Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 617 The Flood Dragon King's Assistance

There are mountains outside the mountains, and there are people outside the people.

Beyond the heavens, there are still heavens.

Above the Thirty-Three Heavens of the Celestial Realm.

In the Heaven of Separation from Hatred, before the primordial chaos was created, the pure air was like milk.

The Tushita Palace stands amidst the primordial chaos, its steps made of jade and its tiles of glazed glass, majestic and ancient, exuding a natural Taoist charm.

The Milky Way outside the palace twinkled faintly, and purple mist surged from the east, stretching for tens of thousands of miles, presenting a scene of tranquility and freedom.

The Supreme Dao Ancestor sat upright on it, dressed in a simple Daoist robe, with white hair and a youthful face, his eyes closed in meditation, seemingly integrated with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

He seemed to have known of Li Xuan's arrival all along, and when Li Xuan's primordial spirit manifested and bowed in respect, he slowly opened his eyes.

Those eyes were calm and still, yet they seemed to contain the vicissitudes of time and endless mysteries.

Li Xuangang exchanged a glance with Laozi, and his restless mind instantly calmed down.

"sit down."

Laozi looked at Li Xuan, his voice calm and indifferent, yet penetrating to the very essence of his soul.

Li Xuan dared not disobey, and sat down as instructed, his posture respectful.

"Li Xuan."

Laozi slowly spoke, directly addressing the core of Li Xuan's trip:

"I already know your purpose in coming."

"The Eight Immortals crossed the sea, each displaying their unique abilities. That 'life-or-death contract'... was merely a disturbance that arose in response to the times."

"Master, please see the truth. Your disciple is filled with trepidation."

Li Xuan bowed again and said in a deep voice:

“The Western Sea Dragon Clan has gone too far in bullying our Taoist sect, burning down our temple and killing our temple priests.”

"They even wrote such a deadly petition to damage the prestige of our Taoist sect."

"The eight disciples gathered at the Yellow Crane Tower, their resolve as firm as iron, determined to keep their promise in the Western Sea and uphold the dignity of the Daoist tradition."

"However, the Dragon King of the West Sea is powerful and deeply rooted. He is a giant in the vast ocean with many capable subordinates. His son, Ao Moang, is the bravest among the dragons of the four seas."

“We disciples fear that we are not strong enough, but if we retreat now, the shame of the destruction of the temple in the human world will be hard to erase, the foundation of the Tao will be shaken, and we will not only ruin the prestige of our teacher, but also erode the hearts of people in the human world who have been gathered together for the Tao.”

"This is not what we want."

"We are caught in a dilemma, so I have come here in spirit, begging the teacher to guide us through our confusion."

The Supreme Lord Laozi's gaze was profound, piercing through the layers of clouds beyond the Heaven of Separation and landing on the turbulent Western Sea, before returning to the worry between Li Xuan's brows.

"The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each displaying their unique abilities... This is the will of Heaven."

Lao Tzu's tone was ethereal and profound:
"This tribulation is for you both a life-and-death trial on your path of cultivation, and a crucial touchstone to test whether your worldly practices and merits are complete."

Speaking of it.

He paused slightly, and the elixir energy in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment in response to his thoughts.

"It is difficult to save people through the Tao and its teachings."

"This is because people's hearts are complicated and their desires are like fire."

“The evil thoughts of one person may be as faint as a firefly; but the resentment of millions of people, when intertwined and gathered into a torrent, is as blazing as the sun that burns the heavens and scorches the heart of the Dao.”

"How easy is it to spread the word and have millions of people learn it?"

"Therefore, spreading the Way and morality among people is a great merit and a great cause and effect."

"But when it comes to preaching the gospel, one must face countless difficulties and endure tribulations."

"Therefore, there needs to be someone who is destined to face the calamity, to sacrifice themselves to heaven and earth, and to resolve this calamity."

"This is how we spread the Dao in Taoism, and it will be the same for us to spread the scriptures in Buddhism in the future."

