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

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The mountains are still the same mountains, and the water is still the same water, but the atmosphere in the mountains is no longer comparable to what it used to be.

The mountain path has been widened and paved with bluestone, winding its way upwards.

Various kinds of spirits and monsters come and go from time to time. Although they have different appearances, they all have solemn expressions and their movements are quite orderly, unlike the usual carefree and noisy demon mountain.

Over the past three years, the titles "Lord of Qingchi Ridge, Xuanling Demon Lord" and "Jiao Demon King" have acquired a certain awe and legendary status among many monster cultivators.

It had long been spread like wildfire among passing merchants, travelers, and wandering monks, reaching every mountain, river, lake, and marshland within thousands of miles.

Legend has it that this Xuanling Demon Lord possesses great supernatural powers, having once slain a Golden Core cultivator with his sword and obliterated the incarnation of a Celestial Official. Furthermore, he is skilled in regulating mountains and rivers, and his subordinates are strictly disciplined, unlike ordinary demon lairs.

With its reputation established, spirits and monsters from all directions flocked to seek refuge with it.

Chen Jiao ordered the cave masters, including Qingyuan and Tieshan, to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds and assign them tasks according to their abilities.

Those skilled in combat were assigned to the mountain patrol battalion; those proficient in planting spiritual plants were assigned to manage the medicinal gardens and spiritual fields; and those skilled in crafting artifacts were assigned to the artisan class.

The Hall of Affairs handles general affairs, the alchemy room's furnaces burn continuously, and there are also the Mountain Patrol Division, the Guard Division, and other divisions with clearly defined duties, each in its proper place.

In addition to the three former subordinates, Green Ape, Iron Mountain, and Poison Centipede, four more Foundation Establishment demon cultivators joined the mountain.

The four newly appointed foundational investors are all making the most of their talents.

Lady White Fox, who attained enlightenment in the Western Mountains, is skilled in illusion and business. She was appointed to manage the mountain's treasury and foreign trade.

The old turtle demon who cultivates in seclusion in the North Lake is calm and composed. He is proficient in array formations and construction, and is responsible for maintaining the array formations and restrictions in various parts of the mountain, as well as regulating the spiritual veins.

The Crimson Scorpion Taoist was skilled in fire magic and weapon forging, leading a group of lesser demons to forge weapons.

The Night Owl Demon possesses exceptional eyesight and is skilled in tracking and reconnaissance, so it is responsible for gathering information from all directions and monitoring movements near and far.

Black Fat and Shrimp Big held a superior position, overseeing all daily affairs and guard duties within the mountain.

The two demons, having listened to Chen Jiao's teachings and guidance for years, and through their own diligent efforts, both broke through their bottlenecks and reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining. Although they were still some distance from Foundation Establishment, they were already Chen Jiao's capable assistants.

The three flower fairy maidens, Wisteria, Peach, and Pear Blossom, were already exceptionally talented. Furthermore, with the nourishment of Chen Jiao and the spiritual energy of the cave, their cultivation advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining, and they were on track to reach Foundation Establishment.

On this day, the sun was setting.

Another group of wolf demons, looking disheveled and carrying the old and the young, fled from the north.

The leader was a wolf demon chieftain in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, badly injured, who was currently lying in the welcoming pavilion on the mountainside, begging to be taken in.

The fox demon in the pavilion inquired carefully and learned that its original lair had been occupied by a ferocious demon king who had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, and its people had suffered heavy casualties and had no choice but to flee south.

Upon receiving the report, the green ape personally went to the pavilion and took a look around.

Seeing that although he was in a sorry state, the ferocity in his eyes had been subdued, and only the will to survive remained, he agreed as usual and ordered the little demon to arrange a place for him.

The wolf demon leader was moved to tears and kowtowed repeatedly.

As the green ape watched the newly joined forces being led to their lodgings, it looked up at the main peak, Xuanqing Cave, shrouded in twilight and mist, and sighed with emotion.

Three years have passed, and now the demons of Yunmang Mountain come from all directions to pay homage, their power shaking the southeast.

All of this is due to that unfathomable being in the cave at the summit.

As night deepens, lights begin to twinkle on Yunmang Mountain. Though not as bustling as a city, they possess a vibrant life of their own.

The mountain breeze carries the fragrance of grass and trees and the faint whispers of demons, devoid of bloodshed or unease.

Inside the cave, Chen Jiao slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting flash of water and lightning patterns appearing in them.

His divine sense swept over the mountains, he nodded slightly, and then closed his eyes again to enter a meditative state.

For three years, he lived a secluded life, carefully comprehending the "General Record of Xuan Tian Sword Qi - Water Section", and his aura became increasingly profound and vast.

Here, people are quietly cultivating themselves, while in the distance, the flames of war are gradually subsiding.

……

In the Eastern Celestial Realm, the sky, which was originally ravaged by demonic energy and shrouded in ominous clouds, has gradually cleared up.

Where once countless demonic caves once stood, now all have turned into floating dust fragments, and the remaining stars have once again emitted a faint but pure light.

On the shattered land, only broken walls and lingering smoke remain.

The long-running campaign to exorcise demons in the Eastern Pole is finally coming to an end.

High in the sky, auspicious clouds gather, and celestial light soars into the heavens.

A formidable and imposing celestial army is marching slowly forward, about to return to the capital.

The procession stretched for thousands of miles, with banners waving, armor gleaming, and divine light soaring into the sky.

