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

Chapter 632 Yellow Eyebrows "Steals" Treasure, Eight Immortals Obtain Elixir

The realm of Lingshan.

Inside Maitreya's Heavenly Palace.

"Golden Bell!"

King Yellow Eyebrows rushed forward, his hands trembling slightly, and respectfully picked up the pair of golden cymbals.

The golden cymbal was unusually heavy.

Huang Mei felt that it was as heavy as a mountain in his hand, and he almost couldn't hold it.

A vast and boundless Buddhist power, imbued with the essence of Nirvana, surged forth from the gong and directly impacted his spiritual center.

The inner wall of the cymbal was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting his own face, which was distorted by excitement, and his yellow eyebrows, which burned with burning ambition.

"What a wonderful treasure! It's truly a wonderful treasure!"

Huang Mei murmured to himself, lovingly stroking the mysterious Sanskrit characters on the golden gong, a surge of pride welling up within him:

"With this treasure in hand, I have the world at my command!"

"No matter how eloquent Jin Chanzi is, or how powerful the Eight Immortals of Taoism are, if they are trapped by my golden gong, I will make their bones soften and their muscles turn to jewels, and they will be reduced to ashes in three days and nights!"

"My journey to the Western Sea is the perfect opportunity for me, Yellow Eyebrows, to make a name for myself!"

After saying this, he tried to slowly inject a wisp of magic power into it and began to activate the golden bell.

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

……

Several low, yet soul-stirring, trembling sounds rang out.

The silent Sanskrit characters on the surface of the golden bell were suddenly illuminated.

A terrifying, all-encompassing force, seemingly capable of freezing time and space and capturing all things, erupted forth. The space within Maitreya's Heavenly Palace instantly became as viscous as amber, distorting the light and even freezing the wisps of smoke in mid-air.

Huang Mei even felt his own primordial spirit stagnate slightly, as if he was about to be sucked into the golden bell!

He hurriedly gathered his mind and withdrew his magic.

The golden light faded, the Sanskrit inscriptions fell silent again, and the golden gong returned to its ancient simplicity.

The earth-shattering power just now seemed like a dream, yet it was so real that it made one's heart tremble.

……

"What a magnificent golden cymbal! Its divine power is truly boundless!"

Huang Mei was overjoyed, patted the gong in praise, and his confidence greatly increased.

With this treasure bestowed upon us by our master, what great task could we possibly fail to accomplish on our journey to the Western Sea?
Protecting the orphans of the Jinghe Dragon Clan, including Little Crocodile Dragon, resisting the Taoist immortals, recruiting the ruthless dragon as a sharp weapon, stirring up the winds and clouds, and ultimately overpowering Jin Chanzi, the Buddha himself who was designated as "a Buddha under Mount Ling"...

However, after calming down, Huang Mei seemed to be deep in thought.

……

His master, Maitreya Buddha, possessed wisdom as vast as the sea and unfathomable. He clearly knew his plan, so why did he remain silent?

Why didn't Master appear to help? Why didn't he leave any decrees to guide us? Why did he only leave behind a golden cymbal?
Is it out of trust?
Or... a test?

Or perhaps... a cut?
The smile froze on Huang Mei's face.

He lowered his head and stared once more at the heavy, cold golden cymbal in his hand.

The dark gold color no longer looked brilliant and dazzling; instead, it exuded an indifference and coldness that kept people at a distance.

The icy sensation in my palm spread along my veins, freezing the boiling blood that had just been flowing.

He gazed at the golden gong, then at the empty lotus platform, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

“Master, oh Master, you are not in the palace at the moment, yet you have placed this treasure so openly before your bed…”

"How could I not understand the profound meaning behind this?"

"If I go down the mountain and handle things well, then I will naturally be doing you a great service, and this golden cymbal will be a powerful weapon bestowed upon me by you."

"If I unfortunately fail... hehe, this treasure is a magic weapon that I stole without permission, and it has nothing to do with Master."

"You are still that pure and solemn future Buddha, and I..."