"To establish the Way in the world, to establish the Way in the hearts of all people, one must face this tribulation and experience this tribulation."

"The calamity caused by the Western Sea Dragon Clan is a tribulation that you Eight Immortals must overcome to achieve your Dao."

Laozi's gaze swept over Li Xuan, who stood below, holding his breath and listening intently, and he continued:

"For our Taoist teachings to be manifest in the human world, it is not enough to merely recite scriptures; we also need to use swift and decisive means to dispel evil and reveal righteousness."

"How can the common people know the majesty of immortals and saints, and how can they demonstrate the authority of the Taoist sect?"

“The heroic act of subduing dragons and slaying serpents has always been a way of demonstrating sainthood and proving one’s divine power.”

"Now that the Western Sea Dragon Clan has appeared before you, coming with overwhelming arrogance, they are just the right whetstone for you, the ones who will face this calamity."

"You have been practicing your faith in the human world for many years and have established a solid foundation. Now, on your journey to the Western Sea, you should take advantage of the 'Dragon Subduing' ritual to spread the name of the 'Taoist School'."

"The eight of you, from different backgrounds, have gathered here today."

"It is just like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their unique abilities."

"This action can show all living beings that the heart that seeks the Tao is not limited by social status; the path to immortality is not bound by physical form; regardless of gender, age, wealth, or poverty, as long as one sincerely seeks the Tao and firmly adheres to it, one can reach the other shore and become a carefree immortal!"

Laozi intended to use the Western Sea Dragon Clan as a backdrop to complete the final sublimation of the Eight Immortals of Taoism as "role models for seeking the Tao," planting a seed of Taoism in the hearts of all beings.

This teaches the world that those who seek the Dao, regardless of gender or social status, as long as they are sincere and persevere, can all attain supernatural powers and ascend to the ranks of immortals, just like these eight people.

Upon hearing Laozi's words, Li Xuan felt greatly calmed.

Lao Tzu's few words directly pointed to the essence of this calamity, which enlightened him.

One person's evil thought may be as faint as a firefly.

However, the entangled resentments of millions of people, converging into a torrent, burn like the blazing sun, scorching the heart of the Dao.

How easy is it to spread the word and teach it to millions of people?
This is bound to bring calamity.

The spread of Taoism requires facing countless difficulties.

The same applies to the transmission of Buddhist scriptures.

Li Xuan bowed deeply and said respectfully:
"This disciple is dull-witted, but thanks to the teacher's guidance, I have suddenly understood! Thank you, teacher!"

Although Li Xuan understood that this trip was of great significance, his worries had not yet dissipated.

He bowed again, his expression solemn, and said:
"I will always remember your teachings, teacher. However..."

Li Xuan slightly raised his head, his eyes filled with worry:
"What I am concerned about is that the West Sea Dragon Palace has a profound foundation, the West Sea Dragon King and his son have high magical power, and their troops are as numerous as clouds."

"Even if we disciples possess profound and wondrous methods, if our cultivation level and magical power are insufficient, we fear we will find it difficult to blunt their sharpness."

"If we allow them to take advantage of us, it will only increase their arrogance. Wouldn't that be a disgrace to the prestige of the Daoist sect?"

What he worried about was the chain of negative consequences that might follow failure. Not only would he be in danger, but he also feared that it would damage the reputation of Taoism in the human world and the great cause of spreading the Tao.

"Hehehe."

"It's easy."

Upon hearing this, Laozi chuckled lightly, seemingly already aware of Li Xuan's concerns.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he instructed the Golden Furnace Boy:
“Golden Furnace Boy, bring me that gourd for holding pills, and give five Nine-Turn Golden Pills to your senior brother.”

"Yes, Laozi!"

The Golden Incense Burner Boy responded immediately, walked to a jade shelf on the side, and carefully picked up a purple-gold-red gourd.

The Golden Furnace Boy slowly pulled out the stopper from the gourd's mouth.

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

……

In an instant, a burst of rosy light burst forth, spreading like magnificent clouds throughout the palace. A unique fragrance filled the room, and an intensely rich life essence instantly permeated the entire palace. The rosy light shone in countless rays, intoxicating the mind and spirit.

