Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The results of the battle in the north quickly spread throughout the land, stunning everyone with the outcome no one had anticipated. The vast Allied Army had shamefully retreated from the north.

Soon the name of Lu Xun of Great Chu resonated throughout the world, and his identity as the Crown Prince was repeatedly mentioned. The phrase "Great Chu's Revival" also casually became the topic of conversation among the common people after meals.

After all, Great Chu had been established for several hundred years and had deeply rooted itself in people's hearts. Although there were many absurdities towards the end of The Dynasty, compared to the chaos of the times where life was deemed as cheap as grass, it still seemed more peaceful.

It was because of this that many people yearned for the days of Great Chu's past, and when Lu Xun's banners began to flutter over this land, the people made their choice with their feet.

Countless civilians, upon hearing the news, flocked to join Lu Xun's ranks, causing an explosive increase in his population in a short time. Fortunately, he had prepared ample provisions and barely managed to cope.

Aside from the common people, among the Noble Families and Clans, many also harbored nostalgia for the old nation. Great Chu had nurtured scholars for a hundred years and the path of loyalty had deeply penetrated people's hearts, many capable and ambitious people still held affection for this name.

Wang Tao stood atop the city wall, looking into the distance where countless refugees prepared to pledge allegiance to Lu Xun stretched endlessly. This once contented and proud man sighed softly, "Lu Xun has won people's hearts to such an extent, it is indeed terrifying."

He knew very well that as long as Lu Xun could sustain these people, his strength would change dramatically, for at the end of the day, wars still ultimately depended on the people.

"Great Chu has unified the world for several hundred years. The people are ignorant and have grown accustomed to the rule of Great Chu. Now that Lu Xun has appeared, they will instinctively choose to support him," Mr. Wu also sighed softly. Such an opponent indeed left one feeling deeply despairing, watching him grow stronger each day while oneself was helpless was an utterly depressing feeling.

"My lord, should we order to block these people from heading north?" a scholar quietly asked. After all, once these people got there, they would become an added force.

Wang Tao, however, waved his hand and said, "It's more difficult to prevent the tongues of men than to dam the river. Even if I stop them, how can I stop them all? Better to let them go and hopefully, they'll have a brighter future."

In that moment, Wang Tao realized something. Lu Xun had the advantages of time, geography, and popular support, with a momentum that had already been established. It was the time when the dragon soars the skies. Even if he exerted all his efforts, he likely wouldn't be able to stop Lu Xun's rising momentum. Why then should he be the villain? It was better to leave behind a good reputation and perhaps gain another path for the future.

And so, with Wang Tao's tacit approval, more and more people passed through his territory to enter the domain ruled by Lu Xun, imbuing the nascent Great Chu with vigorous vitality.

Atop Mountain Luoxia, Liu Qingyun stood on the summit, gazing into the distance at the swirling clouds, suddenly silent and lost in thought.

"Big senior brother, it looks like the youngster Lu is about to succeed," Xiao Qi said with a smile, standing beside him. The matter of Great Chu's revival had been fully entrusted to Liu Qingyun by Lu Yu, and Xiao Qi had been assisting by his side, chuckling as he watched his senior brother deep in thought.

Liu Qingyun nodded slightly, as the familiar banners once again fluttered over this vast land, stirring a mix of feelings in his heart: joy, sadness, bitterness, a blend of emotions. Memories surged, and looking back, a hundred years passed as swiftly as a fleeting horse.

The young man who had struggled to survive in the old house was now an accomplished Immortal, surrounded by the seven emotions and six desires, but Liu Qingyun remained unmoved, slowly savoring these long-lost feelings.

Those on the path of cultivation have hearts like still water, and it is difficult for them to harbor such desires. However, the desire for longevity is the greatest of all. If one cannot break through this, they will only cultivate more demoniac obstacles, and the Great Dao will become unattainable.

As time passed, Liu Qingyun's face broke into a gentle smile, his body exuding a very warm and natural aura. The sound of thunderclap came from within his organs, and the grass and wildflowers around him began to grow wildly.

Xiao Qi looked at Liu Qingyun with surprise and delight, yet she managed to suppress the excitement in her heart.

Liu Qingyun gently exhaled a breath, and a green light slowly flew out from his mouth and nose. The surrounding space was instantly filled with vibrant life. This was the Innate Qi, the origin of life, the Wood Qi.

Having experienced this epiphany, Liu Qingyun finally stimulated the Wood Qi, one step closer to the "Five Qi Toward the Yuan," He had already opened his eyes by now, and took out a gourd from around his waist, capturing the Innate Wood Qi into it.

Only then did Xiao Qi dare to breathe out loudly, excitedly saying to Liu Qingyun, "Congratulations, elder brother master, joy to you, elder brother master, the Great Dao is hopeful."

Xiao Qi's eyes brimmed with admiration for Liu Qingyun's breakthrough. Although he was of the True Dragon Bloodline, his body restrained him, making him numb to the Five Qi and unable to advance further. Now seeing his elder brother surpass the hurdle, his heart was both envious and happy.

"Perhaps it also relates to the surge in Lu Xun's Fortune and Destiny," Liu Qingyun said with a smile.

Having promised Mr. Wu to take on this task, he naturally linked his Fortune and Destiny with Lu Xun's. Now that Lu Xun's great undertaking was on the verge of success, his Fortune and Destiny surged accordingly, lifting his own and allowing him to grasp this opportunity to stimulate the Innate Wood Qi.

He gazed into the distance, where Lu Xun was located. Now he could see, upon opening his eyes, an invisible Serpent dragon spiraling and roaring in the sky overhead, and a powerful majesty emanated from the Serpent dragon, pressing down on Lu Xun's territory.

At this moment, all the Demons and Ghost Deities in the region felt an immense pressure. It was a familiar sensation they had experienced during the era of Great Chu. The only difference was that Lu Xun's current strength was still weak and could not yet compare to the past.

"This is truly bad luck. It's only been a few years, and the Human Path's Fortune and Destiny are already showing signs of suppression once again. It seems that I cannot stay in this city any longer. Staying is akin to a dead end. Better I head south," a shifty-eyed, short-statured old man sighed softly, resting next to him was the body of a young man, his belly slashed open by an unknown weapon, his internal organs completely scooped out, presenting a truly horrifying sight.

The old man smacked his lips as if he still hadn't had his fill. He glanced towards the city, a tinge of reluctance flickering in his small eyes; after all, such a good hunting ground was not easy to come by.

Nevertheless, he decided to abandon this place. This was the knack he had for survival over the years: never take risks. To use the human saying, "The wise do not stand under a wobbly wall."

The old man hurriedly packed up his belongings and stealthily made his way to the city wall. After ensuring that no one was around, he transformed into a giant rat and quietly slipped out through a hole next to the city wall.