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

With a slight flick of his sleeve, the Crimson Cloud Immortal lifted the Great Elder Changhe with an invisible, gentle force.

"Aolai Kingdom and Xuanguang Sword Pavilion have always been on good terms; this is common knowledge."

However, every country has its laws, and every sect has its rules. The dispute between your esteemed sect and Fellow Daoist Xuanling of Yunmang Mountain is a common occurrence in the cultivation world, and each has its own cause and effect.

As an outsider, I am neither in a position to interfere nor have the right to inquire into this matter.

His words were impeccable; he first established his position logically, then subtly shifted his tone, adding a touch of deeper meaning:

"Moreover, Fellow Daoist Xuanling has already mastered supernatural powers and possesses extraordinary abilities. What the future holds for him is still unknown."

Fellow Daoist, it would be best to make plans as soon as possible and end your own life. Don't cause unnecessary trouble.

These words, seemingly comforting, actually passed the buck back to the Sword Pavilion, implying that the Sword Pavilion should find a way to resolve its enmity with Xuan Ling itself, rather than dragging Aolai Kingdom into the mess.

Upon hearing this, Elder Changhe's face turned even paler, and his lips trembled as he tried to plead again.

Master Chixia gave him no more chances:

"Fellow Daoist, take care. The survival of our sect concerns the future of hundreds of disciples. I urge you to make a careful decision. I have important matters to attend to in the country and cannot stay any longer. Farewell."

Having said that, he no longer looked at Changhe's desperate eyes, and his figure transformed into a streak of crimson light, soaring into the sky.

It vanished into the horizon in an instant, not wanting to linger even for a moment longer.

The Grand Elder Changhe was left standing frozen in place.

Instead of offering any help, Master Chixia drew a clear line and even issued a subtle warning, fearing that he might be caught in the vortex of the Sword Pavilion's destruction.

Jiange is already a sinking ship, and Aolai Kingdom will never get involved in such a scandal at this time, nor will it confront the rising new master of Yunmang Mountain for their sake.

Seeing this, the remaining guests in the square quickened their pace and quietly left, fearing that they might get too much karma with the Sword Pavilion.

The wind blew across the empty square in front of the palace, swirling up a few fallen leaves and adding to the desolation.

……

On the main peak of Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion, the remnants of the banquet remained, cups and plates were scattered everywhere, and an atmosphere of unease lingered.

Suddenly, a demonic wind came from the horizon. At first, it was slight, but in an instant, it became a raging storm, carrying a powerful demonic aura that pressed down on the entire mountain peak and forest, causing the spiritual energy to stagnate.

Four figures arrived on the wind, hovering outside the protective array of the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion.

The leader, dressed in black with dark hair, had a calm expression and deep, unfathomable eyes, like an ancient well with a cold pool. He was none other than Chen Jiao.

The three Foundation Establishment Cave Masters, including Qingyuan, stood silently on either side of him.

No need for announcements or challenges.

Chen Jiao glanced at the Sword Pavilion members below, who looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy, and raised his right hand.

The two fingers are joined together, and the strokes are made in a dotted manner.

A clear sword light burst forth from his fingertips, initially as thin as a spider's thread, but growing longer in the wind, transforming into a vast sword aura stretching across the sky.

The vast and powerful water elemental energy within the sword aura surged like a mighty river.

The sword array light screen trembled violently. The moment the flowing water and sword shadows on it came into contact with the dark blue sword energy, they melted and disintegrated like ice and snow meeting boiling water.

The spirit stones at the base of the formation shattered one after another, and the dozens of disciples maintaining the formation were struck as if by a heavy blow, spitting out blood and collapsing to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, the Xuan Guang Water Dividing Array, which had protected the Sword Pavilion for hundreds of years, was cleaved open with a huge gap by this seemingly casual sword strike.

The sound of the light curtain shattering was like a mournful cry, echoing through the mountains.

Chen Jiao took a step forward, passing through the gap and entering the Jiange Mountain Gate.

Three demon generals followed closely behind, and a demonic wind howled as they entered.

On the Sword Discussion Platform, a group of Sword Pavilion elders stood pale-faced, forming a battle array, their swords flashing, yet unable to conceal their despair and panic.

Chen Jiao glanced at the crowd, too lazy to speak or listen, and simply swept his sleeve away.

The vast water element suddenly condensed, then transformed into a towering, black wave, incredibly heavy.

The heavy water surged back like a vast ocean, silently submerging the entire Yijianping area.

