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

Ao Ying was picking up a crystal grape when she heard this. Her fingertips paused slightly, and she looked up at her, a lazy smile playing on her lips.

"Oh? What new things can those old fogies in Heaven do besides following the established routines?"

Could it be another celestial maiden who has descended to the mortal realm? Or perhaps a pageboy under the immortal's command has caused trouble?

This amused Princess Wansheng, who chuckled, causing the snow-capped mountain to tremble slightly.

Her eyes sparkled, and her voice involuntarily rose a few decibels:

"No! This is a very big deal!"

I heard that a while ago, at the court assembly in the Lingxiao Palace, a new title of Huangtian Jingfa Zhenjun was conferred, and his name is quite prestigious!

That's not all. He was even given the title of "Nine Heavens Demon Subduer" and put in charge of a terrifying place like the Exorcism Academy! Finally, he was even allowed to open up the Thunder Palace and recruit his own subordinates!

Sister, tell me, isn't this power boundless?

Ao Ying paused slightly in her cup-holding hand, then looked up at her:

"True Lord? Could it be a disciple of some Emperor or Celestial Venerable?"

"Not a student of any particular family."

Princess Wansheng put down the jade cup, pursed her lips, and showed a dismissive expression:

"I heard that he is Yilie Tianjun of the Thunder Department, who was promoted for his meritorious service in vanquishing demons in the Eastern Pole."

"Lord Yilie?"

Ao Ying's eyes suddenly lit up, but she quickly lowered her gaze to hide it, fiddling with her slender fingers:

"She must be even more radiant than before."

Princess Wansheng chuckled at her subtle reaction and said sweetly:

"My dear sister! How come you're just like those ignorant little palace maids?"

If you ask me, he spends all his time either vanquishing demons in the far east or exorcising evil spirits in the far north. He's full of murderous aura, so how could he possibly have any refined and otherworldly demeanor?

I heard that when he was bestowed his title in the Lingxiao Palace, his aura was so fierce that even several veteran Heavenly Lords were overshadowed.

Such people are likely either fierce and wrathful or malevolent and evil; they certainly don't possess any refined and elegant demeanor.

They spend their days fighting and killing, either subduing demons or vanquishing monsters; how could they possibly understand the refined pleasures of romance?

In my opinion, they are far inferior to the kind and handsome young men in my sister's palace.

Princess Wansheng was still somewhat puzzled after she finished speaking:

"Why would someone as shrewish as you, sister, still be hung up on that clueless, unromantic devil?"

Ao Ying's cheeks flushed slightly as her thoughts were laid bare, and she gave her a reproachful glare:

"Don't talk nonsense! When have I ever been thinking about it?"

But I never imagined... he had already risen to the rank of True Lord.

His tone was faint, making it impossible to discern whether he was happy or sighing.

Her gaze fell upon the deep sea outside the palace, as if piercing through the waves to see the distant heavens above.

A fleeting glimpse a century ago—that figure, even without the celestial aura, remained as upright and solitary as a cold peak, and those indifferent yet seemingly penetrating eyes—suddenly became clear.

Ao Ying's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint, enigmatic smile. She gently swirled the fine wine in her cup, her tone elusive:

"My younger sister is still young, and there are some things she may not understand."

His ruthless methods also revealed his compassionate heart.

The fierce aura of the battlefield may not be able to conceal... the gentle breeze and bright moon.

How can one draw conclusions without seeing it with one's own eyes?

Seeing her expression, Princess Wansheng felt both indignant and curious.

"Alright, alright, whatever you say goes, sister."

However, I advise my sister to think about it less.

A person like Jingfa Zhenjun probably only has the laws of heaven in his eyes.

He might not even notice the beauty and warmth of our Crystal Palace!

After saying that, he chuckled to himself.

Ao Ying was a little embarrassed and annoyed by her laughter, so she reached out to pinch her.

With their clothes fluttering and the snow dazzling, the atmosphere of the sisters laughing and joking was instantly restored inside the hall.

……

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

After giving the green ape some instructions, Chen Jiao rode a cloud-like light and silently left the Qingchi Ridge area, heading east.

Upon reaching the shores of the East China Sea, a salty, damp sea breeze blows in your face, accompanied by the sound of crashing waves, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of the inland mountains.

