and arrogant back then, and violated the heavenly laws. In the end, not only did my wife and children suffer, but I also had to endure the torment of being skinned alive. Fortunately, my sworn brother pleaded with Taibai Xingjun, and His Majesty showed mercy and agreed to leave me a bloodline heir.

You, a newcomer, have come to this place because you are blessed with good fortune and have a strong foundation. You may take and use everything here, including my remains, but you must promise to protect my child and help him grow up safely.

This disaster was all caused by me. Ao Tao only hates himself for being too stupid. It is only right that he should suffer this calamity. He has no reason to blame others.

I only hope that Xuan'er is safe and sound.

Niu Yi looked at the contents of the stone tablet and saw that the handwriting became more and more messy towards the end, indicating that it was written in a hurry.

"The West Sea Dragon Clan, who violated the Heavenly Laws, is no wonder they weren't buried in the West Sea Dragon Clan's tomb, but here instead. But what role did the old Zen Master play in all of this?"

Niu Yi looked at the stone tablet in front of him, his mind racing.

This stone tablet must contain the cause and effect that the old Zen master spoke of, and this cause and effect...
Niu Yi looked down at the dragon bone and saw that one of its claws was firmly gripping the mud of the abyss. Through the gap in the claw, he could see what appeared to be a stone egg inside.

"These dragon bones have been lying in this abyss for who knows how many years, and these dragon eggs have also been here all this time?"

"What exactly did Ao Tao do back then that made the West Sea Dragon Clan not even dare to raise this true dragon bloodline, but instead wait for some destined person?"

Niu Yi looked at the dragon egg and then at the stone tablet, but did not agree immediately. Instead, he planned to ask the people involved back then first.

He was not familiar with the West Sea Dragon King, but he had met Venus more than two years ago.

Whether it was the words of reminder or the suggestion that Niu Yi visit the Qiming Hall after ascending to heaven, both demonstrated this person's goodwill and desire to make friends. Perhaps it would be appropriate to inquire with this person.

He also possesses a supernatural ability that could help him contact this person.

But then Niu Yi quickly activated his causal divination technique. As his pupils became clear and ethereal, lines of cause and effect rapidly appeared from his body, extending in all directions.

Niu Yi looked at the hair-thin causal thread connecting him to Venus, placed his finger on it, and sent a message.

A moment later, Venus's surprised voice reached Niu Yi's ears.

"Immortal Master Guangyi?"

Niu Yi smiled apologetically and said:

"I am truly sorry to disturb you, Star Lord, but Guangyi is currently facing a difficult problem related to Ao Tao, who violated the Heavenly Laws back then. Therefore, I would like to ask you about some things from back then."

"Ao Tao? Is the Immortal Master in Ao Tao's Sea Abyss Dragon Tomb?"

"Exactly."

There was a moment of silence on Venus's side, then a voice came again, saying:
"Please wait in the Dragon Tomb for a moment, Immortal Master. I will arrive shortly." Upon hearing Taibai Jinxing's words, Niu Yi was slightly surprised. It seemed that this person cared more about Ao Tao's matter than he had imagined, and did not blame him in the slightest.

Niu Yi agreed to Venus's request and put away his supernatural powers of cause and effect divination, awaiting Venus's arrival.

Unexpectedly, in the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, a golden light appeared in the Dragon Tomb, and the figure of Venus appeared in the golden light.

"Xingjun."

"Immortal Guangyi".

Venus and Niu Yi walked together, greeted each other, and then looked at the dragon bone together.

Venus sighed with some emotion:
"I never expected that it would be Immortal Master Guangyi who came here."

"Immortal Master, I cannot go into the details of what happened back then. I can only tell you that you can agree to this matter. Since His Majesty the Jade Emperor has already granted Ao Tao permission to have this child, this child will naturally not cause you any trouble."

"But the Western Sea Dragon Clan is being a little too cautious."

Niu Yi could understand some of the West Sea Dragon Clan's thoughts. This child was the son of a sinner, and the West Sea Dragon Clan were subjects of the Heavenly Court, so they naturally had to be careful.

But will this really not cause him any trouble?
Leaving aside the Heavenly Court, even he himself only used the dragon bone for cultivation, refining it into his own magical artifact.

Moreover, the whole family suffered misfortune, which was ultimately the work of the Heavenly Court.

Just think about what trouble that child Chenxiang would cause in the future. It was only because he had a good uncle protecting him and Sun Wukong as his master.

What if this child wants revenge someday?
He wasn't afraid of what the child could do, he was just afraid of the trouble.

Venus seemed to sense Niu Yi's doubts and chuckled:

"Hehe~ Please rest assured, Immortal Master. If you agree, you can take him under your wing as a disciple. Ao Tao is doing this willingly; it is his own wish, so what can others say?"

"If you don't want to keep this child when he grows up, you can hand him over to me."

Niu Yi looked at Venus in surprise.

"To be honest, Immortal Master, one of the reasons why the West Sea Dragon Clan didn't adopt the child themselves was that they wanted to find a powerful figure to rely on in the future. Immortal Master is just right for this, and it is also because of your destiny to be here with this child."

“I met Ao Tao a few times back then. This child is innocent, and I am willing to lend a hand.”

"The immortal and I will teach this child together, and I think he will not go astray in the future."

Upon hearing Venus's words, Niu Yi raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"Alright, then I'll agree to this. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you, Star Lord, in the future."

"Hehe~ No trouble at all."

Niu Yi always felt that there must be more to the story than met the eye back then, and most importantly, Venus was willing to vouch for him.

Niu Yi had always felt that if anyone in the heavens knew the Great Celestial Venerable best, it would be none other than Venus. Moreover, Venus was also a trusted minister of the Great Celestial Venerable. Since Venus was willing to get involved, this matter could naturally be agreed to.

Furthermore, this incident can be used to strengthen relations with Venus and the Western Sea Dragon Clan, which is also a good thing.

That Water Spirit Pearl is in the hands of the West Sea Dragon King.

To say that he wasn't at all envious of the other four elemental spirit pearls would be a lie; if there were a chance to obtain them, he certainly wouldn't let it go.

After Niu Yi and Taibai Jinxing finalized these matters, the two began to awaken the dragon egg, which harbored hidden vitality.

(End of this chapter)