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

The sword light, still in its momentum, slightly bent and grazed through the flying axe blade fragments.

The pig demon's ferocious expression froze on his face.

Immediately afterwards, the enormous head and the shattered axe blade were thrown high into the air.

The headless ghost body stood frozen for a moment, then transformed into a thick black ghostly aura and exploded with a bang.

This sudden change of life and death left both humans and ghosts stunned.

Master Shouyue was able to catch his breath, and took the opportunity to float back several feet, standing with his sword in hand, his chest rising and falling slightly.

She stared intently at the ancient longsword whose blade faintly glowed with crimson light, her lips slightly parted, her eyes revealing undisguised astonishment.

She saw it most clearly: there were no elaborate sword techniques, just a point of extreme speed that shattered the weapon and then severed the soul in one smooth motion.

Master Shouyue couldn't help but turn his gaze rapidly, searching for the person who had drawn the sword, and murmured under his breath:

"What superb swordsmanship! Who is it?"

The fish monster reacted the fastest. Seeing its companion, the pig demon, killed with a single sword strike, its soul instantly scattered, it was terrified and flew into the sky.

Its fish eyes widened, and it let out a strange cry. It dared not linger in the fight any longer. Its body was filled with yin energy, and it was about to transform into a black water light to escape.

However, the ancient sword seemed to possess a spirit, trembling slightly in the air and emitting a melodious sound.

Immediately, the crimson light surged again, following closely behind the fish monster in an instant.

In its terror, the fish monster spewed out jets of black water and created layers of water curtains in an attempt to obstruct it.

But the crimson sword light seemed to ignore these defenses, passing right through them as if they were nothing!

"puff!"

A soft smacking sound was heard as the needle entered flesh.

The fish monster felt a chill on the back of its head, followed by an indescribable burning and excruciating pain that instantly swept over every part of its body.

It looked up in horror, only to see a gleaming sword tip slowly emerging from the center of its forehead.

Behind the sword tip, sparks danced.

A figure in crimson robes stepped out from the void and firmly grasped the hilt of the sword that pierced the fish monster's head.

The firelight faded, revealing a Taoist priest.

Chen Jiao's wrist trembled slightly, and crimson sword energy surged forth. Before the fish monster's remnant soul could even let out a scream, it turned into green smoke and vanished with a "poof".

With a flick of the wrist, the sword's blade gleamed as new, without a trace of dirt or grime.

Tai Chi murmured softly, and the sword returned to its sheath at his waist.

Chen Jiao glanced at the three still-shocked Master Shouyue and his companions, and nodded slightly.

"The three of you meet again. What a coincidence."

Master Shouyue gazed at the crimson-clad figure who calmly emerged from the lingering warmth of the fading flames, and for a moment he was somewhat dazed.

That astonishing sword strike was clean and swift, its Daoist essence restrained yet its killing intent chilling—something no Golden Core cultivator could accomplish.

She originally thought it was some senior sword immortal who happened to pass by and made a move.

But unexpectedly...

As the firelight faded, a young face that wasn't entirely unfamiliar was revealed.

"Jiangxiao... Fellow Daoist?"

Master Shouyue was overwhelmed with emotion and just stared blankly at Chen Jiao.

This young Taoist priest, whose aura was gentle and peaceful, was someone I had recently shared a meal with at the same table.

It was difficult to immediately reconcile this with the figure before me who had effortlessly slain two demons with a sword and appeared from the flames.

Not far away.

Seeing that his Uncle Shouyue had escaped danger safely, Song Yan's tense heartstrings immediately relaxed, and he breathed a long sigh of relief.

Witnessing the extraordinary skill of the real person in swiftly slaying the demon, even the usually composed Song Yan couldn't help but feel an indescribable surge of emotion in his heart.

He couldn't help but whisper his admiration, his tone full of respect:

"What a master! His sword strikes are like thunder; truly remarkable."

On the other hand, Song An's reaction at this moment was completely different from his usual carefree attitude.

He stood there, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

Upon closer inspection, a fleeting hint of fear flashed across Song An's eyes, then vanished, leaving only a slightly dazed expression.

Song Yan was caught up in his own emotions, and the gloomy atmosphere on the road to the underworld made him oblivious to his junior brother's subtle abnormality.

They assumed he was still young and had suddenly experienced a life-or-death crisis, and was also intimidated by the master's methods, so he was stunned for a moment.

Song Yan reached out and gently pulled Song An, who was still somewhat dazed, and whispered:

"Junior brother, what are you standing there for? Quickly come with me to thank the Master for saving our lives."

