Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 472 Freedom

The Heavenly Court, the Golden Palace in the Clouds.

As the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother watched the fairies dancing gracefully in the palace, a divine light suddenly flashed in his eyes, and a playful smile appeared on his face.

"This little peacock is quite interesting. It not only seized the opportunity to save the Golden-Winged Roc, but also helped it sever its karmic ties. Even Buddha was deceived."

"Now that this little bird is free from all karmic ties, it is truly free. Even if Mount Ling discovers this, it will be too late."

Lingshan, atop the Sutra Repository.

The somewhat gaunt Dipankara Buddha was standing on the top floor of the pavilion, looking out the window. After a short while, he saw a golden bird fly out from the back mountain, past him, and fly into the distance.

The Venerable Bai Xiong, who was serving behind the ancient Buddha, watched the little bird fly further and further away until it left the territory of Mount Sumeru. Just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by the ancient Buddha Dipankara, who waved his hand and said in an aged voice:

"Let it be. The cause and effect are settled. We have no reason to stop it. What happens in the future is up to it."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Bai Xiong said nothing more, but simply clasped his hands together as he looked at the little bird that was almost out of sight.

"Amitabha."

In the Beihai Sea, inside a cave on an unnamed mountain peak.

A giant egg covered in black rock shells stands at the deepest part of the cave, without making a sound, but beneath the giant egg lie countless white skeletons.

The bones in the pit of white bones were of various shapes, including human, ape, bird, and dragon forms. The only thing they had in common was that they all faintly emitted a warm spiritual energy, nurturing the giant egg together.

If viewed from above, one would see that the pit of white bones is surrounded by array patterns, forming an array resembling a tortoise-shell mountain, enveloping the giant egg.

On the other side, the Dao Lord, who had comprehended the complete Dao of Cause and Effect, witnessed the Golden-Winged Roc being completely annihilated and disappearing from the world. However, he inexplicably sensed that something was amiss.

In the courtyard of the school in Baihua Village, Chenxiang was practicing his skills, while Jinlingzi sat on a stone bench, with a copper coin bearing the words "cause and effect" flashing in each of his eyes.

"The secrets of heaven have indeed changed, but the karma between me and the Golden-Winged Roc has truly disappeared. Given the enmity between us, unless those people personally intervene, there should be no way to conceal the karma."

"Could there be some other changes?"

Jin Lingzi pondered for a moment, then casually summoned a sound transmission talisman. After a few moments of movement, the talisman flew towards the Heavenly Court and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"In any case, it's a good thing that this cause and effect has been resolved, and I can make good use of the legacy left by the Golden-Winged Roc."

As Jin Lingzi pondered this, a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he began to deduce how the Tortoise-Back Divine Mountain and other treasures of heaven and earth could be forged into an axe.
He was surrounded by treasures, and his very being was known as the Treasure King. He possessed nine natal magic weapons alone, not to mention countless other treasures. Since he had become Chenxiang's master, he couldn't let his disciple tarnish his reputation for treasures. If he were to acquire some scrap metal, who knew how his friends in heaven would laugh at him.

Chenxiang had no idea what his mysterious master was doing, but he felt very at ease as long as his master was there.

Such ordinary days passed by in the blink of an eye, six years gone by.

Six years later, under the tutelage of his master Jin Lingzi and father Liu Yanchang, Chenxiang had grown into a handsome young man.

Because of his Taoist cultivation and extraordinary bloodline, Chenxiang's temperament stood out among all his peers, and he was favored by many children in the village.

However, as he grew older, Chenxiang's longing for his mother not only did not diminish, but intensified, and he became increasingly distracted from his spiritual practice.

At this moment, Chenxiang, dressed in white, was sitting cross-legged on a prominent boulder atop the mountain behind Baihua Village. His handsome face was furrowed, and sweat was constantly rolling down his cheeks.

"Chenxiang, stop." Suddenly, a gentle voice entered Chenxiang's ears, which quickly calmed the restless magic power in Chenxiang's body, and he opened his eyes abruptly.

Chen Xiang appeared quickly in front of Jin Lingzi in a flash, and bowed to greet him.

"Master!"

Jin Lingzi sighed softly and said in a low voice:
“Chenxiang, it’s time for you to leave Baihua Village and go out to cultivate.”

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang immediately looked up at his master, Jin Lingzi.

Even after several years, his master's appearance remained unchanged.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Jin Lingzi shook his head slightly and said:
"Please let your master finish speaking first."

"It's Master."

Jin Lingzi looked up at the sky and said leisurely:

"During this time, you have mastered all the three supernatural powers and many other techniques that I taught you, and your magical power has also greatly improved. You can be said to have excellent talent."

"But you are still too impatient. If I hadn't woken you up today, you might have suffered a qi deviation and damage to your consciousness."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang gritted his teeth. He knew that his master was telling the truth, but every time he asked his master where his mother was, his master would just shake his head and remain silent.

In his view, his master still did not approve of him at this time, and he was not strong enough. He had to become stronger in order to get news of his mother!
But
“Your mindset is still lacking under our protection as you cultivate. However, for your age, you have actually done very well. But if you continue like this, it will do you more harm than good.”

"Go out and make your way in the world. Your father entrusted you to me before he passed away, and I believe in you. You can do very well."

"In the right time, you will know who your mother is and how to reunite your family. Don't be impatient."

As Jin Lingzi spoke, she took off the black jade gourd pendant from her waist and hung it around Chen Xiang's neck.

"Here are the luggage and parting gifts I prepared for you. Unfortunately, the magic weapon I prepared for you will take a while to develop. Until then, you can use the weapon in this gourd."

As Chenxiang listened to his master's instructions, his vision began to blur without him realizing it.

Two years ago, his father left without saying goodbye, and since then he and his master have been living together in Baihua Village. But now...
"Chenxiang, don't act like a little girl. Don't be afraid to walk the road ahead alone. The choices you make are up to you."

"go Go"

As Jin Lingzi spoke, a wisp of white mist swept by, and his figure slowly disappeared, leaving only his voice echoing in Chen Xiang's ears.

"Master."

Chenxiang wiped his eyes with his sleeve, his eyes red and swollen, and knelt down on the spot, facing the place where Jin Lingzi had just stood, and respectfully kowtowed three times.

"Master, don't worry, once I find my mother, I will return to take care of you!"

(End of this chapter)