I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

"Master, this guy won't last much longer!"

The Yellow Wind Monster laughed loudly, and the wind grew even stronger.

Jiang Wang gritted his teeth and unleashed his full power of pure Yang energy. Golden light shone like the blazing sun throughout the valley. The roar of the black shadow gradually weakened, and its body slowly disintegrated under the combined attack of the golden light and the gale, eventually turning into a cloud of black mist and completely dissipating.

"call……"

Jiang Wang let out a long breath, put away the hand seals, and felt that most of his internal energy had been used up. His forehead was covered in sweat. "Finally done."

"Ding!

Congratulations, host, for eliminating the leyline vengeful spirit! You have gained 5000 experience points!

The system's voice sounded at the right time.

"5000 O'Clock?"

Jiang Wang was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and said, "Not bad, at least it wasn't a waste of time."

"Master, how was my punch? I smashed that vengeful spirit into nothingness!"

The black bear monster boasted in a deep, hoarse voice, looking utterly endearing.

"Hey, Black Bear, that's all the strength you've got!"

Yellow Wind Monster chuckled and turned to look at Jiang Wang, "Master, this place is very strange. Let's leave quickly, lest some other weird things appear."

"Yes."

Jiang Wang nodded, and with a thought, he put the Black Bear Monster and the Yellow Wind Monster back into the jade token. He glanced one last time at the direction of the Ink Pool, "I'm never coming back to this lousy place again!"

He turned, his toes barely touching the ground, and with the speed of the wind, he vanished swiftly into the night of the valley, leaving behind only scattered bones and the collapsed mountain peak.

Sun Wukong leaned on his golden cudgel with one hand, scratched his cheek with the other, glanced at Jiang Wang, and chuckled: "Brother Jiang Wang, what were you up to on that hilltop just now? From a distance, it looked like you'd made quite a commotion!"

Jiang Wang sat cross-legged on a blue stone, holding a foxtail grass in his hand, slowly turning around. Hearing this, he looked up and said lazily, "It's nothing serious, just letting Xiao Huang go out for some fresh air and stretch his muscles."

Who knew that in his excitement, he almost blew the hilltop up.

"Let them out for a breather?"

Sun Wukong rolled his eyes, sniffed the air, and frowned, saying, "No, no, the demonic aura around here hasn't dissipated yet. There must be some kind of monster causing trouble!"
"Tell me quickly, have you gotten into trouble again? Don't try to hide it from me, Old Sun!"

Jiang Wang chuckled and waved his hand: "Why would I hide it from you? Let me tell you the truth, there really is a monster on the mountain that has set up some kind of bewitching array, it's really disgusting."

Xiao Huang and I teamed up, and after some effort, we finally managed to defeat the monster and destroy the formation.

"Look, the demonic aura you're smelling is most likely a remnant of that formation."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes widened like copper bells, and he laughed loudly: "Well done, Jiang Wang!"
However, I, Old Sun, heard that our junior brother Pigsy was bewitched by a female demon again, almost losing his manhood? Hahaha, that fool, so useless!

He laughed so hard he almost fell over, and slammed his golden cudgel into the ground, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Jiang Wang's lips twitched, and he said helplessly, "Your information network is quite impressive."

The matter of Pigsy...sigh, it gives me a headache just thinking about it.

That female demon was quite cunning; Pigsy wasn't careful and fell for her trick, almost dying from exhaustion.

Xiao Huang and I finally managed to drag him out of that vixen's arms. You wouldn't believe the sight of him—his face was as red as a monkey's… uh, cough cough, like a boiled shrimp.

"Hahaha!"

Sun Wukong laughed even harder, slapping his thigh and saying, "That idiot, he deserved it!"
"Wait, I, Old Sun, am going to find him right now and give him a good laugh!"

With that, he somersaulted 108,000 li and disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving only a string of hearty laughter echoing through the mountains.

Jiang Wang shook his head and muttered, "This monkey really can't stay still."

"Brother Jiang, your complexion doesn't look quite right."

Could it be that they encountered some strange thing in White Tiger Ridge, scaring them half to death?

Sha Wujing, carrying his demon-subduing staff, strolled slowly out of the forest. His honest face held a hint of amusement, but his eyes lingered on Jiang Wang, as if trying to find out what was going on.

Jiang Wang was leaning against an old pine tree, playing with a palm-sized jade pendant in his hand. Hearing this, he looked up, glanced at Sha Wujing, and snorted irritably, "Junior Brother Sha, did you learn your bad mouth from the monkey?"

What does it mean to have lost half of your soul?

I, Jiang Wang, am at least a Primordial Golden Immortal. How could a mere White Tiger Ridge scare me?
But where did you go just now?
"Is everything alright with Master?"

Sha Wujing chuckled, scratched his bald head, and slammed his demon-subduing staff into the ground, kicking up a cloud of fine dust: "Master is doing fine. With me watching over him, what could possibly happen?"
I just went to the nearby stream to fetch some water, and while I was at it, I was also looking to see if there was any wild game.

They didn't get anything in the end, but they did hear birds chirping in the mountains, saying that there was a huge commotion at White Tiger Ridge.

