Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Thunder Department.

As the thunderous prison dissipated, countless bolts of lightning gradually disappeared, leaving only wisps of electricity wandering among the sea of ​​clouds, like dragons and snakes lurking in the shadows.

After much maneuvering by Venus, the saints of the Thunder Department finally slowly withdrew from their formation.

The five war gods helped each other to their feet.

The two war gods of the North and South Poles remain unconscious, the Eastern War God's blue armor is shattered, the Western War God's white robe is stained with blood, and the Central War God barely maintains his composure.

The three nodded slightly to Venus, not daring to say or look any further, and transformed into a dim stream of light, disappearing into the sea of ​​clouds and staggering away.

The imposing presence they had when they arrived was completely gone, leaving only a disheveled and silent state.

After all the outsiders had left, Chen Jiao turned around, faced the group of Thunder Department generals standing solemnly behind him, slightly flicked his sleeves, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:

"Thank you all for your help this time."

The generals quickly returned the salute in unison, the sound of their armor clashing like soft thunder.

"You're too kind, sir."

Marshal Deng's thunderous hammer vanished silently, and he returned the salute respectfully:

"You're too kind, True Lord. We are all of one mind with the Thunder Department, there's no need for thanks."

Chen Jiao pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the depths of the Thunder Department and spoke:

"Commander Deng, may I ask Your Majesty... if I may enter your residence to pay my respects and express my gratitude?"

Marshal Deng smiled and said in a deep voice:

"The Heavenly Venerable already knows the True Lord's intentions."

The Celestial Venerable had long ago said that such trivial matters were nothing to worry about for the True Lord.

Just focus on your work; there's no need to be distracted by this."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao nodded slightly, no longer insisting, and solemnly bowed towards the depths of the Thunder Department.

"In that case, please convey my gratitude to the Heavenly Venerable on my behalf, Marshal."

Marshal Deng cupped his hands in agreement, exchanged glances with the other two marshals, and the three of them were the first to transform into lightning and disperse.

Immediately, the figures of the generals gradually transformed into streaks of lightning, scattering across the sky in all directions. They came suddenly and left just as quickly.

Nezha, who was originally intended to keep things under control, couldn't resist the urge to join in.

He rode over on his fiery wheels, his eyes sweeping over Chen Jiao, a smirk playing on his lips:

"You silent type, let's find an opportunity next time to have a proper sparring match."

Without waiting for Chen Jiao's response, the Wind and Fire Wheels roared and soared into the sky, leaving a scorch mark on the red ribbon in the clouds.

In the blink of an eye, this land returned to its empty state.

Only Chen Jiao and Venus remained, along with the faint electric serpents in the air that had not yet completely subsided.

Chen Jiao then turned to Venus, who had been standing quietly to the side, cupped his hands in greeting again, and spoke sincerely:

"This time, we are grateful for the help of the old star lord in mediating this matter."

Venus stroked his beard and laughed:

"You are too kind, True Lord. The matter of today will be decided by the Great Heavenly Venerable at the court assembly a few days from now."

"I only just now... hindered the True Lord's unfinished momentum, I hope you won't take offense."

Chen Jiao flicked his sleeves lightly, his expression solemn:

"The Star Lord's words are wise and prudent; how could the dragon dare to complain?"

His words were polite and respectful, showing great deference to this close advisor of the Jade Emperor.

Venus looked at the black-robed True Lord before him, his eyes filled with admiration, yet his face showed a rather helpless smile, and he sighed softly:

"True Lord."

Today's actions were rather... well, a bit too direct, which inevitably gives others ammunition to criticize us.

He paused slightly, flicked his whisk gently, pointing towards the Gouchen Palace, and lowered his voice:

"This has offended that person even more severely. The Five Extremes War God is his direct subordinate, and he is a figure of great respect in front of him."

Chen Jiao's gaze swept across the sea of ​​clouds, looking towards the western horizon, and he said calmly:

"The Thunder Department's territory is of utmost importance and cannot be desecrated. Even before the Emperor himself, there must be some respect for the law."

Upon hearing this, Venus's smile deepened, seemingly casual yet carrying a profound meaning:

"However, this decisive and efficient approach has cleared away some obstacles in one fell swoop."

His Majesty... has also seen it all.

Chen Jiao's eyes flickered slightly, and he cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Star Lord."

Venus chuckled and lightly tapped his whisk:

"It's just my duty, nothing to brag about."

This old man will now return to the Pixiang Palace to report back; the True Lord will have his own plans.

Having said that, it transformed into a soft, white-gold celestial light and drifted away.

Chen Jiao stood alone on the cloud, gazing in the direction where Venus had disappeared into the distance, his black robe fluttering in the rising gale of the heavens.

After a long while, it turned around and transformed into a bolt of clear lightning, disappearing into the Thunder Palace.

The sea of ​​clouds returned to calm, with only a faint trace of thunderous energy remaining.

…………

Huangtianshu Lei Mansion.

The guards on both sides of the gate stood solemnly with their hands on their halberds and bowed.

As soon as Chen Jiao entered the front courtyard, he saw that Fei Peng, General She Qi Hu Lei, and Messenger Huo Ling Pi Li had been waiting for a long time.

Before the three generals, the Sun Wheel God General, with disheveled hair and bare feet, his golden armor tattered, was bound by a purple lightning chain and knelt on the cold, hard jade brick with thunder patterns.