"What a brilliant move, 'like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace'!"

"Hahaha……"

Huang Mei couldn't help but chuckle, his self-deprecating humor evident in his words.

He already understood his master's meaning.

If things go well, Huang Mei will be the foremost meritorious official under Maitreya Buddha, and who else but him will be the one to spread the scriptures in the future?
The Master is naturally honored and shares in the glory.

The golden cymbals were his reliance and testament to his achievements.

But what if...we fail?
If Huang Mei were to suffer a crushing defeat in the Western Sea, be defeated by the Eight Immortals of Taoism, or even be captured and punished by the Heavenly Court... then where would Maitreya Buddha be?

He, Huang Mei, was nothing more than a "chrysanthemum boy" who "privately" brought magical treasures down to the mortal realm!
Who can prove that this golden cymbal was bestowed by Maitreya Buddha?
Who can testify to his innocence?
This empty and deserted Maitreya Heavenly Palace is the best place for Maitreya Buddha to clear his name!

Huang Mei, from beginning to end, was nothing more than a disposable pawn of Maitreya Buddha.

He was a meritorious official of Maitreya Buddha.

If he fails, he will be a discarded son of Maitreya Buddha, a demon disturbing the Three Realms, and a traitor coveting the Buddha's treasure.

……

When deities perform their duties, they often send their eyes and ears to do so on their behalf.

The true deity remains behind the scenes, calm and composed, much like a chess player making moves, with every move guided by rules and principles.

If a dangerous situation arises, one should abandon the pawn to save the king, ensuring the safety of the king himself.

As for their eyes and ears, they are nothing more than disposable pawns, not worth mentioning.
In this Three Realms, there is no reason for those in positions of power to personally do the dirty work.

Those in positions of power always wear layers of white gloves, hiding themselves deep behind the scenes, manipulating all the changing winds and clouds, yet remaining unscathed and uninvolved in the consequences.

Figure this out.

Huang Mei felt no hesitation whatsoever; instead, a resolute and heroic spirit surged within him, a feeling of "burning the boats and breaking the pots."

"Enough, enough! Fortune and honor are sought in danger, and Buddhahood is attained through calamity! Since things have come to this, why should we cower in fear?"

Huang Mei straightened his clothes, bowed respectfully towards the empty lotus platform, and said in a loud voice:
"Disciple Huangmei thanks Master for bestowing this treasure!"

"This disciple will certainly live up to the divine power of this treasure and vows to compete with that Golden Cicada!"

"Let Mount Ling know that this damned Buddha is no match for me!"

Huang Mei knew that Maitreya Buddha could sense it.

He carefully and solemnly put the pair of golden cymbals together.

Divine things are naturally obscured.

The golden gong's light faded, transforming into a seemingly ordinary yet enormous magical artifact.

Huang Mei made hand seals and chanted incantations. The golden cymbal hummed and shrank to the size of a shell, which he then took into his arms and hid close to his body.

Then he turned around.

Huang Mei then went to the treasure vault of Maitreya's Heavenly Palace and took the "chime stone" and the "hammer for striking the chime stone".

This chime is named "The Chime of Wonderful Sound that Captures the Heart".

Its sound is so powerful that it can captivate the soul and make one lose their composure.

And the mallet used to strike the chime was no ordinary object either; it was called the "Eight Winds Immovable Mallet".

The mallet was covered in barbs, making it look ferocious and terrifying. It could change its size and length at will.

If transformed into a weapon, it would be a "short, soft spiked club," unstoppable in its sharpness, with the power to split rocks and cleave gold.

Although these two treasures are not as powerful as the Golden Bell, they are still rare and precious magical artifacts.

Everything is in place.

"Master, I'm going."

Huang Mei straightened his clothes and bowed deeply towards the throne of Maitreya Buddha.

After saying that, Huang Mei disregarded the Buddhist rules and regulations, took big strides, and swaggered out of the hall.

The gears of fate began to turn.

