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

Deep within the Flowing Clouds Sea, inside the Crystal Palace.

Ao Ying leaned lazily against the jade couch, while Princess Wansheng looked on with great interest at the gilded coral mirror in front of her.

The mirror-like surface is as smooth as moonlight and frost, with water ripples flowing across it, clearly reflecting the scene on the reefs at the edge of the sea.

Princess Wansheng pointed to the mirror and teased with a smile:

"Sister, look, the three you invited, Xuan Gu, Jin Yu, and Li Yang, have all arrived. They are all quite arrogant."

They were already competing on the shore before even getting into the water.

Ao Ying's gaze swept across the mirror, finally settling on the ever-calm figure in black robes, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"Capable people naturally have some temper. But... the truly interesting one is probably the one who hasn't spoken yet."

Princess Wansheng, in high spirits, lightly touched Chen Jiao's reflection in the mirror with her slender finger, showing considerable curiosity:

"Is this the Flood Dragon Demon King that Jiangzhu mentioned? He went from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core in such a short time?"

He looks quite handsome, but I wonder what his abilities are?

Ao Ying's gaze fell on the figure in black robes in the mirror. She picked up a cup of amber-colored immortal wine and took a small sip.

Princess Wansheng suddenly let out a soft exclamation:

"Jin Yu's gaze is quite strange. He's looking at Xuan Ling as if he's seen some kind of treasure."

Ao Ying was taken aback upon hearing this, then put down her wine cup, sat up straight, and looked somewhat annoyed:

"It was something I didn't expect."

This golden-feathered creature is actually a golden eagle, which is said to have a wisp of roc bloodline. It usually does not dare to eat dragons, but often devours some serpents.

Seeing Xuan Ling today, I fear his wild nature is hard to suppress.

"I fear that Jiangzhu will not be able to dissuade him if she goes herself; I must go in person..."

"Sister, look!"

Princess Wansheng suddenly interrupted her, her beautiful eyes fixed on the scene in the mirror, sparkling with wonder.

Ao Ying stared at the image in the mirror, and after a moment, her expression turned strange.

"This Xuan Ling is quite domineering, and he's also quite capable."

Princess Wansheng thought to herself.

……

On the shore of the East China Sea.

The five characters "Yun Mang Shan Xuan Ling" were uttered like ice beads falling onto a jade plate, crisp and cold, spreading across the reef shore where the sea breeze was gently blowing.

All three of them had their eyes fixed on Xuan Ling, and had no time to look at anything else.

On Xuan Gu Shangren's handsome yet pale face, his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, and his hands, which had been behind his back, unconsciously drooped slightly.

When their gaze fell upon the figure in black again, it carried an undisguised solemnity and apprehension.

Although he had long sensed that this cultivator in black robes was extraordinary, he never expected that he would be the infamous Jiao Demon King, who had killed a Golden Core cultivator with his sword and forced back the Heavenly Court's celestial officials!

Those who cultivate the Xuan Gu (Mysterious Bone) [Xuan Yin Jing] are particularly sensitive to the flow of Qi.

At this moment, one can more clearly feel the restrained yet powerful demonic energy emanating from the other party, like a deep-sea current concealing turbulent waves.

His mind raced, and he instantly suppressed his surprise, his face returning to its usual calm. He merely nodded slightly, his voice still cool and clear:

"So it's Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling. I've heard so much about you."

His words were brief, and he then took a half step back, concealing his presence even more tightly, not wanting to attract any attention.

Master Li Yang's expression also changed slightly, and his hand, which was stroking his beard, froze in mid-air.

He was a close friend of True Man Chixia and had long heard of the Demon King Jiao's ability to kill Golden Core cultivators from a thousand miles away.

Master Li Yang quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"So it was Lord Xuanling Mountain himself!"

"I, an old Taoist priest, have long admired the mountain lord's reputation. My apologies for my disrespect!"

However, unlike Xuan Gu and Li Yang, who were wary and hesitant.

On the other side, the Golden Feather Demon Lord showed no fear upon hearing the name of Xuan Ling of Yunmang Mountain.

