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

Chapter 423 The Mysterious Illusionary Fairy Maiden and the Red Pine Burning God Lord

Before long, figures began to appear in the corridor, and seven or eight figures emerged one after another from the direction of the Refining Platform.

Among them were Peng Demon King, Lion Camel King, and others. All of them were highly skilled in Taoism, but at this moment they looked rather disheveled, with their auras slightly disordered and their robes stained with scorch marks and dust.

Immortal Lord Qinglin glanced at everyone, already knowing the outcome, and cupped his hands to them, saying, "Fellow Daoists, you have worked hard. My senior brother has been trapped in the Refining Flame for a long time, and his temperament is inevitably extreme. Today, he has been freed, all thanks to your efforts. I am deeply grateful."

The Roc Demon King's face was somber, and the edges of his pair of golden wings behind him were charred. Upon hearing this, he only let out a barely audible snort from his nose and did not reply.

The Lion Camel King's mane was disheveled, his breathing was heavy, and he coughed twice, with burning heat emanating from his mouth and nose.

He just grinned and said in a muffled voice, "That Red Pine Burning God is indeed an ancient immortal. His fire-based supernatural power, capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, is truly remarkable. It really gave us a hard time."

Fortunately, the body-refining techniques and various weapons contained within were indeed extraordinary, making the trip worthwhile.

Immortal Lord Qinglin nodded with a smile: "Senior Brother once obtained the blessing of the Fire Virtue and was in charge of the Tail and Wing Stars. He is indeed extraordinary in the art of weapon crafting and fire control."

"We were able to escape this predicament thanks to the righteous assistance of all of you fellow Daoists."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators all showed a mixture of emotion and lingering fear on their faces, indicating that their experience on the Refining Platform was far from easy.

Immediately, their gazes fell upon Chen Jiao, who stood quietly to the side. Seeing that this True Lord Jingfa was calm and composed, and dressed in a neat black cloak, as if he had already returned safely, they were all taken aback and secretly alarmed.

This True Lord ventured alone into the most unpredictable Cave Mystery Palace, yet managed to turn the tide so swiftly?

Judging from his demeanor, he seemed to have no signs of fatigue or damage from the fierce battle. His skill and abilities were truly unfathomable.

At this moment, only a dozen or so cultivators, including True Man Ziyang and the Monkey King, who had gone to Changqing Garden, had not yet returned.

Although there were many people there, only three or four of them had profound cultivation, while the rest were mostly weaker.

After everyone returned, they each took a short break in the quiet outer garden, either whispering about what they had learned or heading to the surrounding palaces and gardens, hoping to encounter another opportunity.

Chen Jiao and Qinglin Immortal sat facing each other again under an ancient pine tree beside a jade table, brewing tea with spring water and chatting for a while.

Immortal Lord Qinglin then inquired about the current state of the world's fortune and the inheritance of the Xuanmen sect, to which Chen Jiao gave his concise answers.

Two or three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The exit of the corridor leading to Changqing Garden remained silent, with not a single person returning.

The gentle smile on Qinglin Immortal Lord's face gradually faded, and a trace of doubt flashed between his brows. He raised his cup and pondered.

Seeing this, Chen Jiao put down his teacup and asked, "Immortal Lord, who exactly is the one guarding Changqing Garden? Why have all the people been gone for so long without returning?"

Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Qinglin looked up and slowly said, "She is one of my senior sisters, whose Daoist name is Xuanxu Jinghuan Immortal Maiden."

This senior sister is the most gentle and calm. She loves to grow flowers and plants and cultivate spiritual plants. She has a deep understanding of cultivation techniques and often discussed these intricacies with me in the past.

When it comes to magical combat, fighting, and supernatural killing—that's really not her forte.

He frowned slightly, as if talking to himself.

"Although the fellow Daoists heading there vary in their cultivation levels, their numbers are numerous, and there is even a carefree immortal like Fellow Daoist Ziyang accompanying them. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be—"

Before he could finish speaking, Immortal Lord Qinglin seemed to suddenly remember something, his expression changed slightly, and he whispered, "That's right—Senior Sister also has a [Mirror of Illusion and Enlightenment] that His Majesty bestowed upon her years ago."

This mirror is wondrous; both immortals and mortals can be captured within it. Illusions arise spontaneously within the mirror, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. It can also manifest the thoughts and fears of the heart.

The scene I sought was almost indistinguishable from reality.

However, my senior sister has never liked fighting, so she rarely uses this mirror, and I had almost forgotten about it.

Immortal Lord Qinglin raised his eyes to look at Chen Jiao, a hint of worry in his expression, and said, "Now that Senior Sister's temperament has changed, if we were to use this mirror to capture all of you fellow Daoists and trap you in an endless illusion—"

Alas, though it is said that all fellow Daoists choose their own fortune and misfortune, my senior sister has been in distress for too long, and it is not something I wish to see if further killing occurs.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao remained unmoved and simply said, "Illusions arise from the mind, and circumstances change with the mind. Since it is the magic mirror that is causing the trouble, we will know once we go inside and take a look."

