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

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Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Qingchi Ridge is unusually different from usual today.

Auspicious clouds swirled around, and spirit birds fluttered about. Spiritual energy from all directions flowed like rivers into the sea, slowly converging here.

In the mountains, there are guard posts every five steps and sentries every ten steps at various passes and key points.

The eagles' eyes, darting through the forest and along the cliffs, form a network, not missing a single rustling sound.

The demon soldiers patrolling the mountain were clad in bright armor, their ranks were impeccable, their eyes were sharp as lightning, and their patrols were several times more thorough than usual.

Beneath the main peak of Yunmang, the atmosphere is solemn and imposing.

Thirty-six large drums made of animal hides stood in four directions, their deep, resonant sound echoing for miles around.

Banners with black backgrounds and gold dragon patterns are lined up on both sides of the stone steps leading up the mountain.

The flag fluttered in the morning breeze, and the dragon's eyes seemed to possess a spirit, gazing down at the mountains, with an invisible pressure enveloping the surrounding wilderness.

In front of the mountain gate.

Black Fatty, with his round belly, was wearing a brand new black robe.

His small eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and he greeted everyone with a smile, his voice booming as he welcomed guests from all directions.

On the other side, Xia Da polished his red armor until it gleamed, set out a jade table in front of him, covered with spirit silk, and held a large wolf-hair brush in his hand.

Whenever guests arrive, he loudly greets them, records their gifts, and speaks with a clear voice and great energy, carrying a sense of pride and honor.

Along the thousand stone steps leading from the mountain gate to the summit, every ten steps, stand two demon soldiers covered in fine armor.

His face was covered in black armor, and the tip of his halberd pointed obliquely to the sky, remaining motionless as if cast in iron.

Only when the mountain wind blows through the leaves does it produce a faint clanging sound, and a chilling atmosphere permeates the surrounding fields.

These demon soldiers were all carefully selected from the more than 10,000 demons in the five battalions, and all of them had the cultivation level of the late stage of Qi Refining.

Although such cultivation level is nothing to the guests, they represent the rules and reputation of Yunmang Mountain.

No matter how skilled the guests were on cloud-riding days, upon arriving at the main peak gate, they would all consciously alight and walk inside.

A clever little demon dressed in green was already waiting at the foot of the steps. After checking the guest's name card, he bowed and led the way.

Along the way, one sees verdant peaks, babbling brooks, and the frequent sights of mythical birds and animals, creating a magnificent and solemn scene that further enhances the grandeur of this welcoming road.

The sun is rising.

The shadow of the dragon flag was projected onto the stone steps, like two giant dragons coiling up the mountain, looking down at all living beings below.

…………

As the sun rises higher, Yunmang Mountain becomes increasingly lively.

The three brothers, Huli, Luli, and Yangli, also arrived riding on the demonic wind.

The one with a tiger's head and a human body, and a robust physique, is Tiger Power; the one with deer antlers and a green robe, and a lively gaze, is Deer Power; the one with a goat's beard and a white robe, and a cautious expression, is Goat Power.

All three demons possessed mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation and could be considered formidable figures even in ordinary territories, yet they appeared quite reserved at this moment.

Having heard of the growing fame of the Flood Dragon Demon King Xuan Ling, they have come today to seek refuge and find a future.

At this moment, upon seeing the outline of Yunmang Mountain in the distance, the three demons felt a pang of anxiety.

Once the wind subsided and they landed in front of the mountain gate, they were so shocked by the sight before them that they could hardly breathe.

The black dragon banner fluttered in the wind, and the demon soldiers stood solemnly with halberds in hand, exuding a chilling aura.

The catfish spirit that greeted the guests and the lobster spirit that chanted the rites were both at the Foundation Establishment stage, their auras pure and ethereal.

The three demons had just arrived at the mountain gate and had not yet had a chance to announce their names to the welcoming black fat man.

Then, from behind the table to the side, Xia Da's loud voice was chanting etiquette in a clear, rhythmic tone:

"The local earth god of Yunmang Mountain presents a single [Millennial Earth Vein Ganoderma] and a bottle of [Pine Pattern Flowing Clouds Elixir]!"

"The White Stone Mountain God of Ningyu Peak presents three bottles of [Azure Jade Spirit Elixir]!"

"Presented by the Water God of Baoling Lake..."

The nearby mountain god and the water god had always been on good terms with Chen Jiao, the master of Yunmang Mountain, and knew that he was a true cultivator with profound Taoist skills and great supernatural powers.

Having received the invitations, they arrived early, some riding the yin wind, others harnessing the spirit mist, in groups of three or five.

Every time Xia Da announced a name and a congratulatory gift, it made the three demons of Huli jump.

Most of the names belong to the mountain and water deities whom they usually only know by name but rarely see, yet they all came to offer their congratulations in person.

The mountain gods and water spirits exchanged a few polite words with the two demons, the black fat shrimp and the big one.

His words showed great respect for Xuan Ling Shangzhen, who had not yet appeared, indicating that they had a prior relationship.

