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

However, just now in the Lingxiao Palace.

The brief eight-character invitation from the Grand Master Xuandu, followed by a detailed explanation.

And just now, without any explanation, he invoked the sun, invited Gouchen, and ascended straight to the heavens...

Although not a single word of tenderness was expressed, it weighed more heavily on Chen Jiao's heart than any words.

No need for further words; the truth resides in the heart and is manifested in actions.

This is not a simple bond between fellow disciples, nor merely a defense of the established tradition; it is a deeper yet natural form of protection.

Their deep love and care are as solid as a mountain and as profound as the sea.

This is different from the Heavenly Grace of the Great Celestial Venerable, and also different from the Thunder Ancestor's regard; rather, it is a support that is more purely rooted in the lineage of the Dao.

Having cultivated for so long and experienced countless battles, Chen Jiao's will was as strong as iron, yet at this moment, a warm current flowed through his chest.

He silently noted it down, without showing it on his face.

"Wow, impressive."

A slightly lazy yet sharp and fierce voice rang out beside him, interrupting Chen Jiao's thoughts.

Chen Jiao didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

He withdrew his gaze from the distant sky and turned to see a young divine general dressed in lotus battle armor and riding on wind and fire wheels, who had somehow approached him.

His face was handsome to the point of being sharp, yet his brows and eyes held an inescapable air of arrogance and ferocity.

It was none other than Nezha, the Great God of the Three Altars and the Seas.

At this moment, Nezha was also squinting, gazing at the magnificent spectacle of purple and white gold colliding and intertwining in the sky.

His eyes gleamed with a burning passion akin to the excitement of spotting a predator, along with a deep sense of wonder.

"I've long heard that this great mage is unfathomable, but today I've finally seen it for myself."

Nezha shifted his gaze from the terrifying celestial phenomena to Chen Jiao's face, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"With a single sleeve, he summoned the Sun Emperor to the heavens to reason with him. The Grand Master's reasoning certainly caused quite a stir."

He leaned closer, nudged Chen Jiao's arm with his elbow, and lowered his voice, his tone filled with undisguised curiosity and inquiry:

"Tell me, you taciturn fellow, what exactly is your senior brother's current cultivation level?"

Nezha's gaze was fixed on Chen Jiao.

He was already a true immortal, having absorbed the Qi of the Five Elements, and deeply felt the terrifying aftereffects of the clash between heaven and earth.

Chen Jiao remained silent for a moment, then raised his eyes again, gazing at the ever-changing purple and white energy in the sky, which seemed to be resetting the balance of earth, fire, water, and wind. He slowly shook his head, his voice calm:

"I don't know."

He slowly shook his head, his voice calm:

"My senior brother has been in seclusion for many years, and his cultivation is unfathomable. What I have seen today is but a drop in the ocean."

Chen Jiao truly did not know.

Senior Brother Xuandu is certainly a Golden Immortal, but the extent to which he has reached is a mystery, where even the smallest detail can reveal a vast difference.

The purple, white, and golden energy surged endlessly from beyond the heavens, and the lingering waves of Daoist rhyme drifted over.

The two stood side by side on the cloud steps, gazing into the distance for a moment.

Suddenly, auspicious clouds drifted by, and Venus appeared, holding a jade whisk, with a gentle smile on his face and a leisurely gait.

"Is the True Lord waiting here for the Grand Master Xuandu?"

Chen Jiao bowed and said, "Indeed. Senior Brother did this to protect me, and I am deeply troubled."

Venus approached and said with a smile:

"In my humble opinion, Your Majesty need not do this."

Both the Grand Master and His Majesty Gouchen are accomplished individuals whose achievements are comparable to those of Creation. This discussion will likely take some time.

I expect there will be no problem.

In his speech, he made no mention of the Sun Emperor who had been captured along with him, as if it had never happened.

Chen Jiao remained silent, knowing that what he said made sense.

Once my senior brother and Emperor Gouchen are at that level, their battles, which are either proofs of the Great Dao or not, are far beyond ordinary combat and would typically take a long time.

His worries eased slightly, but he also understood that this kindness in protecting him was beyond words.

Only by practicing the righteous path can we live up to our senior brother's actions today.

Chen Jiao then said, "What Jin Xing said is very true; I had not thought it through."

"The True Lord has just been promoted and bestowed a title, and there are many matters to attend to. Hengyang Yan is now writing his masterpiece, 'Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of Jingfa,' which you can read now! At this critical moment, the divine beast Xie Zhi, bestowed upon him by the Great Heavenly Venerable, is currently waiting for the True Lord in the Imperial Stables."

