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

The three sisters are all exceptionally beautiful and each possesses their own unique charm. Standing here, they add a touch of vibrant color to this serene and solemn cave.

Shrimp quickly stepped forward to report:

"Master, these three are newly arrived flower fairies. They were previously responsible for brewing honey and managing the herb garden in Thousand Needle Valley in the north. Now they have come to seek refuge with us."

Commander Chiyu has investigated and found that the three demons have no criminal background and are not troublemakers.

He rubbed the shrimp claws together and said with a fawning smile:

"I see the cave dwelling is spacious, and daily cleaning and serving require some meticulous care. Why don't we let them stay in the cave to serve you, sir? What do you think…"

After a moment's thought, Chen Jiao saw through Xia Da's little scheme and felt that Xia Da's words made some sense. So, not wanting to go against his subordinate's wishes, he nodded slightly.

With a delighted expression, Xia Da turned around and explained:

"Wisteria tends the tea, mountain peaches manage daily life, pear blossoms arrange books. On ordinary days, refrain from making noise and serve them well."

The three sisters bowed their heads in agreement, and from then on, the Xuanqing Cave became more refined and gentle.

a few days later.

Inside the Xuanqing Cave, the air was thick with moisture, and the quiet room was completely silent.

Chen Jiao sat cross-legged on a jade futon, meditating.

Faint footsteps came from outside and stopped outside the stone gate.

A moment later, a high-pitched, shrimp-like voice rang out from behind the stone door, tinged with respect: "Master, I have something to report."

"Go in." Chen Jiao did not open his eyes, his voice was calm.

The stone door slid open silently, and Xia Da bowed and entered.

He first bowed to Chen Jiao, who was sitting quietly, and then glanced at the Pear Blossom Fairy, who was standing quietly in the corner, carefully arranging the bookshelf. The latter tactfully curtsied and quietly withdrew.

Shrimp then stepped forward a few steps and lowered his voice:

"Master, the other day you instructed me to thoroughly investigate the background of the three demons. I took a few clever little demons and searched around in the direction they came from, and we have some clues."

Xia Da swallowed hard, organizing his thoughts:

"Thousand Needle Valley is more than 700 miles away from here. There is a nest of iron-winged bee demons. The cave master is a bee demon who has reached the peak of Qi cultivation and is called Iron Needle Elder."

This demon is greedy and stingy, and is known for using lesser demons to gather spiritual honey and search for spiritual plants; its reputation is quite bad.

He paused, a hint of regret on his face:

"The three wisteria demons were originally flower servants in its cave, specializing in taking care of spiritual plants and managing the medicinal garden."

According to fragmented rumors spread by the escaped demons, some time ago, the Iron Needle Elder, for reasons unknown, found a three-leafed sword-heart orchid deep within the valley, though its true nature remains a mystery.

Chen Jiao's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of surprise in them: "Three-leaf Sword Heart Orchid?"

"Exactly!"

Xia Da was unaware, but Chen Jiao had heard about it.

This sacred orchid is no ordinary plant; it is born from the interaction of the metal element of heaven and earth with the essence of wood. Its leaves contain the intent of swords, and its heart conceals sharpness. It has unparalleled benefits for tempering flying swords and honing the sword heart.

I never imagined that such a small place would have such an opportunity.

Chen Jiao's mind raced, and he already had an idea.

I have been collecting countless celestial and terrestrial essences for a long time, intending to forge a celestial sword and refine the true essence of thunder magic. This Three-Leaf Sword Heart Orchid is quite a suitable spiritual plant.

Xia Da nodded and continued, "That Iron Needle Elder treasured this spiritual object like a priceless gem, keeping it strictly confidential, intending to use it to break through the Foundation Establishment barrier. But alas..."

He shook his head. "There are no secrets in this world. His underlings are disorganized and don't know how to follow the rules, so the news eventually leaked out."

The quiet room fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of water droplets dripping from the cave ceiling clearly audible.

Xia Da lowered his voice even further, with a hint of solemnity:

"As soon as the news came out, it attracted the attention of the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion, a sect within Aolai Kingdom."

The cultivators from the Sword Pavilion arrived on their swords, shamelessly using the guise of subduing demons and monsters.

The leader was an elder with Foundation Establishment cultivation, leading about seven or eight disciples in the late Qi Refining stage.

