Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Inside a quiet room in a mansion in the western suburbs.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor, while the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and spiritual energy.

Zhang Kui and Gao Lanying sat facing each other, palms touching. Their magical power circulated within their bodies like a gentle stream, a daily ritual of cultivation. Zhang Kui's celestial immortal power was rich and powerful, balanced and peaceful; Gao Lanying's terrestrial immortal power was pure and vibrant, carrying a hint of the scorching heat of the true fire of the sun. The two mingled, not in conflict, but rather complemented each other, nourishing one another, allowing both to feel their cultivation steadily improving and their understanding of the Dao deepening.

This kind of spiritual practice, which involves the connection of minds and the merging of magical powers, severely tests the mutual trust between the practitioners. After spending these days together, the barrier between them had long since disappeared, and an indescribable understanding and affection had quietly grown in silence.

In this tranquil and peaceful moment, a warm yet undeniable yellow light suddenly shone from the storage bag hanging at Zhang Kui's waist.

Zhang Kui's mind stirred slightly, and he awoke from his meditation. Gao Lanying also sensed something amiss; her long eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her beautiful eyes, a hint of confusion in them.

Zhang Kui reached into his storage bag and took out the glowing object. It was a palm-sized talisman, made of neither gold nor jade, cool to the touch, with ancient and complex cloud-patterned talismans engraved on its surface. At this moment, it was emitting a soft and stable yellow light, trembling slightly.

"This is..." Zhang Kui's gaze sharpened as he recognized the origin of the jade talisman. It was the communication jade talisman given to him by the Jie Sect Immortal Lü Yue before his departure back in the Northern Sea Camp. Lü Yue had said that if there were any important matters, he could use this talisman to contact him, but he never expected it to suddenly activate on its own today.

Gao Lanying also looked curiously at the extraordinary talisman.

Without further hesitation, Zhang Kui sent a wisp of pure magic power into the divine talisman.

The yellow light on the jade talisman suddenly brightened, rising into the air and casting a hazy halo. A domineering yet familiar laugh emanated from within the halo, causing the air in the quiet room to ripple slightly:

"Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Zhang Kui, how have you been?"

The laughter alone carried a powerful aura of dominance and shrewdness, causing Gao Lanying's expression to change slightly, and she was secretly alarmed: Who is this great power?

Immediately, Lü Yue's distinctive voice rang out clearly: "I, Lü Yue, intend to trigger a Heavenly Tribulation ten days from now on Nine Dragons Island in the East Sea to inquire about the Great Luo Dao Fruit. This tribulation is of paramount importance to me, and it also contains the manifestation of the laws of heaven and earth. Fellow Daoist is someone I greatly value, so I have specially sent this message to invite you to come and witness the ceremony. If you are willing to grace me with your presence, please come to Nine Dragons Island in the East Sea as soon as possible. A divine talisman can guide you to the location. Lü Yue awaits your good news."

As soon as he finished speaking, the light on the jade talisman gradually faded and returned to calm, but a detailed map of the East China Sea appeared on it, with one point of light constantly flashing, which was the location of Kowloon Island.

The room was completely silent.

Gao Lanying's lips parted slightly, her beautiful face filled with shock and disbelief. She looked sharply at Zhang Kui, her voice trembling slightly: "Lü...Lü Yue? Is that...the Immortal of the Jie Sect, the Plague God Lü Yue? He's about to advance to the Great Luo Golden Immortal? And...and he invited you to the ceremony?"

Gao Lanying could not help but be shocked. Lü Yue's name was renowned among cultivators.

That was a powerful being who attained enlightenment during the reign of Emperor Fuxi. Legend has it that he once assisted Emperor Xuanyuan in his great battle against Chiyou, employing unparalleled plague techniques to create a poisonous array that terrified the Jiuli tribe's army, leaving corpses strewn across the fields. He further attained the Golden Immortal realm through this unparalleled merit, his power shaking the primordial world. His fearsome reputation was as formidable as his fame. Now, this ancient and powerful being is about to take another step forward, attempting to reach the coveted Great Luo Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.

What surprised her even more was that Lü Yue had personally sent a message inviting Zhang Kui to attend the ceremony. It's important to understand that a cultivator's tribulation, especially the crucial moment of breaking through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm—a matter of life and death on their path—is extremely dangerous and highly private. Usually, the area is cleared out, and at most, only a handful of truly trusted fellow cultivators who can contribute to their cultivation are invited to protect them or observe the ceremony. Lü Yue's invitation to Zhang Kui undoubtedly indicated that he considered him an extremely important fellow cultivator.

Just how many secrets is her "husband" hiding? How can he be on equal footing with a legendary figure like Lü Yue?

