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

Deep within the main hall of the city lord's mansion, golden incense burners emitted auspicious omens, jade cups shimmered with light, and the melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments filled the air.

The Yu Rong King and the Macaque King sat on the left and right, respectively, while several lively monkey demon maids massaged their shoulders and legs.

The table in front of him was laden with spiritual fruits and fine wine, while colorful dancers swayed gracefully to the music, their long sleeves flowing like clouds and their skirts fluttering, creating a scene of unparalleled delight.

The Monkey King took a sip of the spiritual wine in his cup, and with one hand on the furry paw of the maid massaging his shoulder behind him, he couldn't help but laugh:

"Brother Yu Rong, the guests from all continents are almost here. When will your treasure exchange event begin?"

"While I've thoroughly enjoyed the wine, I'm also a little itchy to see what interesting things I might find this time."

Upon hearing this, King Yu Rong shook his head and said:

"Brother, please be patient. The guests have arrived, and I have already arranged for them to be properly accommodated in a separate courtyard within the mansion."

The conference is scheduled for two days from now. These two days will give us ample time to get together and chat.

He raised his cup in a gesture of respect, saying, "Brother, please drink this cup to the brim and let them serve you well."

The Monkey King laughed heartily and raised his cup in welcome:

"Alright, alright! I'll follow your arrangements, brother!"

The hall was filled with soft music and the aroma of wine, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Just as the two demon kings were toasting each other and temporarily putting their worries aside,

Suddenly, a blinding light shone from the dark sky outside the palace, illuminating the carved windows!

Immediately, a clear and melodious sword cry pierced through the palace's protective barriers and faintly echoed through the air!

A fierce aura swept in instantly, causing the gauze curtains hanging in the hall to flutter violently.

The music inside the hall suddenly broke down. The dancers, who were dancing gracefully, were startled by the sudden gust of air, their skirts and sleeves billowing. They staggered and nearly fell.

The King of Yu Rong and the King of the Macaques almost simultaneously changed their expressions and put down their cups.

The Monkey King tilted his ear slightly, his keen hearing quietly working.

The various changes happening high in the sky outside the palace suddenly seemed to be right before their eyes.

The languid look on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a smile of interest, and he said:

"Interesting! Someone's actually making a move on the walls of your Tongyou City? Judging from the noise, it sounds like two Nascent Soul cultivators are fighting."

Haha, this is much more interesting than watching these dancers!

King Yu Rong frowned slightly as he looked through the palace window at the faintly fluctuating spiritual energy currents high in the sky.

He waved away the panicked dancers and musicians, and said to the Monkey King in a deep voice:

"Since you're so interested, why don't you come with me and see which hero is in such a hurry?"

As he spoke, he stood up, his dark blue robe fluttering without wind, and a powerful aura belonging to a demon king quietly arose.

…………

"Five hundred years later..."

Master Chunli repeated in a low voice, his eyes showing contemplation, before a carefree smile returned to his lips, as if he had little resistance to this predetermined fate.

He looked up at Cui Jue across from him.

The judge of the underworld had already closed the scroll of the Book of Life and Death in his hand, his face expressionless, and said in a deep voice:

"Indeed, your lifespan will end at noon today. Although you have made the mistake of trying to see the heavens, you have not committed any great evils, and therefore you have the opportunity to be reborn as a human."

"good."

Daoist Chunli nodded slightly, as if they were not discussing his own reincarnation, and instead asked:

"Lord Cui's personal visit to Tongyou City surely has more to do with more than just to receive this humble Taoist?"

Cui Jue did not hide anything and said frankly:

"One reason is to take you back to the underworld. The second reason is indeed that we have come for the master of this place."

"Oh? You've come for the Yu Rong King?" Daoist Chunli's eyes flickered slightly.

Cui Jue got up and walked to the stall.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant city lord's mansion, suspended in the dark sky, its light shimmering. After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice:

"Cui and he are old acquaintances. If he succeeds, he will have a bright future ahead of him, which is something to celebrate."

If... I fail, and he dies, his soul is scattered, I will do my best to gather his remaining soul so that he may not be left destitute and completely annihilated.

That would be a way to end this friendship.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Chunli seemed to ponder deeply, and couldn't help but sigh:

"I see. It seems... his time of reckoning is near."

The words had barely left his mouth when a sudden change occurred!

From the direction of the City Lord's Mansion, a dazzling golden light suddenly rose from the ground, shooting straight into the dark and gloomy sky, shining brightly like the rising sun, with astonishing power.

However, before the golden light could be fully revealed, an even more magnificent and intense crimson sword light slashed down from the side like divine punishment, striking the golden light fiercely!

The golden radiance was shattered by the crimson sword light, and then crumbled and peeled away, revealing a disheveled figure inside.

The sharp sword cries and the muffled thunderous vibrations of magical power then rolled in, shaking the surrounding area.

Master Chunli was taken aback, looking in surprise at the sudden outbreak of battle.

"This is……"

Cui Jue also looked up at the celestial phenomena. In his eyes, which had seen countless life and death, the intense interplay of crimson and gold light, constantly rippled, was reflected in the sky above.

His expression remained unchanged; he simply spoke slowly:

"It seems I'll have to collect the soul of another Nascent Soul cultivator along the way today."

…………

As soon as the sword light appeared, the sky suddenly brightened.

Crimson flames swirled around Chen Jiao, revealing his figure holding a sword, his robes fluttering slightly in the scorching heat.

Not far away, Master Yu Ming, whose escape light had just been shattered by a sword, staggered and revealed his figure.

At this moment, his golden-red brocade robe was torn, his hair was disheveled, and his face was slightly ferocious due to shock and anger, no longer displaying the demeanor of a Nascent Soul True Immortal.

This Master Yu Ming was, after all, a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator with profound cultivation, far surpassing those mere ghosts and spirits on the road to the underworld who only possessed a certain level of cultivation.

Although Chen Jiao spoke casually, he showed no sign of slackness or contempt in his actions, and he knew that even a lion needs to go all out to catch a rabbit.

He lightly vibrated the ancient Tai Chi sword in his hand, pointing the blade outwards, while his left hand simultaneously performed a profound sword technique.

The blazing flames that had been flowing freely around him suddenly receded inward, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, and in an instant transformed into a crimson sword aura that resembled a rosy glow.

The sword energy trembled, one begets two, two begets three, and so on endlessly, splitting apart in an instant.

Ultimately, it transformed into nine imposing sword energies swirling with crimson light, hovering around Chen Jiao's body, slowly rotating, each exuding a chilling sharpness and scorching heat.

"go."

The nine sword energies responded to the call and grew longer in the wind, instantly transforming into nine magnificent crimson rainbows, each over ten feet long, which attacked Grandmaster Yu Ming from different directions!

Where the sword rainbow passed, the unique mist of the Netherworld was evaporated, leaving behind nine clear, scorching trails.

Master Yu Ming's face grew increasingly ferocious, his heart filled with a mixture of shock and anger, and a chill of disbelief.

Since he had been in the Nascent Soul stage, he had been stationed at Mount Xuanri, ruling over the region. He had never been chased and killed in public like this before, forced into such a predicament.

He believed he had no grudge against this Taoist priest in crimson robes, yet the other party suddenly launched an attack with a deadly intent, clearly aiming to kill him!

Seeing that nine crimson sword energies locked down all directions, there was no way to avoid it.

"Okay, okay!"

Enraged and filled with murderous intent, Grand Master Yu Ming shouted:

"Where did this mad Taoist come from? This is outrageous! Does he really think I'm made of clay?!"