Wherever the colossal black wave passed, both the protective magic treasures summoned by Foundation Establishment elders and the protective spiritual light erected by Qi Refining disciples instantly dissolved.

The flesh and blood would crumble at the touch, and the soul and consciousness would be frozen and annihilated.

In just a few breaths, only a desolate, dark pool of water remained on the Sword Discussion Platform, slowly flowing, along with the dilapidated skeletons of several palaces submerged in the water.

Hundreds of Sword Pavilion disciples, including Foundation Establishment elders like Changhe, were all wiped out, leaving no trace of their bodies.

Only the direction of the Ancestral Hall on the back mountain remains unharmed for the time being, due to the protection of an independent barrier.

An elderly man with white hair and beard and a withered face was kneeling and meditating in front of the ancestral tablets of past masters.

A tremendous commotion erupted outside, and he abruptly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with horror.

Through the window, he happened to see the terrifying scene of the silent fall in the square!

"Demon! Demon!"

The old man's eyes were wide with rage, and tears streamed down his face.

He knew that his sect was on the verge of destruction, and the only way to survive was to pray for the patriarch to appear.

Inside the hall, incense smoke curled upwards, and the ancestral tablets of past masters were enshrined. At the very top, a statue held a magic sword, its face blurred, radiating a faint aura of power.

On the altar table in the hall is a black sword talisman. The talisman is simple and ancient, with patterns of rosy clouds and water engraved on it, and a faint sword intent flowing through it.

This sword talisman was left by a highly talented patriarch of the Sword Pavilion hundreds of years ago before he ascended to heaven. He said that when the sect was facing life or death, one could burn the talisman and pray for a glimmer of hope.

The old man staggered and fell onto the prayer mat in front of the ancestral master's statue, his Taoist hat askew, tears streaming down his face. He kowtowed sharply, blood appearing on his forehead.

"Ancestor above! Your unworthy descendant kowtows with tears of blood!"

Now, demons have attacked our mountain, destroyed our gates, and slaughtered our disciples. The Sword Pavilion's lineage is in imminent danger!

We earnestly beseech the Celestial Master to manifest his divine mercy, unleash his heavenly might, and vanquish this wicked fiend, thus ensuring the continuity of our lineage!

The old man immediately bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of his life essence onto the sword talisman. He then formed secret hand seals and hissed, shouting:

"We respectfully request the decree of our Ancestor!"

"boom!"

The sword talisman ignited spontaneously without fire, bursting forth with golden flames.

Amidst the flames, a phantom of sword energy shot into the sky from the talisman, piercing the roof of the Ancestral Hall and connecting with a sliver of heavenly secrets!

Above the memorial tablet, a name also began to glow faintly, and a majestic and awe-inspiring aura began to gather.

Zhang Qingyang.

On the Sword Discussion Platform, Chen Jiao seemed to sense something. His gaze pierced through the layers of halls and fell towards the Ancestral Hall on the back mountain, and his brows twitched almost imperceptibly.

……

Above the nine heavens, in the Heavenly Court's Water Department.

Amidst a vast expanse of azure clouds, countless streams of water, as thick as mountains, flowed slowly, emitting a deep and eternal sound of tides.

These waters are tributaries of the Heavenly River that maintain the operation of the water system of the Three Realms.

Amidst the clouds and beneath the Milky Way.

Countless water palaces and government offices of varying sizes float in the air, their ancient forms mostly constructed of jade, exuding a vast and majestic aura.

One of the government offices was not large in scale. Above the gate hung a plaque with water patterns, on which ethereal light shimmered and the five characters "Patrol and Investigation Division" were written.

The hall was filled with misty clouds, and countless water mirrors hung on the four walls, reflecting the rivers, lakes and seas of the lower world, and the flowing water veins.

From time to time, celestial officials dressed in robes with water patterns would move about, recording hydrological data and handling official business, creating an orderly but somewhat dull scene.

In a corner of the side hall, a middle-aged man dressed in the robes of a water official was bent over his desk, reviewing a document about unusual undercurrents in a certain part of the East China Sea.

The jade slips and documents on the table were piled up like a mountain.

He had a thin face, and there was a hint of fatigue between his brows.

It was none other than the Heavenly Official Ancestor of the Xuan Guang Sword Pavilion.

Zhang Qingyang is currently serving as the Sword Master Immortal in the Water Patrol and Investigation Division of the Heavenly Court.