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

Master Jin Guang bowed and smiled, saying, "I have benefited greatly from this discussion with Fellow Daoist Jiang Xiao."

If you have some free time in the future, I hope you can visit the Huanghua Temple on Yangquan Ridge, so that I may extend my hospitality and listen to your profound insights.”

Luo Daoren also smiled and echoed, his attitude much more respectful and friendly than when they first met.

The theories of Daoist alchemy greatly enlightened him.

"Fellow Daoist Jin Guang and Fellow Daoist Luo, you are too kind. I will certainly visit you when the time is right," Chen Jiao replied in return.

On the other side, Master Shouyue also led Songyan and Song'an to say goodbye.

Her cool and aloof expression revealed heartfelt gratitude. If it weren't for Master Jiangxiao, the three of them, master and disciple, would likely have suffered humiliation and loss here today.

Master Shouyue bowed deeply to Chen Jiao and said softly with gratitude:

"This journey through the Netherworld was greatly aided by the True Man's guidance. We are deeply grateful beyond words. The Pine Moon Sword Sect of Qingxu Mountain will forever be grateful for the True Man's kindness."

If you ever need my help in the future, just send me a message, and I will do my utmost to assist you.

Song Yan and Song An also bowed deeply behind their master.

"Fellow Daoist Shouyue, you flatter me. It was just a chance encounter on the road, nothing to worry about. I wish your sect leader a speedy success."

Chen Jiao returned the greeting with gentle words, and then encouraged Song Yan and Song An, saying, "You two young friends have pure and upright qualities, and your future is promising. Keep up the good work in your cultivation."

After everyone finished their conversation, the Golden Light Immortal and the Luo Daoist rode away on a cloud.

Master Shouyue nodded to Chen Jiao in greeting, and then with a flash of sword light, he and his two junior disciples transformed into a beam of cold moonlight, heading towards the Netherworld passage leading to the mortal world.

Chen Jiao was just about to leave and go into the city to find some more information when he saw Yu Rong King arrive.

"Fellow Daoist, you have just obtained the precious cauldron and may need time to comprehend it. If you do not mind its simplicity, you may stay in my residence for a few more days. I have a couple of other matters to discuss with you privately."

Chen Jiao met his gaze and knew that there must be a deeper meaning behind this gift of the tripod; it was definitely not as simple as just forming a bond.

After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "The city lord's hospitality is too kind; this humble Taoist will humbly accept."

Upon hearing this, King Yu Rong chuckled softly, "Very well! Fellow Daoist, please come with me, let's find a quiet place to discuss this in detail."

Yu Rongwang led Chen Jiao through several deep corridors to a study deep within the mansion, furnished in an antique style with bookshelves lining the walls.

This is clearly his private quiet room, equipped with restrictions to separate the inside from the outside.

After serving two cups of tea, the servant quietly withdrew and closed the door.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the lingering aroma of tea.

King Yu Rong stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the city outside the window. After a moment of silence, he cut to the chase:

"Fellow Daoist Jiangxiao, although we have just met, I have observed that your conduct is upright and decisive, which is very much to my liking."

That old dragon with the thunderous aura had previously offended you in front of the mansion, and later repeatedly provoked you during the banquet, which was truly detestable.

Although his cultivation level is ordinary, he is a vindictive and narrow-minded person. Today, he lost the noodles and an adopted son, and he will surely hold a grudge.

Although you possess great supernatural powers and are not afraid of his direct provocation, you must be wary of his underhanded tactics or the gathering of accomplices, which would only cause you trouble.

If you find this troublesome, I can send someone to take care of him, which will save you a lot of trouble and prevent future problems.

Consider this a small token of my joy at your acquisition of this treasure.

Yu Rongwang spoke casually, as if he were not eliminating a powerful Nascent Soul demon lord who dominated the river, but merely a thorn in the roadside.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao picked up his teacup, gently skimmed off the foam, took a sip, and then said:

"I appreciate the city lord's kindness. But it's just a mere old dragon; why should the city lord trouble himself?"

Since I dared to kill his adopted son, I can certainly deal with him as well. If he is sensible and retreats from now on, he may live a few more days.

If he doesn't know what's good for him...

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees because of those unfinished words.