It was the Heavenly Court's expeditionary army, led by True Lord Tianyou and mainly composed of the Thunder and Fighting Divisions.

At the very front of the army, a red-haired, golden-armored celestial being stood majestically atop the Nine Heavens Thunder Chariot.

Instead of carrying a divine sword and a precious seal, he held a simple and unadorned bronze halberd, yet exuding a chilling aura.

Its face was ancient and simple, yet it exuded an imposing aura. It was tall and imposing, with its red hair unbound and flying freely in the howling wind, and its body was intertwined with lightning and fire.

His divine beasts, the Azure Bird Lion and the Giant Sea Dragon, followed closely by his side, protecting their lord.

It is none other than the Demon-Slaying Commander-in-Chief—True Lord Tianyou!

His gaze, opening and closing as if the birth and death of thunder, swept across the ravaged land below, carrying the majesty of having quelled the chaos and a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

Beside the True Lord, numerous heavenly generals and officers from the Thunder Department and the Fighting Department followed in an orderly formation.

Golden armor gleamed in the sun, jade belts fluttered in the wind, some wielding thunder hammers and lightning chisels, others holding star banners and handles of the Big Dipper, their imposing presence and overwhelming power over the world.

After a series of fierce battles, many of the generals still bore scars on their armor and the murderous aura lingered on their weapons.

Yet each of them had a solemn expression and sharp eyes, exuding the aura of a triumphant army that was overwhelming.

Among this group of renowned generals, one person stands out in particular.

The man was tall and imposing, clad in black armor and a dark cloak, his face hidden beneath the helmet. Only his eyes remained calm and deep, with a hint of blazing white lightning flashing between them.

He stood quietly to the side of the divine carriage of the True Lord Tianyou, his posture humble yet dignified.

He did not deliberately exude an aura of power, yet wherever he stood, the heavenly soldiers and generals around him unconsciously revealed expressions of awe.

Even the Heavenly Lord Tianyou, when he occasionally looked back, would linger on him with a hint of appreciation and approval.

A star lord, dressed in a green dragon star robe, with a gentle yet dignified face, slowly approached. He was none other than the constellation of the Dipper constellation – Horned Dragon.

He walked up to Chen Jiao, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and spoke sincerely:

"In the previous battle, I was fortunate to have Chen Tianjun's timely help, which saved my life."

"Jiaomu Jiao is here to thank the Heavenly Lord for saving us."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the officers and soldiers behind Chen Jiao, whose fierce aura had not yet dissipated but whose discipline was impeccable, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

During the war, he was once surrounded by several demon generals and faced great danger. It was Yilie Tianjun who used his dazzling lightning to tear apart the demon array and help him escape. He will always remember this kindness.

Chen Jiao nodded slightly and returned the greeting, saying:

"Jiaoxiu, you flatter me. It is our duty to vanquish demons and protect the righteous path; there is no need for thanks. The constellations of the Dipper constellation also deserve credit for their formation in trapping the enemy."

Upon hearing this, Jiao Mujiao's smile became even more genuine, and he said:

"In this return to Heaven, when rewards are distributed according to merit, the Heavenly Emperor will surely be among the top."

Presumably, it won't take more than a few hundred years; once he has accumulated enough seniority, he will be respectfully addressed as a True Lord.

Yilie Tianjun Chen Jiao's expression remained unchanged:

"Jiaoxiu is overrated. His Majesty and his superiors will decide his merits and demerits. It is our duty to quell the demonic forces and protect the Three Realms."

His tone was calm, yet it possessed an undeniable authority; he was neither arrogant nor hypocritical in shirking responsibility.

Jiao Mujiao smiled, knowing his temperament, bowed again, and said no more, but his eyes showed even more admiration for Chen Jiao.

Jiao Mu Jiao is in charge of the seven constellations of the Azure Dragon in the east, and his position is not low.

As soon as he spoke, many of the surrounding gods nodded slightly, and their gazes toward Yi Lie Tianjun held even more recognition and awe.

Clearly, the illustrious achievements of Yilie Tianjun in this battle had already spread throughout the army.

After this battle, his prestige in the Thunder Department and even the Heavenly Court will surely rise to a new level.

Wherever the army passed, the damaged void was slowly repaired by the power of the blazing heavenly thunder, and the remaining demonic energy vanished under the supreme yang light.

The chariot rolled across the cloud path, leaving behind streaks of golden lightning that lingered for a long time.

Despite the fierce fighting, the soldiers maintained strict discipline and there was no disturbance.

Only the clanging of armor clashing and the soft rustling of auspicious clouds blended together to create a silent yet powerful sense of triumph.

Tianyou Zhenjun slightly raised his hand, and the army's marching speed slowed down slightly, making it appear even more solemn.

He turned to look at his soldiers, and when his gaze swept over Chen Jiao, he gave a barely perceptible nod. Then he spoke in a loud voice that shook the world:

"The demonic influence has been quelled, and the heavens are once again bathed in light! All warriors, follow me—back to heaven to report!"

"I will obey the True Lord's decree!"

A thunderous roar of support erupted, weary yet filled with the exhilaration of victory.

The roar of the blue-and-green lion shook the heavens, and the giant sea dragons surged and churned to clear a path, displaying their divine might.

The army transformed into a dazzling torrent that stretched across the heavens, winding its way toward the Southern Heavenly Gate.

The heavenly palaces and pavilions, the peaches of immortality and the imperial wine, as well as the generous rewards that will surely be recorded in the annals of immortality, are already quietly waiting ahead.