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

The Venerable Xuan Gu, dressed in a deep blue robe with cloud patterns, had a pale face and an increasingly profound and refined aura, indicating that he had reached the perfect Golden Core stage.

It seems that he is only a little bit of luck and time away from breaking through the elixir and becoming an infant.

As one of the earliest Golden Core cultivators to follow Xuan Ling, his status was naturally extraordinary, hence he was placed at the head of the left column.

Although Qingyuan is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, he is one of the elders of Qingchi Ridge. He is meticulous, diligent, and mature. For many years, he has managed all the mundane affairs of the ridge and made outstanding contributions. Therefore, he is placed first on the right.

Xuan Ling's gaze slowly swept over everyone in the hall.

His Xuan Gu cultivation has improved significantly, and his aura has been renewed.

Behind him were many unfamiliar faces, likely newly recruited Golden Core cultivators in recent years, their auras mixed and varying in strength.

But at this moment, they all sat upright and proper, with their eyes lowered.

Among the demon generals on the right, Tiger Power, Deer Power, and Sheep Power were prominently featured.

Compared to when they first entered the palace, their demonic aura was now much more solid and powerful. At this moment, they all looked at Xuan Ling, who was seated on the throne, with excitement and reverence in their eyes.

With a quick sense, Xuan Ling already knew what was going on.

At this moment, the green ape was holding a jade scroll and reporting to Xuan Ling:

"I report to Your Majesty. During the period of Your Majesty's seclusion, all matters in the mountains have been carried out according to the old practices, thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings, without any major oversights."

The mineral output of each peak's spiritual field veins has increased by 30% compared to previous years;

The trade routes in all directions were mostly unobstructed, except for a few places where there were occasional obstructions due to changes in local power or the chaos caused by demons. All taxes were paid in full.

The demon soldiers of each unit are training tirelessly. There are currently 15,000 demons in the mountains, divided into various camps, and their weapons, armor, and talismans are all in place...

The various departments of the Imperial Household Department are operating normally. The Alchemy Room, the Weapon Hall, the Spirit Plant Garden, the Mountain Patrol Office, and the Criminal Law Office, among others, are all performing their duties without any errors or omissions…

The green ape reported in detail to Xuan Ling about the affairs of the mountain, including income and expenditure, personnel changes, and interactions with other places during his seclusion.

His words were clear and well-organized, showing that he had worked hard and had a thorough understanding of everything.

The only sound in the hall was his report; everyone else listened intently and dared not make a sound.

Xuan Ling lowered his gaze, seemingly listening, yet also lost in thought, only occasionally nodding slightly to indicate that he understood.

After reporting, Qingyuan respectfully placed the jade slip on the table in front of him, stepped back, stood with his hands at his sides, and said:

"This is a general outline of the events that took place in the mountains during Your Majesty's seclusion. All detailed documents have been prepared and are available for Your Majesty to consult at any time."

Xuan Ling nodded slightly, but did not speak immediately.

The hall grew increasingly quiet, with only the faint sound of the wind rustling through the pines outside.

After a moment, Xuan Ling finally spoke:

"During my seclusion, many matters have arisen in the mountains. I entrust you all with your utmost efforts to maintain the situation and expand our foundation."

Upon hearing this, everyone, whether cultivators or demon generals, bowed in unison, their voices resounding throughout the hall:

"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's might and virtue that you have aweed all around. This is our duty, and we dare not complain of hardship!"

Xuan Ling shook his head slightly and said:

"Reward those who have made merits and punish those who have made mistakes. This is the foundation for maintaining power in a region and the principle by which I, the king, establish myself."

Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded.

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators and demon generals in the hall, regardless of whether they were new or old, showed signs of excitement, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Only by following such a ruler who is fair in rewards and punishments and generous in bestowing honors can one have a promising future.

However, Xuan Ling paused slightly, his gaze turned cold, and he slowly continued:

"Although the external threat has been quelled, we must not neglect internal problems and we must quell internal spies."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy.

Xuan Ling's eyes flashed like lightning as he slowly swept over every face in the audience.

Aside from a handful of his earliest and most trusted followers, including Xuan Gu, Qing Yuan, Hei Fei, and Xia Da, their expressions remained unchanged.

The rest of them showed slight changes in expression, some with doubt, some with confusion, and a few with sudden tension and unease.

All they knew was that on the day the Great King left the pass, he killed a Nascent Soul Grandmaster who had come to provoke him, and then returned three days later.

There is still no definite news about where the king went or what he did during these three days.

Hearing the King mention that foreign affairs have been resolved, it is clear that those three days away from the mountain were no ordinary trip.

Some quick-witted individuals, or those with hidden entanglements, felt a chill run down their spines and their throats went dry.

Xuan Ling took in everyone's expressions, said nothing more, and simply said:

"Xuan Gu, Qing Yuan."

