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

The lion-like monster suddenly turned its head.

Xuan Ling was already standing on the cloud, his clothes fluttering, looking down at them with an indifferent expression.

"You lion monster, in such a hurry, where are you going? I see you are quite strong and powerful."

Rather than wandering and causing trouble, it is better to abandon your former master, whose whereabouts are unknown, and remain under my throne.

"I am in dire need of a vehicle to travel on, so that I may have a means of transportation when I travel to and from these places."

Upon hearing this, the lion-like monster's heart skipped a beat, followed by an overwhelming surge of shame, indignation, and rage.

These words and this manner are exactly the same as the tone it used when it tried to recruit the Jade Brocade Immortal in the hall just now.

At this moment, the dragon demon returned the favor exactly as it was, every word and phrase a sarcastic remark, like a slap across the face.

At that time, it felt superior and was recruiting talented people; now, however, it was being rebuffed with the same words.

Moreover, it was made to serve as the mount of a dragon demon, a spirit beast under the bodhisattva!

"Dragon Demon King! How dare you insult me ​​like this?"

The lion-like monster's mane bristled, its eyes flashing with ferocity, and it could no longer contain itself, roaring fiercely:

"I am...I am..."

Before it could finish speaking, it dared not reveal its true intentions. Instead, it brandished its precious sword, unleashing a burst of demonic energy that caused the clear light within the formation to ripple.

He had secretly descended to the mortal realm without the Bodhisattva's knowledge, intending to enjoy pleasure and wield power. If he were to reveal his true identity now, wouldn't he be exposing his own shortcomings and losing all face?

Moreover, this dragon demon is fierce and unruly, and we may not believe it. If it gets angry and shameful, it might simply kill us to end the matter. Then we will be left with no one to turn to for help!

The lion-like monster shuddered at the thought and swallowed the rest of his words.

Its eyes glared bloodshot, burning with rage yet also filled with suppressed rage, and it could only shout:

"Today I'll fight you to the death!"

Seeing its fierce but cowardly appearance, Xuan Ling knew that further words would be useless, so he immediately stepped forward with his halberd.

If they refuse to surrender, then let's see who's the real deal.

Concerned for the lives of the people in the capital below, he dared not fully unleash his divine power, restraining his supernatural abilities and fighting only with martial arts.

The lion-like monster was now trapped in the formation with no way to retreat, so it had no choice but to grit its teeth, draw its sword, and bravely face the attack.

It roared angrily, "You demonic dragon, when did you use such treacherous tricks to secretly set up this formation and deceive everyone? I didn't even notice!"

Xuan Ling casually swung his halberd, parrying the blade, and replied:

"Why should I hide it from you, you fool? Even if I set it up right under your nose, how would you know?"

Upon hearing this, the lion-like monster was first taken aback, then filled with shock and anger, before suddenly realizing what had happened.

It must have been when this fellow impersonated Jade Brocade Immortal that he stirred up the energy flow through mere verbal exchanges, subtly connecting the spiritual veins of heaven and earth, thus creating this predicament.

He was so misled by his words that he was completely unaware that the spiritual energy of the surrounding world had quietly changed!

"What a treacherous and cunning dragon demon! Utterly hateful!"

The lion-like monster roared, its shame and anger intensifying.

Xuan Ling said no more and thrust his halberd straight at his target.

The two of them clashed again above the capital of Aolai Kingdom, enveloped in a array of light.

This battle was different from the one in the palace:

The shadow of the halberd ripples like a dragon over an ink-black sea, the light of the blade flashes like snow cleaves the sky. A demonic wind sweeps across three thousand miles of land, thunder and fire scorch the heavens from the ninth heaven.

One is the master of the Xuan Shui Shen Lei Jiao Zhong, and the other is the strange spirit listening to the sutras before the Buddha.

The lion roared repeatedly, its mane trembling wildly. It wielded the sword technique it had learned from the Green Lion Spirit with the speed and force of the wind, creating a solemn and imposing aura, as if it were about to subdue a demon.

Xuan Ling, however, remained calm and composed, wielding his Azure Thunder Halberd to thrust, parry, sweep, and smash.

Each time, at the last possible moment, the blade flashed, forcing the lion-like monster to defend itself.

After only a few exchanges, the difference in skill was immediately apparent.

The lion-like monster felt the force of the opponent's halberd was as heavy and powerful as a mountain, and unpredictable.

His painstakingly practiced swordsmanship was like a child waving a stick in front of him, full of flaws.

Before he could parry, the Thunder Halberd emerged like a poisonous dragon from its lair, aiming straight for his central palace.

