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

Deep within the Flowing Clouds Sea lies the Crystal Palace.

Pearls were used as lamps, silk gauze as curtains, and glass was used to pave the floor.

Although there is no sun or moon in the palace, there is a soft, clear light that illuminates the hall with a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow.

Dragon Girl Ao Ying leaned against a cloud couch carved from a single piece of warm jade, draped in a silk cloud dress that outlined her graceful curves.

Her hair was as black as a waterfall, loosely tied up with a red jade coral hairpin. Her face was beautiful, and her phoenix eyes, though seemingly casual, carried a hint of languor and nonchalance.

Her slender fingers toyed with a pigeon-egg-sized, shimmering deep-sea pearl, her gaze seemingly fixed on the pearl, yet also piercing through its light to look into the distance.

A sea-patrolling yaksha was crawling on the smooth, mirror-like glazed floor in the center of the hall. He was burly, with a blue face and fangs.

At this moment, however, he kept his head down, not daring to breathe loudly, and was reporting on the recent events in the sea.

"Your Highness, for the past half month, the sea area has been relatively calm, and the cultivators coming and going have all acted in accordance with the rules, without any major disputes."

Only the Sand Valley, which borders the Xuan Turtle Clan to the west, has recently experienced some minor friction.

An envoy has been dispatched to mediate; there is no major problem for now.

The Yaksha's voice was rough and hoarse, yet his reasoning was clear.

Ao Yinglongnu seemed to be listening but not really, her gaze casually sweeping over the seven-colored spirit fish swimming in the dome until the Yaksha paused slightly in his speech.

She spoke lazily, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"These trivial matters can be handled according to the usual procedures."

"I ask you, what is the current state of those unusual undercurrents in the deep sea?"

Upon hearing this, Yaksha glanced at the Dragon Goddess's expression before continuing:

"Your Highness, the undercurrents of the Blackwater Abyss deep in the ocean are becoming increasingly turbulent and unpredictable..."

Ao Ying paused slightly as she played with the luminous pearl, her gaze shifting to the yaksha.

The languid look in his phoenix eyes faded slightly, replaced by a more solemn expression.

"Continue."

The demon lowered his head even further, and his voice became increasingly cautious:

"According to observations over the past few days, the undercurrent has not only not weakened, but has instead intensified."

Near the mouth of the abyss, the aquatic energy was in a state of chaos, with silent whirlpools frequently forming, stirring up mud and sand and obscuring the view.

Deeper inside, occasional low, strange noises could be heard, like a giant object churning or the earth's veins groaning.

The sent soldiers and generals dared not venture deeper, reporting that they were too shaken to enter.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the soft sound of the water rippling gently around it.

The pearl's shimmering light cast shifting shadows on Ao Ying's beautiful face.

She slowly sat up straight and gently placed the luminous pearl into the jade plate beside the couch, making a crisp sound.

"Blackwater Abyss".

She murmured the name, a hint of apprehension flashing in her eyes:

"That place was already strange, and with these changes in recent years, it is certainly not to be taken lightly."

The document sent to the Heavenly Court has yet to receive a reply.

She hesitated for a moment, then asked again:

"Has the cause been identified?"

Yaksha immediately kowtowed:

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate is dull-witted and has not yet found out."

All that is known is that the anomaly seems to be related to changes in the earth's veins, but the specifics are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Your Highness, this matter may require the arrival of a true master to investigate before we can…”

Upon hearing this, Ao Ying frowned slightly, and the languid look in her eyes vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

She waved her hand: "Intensify the investigation; I have a feeling this isn't a good thing."

If there is any unusual movement, report it immediately. You may leave.

"yes!"

The Yaksha felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly bowed as he prepared to leave the hall.

"return."

Ao Ying's eyes flickered, and suddenly a hint of anger and coldness flashed across them.

As if remembering something, a hint of displeasure crept into his tone. He drank the Yaksha wine again and asked:

"Any news about Qingheng, who ran away from the palace?"

