Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 383 Ao Rong's Crime
As if sensing the gaze falling upon him, Ao Wang slowly stopped playing the jade flute, opened his eyes, and looked at the young man standing by the river.

It's him
Ao Wang was also somewhat surprised. The young man opposite him, whom he had met once before at the Daojun Temple and who seemed to have an extraordinary background, also appeared to be extremely extraordinary in concealing his aura.

Or perhaps it's because of an extremely extraordinary treasure.
On the banks of the Baihe River, Lü Yan felt slightly embarrassed upon seeing this scene, clearly believing that he had disturbed them. He then cupped his hands in apology and said:

"I'm sorry, young master. I was just passing by and had no intention of disturbing you, but I suddenly heard your flute playing and couldn't help but stop and listen for a moment. I'm about to leave now, so I apologize if I've disturbed you."

Ao Wang flipped down the tree, landing steadily on the ground. He tucked the jade flute into his waistband and walked slowly towards Lü Yan, laughing as he went:

“Brother, there’s no need for that. This mountain wilderness is unclaimed. I’m just playing the flute here because I’m homesick. Brother, go your own way. It’s no disturbance at all.”

"However, I am destined to meet you, brother. I met you at the Daojun Temple back then. I wonder if you still remember me?"

Seeing the young man stop in front of him, and hearing him mention the events of that year, Lü Yan cupped his hands and smiled, saying:
"Of course I remember. Young Master's temperament is extraordinary. Even just meeting you once is unforgettable."

Ao Wang laughed heartily and cupped his hands in greeting to Lü Yan, saying:
"Judging from your appearance, brother, you have a pure and refined temperament and a profound foundation. You are clearly a cultivator with a solid background. You must be a true cultivator of the Daoist sect."

"I am Ao Wang, the Water God of the Baihe River. May I ask how I should address you, brother?"

Lü Yan quickly returned the greeting with a cupped hand:
"At the summit of Hefeng Peak in Zhongnan Mountain, lies Lüyan."

Ao Wang looked at Lü Yan in surprise, his mind racing, as if he had also remembered a rumor he had heard in the West Sea.

His expression remained unchanged, and he smiled as he said:
"I wondered when another immortal had appeared in Zhongnan Mountain. It turns out he is a disciple of Senior Zhongli Quan. I am truly sorry for my disrespect."

"Water God, you are too kind. I have only been cultivating with my master for a short time and am merely a cultivator, not yet an immortal."

"I see that Brother Lü is only a hair's breadth away from enlightenment. It's just a matter of time. Besides, Brother Lü is being too polite. If you're willing, you can just call me Brother Ao."

Seeing Ao Wang's sincere expression, and recalling Si Jia's earlier words, Lü Yan lowered his guard slightly and bowed, saying:

“In that case, I shall dare to address the Water God as Brother Ao.”

Upon seeing this, Ao Wang's smile deepened, and he pulled Lü Yan along for a long chat by the river.

Beneath the Dragon Palace of the West Sea, within the Dragon Palace Abyss Cave.

This place is the underwater prison of the West Sea Dragon Palace, where prisoners are held. If any sea creature of the West Sea commits a serious crime, they will be imprisoned here.

At this moment, in a secluded, isolated prison within the Haiyuan Cave Heaven.

The Dragon King of the West Sea strode forward, followed by numerous shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and the turtle prime minister. He walked through the dark and gloomy abyss, ignoring the prisoners who were baring their teeth and roaring loudly. He went straight to a courtyard that looked rather exquisite.

Although the courtyard and the surrounding stone caves and cages were all sealed off with water-blue ripple-like seals, the environments were completely different.

If you were locked up here, it wouldn't feel like being a prisoner, but more like being in solitary confinement.

This is indeed the case.

The Dragon King of the West Sea stood there, gazing at the sealed courtyard for a long time. His many subordinates behind him also stood silently until the Dragon King sighed softly, breaking the silence. "You all stay here and guard this place. Don't let anyone in."

"Yes!!"

Behind him, numerous shrimp soldiers and crab generals, along with the turtle prime minister, hurriedly responded, while the Dragon King took a step and walked towards the courtyard gate.

As the Dragon King of the West Sea stepped in, the blue ripples slowly opened up a passage, which closed instantly once the Dragon King entered.

The Dragon King continued forward and entered the small courtyard. Before long, he saw the figure lying among a pile of empty wine jars.

And that figure was none other than his second son, Ao Rong.

Ao Rong heard footsteps approaching from not far away. He slightly raised his head to look at the person approaching. Seeing that it was his father, he did not step forward to pay his respects, nor did he rise. He simply greeted him in a seemingly indifferent manner:
"You've come to see me again, Father!"

An angry expression flashed across the West Sea Dragon King's face, and he roared:
"You unfilial son! You've committed a grave error and show no remorse! My Western Sea Dragon Clan has guarded the Western Sea for many years, and yet you dare to devour sea creatures to cultivate demonic arts! How dare you!"

His son somehow acquired a demonic technique a few years ago, and his cultivation was extremely rapid. However, there was only one limitation: he needed to devour other water-elemental beings to accelerate his cultivation, and the higher the cultivation level of these beings, the better.

Ao Rong had previously relied on his status as the second prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace to repeatedly enter the tribes of other families in the West Sea and devour them all.

If Ao Wang hadn't caught him in the act, who knows how long Ao Rong would have continued making mistakes!
"wrong?!"

"What wrong have I, the Crown Prince, done?!"

Upon hearing the West Sea Dragon King's angry rebuke, Ao Rong turned over and stood up, his bloodshot eyes staring at the West Sea Dragon King opposite him with a sinister expression!

At this moment, he no longer possessed the nobility of the second prince of the West Sea Dragon King; he was nothing more than a demonic cultivator of the demon race.

"Father! Our West Sea Dragon Palace is the lord of the West Sea! We occupy the entire boundless West Sea! How rich we are!"

"And how many sea creatures are there in the sea? Almost endless! They are originally the property of our West Sea Dragon Palace! My devouring them to cultivate is already a favor to them! How could those sea creatures be as important as our West Sea Dragon Palace producing another Great Luo Golden Immortal!!"

"But now, Father, you have imprisoned me here for the sake of those sea creatures! If it weren't for Mother's intercession, you would probably be begging for forgiveness from Heaven right now, just like you did to Ao Lie back then, and asking the Heavenly Court to punish me for my crimes!"

“Father! You have been biased towards me since I was a child! The West Sea Dragon Palace was to be handed over to Ao Moang, the eldest prince! Ao Lie committed such a crime, yet you went to heaven to plead for him and let him attain enlightenment!”

"Now, only that good-for-nothing Ao Wang and I are left to eat and wait to die in the palace! But how can I, the second prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace, be content with this! Rather than having no hope of becoming a Great Luo Immortal in this life, I might as well take a gamble!"

The Dragon King of the West Sea looked at Ao Rong, who seemed to have gone mad, and the anger on his face slowly dissipated. He simply looked at his second son with a calm expression.

"Do you know that your story has already reached the Heavenly Court?"

"I have come here today not to persuade you again, but only to see you one last time."

(End of this chapter)