Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

The Jade Emperor took the object and opened his palm.

The immortals in the hall all stood on tiptoe and craned their necks, only to see that the object was no more than an inch long.

It was jet black, shaped like a broken bone, with a faint, eerie glow.

The Jade Emperor studied the matter for a moment, and his expression gradually darkened.

"Shuangcheng, where did you find this?"

Dong Shuangcheng knelt on the ground and said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to examine the roots of the immortal flower."

Using his magic to probe three zhang below the soil, he suddenly felt a surge of cold, yin energy.

Following the cold, yin energy, I dug and found this thing beside the main root of the immortal flower.

This thing is buried deep in the soil, intertwined with the roots of the fairy flower.

"If not for Buddha's guidance, I would never have imagined that such a thing was hidden beneath that celestial flower."

The Jade Emperor placed the broken bone on the table and glanced at the immortals in the hall.

"My esteemed ministers, does anyone recognize this item?"

The hall was silent; no one answered.

Zhang Heng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, may this old minister take a look?"

The Jade Emperor nodded.

Zhang Heng walked to the table, took out a silk handkerchief to cushion his hand, and picked up the broken bone.

He first examined it with his eyes, then leaned closer to sniff it, and his expression changed slightly.

"Your Majesty, if this old minister is not mistaken, this object is the spine of the ancient ferocious beast Qiongqi."

An uproar erupted in the hall.

The Jade Emperor frowned: "Qiongqi's spine?"

Zhang Heng nodded and said, "When I was young, I traveled to the North Sea and saw the remains of Qiongqi in an ancient ruin."

The remains were entirely black, as hard as iron, and faintly glowed with an eerie light, just like this object.

However, the remains in those ruins have been weathered for tens of thousands of years, and have lost all their spiritual essence.

And this thing…

His expression grew increasingly grave. "There is still a lingering life force within this thing."

The Jade Emperor said in a deep voice, "The vitality has not dissipated? What do you mean by that?"

Zhang Heng said, "Your Majesty, please grant me this request."

Qiongqi is an ancient ferocious beast that takes pleasure in eating people; its nature is extremely vicious and evil.

However, there is one unusual thing about Qiongqi's bones.

The marrow is hidden in the bones, and the soul is born from the marrow.

Ancient cultivators said that even though Qiongqi is dead, its bones do not wither, and the essence within its bones can be preserved for ten thousand years.

If someone uses a secret method to refine it, they can fuse their primordial spirit with the spine of the Qiongqi beast, borrowing the power of the ferocious beast to increase their own power.

"However, this technique is extremely dangerous."

Within the spine of that Qiongqi, the ferocious aura of a beast still lingers.

If one's primordial spirit is not strong enough, one may be devoured by malevolent energy and become a monster that is half human and half beast.

In severe cases, the primordial spirit will dissipate, and the soul will be scattered.

As Zhang Heng spoke, his gaze swept over Wu De Xing Jun, intentionally or unintentionally.

The Martial Virtue Star Lord's expression remained unchanged, except that a few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment, then asked, "Zhang Heng, in your opinion, what is the connection between this item and the person who stole the flower?"

Zhang Heng said, "This old minister dares to guess that the person who stole the flower had two intentions in burying the Qiongqi's spine under the fairy flower."

Firstly, the malevolent energy of the Qiongqi beast erodes the spiritual roots of the immortal flower, causing it to gradually wither.

Once the celestial flower withers, the Jade Terrace Returning to Origin Formation will lose its key element, and the Heavenly Court's fortune will suffer a severe blow.

Secondly…

After a pause, he said:

"Secondly, the Qiongqi's spine was buried under the fairy flower, and was nourished by the fairy flower's spiritual energy every day, as well as by the fortune of the Heavenly Court."

Over time, the remnant soul of Qiongqi within the spine will revive.

At that time, the flower thief will then remove the spine, refine it using a secret method, and thus, with the power of the Qiongqi, break through to the Great Luo realm in one fell swoop.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the immortals in the hall changed drastically.

Great Golden Immortal!

Among the Three Realms, the number of Great Luo Golden Immortals is extremely limited.

If that man in black could truly attain the Great Luo realm through this item, wouldn't that be incredible?

The Jade Emperor's face turned ashen, his gaze sharp as lightning as he swept over the immortals in the hall.

He slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and stood before the throne, his voice authoritative without being angry.

Three hundred years ago, Cui Yan impeached the three great demon kings and died suddenly.

Three hundred years later, the Nine-Colored Fairy Flower was stolen, and the spine of the Qiongqi appeared in the world.

The person behind it all had been lurking in the Heavenly Court for thousands of years, hiding their identity and meticulously planning their moves.

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the Martial Virtue Star Lord, and his voice suddenly softened.

"Martial Virtue Star Lord, you just said that Heavenly Hero Star Lord is well-versed in the stories of the Qiongqi clan and enjoys the deep trust of the Ziwei Emperor?"

The Martial Virtue Star Lord bowed and said, "This humble subject indeed said so."

The Jade Emperor asked, "Do you know where the Heavenly Hero Star Lord went after he resigned?"

