Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Lu Yu looked at the lotus seed in his hand and gave Old Zhu a meaningful smile, saying, "Who said there's no chance for reincarnation?"

Zhu Ganglie looked at Lu Yu with surprise, finally catching the implication, and said enviously, "It seems you've gained quite a lot."

"Indeed, the harvest has been rich. This lotus seed, if offered up in the Cave Heaven, can restore the soul, giving this renowned Sword Immortal a chance for reincarnation," Lu Yu explained with a smile.

"So, you've formed a mentor-disciple bond with him, I congratulate you in advance here," Zhu Ganglie said.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu laughed heartily, took the Treasure Vase, and left the world with Zhu Ganglie. As for who would become the lord of the city after it was leaderless, what did that have to do with them, with the vastness of the Human Path and its own rules?

That day, the immortals worshiped in Banished Immortal City included a burly man and a Scholar dressed as an immortal, especially the Scholar, crafted so vividly holding a Treasure Vase, dignified and solemn.

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The former City Lord's Manor had also become a locally famous scenic spot, named Sky Light Lake, all because that day the sword light had pierced the sky, falling from the heavens.

Lu Yu and Old Zhu left the minor world. Looking back, the cracks that had appeared were already starting to gradually heal, and perhaps it would not be long before they disappeared from this world.

"I wonder what your plans are for the future, Marshal," Lu Yu asked with a smile.

"I have no specific plans, just to idly guard Mount Fulung, leaving it to fate," Old Zhu said somewhat desolately, then bid farewell to Lu Yu with clasped hands, and disappeared in a gust of wind.

Lu Yu could not help but sigh slightly, knowing that Old Zhu had probably guessed his own fate, hence the gloominess. After all, like him, he was also considered a dignitary of the three realms, but now he seemed like a pawn at someone else's disposal.@@novelbin@@

However, Lu Yu thought this was not necessarily a bad thing; being a pawn for a significant figure was in itself an affirmation of strength. Otherwise, among the countless myriad beings, it was not like he was irreplaceable. He just hoped that Old Zhu could gradually let go of his burden and realize this, otherwise he would only live in misery.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but smile again. According to what was written in the books, this former Marshal was bound to come around. Otherwise, how could he master the art of minimal effort, never exerting more than was necessary where a little would suffice?

Clouds formed under his feet, and he flew toward the Five Elements Mountain.

When he arrived at the Five Elements Mountain, he noticed that the guard was significantly tighter than before. Not only were the Mountain God and Earth God still there, but also the Six Ding and Six Jia, and the protector Garuda.

However, these figures watched Lu Yu yet seemed not to see him, keeping their eyes fixed elsewhere. At this critical moment, as long as Lu Yu did not act out, they too would turn a blind eye, pretending not to see.

Thus, Lu Yu entered Five Elements Mountain under the gods' pretense of ignorance and saw the Monkey still striving hard in his cultivation.

"Scholar!" the Monkey exclaimed in surprise because the last time Lu Yu had told him he wouldn't come to see him again, yet here he was, unexpectedly meeting an old friend again so soon.

"Quite the spectacle here, it gave me quite the scare when I arrived," Lu Yu said with a smile to the Monkey.

"Who said it isn't so? I have no idea what's got them so jittery." The Monkey also smiled, knowing that Lu Yu was referring to the intensified guarding of the Five Elements Mountain, thus he joked in response.

"After all, it concerns transcendence, so it's inevitable to feel anxious. By the way, I'm here this time to pass on a message for someone." Lu Yu changed the subject and detailed his encounter with Master Zhenyuan to the Monkey.

He ended with a laugh, saying, "You're quite sought after now; even though you're not yet free, people are already keeping tabs on you."

"Master Zhenyuan, that old man, is really generous. Even I have heard of his name before. It's surprising that he's willing to humble himself and become brothers with me," said the Monkey, sighing.

"His roots are so profound that only a handful in the three realms dare say they surpass him. If not for this chance with the great changes in heaven and earth, how could he break free from his shackles and step toward transcendence? This is a grace of attaining the Dao.

If he didn't pledge brotherhood and share the Earthly Immortal Path's fortune and destiny with you, he might not even clear this cause and effect."

The Monkey nodded and said, "Transcendence, just thinking about it is alluring." A look of yearning appeared in his eyes.

"You haven't even formed the Three Flowers at the Top yet—what are you thinking about transcendence for? It's better to keep your feet on the ground and earnestly practice step by step."

In fact, Lu Yu also longed for transcendence, but his current self was just a newbie who hadn't even reached the stage of 'Five Qi Towards the Yuan.' Transcendence was still far away from him. This talk was as much for the Monkey as it was for himself.

The Monkey seemed to see through Lu Yu's thoughts and laughed as well, saying, "That's true. Without a solid foundation, there will be earth-shaking moments; only step-by-step cultivation gives one a chance to reach transcendence. Scholar, don't let me leave you too far behind."

"Don't worry, with you leading the way, how dare I slack in my cultivation? Wait and see, one day I'll catch up with you." Lu Yu never liked to show weakness in front of the Monkey, although he knew how strenuous it was to keep up with the Monkey's pace. Still, he had to admit, without such a friend as a shining example, he likely wouldn't have progressed in his cultivation so rapidly.

"That's good to hear. I'm looking forward to the day when we both strive for the realm of transcendence together." The Monkey's fighting spirit was high at that moment.

Just then, a small crack opened above the clouds of the Five Elements Mountain, letting in some sunlight. Lu Yu knew this was the gods outside urging them on.

But the Monkey shouted, "Scram! Don't disturb our brotherly chat." His voice, as loud as thunder, caused the entire Five Elements Mountain to begin trembling.

Lu Yu promptly stopped the Monkey's outburst, smiling as he said, "Don't be angry. They have their duties, after all. Given your current situation, entangled in this vortex, it's not good for me to stay too long. When you're free, we'll have our time to drink and chat joyfully. Just be patient a little longer; you'll be free soon."

The Monkey then dulled his aura, and the Five Elements Mountain returned to calm.

What they didn't know was that up in the heavens, the protector Garuda was already wiping the cold sweat off his forehead, saying, "This Great Saint's power is truly unfathomable now. Just getting angry was enough to shake the Five Elements Mountain. If it weren't for the Golden Suppression Charm of Tathagata, he probably would have been free by now."

"You haven't seen how hard he's been cultivating. We feel utterly ashamed in comparison. Every single day of these five hundred years, he's been relentlessly cultivating without any slack. Once he's free, it will be like a tiger entering the mountains or a dragon returning to the sea—unstoppable," explained the Earth God next to him with a smile.

However, inside, he was secretly pleased. The protector Garuda, having only been here a few days, had been bossing around the Earth God relying on his status as a Buddhist, and they were quite unhappy with each other.