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

"This was obtained by a certain family during their early years of exploration of an ancient cultivation site. It is called the [Taiyi Qingling Dan Jue], which records several ancient methods of refining spiritual pills, and is especially good at regulating the five elements and harmonizing the dragon and tiger."

This man is a rough fellow, not skilled in this art, so keeping him around is useless.

If you wish to exchange for the true secret formula of Thunder Technique cultivation, other profound techniques, supernatural abilities, and secret arts that may be of interest to a certain family are also open to discussion.

However, one must allow for a certain perspective to verify its authenticity and value.

Upon hearing this, many guests in the hall who were either well-versed in or eager to learn alchemy immediately turned their gazes to him.

After a moment's thought, Jin Guang Zhenren spoke first, taking out a crimson jade elixir bottle from his sleeve:

"This humble Taoist wishes to exchange this bottle of the 【Three Yang Fire Jujube Pill】 for it. This pill is made by tempering spiritual jujubes with the three fires of earth fire, heart fire, and heaven fire."

It has remarkable effects on tempering fire-elemental magic and purifying the golden elixir, and may help fellow cultivators solidify their foundation.

Immediately afterwards, Daoist Luo also somewhat hastily took out a pure white jade bottle:

"The old Taoist is willing to exchange this [Hundred Herbs Warming Spirit Jade Bottle] for it."

This treasure naturally gathers the spiritual energy of plants and trees, and can enhance the medicinal properties of elixirs by three-tenths, making it an invaluable auxiliary treasure in the art of alchemy.

Several other cultivators also took out various colorful, shimmering objects.

The burly man with the bushy beard looked at everything carefully, but did not immediately agree, as if he was waiting for something more to his liking.

He was quite straightforward and, regardless of who it was, he would allow anyone who was willing to come forward and use their spiritual sense to examine the opening words of the scriptures to determine their authenticity.

After a careful examination, Master Jin Guang looked surprised and murmured, "It is indeed an ancient method."

Chen Jiao observed for a moment, then took out three newly drawn talismans from his sleeve and said:

"I have three talismans here."

"This is the [Bing Fire Yang Sha Thunder Talisman], which takes the pure Yang essence of Bing Fire and transforms it into Yang Thunder, which is specifically used to subdue Yin evil spirits and ghosts. It can also be used to temper the body and shake off impurities in the soul."

This talisman is the 【Liming Guardian Spirit Talisman】, which has the effect of guarding the spiritual platform, resisting inner demons and external evils, and stabilizing the soul. It may be used when undergoing tribulation and breaking through barriers.

The last one is…

Upon hearing Chen Jiao's explanation, the burly man with the bushy beard's eyes lit up. He strode forward, took the three talismans, and carefully sensed them.

Although he was not a specialist in talismanic arts, he was still discerning. These three spiritual talismans possessed pure energy and ancient runes.

In particular, the [Binghuo Yangsha Thunder Talisman], which faintly reveals the pure Yang power to ward off evil, perfectly matches the wonders of thunder magic. Although it is not a complete thunder technique, its value is already extraordinary.

His face lit up with joy, and he was about to agree.

"Wait a minute."

A deep shout rang out from the side seats, carrying an undisguised chill.

The one who spoke was none other than the Thunder Dragon Lord.

He remained seated, not rising, toying with a jade cup in his hand. His vertical pupils shifted slightly, landing on the burly, bearded man, and he said in a deep voice:

"What this fellow Daoist seeks is a profound path to cultivating thunder magic."

As luck would have it, I do have some knowledge of thunder magic, and my Thunder Swallowing River also contains several ancient thunder dragon tempering and thunder-drawing techniques.

Although not a supreme method that directly leads to the Great Dao, it is still quite exquisite, especially adept at using heavenly lightning to temper the physical body and refine the blood and qi, making it most suitable for a physical cultivator like you.

His tone was calm, as if he were just mentioning it casually, but his gaze swept over Chen Jiao almost imperceptibly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

He had to temporarily set aside the previous humiliation at the city gate and the death of Yu Ming out of consideration for King Yu Rong.

At this moment, at this treasure exchange event, responding subtly within the rules is a way to maintain one's dignity while also venting one's displeasure.

Upon hearing this, the burly man with the bushy beard hesitated, his gaze shifting between Chen Jiao's talisman and the Thunder Dragon Lord.

The lightning tempering technique was extremely tempting for a cultivator like him who followed a forceful path, especially since it came from an old dragon, making it all the more significant.