Those who cultivate themselves value karma and cause and effect above all else. If they incur favors, especially those owed to someone like King Yu Rong, the cost of repaying them in the future will likely be considerable.

Upon hearing this, King Yu Rong's eyes flashed with a shrewd light. Instead of being annoyed, he smiled slightly.

He walked back to the table and sat down, picking up his teacup and gesturing to Jiang Xiao, his tone filled with undisguised approval:

"Good! Fellow Daoist is indeed a true cultivator, clear about gratitude and resentment, and does not rely on external things."

"It was my rudeness that made me underestimate you, fellow Daoist. This matter will proceed as you wish."

Yu Rong Wang took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, his expression gradually turned serious, he leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice:

"Since the matter of the thunder has been settled, let us not mention it again."

"Now that you have obtained the cauldron, you should know that it is extraordinary. To be frank, this cauldron is not merely a treasure to me, but a matter of life and death."

He paused, as if considering his words, and then continued:

"I have cultivated to the point of perfect Mahayana enlightenment. The three calamities are the greatest tribulations on our path of cultivation."

Lightning strikes are easy to avoid, fires are easy to prevent, but windstorms are the most unpredictable.

This pass is extremely dangerous. I, the king, believe that without external protection, I would surely perish.

Chen Jiao listened quietly, already understanding the situation.

"This wind is no ordinary gale in the world. It is a fierce wind that enters from the fontanelle of a cultivator, passes through the six internal organs, and pierces through the nine orifices. It can dissolve bones and flesh."

Wherever it goes, it does not destroy external objects, but rather wears down flesh and blood from the inside out, disintegrates the spirit and soul, and ultimately leads to the dissolution of the body and the annihilation of the Dao.

Ordinary methods of controlling the wind and transforming qi are practically useless in the face of this calamity. It is truly the most perilous and unpredictable tribulation on the path to becoming a celestial immortal.

Throughout history, countless heroes have perished in this calamity.

Yu Rongwang looked up and stared directly at Chen Jiao, his eyes revealing an undisguised deep fear of Bi Feng and a trace of powerlessness in the face of the might of heaven and earth.

"I have been searching for a way to resist the wind of Bifeng for many years, and finally, by chance, I found this cauldron."

I searched through all the ancient books and fragments I could find, and in a volume called "Yu Ji Shan Hai Shi Yi", I found the sentence: "Southeast Yangzhou, Ding Zhen Xun position, governs the eight winds."

Furthermore, considering the patterns on several parts of the cauldron, they subtly match the description of the Xun cauldron, which is said to be one of the nine cauldrons cast by Yu the Great to guard the nine provinces and is associated with the southeastern Yangzhou…”

King Yu Rong slowly said, "Now I am seven or eight parts certain that this cauldron is the Xun Cauldron, one of the Nine Cauldrons."

"The Xun wind is the true wind, and I believe that perhaps we can rely on its power to resolve the wind disaster and calamity. By using wind to control wind and using Xun to suppress evil, there may be a glimmer of hope to overcome this calamity."

"Xunding..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao's eyes showed a thoughtful expression, and he gently stroked the small cauldron in his sleeve.

"However, obtaining treasure is easy, but controlling it is difficult."

Yu Rongwang shook his head and said, "The Xun Ding is the vessel used by the sage king Yu the Great to stabilize the world. It has its own spirit and only prospers when it encounters a sage."

Even if I, the king, have faced it day and night for hundreds of years and tried all sorts of methods, it is like a stubborn rock if it is not the master it recognizes, let alone wield even a fraction of its power.

This cauldron is to this king nothing more than a mirage, a treasure mountain he can only guard but cannot enter.

"So the city lord used the treasure exchange event as a pretext to search for a master," Chen Jiao interjected calmly.

"Exactly."

Yu Rongwang frankly admitted, "This cauldron has a spirit, and it will naturally choose those whose energy is compatible with itss and whose destiny is intertwined with it."

I invited people from all walks of life to increase this possibility. Fortunately... Heaven has not forsaken me, and I have finally found you, fellow Daoist."

Fellow Daoist, today you touched the cauldron with your hand, and wind and fire spontaneously arose, causing the precious cauldron to return to you. Only then did I realize that matters of destiny are not something that can be forced by human power.

"Fellow Daoist, you are perfectly suited to this cauldron; it is the mandate of Heaven."