The lion-like monster was instantly terrified and hurriedly parried with its sword.

Then a loud clang rang out, his arm went numb and sore, the precious sword almost slipped from his hand, and he staggered backward.

Its heart was chilled, and it had no will to fight. With a strange cry, it turned its head and tried to find another opportunity to escape.

However, the surrounding area was filled with clear light, and the formation was indestructible. Where was there a way out?

Just as they were in a panic, Xuan Ling's halberd strike, like a persistent carbuncle, came at them again.

The lion-like monster could only parry with all its might, but its strategy was already in disarray, and it made frequent mistakes.

In just one or two rounds, he was struck in the waist and ribs by a halberd, and his protective demonic energy collapsed.

With a roar of pain, the massive body plummeted to the ground like a meteorite.

It crashed into the light barrier of the magic array below, then bounced back, tumbling endlessly, looking utterly pathetic.

The lion-like monster felt a sweet taste in its throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of hot, bloody demonic blood, its body staggering in the air.

It was horrified. This Flood Dragon Demon King's martial arts and supernatural powers were so formidable. If the fight continued, its life would be in danger.

Immediately, he scanned the chaotic aura with his divine sense and instantly captured a familiar, refreshing, and clear aura—it was none other than the Jade Brocade Immortal.

Having spent time with this person in the court recently, it had become quite familiar with his aura. Without hesitation, it followed the aura and sped off.

West of the capital, the Han residence.

The courtyard is secluded and quiet, with lush flowers and trees.

In a waterside pavilion, a stone table sits in the center, upon which tea sets are placed, with steam rising gently.

Master Yujin sat opposite an elderly man with white hair, a youthful face, and vigorous spirit.

The old man was none other than Han Chengzong, the patriarch of the Han family.

The old man was none other than Han Chengzong, the patriarch of the Han family.

He was dressed in brocade robes, his face was ruddy, and his eyes were bright.

His aura was vastly different from his dejected state a few years ago when he was weak and stuck in the early stage of Foundation Establishment; he had clearly reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Han Chengzong poured tea for Master Yujin and slowly asked:

"What brings the Imperial Preceptor to my humble abode today? Could it be that you've come specifically to ask for a cup of my humble tea?"

Master Yu Jin took the teacup, smiled slightly upon hearing this, and said:

"Fellow Daoist Han is too kind. I do indeed miss the taste of the 'Pre-Rain Green' in your residence; it is refreshing yet not bland, with a lingering aftertaste."

Moreover, I've been troubled by trivial matters in the palace lately, and it's rare to have a moment of peace and quiet, so I thought I'd come here to steal half a day of leisure.

Upon hearing this, Han Chengzong remained noncommittal, his expression indifferent.

His feelings toward this Jade Brocade Immortal were truly complex.

Years ago, this man coveted his great-granddaughter, Li Yan, and wanted to seize her to refine elixirs. If it weren't for the King's timely intervention and subjugation, the Han family would have been wiped out long ago.

Although the Han family has been revitalized under the care of Master Yujin and has become the most prominent family in Aolai Kingdom, he has never dared to forget the past.

They are outwardly polite but inwardly wary, making it difficult to truly get close to them.

And how could he not know about the undercurrents between the Grand Preceptor and the Emperor in the court recently?

"Since His Majesty has given a clear order, the Han family should make more contact with the Grand Preceptor."

Han Chengzong put down the teapot and said slowly:

"If the Imperial Advisor has any requests, or if there is anything in the court that requires the Han family's assistance, please speak up. The entire Han family will do its utmost."

Upon hearing this, Master Yu Jin's smile remained unchanged; he merely shook his head slightly and said:

"Fellow Daoist Han, you worry too much. I've come here today merely to take a break. As for the imperial court..."

He paused slightly, then looked out the window towards the direction of the royal palace, his gaze carrying a hidden meaning.

"I expect that after today, all the storms will eventually subside."

The voice just fell.

"roar!!"

A deep, powerful lion's roar suddenly came from the direction of the palace, shaking the entire city!

Immediately following was a series of loud crashes as the beams and pillars of the building collapsed; even from a distance, one could feel the ground trembling slightly beneath one's feet.

Han Chengzong paused slightly in his cup-holding hand, then abruptly raised his head, staring intently at the palace, a look of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes.

He slowly set down his teacup, turned his gaze to the composed Master Yu Jin opposite him, and asked in a deep voice:

"That commotion just now... could it be that His Majesty has arrived in person?"

Master Yu Jin smiled, holding his cup, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and slowly drank the remaining tea in the cup.