His head was lowered, and he no longer had any of his previous arrogance.

Upon seeing Chen Jiao enter, the three generals bowed in unison.

Fei Peng slightly turned his body, giving way half a step, and his gaze fell on the Sun Wheel God General on the ground.

"True Lord, the rebellious Sun Wheel God General has been captured and awaits your judgment."

Chen Jiao's gaze swept over the pale face of the Sun Wheel General without lingering, and he walked directly to the main seat.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the faint rumble of thunder from the distant pool audible.

Chen Jiao sat down with a flick of his sleeve, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the Sun Wheel Divine General.

At this moment, the divine general in charge of the Sun Emperor was no longer as arrogant as before.

His hair ornament was askew, his face still bore charred palm prints, his kneecaps were shattered, revealing bruised flesh, and his eyes were unfocused.

The Sun Wheel God General seemed to sense something and struggled to raise his head.

Meeting Chen Jiao's unfathomable eyes, he trembled violently, his lips moved but no sound came out.

Meeting Chen Jiao's unfathomable eyes, he trembled violently, his lips moved but no sound came out.

"Conducted into a thunder cell."

Chen Jiao's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, and echoed clearly in the empty hall.

Fei Peng nodded slightly.

But then the True Lord continued to give instructions, his tone still calm, yet it stirred something within each of those present:

"Hand it over to Huoling for safekeeping."

Chen Jiao looked at the divine general beside him, who had a red bell hanging from his waist, and gave him instructions.

"Take good care of her, and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Make sure he survives until the court assembly a few days later.

Upon hearing this, the Firebell Thunder Messenger's lips curled into a knowing, sinister smile.

The red copper bell at his waist rang out without wind, producing a series of fine yet piercing thunderous sounds.

He gladly clasped his hands in response:

"This humble general obeys the order and will certainly take good care of General Rilun, and will not fail the trust placed in him by the True Lord."

Upon hearing this, the kneeling Sun Wheel God General trembled violently, and the last glimmer of light in his eyes was completely extinguished. Like mud.

This scoundrel was known for his ruthless slaps, yet he was entrusted with guarding the place—that was the end of him…

The Firebell Thunder Messenger rubbed his hands together and looked at the ashen-faced Sun Wheel God with a smile.

He waved his hand, ordering Lei Bing to escort him to the dark prison of the Lei Department, where thunder and lightning raged year-round.

The sound of bells mingled with the faint rumble of thunder, gradually fading into the distance.

Chen Jiao nodded slightly, then looked up towards the direction of Lingxiao Palace, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"At the court assembly in a few days, I will discuss the Dao with the Sun Emperor, resolving both old and new grudges."

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and turned to enter the inner courtyard of the Lei residence.

With seven days remaining before the court assembly, Chen Jiao dared not slacken in his cultivation.

There were no lights or candles inside.

Only the Nine Heavens Thunder Pearls embedded in the four walls emitted lightning light, illuminating the entire room.

He sat cross-legged on the cloud bed, and with a flick of his palm, a fairy peach appeared.

This peach is no bigger than a fist, but its skin has natural purple veins, like clouds and rosy clouds, with mysterious cloud patterns that seem to flow with Taoist charm.

The essence of nine thousand years of sun and moon is contained in the flesh, giving it a warm and precious glow.

Before the peach even enters the mouth, a refreshing fragrance wafts out, like dew on pine needles during the early spring snowfall.

Its aroma is invigorating, making one feel refreshed and invigorated, as if one's vital energy has become more vibrant.

It is the purple-veined, yellow-kernel flat peach, which ripens only once every nine thousand years and whose very scent is said to grant longevity.

Chen Jiao did not rush to take the medicine. Instead, he first regulated his internal energy, allowing the surging thunder energy around him to gradually calm down, and his mind sank into a state of tranquility.

Then, he brought the peach to his lips and gently bit it.

The moment the peach skin is split open, sweet juice instantly fills your mouth.

A warm yet powerful essence of innate Yi wood, like the first ray of life in early spring, slid down my throat and into my abdomen.

This essence is exceptionally gentle, spreading rapidly like a warm current to every part of the body, nourishing every inch of the meridians and bones.

Chen Jiao closed his eyes and guided the pure Yi Wood Qi to slowly merge with the Radiant Thunder Qi he cultivated.

The Wood element governs growth and nourishment, and the boundless vitality contained within the peaches of immortality is the supreme elixir for calming the raging thunder and solidifying one's foundation.

The room was completely silent.

Only Chen Jiao had a faint purple glow and blazing white lightning intermingling around him, making his aura increasingly deep and heavy.

The essence of the 9,000-year-old peach, made of the wood element, slowly circulates in the meridians.

The breath was warm and lingering, like a spring stream soaking through parched soil. Wherever it passed, thunderous energy spontaneously gathered to meet it, weaving into a thin mist of blue and white in the dantian.

He observed the essence of Yi wood within his body and saw that although it was subtle, it was extremely resilient and remained condensed and did not dissipate amidst the shockwaves.

If one could obtain a few more peaches of the same quality, perhaps one could truly condense a sufficiently rich innate wood energy.

While there's still no clue about Jia wood, Yi wood has already shown signs of emerging.

Chen Jiao's heart rippled slightly as he pondered the matter carefully.

"These peaches are said to be rare, but they're not actually that hard to come by..."