Brother Jiang, tell me honestly, what exactly did you do?

The commotion was so great that even the Heavenly Court's all-seeing and all-hearing officials would have to prick up their ears to listen.

Jiang Wang's lips twitched, and he lazily stuffed the jade pendant back into his waistband. He stood up and patted the pine needles off his clothes: "It's nothing serious, just bumped into a weird pool of water. A bunch of skeletons popped out of it, which was really annoying."

I called out the Black Bear Monster and the Yellow Wind Monster to help, and they took care of them in no time.

Oh, right, there was also this Soul-Devouring Bead, which almost stole my soul.

Luckily, I was quick-witted and took the bead, and things finally calmed down.

"Soul-Devouring Bead?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing's eyes widened like copper bells, and he almost dropped his demon-subduing staff. "Brother Jiang, what did you say?"

Soul-Devouring Pearl?
That's a truly bizarre thing!

Legend has it that this bead can devour souls and steal spirits, even the souls of immortals.

How could you... how could you dare to accept this?
Aren't you afraid of getting into any trouble?

Jiang Wang waved his hand, his tone revealing a hint of indifference: "Cause and effect?"
Brother Sha, have you forgotten what I do?

I am, after all, the leader of the Human Sect, the Great Evolution True Lord, with the great tree of the Supreme Lord Laozi behind me. What karma can't I handle?

Besides, it seems that the Soul-Devouring Pearl contains some important soul, which is related to my Journey to the West mission.

The system said it needs to be purified first before we can figure out what's going on.

"system?"

Sha Wujing was taken aback, blinked, and looked completely bewildered. "Brother Jiang, what is this 'system' again?"
I'm an honest person and I don't understand. Could you explain it to me?

Jiang Wang slapped his forehead, cursing himself for speaking too quickly, and quickly laughed it off: "Ahem, what system or not, it's just a mental cultivation method I obtained during my cultivation, which occasionally gives me some mysterious hints and helps me find my way."

"Brother Sha, just think of me as having an extra little Taoist disciple in my head, here to give me advice, okay?"

Sha Wujing nodded with some skepticism and muttered, "You Taoist masters certainly have a lot of tricks up your sleeves."

I, Lao Sha, practice the pure Dharma of Buddhism, so why don't I have such good luck as having an extra little Taoist boy to help me?

Sigh, never mind, Brother Jiang, what do you think we should do with this Soul-Devouring Pearl?
Do I really want to carry it with me?

"It looks kind of creepy to me." "Creepy as it may be, we can't just throw it away, can we?"

Jiang Wang shrugged, took out a palm-sized brocade pouch from his pocket, and shook it. "Here, I sealed it in this brocade pouch. Inside is a Nine Yang Soul-Suppressing Talisman that I drew. I guarantee it won't be able to cause any trouble."

"Once we get back to the underworld, I'll ask Lady Pingxin. She's very knowledgeable and will surely know what to do with this bead."

Sha Wujing stared at the brocade pouch, a hint of apprehension in his eyes, and couldn't help but take a half step back: "Brother Jiang, you'd better be careful."

This bead doesn't sound like a good thing just from its name. Who knows, it might be hiding the soul of some old monster, waiting to jump out and cause you trouble one day.

"I, Old Sha, don't have the ability to deal with monster souls like you."

"Look at you, so pathetic!"

Jiang Wang laughed and patted Sha Wujing on the shoulder, "Don't worry, with me here, all the monsters' souls will have to obediently lie down."

You, on the other hand, should hurry back and keep an eye on Master, lest that idiot Pigsy gets into trouble again.

The monkey just went and caused him trouble; it's probably making quite a scene right now.

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing's expression changed. He slung his demon-subduing staff over his shoulder and exclaimed, "Oh no, this is bad!"

With Sun Wukong's temper, he'll definitely make Pigsy lose face.

"Brother Jiang, I'm going back to check on things first. You be careful, lest you run into something strange again!"

"go Go!"

Jiang Wang waved his hand, watching Sha Wujing hurriedly disappear into the woods, a smile playing on his lips. "That old Sha, he may be a bit simple-minded, but he's honest and kind-hearted."

He was just about to find a place to rest when he heard the rapid sound of horses' hooves, mixed with a familiar dragon's roar.

Jiang Wang was taken aback and looked up to see the white dragon horse carrying Ao Yuwei galloping down the mountain path, its hooves kicking up dust. Ao Yuwei was dressed in green, and her brows showed a hint of anxiety.

"Master!"
"You've finally arrived!"

Ao Yuwei reined in her horse, dismounted, and rushed to Jiang Wang, panting, "Disciple just came from the Underworld. Lady Pingxin has urgent business and summoned you back. She said there's been some trouble in the Underworld. Some of the Ten Kings of Hell are dissatisfied with your taking over as the Lord of the Underworld and are clamoring to see you for a face-to-face contest!"

"Competition?"

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming more playful, "Goodness, I haven't even officially taken office yet, and someone's already trying to intimidate me?"
Who is so bold?