The Golden Furnace Boy poured out five elixirs, each the size of a longan, perfectly round and flawless, their bodies shimmering with golden light.

The surface of this pill seems to be shrouded in a galaxy of mist, with naturally formed Dao patterns. It is none other than the supreme treasure of the Tushita Palace—the Nine-Turn Golden Pill!
"This elixir can enhance your cultivation and benefit your path, replenish your source and prolong your life, stabilize your foundation, and increase your vast magical power. It is equivalent to the effort you have put into cultivating for a thousand years."

"Today, I bestow this Nine-Turn Golden Elixir upon you all, to help you increase your magical power and elevate your cultivation level."

Laozi gestured to the Golden Boy to hand five elixirs to Li Xuan, and continued:
"If we are still no match for them, then someone will 'break through the waves of the Western Sea' and end this calamity."

"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this elixir."

Li Xuanzhen solemnly accepted the five Nine-Turn Golden Pills, which still retained the purple mist of the Tushita Palace.

The elixir felt warm to the touch, yet as heavy as a mountain. It contained not only surging medicinal power, but also the silent support of the Supreme Dao Ancestor!
The burden on his heart eased slightly, but Li Xuan, being a thoughtful man, thought of the final shackle:
"I will heed the Master's instructions."

"However... the Dragon King of the West Sea is, after all, a deity officially registered in the Heavenly Court, holding an important position in the Department of Water."

"Even if his disciples commit evil deeds and provoke him first, if a disciple uses his master's magic weapon to severely injure or even kill him."

"It would not look good on the Jade Emperor's face."

Upon hearing this, Lao Tzu smiled and slowly said:

"The Heavenly Court of today is still the Heavenly Court of the Taoist sect."

"A mere Dragon Lord, appointed by the Heavenly Court and wielding the authority of Heavenly Rules, is ultimately not a true descendant of the Xuanmen lineage."

"Which is more important, the great cause of Taoism or the regional dragon king?"

"Given the overall situation, we will act accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan understood.

to be honest.

Do you not see that, looking across the Lingxiao Palace and the Jade Pool and Jade Forest, aren't most of the righteous gods and important officials of this vast Heavenly Court from the Xuanmen sect and the disciples of the Three Pure Ones?
The core officials of the Heavenly Court today are basically disciples and former officials of the Three Pure Ones, and are mostly people from the Taoist sect.

Behind closed doors, they believe that's when they're truly family.

This is the foundation of the Heavenly Court.

The Eight Immortals of Taoism are acting in the mortal realm to spread the Tao and promote its traditions.

This is beneficial to the Taoist community as a whole.

For many years, they have manifested their divine power and spread their teachings in the mortal realm, and countless people have practiced the Tao because of them.

Therefore, the incense offerings to the Taoist deities in Heaven also reached a new level, becoming increasingly prosperous.

These Taoist immortals in Heaven are all beneficiaries who have profited from this, so why would they stop the Eight Immortals from spreading their teachings and ruin their own livelihood?

In contrast, the dragons, though they also held positions in the Heavenly Court, were always marginalized.

In the gatherings of Taoist immortals in Heaven, the dragon race was even reduced to delicacies on the banquet table, which is enough to illustrate their low status.

The merits of the Eight Immortals of Taoism in spreading their teachings to the mortal world will ultimately benefit their fellow Taoists throughout the Heavenly Court.

The Eight Immortals successfully spread their teachings, leading to the flourishing of Taoism in the human world and a continuous stream of incense offerings. This is the source of their incense offerings and the foundation of Taoism in the human world.

Logically and emotionally, how could the Taoist immortals of Heaven sit idly by and watch their own affairs be obstructed by a mere dragon clan?
The Taoist sect is the true foundation and essence of the Heavenly Court.

Dragon clan?

Ultimately, they were merely "tyrannical servants" or "unofficial warriors" dependent on the Heavenly Court's order.