The sunlight outside the hall was dazzling, like ten thousand golden rays pouring down and falling on Huang Mei.

Huang Mei's figure stretched long and distorted on the smooth, mirror-like jade floor.

A true man, if he cannot live on five tripods of food, then he shall die cooked in five tripods!

If Huang Mei cannot be remembered in history and praised for eternity, then let him be infamous for ten thousand years and be cursed by people, I will have no regrets!
……

Huang Mei, carrying many rare treasures such as the "Golden Bell," the "Wonderful Sound Mind-Capturing Chime," and the "Eight Winds Immovable Hammer," left Maitreya's Heavenly Palace and headed straight for the Southern Jambudvipa.

Following the location recorded in the letter from the futile dragon, Huang Mei found the tomb of Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the Jing River.

Huang Mei, dressed in mourning clothes and with a solemn expression, prepared sacrificial offerings and six rites, and burned incense and prayed before the tomb. As a junior, he sincerely worshipped Ao Yuan, the Dragon King of the Jing River, on behalf of the futile dragon, thus fulfilling his promise to the futile dragon.

Afterwards, Huang Mei headed to the West Sea. The details of what happened there will not be elaborated here.

...Now, Li Xuan, one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism, dreamt of traveling to the Heaven of Separation from Hatred. Only after receiving the decree of the Supreme Lord Laozi from the Tushita Palace did he find peace in his heart.

At that time, Li Xuan stood in the Lüzu Temple by the Yellow Crane Tower, took down the life-or-death agreement made by the West Sea Dragon Clan, and then returned to the Yellow Crane Tower.

Inside the Yellow Crane Tower.

Li Xuan, representing the Eight Immortals of Taoism, signed the "death contract" sent by the West Sea Dragon Clan and dispatched several of his disciples to deliver the "death contract" to the West Sea Dragon Palace.

Thus, the life-or-death agreement between the Eight Immortals of Taoism and the Dragon Clan of the West Sea was completed.

Subsequently.

Li Xuan, with a solemn expression, surveyed the assembled Daoists and proclaimed in a loud voice:

"Fellow Daoists, behold the grace of our Master!"

After speaking, he slowly took out five golden pills from his sleeve.

Five golden pills, each the size of a longan and containing endless mysteries, rolled onto the jade plate.

This is no ordinary item; it is the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, meticulously refined by Laozi in the Eight Trigrams Furnace!

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir has appeared in the world!

In an instant.

But then, countless rays of light shot straight into the sky, startling the stars into trembling; thousands of auspicious clouds enveloped the pavilions and towers, obscuring the brilliance of the sun and moon.

A rich and exotic fragrance wafts over, refreshing the mind and body, penetrating deep into the brain, making one feel comfortable and relaxed, as if in a fairyland, floating on air.

Furthermore, a misty purple aura rises and lingers from within the pill, evolving into innate Daoist phenomena of dragons and tigers intertwining and tortoises and snakes coiling together. It is truly a supreme treasure that seizes the creation of heaven and earth and delves into the mysteries of the sun and moon!

"Nine-Turn Golden Elixir!"

"This is actually a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir!"

Zhongli Quan was once Laozi's cowherd and lived in the Tushita Palace for a long time.

He recognized the pill at a glance and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his face filled with disbelief and excitement:
"Our teacher has bestowed such a sacred object upon us!"

Indeed, this Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is extremely precious.

Generally speaking, only high-ranking deities in Heaven, as well as noble immortals such as the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, are qualified to enjoy it.

Moreover, even the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother, and other great deities don't eat it every day.

Only at the annual "Dan Yuan Conference" in the Heavenly Realm can everyone enjoy the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

Li Xuan smiled slightly and said:
"exactly."

"Master, you are merciful and have bestowed upon us the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir to help us subdue demons and protect the righteous path."

"Now, I will share this Nine-Turn Golden Elixir with you all. Do not waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

After speaking, Li Xuan distributed the golden pills according to the cultivators' levels of cultivation.

