Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 225 Traveling with Bears, Deep into Hezhou

Inside the ancestral hall, incense smoke curled upwards, lingering in the air.

As soon as Jiang Liang finished speaking, the surroundings became so quiet that only the faint crackling of sparks from the furnace could be heard.

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes and pondered, his expression unchanged, but his heart was already churning with unsettling emotions.

Others may not know, but he knows it very well.

Could the "Zen Master Wuchao" on Mount Futu be the so-called "old immortal"?
This person possesses extraordinary spiritual abilities and acts with unpredictable and mysterious manners, like a floating cloud emerging from a mountain peak, untouched by any worldly ties.

If he were to reveal himself, it would be because he is entangled in karma, and there would be some hidden twist of fate.

Now they've actually asked a mountain beast spirit to beg for a few locusts that have become sentient?

This is not right.

The fragrant mist swirled, seemingly both tangible and intangible, making Jiang Yi's brows appear even more somber.

After a moment's thought, he had a plan.

She looked up at Jiang Liang, her voice calm yet steady.

“Go through Eagle's Sorrow Gorge again,”

"Tell that black bear spirit that our Jiang family has no interest in his ginseng and marrow."

Jiang Liang was taken aback upon hearing this, and even his soul seemed to pause slightly.

"What does Father mean...?"

Jiang Yi did not answer, but only smiled slightly and said:
“Tell him I don’t want the things. I want to go with him to Mount Futu and see the old immortal’s demeanor for myself.”

At this point, he hesitated for a moment, then felt that this move was not yet entirely prudent.

After all, locusts with supernatural abilities are hardly a unique commodity in this global catastrophe.

If the bear spirit has other connections, or if he thinks his own price is too high, he will turn around and look for someone else.

Then this matter will fall through.

Jiang Yi's fingertips paused, his eyelids lowered slightly, then slowly lifted again, his voice deepening:

"Add one more sentence."

"It is said that the old immortal had no dealings with him before, so the fact that he came to his door this time must have been due to the help of many other people in secret."

“Now, in this Jambudvipa, there is a locust plague as vast as the sea, and there are many locusts with spiritual cultivation.”

"If he hesitates any longer and someone else seizes the opportunity, then it will all be for naught, a wasted effort."

At this point, Jiang Yi's lips curled up slightly.

"He's a sensible man; he'll know what to choose."

Jiang Liang felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and only then did he understand his father's deeper meaning.

Seeing that Jiang Yi didn't mention Jiang Rui at all, he finally felt relieved.

He dared not delay and immediately bowed in agreement.

Before the words were finished, the soul's shadow flickered, like smoke or mist, and headed straight towards Eagle's Sorrow Gorge.

The room was extremely quiet.

No sooner had Jiang Liang left than Jiang Yi got up.

He went back into the house and took out a few old bamboo baskets from the corner of the wall. The baskets were mottled and still a little damp.

While busy, she called out softly, "Chao'er."

The voice was not loud, but it had a calm penetrating power, as if it could pass through the bamboo fence and the shadows of the trees and land steadily in the child's ears.

Before long, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard.

A boy, barely out of school, ran in, panting. He had delicate features and bright, dark eyes.

"Great-grandfather."

Jiang Yi glanced at him, his expression gentle.

"Go pack your things, I'll take you to visit your parents."

His tone was flat, yet it filled the boy with joy.

"Really?" Jiang Chao's eyes lit up immediately, his voice rose a few decibels, and his toes almost left the ground.

Jiang Yi nodded slightly.

"Just go."

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy dashed out like a gust of wind, the courtyard gate creaking and shaking, sending a few fallen leaves tumbling through the air.

Before long, he came running back, clutching a small earthenware pot tightly in his arms.

Upon reaching the table, he flipped the jar upside down, and with a loud "clatter," a pile of large coins rolled out.

This is all the pocket money he's saved up lately.

The boy, imitating the adults, squatted by the table with a solemn expression, gathered the copper coins into a pile, and counted them one by one.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he muttered to himself, as if he were managing some earth-shattering deal.

After counting the money, he breathed a satisfied sigh of relief, put the money in his pocket, and looked up solemnly, saying:
"Grandfather, I'm going to the village first to buy some snacks and wine for my parents and great-grandfather."

