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

A glint flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes, but he remained calm and composed.

Knowing that he couldn't win with just the Treasure-Dropping Coins, he had a sudden thought: "System, consume five million experience points to refine the Breaking Law Heart-Establishing Nail!"

In his mind, the system's cold voice rang out: "Refining successful. The innate supreme treasure, the Heart-Piercing Nail, has recognized its master."

In an instant, a rusty ancient nail appeared in Jiang Wang's palm, its body engraved with spell-breaking runes, faintly pulsating like a heartbeat.

The upgraded Heart-Shattering Nail is no longer just a weapon of attack, but a supreme treasure capable of tracking the very essence of the Great Dao and shattering all illusions and clones! Jiang Wang laughed loudly: "Try this!"

He moved all ten fingers in unison, unleashing his multiple spellcasting talents. With the ten layers stacked, the Breaking Spell Heart-Piercing Nail instantly split into ten phantoms, each locking onto Laozi's aura and transforming into a stream of light to pierce him.

Laozi was shocked. The Devouring Heaven Gourd spun rapidly, spewing out layers of profound energy barriers. The first Heart-Piercing Nail pierced through the barrier like a ghost, aiming straight for his brow! Laozi's clone flickered, transforming into a phantom of a green ox to dodge, but unexpectedly, the second nail shadow followed, piercing the green ox's brow and unleashing a divine light that shattered the magic, turning the clone into dust.

"impossible!"

Laozi roared and unleashed the third, fourth... and so on until the tenth strike, shattering nine of his clones in succession. His true self was pale and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing the situation was dire, Yuanshi Tianzun shook the Chaos Bell, and the bell waves surged like a tide to protect Laozi: "Senior brother, run!"

Laozi gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd transformed into a stream of light. The two of them joined forces to tear open a rift in the void and fled in panic.

Behind them, Jiang Wang's laughter followed like a shadow: "You two, do you think you can escape?"

In the void passage, Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun fled side by side. The bell of Chaos Bell had lost its rhythm, and the profound energy of the Devouring Gourd had dimmed.

Yuanshi Tianzun, panting, couldn't help but mutter a curse: "Senior brother, if you hadn't insisted on taking the Chaos Bell for yourself, would I have been distracted? Now look what's happened, I'm in such a sorry state!"

Laozi's hair stood on end, and he glared back: "Hmph! Your Pangu Banner clone was shattered by Jiang Wang's nail, and you still have the nerve to say that? If you hadn't been making excuses, I would have taken the bell long ago!"

The two exchanged accusations and insults, their former brotherhood now severely damaged by their greed for the treasure.

The void passage trembled, and their curses echoed endlessly, but they could not conceal the fear in their hearts—Jiang Wang's Heart-Piercing Nail that broke the law could actually track the origin of the Great Dao, and they could not shake it off! Jiang Wang was chasing after them, and seeing the two figures getting further and further away, he suddenly stopped.

He turned to look to the side, where Li Bai stood, pale-faced, his spatial laws destroyed by Laozi's earlier attack.

"Master..."

Li Bai murmured, his eyes filled with doubt and admiration.

He witnessed Jiang Wang suppress the Three Pure Ones single-handedly. The Falling Treasure Coin shone like the sun, and the Heart-Piercing Nail of the Breaking Law cast shadows like rain. That overwhelming power made this disciple of the Poet Immortal feel excited, but also secretly worried.

"Bai'er, I will send you back to the human realm."

With a thought, Jiang Wang conjured a teleportation portal in his palm, leading directly to Chang'an City.

He placed a hand on Li Bai's shoulder and said softly, "The Heavenly Realm is dangerous. You should return to Chang'an to recover first. I will be there soon."

Li Bai opened his mouth to speak, but seeing his master's firm gaze, he could only nod and say, "Disciple obeys, Master, take care!"

The portal swallowed Li Bai's figure, and Jiang Wang sneered, continuing his pursuit: "I'm going to have your gourd!"

At the edge of the celestial realm, the void tore open, and Lao Tzu finally escaped the passage, landing on a floating island outside the Nine Heavens.

The Heaven-Swallowing Gourd floated, barely regaining some of its luster.

He gasped for breath, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and was about to stabilize his injuries when he suddenly felt a chill in his back—the shadow of the Heart-Piercing Nail pierced through the void like a ghost, precisely embedding itself in the acupoint of his heart! "Ah—"

Laozi screamed in agony, his life mark trembled violently, and the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd fell out of control, heading straight for Jiang Wang's palm.