Lord Wude shook his head and said, "This humble subject does not know. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"But I later vaguely heard that the Heavenly Hero Star Lord seemed to have changed his name and entered the Lingxiao Palace as an official."

However, I have not verified this matter and dare not speak presumptuously.

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's gaze lingered on the Martial Virtue Star Lord for a moment, then he suddenly smiled slightly.

There was not a trace of warmth in that smile.

"Martial Virtue Star Lord, how many years have you served by my side?"

Lord Wude was taken aback, then said:

"Your Majesty has promoted me to serve in the Lingxiao Palace, and it has been 2,800 years since then."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly: "Two thousand eight hundred years is not short."

I remember that when you first entered the Lingxiao Palace, you were just a sixth-rank clerk.

It was I who promoted you step by step, from the sixth rank to the fifth rank, from the fifth rank to the fourth rank, and finally to the second rank Martial Virtue Star Lord you are today.

How have I treated you?

The Martial Virtue Star Lord's expression changed slightly, and he bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of it."

The Jade Emperor said calmly, "Your kindness is as heavy as a mountain; I could never repay it even if I were to die."

"Very well, what a fine example of 'even death cannot repay'."

He abruptly changed the subject, his voice booming like thunder.

"Then let me ask you, did you truly only meet that Heavenly Hero Star Lord four or five times?"

The thunderous roar made the beams and pillars in the hall vibrate.

The Martial Virtue Star Lord trembled, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Your Majesty, I have only met the Heavenly Hero Star Lord a few times! I would not dare to deceive you!

The Jade Emperor did not answer, but picked up the Qiongqi jade pendant from the table and played with it in his hand.

"Zhang Heng".

Zhang Heng stepped forward: "This old minister is here."

The Jade Emperor asked, "When you examined the Qiongqi's spine just now, did you discover anything else unusual?"

Zhang Heng said, "This old minister does have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

The Jade Emperor said, "Speak."

Zhang Heng said, "When I examined the spine, I found several lines of extremely fine runes engraved on it."

The runes were different from ordinary talismans; they were imprinted with the power of one's primordial spirit.

To imprint such runes, the practitioner must merge their primordial spirit with the remnant soul of the Qiongqi within their spine.

"And within the primordial spirit of the one who performs the ritual, there must remain a wisp of the malevolent energy of the Qiongqi."

"Although the malevolent aura was subtle and imperceptible, there were still traces to follow."

Anyone who comes into contact with that spine will have their primordial spirit tainted by that malevolent energy.

This humble servant dares to ask Your Majesty to allow me to use my [Divine Eye] to examine the primordial spirits of the immortals in the palace.

Upon hearing this, the immortals in the hall displayed various expressions.

The Heavenly Eye is a secret technique passed down through the lineage of the Heavenly Venerable Lingbao, which allows one to perceive the aura of another's primordial spirit.

The God of Martial Virtue was deathly pale and trembling all over.

The Jade Emperor's gaze swept over the immortals in the hall, and he slowly said, "Granted."

Zhang Heng received the decree, sat cross-legged in the hall, and closed his eyes to concentrate.

A wisp of pure energy surged from the Niwan Palace, transforming into a vertical eye that hovered in mid-air.

Its vertical eye was completely clear, as if it were carved from crystal, with a faint radiance flowing through it.

His vertical eye slowly turned, sweeping over the immortals in the hall.

Each time the light swept over a person, that person felt a cool sensation flowing into their head.

In a short while, the vertical eye had scanned most of the celestial officials, and found nothing unusual.

When the vertical eye swept over the Martial Virtue Star Lord, it suddenly paused.

The vertical eye shone brightly, illuminating the entire body of the Martial Virtue Star Lord.

A wisp of black energy was seen swirling within his primordial spirit.

The black aura, like a venomous snake, lurked deep within the primordial spirit.

Zhang Heng opened his eyes, his expression solemn, and bowed to the Jade Emperor, saying:

"Your Majesty, the primordial spirit of the Martial Virtue Star Lord still contains remnants of the malevolent aura of the Qiongqi."

These words caused an uproar in the hall.

The Martial Virtue Star Lord's face was ashen, and he muttered, "Impossible...impossible...I clearly already..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly stopped, his face turning from white to green, and then from green to purple.

The Jade Emperor looked at him, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, which was then replaced by coldness.

"What? You've clearly already refined that malevolent energy?"

Or did they think they had buried the spine in the ground, believing it to be foolproof?

The Martial Virtue Star Lord trembled violently, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty! Your humble servant... Your humble servant was forced!"

It's...it's that person!

The man said that if I did not comply, he would expose my embezzlement of military funds in the Beiji Palace years ago!

Your humble servant... Your humble servant was momentarily confused...

The Jade Emperor interrupted him, his voice as cold as frost: "Who is that person?"

Wu De Xing Jun froze, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The Jade Emperor said calmly, "Even if you don't say, I know. Is it the Ziwei Emperor?"

Wu De Xing Jun was struck as if by lightning, and collapsed to the ground.