After saying that, without waiting for a reply, he pushed off with his foot, his back blurred, and he disappeared out the door like a spring breeze.

Jiang Yi smiled slightly, shook his head, picked up the empty basket, and rode away on the wind.

The mist had not yet dissipated in the locust valley, and the damp sounds were sticky and lingering.

Although the locust swarm had mostly receded, its echoes lingered, and the valley was still filled with a constant rustling sound, as if ten thousand fingers were gently scratching at one's heart from the shadows.

Jiang Yi, however, remained calm and composed.

He walked among them, his clothes fluttering slightly, his steps unhurried, his thoughts spreading like water, brushing over every blade of grass and every locust.

The air at the bottom of the valley was damp and heavy, and the chirping of insects grew louder and louder.

He simply raised his hand, his fingertips twitching slightly, and his energy transformed into invisible threads, gently enveloping the locusts brimming with spiritual energy.

One, two, three... all of them were highly skilled, small in stature, with restrained aura and sinister nature. They appeared docile, but in reality, their sharpness was hidden beneath their sheaths.

With a flick of his finger, several talismans flew out from his sleeve. Their spiritual light subsided, sealing the supernatural power without harming it in the slightest.

The bamboo basket rustled, as if a few wisps of wind were trapped inside.

Finally, he took the newly awakened green locust, placed it in a separate basket, and tied the basket tightly before he was done.

When he returned to the old Jiang family compound, it was nearly noon.

Under the old locust tree in the courtyard, the shadows are dappled.

The wisp of green mist silently solidified, transforming into Jiang Liang's soul shadow, his expression slightly solemn.

Eyes facing each other.

Jiang Liang simply nodded slightly.

Jiang Yi remained calm and composed, as if he had already anticipated a response from this trip.

Opportunities in this world are fleeting and uncertain, disappearing in an instant.

If the black bear spirit were truly a sentient being, it would know what is important and what is not.

He turned and went inside, giving a few indifferent instructions, nothing more than guarding the house, feeding the livestock, and going to bed early.

Shortly after, Jiang Chao returned.

The little boy was covered in sweat, carrying bags and packages in his arms, panting heavily, his face flushed, and he was smiling like a flower.

The oil paper package contained Wang's pastries, which were fragrant and sweet. He was also carrying a small gourd filled with the brewed wine from Old Li's family in the east of the village.

The aroma of sugar and alcohol wafted towards me.

Jiang Yi glanced at him, his lips twitching slightly, but he didn't smile.

He walked to the corner of the room, picked up the baskets of locusts with one hand, and reached out with the other to firmly grasp his grandson's little hand.

"gone."

After leaving the courtyard, Jiang Yi found an open space, made a hand seal with his fingertips, and with a thought, drew his hand towards the sky.

A cloud drifted across the sky, a single cloud, neither too big nor too small, like a brocade ball specially kneaded by someone, soft and thick, landing in front of the grandfather and grandson.

He first settled the child and the baskets of bamboo goods, then gently stepped onto the ground himself.

The clouds lifted them up steadily, without a trace of smoke or fire, slowly rising as if a pool of white water were carrying them to the heavens.

The courtyard beneath my feet shrank to an inch in the blink of an eye, and the distant village was reduced to just a few old chess pieces on a chessboard.

The cloud carried an old man, a young boy, and several baskets of restless "rare goods" slowly towards Eagle's Sorrow Gorge.

When the clouds move steadily, mountains and rivers naturally recede.

Compared to back then, Jiang Yi today is calmer and more accomplished.

Traveling along the wind, the clouds beneath our feet felt like solid earth, without any bumps or jolts.

In just two days, I could faintly hear the familiar sound of water, like ten thousand silver threads falling on jade.

The clouds lowered slightly and slowly settled beside the Water God Temple.

The temple is still the same temple, its stone walls mottled, its incense smoke faint, just as it was in the past.

A young man stood in front of the temple; it was Jiang Qin. Beside him stood a burly man with a dark reddish-brown complexion and palms like fans. He was rubbing his hands together and pacing back and forth, looking anxious.

Seeing the clouds descend, the sharp-eyed man grinned and rushed forward to meet them.

His rough face was wrinkled all over, and his smile almost spilled out from between the wrinkles.

"Immortal Master! Young Immortal Master! We've been waiting for you two!"