Among the Eight Immortals of Taoism, Li Xuan, Lü Dongbin, and Zhongli Quan are the three with the most profound cultivation and the strongest combat power.

Although Zhang Guolao's cultivation was slightly inferior, he was a "primordial white bat from the beginning of chaos," who had experienced the evolution of heaven and earth and cultivated diligently to attain immortality. Therefore, his origins were not shallow.

……

Bats are often portrayed as vampires and ferocious beasts, and have been demonized and vilified, all as a result of the invasion of Western culture.

In fact, in the traditional Chinese Taoist culture, the word "bat" (蝠) is a homophone for "fortune" (福), so it is revered as an auspicious beast, symbolizing longevity and good fortune, and implying continuous blessings and good luck.

White bats are also considered auspicious symbols of longevity.

For example, Ge Hong, a great Daoist scholar of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, described the white bat, a mythical creature associated with longevity, in detail in his book "Baopuzi":

"A thousand-year-old bat, white as snow, hangs upside down when it gathers in flocks, because its brain is heavy. If you obtain this creature, dry it in the shade, grind it into powder, and take it, it can make people live to be ten thousand years old."

These records reveal both the ancients' reverence and fantasies about bats, and their deep longing for longevity and good health.

Not only that.

The auspicious symbolism of bats has been widely reflected in ancient folk art.

In ancient times, people often hung pictures of bats next to the altar to symbolize "good fortune coming to the home" and to hope for divine protection and blessings.

Hanging bats on both sides of the main gate symbolizes "double blessings," signifying family harmony and happiness.

There is also a picture of "five bats gathering", which is regarded as an auspicious sign of "five blessings coming to the door" and a symbol of good fortune.

Even more remarkably, bat droppings are considered a "precious traditional Chinese medicine," known in ancient times as "night-shining sand."

According to ancient Chinese medicine, "Night-Brightening Sand" has the effects of clearing heat and improving eyesight, dispersing blood stasis and eliminating accumulations. It can treat a variety of eye diseases and accumulations, and is truly a treasure of ancient physicians.

……

As for He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and others, their cultivation levels are slightly inferior.

Li Xuan distributed the five Nine-Turn Golden Pills one by one, and each of him, Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, and Zhang Guolao took one.

……

Each of the four took a golden pill and put it in their mouths.

The golden elixir melted upon entering their mouths. In an instant, everyone felt a warm current surging up from their dantian, rushing straight to their Niwan Palace. Their limbs and bones were all soaked in this power, feeling completely comfortable and relaxed, as if they had been reborn.

But we see:

Above Li Xuan's head appeared a wondrous phenomenon of the Five Elements Converging at the Origin, and his Medicine King Gourd shone with boundless light, filled with purple mist, seemingly possessing the power to swallow the heavens and spit out the earth, and reverse the universe.

The sound of swords ringing out was incessant from the sword box behind Lü Dongbin. Pure Yang sword energy burst forth from the box, stirring up the wind and clouds. He was full of vigor, like the rising sun, shining brightly in all directions.

The "Post-Heaven Banana Leaf Fan" in Zhongli Quan's hand shone brightly with a blue light, accompanied by the faint sounds of wind and thunder. His red face and bushy beard added to his imposing aura, and the Daoist charm flowing around him seemed to resonate with heaven and earth, in harmony with nature.

Zhang Guolao spread his bat-like wings on his back, seemingly about to take flight, transcending the mundane world, as if about to soar into the sky.

There is one Nine-Turn Golden Elixir remaining.

Li Xuan dissolved the rootless immortal dew and shared it with He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Jingxiu.

This Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is a top-grade product meticulously refined in Laozi's Eight Trigrams Furnace. It is extraordinary, with remarkable effects, and is truly a rare treasure in the world.

After the four immortals finished drinking, they also underwent extraordinary transformations:
Lan Caihe's flower basket was filled with a riot of colors, vibrant and full of life. The basket's opening seemed to emit a divine light, as if it could hold mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas.