Upon hearing this, all the immortals in the hall were horrified.

Emperor Ziwei!

One of the Four Emperors, the Supreme Star Realm Emperor, who governs all stars, is second only to the Jade Emperor of the Three Pure Ones in rank.

If the person behind this is the Ziwei Emperor, then this matter...

The Jade Emperor stood with his hands behind his back in front of the palace, his gaze passing over the palace gate and looking towards the northern horizon, his voice calm.

"I met Ziwei when we were both humble beginnings."

When I first ascended the throne, the Three Realms were not yet settled, and the four directions were not at peace.

It was Ziwei who helped me pacify the star realm and suppress all the stars.

I hereby bestow upon him the title of the Supreme Emperor of the Central Heaven, Purple Palace, and Northern Pole, placing him at the head of the Four Emperors, to rule the world together with me.

As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered.

"I have treated him with utmost sincerity and without reservation."

But he secretly cultivated his power, colluded with the demon king, and plotted treacherous schemes.

His gaze swept over the immortals in the hall, and his voice was as loud as a bell.

"That Qiongqi clan was wiped out by me back then because of their rebellion."

However, Qiongqi Lie's youngest son, Qiongqi Yuan, was hidden in the North Pole Palace, renamed, and became his subordinate, Tianxiong Xingjun.

He then used the spine of the Qiongqi (a mythical creature) as bait to lure the Martial Virtue Star Lord into serving him.

It seems that those three demon kings were pawns he had placed in his game.

Those nine-colored fairy flowers were his target.

Cui Yan's death was due to him killing someone to silence them.

Every word struck the hearts of the immortals in the hall.

"Every single thing was his doing."

When the Jade Emperor spoke these words, his voice was calm, and his face showed neither sorrow nor joy.

Beneath the calm surface, however, lie turbulent waves.

None of the immortals in the hall dared to speak.

The Martial Virtue Star Lord was even more... He even forgot to kowtow.

Sun Wukong stood in the hall, his golden eyes gleaming, looking at the Jade Emperor's appearance, a complex emotion welling up within him.

He recalled the anger he felt when the little monkeys were captured by the demons on Flower Fruit Mountain.

Today, the Jade Emperor must feel the same way when faced with the betrayal of the Ziwei Emperor.

However, as the ruler of the Three Realms, he cannot be angry, cannot cry, and cannot even show the slightest weakness.

He could only suppress his anger with this calm expression.

Sun Wukong suddenly realized that being the ruler of the Three Realms wasn't so easy after all.

Li Yan stood beside Sun Wukong, watching all of this unfold, pondering to himself.

The Jade Emperor's words, seemingly exposing the Ziwei Emperor's conspiracy, were in fact a declaration of war against the Ziwei Emperor.

He first used the Qiongqi spine as evidence, and then used the Martial Virtue Star Lord as a breakthrough point to list the crimes of the Ziwei Emperor one by one.

It appears that every single detail is verifiable and supported by evidence.

But he inadvertently missed some things.

Why did the Ziwei Emperor do this?

Although the Qiongqi clan was an ancient tribe, it had been wiped out thousands of years ago.

What benefit would it bring to the Ziwei Emperor to hide in Qiongqi Abyss?

Although the three demon kings were merely pawns, they each occupied their own territory.

Why did the Ziwei Emperor subdue them?

If the Qiongqi's spine beneath the nine-colored fairy flower was truly for the purpose of proving the Dao...

With the status and cultivation of the Ziwei Emperor, why would he need such despicable means?

The Jade Emperor did not mention a word about these suspicious points.

In other words, he doesn't need to mention it.

All he needed to do was let the immortals in the palace know that the Ziwei Emperor was guilty.

Whether the charges can withstand scrutiny is a matter for later.

At this moment, all he needed was a pretext.

A reason to take action against the Ziwei Emperor.

This is the art of rulership.

Li Yan secretly realized that the waters of the Heavenly Court were deeper than he had imagined.

Just then, the Arhat who subdued the dragon suddenly spoke.

"Great Heavenly Venerable, this humble monk has something to say, but I am unsure whether I should speak it or not."

The Jade Emperor said, "Speak."

The Arhat Subduing Dragon clasped his hands and said, "This humble monk has come here on the Buddha's orders to assist the Heavenly Court in investigating the case."

Now that the case is clear, and the person behind it is the Great Emperor Ziwei, this humble monk should report back to the Buddha.

only……"

He looked at the Martial Virtue Star Lord who was paralyzed on the ground and said:

"However, this Martial Virtue Star Lord, though coerced, also participated in it."

According to the laws of Heaven, what should be done?

The Jade Emperor's gaze fell upon the Martial Virtue Star Lord, and after a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"Martial Virtue Star Lord, you have been by my side for 2,800 years. I am mindful of your hard work and great achievements and am reluctant to punish you severely."

But you embezzled military funds first, then colluded with traitors, and later participated in stealing the fairy flower and framing loyal officials.

Each and every one of these offenses is a capital offense.

Upon hearing this, Wu De Xing Jun trembled violently and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, spare my life! This humble subject knows his mistake! This humble subject..."

