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

Author Hengyang Yan Qu's latest work, "Journey to the West: Starting from Jingfa Zhenjun," is exclusively published on Kele Novels!

Chen Jiao rode the tiger away from Zhuogou Spring, and it was only half a day later.

Suddenly, seven points of colorful light appeared in the eastern sky.

At first they resembled stars, but as they drew closer, they became known as seven auspicious clouds, each a different color: red, blue, white, black, yellow, green, and purple, radiant and untouched by the mundane world.

Seven slender figures could be vaguely seen in the clouds, their skirts fluttering and their jade pendants tinkling.

The silence of the mountain valley was broken by bursts of light, melodious laughter and whispers, as clear and pleasant as silver bells.

"Finally, I can relax a bit! These days, the affairs of the Heavenly Palace have been so complicated and boring!"

"Fifth Sister, don't shout, or the duty officer might overhear." Another gentler voice advised with a smile, but there was little tension in it.

"Let them listen. The sisters came to this cleansing spring to wash away their impurities, which was tacitly approved by Her Majesty years ago. What's there to be afraid of?"

Another slightly coquettish voice joined in.

The fairy maiden in plain clothes beside her, with gentle features, nodded slightly and smiled:

"This time it has been very busy."

Marshal Tianyou has returned victorious from his demon-slaying campaign. The immortals are feasting, and we must attend to him.

Next, Lei Bu Yi Lie Tian Jun was promoted to the rank of Zhen Jun. The ceremony was so grand that he could not be absent.

Although the previous calamity at the Weak Water in the East China Sea has been quelled, its aftershocks linger, requiring careful attention in all areas, thus keeping us constantly on edge.

The fairy in soap robes chimed in, her voice crisp and clear:

"What you say is true, sister. But with all the feasting and drinking, even the finest wine can be cloying. The cleansing spring in the mortal realm is much better; its smooth, warm water is the best for washing away fatigue."

"Fourth Sister is right. With all matters temporarily settled, Mother Empress has shown her compassion and allowed us to descend to the mortal realm to relax."

A gentle yet steady female voice came from the crimson auspicious cloud at the front.

Yunshang was a woman dressed in a bright red palace dress, her hair tied up in a high bun, with a phoenix hairpin holding a pearl swaying in the side. Her eyes were like autumn water, and she had the air of an elder sister in her gaze.

It was none other than the eldest sister, the fairy in red.

Her gaze swept gently over her younger sisters behind her, then looked down at the steaming spring below, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"I haven't been to this cleansing spring for a long time, and I really miss its wonderful ability to cleanse the mind and calm the soul."

Moreover, it is most beneficial for cleansing us from the cold, celestial aura that has tainted us, and for nourishing our immortal bodies.

"Although this spring is in the mortal realm, it possesses unique wonders due to its ancient origins. After bathing in it, even one's soul feels lighter and more refreshed!"

The fairy in green clapped her hands and laughed.

"Absolutely! Absolutely!"

Several fairies on the clouds nearby also smiled and echoed their agreement.

Their clothes varied, some bright and cheerful, some elegant and refined, some lively and some quiet and reserved.

Yet, between his brows, there was an ethereal, otherworldly aura, and his body shimmered with a faint glow, exuding a natural, Taoist charm.

They were the seven celestial maidens.

As they chatted and laughed, seven auspicious clouds descended from the clouds and landed on the giant rock beside the Cleansing Spring, which had become warm and smooth from the steam.

Seven fairies gracefully landed, their ethereal figures and the gentle tinkling of their jade pendants instantly bringing dazzling brilliance and a refreshing celestial aura to the mountain valley.

The eldest sister is a fairy in red, followed by fairies in blue, white, black, yellow, and green.

Last but not least was the fairy in purple, the youngest of all, yet she possessed a cool and otherworldly beauty, a serene expression, and graceful manners.

They gazed at the crystal-clear, steaming pool before them, their eyes filled with joy.

The red-clad fairy gently swept her divine sense around, her delicate eyebrows subtly twitching.

Among the seven sisters, she had the highest cultivation level and the most acute senses.

