Journey to the West: Starting with becoming an apprentice of the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Patriar

The last snow of winter has melted away.

The following morning, a touch of warmth crept into the mountain mist of Huangfengling. While remnants of snow lingered in the shady areas, a layer of soft, new green had already sprouted on the sunny slopes.

The ice in the mountain stream has melted, and the water is gurgling.

Several sparrows that had survived the cold winter landed on the old locust tree, shaking their feathers and pecking at the newly sprouted buds on the branches.

spring is coming.

Lu Shanjun stood atop the cliff behind the mountain, his green robe fluttering in the morning breeze.

Thirty-six drops of dew hung in front of him.

Each drop is the size of a pea, crystal clear, and slowly rotates in the morning light.

Lu Shanjun raised his right hand, and with a gentle tap of his index finger, a sky-blue water fish swam out from his fingertip.

The soft-shelled turtle swung its head and tail, darting past the thirty-six drops of dew in a flash, leaving only a faint blue trail.

next moment.

Thirty-six drops of dew lit up at the same time.

Thin, hair-like flashes of lightning danced within the water droplets, flickering three times before quietly dissipating, leaving the dew still suspended in mid-air, its shape unchanged.

Lu Shanjun flicked his sleeve again.

Dewdrops scattered and flew out, landing on the cracks in the rocks, on the withered vines and tender grass.

One of the drops landed on the back of a beetle that had just emerged from the soil. The beetle paused, seemed to sense something, and continued crawling forward, waving its antennae.

Thunder enters the water, its power hidden in gentleness.

When it strikes, it crushes the strong and destroys evil; when it withdraws, it nourishes things silently.

This is the true meaning of Xuan Tian Shui Lei.

Thunder is the pivotal force in the interaction of Yin and Yang.

People only know that thunder belongs to Yang, and is fierce and brutal, but they do not know that isolated Yang cannot produce life, and isolated Yin cannot grow. The reason why the thunder of the Nine Heavens can deter all evil is not just because of its "fierceness", but also because of the balance of Yin and Yang, and the common root of life and death.

When the first spring thunder rumbles, all things begin to sprout.

It can kill, and it can also save.

Lu Shanjun closed his eyes for a moment, and the Ren and Gui water qi in his body returned to the kidneys, while the Geng and Xin metal qi sank into the lungs.

Water and fire complement each other, metal and water generate each other, and the demonic power around him slowly returned to calm.

Deep within the sea of ​​consciousness, a pale blue light flashed.

Several lines of writing appeared one after another.

[Cultivation Method: The Mysterious Emperor's Elixir of Water and Fire in Harmony (Minor Completion 169/500)]

[Taoist Technique: Mysterious Heaven Water and Thunder Technique (Beginner Level 278/300)]

[Skill: Alchemy (Beginner 286/300)]

[Supernatural Power: Golden Wind Release (Beginner 91/100)]

Lu Shanjun opened his eyes, his gaze lingering on those few lines of text for a moment.

He hasn't slacked off for a single day in these past few months.

Xuan Tian Shui Lei is still 22 points away from achieving the minor mastery level. Judging from his current progress, he should be able to overcome this hurdle in at least half a month and at most a month.

The Golden Wind Escape technique has become increasingly sophisticated and harmonious.

When it was first used, a golden wind would leak out, stirring up the surrounding grass and trees.

When using the escape technique, the wind can be controlled within three feet. If it is suddenly activated in the mountains and forests, even ordinary Yang Shen Realm cultivators probably wouldn't be able to see where he is going.

What truly surprised him was the art of alchemy.

From knowing absolutely nothing to now being able to control the heat and distinguish the rise and fall of medicinal properties, the burned medicinal herbs have filled two large pits on the back mountain.

Fortunately, every batch of discarded pills was not wasted.

Where did the heat go wrong? Why are the medicinal properties clashing? Which herbs should be added three breaths in advance, and which herbs should be added half a quarter of an hour later? The panel won't give you the answers directly, but each attempt will become a visible accumulation.

Though the road may be difficult, there is always a path under your feet.

The feeling of gradually understanding and absorbing an unfamiliar method for one's own use is more reassuring than simply obtaining a treasure.

As Lu Shanjun was pondering this in his heart, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from down the mountain.

"Big brother!"

Tiger Two, clad in black armor, strode up the cliff top, sending pebbles flying everywhere as he stepped on them.

"Big brother, I can't hold back anymore!"

Lu Shanjun turned around.

Tiger Two was furious, the black hair on his neck stood on end, and he held a very sharp ring-pommel sword in his right hand.

"Those bald monks sat at the foot of the mountain for a full three months!"

"Every day when they see a caravan, they say that there is a demonic aura over Huangfeng Ridge and that there will be bloodshed soon. They say they won't block the road, but they pretend to escort them to take a detour."

"Yesterday, a caravan carrying spirit salt reached the mountain pass, but those bald monks scared them off with a few words and they turned back."