Chen Jiao pressed down on his escape light and landed on a dark reef by the sea, waiting for the messenger to guide him.

His black robes fluttered, his aura was deep and composed, and his gaze was calm as he looked at the distant sea, where the water vapor was swirling and the spiritual energy seemed to be in disarray.

Not far away, three figures stood on the sea.

Clearly, they had all come at the invitation of the Dragon Girl.

The Golden Feather Demon Lord had faint golden feather patterns on his forehead, his eyes were sharp as lightning, his aura was fierce and powerful, and he was skilled at riding the wind and breaking through the waves.

He glanced at the other two and said coldly:

"The Flowing Cloud Sea is quite lively. Even those who cultivate Yin Qi and fire techniques have been invited to this mere undercurrent. It seems that Her Highness the Dragon Girl has truly cast a wide net this time."

One of them was a man dressed in a deep blue Taoist robe with cloud patterns. He had a handsome face, fair skin, and hawk-like eyes. He exuded a faint aura of profound yin energy.

He wore a white bone jade pendant at his waist, its carving simple and ancient, which belonged to the Xuan Gu Master.

At this moment, it stands quietly to one side, hands behind its back, gazing into the distance, as if it has merged into the surrounding sea and sky.

Master Xuangu's gaze swept over Golden Feather Demon Lord and True Person Liyang, a faint smile playing on his lips, his voice indifferent:

"So it was Fellow Daoist Jin Yu and Fellow Daoist Li Yang."

The sea is treacherous, with many cold and yin waters. One of you fellow cultivators is of the metal element, and the other cultivates fire; your attributes clash. Perhaps you're experiencing some… discomfort from the change in environment?"

The Golden Feather Demon Lord snorted coldly, the golden mark on his forehead glowing slightly, his tone arrogant:

"Xuan Gu, you're overthinking it."

All streams under heaven are influenced by the wind.

My skill in controlling the wind can be used to regulate watercourses and guide their flow.

"Fellow Daoist, you are surrounded by yin energy. We should lest you stir up the deep, gloomy evil spirits of the seabed, adding fuel to the fire."

The last one was an old Taoist priest with a red face and red hair, wearing a robe with the Eight Trigrams and fiery clouds, holding a red jade whisk, and surrounded by faint heat. He was none other than the True Man Li Yang.

His pure Yang fire magic has reached a state of perfection, and he is particularly skilled at refining turbid energy and suppressing evil spirits.

Upon hearing this, Master Li Yang raised a red eyebrow, lightly flicked his whisk, and laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell:

"Why do you two fellow Daoists argue? Although I practice fire magic, I am well-versed in the principle of yin and yang complementing each other."

Abnormal underwater currents must be caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang.

The old Taoist's pure yang fire is just right to cleanse away yin impurities and harmonize the dragon and tiger.

It's certainly more reliable than those incapable of shouldering great responsibilities, who only know how to be cunning and stir up trouble.

His words seemed to imply something.

The three of them exchanged words, seemingly casual pleasantries, but in reality, their conversation was full of hidden barbs and they were unwilling to give in to each other, making the atmosphere somewhat tense for a moment.

Chen Jiao watched coldly from the sidelines, not saying a word, but standing calmly with his hands behind his back.

His behavior, on the contrary, made the three men wary.

Finally, Master Liyang couldn't resist turning to Chen Jiao and tentatively asking:

"This fellow Daoist is quite unfamiliar. May I ask which sacred mountain or blessed land you cultivate in? What insight do you have regarding the unusual phenomena occurring here?"

The gazes of Xuan Gu Shangren and Jin Yu Yaojun also fell upon them, filled with scrutiny.

A wind rose over the sea, causing the hem of Chen Jiao's black robe to flutter.

He glanced indifferently at the three of them, without giving a direct answer.

He simply glanced at the seemingly calm but actually turbulent Flowing Cloud Sea and said calmly:

"I am Xuan Ling of Yunmang Mountain."

I wouldn't call it insightful. I just feel that instead of engaging in empty talk here, you should all go out and see the ocean for yourselves.

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room changed abruptly.

The three Golden Core cultivators had different expressions.