Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

However, the Heaven's Secret was in chaos, and no matter how he tried to divine, he couldn't obtain any results, as if his own avatar had vanished into thin air.

But the Demon Lord quickly sensed something amiss, for in the obscure connection, it seemed as if he had encountered something terrible. The emotions permeating from his avatar were clearly filled with intense fear, and every attempt he made to divine the future left him with a feeling of impending doom.

In this world, there were few things capable of instilling fear in him; thus, the Demon Lord wisely chose not to pursue further. His intuition told him that if he did, his fate would be miserable.

At the same time, Lu Yu was also feeling a wave of relief. Who would have thought a painting adored by the common folk would contain the Demon Lord's avatar? It was his own excessive curiosity that had nearly led to a catastrophe.

"Curiosity killed the cat," Lu Yu muttered to himself.

However, this incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it led to the discovery of Purple Cloud Palace, and gave him some speculations about the reason for his transmigration. As for Ancestral Master Hong Jun's true intentions, Lu Yu was completely clueless. Those of such repute and their thoughts were beyond his ability to conjecture.

So Lu Yu put down the Portrait of a Beauty and took one last look at the boudoir of his old friend. The woman fierce as fire had departed from this world. He wondered how Golden Cicada would feel after regaining his memories.

After some thought, Lu Yu waved his hand and set up a Barrier inside this small boudoir, to prevent anyone from accidentally entering.

Having dealt with these matters, Lu Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Lately, one thing after another had washed over him like the tide, leaving him a bit overwhelmed. Now, things seemed to settle down at last.

He had covertly mastered the Path of Artifact Refining that he had longed for, things went smoothly with Wu Meiniang, and teaching was also proceeding well. It was time to return to his own Cave Heaven.

Leaving White Tiger Ridge behind, cloud-riding and mist-sailing, he crossed over Kyushu and returned to his Cave Heaven.

Looking at the familiar gates, Lu Yu felt as if he had been away for ages. It was fortunate that he had taken on a good disciple like Liu Qingyun, who could manage the Cave Heaven for him and maintain the ley lines. Otherwise, with Lu Yu's current preoccupation, this Cave Heaven and Blessed Land would have been ruined.

As he entered the Cave Heaven, he found that little had changed since his departure. After all, his Cave Heaven was already past its initial growing phase, and significant changes were unlikely.

Glancing at Liu Qingyun, who was still in seclusion, Lu Yu felt his disciple was becoming more like an immortal than himself, quietly cultivating every day—not like him, extremely busy every day to the point of conjuring avatars, practically a model of diligence.

Finally taking a breather from his busy schedule, Lu Yu brought out a wooden reclining chair and lay down underneath the Enlightenment Tea Tree, comfortably drifting off to sleep.

However, perhaps just as he had said, he was destined to be tireless. Before he could even close his eyes for a moment, a commotion from outside the Cave Heaven reached his ears.

"Hmph, you brat, don't think that just because you are a Dragon Breed, Lao Hei is afraid of you. In this Cave Heaven, there's no one but our master who can intimidate me," the arrogant bray of Big Black Donkey came from outside.

"It was you who tricked me into calling you senior brother when I first arrived. I thought our eldest senior brother was a Donkey Demon! Little did I know you are just the master's mount," Lao Qi's voice followed, having arrived at Mountain Luoxia at some point.

"What are you saying? Looking down on a mount, are you? Come on, let's battle another three hundred rounds. Let me, Lao Hei, show you the might of a mount."

Amidst their mutual banter, the two made their way into the Cave Heaven and upon entering, found Lu Yu lying on the chair. They immediately quieted their noisy chatter and tiptoed to Lu Yu's side, as obedient as well-behaved children.

Seeing this, Lu Yu laughed and said, "Stop the act; don't I know what you two are really like?"

The two sheepishly grinned and stepped forward to greet Lu Yu properly.

Lu Yu quickly waved his hand, indicating they could dispense with the formalities. Although he had adapted to the local customs and valued courtesy since his transmigration, deep down he believed the rituals of this era were too complex, so in his daily life, he focused on essence rather than form.

"Xiao Qi, when did you arrive?" Lu Yu asked Lao Qi with a smile.

Lao Qi promptly replied, "Master, I've been here for several days. I came to visit you some time ago but you were out, and now uncle has given me an assignment. I'm about to take up the position and thought I'd come to see you one more time before I leave."

Interest piqued, Lu Yu asked, "Where is your destination?"

"According to uncle, it's a great river in Xiniu Hezhou called the Black Water River. Uncle somehow got hold of the divine seal of Black Water River and has ordered me to officially take up the post."

Lu Yu immediately understood the Old Dragon King's intentions and asked with a smile, "And what do you think about this?"

Scratching his head sheepishly, Lao Qi responded, "I'm not keen on being the deity of Black Water River. If it were up to me, I'd rather just cultivate here in the Cave Heaven with master."

"I heard a rumor while in the west about a Monk going to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, who is a virtuous soul after ten lifetimes of cultivation. Eating his flesh can grant Eternal life. What are your thoughts on this?" Lu Yu asked, curious to hear the Little Turtle Dragon's reply.

"If eating a Monk's flesh could grant Eternal life, there'd be no need for cultivation. Eternal life is achieved through cultivation, not eating. This is clearly a scam aimed at fooling the unwise and foolish." The Little Turtle Dragon spoke earnestly, his words laced with disdain as if finding these people too trivial for spreading such a rumor.
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Lu Yu nodded with a smile, pleased that his teachings had not been in vain. This Little Turtle Dragon was much wiser than his literary counterpart.

"You have spoken well, and your master is relieved. However, you must go to Black Water River; it's one of the benefits your father risked his life for, and you shouldn't squander his goodwill," Lu Yu solemnly advised Lao Qi.

"But sending you there isn't meant for you to be an idle River God, there's a task for you."

"Soon, this Monk I spoke of will pass through Black Water River. You are to capture him and take him to the Water Mansion. Do not harm or mistreat him, and after a few days, you'll find a reason to release him. That will be merit enough."

Lao Qi looked at his master, puzzled, not understanding the purpose of his words, as cryptic as his uncle's, always shrouded in mystery and hard to grasp.

"This matter involves a great secret of heaven and earth; it's better you remain ignorant for now."