I vaguely sensed that the energy here was slightly different from before, as if there was an additional array fluctuation that was in harmony with the earth's energy.

However, it is very rudimentary, merely a means to activate the earth's energy and serve as a slight warning, posing no threat whatsoever, and devoid of any murderous or violent intent.

"what?"

The fairy in red whispered to herself:

"When did this rudimentary array, integrated with the earth's energy, appear here? It seems to be newly formed..."

Her divine sense, as fine as silk, gently brushed over the traces of the array, finding its principles to be simple.

It blends seamlessly with the surrounding Yang fire energy, as if it were a shell naturally formed by the condensation and generation of earth energy.

The fairy in red did not take such a trivial commotion to heart.

The creation of heaven and earth is inherently full of infinite mysteries.

In the lower realms, especially in such remote and desolate places, it is common for natural changes to occur.

As long as it doesn't interfere with the sisters' bathing, it's fine.

"Big sister, what's wrong?" asked the fairy in white beside her.

"It's nothing."

The fairy in red withdrew her gaze and smiled gently.

She made a hand seal, and a faint red light flashed as she probed towards the source of the fluctuation.

Upon contact with the crimson light, the faint array dissipated like snow melting in the spring sun, transforming back into invisible earth energy without a trace.

"Perhaps the earth's energy has changed slightly. It's alright, the formation is rudimentary and I've already broken it; it won't disturb us."

With her saying that, the other sisters were relieved.

"Sisters, set up a protective barrier to prevent worldly disturbances."

"Yes, eldest sister."

The fairies responded in unison.

With a gentle wave of their hands, streams of celestial energy of various colors flew out from their sleeves.

They intertwined in the air to form a transparent curtain of light, as thin as a cicada's wing and shimmering with iridescent colors, quietly enveloping the entire Zhuogou Spring.

This Heavenly Cloud Barrier has no offensive capabilities, but excels at concealment and protection. Once deployed, it is difficult for outsiders to see anything inside, and it can also isolate auras and warn of external enemies.

A fairy in red, barefoot and delicate, gently dipped her feet into the slightly hot spring water and let out a satisfied sigh.

Seeing this, the other sisters exchanged smiles and no longer held back.

They all removed their wedding robes, revealing their fair skin and flawless bodies.

For a moment, the pond seemed to glow with the light of the moon and shimmer with the brilliance of pearls.

Accompanied by cheerful laughter and splashing water, seven graceful figures disappeared one after another into the clear, hot spring pool.

The warm spring water soothed and cleansed away the slight fatigue and dust accumulated from the banquets in the heavens over the past few days.

The fairies let out satisfied sighs, scooped up water and played, their laughter ringing out.

Steam rises, water glistens, and ethereal beauty appears and disappears, like a dream.

…………

Chen Jiao realized that the external formation had been broken, and his divine sense reflected all things, taking in the scenery of the Cleansing Spring.

In the Cleansing Spring, the water vapor is as misty as gauze, and seven graceful figures appear and disappear in the rising white mist, with fair skin and jade bones, and a pure and clear aura of immortality.

In that fleeting glimpse, his Dao heart rippled slightly, and his divine sense withdrew as if struck by lightning.

Just then.

Seeing Chen Jiao remain silent in thought, Jin Guang Zhenren smiled and asked another question:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, may I have some instruction?"

Chen Jiao felt a mix of internal and external emotions, and his mind was slightly disturbed.

Upon hearing the Golden Light Immortal's question, almost instinctively, following that fleeting thought, he blurted out:

"Taibai".

The room fell silent for a moment.

The guests were all stunned, their faces showing confusion.

Taibai?

What is the deeper meaning behind the Dragon King's words?

Is it praising the words of the Golden Light Immortal, which describe something as bright as Venus? Is it saying that gold refined by fire must reach the luster of Venus? Or does it refer to something else entirely?

This seems to have something to do with the previously discussed concept of "dry earth generating metal".

Could it be that the refutation of Jin Guang Zhenren's Taoist methods is because they are too crude and straightforward?

Jin Guang Zhenren was also slightly taken aback, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Given the prestige of the Xuanling Flood Dragon King, he would not speak recklessly on such a occasion.