Journey to the West: Please Call Me the White Bone Demon

In Beiju Luzhou, a mysterious master appeared as soon as the Blazing Flame Array was activated. His aura was unfathomable, yet he seemed to have a past connection with the array. He also referred to himself as "Nameless," clearly unwilling to reveal his true name.

In the Three Realms, who is most familiar with the Ten Deadly Formations? And who was most deeply entangled with formations during the Investiture of the Gods?

A name flashed through Yun Zhao's mind, and his breath hitched.

"Please wait, senior."

He called out to the Taoist priest, his voice steady yet tinged with a hint of probing: "If I'm not mistaken, are you... Shen Gongbao?"

The black-robed Taoist paused, then slowly turned around.

A hint of surprise flashed across his originally gaunt face, followed by a meaningful smile.

"Good eye, young friend."

He lightly flicked his whisk, his voice tinged with emotion: "I am indeed Shen Gongbao. I never imagined that after millions of years, someone would still remember this name."

Yun Zhao bowed deeply, his expression respectful, yet he could not hide the shock in his heart.

Shen Gongbao!

A disciple of the Jie Sect, renowned on the Investiture of the Gods, whose phrase "Fellow Daoist, please wait" has caused countless immortals of the Chan Sect to be removed from the list. Jiang Ziya's mortal enemy, and a staunch follower of the Tongtian Sect Master.

After the battle of the Investiture of the Gods, he used his physical body to suppress the North Sea Eye, ensuring he would never be able to rise again.

But the person before him clearly possessed boundless magical power and an aura as deep as the ocean, far surpassing even Golden Immortals and even those of the Taiyi Scattered Numbers.

He hadn't even sensed such a terrifying aura from the monkey.

Quasi-Saint!

He's definitely at the Quasi-Saint level!

Yun Zhao's heart pounded, but he remained outwardly calm: "This junior, Yun Zhao, has occasionally read ancient books and knows a little about the old stories of the Investiture of the Gods. Your name, senior, is renowned far and wide."

Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao laughed heartily, but his laughter carried a hint of desolation: "A great name? It's nothing but fleeting smoke."

During the Investiture of the Gods, I, a humble Taoist, fulfilled my vow to "please stay," and ended up suppressing the Eye of the North Sea.

Ten thousand years have passed, the North Sea is cold and desolate. Though my physical body remains, my eyes have long since seen through the illusions of the mortal world.

He paused, then his gaze returned to Yun Zhao, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Young friend's Blazing Flame Array... makes this humble Daoist think that an old friend has reappeared."

"Old friend?"

Yun Zhao was taken aback.

Shen Gongbao nodded, his voice low: "The Ten Deadly Formations were once the most treasured artifacts of our Jie Sect. Back then, Guang Chengzi, Chi Jingzi, and the other twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect entered the formation of my ten Heavenly Lords and several of my fellow Daoists, and almost all of them died."

"If it weren't for Lu Ya Daojun lending the Seven Arrows of Nailhead Book, the Chan Sect would likely have lost most of its immortals."

"The Blazing Flame Array is the array of Bai Li, one of the Ten Heavenly Kings."

"This formation hasn't reappeared for countless years, and on a whim, I thought it might be the reincarnation of Fellow Daoist Qin Wan, or a descendant of an old friend. I never expected... that you, young friend, would repair it yourself."

His gaze towards Yun Zhao held a hint of inquiry: "Young friend, your restoration of this formation is excellent; even I couldn't detect any flaws at first glance. But I wonder... where you obtained this incomplete formation?"

Knowing he couldn't hide it from this quasi-saint, Yun Zhao decided to lie, saying, "I accidentally obtained a broken jade slip in an ancient ruin, containing fragments of an array diagram. By chance, I managed to decipher and repair it."

Shen Gongbao nodded slightly upon hearing this, but did not delve into it further. He simply said, "If it is an opportunity, then it is your good fortune. The Ten Deadly Formations are incredibly powerful, and for a Golden Immortal like you to be able to unleash sixty percent of their power is already quite remarkable. If one day you manage to gather all ten formations... hehe, within the Three Realms, few will be able to defeat you."

Yun Zhao cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Shen Gongbao waved his hand, his gaze suddenly sharpening as he looked directly at Yun Zhao: "However, young friend... you possess a very unique aura."

"unique?"

Yun Zhao's heart tightened.

Shen Gongbao slowly said, "Back then, when I was facing the calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, I traveled through the Three Realms and persuaded countless immortals to descend from the mountain. At that time, I often had a mysterious feeling—as if I could glimpse a trace of the Heavenly Dao and know that this person was destined to enter the calamity, to be removed from the list, and to fill the number of those destined for the Investiture of the Gods."

"And you, young friend... give me a feeling similar to those who were destined for tribulation back then, yet different."

His eyes gleamed brightly: "It's as if you... are not under the control of the Heavenly Dao. Your fortune, your karma, are like a fog, which I cannot see through even a trace of."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was in turmoil.