However, upon closer inspection of the three spiritual talismans of this True Immortal Jiangxiao, he found that the true meaning contained within them was pure and refined, making them extraordinary, and the application of talismans was also more convenient...

The atmosphere inside the hall was slightly tense.

All the guests sensed something unusual, their gazes shifting back and forth between Zhe Lei Long Jun and Chen Jiao.

Chen Jiao's expression remained unchanged. He only glanced at Zhe Lei Longjun, his eyes calm and expressionless, and instead smiled slightly.

He didn't say anything, nor did he show any intention of arguing; he simply sat back down at his seat.

It's just a dying old dragon, why bother fighting it?

After a moment's deliberation, the burly man with the bushy beard ultimately decided that the allure of the Thunder Technique inheritance was stronger.

Furthermore, not wanting to offend an old dragon too much in public, he gave Chen Jiao a slightly apologetic look and then exchanged treasures with Zhe Lei Long Jun.

Zhe Lei Longjun took the scroll of pill recitation, put it into his sleeve without even looking at it, and glanced at Chen Jiao.

The resentment that had been building up in my heart because of Yu Ming's death seemed to dissipate a little.

Thinking he had slightly humiliated the Taoist priest, a barely perceptible hint of smugness flashed across his face.

After several more rounds of exchange, the atmosphere inside the hall became increasingly lively, with treasures flowing around and everyone taking what they needed.

When the time was right, King Yu Rong, who was seated at the head of the table, finally stood up again.

He walked slowly to the center of the hall and came to the bronze tripod with two handles and three legs that stood silently in the center of the hall and attracted many discreet glances.

The ancient-looking tripod, with its understated luster, exudes a unique, serene, and profound aura against the backdrop of the glittering hall.

The ancient-looking tripod, with its understated luster, exudes a unique, serene, and profound aura against the backdrop of the glittering hall.

The conversation inside the hall naturally subsided, and all eyes were focused on the city lord and the mysterious ancient cauldron beside him.

Yu Rongwang looked around and said in a deep voice:

"Just now, all of you fellow Daoists displayed your treasures and exchanged your possessions, which broadened my horizons."

Now, I, the King, will not keep anything to myself and will use this item to introduce it to you all.

He gently placed his palm on the cold surface of the cauldron and said slowly:

"The origin of this cauldron is quite coincidental. It was obtained by me in my early years when I traveled to the Southern Continent and found it deep inside a collapsed underground palace."

At that time, the earth's veins were in disarray, and malevolent energy was condensed. Only this cauldron remained silent within it, untouched by filth, and protected by a clear light, which showed its extraordinary nature.

The patterns on the body of the tripod are simple and ancient, seemingly related to sacrifices, mountains and rivers, wind and thunder, but due to its great age, many of its meanings are no longer verifiable.

I have possessed it for hundreds of years, and I nurture it daily with my magical power and communicate with it through my mind and spirit.

Although one can sense an ancient meaning within it that is both majestic and profound, yet also carries a certain lightness and fluidity.

Yet, it remained like trying to see flowers through a fog, unable to grasp the essence, let alone truly unleash even a fraction of its power.

He paused, his tone tinged with a frank regret, and then said:

"It is a pity that such a treasure has been covered in dust. In particular, this cauldron has a mysterious aura and is by no means an ordinary ancient artifact."

"I took it out today not to exchange it for anything else."

Upon hearing this, a slight commotion arose in the hall, and all the guests showed expressions of listening intently.

Yu Rong Wang continued:

"This cauldron possesses a spirit and will choose its own master. I, the king, have set up this treasure exchange gathering to invite talents from all directions, partly out of personal motives."

I hope that through your eyes and by the means, you may be able to glimpse one or two aspects of the true appearance of this cauldron.

If any fellow Daoist can sense even the slightest connection with this cauldron, then they can be considered to have a predestined affinity.

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on several old monsters with obscure auras and vast knowledge, before he finally spoke in a loud voice:

"If someone with the right affinity appears, I will gladly present this cauldron to them, hoping to forge a good connection. Perhaps one day we can explore the mysteries of this cauldron together, which would be a wonderful story."

If not, then I invite all fellow Daoists to examine it and broaden your horizons; this trip will not have been in vain.

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

The cultivators stared intently as they re-examined the seemingly ordinary bronze cauldron, which even a great demon king admitted he could not control.

A gift of a tripod to forge a bond?

These conditions seem simple, but they are actually quite mysterious.

The fact that King Yu Rong took it so seriously suggests that the origin of this cauldron is far beyond imagination.

For a moment, all sorts of thoughts flowed silently in the silent palace.