Furthermore, various demon cultivators and even a few well-dressed human cultivators arrived one after another, carrying invitations and gifts.

His cultivation level was at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and the aura of a Golden Core cultivator would occasionally pass by.

"The Seven Stars Temple's Master Guangming presents three Shangqing Spirit-Nourishing Talismans as a congratulatory gift!"

"The Lord of Fire Crow Cave on Red Maple Mountain presents a pair of 500-year-old Fire Spirit Mushrooms as a congratulatory gift!"

The three demons clicked their tongues in disbelief, their hearts filled with trepidation as they pondered whether the few gifts they had brought, which could barely be considered spiritual items, were presentable enough.

Xia Da's voice suddenly rose another three fen, and he sang with respect:

"Black Wind King, the Mountain God of Black Wind Ridge, presents three bottles of [罡煞风精]!"

The three demons looked in the direction of the sound and saw a burly man with a dark complexion handing a gift to Shrimp Big.

The aura emanating from him was unmistakably that of a Golden Core Demon Lord!

Before they could calm down, the chanting of the ceremony began again:

"The Jade Brocade Immortal of Aolai Kingdom presents a scroll of the 'Vast Blue Waves Map' and one hundred formulas of superior-grade spiritual jade!"

The handsome Taoist priest was smiling as he presented the gift. His demeanor was dignified, and his inner spiritual light was clearly that of a Golden Core cultivator.

Yet his demeanor was humble, completely unlike that of a supreme ruler who controlled a country.

It was none other than the Grand Preceptor of Aolai Kingdom, the Jade Brocade Immortal.

Tiger Power, Deer Power, and Sheep Power looked at each other in bewilderment. They had originally thought that their Foundation Establishment cultivation level and their arrival to seek refuge would be a form of assistance.

At this moment, one sees that even the Golden Core Mountain God and the True Man of the Nation come to offer their congratulations with such respect, and they even treat the two Foundation Establishment Demon Generals guarding the gate with great courtesy.

Tiger's Adam's apple bobbed, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly.

Faced with such a spectacle, the three brothers were like a stream that had strayed into the vast ocean, pitifully insignificant.

Looking at both sides of the mountain path, the demon soldiers, their faces covered in black armor and their halberds gleaming, exuded a refined aura and were strictly disciplined.

Among the guests coming and going were demon lords exuding demonic aura, immortal cultivators with shimmering treasure light, and deities with incense smoke curling around them...

They came in an endless stream, all walking properly on the ground, led by little demons.

The three demons clutched their rather meager gift list, standing before the bustling yet orderly mountain gate, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Originally, I only wanted to find a place to settle down and make a living, but now it seems that if I could join the ranks of such a person, my future would probably be far beyond my imagination!

Yang Li couldn't help but whisper, "Big brother, second brother, this Flood Dragon Demon King... is he really that powerful? Should we still go and seek refuge with him?"

Lu Liqiang composed himself, swallowed hard, and said:

"We're already here! How can we back down? Perhaps... this is our chance!"

Hu Li nodded emphatically, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He straightened his robes and whispered a warning:

"When you meet the King later, be sure to be careful with your words and actions."

Then he gestured to his two brothers, and together they walked toward the catfish spirit that was welcoming guests.

The mountain wind howled, stirring the dragon-shaped banner.

It also stirred the hearts of three who longed to submit to a powerful lord and find a place within that mighty force.

The three tiger demons, accompanied by the little demons leading the way, stepped onto the bluestone steps.

The spiritual energy in the mountains was so abundant and magnificent that it far surpassed any other blessed land they had ever seen.

Its operation follows its own rules, forming a harmonious whole, without any impurities or violence.

Hu Li took a deep breath of the clear spiritual energy and felt the demonic power in his dantian solidify by half.

The three demons secretly compared their own mountain cave dwelling to the grand palace, feeling a chill run down their spines.

They secretly glanced up at the guests who had gone up the mountain earlier.

There are demon kings who are fierce and powerful, righteous gods who are bestowed with divine light, and even a few human cultivators with an ethereal and otherworldly air.

At this moment, these people who usually looked down on others were all quiet and composed, walking steadily, and even their spiritual communication seemed to be deliberately restrained.

On this stone staircase leading to the mountaintop, not a single person made a sound, and no one dared to openly display their presence.

Whether they were secretly observing or lowering their eyes to sense it, they all felt an invisible pressure deeply rooted in the veins of the mountains.

This oppressive aura wasn't deliberately displayed, yet it was like a vast sky covering the heavens, instilling fear in people even before they saw its master.

The mountain atmosphere and the silent rules alone are a kind of proclamation.

Walking here, every step is treading on the laws of the unseen Flood Dragon King.

You have no choice but to respect it, and you have no choice but to obey it.

The three demons moved forward in silence, feeling that the higher they went, the purer the surrounding spiritual energy became, and the clearer the invisible weight became, making their backs slightly stiff and daring not to be the slightest bit careless.

The same applies to both the guests before and after.