"Your subordinates are here." Xuan Gu and Qing Yuan stepped forward from the crowd, bowing to receive orders.

"Submit the roster. Those who have rendered meritorious service will be generously rewarded according to custom, promoted to higher positions, and granted elixirs and cave dwellings."

As for those who harbor disloyal intentions and secretly collude with foreign enemies…

The latest chapter is now available! Book lovers, hurry back!

He paused, his gaze sweeping once more over the figures whose faces had turned pale.

"Leave no one alive."

…………

Outside Xuanqing Cave, on the main peak of Yunmang Mountain.

A stone pavilion is built on the cliff, surrounded by rolling clouds and gurgling springs.

Xuan Ling sat alone on a stone bench in the pavilion, closing his eyes to rest.

Zi Teng stood quietly behind him, her slender fingers applying just the right amount of pressure as she gently massaged his temples.

Shan Tao and Li Hua served on either side, one gently pounding the shoulders and back with a fist, the other kneeling and kneading the leg bones and meridians, both with skillful and gentle techniques.

Inside the pavilion, only the sounds of wind and springs could be heard, while outside, clouds and mist swirled and rolled. The somber and chilling atmosphere that had filled the hall just moments before had been completely swept away here.

Black Fatty and Shrimp Da stood with their hands at their sides at the foot of the steps in front of the pavilion, their two very different faces bearing the same obsequious smiles as they gazed longingly into the pavilion.

A mountain breeze swept by, bringing a touch of coolness.

Xuan Ling didn't open his eyes, but asked calmly:

"How have you two been doing in your practice lately? Have you become lax?"

Black Fatty hurriedly interjected:

"Your Excellency! I will heed your teachings and never forget them for a single day! I will study diligently every day and ponder them constantly!"

He twisted his body, his catfish whiskers twitching.

Shrimp Big quickly chimed in:

"Indeed, indeed! Your Excellency is wise! We servants will keep each other in check and will never dare to slack off!"

Although... although there are occasional breaks, the practice never stops for a single day!

Xuan Ling nodded slightly upon hearing this.

These two demons were casually enlightened by him in his early years. Their origins were truly ordinary, yet they were able to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage, which is indeed not easy, showing that they had not wasted their time.

He kept his eyes closed, his voice calm and unreadable, and said:

"That's acceptable. In that case, let's set out a plan together."

The two demons immediately perked up their ears, their faces beaming with smiles, looking like they were all ears.

"Within twenty years..."

Xuan Ling spoke slowly, each word clearly reaching the ears of the two demons.

"If one cannot achieve complete foundation building..."

He paused slightly, then finally opened his eyes a crack, his crimson-gold vertical pupils sweeping lightly over the two smiling faces below the steps that had suddenly frozen in place.

"...I will throw the two of you into the cauldron and stew you into a fish and shrimp soup, to add a dish for the men of Lingzhong."

His tone was flat, as if he were simply saying that the weather was nice today.

Wisteria's fingers, which were massaging, paused slightly. Peach and Pear Blossom exchanged a glance and pursed their lips to suppress a smile.

The fat man's catfish-like face instantly fell, and he said in a mournful tone:

"Master! These twenty years have passed and the Foundation Establishment stage is complete..."

The shrimp panicked, its two large claws twitching helplessly, its whiskers trembling wildly. It quickly said:

"Master, have mercy! Master, have mercy!"

"I, I will certainly study diligently day and night, without sleep or rest! I only beg you, sir, not to stew me. I still wish to serve you."

Xuan Ling said nothing more, only raised his hand and waved it gently.

The two demons felt as if they had been granted a pardon, yet also as if they had been whipped on the backside by an invisible lash. They dared not utter another word and hurriedly bowed in respect.

Then, pushing and shoving, they stumbled and staggered back, still whispering encouragement to each other.

The pavilion returned to tranquility, with only the mountain breeze passing through the gaps and the faint sound of pine trees rustling.

A faint smile played on Zi Teng's lips as she softly said:

"The master may seem stern, but he is actually very protective and nurturing."

The two fattest shrimp, the largest and most prized, have been your longest-serving companions; you'll surely know the secrets to their deliciousness.

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto, who was standing on the left, lightened the patting motion on the shoulders and joked:

"Sister Wisteria is right."

The way they looked just now was like a toad struck by lightning, panicked and scared, yet they dared not respond.

With the master's guidance, I'm afraid I'll really have to put in every ounce of effort in my future cultivation.

Her words were tinged with teasing, revealing a familiar and amusing charm.

On the other side, Pear Blossom was kneeling, massaging Xuan Ling's calf meridians. Hearing this, she raised her head, a slight blush on her cheeks, and said:

"Sister Shantao, please don't make fun of us. The two commanders are completely devoted to the master."

During the years that the master has been in seclusion, they have come to the cave every day to respectfully inquire after his well-being, without missing a single day.