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

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the mountain slope ahead gradually softened.

A secluded mountain valley comes into view, where green tiles and white walls are nestled among evergreen pines and cypresses.

The faint sound of bells and chimes drifted on the mountain breeze, clear and melodious.

This is the location of Huanghua Temple.

The open stone platform in front of the temple has been swept clean and spotless. It is not yet noon, but there are already many people inside and outside the temple gate.

There were young Taoist disciples shuttling around to greet guests, and groups of two or three cultivators chatting. There were also many strange-looking, eccentric demon cultivators, some sitting and some standing, chatting and laughing noisily, clearly guests who had come to observe the ceremony.

Suddenly a gentle breeze swept in from the horizon, initially unnoticed. But the wind gradually subsided and became steady, carrying a faint fishy smell, unlike the mountain breeze.

The laughter and chatter gradually subsided, and everyone looked up at the same time.

On the western horizon, a dark cloud slowly and steadily approached, its color a mix of gold and black, its presence imposing and imposing.

The demonic clouds dispersed, revealing a magnificent, striped tiger.

It was nearly three zhang long, with a kingly mark on its forehead, fangs like halberds, and four feet treading on the air. Its demonic aura soared into the sky, causing many of those with slightly weaker cultivation below to shudder.

Even more striking is that atop the tiger's back sits a young man in black robes with dark hair, his face stern and his expression calm, looking down at the Taoist temple below.

"roar!"

The deep tiger roar, though not loud, carried a majestic power that penetrated to the very soul, instantly overwhelming all the noise on the stone platform.

The laughter and conversation abruptly stopped, and all eyes turned to them.

"Hiss, what a ferocious tiger demon! Could this aura belong to a Golden Core cultivator?!"

"That's... Lord Xiaoyue? Who could possibly ride a Golden Core Demon Lord?"

"Look at the person in black on the tiger's back, could it be...?"

Some guests who recognized the tiger demon gasped in surprise and doubt.

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue possesses nine mountains. He is a demon lord who has reached the Golden Core stage and is known for his ferocity. He is no ordinary person, let alone willing to be a mount for him!

Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd.

"It's him! It must be him! That Flood Dragon Demon King from the East Sea! The one who fought the Bull King with his halberd!"

Those with inside information gasped in a low voice; though the sound was small, it was like a stone thrown into water, stirring up even greater waves.

Not long ago, the infamous reputation of wiping out Baoguang Temple with a single claw spread along the westward trade route, though many people had never seen his face.

Seeing his true form now, which was that of a calm young man riding a Golden Core Demon Lord, confirmed the rumors.

The tiger slowly descended from the clouds, its four paws landing as lightly as a feather, without stirring up even a speck of dust.

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue's tiger-like eyes swept across the entire scene, and all who met his gaze felt a tightness in their chests and subconsciously looked away.

At the mountain gate, the Taoist priests welcoming guests at Huanghua Temple also had a slight change in expression, with Zhenzhi leading the way.

He forced himself to remain calm and quickly signaled to his fellow disciples behind him to stay composed.

He took a deep breath, strode forward, and stopped a few feet away from the tiger's chariot. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness:

"Junior Zhenzhi respectfully welcomes the arrival of the Venerable Xuanling! My master is waiting in front of the hall. Venerable, please follow me."

He dared not look up directly, much less ask why they had come riding a tiger; he simply stepped aside respectfully to lead the way.

The Demon Lord Xiaoyue's tiger-like eyes swept across the crowd, and two streams of scorching white breath blew out of his nostrils.

He then took steady steps and followed Master Zhenzhi into the mountain gate at a leisurely pace.

Wherever he passed, the crowd parted as if splitting waves, and all was silent.

Only the heavy, rhythmic footsteps of a tiger on the bluestone slabs resonated in everyone's hearts.

After passing through the front courtyard, we arrived at the open square in front of the main hall, the Sanqing Hall.

An incense table and altar had already been set up here, with dozens of jade tables and prayer cushions arranged on both sides. Many guests had already taken their seats, and the atmosphere was extraordinary.

At this moment, everyone's attention was drawn to the slowly approaching figure in black robes and the giant, striped tiger.

On the high steps in front of the palace.

A Taoist priest dressed in a black robe, wearing a gold-embroidered crown, and with a dignified face, had already stopped exchanging pleasantries with the guests beside him and turned around.

It was none other than the abbot of Huanghua Temple, the Golden Light Immortal.

His gaze, sharp as lightning, instantly locked onto Chen Jiao. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and a gentle smile bloomed on his face. He bowed and said in a clear voice:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, your presence is an honor to our humble abode! I apologize for any shortcomings in your hospitality!"