Song An was pulled by him, and only then did he wake up as if from a dream.

He quickly lowered his head, concealing the expression in his eyes, and nodded repeatedly, his voice lower than usual:

"Yes, yes... Senior brother is right. We should thank the Master."

As he spoke, he followed Song Yan, his steps slightly stiff, toward the place where Shouyue Zhenren and Chen Jiao were.

The two approached, and Song Yan bowed first, his expression solemn and his manner extremely respectful, and said:

"Junior Song Yan, together with his junior brother Song An, express our gratitude to the Master for his righteous act of saving my uncle from danger."

The entire Songyue Sword Sect is deeply grateful for your kindness.

Song An quickly followed suit, bowing deeply with his head bowed low and his voice muffled:

"Thank you, Master."

Chen Jiao's gaze swept lightly over the two of them, lingering particularly on Song An, who had his head bowed.

His smile remained unchanged as he spoke gently:

"My two young friends need not stand on ceremony. In times of crisis, to be able to share the burden of your teachers and resist the enemy, and to face the fierce and stubborn without fear, is a rare quality. Fellow Daoist Shouyue has done a good job in teaching you."

His words were spoken gently, which Song Yan found encouraging and inspired even greater respect in him.

Song An lowered his head even further and mumbled a "yes."

Song An lowered his head even further and mumbled a "yes."

At this moment, Master Shouyue had also calmed his mind and temporarily suppressed the surprise and doubt he had felt just moments before.

She sheathed her sword, straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, walked up to Chen Jiao, and solemnly curtsied, her beautiful face full of sincerity.

"Shouyue bows in gratitude to Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao for saving her life. Fellow Daoist's swordsmanship is profound and his supernatural powers are unfathomable, truly awe-inspiring."

If it weren't for your timely intervention, fellow Daoist, Shouyue would likely have met with misfortune, and I am truly ashamed to have implicated you.

"Great kindness needs no words of thanks. If you ever need anything in the future, the Pine Moon Sword Sect of Qingxu Mountain will surely repay your kindness."

Master Shouyue thanked him for saving his life, but the worry on his face remained.

She looked around at the dim, deathly still world, and finally, unable to contain her doubts, she asked in a low voice:

"Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao, how can this Netherworld be so dangerous?"

Those two were clearly Golden Core ghosts. Are all the wandering souls here cultivated to such a high level?

Golden Core cultivators are no ordinary beings in the mortal realm, and now they seem to be everywhere on this road to the Yellow Springs, which truly alarms True Person Shouyue.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao gently shook his head and said softly:

"Fellow Daoist Shouyue is unaware of the truth. Those two were no ordinary wandering spirits."

He briefly recounted the events surrounding the Ghost General of Guihai Mountain causing chaos at the Gates of Hell and taking the opportunity to release the evil spirits who died unjustly in the Great Calamity of the Weak Water of the East Sea.

"...They were mostly cultivators who had suffered calamities in the East Sea, including many Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, with powerful souls and deep-seated malevolence."

He should have been detained alone and quickly sent to the judge's court for trial, but the ghost general of Guihai Mountain used a secret method to conceal his actions, allowing him to blend into the ordinary procession of dead souls, intending to abduct him in the chaos and recruit him as an accomplice.

"Now the two underworld generals, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, have reported the chaos and are mobilizing troops to capture them in all directions."

However, many escaped, making it difficult to catch them all at once. The ones we just encountered were those who had slipped through the net.

Moreover…

Chen Jiao changed the subject slightly, his tone becoming more solemn.

"These ghosts were all powerful cultivators in their previous lives, proud and arrogant, how could they be willing to become ghost cultivators?"

Now that we have escaped our cages, we can see the vitality of us living people...

His gaze seemingly casually swept over the three, including Master Shouyue, before lingering briefly on Song An. His voice grew colder, carrying a hint of chill:

"...Naturally, it is regarded as an excellent vessel for possession, a shortcut to returning to the mortal world."

The three of you must be extra careful, guard your minds, and lest... some external demons take advantage of your weakness and disrupt your very foundation.

Upon hearing this, Master Shouyue's expression became even more solemn, and he nodded, saying:

"I see, thank you for informing me, fellow Daoist."

She knew this was no small matter; the souls of those cultivators who were vicious in life would be even more dangerous than ghosts if they successfully possessed someone's body.

"Clang!"

A clear, resonant sword cry rang out without warning!