He spoke with utmost respect, but his bear-like eyes were already scanning the baskets of bamboo goods with an almost burning eagerness.

Jiang Yi remained silent, gently placing the bamboo basket containing the green locusts on the ground and lifting the lid.

A flash of emerald light appeared in the basket, and the demonic locust stood on the rim of the mouth, its eyes like pearls, darting around, and even carrying a hint of human-like presence.

The black bear spirit released a wisp of divine sense, scanning the locust's body thoroughly, and its expression changed.

His flattery vanished, replaced by a surge of joy, nine parts astonishment and one part eagerness, almost spilling from his lips.

"Good baby! It really is a good baby!"

He rubbed his hands together, his eyes glued to the green locust, wishing he could immediately tuck it into his pocket.

He then hurriedly said, "Immortal Master, there's no time to lose. That old immortal from Mount Futu must be getting bored waiting. Shall we set off now?"

As he spoke, he scratched his head and wished he could fly.

Jiang Yi simply shook his head and said calmly, "No rush."

Before the words were even finished, with a flick of the sleeve, the gentle force had already lifted the green locust back into the basket, and the bamboo lid closed with a soft, almost imperceptible sound.

He casually pushed a few baskets of "goods" to the bear spirit's feet, then walked slowly toward Eagle's Sorrow Stream with his hands behind his back.

The sound of rushing water fills the air, and the mist hits your face.

Jiang Yi stood on the edge of the cliff, his robe sleeves fluttering lightly, but his divine sense, like a thin thread, quietly probed into the water.

In an instant, with a splash, a snow-white dragon head emerged from the water.

With its gleaming dragon horns and gentle gaze, it was none other than the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon Palace.

"Old Master Jiang, a rare guest indeed."

Ao Lie smiled, his tone carrying a hint of familiar warmth.

Jiang Yi smiled and said nothing more. He simply took out several spirit chickens and spirit fruits that he had prepared in advance from his sleeve and handed them over.

Ao Lie opened his mouth and inhaled, the clouds rippled slightly, and a fragrance immediately arose. He then began to enjoy the meal with great relish.

The water glistened on his face, and as he ate with gusto, even the scales and corners of his food seemed to reflect a layer of shimmering light.

"Thank you for your trouble, Third Prince."

Jiang Yi looked at him, but spoke to his own grandson in a gentle voice, "My grandson still needs Your Highness to take good care of him."

The words were polite, and it was just a customary exchange of pleasantries.

He could tell from their first meeting that Jiang Qin's cultivation had deepened over the years.

The deep, still watery aura emanating from his soul was clear, cool, and profound, clearly indicating that he had received the true teachings.

At this rate, Jiang Liang's third son may indeed become the first in the third generation of the Jiang family to achieve both health and longevity.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi felt a warmth in his heart.

Those few polite words just now actually carried a hint of sincerity.

After exchanging pleasantries, they ate and drank to their hearts' content and talked to each other to their hearts' content.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and then took his leave of Ao Lie.

Back at the temple, they found the black bear spirit being entangled by Jiang Chao.

One wanted to ride a big horse, while the other was laughing so hard his face was cramping, yet he didn't dare to be too unrestrained, which was quite comical.

Jiang Yi approached and said calmly, "Let's go, you can ride the cloud."

Despite his casual tone, the black bear spirit seemed to have received a pardon, quickly responding and jumping up.

Jiang Yi turned back and said to the little guy still hanging on the bear's back:

"Chao'er, go with your father to pay respects to your great-grandfather."

Although Jiang Chao still wanted to watch the excitement, he knew his grandfather's words were serious, so he could only pout and slide off the bear's back, turning back every few steps, reluctantly following Jiang Qin into the back of the temple.

While the black bear spirit was joking around with Jiang Chao, his eyes never left Eagle Sorrow Gorge.

He knew perfectly well who was underwater.

Seeing that the person in charge had spoken, how could they dare to be negligent? They hurriedly bowed and agreed, and with a wave of their hand, they made a gesture towards the sky.

A dark cloud suddenly appeared on the horizon, rolling in and stopping in front of them in an instant.

The clouds were thick and heavy, with a faint glimmer at the edges, like iron that had been forged in fire.

"Immortal Master, please..."

He turned to the side, his face beaming with smiles, respectfully inviting Jiang Yi to ascend the cloud, while simultaneously unable to suppress his inner itch, he awkwardly asked:
"I didn't know... that Immortal Jiang is related to that dragon prince in the stream?"