Chen Jiao gracefully landed on the tiger's back, nodded slightly to Golden Light Immortal, and returned the greeting:

"Fellow Daoist Jin Guang, you are too kind. I am sorry to have bothered you this time."

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. It is my great honor to have you grace me with your presence!"

Upon hearing this, Jin Guang Zhenren's smile widened, and his gaze inadvertently swept over Xiao Yue Yaojun, who stood quietly to the side like a small mountain.

He didn't ask any further questions, but simply gestured with his hand.

"Fellow Daoist, please take a seat!"

The spot he pointed to was none other than the jade table at the very top left.

The prayer cushion was woven with gold thread, and the table was set with sacred fruits and fine wine, clearly a reserved seat of honor.

According to the etiquette of "left is superior to right", this seat is the most honored guest seat besides the host seat today.

Chen Jiao did not refuse and walked calmly toward the seat.

With a low roar, the Demon Lord Xiaoyue silently crouched behind the jade table.

Like a loyal guardian stone sculpture, the bronze bell and tiger eyes are half-open, yet they take in all the movements around them.

The front courtyard was silent for a moment.

The guests watched Chen Jiao's figure disappear into the temple gate before they began to whisper among themselves.

The front courtyard was silent for a moment.

The guests watched Chen Jiao's figure disappear into the temple gate before they began to whisper among themselves.

The opening of Huanghua Temple has surprisingly attracted the arrival of the recently infamous and unpredictable Jiao Demon King, who even uses Xiaoyue Demon Lord as his mount...

When did this Golden Light Immortal become acquainted with this Flood Dragon King?

Chen Jiao took his seat behind the jade table at the head of the left.

Jin Guang Zhenren sat in the main seat, separated from Chen Jiao by a jade table on which spiritual fruits and immortal wine were laid out.

He picked up a warm jade cup, which contained the temple's secret-made "Hundred Herbs Elixir," which was emerald green and had a refreshing fragrance.

He did not drink first, but instead raised his cup to Chen Jiao, his voice clear enough for the guests to hear:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, I was refining a batch of pills when the dragon and tiger met and water and fire were in harmony, so I was really unable to spare the time."

"I was unable to personally visit your place of seclusion to offer my greetings and invitation, and only sent my junior disciple. This is a breach of etiquette; I hope you will forgive me."

Master Jin Guang apologized sincerely.

He paused briefly, glanced at the Daoist Zhenzhi standing respectfully at his sides not far away, and continued:

"My disciple Zhenzhi is shallow in cultivation and narrow in knowledge. If he has been disrespectful or impolite on the ridge before, it is entirely due to my poor discipline."

Fellow Daoist, your magnanimity is as vast as the sea; you have not only not blamed me, but have also allowed me to come. I, this humble Daoist, thank you again for your generosity.

After saying this, he drank the cinnabar in his cup in one gulp, adopting a very humble posture.

These words not only fulfilled the proper etiquette, but also clarified that he had not intentionally been negligent, took the blame for his disciple's rashness, and flattered Chen Jiao's magnanimity.

Upon hearing this, the several guests around, who were all exuding a solemn aura, nodded slightly.

Chen Jiao raised his eyes and calmly met the gaze of Golden Light Master.

The other party spoke sincerely and adopted a very humble attitude, which was beyond reproach both emotionally and rationally.

He nodded slightly and said calmly:

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

"Alchemy is a serious matter, which I understand. Furthermore, I have instructed my disciples to diligently perform their duties; what fault is there in that?"

Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible look of relaxation flashed in Jin Guang Zhenren's eyes, and his smile deepened as he cupped his hands in greeting once more.

"I admire your magnanimity, fellow Daoist."

Just as Jin Guang Zhenren was about to exchange a few more words with Chen Jiao...

Suddenly, from the distant mountain gate came the deliberately amplified announcement from the Taoist priest:

"The Golden Toad Demon Lord has arrived!"

The last syllable of "君" still lingered in the air when the slightly relaxed atmosphere in the square suddenly froze.

Many guests subtly changed their expressions, exchanging glances or putting down their cups, all turning their gazes toward the mountain gate.

At the mountain gate, there were no ominous winds or dark clouds, but instead, golden light shone brightly and auspicious clouds stretched out.

A magnificent carriage, pulled by four pure white deer with jade antlers, slowly drove in.

The carriage is shaped like a single piece of warm, lustrous yellow jade, adorned with pearls, beautiful jade, and coral, its radiant light dazzling the eye.

Colorful tassels hung from the top of the carriage, swaying gently in the wind and tinkling like celestial music.

Even more strangely, wherever the carriage passed, there were fleeting glimpses of golden light on the bluestone slabs, as if gold beads and jade coins were being scattered.

It then disappeared into the ground, leaving behind a faint aura of wealth and peace.