The Sword Pavilion elder swiftly annihilated Iron Needle Elder and slaughtered numerous lesser demons in the valley; a few managed to escape.

After Xia Da finished reporting, he stood to the side with his hands at his sides, not daring to disturb him.

Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion… Chen Jiao’s eyes flickered.

He had also heard of this sect. It was a human sect in Aolai Kingdom that specialized in swordsmanship and swordsmanship. All the elders in the sect were at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the sect leader, Venerable Xuanguang, was a well-known Foundation Establishment Perfection master.

His disciples acted tyrannically, claiming to be slaying demons and protecting the righteous world. They would often destroy mountains and families, plunder spiritual veins, and steal spiritual objects.

Due to their proximity, they have a long-standing grudge against Qingchi Ridge, and friction continues.

The elders of the Sword Pavilion are still guarding the valley, either refining the spirit orchids on the spot or because the spirit orchids have not yet matured.

This is a golden opportunity, and it would be inconvenient to seize it if they waited until they returned to the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion.

Chen Jiao made up his mind and looked up at Xia Da:

"You may step back now and continue your investigation. Report any unusual activity immediately."

"Yes!" Shrimp bowed and retreated.

The stone door to the quiet room closed again.

Chen Jiao took out three town flags from his storage bag.

The flag is jet black, embroidered with intricate cloud and thunder patterns in dark gold thread. The flagpole is neither gold nor wood, and feels cool to the touch, with hidden thunder patterns.

This is the [Minor Heavenly Cloud Thunder-Forbidden Banner], a gift from the local deity of Yunmang Mountain. Although not a supreme treasure, it excels at sealing off the void and isolating auras, making it most suitable for use at this moment. With the force of thunder, we can achieve a swift victory, suppress the news, and leave no future troubles.

Chen Jiao cleansed the demons and evil spirits of Yunmang Mountain and sent down spiritual rain to nourish the mountain spirits, which was of great benefit to the local earth god.

The old man, being knowledgeable and experienced, was certain that Chen Jiao was no ordinary demon, but a hidden dragon in the pond, and thus he was eager to befriend him.

Chen Jiao put away the battle flags and stepped out of the quiet room.

Outside, Wisteria was quietly waiting by the stove. Seeing her master emerge from seclusion, she gracefully stepped forward and offered him a cup of freshly brewed spiritual tea. The tea was clear and green, with rising steam.

Chen Jiao took the cup, took a small sip, and felt the warm tea filling his stomach, making his mind and spirit even clearer.

"Is the master going out?"

Zi Teng asked softly, her eyes filled with deep concern.

"Um."

Chen Jiao put down his teacup. "Keep an eye on the cave."

After speaking, his black robes fluttered slightly, transforming into a faint, ethereal stream of water-elemental light, silently escaping from the Xuanqing Cave and heading straight north towards the Thousand Needle Valley.

……

Dusk was falling in Thousand Needle Valley.

The valley is long and narrow, with stone walls on both sides as if cut by a knife and axe, covered with iron-black thorns that gleam with a cold, hard luster in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Deep in the valley, beneath a shady rock wall, a faint light flickers, and spiritual energy gathers.

A three-leafed orchid took root in a crack in the rock. Its leaves were like swords, forked into three branches, and were entirely green with subtle golden veins along the edges. It was the three-leafed sword heart orchid.

Elder Liu Yizi of the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion, dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe, with a dignified face and three long strands of beard flowing down his chest, stood with his hands behind his back in front of Ling Lan.

His gaze was intense as he stared intently at the not-yet-fully-ripened three-leaf sword heart orchid, a mixture of eagerness and caution flashing in his eyes.

"The spiritual essence has gathered, the golden patterns are beginning to appear, and the tips of the leaves are still green. It will take three more days before they are fully mature."

Liu Yizi muttered to himself, his voice low, "The Sect Master is about to emerge from seclusion. This spirit orchid is the perfect gift for the Golden Core cultivator; it cannot be lost!"

He stood amidst the ruins, gazing towards the valley entrance, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Although the demons of Qingchi Ridge are scattered and not yet a threat, we must still be wary of them."

He thought to himself, "The Xuanling King of Xuanqing Cave in Yunmang Mountain is recruiting soldiers and spreading heretical rumors. He is a scourge, even worse than Hu Sha!"

Upon returning, I will persuade my senior brother to eradicate the demon scourge of Qingchi Ridge!