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

Above Yunmang Mountain, layers of dark clouds hung low, obscuring the sunlight and making the sky dim and indistinct.

Deep in the sky, rumbling thunder rolled, at first like the rising tide of a distant sea, then like ten thousand drums beating in unison.

The rumbling sound continued incessantly, causing the mountains to tremble and the trees to bend low.

The vast and mighty power of Heaven filled the four fields.

Throughout the mountains, dozens of demon lords and immortals who had already condensed their golden cores...

Whether he is maintaining order above the Cloud Mang Market, training his demon soldiers in the drill ground, or quietly practicing profound arts in his own cave, he is always on the move.

At this moment, they all looked up at the same time, their gazes all turning towards the direction of the Xuanqing Cave on the main peak, and their expressions changed drastically.

Even from a great distance, the vast and overwhelming thunderous power that swept down caused their souls to tremble and their dantian to become unstable.

Is this... the Great King undergoing tribulation?

Above the Yunmang Market, two Golden Core cultivators who had joined Qingchi Ridge a few years ago were on patrol.

The two stood suspended in mid-air, gazing up at the terrifying thundercloud phenomenon on the main peak, both speechless for a long time.

They clearly remembered the day they first entered Qingchi Ridge and paid their respects to the Flood Dragon Demon King.

Although the Great King's aura was as deep as the sea and his power was overwhelming, he was still only a Nascent Soul cultivator, and it was still possible to make some sense of him.

How long has it been? At most, less than ten years!

Why is it time to break through the Nascent Soul stage?

One of the monks, dressed in a green robe, swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, and murmured:

"Your Majesty, are you about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage? But... but it's only been a few years! When I entered the mountain range, Your Majesty had clearly only recently entered the Nascent Soul stage."

Another man in a black robe, his Adam's apple bobbing, said in a hoarse voice:

"What you say is correct, fellow Daoist."

I, a humble Taoist, entered Qingchi Ridge and was nourished by its spiritual energy. Over the years, I have diligently cultivated myself without ceasing.

He felt his cultivation had progressed remarkably quickly, barely reaching the threshold of the mid-stage Golden Core realm, and became quite complacent. But the King's cultivation speed is simply…”

Gazing at the increasingly thick and lightning-streaked tribulation clouds, he couldn't continue speaking, only feeling utterly shocked and ashamed.

The green-robed immortal gazed at the thunderclouds on the main peak that were devouring the light of the heavens, shook his head with a wry smile, and continued the unfinished sentence, saying:

"...This is simply beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

I thought that by attaching myself to a Nascent Soul level demon lord and finding a blessed land, I would already be incredibly fortunate.

Who would have thought that their king's cultivation speed would be like a roc striking the water, soaring straight to the heavens.

In just a few short years, he has already triggered the Heavenly Tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage. Such progress is unheard of.

…………

Qianshan guest house.

The interior is elegantly furnished, while the mountain scenery outside the window is hazy and serene.

A middle-aged Taoist priest, carrying an ancient sword on his back and dressed in a simple robe, sat with his eyes lowered, holding a teacup and slowly sipping his tea.

However, there was a sharp aura hidden around him, like a blade concealed in a box, ready to be unleashed.

On the other side, Master Xuangu remained calm, his fair complexion accentuated by his azure cloud-patterned Taoist robe.

But a chilling aura lurked deep within those hawk-like, sharp eyes.

The old blue-haired ape sat calmly beside Xuan Gu, seemingly composed, but his eyes moved slightly, indicating that he was thinking.

Then Master Xuangu put down his teacup and said calmly:

"The Great Master has come from afar, truly a distinguished guest. However, it is unfortunate that my King is currently in a critical period of seclusion and cultivation, and it is inconvenient for him to receive guests."

Please forgive me for making the Grand Master's trip in vain.

The middle-aged Taoist priest gently placed the teacup on the table, his eyelids still closed, and said in a deep voice:

"It's alright. Qingchi Ridge is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with clear waters and lush trees, truly a treasure."

Now that I am here, it would be perfectly acceptable for me to linger a few more days and wait for you.

Upon hearing this, both Xuan Gu and Qing Yuan felt a chill in their hearts.

This person's words seem polite, but in reality, they are forceful and clearly determined to stay put; their intentions are far from small.

