Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Who could have expected that Golden Cicada would break convention, tearing through the veiled matters that the major players behind did not want to be known.

"Haha, Sir Lu is scared, those major players don't care about these trivial matters. They drive the major trends, following a path of righteousness. Even if you found out, you would only be swept along by the forces at play, unable to break free."

"Ten lifetimes later, this poor monk must travel to Tathagata in the Western Heaven to seek the True Scriptures and will need the Great Saint to protect me along the way."

With a complicated look, Monkey glanced at Golden Cicada and said, "In that case, I must rely on your care."

Golden Cicada just smiled, turned to Lu Yu, and said, "This monk will not disturb Sir and the Great Saint from catching up. I'll take my leave first."

After finishing, he walked away without looking back toward the outside of Five Elements Mountain.

"How could you agree so easily, do you not understand what this means? Did you not see the look in my eyes?" Lu Yu said urgently.

"Of course, I know!" Monkey said softly, leaving Lu Yu stunned in place, incredulously asking, "You know?"

Then, with a very complex tone, Monkey said, "The cause and effect started with a master and disciple, and it naturally should end with a master and disciple, shouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu paused, a bitter smile appearing on his lips, "Yes, this is cause and effect, truly awe-inspiring."

"Actually, when you think about it, it's not a big deal. Golden Cicada dares to let himself bear immense fortune and destiny, showing courage, and thinks of universally saving all beings, showing compassion. He came here specifically to set the cause and effect, which shows sincerity. I, Old Sun, under such a master, don't consider it a loss."

Although Monkey said this, Lu Yu knew that his heart must be in pain, this pain of being schemed by someone he trusted most, only he himself understood.

"You don't need to look so down, at least I have a chance to break free. Once this cause and effect is resolved, I will be free, and I can go wherever I want under the vast sky," Monkey said with a radiant face to Lu Yu.

After a long silence, Lu Yu finally spoke, "In the end, we are just too weak."

Being too weak, they could only be pawns in the hands of others, with no other choice.

Golden Cicada had been waiting outside of Five Elements Mountain for a long time and finally saw Lu Yu's figure.

"Sir Lu, I really envy you," Golden Cicada began.

"To have such a confidant friend makes the journey of eternal life less lonely."

Lu Yu smiled and said, "Perhaps this is what you monks call 'destiny'." Experience more tales on empire

The two bid farewell to the Mountain God and Earth God of Five Elements Mountain and continued their journey westward, safely crossing Eagle Sorrow Stream, passing by Black Wind Mountain, and passing through Huang Fengling.

At this time, the Journey to the West had not yet started, and many demons and spirits had not yet descended to the mortal realm, thus it was peaceful. However, Lu Yu with memories of a past life, knew these places were extraordinary, so he was more cautious.

Upon closer inspection, he indeed noticed issues. These places were nodal points of the local earth's veins, thus nurturing Cave Heavens. Demons with vast divine skills naturally occupied these cave abodes and proclaimed themselves kings and ancestors.

Still, he had no clue about what was special about these Cave Heavens that made them targets of such schemes by cosmic powers.

After traveling for a while, a roaring river blocked their way.

This river was anything but ordinary: the waters were murky, devoid of fish and shrimp, lurking with quicksand, and worst of all, dark demonic Qi floated above it, forming various demon lords that emitted headache-inducing shrieks.

"What a demonic place, what a river—Flowing Sand River!" Golden Cicada couldn't help but praise.

"How do you know the name of this river?" Little Black Bear asked with his mouth agape.

"Of course, because I, a monk, am profound in Buddhism. In Buddhism, we have the Heavenly Vision, which allows one glance to capture the origins of all things in the world." Golden Cicada said with a dignified appearance.

"That's amazing!" Little Black Bear exclaimed in his sticky, milky voice, feeling for the first time that Golden Cicada was somewhat impressive.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. It's true that Buddhism has Heavenly Vision, but Golden Cicada doesn't have it," Lu Yu ruthlessly exposed Golden Cicada's pretense.

"Then how does he know this river is called Flowing Sand River?"

"Isn't there an inscription right there?" Lu Yu pointed his finger not far ahead, and there stood an ancient stone stele, carved with the inscription: The Eight Hundred Sands Realm, three thousand fathoms of weak water. Goose feathers cannot float, while reed flowers surely sink.

"Golden Cicada, you fraud!" Little Black Bear immediately began to condemn Golden Cicada's shamelessness, while Big Black Donkey cheered on the chaos from the sidelines.

However, Golden Cicada acted as if he heard nothing and continued, "Three thousand weak waters, could it be a tributary of the Weak Water? Scholar Lu, you are truly fortunate."

Having interacted for a long time, Golden Cicada knew that Lu Yu's life-bound magical treasure was the Treasure Vase, and they had discussed plans for upgrading the vase.

Lu Yu's Treasure Vase had already been ritualistically refined to the ultimate level. However, the last merit act from the City God had awakened an ancestral aura, causing it to undergo a transformation; in essence, breaking through the limitations of its material and possessing infinite possibilities.

However, as it was a ritual refined magical treasure, how to upgrade and strengthen it still depended on the ritual refinement techniques and methods of the treasure's owner.

After repeated discussions with Golden Cicada, Lu Yu knew that if he wanted to advance his Treasure Vase further, he needed to collect various exotic waters from around the world and gather them in the vase with the intent of forming a vast ocean, capable of unleashing endless water and tidal waves, and even capturing people into the vase to grind away their corporeal form.

Thus, this weak water of Flowing Sand River was particularly precious to Lu Yu.

Lu Yu smiled without a word; Flowing Sand River water was already part of his plan, as not many special rivers were recorded in Journey to the West.

"However, why is there such an overflow of demonic Qi in this river? There must be a demon lord lurking," Golden Cicada frowned and said.

Just then, a monster emerged from the river, bulky in stature with a face neither black nor blue but indigo, and hair like flaming flames on its head, uttering strange sounds reminiscent of an old dragon's roar.

It held a Treasure Staff, wrapped entirely in tremendous demonic Qi which made it appear ferociously vicious.

Upon seeing Lu Yu and his companions, the monster immediately let out a deafening shout, its eyes filled with bloodthirsty light, and without a word, it directly charged at Lu Yu and his companions.

Lu Yu sighed softly as he watched the monster charge toward him, thinking about how the once General Juan Lian, previously a guard right before the Jade Emperor, had such excellent appearance, and now had turned into such a terrifying monster, reflecting the heart and mind of that supreme Emperor.

He drew the Sword of state, blocked Sand Monk's attack, slightly diverted the force, and with a slight shift, made the Sand Monk fall head over heels.