Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Inside the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion, in the Listening Sword Hall.

The Grand Elder, Master Changhe, sat upright in the main seat, his face somber, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest.

On either side of the lower seat sat four Foundation Establishment stage elders, all of whom were the core figures of the Sword Pavilion.

The atmosphere inside the hall was solemn, with the fragrance of sandalwood wafting through the air, yet it couldn't suppress the restlessness between the brows of the crowd.

The group passed around a jade talisman, which contained information about the appearance of the Blood Coral Crystal.

The information in the jade talisman was rather fragmented, consisting of only a few words, mentioning that a demon cultivator had attempted to trade with what appeared to be an object.

The blood coral crystal is described as having a color like congealed blood, with hidden dragon patterns, and a hot and mellow aura.

After that, there was no further definite news, as if it had sunk into the sea.

"How well has the information been verified?" Master Changhe asked, his brow furrowed.

The third elder, who was in charge of external affairs, stood up and reported:

"Reporting to Senior Brother, we have already dispatched disciples to inquire from various sources. The source of the information is unclear, but it did come from that border market where all sorts of people mingle."

Several independent cultivators confidently claimed to have seen the treasure with their own eyes. They said it was blood-red in color and possessed a dragon's might, which matched the characteristics of the blood coral crystal.

The Azure Scale Demon of Azure Pool Ridge once sent someone there, but... the treasure's owner is elusive, and it's unknown whether the transaction was successful. The person has vanished without a trace, leaving no further clues.

Master Changhe then asked, "What's the situation at Qingchi Ridge lately?"

The Third Elder replied, "Since being injured by Xuan Ling, the dragon demon of Yunmang Mountain, a year ago, the Azure Scale Demon has been living in seclusion at the bottom of the lake."

However, the number of his demon soldiers was more frequent than usual, and he especially strengthened patrols in the forbidden area in the center of the lake, as if he was on guard against something.

The dragon demon was said to have been cultivating in seclusion on Yunmang Mountain, and went to Fubo Mountain the day before yesterday; there were no other unusual movements from it.

The Fourth Elder, his face flushed and his temper as fiery as a raging storm, couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and exclaim:

"It must be that old demon Qinglin's doing!"

I had long heard that the Azure Scale Demon had failed to break through to the next realm, was plagued by inner demons, and had also failed to forcibly obtain the blood of his subordinate dragon demons. Now he was searching everywhere for pure bloodline items.

Blood coral crystal is a rare treasure that can stabilize one's foundation and purify one's bloodline. Driven by lust, how could he possibly let it go?

Upon hearing this, many elders in the hall nodded in agreement, their faces showing indignation.

The Azure Scale Demon Lord and the Sword Pavilion have a deep-seated grudge. Now, the Venerable One has just completed his Golden Core, but due to flaws in his foundation, he needs to go into seclusion for many years.

Sword Pavilion has been dormant for many years and needs to establish its prestige to deter all villains and search for rare and precious materials to help the master stabilize his realm.

If this item is truly in Qinglin's hands, it must not be let go, for both public and private reasons.

However, the Second Elder, being of a cautious nature, raised concerns:

"Senior brother, this is too much of a coincidence."

Blood coral crystal is a rare and precious treasure of the East Sea, extremely rare. How could it suddenly appear on the border of my Aolai Kingdom? Moreover, the speed and scope of the news's spread suggest that there is someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Master Changhe narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them.

He naturally sensed something amiss.

The appearance of this blood coral crystal now is both strange in timing and location.

He pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "What is false can be made real, and what is real can be made false. The old demon Qinglin is cunning and may very well be capable of creating such a deliberate illusion."

Perhaps he wants us to be suspicious and hesitant to act rashly, so he can seize the treasure.

He paused, his voice growing even lower: "Do you still remember what happened at Thousand Needle Valley?"

The four elders' expressions turned solemn.

The tragic death of Fifth Elder Liu Yizi, the theft of Jian Xinlan, and the strange remnants of the array at the scene... remain unsolved mysteries to this day, a thorn in my side.

"Senior brother, are you saying... this time, it might be that mastermind stirring up trouble again?"

"It may not be the same person, but the methods... are similar."