System simulators are not entirely bound by the Heavenly Dao of the Journey to the West world; each simulation restart is a completely new beginning. Their karma and destiny are naturally different from ordinary people.

Shen Gongbao's ability to perceive this was already an extremely terrifying insight.

Is it the power of a quasi-saint? Or is it because of his unique destiny?

Yun Zhao forced a smile: "Senior, you flatter me. I am just a rogue cultivator, nothing special."

Shen Gongbao shook his head, a half-smile on his face: "Young friend, there's no need for modesty. I've long since withdrawn from worldly affairs, suppressing the North Sea. But seeing you today has stirred a long-lost interest within me."

He paused, then suddenly asked, "Young friend, do you know why I was able to escape from the North Sea Eye?"

Yun Zhao was taken aback: "This... this junior does not know."

Shen Gongbao gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains, his voice deep and resonant: "The Investiture of the Gods has ended. My physical body was suppressed in the North Sea Eye, but my soul could occasionally leave my body. After ten thousand years of arduous cultivation, I have already severed one of my corpses and achieved the position of Quasi-Saint. The suppression of the North Sea Eye was merely one of the tribulations on the Investiture of the Gods list. Now that the tribulation is complete and the Heavenly Dao has tacitly approved, I will naturally be freed."

"However... in the Three Realms today, saints are not appearing, and quasi-saints are rare. I originally intended to live in seclusion in the Northern Continent, detached from worldly affairs. But today, seeing your Fiery Array, I sensed your extraordinary aura..."

He suddenly smiled and said, "Young friend, would you be willing to discuss the Dao with me for a few days?"

Yun Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

To discuss the Dao with a Quasi-Saint? This is an incredible opportunity!

Although he said it was a discussion of the Dao, he knew in his heart that Shen Gongbao wanted to give him some pointers, but he was just saying it to avoid losing face.

Although Shen Gongbao is infamous in the Investiture of the Gods, his cultivation, magical power, and knowledge are all top-notch in the Three Realms. Even if my cultivation is entirely due to the system, I might get some guidance from him, which would be of great benefit to my next simulation.

More importantly, this person has escaped his calamity, and befriending him might be a great help.

Yun Zhao immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "This junior would be more than happy to accept!"

Shen Gongbao laughed heartily: "Excellent! Young friend, you're straightforward!"

With a flick of his whisk, he tore open the void, creating a small world filled with icy peaks, snow lotuses, bubbling springs, and ethereal beauty.

"This place is quiet, young friend, please."

Yun Zhao stepped into the small world, and the two sat facing each other on the ice platform.

Shen Gongbao spoke first: "Young friend, since you cultivate the Blazing Flame Formation, do you know the true essence of this formation?"

Yun Zhao respectfully said, "Please enlighten me, senior."

Shen Gongbao said, "The Blazing Flame Array superficially burns the physical body, but in reality it refines the soul. The Crimson Heavenly Fire within the array can ignite the fire within the human heart, burning away all distracting thoughts. If one can fully comprehend it, it can help one sever one's corpse and attain sainthood."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao seemed to be deep in thought.

Shen Gongbao then passed on to Yun Zhao the fragment of the "Fire Scripture" from the Jie Sect, helping him to more easily master the Blazing Flame Array and solidify his foundation. He also instructed him on the wondrous uses of the Law of Heaven and Earth, teaching him how to combine with the Blazing Flame Array to transform into a fire giant, thus doubling his power.

Yun Zhao then shared some of his insights on formations, which Shen Gongbao found fascinating and praised highly.

A year later, the little world dissipated.

The two stood on the icy plain.

Shen Gongbao said, "Young friend, I have heard a little about the journey to the West Niu Hezhou to obtain the scriptures. I'm afraid your trip will involve clashing with the Buddhist sect's grand plan."

Yun Zhao was taken aback: "Senior knew?"

Shen Gongbao laughed: "It's not difficult for a Quasi-Saint to glimpse a trace of the secrets of heaven with his divine sense. It's just that in this great calamity, it's like trying to see the moon's reflection in water—it's impossible to see it clearly. If you need any help, young friend, there's an old item in the Eye of the North Sea that can lend you a hand."

He took out a crimson token from his sleeve and tossed it to Yun Zhao: "This is the Fire Token jointly issued by the Ten Heavenly Kings in the past. It can temporarily borrow the full power of the Blazing Flame Array without consuming your own magic power."

Yun Zhao accepted it, overjoyed and bowed in gratitude.

Shen Gongbao waved his hand: "No need. Young friend, the mysterious aura on you... is perhaps similar to the tribulation I faced back then. Seeing you is like seeing myself back then, and it evokes some emotions."

"If you can... never mind, no matter what, you'll only know for sure if you try it yourself. There's no point in me saying more."

Shen Gongbao said something that was incomprehensible to most people.

Yun Zhao found it all very strange.

"Alright, our fate has run its course. Let's part ways here." As soon as Shen Gongbao finished speaking, he vanished.