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

The pure magical power within the relic flowed through the meridians, eventually converging into the dantian, where Chen Jiao slowly refined it using his profound skills.

His already formidable magical power became even more refined and advanced at this moment, and his aura became increasingly profound and unfathomable.

Within the Niwan Palace, the nascent soul that cultivated with its natal essence received this nourishment, becoming increasingly solid and powerful, its body radiating clear light as if it were a tangible entity.

With a slight thought, Chen Jiao's Yin spirit quietly left his body.

A phantom, like smoke and mist, quietly rose from the crown of the head, identical to the seated physical body, yet even more ethereal and otherworldly.

The spirit of Yin hung in the void of the quiet room, and as its gaze swept across the world, all things presented a different scene.

Spiritual energy flows like a stream, and the earth's veins appear and disappear like a dragon; all things have their own principles and energy.

Chen Jiao looked outside the cave.

The scene was reflected clearly in the perception of the Yin spirit, like a reflection in water.

The atmosphere on the stone platform, carved out by the earth's fiery spiritual veins, was as heavy as iron.

Master Ruyi held a crimson, jade-like fire-controlling whisk, his face tense as he glared angrily at the two people in front of him.

There were several deep scorch marks on the ground in front of him, clearly left by the collision of magical forces.

Two people were standing opposite them.

The leader was an old Taoist priest dressed in a crimson-gold robe, with a long, flowing beard. He held a white jade whisk, had sharp eyes, and exuded a powerful and intense aura.

It turned out to be a cultivator in the late Golden Core stage, who was also the old rival of Ruyi Zhenren, Tianyang Zhenren.

Beside him stood a colossal man, as tall as an iron tower, with a leopard's head, bulging eyes, and a face full of scars. His body exuded a terrifying aura of a Golden Core cultivator at the peak of his cultivation.

It was none other than the Roaring Mountain Demon Lord, who roamed the nearby mountains.

"Tianyang!"

Ruyi Zhenren's voice was filled with suppressed anger:

"I discovered the fire vein here first, and after a hundred years of painstaking management, I have already established my cave dwelling."

What brings you here today? Do you intend to seize it by force?

Upon hearing this, Master Tianyang chuckled and lightly flicked his whisk:

"Fellow Daoist Ruyi, you are mistaken. The spiritual beings of heaven and earth belong to those of virtue."

This earth fire spiritual vein is a natural formation; how could you possibly possess it all? I recently wish to refine a batch of precious pills, and I need the help of this earth fire.

As for Fellow Daoist Xiaoyue…”

He gestured to the tiger demon from the side:

"I came here to observe the fiery nature of this place, and also... to discuss with you whether you could do me a favor?"

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue grinned, revealing his sharp, white teeth, and his voice boomed like a bell:

"Hey, you smart thing, give up this place!"

"Lest Grandpa Tiger take action and tear down this dilapidated cave of yours!"

As he spoke, his overwhelming demonic aura pressed down on Ruyi Zhenren without any concealment, causing his face to turn pale and his body to sway slightly.

Master Tianyang waved his hand, feigning advice:

"Hey, Fellow Daoist Xiaoyue, please calm down. Fellow Daoist Ruyi is a reasonable person."

His gaze shifted to Ruyi Zhenren, his smile unchanged, but his tone turned chilling:

"Fellow Daoist Ruyi, my alchemy is crucial to my cultivation and is indispensable. If you are willing to yield, I will reward you handsomely. If not..."

He paused, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes:

"I'm afraid your cave is too quiet, so this is where it ends today."

Master Ruyi was so angry that he trembled all over, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his whisk tightly.

He knew that Tianyang Zhenren appeared virtuous on the surface, but was actually ruthless and cruel, and his cultivation level was already a notch above his own.

Now, with the help of a ferocious demon like Xiaoyue Demon Lord, he has absolutely no chance of winning.

But how could he be willing to give up the foundation he has built over a century?

Master Tianyang lightly swept his whisk, the silver threads of which seemed to flicker like sparks. He looked at Master Ruyi, whose face was tense, and shook his head with a soft sigh:

"Fellow Daoist Ruyi, why be so stubborn?"

I cherish your talent and cannot bear to see you wasting your life guarding this treasure mountain.

This fire vein, in your hands, is nothing more than forging ordinary magical artifacts.

If I were to use a secret technique in my palm, given time, I might be able to nurture a wisp of [Earth Core Lotus Fire], which is a spiritual fire of heaven and earth!

"If you are willing to yield, fellow Daoist, I will not only reward you with a great treasure, but I will also allow you to borrow my fire to forge weapons in the future. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Master Ruyi's chest heaved slightly as he stared at Master Tianyang's seemingly calm yet ruthless face, his voice laced with suppressed anger:

"Stop with your clever words! It's not for you to judge how well I refine weapons!"