Seeing Gao Lanying's shocked and curious expression, Zhang Kui smiled, put away the talisman, and explained simply, "Don't be surprised. When I was undergoing my Heavenly Immortal Tribulation in the North Sea, Grand Tutor Wen asked Senior Lü Yue to protect me. During the ceremony, Senior Lü Yue seemed to have some enlightenment and addressed me as a fellow Daoist. I just didn't expect him to invite me to witness the ceremony."

He spoke casually, but Gao Lanying knew that for Lü Yue to have "gained some understanding" and acknowledge him as a "fellow Daoist," Zhang Kui's talent, foundation, and the Dao he cultivated must be extraordinary. Her gaze towards Zhang Kui couldn't help but soften with admiration.

"The Great Luo Golden Immortal Tribulation..." Zhang Kui's gaze turned to the window, his eyes flashing with burning light. "Such an opportunity is truly a once-in-a-millennium event. Observing the manifestation and collision of the laws of heaven and earth at the Great Luo level will have immeasurable benefits for our cultivation. We must go."

Upon hearing this, Gao Lanying was also deeply moved. To witness the Great Luo Tribulation, even just to feel the power of heaven and earth and the flow of Dao from afar, would be an immense blessing for someone at the Earth Immortal realm like her. However, she hesitated: "But… Immortal Lü Yue invited you. Would it be appropriate for me to go along?"

Zhang Kui turned his head, looked at her, his eyes serious and gentle: "Of course it's suitable, you should definitely come with me."

Gao Lanying's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart filled with sweetness, but she deliberately turned her head away and muttered softly, "What... what identity should I go with? I'd be so embarrassed if Immortal Lü Yue asked..."

Seeing her unusually shy expression, Zhang Kui's heart stirred, and a teasing thought arose. He reached out and gently took Gao Lanying's slender hand, looking at her intently, and said in an extremely serious tone, "Of course, I will go as my wife, Zhang Kui's Daoist partner. Isn't that right?"

Gao Lanying's heart skipped a beat under his gaze, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she tried to pull her hand away, but Zhang Kui held it tightly. She glared at him, annoyed and embarrassed, and said, "Who...who agreed to be your wife? You're just talking nonsense! What Aunt Yun said that time...that time doesn't count."

"Oh? It doesn't count?" Zhang Kui deliberately put on a stern face, but his eyes were full of laughter. "Then I'll have to count. If you still don't agree after counting to ten, I'm really going to find someone else to be my wife and take her to meet Senior Lü Yue."

"You dare?" Gao Lanying's beautiful eyes widened immediately, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on.

"Let's see if I dare." Zhang Kui suppressed a laugh and began to slowly count: "One...two...three..."

Gao Lanying bit her lip, watching him actually start counting. She felt anxious, angry, and ashamed. Just as Zhang Kui counted to "three," she steeled herself, suddenly reached out her other hand, and covered Zhang Kui's mouth, preventing him from counting any further.

"Hmm..." Zhang Kui was taken aback by her strong reaction.

Gao Lanying raised her head, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, but her eyes were unusually bright and determined. Looking at Zhang Kui, she took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and said quickly and clearly:

"ten!"

After saying that word, she seemed to have unloaded a huge burden, or made some important decision. Her eyes softened, and she looked deeply into Zhang Kui's surprised eyes, whispering, "I... I promise you."

These five short words carry immense weight.

Zhang Kui was stunned, then a surge of immense joy welled up inside him. He had only meant it as a joke, but he hadn't expected such a serious and direct response from her.

He gripped Gao Lanying's hand tightly in return, his other hand gently stroking her burning cheek, his voice slightly hoarse with excitement: "Lanying... are you serious?"

Gao Lanying nodded shyly, her voice barely audible yet incredibly clear: "Um... I agree to be your wife."

"That's wonderful!" Zhang Kui could no longer contain his joy. He suddenly opened his arms and hugged Gao Lanying tightly. Gao Lanying stiffened at first, then completely relaxed, nestling obediently against his broad, firm chest. Listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling the reassuring warmth, a happy smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

The room was quiet, bathed in sunlight, and filled with warmth.

Holding his beloved in his arms, Zhang Kui felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. He gently kissed her smooth forehead and solemnly promised, "After we return from the ceremony on Kowloon Island, we'll go back to Mianchi to see my mother. I want to marry you in a grand and glorious way, so everyone knows that you, Gao Lanying, are my lawfully wedded wife!"

Gao Lanying buried her face in his chest and nodded vigorously, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness.

After a long while, the two separated, exchanged a smile, and understood everything without saying a word.

"Then let's prepare and set off for Kowloon Island in the East China Sea immediately." Zhang Kui held Gao Lanying's hand, his tone excited. "We can't miss the tribulation of the Great Luo Golden Immortal."

"Okay!" Gao Lanying smiled.