The Jade Emperor raised his hand to interrupt him, and said calmly, "I will not kill you."

Wu De Xing Jun was startled, raised his head, and looked up in disbelief.

The Jade Emperor said, "I will spare your life because you were confused for a moment and were coerced."

But while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inevitable.

Effective immediately, you are stripped of your title as the Martial Virtue Star Lord and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison for life.

Upon hearing this, Wu De Xing Jun On the ground, tears streaming down his face, he kowtowed and said:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life... Thank you, Your Majesty..."

The Jade Emperor stopped looking at him and turned to look at Dong Shuangcheng.

"Shuangcheng, Dongfang Shuo has been wronged. He is released immediately and reinstated to his original position."

"Take good care of that nine-colored fairy flower, and lest anything else go wrong."

Dong Shuangcheng accepted the order.

The Jade Emperor then looked at Sun Wukong and Li Yan, his expression softening slightly.

"Sun Wukong, Li Yan, you two have done a great job in investigating this case."

I keep my word. Effective immediately, I hereby officially confer upon Sun Wukong the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, granting him the rank of First-Class Immortal.

Li Yan served as the military advisor of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Palace and concurrently as the head of the Alchemy Chamber, holding a position among the immortals.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong grinned and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Yan bowed and said, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, then looked at the Arhat who had subdued the dragon:

"Jianglong, go back and tell Buddha that I appreciate his kindness."

I have accepted both the Qiongqi spine and Cui Yan's letter.

I will host a banquet for him another day and personally thank him.

The Arhat Subduing Dragon clasped his hands and said, "This humble monk accepts the decree. I will certainly convey the Great Heavenly Venerable's good intentions to the Buddha."

Having said that, he transformed into a golden ray of light and left the Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor surveyed the immortals in the hall and said in a deep voice:

"This matter ends here. All my beloved ministers, please return to your posts and refrain from making any further comments."

I will consult with the Emperor Ziwei and handle this matter appropriately.

All the immortals in the hall bowed in unison: "As you command."

The Jade Emperor then said, "Venus, go to the North Pole Palace and invite the Ziwei Emperor to the Lingxiao Palace for a meeting tomorrow."

Venus's expression changed slightly, but he dared not say anything more and accepted the order to leave.

The Jade Emperor waved his hand, signaling the immortals to step down.

The immortals filed out of the hall and dispersed.

Li Yan and Sun Wukong left the Lingxiao Palace and headed towards the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Mansion.

Halfway there, Sun Wukong said:

"Brother, do you think the Jade Emperor truly believes that the Ziwei Emperor is the mastermind behind everything?"

After concealing the truth, Li Yan transmitted his voice, asking, "What does Your Majesty think?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "I think this matter is not that simple."

Although Wu De Xingjun confessed, he only confessed to trivial matters.

If the Ziwei Emperor truly intended to rebel, would he resort to such despicable means?

Li Yan nodded and said, "Your Majesty has discerning eyes."

If the Ziwei Emperor is truly the person behind the scenes, given his status and methods, why would he need to steal the Nine-Colored Immortal Flower?

Why bother colluding with the three demon kings?

He can turn the world upside down with just a flick of his finger.

Sun Wukong asked, "Then why did the Jade Emperor...?"

Li Yan said, "Has Your Majesty ever considered that the Ziwei Emperor's rank is only below that of the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor?"

Such people, if you don't suspect them, are fine; but once you do, they become a major threat.

"The Jade Emperor's actions today are less of an investigation and more of a test."

Using the Qiongqi spine as a starting point and the Martial Virtue Star Lord as a breakthrough, he directed his attack at the Ziwei Emperor.

If the Ziwei Emperor has nothing to hide, he will come to explain.

If he has something to hide...

He paused slightly at this point.

Sun Wukong asked, "What if he has a guilty conscience?"

Li Yan said, "That would be exactly what the Jade Emperor wanted."

The Jade Emperor was waiting for him to reveal a weakness.

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed in Sun Wukong's golden eyes.

"Brother, when I was in the mountains, I thought this Heavenly Court was a peaceful and carefree place."

Looking at it today, this is hardly a peaceful place; it's clearly a huge quagmire.

Li Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right."

In this heavenly court, rules are everywhere, and calculations are at every step.

Every word, every action, is being watched in the shadows.

Sun Wukong asked, "Then what do we do?"

Li Yan said, "Let's just focus on doing our own thing."

Whether it's investigating the deaths of those three demons or rescuing Dongfang Shuo, these are things we should do.

As for the open and covert struggles between the Jade Emperor and the Ziwei Emperor, we will not get involved, take sides, or express our opinions.

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Brother is right."

I, Old Sun, hate these backstabbing and scheming things the most.

Let them fight however they want; I, Old Sun, will just focus on attaining the Great Luo Immortal Realm and live a carefree life.

As the two talked, they arrived at the gate of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's mansion.

Just as they were about to enter, they suddenly heard someone call out from behind, "Master Li, Great Sage, please wait."

The two turned around and saw Dongfang Shuo coming on a cloud.

