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

Exploring the Xianxia (fantasy martial arts) novel genre

I don't know how many mountains and seas we passed.

The scenery beneath my feet gradually changed, and the outline of the land ahead became clearer.

The clouds gradually lowered, revealing a vast and boundless land ahead.

The mountains are rugged and the waterways are deep and secluded, with lush forests, making it completely different from the landscape of Dongsheng Shenzhou.

This is Xiniu Hezhou.

The flow of inspiration also carried a unique rhythm, sometimes peaceful, sometimes with a hint of eeriness.

Furthermore, there were streaks of Buddhist light and precious aura mixed in, truly making it a bizarre and ever-changing place.

Chen Jiao's eyes flickered slightly. He slowed down his cloud speed and slowly made his way towards the approximate location of the Luanshi Mountain and Bibo Pool indicated on the invitation.

Attending the banquet is secondary to this journey west.

Taking this opportunity to explore the depths of Xiniu Hezhou and meet people from all sides is the real purpose.

Passing by an abandoned ancient temple, huge claw marks could be seen among the ruins. The head of a Buddha statue in the temple had rolled into the grass, and birds had built nests in its eye sockets.

On a distant mountain peak, a demonic wind carrying the stench of blood rose into the sky, accompanied by the faint sounds of metal clashing and mournful roars, before falling silent once more.

Although this place is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Buddha of Mount Ling, it is actually a place where demonic forces are deeply entrenched and powerful figures abound, making it far from a peaceful world.

Just as I was observing.

Chen Jiao's mind stirred slightly, for he had received two pieces of information from the True Lord himself, causing his gaze to narrow slightly.

The Nine-Headed Insect fled, and the Lion Camel King also escaped.

…………

Chen Jiao composed himself, and the clouds continued to shimmer.

Occasionally, evil winds and strange phenomena would rise from the mountains and forests below, either from ignorant little demons trying to block the road and steal food, or from cultivators practicing evil arts secretly spying on them.

The auras were mixed, ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, each with different methods, and a fierce and malevolent aura emanated from them.

Indeed, the people are simple and honest.

Chen Jiao neither stopped nor said anything more.

The trail of corpses was left behind, and the bloodstains had not yet touched the ground before being blown away by the mountain wind. Only a few lingering traces of malevolence remained, proving that lives had perished here.

In less than half a day.

Amidst a rugged mountain range of strange rocks, a deep pool lay nestled, its waters a deep, chilling blue.

Amidst the rising steam, an eerie atmosphere lingered.

It is the Luanshi Mountain and Bibo Pool.

At this moment, the area around the pool was filled with ghostly figures and shimmering light, and many more streaks of light were still coming from all directions.

Golden Core demon cultivators arrived riding on yin winds, their retinues as numerous as clouds; other cultivators descended on magical treasures bathed in rosy light, their processions extraordinary.

Occasionally, a powerful aura would sweep through the air, revealing the oppressive power of a Nascent Soul cultivator, causing the demons below to fall silent in fear.

It fully reveals the dog-eat-dog nature of Xiniu Hezhou.

When Chen Jiao reached the pool, he no longer concealed himself.

A magnificent and boundless demonic aura surged from his body, rising like an ink dragon and stirring up the demonic clouds in the sky!

The once bustling poolside fell silent, as countless pairs of eyes turned toward it with surprise and uncertainty.

Chen Jiao ignored the reactions around him, his black robes fluttering as he walked straight into the Dragon Palace in the heart of the pool.

Wherever they went, the demon cultivators involuntarily made way for them, their eyes filled with awe.

Chen Jiao's figure disappeared into the Bibo Pool, and the ripples on the water surface slowly subsided.

The tense atmosphere by the pool finally eased.

Only then did the Golden Core demon cultivators, who had been holding their breath, dare to talk in hushed tones, their eyes still glancing at the depths of the pool from time to time, filled with surprise and uncertainty.

"What kind of demon king is this? How can his aura be so terrifying?"

"What a terrifying demonic aura... I never knew such a figure had appeared in Xiniu Hezhou!"

"Judging from his aura, he is no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. Could he be an old monster who has been in seclusion for many years and has been reborn?"

The demons whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with surprise and uncertainty, all trying to guess the origins of the young man in black.

The oppressive aura they felt just moments ago was enough to leave them with lingering fear.

In the corner, a bloated toad demon cultivator with copper coin patterns on its back stood there, its face ashen.

His hands trembled slightly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead, as if he were recalling something extremely terrifying.

At the time when the Ruoshui River was causing havoc in the East China Sea, he happened to be lingering in the marginal waters.