Venus stroked his long beard and laughed:

"Although the Imperial Horse Stable mainly trains celestial horses, it also takes in some divine beasts and spirit beasts."

This Xie Zhi is an ancient and extraordinary creature, with a righteous nature and exceptional spiritual abilities, perfectly suited to the duty of the True Lord to pacify the law.

"Why don't you come with me on this trip and take this mount? It will be a great help when you get used to it and patrol the lands in the future."

"I would be grateful if Venus could guide me." Chen Jiao readily agreed.

"Let's go! I've long heard that the Xie Zhi can distinguish right from wrong, and that its horns can't be straight. Today will be a good day to see for ourselves!"

Nezha, who was standing nearby, also responded.

He crossed his arms, a defiant smile on his face, his eyes still gleaming with menace.

Although he had only caught a glimpse of the aftermath of the battle in the sky, it had already stirred up his inherent warlike nature, and he was now itching to fight.

Chen Jiao is about to tour the four continents, so how could he not go and join in the fun, and see if there's any fighting to be had?

Chen Jiao glanced at Nezha, understanding his thoughts perfectly well, but said nothing. He simply nodded to Taibai Jinxing and said:

"Thank you for your guidance, Venus."

"Hehe, no problem, no problem. It would be even more lively if the Third Prince came along."

Venus's smile remained unchanged. He turned around, mounted a lucky cloud, and said:

"True Lord, Third Prince, please follow this old man."

The three then left the Lingxiao Palace and rode on clouds toward the western side of the Heavenly Court, where auspicious clouds shrouded a place where clear, melodious cries and a sense of powerful energy could be faintly heard.

Before long, the clouds and mist dispersed, revealing a vast expanse of sky and earth.

In the distance, one could see continuous fairy mountains, with the sea of ​​clouds churning into grasslands, and countless magnificent celestial horses, some pure white, some draped in colorful clouds, and some with wings on their sides.

They galloped and frolicked freely on the cloud-covered grassland, their clear neighing echoing into the clouds.

Nearby is a magnificent palace complex with glazed tiles and white jade steps, and three ancient characters on the plaque: "Imperial Horse Stable".

Although this stable was named after the imperial horses, it actually did not only raise celestial horses.

Various rare and exotic mounts, auspicious mythical beasts, and even some relatively gentle and manipulable divine beast descendants of the Heavenly Court are also placed here.

Celestial officials and strongmen were already waiting at the prison gate. When they saw Venus leading Chen Jiao and Nezha to arrive, they hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

The supervisor personally came out to greet them, his attitude extremely respectful:

"This humble immortal respectfully welcomes the True Lord, the Third Prince, and the Venerable Taibai."

The mythical beast Xie Zhi is already waiting at the foot of Qilin Cliff in the back garden. Please follow me.

The group walked through layers of palace corridors, and the further they went in, the more ancient and desolate the atmosphere became.

The neighing of ordinary celestial horses gradually faded away, replaced by a somber, oppressive aura and the presence of an ancient, exotic species.

When the group arrived at the back garden, they found that no exotic flowers or rare plants grew there.

All that can be seen are jagged, strange rocks, with a solitary peak rising abruptly in the center, resembling a crouching unicorn, which is the "Qilin Cliff".

It is permeated with a unique fragrance that is neither sandalwood nor sandalwood, but has the power to calm the mind and soothe the spirit.

There is also a subtle, solemn spiritual energy that brings clarity to the mind and prevents evil thoughts from arising.

Below the cliff, on a quiet stone platform, lies a strange beast.

It resembles a qilin, yet it is different.

Its body is covered with thick, jet-black fur, its eyes are bright as torches, and it has a horn on its forehead. The horn is as smooth as jade, yet it also has a hidden cold glint.

It was the mythical beast Xie Zhi.

It seemed to sense someone approaching, and slowly raised its head, its gaze clear and sharp.

First, it swept over Venus and Nezha, and finally landed on Chen Jiao.

"True Lord, this is the divine beast Xie Zhi bestowed by the Great Heavenly Venerable."

Venus smiled and introduced Chen Jiao:

"This beast is intelligent and can distinguish right from wrong, loyalty from treachery, good from evil, and is especially good at suppressing demons and breaking evil spirits."

"The True Lord bears the responsibility of patrolling and upholding the law; obtaining this mount is truly a perfect match."

The divine beast Xie Zhi's clear gaze fell on Chen Jiao, and suddenly froze.

It tilted its head slightly, its nostrils flared, and let out a very soft growl, as if surprised and puzzled.