He had changed into clean clothes, and although his face was still a little pale, he was in much better spirits.

Upon approaching, Dongfang Shuo bowed deeply: "I will never forget your life-saving grace."

Li Yan quickly helped him up, saying, "Sir, there's no need for such formality. I only did what little I could."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Brother, why are you being so polite? You helped me, so naturally I'll help you back."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo's eyes reddened slightly, and he sighed:

"I have been in the Heavenly Court for thousands of years and have witnessed too much of the coldness and warmth of human relationships."

Now that I am in trouble, only two of you are willing to speak up for me.

I will remember this kindness.

Dongfang Shuo's words were full of emotion, and he was on the verge of shedding tears.

Sun Wukong couldn't stand people looking like this, so he grabbed his arm and grinned, saying:

"Why are you saying all this, brother? Come on, come on, today's a good day, I, Old Sun, will treat you to a drink!"

Dongfang Shuo was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Great Sage, how could I dare refuse your invitation to wine?"

Li Yan also laughed and said, "Sir, you have just come out of the prison and should get rid of your bad luck."

"I still have a few jugs of that Drunken Immortal Wine left."

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo's eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed repeatedly, "Excellent! I'm really craving that wine!"

The three chatted and laughed as they entered the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's Palace.

Li Yan went to the kitchen to prepare the dishes, while Sun Wukong pulled Dongfang Shuo to sit down in the main hall.

Then he summoned a few little monkeys to serve tea.

Those little monkeys were transformed from Sun Wukong's hairs, and each one was clever and obedient.

Serve tea and water, and arrange fruit platters.

Some even did somersaults in the hall to entertain the guests, making Dongfang Shuo laugh heartily.

"The Great Sage's residence is quite lively."

Dongfang Shuo held a cup of tea and looked around.

Although the Great Sage Equaling Heaven's mansion is not as grand as the residences of high-ranking officials, it is still well-organized.

Above the main hall hung the banner of the Monkey King, its golden color gleaming, looking quite imposing.

Sun Wukong said smugly, "That's for sure!"

"I, Old Sun, have 47,000 monkey followers on Flower Fruit Mountain; that's what you call lively. How many are in this manor? It's quite deserted."

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "If the Great Sage wants some excitement, I can send a few cranes over another day to keep in the backyard, which will add some life to the place."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "What's so great about cranes? Monkeys are more fun."

As the two were chatting and laughing, Li Yan came out of the kitchen carrying the dishes.

The first dish is steamed Tianhe carp.

This carp is produced in the Heavenly River of Heaven; its flesh is tender and full of spiritual energy.

Li Yan used shredded ginger and scallions as a base, drizzled Shaoxing wine over it, and steamed it until it was just right.

A few goji berries were sprinkled on the fish, creating a beautiful contrast of red and white.

The second dish is Lingzhi stewed with sparrow tongue.

Take purple Ganoderma lucidum, slice it and boil it into a soup, then use the soup to simmer the tongue meat of a spotted pigeon.

The bitter aroma of Ganoderma lucidum blends perfectly with the tender freshness of bird tongue, resulting in a rich broth with a lingering aftertaste.

The third dish was stir-fried magnolia petals with pine nuts.

The magnolia petals are the tips of immortal bamboo shoots that grow outside the Jade Pool Palace in Heaven, and were a gift from Dong Shuangcheng.

These bamboo shoots are as white as jade, and have a crisp and refreshing taste.

Stir-fry quickly with tea oil pressed by monkeys, and sprinkle with pine nuts before serving for an irresistible aroma.

The fourth dish is honey-glazed yam.

Take iron yam from the back of Huaguo Mountain, steam it until cooked, mash it into a paste, shape it into a small mountain, and drizzle it with wild honey.

Then add osmanthus flowers as a finishing touch.

Sweet but not cloying, it melts in your mouth.

Four dishes were placed on the table, each one a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Dongfang Shuo's appetite was whetted at the sight, and he exclaimed in admiration:

"Master Li has excellent skills! Even the imperial chefs of the Heavenly Court might not have such abilities."

Li Yan smiled and said, "Sir, you flatter me. It's just some coarse food, nothing compared to the delicacies of the Heavenly Court."

He then took out two jugs of Drunken Immortal Wine from his sleeve, placing one jug in front of Dongfang Shuo and the other in front of Sun Wukong.

He only poured himself a cup of tea.

Sun Wukong asked, "Brother, why aren't you drinking?"

Li Yan said, "I need to meditate and regulate my breathing later, so I shouldn't drink too much."

"Today, let us serve tea instead of wine and enjoy ourselves to the fullest."

Dongfang Shuo didn't press the matter, poured himself a cup of Drunken Immortal Wine, raised the cup and said:

"Come, gentlemen, let me offer you a toast first. Your great kindness needs no words of thanks; it's all expressed in this drink."

The three raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

The Drunken Immortal Wine was sweet and refreshing upon entry, sliding down the throat and into the stomach, causing a warm current to rise from the dantian, bringing indescribable comfort.

Dongfang Shuo let out a long sigh and exclaimed, "Good wine!"