Just as he was hesitating, trying to seize some benefits in the chaos, he witnessed a dazzling sword light sweep across the sea and sky.

The power of a single sword strike severed the rampaging Weak Water!

Where the sword energy swept, all the demons turned to dust!

He was so frightened that he fled a thousand miles away before daring to stop.

His face was deathly pale, his large eyes staring intently at the water where Chen Jiao had disappeared, his wide mouth slightly opening and closing, as if he was still in shock.

A snake demon beside him sensed something amiss and couldn't help but nudge him with its elbow:

"Hey, Third Brother Frog, do you know that guy from earlier?"

The toad demon nearly fell to the ground after being touched, and gasped for breath.

Fang shakily raised his paw, pointing to the water where Chen Jiao had disappeared, his voice hoarse and distorted:

"Dragon Demon King!"

He is Xuan Ling, the Flood Dragon Demon King of the East Sea!

All whispers ceased abruptly, as if an invisible hand had choked them.

The demon cultivators who had been talking loudly just moments before were now frozen in shock, their eyes filled with horror.

The name of the Flood Dragon Demon King has spread among demon cultivators from all directions in recent years, thanks to that sword strike in the East Sea.

Several Nascent Soul level demon lords also suffered, with only Nascent Soul level demon lords escaping unscathed.

His methods were ruthless and his supernatural powers were far beyond those of ordinary demon lords.

The snake demon's Adam's apple bobbed, still somewhat disbelieving, and its voice tightened as it asked:

"But...that one from Yunmang Mountain, Qingchi Ridge, in Dongsheng Divine Continent?"

The toad demon nodded frantically, its voice trembling as it said:

"Exactly! Now, who on the shores of the East Sea doesn't know the name of the Great Demon Lord Xuanling?"

The Qingchi Ridge, spanning eight hundred miles, is as impregnable as a fortress, commanding tens of thousands of demon soldiers and countless Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even human sects show it deference and seek cooperation with it…

Before the words were even finished, several Golden Core demon cultivators who had been so arrogant silently withdrew their radiance, wishing they could disappear into the shadows.

Although Xiniu Hezhou is quite far away, the news that the Flood Dragon King of Qingchi Ridge has opened the Yunmang Market and widely accepted demons has already been spread among demon cultivators like an undercurrent through caravans and rumors.

Its momentum was like a wildfire, and its power was like a frozen abyss; it was something that these scattered demon cultivators could not possibly provoke.

…………

The water in the deep pool was dark and clear, its color changing from clear to dark before revealing a shimmering glow.

Chen Jiao parted the water as he walked, and with the flutter of his clothes, the water naturally parted to make way for him, without creating even the slightest ripple.

Ahead, deep underwater, a magnificent palace appeared, with glazed tiles and bright pearls as lamps, illuminating the hundred-foot-deep waters as if it were daytime. This was the Wansheng Dragon Palace.

Aquatic guards stood in rows before the palace gates, shrimp soldiers holding halberds and crab generals with knives at their sides, all solemn and silent.

An old tortoise spirit, carrying a heavy blue shell and sporting a long beard, stood before the jade steps, holding a golden book, responsible for greeting guests.

Seeing Chen Jiao approaching on water, his aura profound, he dared not be negligent and hurriedly bowed to greet him.

Chen Jiao didn't say much, but simply handed over the invitation in his hand.

The old turtle spirit accepted the gift with both hands, looked up and carefully examined the visitor's appearance, and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He dared not hesitate, turned to face the palace gate, channeled his inner energy, and shouted in an aged yet exceptionally clear voice, piercing through the waves and echoing before the vast Dragon Palace:

"Qingchi Ridge and Yunmang Mountain,

"The Great Demon Lord Xuanling has arrived—!"

The chanting was like a boulder thrown into water, and the previously noisy area in front of the Dragon Palace suddenly fell silent.

The aquatic soldiers standing on either side were tense, their fingers gripping their weapons turning slightly white.

In front of the palace gate, groups of demon cultivators and distinguished guests from various aquatic tribes were chatting happily.

Whether they were at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage, they all froze, and their conversation abruptly stopped.

Countless gazes were cast toward the figure in black at the palace gate.

The rumors that had just circulated by the pool were now being whispered into the palace by the demon cultivators who had arrived earlier.

The three characters "Jiao Mo Wang" (蛟魔王) quietly spread like dark clouds.

Now that the main figure has arrived in person, the powerful yet restrained demonic aura is more oppressive than any commotion.

The water seemed to freeze at that moment.

Only the lingering echo of the old turtle spirit's chant still reverberates among the glazed tiles.

Inside the palace, a figure hurried forward to greet them.