Jiang Wang took the gourd, sensed the Great Dao of Devouring Heaven within it, and nodded in satisfaction: "What a treasure!"

Laozi's face turned deathly pale as he forced himself to sit up: "Jiang Wang, you've gone too far!"

He was about to retaliate when he saw Jiang Wang had already summoned the Pangu Banner! With a flick of the banner, the Heaven-Opening Sword Qi slashed out like a bolt of lightning, carrying the chaotic power of creation, aiming straight for Laozi's head.

The void shattered, and wherever the sword energy passed, all things returned to nothingness! Laozi was terrified and hurriedly summoned the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, his acquired treasure! The pagoda shone with golden light, and its exquisite light transformed into nine layers of barriers, one after another, forcefully blocking the sword energy.

Amidst the roar, the tower swayed, but ultimately it saved Laozi's life.

"Haha, a mere trick!"

Jiang Wang laughed loudly, and the Treasure-Dropping Coin struck again, its golden light locking onto the Linglong Pagoda and forcibly stripping away its acquired mark.

The exquisite pagoda let out a mournful cry and was swept away by the golden light, falling into Jiang Wang's pocket! Laozi's eyes were bloodshot, and seeing that a great calamity was about to befall him, he was about to fight desperately when he suddenly heard a sigh from the void: "So be it."

A figure appeared silently, surrounded by purple aura, his aura unfathomable. It was none other than Hongjun Daozu! His hair and beard were all white, his eyes were indifferent, and he pointed out with one finger. The finger beam containing the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder fell like a heavenly punishment, directly pressing down on Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang felt a chill run down his spine. Hongjun's strength far surpassed that of the Three Pure Ones! That finger beam carried immense thunder and sealed off the void. Although he had a supreme treasure to protect him, he felt his very essence being suppressed.

In the critical moment, Jiang Wang unleashed his multi-casting talent, stacking ten times the speed of light! With a flicker, he tore through the barrier of the celestial realm like a streak of light and escaped into the human realm.

"Want to go?"

Hongjun frowned slightly, but did not pursue—the Heavenly Realm barrier was restricted by the Dao Ancestor, and he could not cross the boundary to enter. He could only watch helplessly as Jiang Wang's figure disappeared.

Laozi knelt on the ground, his voice trembling as he cried out, "Master, save me!"

Hongjun withdrew his finger and said calmly, "This boy escaped twice, both times on my own initiative."

Laozi was taken aback: "What do you mean, Master?"

Hongjun gazed into the distance, looking towards the human realm: "The revival of humanity is imminent. We need to use this child's power to stir up the winds and clouds of the three realms so that we can make arrangements in advance."

Nine years later, when the human realm is unsealed, the human consciousness that has taken form can be killed.

Laozi's heart trembled. Human consciousness? That is the foundation of the human race's destiny! Hongjun paused, his voice cold: "However, the hidden dangers of the human race still exist."

As a saint, you must relinquish your saintly status and eliminate this scourge.

Laozi's face turned deathly pale. To relinquish his saintly position? Wouldn't that mean eternal reincarnation? But seeing the unwavering resolve in Hongjun's eyes, he could only kowtow: "Disciple obeys..."

In the human realm, outside Chang'an City, the autumn wind was bleak. Li Bai's figure appeared, the pain of having his spatial laws destroyed causing him to stagger and fall to the ground.

Suddenly, a golden light descended, and Jiang Wang appeared, placing a palm on his shoulder. Pure spiritual energy surged in, stabilizing the injury.

"Master!"

Li Bai looked up, his eyes brimming with tears.

Jiang Wang sighed, "Bai'er, I'm sorry. I've destroyed the spatial laws, and they won't be restored in the short term."

Li Bai shook his head, his voice firm: "This disciple has no regrets! Master suppressed the Three Pure Ones all by himself, and this disciple was fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. What an honor!"

Jiang Wang smiled slightly and patted his shoulder: "Come on, come back to the manor with your master."

The two teleported back and landed in a secluded Taoist temple in Chang'an City.

Inside the temple, Guo Ziyi and Du Fu were already waiting. The two were personally taught by Jiang Wang, one a martial artist and the other a scholar. Guo Ziyi had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and held a long spear, while Du Fu was gentle and refined, with a wine pot hanging from his waist.