"During my days in the imperial prison, I haven't thought about anything else but this."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Brother, you're a drunkard too."

Li Yan said, "Sir, you are a man of true character."

The three of them toasted each other, and after several rounds of drinks and several dishes, they had enjoyed a meal.

After a few drinks, Dongfang Shuo's face became rosy, his spirits lifted, and he became more talkative.

Suddenly, Sun Wukong said, "Brother, I have something I'd like to ask you."

Dongfang Shuo put down his wine cup and said solemnly, "Great Sage, please speak."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said:

"I, Old Sun, am now at the peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal, just one step away from becoming a Daluo Golden Immortal."

But this is a step that I, Old Sun, just can't seem to take.

"Brother, you've been in Heaven for many years, do you know the secrets to attaining the Great Luo realm?"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo pondered for a moment before saying, "The Great Sage has hit the nail on the head."

This attainment of the Great Luo is the greatest hurdle on the path of cultivation.

"If you cross that threshold, you will be imperishable for eternity. If you fail to cross it, even at the peak of the Taiyi realm, you will eventually perish."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan also put down his teacup and listened attentively.

Seeing that the two men both looked serious, Dongfang Shuo straightened his clothes and said slowly:

"Do you two know the meaning of the two characters '大罗'?"

Sun Wukong shook his head.

Dongfang Shuo said, "Great means vast, encompassing all things."

The word "罗" means net, which extends to the heavens and the earth.

The Great Golden Immortal's Dao is vast and all-encompassing.

Its method is all-encompassing and omnipresent.

He added, "As the saying goes, the vast Luo River is boundless, and the mysterious heavens are profound."

That's the realm I'm talking about.

To attain the Great Luo is to attain the fundamental law of a realm.

Therefore, when a Great Luo Golden Immortal doesn't make a move, nothing happens; but when they do, heaven and earth respond, and all laws follow suit.

Sun Wukong listened, seemingly understanding but not quite, and said, "Brother, what you're saying is too mysterious."

I, Old Sun, just want to know, how do I take that first step?

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Great Sage, don't be in such a hurry. Let me ask you a question first."

Sun Wukong said, "Ask away."

Dongfang Shuo said, "Great Sage, in all your years of cultivation, have you ever considered what is the root and the essence of this world?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback, scratched his head and said, "I really hadn't thought of that."

Dongfang Shuo said: "The Daoist classic says, 'Man follows the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature.'"

These sixteen characters are the foundation of spiritual practice.

Humans follow the law of the earth, the earth follows the law of heaven, heaven follows the law of the Tao, and the Tao follows the law of nature.

What is meant by nature is the original state of heaven and earth and all things; it is neither born nor dies, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing.

"To attain the Great Luo, one must touch this nature."

In other words, it means merging one's own way with the way of heaven and earth.

You are the Tao, and the Tao is you.

Reaching this stage signifies the Great Luo.

Li Yan listened and nodded inwardly.

Dongfang Shuo's words, though seemingly simple, actually revealed the essence of cultivation.

However, knowing is easier than doing.

The four words "follow the natural way" are easy to say, but extremely difficult to do.

Sun Wukong frowned and said, "Brother, I understand what you're saying, but I don't know how to do it."

Dongfang Shuo said, "This is the key point. Attaining the Great Luo Dao is not something that can be achieved through arduous cultivation."

Dongfang Shuo's words caused a moment of silence in the main hall.

Sun Wukong held a wine cup, his golden eyes flashing, as if he had gained some insight, yet he seemed even more confused.

He put down his wine glass, scratched his cheek, and said, "Brother, I understand what you're saying, but I don't know how to proceed."

It's like the monkey trying to catch the moon's reflection in the water; it clearly sees the moon there, but when it reaches out, it's all gone.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Shuo laughed heartily: "Great Sage, this analogy is quite apt."

The moon reflected in the water, seemingly so close, is actually worlds away.

The same applies to attaining the Great Luo.

What may seem like a single step apart is actually a world of difference.

Li Yan put down his teacup and said, "Since you've brought this up, sir, I'd like to ask for your guidance."

What are the three things required to attain the Great Luo?

When I was in Heaven, I heard Venus mention it briefly.

It is said that one needs to possess the Way, the Law, and the Book to open the gate of the Great Luo.

However, I have never been able to understand the meaning of those three things.

Dongfang Shuo's gaze swept across the two faces, and he nodded slightly:

"Master Li has hit the nail on the head. Those three things are the three pillars of attaining the Great Luo Dao, and none of them can be missing."

He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and slowly said, "Let's start with the first thing."

The so-called Dao is the understanding of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth by those who cultivate themselves.

Between heaven and earth, the sun and moon revolve, the four seasons change, plants flourish and wither, and living beings live and die—all have their own way.

Some people glimpse the flow of Yin and Yang in the alternation of the sun and moon.

Some people also experience the balance of strength and gentleness amidst the undulating landscape.

For example, the flourishing and withering of plants teaches people about life and death, while the mutual generation of water and fire subtly embodies the principle of balance.

This is the individual's way.