Upon hearing this, Yaksha looked troubled, but forced himself to say:

"Your Highness, I have already sent people to inquire everywhere."

However, Qing Heng was extremely skilled at concealment, seemingly using a secret technique to hide his aura. After leaving the Flowing Cloud Sea, he vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea…”

"waste!"

Ao Ying gave a light snort and casually tossed a glass bead onto the ground, making a crisp sound.

"They can't even catch a little snake demon!"

Those traitors who think they can get away with it by escaping?

Send the order: increase the reward! Whoever provides a definite clue will be rewarded with ten bushels of pearls!

"Whether you're alive or dead, bring me your corpse!"

Her tone turned cold, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.

The spacious and magnificent Crystal Palace returned to silence.

Ao Ying leaned against the cloud couch alone, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the edge of the couch, making a rhythmic soft sound.

"Qingheng..."

Ao Ying repeated the name, a complex look flashing in her eyes, a mixture of anger and disappointment.

He was one of her favorite servants, handsome, a good dancer, and very good at pleasing her.

Unexpectedly, several years ago, he stole a bottle of her finest elixir when she wasn't looking and then disappeared.

She exhaled softly and murmured to herself:

"It seems that appearances alone are ultimately unreliable."

I wonder what that person in heaven is like now... Bah, why bother thinking about that taciturn, blockheaded fellow!

Inside the Crystal Palace, Ao Ying was feeling troubled when she suddenly heard the gentle ripples on the water outside the palace, followed by a fragrant breeze.

Immediately, a slender figure gracefully entered, and before anyone could announce her arrival, a clear and melodious laugh rang out:

"Sister, it's been a few days. Why are you all alone here, looking so forlorn?"

The newcomer was dressed in a seven-colored rainbow robe, with a graceful figure and a natural charm that was seven parts coquettishness and three parts arrogance. When her eyes sparkled, she was so beautiful and radiant that even the brightest pearl in the palace paled in comparison.

She is Princess Wansheng of Bibo Pool in Luanshi Mountain.

She and Ao Ying have always been on good terms and call each other sisters.

When Ao Ying saw that it was her, her annoyance lessened slightly. She sat up straight and said reproachfully:

"You silly girl, you're making fun of me again."

What brings you here today? Please have a seat.

A maidservant served fragrant tea, a thousand-year-old coral tea served in a cup made of underwater chalcedony, its aroma emanating from it.

Princess Wansheng gracefully took her seat, her slender fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her gaze shifting with a hint of mockery as she looked at Ao Ying:

"If I hadn't come, how would I have known which handsome young man my sister was longing for?"

Ao Ying spat, her pretty face slightly flushed, and laughed as she scolded:

"Stop talking nonsense! It's just some trivial matter concerning the troublesome sea areas."

She paused, her tone regaining a touch of languor:

"What brings you here today?"

Princess Wansheng picked up a crystal-clear, jade-like grape and casually said:

"I got bored staying in the pool, so I came to talk to my sister."

I heard the other day that a new batch of neon-colored shells has appeared in the coral forests of the East China Sea, with a strange and wonderful luster.

I had intended to invite my sister to come along, but halfway there my father summoned me to handle some trivial matters. What a disappointment!

Her words carried a hint of coquettish dissatisfaction.

Ao Ying chuckled upon hearing this: "You still can't sit still. That Neon Shell isn't going to grow legs and run away. We can go another day."

"The other day, the clam maids in my palace bred a new batch of star-patterned purple clams. The patterns are strange, and they can attract starlight at night. You can pick some later."

The two sisters chatted about gossip and private matters, and the atmosphere in the hall became cheerful for a while.

After a while of joking around, Princess Wansheng seemed to remember something, her eyes sparkling, and she smiled charmingly:

"By the way, sister, have you heard about some interesting things that have happened in Heaven recently?"