Instead, an uncontrollable, burning light erupted from those sharp, lightning-like eyes.

His suspended figure leaned slightly forward, as if he were looking at a priceless treasure.

The Golden Feather Demon Lord's true form is a rare golden eagle. If he encounters a dragon, he will try every means to catch and eat it.

Not to mention the infamous Flood Dragon Demon King before us, who has already formed his core!

In his eyes, Chen Jiao was no longer a demon cultivator he needed to be wary of, but a pure and incomparably potent walking medicine.

If one could devour its golden core and demonic body, it might allow his long-stagnant cultivation to advance further, or even stimulate a deeper level of the Roc bloodline.

A primal greed and desire ignited in his heart like wildfire, almost overwhelming his reason.

His feathered robes fluttered without wind, emitting a faint tinkling sound—the sound of sharp feathers rubbing together, like a raptor gathering its strength before pouncing on its prey.

He stared intently at Xuan Ling, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily, his eyes filled with undisguised greed.

The atmosphere on the shore instantly became eerie and tense due to these two completely different reactions.

Even the sea breeze seemed to freeze a bit.

But the Golden Feather Demon Lord was not a mindless fool. He suppressed the urge to attack immediately and sneered inwardly:

"The Flood Dragon Demon King? Hmph, what a resounding name! It's not wise to act rashly now."

"Once this matter is resolved and we're out of the Flowing Cloud Sea, I'll find another opportunity... to taste the flavor of you, you Flood Dragon Demon!"

Jin Yu, confident in his noble bloodline and extraordinary abilities, was not afraid despite knowing the fearsome reputation of the Flood Dragon Demon King.

The legend of the Peng bird swallowing a dragon has a long history.

They already considered Chen Jiao as theirs for the taking and planned to hunt him down later.

He concealed his aura somewhat, his feathered robe regained its composure, and he landed on the shore.

But his gaze remained fixed on Chen Jiao, sharp as a hook.

But how could his undisguised greedy gaze escape the keen senses of Chen Jiao?

Just as the Golden Feather Demon Lord was plotting how to make his move in the future...

Chen Jiao's gaze, sharp as an icy sword, suddenly locked onto him.

He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud.

Yet it carried a chill that seeped into the bones, instantly shattering the delicate balance that had just been maintained, and piercing directly through Jin Yu's thoughts:

"Fellow Daoist Jin Yu, you seem quite interested in me?"

The Golden Feather Demon Lord had not expected the other party to be so perceptive and direct.

A chill ran through me, but I forced myself to remain calm, gave a dry laugh, and said perfunctorily:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling is too kind. Your reputation is widespread, and I have lost my composure for a moment. Please forgive me."

Though his words were soft, the glint of greed in his eyes had not yet faded.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiao fell silent, simply watching him quietly with unfathomable eyes, revealing neither joy nor anger.

A few breaths later, just as the Golden Feather Demon Lord thought the matter was over and was secretly planning how to make his next move.

Chen Jiao's aura suddenly erupted!

No longer the calm and reserved one of the past, but a domineering and ferocious demonic aura soared straight into the sky!

"I'll give you a few moments. Have you thought of your last words?"

He slightly bent his five fingers and pressed them down on the Golden Feather Demon Lord from a distance, as if crushing an insect.

A magnificent and powerful crimson lightning bolt, like clouds hanging from the heavens, arrived before the Golden Feather Demon Lord in an instant!

The Golden Feather Demon Lord never expected that his opponent would suddenly launch an attack without warning, and that his first move would be such a fierce and deadly strike.

It was simply because of the undisguised look in his eyes!

Not only did he not expect this, but Xuan Gu, Li Yang, and even Ao Ying and Princess Wansheng were all unprepared for this scene!

On the side, Master Xuangu and Master Liyang were already dumbfounded, a chill running down their spines.

They don't care about the occasion or the sentiment; once angered, they'll strike with lightning speed!

Only then did they truly realize how fierce and decisive this Jiao Demon King was!

What an overbearing and domineering Flood Dragon Demon King!