"However, the enlightenment of ordinary cultivators is merely a partial view and a one-sided understanding."

For example, the blind men and the elephant.

Touching the ears, one says it resembles a palm-leaf fan; touching the legs, one says it resembles a pillar; touching the tail, one says it resembles a rope.

While each of these arguments has some merit, they ultimately do not represent the whole picture.

The path required to attain the Great Luo is not something that can be grasped from a single perspective.

Rather, it is to comprehend the great principles of heaven and earth to a state of complete perfection.

Sun Wukong asked, "What constitutes perfection?"

Dongfang Shuo said, "Perfection means having neither deficiency nor excess."

For example, the moon, on the first or second day of the lunar month, is only a thin line visible; that is because it is waning.

On the fifteenth and sixteenth, light filled the four fields; that was abundance.

When a person first attains enlightenment, it is like the moon at the beginning of the month, where only a sliver of light is visible.

As one's spiritual practice deepens, that ray of light gradually expands, from a single line to a curve, and then to a semicircle.

Until the night of the fifteenth, the light was complete, without any deficiency or excess.

That will be the time when one attains the Great Luo Realm.

"However, this path to perfection is easy to talk about, but extremely difficult to achieve."

The great principles of heaven and earth are as vast as the ocean; it is already difficult to comprehend even a fraction of them in a lifetime.

To attain complete enlightenment, one must possess great opportunity, great wisdom, and great perseverance.

Li Yan nodded slightly.

However, the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is vast and boundless, and even a Taiyi Golden Immortal is but a drop in the ocean of the long river of time and space.

Sun Wukong frowned and said, "Brother, what you said is quite clear, but I, Old Sun, still don't know where to start."

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Great Sage, don't be in such a hurry. Let me first ask you, Great Sage, what path have you comprehended so far in your cultivation?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback, scratched his head and said, "I, Old Sun, am a stone monkey born of the innate metal element."

What I, Old Sun, have realized is the way of strength and resilience, of continuous self-improvement.

Dongfang Shuo nodded and said, "What the Great Sage comprehended is the Way of the Qian Hexagram."

Qian represents Heaven, the ruler, and the father.

Its nature is strong and vigorous, and its virtue is self-reliant.

The Great Sage, with his Geng Metal body, comprehended the Qian Strong Way, which can be described as a perfect harmony between nature and principle, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

only……"

Sun Wukong asked, "But what?"

"However, the way of the Qian hexagram, though strong, upright, pure and refined, also has a drawback."

Before the monkey could ask any more questions, Dongfang continued:

"The Great Sage has cultivated for hundreds of years and has attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal status. It is time for him to soar like a dragon in the sky."

But when a dragon soars high in the sky, it is a sign of its overreaching nature and eventual downfall.

If a dragon flies too high, it will regret it.

This is the principle that extreme rigidity leads to breakage, and extreme strength to humiliation.

Upon hearing this, a hint of seriousness flashed in Sun Wukong's golden eyes.

He recalled that although his cultivation had greatly improved in recent days, he always felt a restlessness in his heart that was difficult to quell.

Seeing his solemn expression, Dongfang Shuo said again, "Great Sage, there is no need to worry."

This "dragon soaring too high will regret it" hexagram, though it is a drawback of the Qian hexagram, it is also a turning point.

The ninth line of the hexagram says, "The dragon that has gone too far will have regrets; fullness cannot last long."

Knowing when to be prosperous and guarding against when to be deficient, one can achieve longevity.

This is the wonder of the Qian hexagram.

Sun Wukong said, "Brother, do you mean that if I, Old Sun, want to attain the Great Luo Realm, I can't just stick to the path of strength and vigor?"

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Great Sage is indeed wise. That's right."

The way of heaven and earth is that yin and yang give rise to each other, and that strength and gentleness complement each other.

Strength without gentleness is like having only day and no night—it simply won't work.

If the Great Sage wants to attain the Great Luo, he needs to understand a touch of gentleness within his strength.

In striving for self-improvement, one learns a touch of humility. This is the harmony of the Tao.

Li Yan listened with admiration.

Dongfang Shuo may seem to be just an official in charge of celestial duties, but in reality, his understanding of the Great Dao is far more profound than that of ordinary celestial officials.

A thought struck him, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Sir, your insight is profound. I have learned much. What then is the explanation for the second method?"

Dongfang Shuo drank a cup of wine and said slowly, "The law is the means by which cultivators control the power of heaven and earth."

The Tao is the foundation, the essence.

The Dharma is like branches and leaves, used for application.

Without the Way, the Law loses its soul; without the Law, the Way falls into emptiness.

This is like having a heart but no hands or feet; wisdom alone is insufficient for action. Having hands and feet but no heart, though one may walk, there is no direction.

"The method required to attain the Great Luo is not ordinary magic or supernatural power."

Ordinary magic is nothing more than borrowing the power of heaven and earth for one's own use.

What is borrowed today will be returned tomorrow. Borrowed power is ultimately not one's own.

The Great Luo Method, however, aims to transform the power of heaven and earth into one's own, integrating it into one's body and making it a part of oneself.