Tiger Two grew angrier as he spoke, gripping the knife handle so tightly it creaked.

"They're not chanting scriptures; they're practically pulling firewood from under our cooking pot on Huangfeng Ridge!"

"I don't want their lives. I'll just go down the mountain, tear down those monks' huts, and then have one demon slap them twice. I guarantee there won't be any bloodshed, okay?"

Lu Shanjun glanced at it.

Tiger Two's voice immediately fell silent.

"Even a slap will do..."

"Put the knife down."

"oh."

Hu Er reluctantly tucked the ring-pommel sword back into his waistband.

Light footsteps could be heard again on the mountain path.

Huang San, carrying a stack of account books, ran panting to the top of the cliff. Unlike Hu Er, he didn't have the stamina to climb up, and by the time he reached the top, his fur was plastered with sweat.

"Your Majesty, we cannot delay any longer."

Huang San didn't even bother with formalities; he spread the account book out on the stone and turned the pages one by one.

"Three months ago, there were thirty-seven stalls in the market. Last month, only twelve remained. This morning, I went to count them again, and there are only seven left."

"There are over 4,300 catties of spirit wheat in the granary, and over 600 golden peaches. The spirit wheat is fine; it can be stored in the spirit gathering array for a while longer, but the golden peaches cannot wait."

"After spring arrives and the temperature rises, the spiritual energy will slowly dissipate within a month."

Huang San dipped his paw in saliva and turned the page.

"Without merchants and travelers, we can't exchange salt, iron, cloth, or spiritual materials for alchemy. The patrol camp, the blacksmith camp, and the three spiritual fields all need income every day to support them."

"If things continue like this..."

For once, Huang San's triangular eyes lost their shrewdness.

"In less than six months, the trade routes we've painstakingly built up over the past few years will collapse."

Tiger Two, who was listening nearby, was furious.

"That's why I said, fight!"

"And then what?"

Huang San glanced at it irritably. "If we drive away thirty today, three hundred will come tomorrow. Then they'll come with the imperial edict from Dazhao Temple, saying that the demons of Huangfeng Ridge are running rampant. Who will you talk to about reason then?"

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"If I had a solution, why would I need to ask the King for help?"

The two demons stared at each other, neither willing to concede.

Lu Shanjun ignored them and only looked down at the account books.

Page after page.

Huang San remembered the daily turnover of the market, the shipment of spirit wheat, and the number of passing merchants and travelers clearly.

The declining numbers, though not alarming in appearance, were like a rope tightening around Huangfengling's neck, bit by bit.

This move by Buddhism is indeed ruthless.

If Lord Lu Shan was merely a mountain king, a monster who ate raw meat and drank blood, there would be no need to pay him any attention. If the mountains ran out of salt, iron, and cloth, they could simply continue eating raw meat and wearing animal skins.

However, Huangfeng Ridge now houses hundreds of demons.

There are sacred fields, blacksmith camps, mountain patrol camps, and newly established markets.

Once trade routes are cut off, the rules that have been painstakingly established over the past few years will eventually be overturned.

Hui Guan and others did not block the road.

This is the road leading from Huangfengling.

Lu Shanjun closed the ledger and looked up at the foot of the mountain.

A thick spring mist obscured the view, making several trade routes appear and disappear. In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the monks' huts, and the sound of wooden fish drums carried on the wind could be heard.

After a long while, Lu Shanjun suddenly smiled.

"Since you masters have gone to such lengths to protect the trade routes of Huangfeng Ridge, how can I, as the lord of this mountain, not show my appreciation?"

Tiger Two was stunned.

Huang San's triangular eyes suddenly lit up.

"Your Majesty means..."

"Prepare eight cartloads of vegetarian food."

Lu Shanjun turned around and instructed, "Steam spirit wheat flour into buns, and prepare some mountain mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu. Also, take eighty bolts of cotton cloth for warmth and boil eight buckets of hot soup."

"Tomorrow morning, I will personally go down the mountain to reward the masters who protected the road."

Tiger Two stared blankly, not quite understanding what was happening for a long time.

"Brother, they're harming us, and you're still sending them food?"

"deliver."

Lu Shanjun glanced at Huang San.

"In addition, you had the carpenters work through the night to make twenty wooden signs and place them at various intersections. They should read: 'The eminent monks of Dazhao Temple are stationed here to protect merchants coming and going.'"

Huang San could no longer suppress the smile on his face.

"I understand."

It picked up the ledger, turned around, and ran away.

He ran a dozen steps, then turned back and bowed deeply to Lu Shanjun.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Tiger Two looked at Huang San, then at Lu Shanjun, still completely bewildered.

"What makes it superior?"

Huang San grabbed its beak and dragged it down the mountain.

"Don't ask, go and bang the gong."

"I am the vanguard general!"

"I'm the strategist! Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, you'd have to bang the gong for me."