These few words from Laozi set an unshakable tone for the impending turmoil in the Western Sea—this was an inevitable defense within the Taoist community of its status as the "inheritor of the Taoist lineage in the human world."

The gods of Heaven and the immortals of Taoism are mostly "beneficiaries" and will not help the dragon race.

……

If we compare the Heavenly Court to a huge company, then the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother of the West, and Laozi are the three giants of this company, controlling the core decisions and direction of the company.

The disciples of the Three Pure Ones Taoist sect are the "official employees" of the Heavenly Court.

The dragon race is more like the Heavenly Court's "employees," or "outsourced employees" or "non-staff members."

The dragons serve the Heavenly Court with their own power, but they find it difficult to obtain the same status and treatment as regular employees.

The Eight Immortals of Taoism are more like "official employees" who have already been selected and are about to join the Heavenly Court, and are in a probationary period.

Having preached the Tao in the mortal realm for many years, they have accumulated rich experience and profound merit. They are just waiting for the right time to formally enter the Heavenly Court and become the backbone of the Taoist sect there.

now.

A conflict has arisen between formal employees (Taoist disciples under the Three Pure Ones) and outsourced employees (Dragon Clan). Whose interests will the Heavenly Court, this "company," protect?
The answer is self-evident.

……

Having received the decree from Laozi, Li Xuan had a plan in mind.

At this point, all the gloom and doubts in Li Xuan's heart dissipated, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sun!
He felt a clear and bright Daoist intent emanating from within.

Li Xuan bowed deeply to Laozi once more, without the slightest hesitation:

"Disciple...understands!"

The futon disappeared, and Li Xuan's primordial spirit slowly faded away amidst the rising purple aura from the alchemy furnace.

Only in the Tushita Palace, the unchanging fragrance of elixir and the flickering firelight of ten thousand years reflect the profound eyes of the Supreme Dao Ancestor.

……

"Profound and mysterious, the gateway to all wonders..."

The ancient Taoist chants seemed to echo from time immemorial, reverberating in the quiet room beside the Yellow Crane Tower.

Li Xuan's body trembled violently, as if he had just woken up from a dream. His mind returned to normal instantly, and his eyes snapped open!

The sky outside the window was already beginning to lighten.

The last wisps of incense in the burner had just dissipated.

Li Xuan flipped his palm, and five Nine-Turn Golden Pills shone with light, instantly filling the pavilion with a clear glow.

What was given in the dream is now real and tangible!

Without the slightest hesitation.

Li Xuan stepped out of the meditation room and instantly appeared before the ruins of the Lüzu Temple.

Ignoring the lingering smell of burning and faint traces of blood around him, his gaze was like lightning, firmly fixed on the "death contract" that exuded the resentment of a dragon.

"Bah-"

With a soft sound, the "life-or-death contract" that seemed to embody all the wrath of the Western Sea was steadily peeled off the broken wall!
"Clang clang clang."

"Clang clang clang."

……

The wind chimes on the eaves of the Yellow Crane Tower chimed crisply in the morning breeze, as if beating the war drums for the upcoming battle.

Its sound was clear and melodious, yet it carried a hint of chilling intent, echoing between heaven and earth.

Holding the Dragon Scale Blood Pill and the Douluo Treasure Pill in his hands, Li Xuan stood in the howling river wind, his gaze sweeping over the assembled fellow Daoists:
"The death penalty has been accepted!"

"This battle will surely let the whole world know what it means to be like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their unique abilities!"

……

In the human realm.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching all corners of the land.
"The Dragon Clan of the West Sea and the Eight Immortals of Taoism have signed a life-or-death agreement, and will engage in an earth-shattering duel in the West Sea."

The news caused a sensation throughout the world, with all kinds of immortals, demons, and monsters eagerly anticipating witnessing this unprecedented battle.

……

Beiju Luzhou.

Currently, Demon Master Kunpeng has several disciples.

They are: Kun Demon King, Red Poison King (Scorpion Demon He San Niang), Jiao Demon King, and Peng Demon King.