Is it the Emperor of Fengdu or Huang Feihu?

Ao Yuwei shook her head, her pretty face full of solemnity: "Neither, Master."

It's King Qin Guang!

His underlings were the most vocal, saying that you, an outsider and a Golden Immortal from another realm, were not qualified to sit in the position of Lord of the Underworld.

The two seniors, Jin Jia and Yin Suo, have done their best to suppress it, but King Qin Guang is adamant that you must personally return to oversee the situation.

"The Empress Pingxin sent me to deliver a message, saying that this matter requires your personal attention, otherwise the underworld might descend into chaos."

"King Qin Guang?"

Jiang Wang narrowed his eyes, and the image of Yama, with his gloomy face and the Book of Life and Death in his hand, appeared in his mind. A cold smile appeared on his lips. "This old guy usually seems to be quite low-key, but I didn't expect him to have such thoughts."

Okay, since he wants to play, I'll play along!
Yuwei, what's the situation in the underworld right now?

"Did the Desolate Emperor and his men fail to control the situation?"

Ao Yuwei sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Senior Shi and the others did their best, but the Yin energy in the Underworld is too heavy. After all, the Immortal Emperors of the Shrouding the Heavens World are outsiders. They can suppress the little ghosts, but they can't suppress the old ministers."

King Qin Guang, relying on his seniority and the Book of Life and Death, is clearly trying to embarrass you.

Senior Jin Jia said that King Qin Guang might have someone backing him up, and it's highly likely that he's connected to Mount Ling.

"Lingshan?"

Jiang Wang's eyes turned cold, and he lightly tapped the Nightfall Spear at his waist with his fingers. "Is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva up to something again?"

Ha, that old bald monk really doesn't know how to keep quiet.

Yuwei, what else did Empress Pingxin say?
Surely she wouldn't expect me to go and fight King Qin Guang bare-handed, would she?

Ao Yuwei quickly took out a golden talisman from her sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Master, the Empress said that although the Book of Life and Death in King Qin Guang's hands is powerful, you have the Great Evolution Heavenly Book and the God-Slaying Whip, which are enough to restrain it."

She also gave me this Six Paths of Reincarnation Talisman, saying it could save my life in a critical moment, and that I should act without worrying too much.

Jiang Wang took the talisman. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, with faint six-colored light flowing around it, as if it contained a mysterious power of reincarnation.

He nodded and praised, "Your Majesty is truly generous; this talisman could probably even withstand the attacks of a Quasi-Saint."

Okay, Yuwei, you go back to the underworld first and tell Jin Jia and Yin Suo to stabilize the situation. I'll be there soon.

King Qin Guang wants to play games? I'll see what he's really made of!

"Master, are you really going back alone?"

Ao Yuwei bit her lip, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, "King Qin Guang has quite a few underworld soldiers and generals under his command, and I'm afraid they might use underhanded tricks."

Although the Desolate Heavenly Emperor and his ilk can offer assistance, the Underworld is, after all, their territory…

"What are you afraid of?"

Jiang Wang laughed and patted Ao Yuwei's shoulder, "Your master is, after all, a Hunyuan Golden Immortal, backed by the Human Sect, so I have a strong back!"
If King Qin Guang dares to play dirty tricks, I'll make sure he can't even hold onto the Book of Life and Death.

Go ahead and wait patiently. I guarantee I'll make sure the underworld is completely subdued!

Seeing Jiang Wang's confidence, Ao Yuwei felt somewhat relieved, nodded, and mounted her horse, saying, "Then this disciple will take her leave first. Master, please take care!"

"Go!"

Jiang Wang waved his hand, watching the white dragon horse carry Ao Yuwei and disappear at the end of the mountain path. The smile on his face gradually faded, and his eyes turned cold. "King Qin Guang, Mount Ling... it seems that the position of the Lord of the Underworld is not so easy to hold."

He took a deep breath, flipped his hand, and the Nightfall Spear appeared in his palm. The spear gleamed coldly, faintly exuding a murderous aura.

Jiang Wang whispered, "System, investigate King Qin Guang's background. This old guy dared to jump out, he must have something to rely on."

"Ding!

Searching... Target: King Qin Guang, head of the Ten Kings of Hell, in charge of the First Court, holding the Book of Life and Death, with a cultivation level of early Quasi-Saint, skilled in causal judgment, and commander of the Yin Army.

Background: A senior Yama King in the Underworld, loyal to Lady Pingxin, but dissatisfied with the Human Sect's interference in Underworld affairs, and suspected of being secretly supported by Mount Ling.

Weakness: While the Book of Life and Death is powerful, it requires a large amount of Yin energy to activate, making it vulnerable in prolonged battles.

The system's voice sounded coldly.

"Early stage of Quasi-Saint?"

Jiang Wang grinned, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "Interesting."

The Book of Life and Death, right?
"Perfect opportunity to test the quality of my God-Slaying Whip!"

He touched the ground with his toes, his figure transforming into a golden streak of light as he sped towards the underworld, the Night-Startling Spear leaving a silver trail behind him like a shooting star streaking across the night sky. (End of Chapter)