Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Nether River bowed respectfully to the Demon Lord, for he still needed to make a living under him in the future, so their relationship couldn’t become too strained.

However, today the Demon Lord seemed quite unusual, not as talkative as usual, instead appearing somewhat preoccupied.

This puzzled Nether River greatly, wondering what in the three realms could be troubling the Demon Lord. Remembering the recent turmoil in heaven and earth, Nether River couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had occurred in the three realms.

"It’s nothing, just some knowledge of the past," the Demon Lord said nonchalantly. Seeing his reluctance to elaborate, Nether River did not press further, knowing well the Demon Lord’s famous unpredictability.

After these words, the Demon Lord’s figure disappeared into the Demon Realm, leaving Nether River alone, standing in his original spot. He looked towards the place where the Demon Lord had vanished, the urge within him to grow stronger became even more intense, knowing that only by becoming stronger could he be privy to the secrets of the universe and truly master his own destiny.

He sat cross-legged above the Sea of Blood, a mysterious and powerful aura emanating from his being. Clearly, by transforming the Demon Realm, he had gained significant benefits, making him even more powerful.

In the three realms, unusual events were not limited to a few places. Treasure Elephant Country had been particularly restive lately. At night, strange sounds could be heard in the capital’s sky.

The sounds were majestic and melodious, clearly reaching every individual in Treasure Elephant Country, yet they caused no discomfort; rather, they were exceedingly pleasant, as if purifying the soul.

Soon, the anomaly in Treasure Elephant Country spread far and wide. Ever since a cultivator surprisingly discovered that this sound could suppress the Heart Demon, purify the soul, and refine Mana, cultivators from all over swarmed to the country, turning Treasure Elephant Country overnight into a bustling hub, filled with mana-bearing individuals, effectively becoming a capital of cultivators.

However, with the increase in cultivators came security issues. Many among them, who were not profound in their cultivation, took pride in their modest abilities, considering themselves above ordinary people and belonging to the stream of Immortals, thereby displaying arrogance and contempt in their speech.

But now, Treasure Elephant Country was no longer as it used to be; cultivators were everywhere, which often led to conflicts, eventually escalating into sizeable magical combats.

The civilians in the city suffered, living in constant fear of collateral damage, silently praying for the Immortal Gods to intervene, wishing these people would leave quickly so they could return to their peaceful lives.

In the Imperial Palace of Treasure Elephant Country, the Old Monarch too was fraught with anxiety. These cultivators, one by one, disregarded royal authority, not taking the threats of the Imperial Court seriously, abiding solely by their group’s rules.

"What should be done about this? These outworlders are lawless, causing vast damage in just a few days. If this continues, what face will Treasure Elephant Country have left, and how can we face our ancestors?" roared the Old Monarch furiously, his voice echoing through the spacious hall.

All the ministers knelt on the ground, trembling. After eliminating the power of the former Prime Minister, the Old Monarch had taken complete control of the court, and after so much effort, his words were absolute; no ordinary minister dared to speak out of turn.

Only the Right Minister slowly stood up. Now aged and bent, his hair and beard all white, and his face covered with age spots; anyone would see him as a man nearing the end of his days.

But for those kneeling in the court, the old man was undoubtedly their lifeline. They all understood that the King held the Right Minister, who had controlled the court for many years, in high regard, a respect born from the Minister’s prestige and capability that had once suppressed the Prime Minister, without whom the King might have been ousted long ago.

The Prime Minister trembled as he knelt on the cold floor of the grand hall, and even the enraged King, unable to contain his anger, was moved. He quickly instructed an attendant to bring a chair for the elderly Prime Minister to sit on.

The Prime Minister thanked him for the grace and slowly sat down on the stool covered with thick silk, catching his breath before he said, "Those people are outsiders, inherently indifferent to our secular laws. Dealing with them can only be done by following their rules and finding someone more powerful to suppress them."

The King’s anger gradually subsided, for he knew the Prime Minister was right—only a Cultivator could suppress another Cultivator. After all, these individuals could fly and burrow through the earth, and his own army was simply no match for them.

"But where can we find such a person? If only we knew the techniques of Great Tang, I’ve heard that in that place, even the Immortal Gods yield easily," the Old Monarch sighed and said.

"Your Majesty has forgotten someone!" the Prime Minister suddenly lifted his head, his eyes sparkling so intensely that even the King could not bear to look directly at him.

"Who have I forgotten?"

"Princess Bai Huaxiu!" The words of the Prime Minister echoed through the grand hall, causing everyone’s breath to catch.

Princess Bai Huaxiu was a taboo in this country. Ever since the father and daughter had fallen out, she had become the King’s Achilles’ heel, and anyone who mentioned her name would face his thunderous rage.

However, at this moment, the King did not react with the anticipated fury. Instead, a trace of weakness unexpectedly appeared on his dignified and resolute face.

Time had eroded his ambitious dreams. As he grew older, he found himself reminiscing more about the past days. His daughter, Bai Huaxiu, had been the warmest sunshine during those tough times. Perhaps it was old age, but lately, he often dreamed of his daughter as a child, her chubby hands holding his as they played and frolicked in the garden.

"Your Majesty, you and the Princess are father and daughter, sharing the same blood, inherently bound by an unbreakable tie. No matter the displeasures of the past, the connection of blood remains intact, and what misunderstandings cannot be resolved between father and daughter?"

"The Princess’s husband is a Star Lord, and both children have been disciples under an Immortal. No matter which of them makes a move, these people in the city cannot stir up any trouble. I urge your Majesty to reconsider," the Prime Minister continued.

After saying this, the Prime Minister began to cough violently—after all, his age was great, and the effort of speaking had exhausted all his strength. He then sat tiredly in the chair, his eyes slightly closed.

The King sat on his throne and pondered for a long time before he slowly said, "Today, I shall go see Bai Huaxiu. As for whether I can persuade the Immortal, that is beyond my control."

The ministers below exchanged glances, smiles of joy appearing on their faces. Now that the King had spoken, it was almost a certainty. The spectacle of that Immortal intervening was still vivid in their minds. With him intervening, the stability of Treasure Elephant Country was as solid as Mount Tai.

Thus, they all bowed and shouted loudly, "The King is wise!"

With many concerns on his mind, the King left the Imperial Court, instructed briefly, and then went straight to the palace where his daughter resided.