Immortal Lord Qinglin knew that this True Lord possessed a clear Dao mind and the power to dispel illusions with thunder magic, making him the best candidate to deal with such an illusion.

He immediately stood up and earnestly requested, "True Lord, your Dao heart is clear and your divine sense is like a torch. You are most capable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood and breaking through false attachments."

The fact that there has been no news from Changqing Garden for so long suggests that Senior Sister's magic mirror may have been activated unintentionally, trapping all of you in an illusion from which you cannot escape.

"This humble Taoist is also helpless before this mirror. I wonder if the True Lord would be willing to make a trip to Changqing Garden to investigate the matter and, if possible, help you fellow Taoists escape this predicament?"

Chen Jiao held his cup and pondered.

He was not particularly afraid of illusions, as he was confident in his unwavering Daoist heart and the power of thunder to dispel evil.

Master Ziyang is a fellow practitioner of the Xuanmen sect, and we have a duty to protect him; we cannot fail to save him.

Moreover, the ancient spiritual plants hidden in Changqing Garden may be things that can help Jiamu's foundation and even his subsequent cultivation.

Having made up his mind, he put down his teacup and nodded slightly: "Immortal Lord, please wait a moment. I will be right back."

After speaking, Xuan floated about, walking with unhurried steps, heading straight towards the secluded corridor leading to Changqing Garden.

As soon as Chen Jiao stepped into Changqing Garden, all he saw was a vast expanse of misty fog, with no jade trees or fragrant plants in sight, a far cry from the name "Changqing" (meaning "evergreen").

The mist was neither white nor blue, and it shifted and changed, revealing hazy outlines of jade palaces, precious trees, rare flowers, and exotic plants, or perhaps it was just an illusion.

There is no solid ground beneath my feet, as if I are treading on clouds, with no bounds in all directions and no source to be found.

He stood in the mist, his divine sense spreading outwards.

However, this spiritual mist was mysterious and elusive; when divine sense probed into it, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, or perhaps it merged into the mist, becoming one with the overall energy of the Evergreen Garden—

They are inseparable.

As the mist swirled, faint whispers, joyful songs, and mournful cries could be heard intermittently, sometimes near, sometimes far, elusive and hard to grasp.

Chen Jiao's mind stirred slightly, and he understood.

The spiritual mist that permeates the heavens and earth is the illusion created by the treasure mirror. What I see now is a world within a mirror, where reality and illusion are intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

"The Treasure Mirror forms its own world, where reality and illusion coexist."

Chen Jiao pondered to himself, a clear light flickering in his eyes as he carefully sensed the flow of energy in this illusionary realm.

At the same time, a thought flashed through my mind: "Mysterious Illusion Fairy Maiden — Fairy Maiden —"

He felt that the name of the fairy nun sounded strangely familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

However, upon closer examination, it is difficult to immediately trace the source. Only a glimmer of inspiration remains, faintly flickering in the sea of ​​consciousness, as if it contains a profound meaning.

Chen Jiao suppressed his distracting thoughts, focused his mind, and guarded the clarity of his mind, remaining true to himself.

After taking a few steps, the surrounding mist suddenly rippled.

Suddenly the clouds parted and the fog dissipated.

There are golden palaces and jade towers, jade terraces and celestial pools, fairy maidens holding cups, and strongmen clearing the way. It is a magnificent scene in the Heavenly Court, where the emperor is prominent and powerful, and the emperor has the position of emperor, in charge of all the immortals and gods.

One can leisurely sit by the Milky Way, fishing with a rod in hand, with cranes and stars as companions, free from the toil of official duties and the entanglements of battle, living a carefree and leisurely life, perfectly in line with the natural way of Taoism, and seeking the pleasure of longevity and long life.

With ten thousand demons bowing their heads and all monsters fleeing, none dared disobey the direction of the banners. Furthermore, they received the favor of Heaven, were rewarded with merits, and established an unparalleled reputation for their glorious achievements.

There are familiar faces, side by side we vanquished demons, sharing wine and discussing philosophy; we met in humble circumstances, offering small acts of kindness; a distant glimpse fills my heart with melancholy.

All the karmic connections, a few regrets, the voices and faces of the past, are now vividly alive, as if right before my eyes.

All these illusions, whether involving power, freedom, achievements, or romantic entanglements, are merely attachments, desires, and regrets that may arise on the path of spiritual cultivation.

At this moment, drawn by the profound power of this treasure mirror, layers upon layers of energy rushed towards him, blending the real and the illusory, pointing directly to his Dao heart.

The mist swirls and the illusion changes with one's thoughts, appearing both real and unreal. A slight misstep can lead to utter ruin and eternal damnation.

Chen Jiao continued walking, his gaze remaining as cold and clear as ever.

Imperial glory comes naturally; fishing in the Milky Way is something external to the mind; subduing demons is a duty; and the bonds of friendship are all entrusted to the Great Dao.

His unwavering spirit, like an ancient lamp in the wind, remains steadfast amidst the onslaught of illusions, reflecting all things without being tainted by them.

"A reflection in a mirror or the moon in the water is ultimately an illusion."

Produce