At this moment.

The Demon King Kun and He San Niang were still in seclusion, cultivating diligently in order to break through their cultivation levels, and therefore had not yet become involved in worldly conflicts.

Looking back on the past.

In the thrilling Battle of Buzhouyuan in Beiju Luzhou.

The Demon King Jiao and Ao Moang fought several battles in Buzhou Abyss.

After several battles, the Jiao Demon King and Ao Moang went from being at each other's throats to developing a mutual respect, and it could be said that they became friends after fighting.

Men's friendships can sometimes be that pure and direct.

The two had no prior grudges and were both hot-blooded young men. After several clashes, they drank two cups of wine and laughed away their old grievances, with all past misunderstandings vanishing like smoke.

Since then.

The Demon King Jiao and Ao Moang became close friends, their friendship growing stronger day by day, almost to the point of becoming sworn brothers.

Ao Moang often visited the Demon Master's Palace as a guest.

Before Xiao Chen ascended to heaven, when he went to the Demon Master's Palace to pick up the Golden Gourd Duoduo, he also encountered Ao Moang in the Demon Master's Palace.

The Demon King Jiao also frequently visited the Dragon Palace of the West Sea as a guest, where he would drink and chat with the dragons of the West Sea.

……

Inside the Demon Master's Palace.

Upon hearing the news that "the Western Sea Dragon Clan and the Eight Immortals of Taoism are going to have a decisive battle in the Western Sea," the Demon King of the Flood Dragon couldn't help but have a slight thought.

The old days.

His father refused to go to the Heavenly Court to build pillars for the Heavenly Court, thus disobeying the Heavenly Court's decree.

Their Mo Jiao clan was slaughtered by the Heavenly Court.

Fortunately, his father helped him escape his predicament with the "Sea-Covering Pearl".

He Molang was able to survive in this world.

From that moment on, Mo Lang made a firm resolution to rebel against Heaven and fight against the Heavenly Court to the very end.

Remember the past.

He, the Demon King, known as the "Great Sage Who Overturns the Seas," sought to overthrow the four seas and dominate the waters.

The Monkey King, also known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, aspires to be equal to the heavens and challenges the might of the heavens.

The two demons joined forces to rebel against Heaven on Flower Fruit Mountain, stirring up a storm that drew the attention of the Three Realms.

Later, the Monkey King went to the Heavenly Court and became the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, while the Flood Dragon Demon King was still determined to rebel against Heaven.

However, the Heavenly Court was too powerful, and he also had strict orders from his master (the demon master Kunpeng).

Therefore, he had been waiting for a good opportunity and could only endure and wait for it to come.

However, this time, the West Sea Dragon Clan and the Eight Immortals of Taoism have already signed a life-or-death agreement.

The life-or-death agreement states: "It not only distinguishes between high and low, but also between life and death."

A waiver of liability is also a form of "liability waiver".

That is, neither side will be held accountable for their life or death.

In other words.

Even if the Demon King Jiao openly and justifiably slaughtered all eight immortals of the Daoist sect, the Heavenly Court and the Daoist sect would find it difficult to hold him accountable.

exactly.

Now, his master (Demon Master Kunpeng) and a black-robed Taoist (Wutian Demon Ancestor) are nowhere to be found, and are not in the Demon Master's Palace.

Think about this.

The Flood Dragon Demon King then recalled the mysterious black-robed Taoist, who was the successor of the "Heavenly Demon Ancestor" and the "Demon Ancestor Rahu".

Last time, the black-robed Taoist visited the Demon Master's Palace to pay respects to his master. Seeing that he was also a spearman, he casually pointed out a set of "God-Slaying Spear" techniques to him.

And this God-Slaying Spear Technique is indeed very powerful, containing the Way of Slaughter, and is decisive in killing.

"This is a golden opportunity!"

The Demon King of the Flood Dragon was secretly delighted:

"The day shall be the day to slay a god."

"I'll make a trip to the Western Sea to lend my support to Ao Moang!"

(End of this chapter)