This place is my foundation, and there is absolutely no reason for me to give it up!

Today you have gathered demons to forcibly seize my forbidden cave. Aren't you afraid that this will spread and make you a laughingstock?

"By force?"

Before Master Tianyang could speak, the towering Xiaoyue Demon Lord beside him let out a deep, thunderous sneer.

He took half a step forward, his cloak billowing without wind, and a fierce aura swept over him, pressing down on the grass and trees in the valley.

His enormous, bell-like eyes swept over Ruyi Zhenren, filled with undisguised contempt:

"Ruyi, you little brat, Fellow Daoist Tianyang is only giving you face by talking nonsense with you."

With nine mountains under my command and thousands of soldiers under my command, when have I ever needed to 'seize' what I desire?

I was just letting you know so you could find a quieter place.

His voice was booming, making people's eardrums buzz, and his domineering and arrogant manner was fully revealed in his words.

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue licked his fangs with his scarlet tongue:

"The fire vein here has a pure aura, which is perfect for me to temper a few treasures."

If you know what's good for you, obediently give it up, and I might reward you with a few scraps of the failed refining.

If you don't know what's good for you...

He snorted coldly, and his demonic aura suddenly surged, transforming into a visible dark red evil wind that swirled and howled through the valley.

"Hmph, in this desolate mountain valley, one more skeleton is nothing."

Master Tianyang flicked his whisk at the opportune moment, seemingly to dissuade him, but in reality, he added fuel to the fire:

"Fellow Daoist Xiaoyue, please calm down. Fellow Daoist Ruyi is, after all, a fellow Daoist. We should try to persuade him with reason."

He turned to Ruyi Zhenren, his tone regretful:

"Fellow Daoist Ruyi, you heard it too."

Fellow Daoist Xiaoyue is straightforward by nature. If a fight breaks out, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop him.

"This fire vein, though good, is ultimately an external thing; why risk your life for it?"

Ruyi Zhenren snorted coldly:

"First you tried to lure me in, then you tried to threaten me. Tianyang, you're unworthy of calling yourself a true master!"

Even if it costs me my life, I will never surrender this place!

"Stubborn to the end!"

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue completely lost his patience, and his demonic energy erupted instantly, unleashing an immense pressure that crushed down on True Person Ruyi like a mountain:

"In that case, I will come and collect it myself!"

Seeing the Demon Lord Xiaoyue unleash his murderous aura, his giant palm, carrying a foul wind, slammed down on them.

Master Tianyang also flicked his whisk, and firelight flickered on his crimson-gold Taoist robe, clearly indicating that he was about to unleash a ruthless attack at any moment.

Ruyi Zhenren's mind raced; his Daoist brother Xuanling was in seclusion deep within his cave, cultivating.

Under no circumstances should we be disturbed by external disturbances, otherwise all our previous efforts will be wasted, which is a minor matter. If it causes Brother Xuanling's cultivation to go astray, he will never be able to atone for it even if he dies a hundred times.

The moment that thought arose, the desire to seek help vanished.

He took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes. Even if it cost him his cultivation, he would not allow these two scoundrels to set foot in the cave!

"Hmph! If you want this place, you'll have to ask the two hooks in my hand first!"

Ruyi Zhenren let out a clear shout, said no more, and instead of retreating, he advanced, taking the initiative to meet the charging Xiaoyue Demon Lord!

He swept his hands across his waist, and two golden streaks appeared, the Ruyi Golden Hook already in his hands.

The golden core within his body circulated wildly, and his magical power was poured into the twin hooks without reservation.

The hook shone brightly, transforming into two intersecting golden arcs.

However, his actions were tantamount to a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

The golden arc collided with the overwhelming demonic energy, instantly creating a deafening metallic clang like waves crashing against rocks.

Ruyi Zhenren trembled violently, his face turned pale, and he staggered back several steps before barely managing to steady himself. He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Master Tianyang's eyes flashed with surprise, which quickly turned into a deeper sneer as he said:

"Tsk, I didn't know you had so much backbone. Too bad, you overestimate yourself!"

He lightly tapped his whisk, and several scorching gusts of wind silently attacked the major acupoints on Ruyi Zhenren's body.

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue let out a wild laugh, and his giant, fan-like hand, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, slammed down on his head:

"court death!"

Ruyi Zhenren's pupils contracted, and his twin hooks danced like wheels, protecting his entire body from wind and rain.

The sounds of metal clashing against metal were continuous and explosive, and each collision made his blood surge and he was in grave danger.

The hook light flickered with difficulty amidst the demonic winds and magical spells.