Upon seeing their master return, the two bowed down in unison: "Master!" Jiang Wang nodded and looked around at the three: "The Three Realms are in turmoil, demons roam freely, and the Heavenly Dao is in turmoil."

I recently had a fortuitous opportunity to refine the Hunyuan Pill.

This elixir is condensed from the primordial chaos, containing the essence of a Heavenly Dao Saint. It can help you attain enlightenment in one fell swoop and become a Heavenly Dao Saint!

Li Bai, Guo Ziyi, and Du Fu were greatly shocked upon hearing this. The Primordial Chaos Pill? That was a legendary supreme elixir, capable of defying fate with a single pill! Guo Ziyi's blood boiled: "Master, this pill is incomparably precious. What merit do we, your disciples, possess?"

Du Fu also said excitedly, "Master, the Three Realms are in danger. Your disciple is willing to follow you into battle. Why do we need this elixir?"

Jiang Wang shook his head, his eyes gentle yet firm: "The situation is dangerous, and I do not wish for you to be drawn into the vortex."

I bestow one pill upon each of you. Quickly enter seclusion to attain enlightenment!

Upon hearing this, the three of them looked on with anticipation and gratitude.

Li Bai whispered, "Master, your disciple will certainly not fail you."

Jiang Wang smiled and took out a gourd from his robes—but suddenly froze, realizing it was the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd in his hand! He coughed awkwardly, "Ahem, I took the wrong one."

With a flick of his finger, another gourd appeared, its mouth opening to release three crystal-clear Primordial Pills. Each pill had golden wings that emanated celestial light as they trembled.

"These wings are a gift from Heaven, to help you achieve the Great Dao."

Jiang Wang handed out the pills one by one. Li Bai took one, and as the wings on the pills fluttered lightly, a warm current flowed into his heart. Guo Ziyi held the pill in his hand, and the origin of martial arts roared, faintly showing the aura of a sage. Du Fu touched the pill, and his literary thoughts flowed like a spring, and his poetry was born naturally.

The three men kowtowed and expressed their gratitude: "Thank you, Master, for your great kindness!"

Jiang Wang nodded: "Go, go into seclusion for nine years, and the Three Realms await your return!"

Inside the Taoist temple, a burst of spiritual light shone forth, and the three figures disappeared into the closed room. Jiang Wang stood by the window, gazing at the sky.

With the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd, the Exquisite Pagoda, the Chaos Bell... these supreme treasures are in hand, the Three Pure Ones suffer setbacks, and Hongjun's scheme begins to unfold.

Humanity is reviving, and a storm is brewing. How will Jiang Wang stir up the grand scheme of the Journey to the West? The aftershocks of the chase in the void have not yet dissipated. On the floating island of the Heavenly Realm, Laozi sat cross-legged. The pain of losing the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda of Heaven and Earth caused his Great Dao Origin to ache faintly.

Although the pagoda was a treasure acquired later in life, it was connected to his holy position. Now that it is lost, it is like a severed arm.

He looked up at Hongjun, whose figure was as majestic as a mountain, and the aftershocks of the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder still crackled in the air.

"Master, where exactly does this Jiang Wang possess such supernatural powers? The Falling Treasure Coin has been upgraded to the Innate Realm, the Heart-Piercing Nail that breaks the law relentlessly tracks him, and the Pangu Banner's sword energy splits the heavens... Even the Three Pure Ones, working together, have fled in disarray!"

Laozi's voice was filled with resentment. In the past, when he was in charge of Taiqing, who could rival him when the Devouring Gourd was unleashed? Now, however, he was driven to the brink of despair by a mere human cultivator.

Hongjun smiled calmly, a profound glint in his eyes: "Jiang Wang possesses great fortune, enhanced by the system, beyond your comprehension."

Releasing him twice was a gesture of goodwill.

Nine years later, the seal on the human realm will be broken, and the consciousness of humanity will take shape. At that time, it will be the opportunity to eradicate it completely.

By relinquishing your saintly position, you are eliminating the potential threat of a human saint and preventing a backlash from the dynasty's fortune.

Laozi's heart was breaking. To relinquish his saintly position meant to forever lose the Great Dao and fall into the mortal realm! But then Hongjun pointed a finger, and a beam of purple light entered his brow: "This is the Purple Cloud Seal, which can alleviate your injuries."

Go forth, and do not fail my trust.

Laozi bowed and rose. Though he had lost the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd, he vanished into the void with a sway, leaving only bitterness in his heart.