He Xiangu radiated light, her appearance was solemn and dignified, her lotus petals bloomed layer by layer, and her fragrance filled the air, which completely dispelled the surrounding filth.

Above Cao Jingxiu's jade tablet, auspicious clouds swirled, revealing glimpses of celestial palaces and immortal halls, embodying the profound mystery of the Dao's natural way.

Han Xiangzi's purple-gold flute produced its own unique melody, clear and melodious, which was refreshing and delightful to listen to, and the surrounding spiritual energy rose and fell with the music like the tide.

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is truly the finest of all elixirs.

Even the Jade Emperor, the ruler of the Three Realms, needs to consume elixirs to enhance his cultivation.

After consuming this Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, greatly improved his cultivation and gained new supernatural powers, becoming infinitely powerful.

What about the Eight Immortals of Taoism?

For a while.

This time, with the help of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, the Taoist Eight Immortals' Taoist cultivation increased by more than double.

Its magical power was so abundant that it almost burst out of its body.

The supernatural powers of the past, when unleashed today, are more than ten times more powerful!
The eight immortals of the Taoist sect were surrounded by a radiant light that soared into the sky, exuding an aura of divine power that caused the stars in the heavens to tremble and the waves in the four seas to surge, fully displaying the majesty and might of the immortals.

It is:

"After swallowing a golden pill, I realized that my fate was not determined by heaven."

"Having mastered the true and wondrous methods of immortality, one can roam freely across the heavens and earth."

……

The three-month period will arrive in the blink of an eye.

At this time, the Eight Immortals of Taoism, having undergone the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir to cleanse their marrow and refine their essence, experienced a great increase in their cultivation, advanced in their Taoist practice, and became increasingly bold and courageous.

Li Xuan stood atop the Yellow Crane Tower, his personal gourd emitting clouds and shimmering light, seemingly containing the myriad phenomena of the universe.

His gaze was piercing as he surveyed the group of fellow cultivators whose cultivation had greatly increased, and he spoke with great fervor:

“That dragon from the Western Sea is rampant and rebellious, acting recklessly and wantonly. It has destroyed the foundation of my Taoist temple, killed my temple priests, and disgraced the reputation of my Taoist sect.”

"Such deep-seated hatred and resentment, even if all the waters of the four seas were poured out, it would be impossible to quell the anger in our hearts!"

"Today, let us go to the Western Sea together, each displaying our unique abilities, to subdue the demonic dragon, thus demonstrating the majesty of Heaven and restoring a bright and clear world to the world!"

"Fellow Daoists, follow me!"

All the immortals let out a long, unified roar, soaring straight into the sky:
"Subdue the demon and the dragon in the Western Sea, so as to demonstrate the magnificence of the Heavenly Way!"

"The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each displaying their unique abilities!"

In an instant, auspicious clouds appeared spontaneously, and thousands of auspicious wisps of mist lifted up the bodies of the Eight Immortals.

Li Xuantie turned the corner, Lü Dongbin's sword light cleared the way, He Xiangu's lotus steps blossomed like flowers, Zhongli Quan's precious fan gently waved, Zhang Guolao's bat wings slightly spread, Lan Caihe's flower basket led the way, Cao Jingxiu's jade tablet cleared the path, and Han Xiangzi's flute music accompanied them.

Eight dazzling beams of celestial light converged into a mighty torrent, stretching far and wide towards the vast Western Sea!

This momentum was earth-shattering!

The commotion caused by the Eight Immortals of Taoism not only alarmed countless true Taoist cultivators who were secretly cultivating in the thirty-six grotto-heavens and seventy-two blessed lands of the Southern Continent.

This attracted the attention of mountain spirits, water monsters, and plant spirits who had been enlightened by the Eight Immortals of Taoism and were already sentient.

The immortals from the lower realms of the Southern Continent peered out from their caves, secluded valleys, and ancient trees, their hearts surging with emotion, all deeply moved by the magnificent feat of the "Eight Immortals of Taoism crossing the Western Sea."

(End of this chapter)