Master Changhe's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "Incite greed, create chaos, and fish in troubled waters."

I suspect that this fiend was also the one who sabotaged the Pavilion Master's breakthrough to the Golden Core stage!

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense, and a chill ran through all the elders.

For a moment, these Sword Pavilion elders, who had held high positions for many years, remained silent, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out.

This creature is truly bizarre and unpredictable, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to devour anyone it chooses at any moment.

Weighing the pros and cons felt like a huge boulder pressing on my heart.

Despite their doubts and fears, the importance of the Blood Coral Crystal to Master Xuanguang, as well as the threat that Qinglin himself posed to the Sword Pavilion, made it impossible for them to sit idly by.

Even if there is deception, it is still an open scheme.

Master Changhe sighed in the end, a resolute glint in his eyes:

"Qinglin is plagued by inner demons and his bloodline is impure. If he wishes to advance further, he must obtain this item at all costs. And we have no way out."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd:

"No matter who has this item, the fact that it has been discovered is an opportunity for our Sword Pavilion."

The venerable one's golden elixir has just been formed, and he needs such spiritual objects to strengthen his foundation and nourish his vital energy.

If the Azure-Scaled Demon were to obtain it, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. If he were to miraculously break through to the Golden Core stage, it would undoubtedly become a major threat in the future. This item must absolutely not fall into its hands!

"What Senior Brother says is absolutely right," the elders echoed in unison.

"Although Qinglin is injured, he has still reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, and he also has the advantage of the location of Qingchi Lake. Our sect..."

The Sixth Elder looked troubled: "If the Pavilion Master cannot take action, even if we join forces, I'm afraid we will find it difficult to stop him from trying to escape."

Master Changhe remained silent for a moment, then his gaze swept over the crowd:

"The layout of Qingchi Ridge, with its one prefecture and four caves, has been broken. The old demon Qinglin has no more help. Although he is at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, he is not invincible."

The sect leader is in seclusion and should not be disturbed. However, our sect's foundation remains intact.

He flipped his hand and took out an object, which was an octagonal array plate, neither gold nor jade, covered with mysterious runes, with a precious pearl the size of a pigeon egg embedded in the center, radiating a bright blue light.

The array plate slowly rotated, emanating a breathtakingly powerful sword intent and vast water elemental power.

"Mysterious Light Water-Dividing Sword Formation!" Upon seeing this, all the elders were startled, but then their faces lit up with joy.

"This is one of the sect's most treasured artifacts. Although it cannot fully reproduce the power of the sect's protective formation, with the combined strength of three Foundation Establishment experts working together and utilizing the Three Powers, it is enough to suppress or even severely injure a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator!"

Master Changhe stroked the cold array plate, his tone chilling:

"Although the Azure Scale Demon is powerful, he is unprepared and has a plan. Relying on this treasure, we may not be unable to defeat him!"

He stood up, a long-absent sharp aura emanating from his body, and gave the order:

"Issue the order! The sect shall immediately enter a state of alert."

Three days later at midnight, I will personally take charge of the array, with my second and third brothers accompanying me, leading elite disciples to Qingchi Lake.

The fourth and sixth brothers stayed behind at the mountain gate to closely monitor the movements of Qingchi Ridge. If any unusual changes occurred, they would immediately send a message via secret talisman.

At the same time, news spread that our Sword Pavilion had uncovered the truth behind Elder Liu Yizi's death, which was related to the Azure Scale Demon, and that we would be heading there in five days to seek justice!

"I will obey the decree!"

The elders obeyed and left, and the Listening Sword Hall returned to silence.

Master Changhe sat alone for a long time, his fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns on the armrest.

The situation is shrouded in mystery, but right now, Sword Pavilion needs a victory to restore its prestige and, more importantly, a treasure to mend the foundation of its master.

The Azure Scale Demon Lord, this open enemy, is undoubtedly the best target.

As for the dragon demon Xuan Ling, he has only just entered the perfect realm, so I suppose he wouldn't dare to be an enemy of our sect.

Once the Pavilion Master emerges from seclusion, he will be nothing more than a slightly larger ant.

"Azure Scales..."

He muttered to himself, his killing intent palpable, "Whether it's you or not, this time, you won't get away unscathed."