On the other side, Yuanshi Tianzun had already fled back to Kunlun Yuxu Palace, where the Chaos Bell hung from the palace roof, its tolling low and deep.

His face was ashen; the Pangu Banner clone had been destroyed, and his vital energy was severely damaged.

"That bastard of mine, he shirked responsibility and almost made me lose the Chaos Bell!"

He muttered to himself, and the palace disciples paid their respects, but seeing their master's sinister gaze, they dared not say a word.

Yuanshi knew that in this struggle, the Three Pure Ones had lost face, Jiang Wang had risen to power, and there were hidden worries about humanity. The Three Realms might be in great chaos in the future.

In Chang'an, the capital of the human realm, night had fallen, and the Jiangwang Taoist Temple was brightly lit.

Li Bai swallowed the Hunyuan Pill, and with a light flap of his wings, the pill's power surged into his meridians like a tidal wave.

Although his spatial laws were broken, he sensed the faint appearance of the Heavenly Dao Saintly Position. Poetic sentiments and sword energy intertwined, and there were signs of the laws being reshaped.

“Master, I will never forget this kindness.”

Inside the room, Li Bai sat cross-legged, his body enveloped in spiritual light, and closed his eyes to enter a meditative state.

With the pill in his hand, Guo Ziyi's martial spirit was ignited. The golden-winged pill seemed to resonate with his fighting spirit, and he laughed loudly: "Master, your disciple will surely become a saint and protect the peace of the human race!"

With the power of the elixir flowing into his body and the intent of his spear surging like a dragon, he is beginning to take shape as a saint. After nine years of seclusion, he will forge an unparalleled martial path.

Du Fu smiled gently, his red wings flapped, and his literary brilliance poured forth like a galaxy: "Master, your disciple proves the Way through poetry, and his legacy will last for a thousand years."

With the surge of spiritual energy, the great path of poetry blossoms, and the sage's fortune bestows upon him, he will become a literary sage and take charge of the literary lineage of humanity.

Jiang Wang stood outside the temple, holding the Heaven-Swallowing Gourd in his hand. He gently stroked the gourd, feeling the devouring power within.

The Linglong Pagoda shrank to the size of a toy in the palm of your hand, the Chaos Bell hummed incessantly, and all the innate treasures gathered together. His strength surged, yet he knew that Hongjun's plan was far-reaching.

"Humanitarian revival, the nine-year agreement... Interesting."

He murmured, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

The struggle between the three realms for supreme treasures is just the beginning.

Jiang Wang turned and went into the temple, waiting to see how things would change.

The details of the battle replayed in Jiang Wang's mind.

When the golden light of the Falling Treasure Coin landed, the resistance of Laozi's Devouring Heaven Gourd was like two torrents colliding, shattering the void and scattering thunder.

The primordial chaos bell waves overlapped layer upon layer, the bell's sound reverberating through the soul. Under Jiang Wang's multiple spells, ten nail shadows, like ten killing gods, shattered the clone. Amidst Laozi's screams, blood mist filled the air.

During the pursuit, Li Bai was sent back. At that moment, Jiang Wang felt a pang of tenderness. This disciple was a master of both poetry and swordsmanship, yet he was drawn into danger in the Heavenly Realm because of his master.

In the instant he seized the gourd, the Heart-Piercing Nail of the Breaking Law pierced his back, Laozi's figure twisted, the Great Dao collapsed, and the gourd fell with a mournful cry, like a ferocious beast that had lost its soul.

The Pangu Banner sword energy slashed out, tearing apart the floating island with the power of creation. The Linglong Pagoda, with its nine layers of golden light, blocked the sword's edge, and cracks appeared on its body.

The treasure fell again, the tower's soul was stripped away, and Jiang Wang felt a heat in his palm as the supreme treasure was in his hands.

Hongjun appeared, and with a single finger, the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, the lightning was like a net, sealing off Jiang Wang's body. He cast the spell ten times, and time seemed to stand still, allowing him to escape at ten times the speed of light. The lightning pursued him from behind, but he was ultimately blocked by the barrier.

Jiang Wang heard Hongjun's sigh clearly; the depth of the scheme made him wary.

Outside the Moon Palace, in the Peach Grove, Chang'e and two personal fairy maids knelt before their master, the Jade Rabbit Spirit, amidst wisps of incense and the fragrance of elixirs. (End of Chapter)