Sun Wukong asked, "What does this mean?"

Dongfang Shuo asked, "Great Sage, think about it: where does the water of those rivers come from?"

"Nature comes from the heavens."

"Yes, rain falls into rivers, rivers flow into the sea, the sea evaporates into clouds, the clouds turn into rain, and fall back to the earth."

This is the water cycle.

Ordinary cultivators borrow the power of heaven and earth, just like the water of rivers; they borrow it from the heavens today and return it tomorrow.

"Borrowing and returning is a matter of course."

"But the Great Golden Immortals are different."

They refined the power of heaven and earth into their own bodies, just as they refined the water of rivers into their own flesh and blood.

Once water enters the body, it becomes a part of the body and can never be returned.

This is the profound mystery of the Great Luo Method.

Li Yan asked, "Sir, are you referring to the word 'refining'?"

Dongfang Shuo nodded and said, "It is indeed refining."

The refiner uses fire to refine things, removing the dross and keeping the essence.

Transformation is the process of using the Dao to transform things, achieving a comprehensive understanding and integration.

The essence of the Great Luo Method lies in the word "refinement".

The power of heaven and earth is likened to ore.

Ordinary cultivators merely use the power of the ore to smash people and build walls.

The Great Golden Immortals, on the other hand, refine ores into swords and armor.

The deeper the refinement, the greater the power.

Sun Wukong's eyes lit up as he listened, and he said:

"Now that you mention it, I understand. Does that mean my indestructible body counts as refinement?"

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Of course it counts."

However, the Great Sage cultivates the body, not the magic.

If the Great Sage wants to attain the Great Luo, he must unite the Dharma with his body, use the body to wield the Dharma, and use the Dharma to protect his body.

Only when body and technique are perfectly integrated can one achieve the Great Luo.

Li Yan kept these words in mind and then asked, "What about the third type of document?"

Dongfang Shuo said, "The register refers to the register of immortals. This third thing, though seemingly the most illusory, is actually the most real."

Sun Wukong asked, "What do you mean?"

Dongfang Shuo said, "Great Sage, think about it. In the world, there is the concept of 'luck' and 'fortune'."

A nation, a family, an individual—each has its own destiny.

Those with good fortune will have everything go smoothly and will turn misfortune into good luck.

Conversely, every step is fraught with difficulties, and even drinking water can cause problems.

Where does this good fortune come from?

It comes from heaven and earth and all things.

The register of immortals is the bridge connecting an individual's fortune with the fortune of heaven and earth.

"If the Great Sage did not have a celestial status, he would be like an isolated island, with his own world, but isolated from the mainland."

The universe's fortune is vast and boundless, yet it has nothing to do with you.

As the saying goes, "well water does not interfere with river water," which is the limitation of a wandering immortal.

No matter how high your cultivation level or how strong your magical power, if you do not have a celestial status, you cannot borrow the fortune of heaven and earth or unite with the power of the three realms.

Then the gate of the Great Luo will be forever closed to you.

"If the Great Sage had a celestial status, it would be like building a bridge between that isolated island and the mainland."

The energy of heaven and earth continuously flows into your fortune, and your fortune in turn nourishes heaven and earth.

They complement each other and enhance each other's strengths.

This is the wonder of the celestial register.

Sun Wukong said, "But that celestial register is just a title given by the Heavenly Court; how could it have such miraculous effects?"

Dongfang Shuo laughed and said, "Great Sage, you are unaware of this."

Although the title of "Immortal Register" is just a name, it represents the recognition of you by Heaven and Earth.

Heaven and earth do not recognize people, but people recognize them themselves.

Once you are registered as a celestial being, it means that Heaven and Earth acknowledge you as a part of this world.

Your way is no different from the way of heaven and earth.

The laws of heaven and earth are simply the laws you follow.

The very essence of heaven and earth's fortune resides within you.

This is the concept of "harmony between humanity and nature."

"To put it bluntly, how is the Jade Emperor able to rule over the Three Realms?"

It's not because he has the highest magical power or the strongest supernatural abilities.

Rather, it was because his celestial status was the highest, and his connection with heaven and earth was the closest.

Every word and action resonates with the universe.

He said, "Let there be light," and there was light. This is the power of heaven and earth.

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed in Sun Wukong's golden eyes.

Heaven and earth recognize you, therefore you are the master.

If Heaven and Earth do not recognize you, you are nothing more than a fleeting passerby.

Li Yan asked, "Sir, what is the difference between the different ranks of immortal registers?"

Dongfang Shuo said, "The level of your rank determines the depth of your connection with the fortune of heaven and earth."

The Nine-Rank Immortal Register is like a thin thread, only able to draw in a trickle of water.

The First-Rank Immortal Register is like a river, capable of summoning torrents of water.

As for the Four Emperors and Five Elders, their immortal status is no longer on bridges, but in the vast ocean.

They themselves are part of the destiny of heaven and earth; with every move they make, the power of heaven and earth follows them.

Ji Bai v presents "How to Achieve Immortality in Journey to the West", exclusively released for the first time!