Jiang Yi had already stepped onto the cloud, and upon hearing this, he merely smiled casually.

You mean Ao Lie?

He paused, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about the neighbor's child.
"They're not outsiders, they're our own young people."

The words were spoken lightly, yet they struck Xiong Xin's heart directly.

The black bear spirit's throat tightened, and he subconsciously swallowed. When he looked at Jiang Yi again, his expression became even more respectful, and he even bowed his waist a little lower.

In fact, Jiang Yi's actions were not truly out of idleness.

Just now, in front of the bear spirit, he exchanged pleasantries with Ao Lie, exchanging a few casual words that seemed innocuous but were actually meant to be measured.

Although this bear spirit wasn't exactly evil, he wasn't exactly a law-abiding citizen either. In my memory, he had stolen someone's cassock and roamed the mountains and marshes, earning him a bad reputation.

A demon's heart is more unpredictable than a human's.

The journey to Mount Futu is long and sparsely populated. If he harbors evil intentions halfway there and tries to "monopolize the rare goods," it will only cause more trouble.

It's better to be overtly aggressive than to defend covertly.

First, let us show him our own banner and let him know that not just anyone can lift the clouds beneath our feet.

In this way, the road ahead will be more stable and peaceful.

The black cloud ridden by the black bear spirit looked heavy and clumsy from afar, but when it rose to power, it was surprisingly fast.

The clouds broke through the air and moved silently, leaving only a faint trace in the sky before dissipating in an instant, as if they had never been there.

He kept talking the whole way, as if afraid of making the conversation awkward.

“Immortal Master, look down there, that smoking mountain is the territory of Wolf Head Mountain. The cave master is an old wolf, and he is quite shrewd.”

He talked on and on, in high spirits, recounting the mountains, rivers, forces, and demon kings along the way, as if chanting scriptures.

Jiang Yi closed his eyes to rest, his expression calm.

But his divine sense had already spread out, observing secretly.

From time to time, several powerful auras peeked out from beneath the clouds, like eagles testing the waters, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

But every time they touched this dark cloud, it would quickly retreat.

The dark clouds, though unassuming in appearance, cast a heavy shadow over the surrounding area, bringing an eerie silence.

The bear spirit bowed all the way, worshipping at every temple and shrine it encountered, repeatedly calling people "old parents".

That posture was so humble it was almost subservient.

But if he encounters a demon who rules the mountain, his back will involuntarily straighten, his aura will rise, and even the mountain wind will tighten.

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, yet revering the gods, this bear spirit certainly lived a life of profound wisdom.

Jiang Yi slightly opened his eyes atop the cloud, smiled inwardly, and remained silent.

Just as I was pondering this, dark clouds swept across a green mountain.

The mountain is not high, but it is beautiful and lush, with white mist swirling around its midsection.

The bear spirit raised its chin and, as usual, introduced: "Immortal Master, this place below is called the Cloud Stack Cave of Fuling Mountain."

He paused, a hint of disdain playing at the corners of his mouth:
"Originally, a rabbit spirit lived there. It was mild-mannered and well-behaved. Later, a black boar appeared out of nowhere, occupied the cave for less than a year, and killed the old monster."

After saying that, he smacked his lips, as if to say that this was just how the world was.

Upon hearing the words "black pig," Jiang Yi's half-closed eyes twitched slightly, and his divine sense probed downwards.

The clouds were high and the wind was strong. The mountains below were a deep blue-green, which had long been swept into blurry streams of light by the wind.

The cave's silhouette was indistinct, with only wisps of white smoke swirling among the trees.

Jiang Yi's mind had already changed, and his expression became more cautious.

According to his past life memories, before being enlightened by the Bodhisattva, that pig was not a vegetarian who chanted scriptures.

He has a particular fondness for the local people living down the mountain, and every few days he'll take one of them out for a treat.

With my current level of skill, in the eyes of that ferocious beast, I am nothing more than a neatly cut and cleaned piece of fine meat.

If it weren't for the fact that he was accompanied by the Black Bear Spirit on this trip, and that he had the courage to rely on the name of this great demon, Jiang Yi would never have dared to venture alone into the Western Continent of Hezhou.

(End of this chapter)