Judging from his demeanor and cultivation, he is by no means an easy person to deal with. He probably heard that the king has not shown his face for a long time and has become interested in testing him or even coveting him.

A glint of light flashed in the blue ape's eyes. Suppressing his emotions, he asked:

"May I ask your esteemed name, Great Master? Judging from your extraordinary bearing, you must be a highly respected Taoist master with a long-standing reputation. May I ask for your guidance?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged Taoist slowly tucked his hands into his sleeves and closed his eyes to rest, as if he were pondering or reminiscing.

The hall was utterly silent for a moment, with only the faint whistling of the mountain wind passing through.

After a long pause, the middle-aged Taoist priest slightly opened his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over Xuan Gu and the green ape, and said:

"I have spent years studying swordsmanship, traversing mountains and rivers, lakes and seas."

He occasionally encountered some water spirits and mountain demons who, unaware of the will of Heaven, recklessly started fights, so he used the sword in his hand to give them a little discipline.

The sword's edge is nothing more than sweeping away the turbid atmosphere and cutting down those ignorant and stubborn fools.

Slaying evil and attaining enlightenment is nothing more than this. The number of dragons, serpents, and pythons that have fallen beneath my sword is already countless.

Therefore, his colleagues gave him a nickname, calling him—

He raised his eyes, his gaze calmly meeting the unfriendly expressions of Xuan Gu and Qing Yuan, and clearly uttered the last two words:

"Slay the Dragon".

Upon uttering those two words, a sudden surge of cold light appeared in Xuan Gu Shangren's eyes!

He could no longer restrain himself, and suddenly stood up, his body erupting with profound Yin energy.

The air was bitterly cold, and the temperature in the hall plummeted, instantly causing a layer of frost to form on the cups, saucers, and tables.

The Xuan Gu Master's eyes flashed with a cold light, devoid of any politeness. He raised his hand and pointed at the calmly seated Great Master Zhan Jiao, and shouted:

"Your Excellency has come today, announcing your name. Are you deliberately trying to imply that Qingchi Ridge has no one to rely on? Or have you come specifically to humiliate my King?"

The green ape, his beard and hair bristling, his eyes flashing with cold light, said in a chilling voice:

"Slaying the dragon? What a prestigious title! What is the purpose of your visit to my Green Pool Ridge today, True Immortal?"

Do you think you can manipulate and humiliate anyone from Qingchi Ridge at will?

The Great Immortal Zhan Jiao remained indifferent, his gaze fixed solely on the teacup in his hand, and said calmly:

"So what if it is? I travel all over the world, and when I see someone I don't like or who doesn't follow the rules, I just give them a lecture."

I've heard that the master of this place is also a dragon, and since he dares to call himself a "demon king," he must be a fierce, unruly, and uncivilized person.

Now that I have arrived, if he knows what's good for him, he should come and pay his respects himself, and I will offer him this Qingchi Ridge.

"Perhaps I could consider his difficult cultivation and allow him to serve as a servant guarding the mountain gate, sparing his life would be a meritorious act. But you lot..."

He shook his head slightly, as if in regret or disdain, and said:

"Before the host speaks, the dog barks. Is this the way Qingchi Ridge treats its guests?"

Or is it that your king is all bark and no bite, and can only put on a show of force for you all?

As soon as he finished speaking, the Great Master Zhanjiao's eyes suddenly darkened, and his Nascent Soul aura was no longer concealed. It was released outwards like a mountain collapsing!

Master Xuan Gu's body trembled violently, and the surging Xuan Yin Qi around him was dispersed by this pure Qi.

His face turned deathly pale instantly. He groaned, and the ground beneath his feet cracked open with several fissures. He was as if he had been nailed to the spot by an invisible force.

The blue ape beside him felt a sweet taste in its throat, groaned, and took several steps back.

His back slammed hard against the hall pillar, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The Great Immortal Zhan Jiao said leisurely, "How dare a mere Golden Core cultivator act so recklessly in front of me?"

Save your energy and obediently lead the way for me to visit the Xuanling Cave.

Perhaps I can consider the difficulty of your spiritual practice and show you some leniency.

Enjoy reading thousands of great books, including "Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land".