Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Liu Qingyun also returned the courtesy and said, "Crown Prince, take good care of yourself."

After finishing his words, he started walking towards the outside of the palace wall, when he noticed that Lu Chengqian was not hurrying to leave but rather looking at him as if he was eagerly anticipating something.

"Are you just going to walk away like this?" Lu Chengqian asked with a hint of doubt.

"Yes, how else should I go?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Shouldn't you be riding the clouds and traveling through the fog, just like my grand-uncle?" It turned out Lu Chengqian was waiting to see Liu Qingyun ride the clouds and travel through the fog. Who would have thought he would actually walk using his legs?

"I've only just achieved Foundation Establishment and haven't learned the art of riding the clouds and traveling through the fog yet, so I can't fly for you to see," Liu Qingyun said somewhat embarrassedly, feeling like he was tarnishing his own image in the heart of his good friend.

"No problem, when you learn to ride the clouds and travel through the fog, you can come see me. Then you can perform it for me."

"It's a deal." The two youths thus made a promise that was theirs alone.

By the time Liu Qingyun arrived at Lu Yu's abode, many days had already passed, the weather had gradually turned cooler, and everything between heaven and earth bore a desolate chill. The northern lands were already dancing with snowflakes, and all of Great Chen had entered winter.

Following the address left by his teacher, after overcoming numerous hardships, Liu Qingyun finally arrived before the once desolate abode that had long since changed its appearance. In front of the abode, Lu Yu had created a large expanse of flat ground, and not far from the abode, there was a pine tree transplanted from who-knows-where, ancient and lush, brimming with vitality.

A fat and robust black donkey with dark fur was lying under the pine tree, dozing off. When Liu Qingyun saw the three big characters "Zhai Ran Ju" written above the abode, he found it very strange, not knowing why his master would choose these three characters as the name of the abode.

However, thinking about how his teacher often said strange things and did things he couldn't understand, Liu Qingyun couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Who dares to run wild in the Cave Heaven?" His light laughter woke up the dozing Big Black Donkey, which opened its sleepy eyes and hadn't yet clearly seen where the person was, but its words were already shouted out.

The phrase used by Big Black Donkey was something he had heard from a storyteller and felt it was very imposing, so he memorized it, always looking for an opportunity to show off his authority. Regrettably, this Cave Heaven was quite remote, and there weren't any strong demons or ghosts nearby, so he never had a chance to prove his mettle.

Now that the opportunity had finally arisen, Big Black Donkey instantly became alert and spirited, ready to demonstrate his strength as the protector of the abode.

"It's Qingyun returning. Come in!" Lu Yu's gentle voice came from inside the abode. Liu Qingyun heard it and was overjoyed, as he was afraid his teacher might have gone traveling again.

Upon entering the Cave Heaven, he found a world within a world, completely lacking the oppressive atmosphere of a common cavern. There was a pool of clear water in the depths of the abode, and beside the spring was a small tree emitting a faint rosy light, with his teacher sitting beside it.

As he approached, Liu Qingyun saw Lu Yu's pale face and was shocked, hastily asking, "Master, what has happened to you?"

"I was plotted against, but luckily, I've come through with more fright than harm. Don't worry," Lu Yu said with a weak breath and pale face, yet his demeanor remained calm as he smiled at Liu Qingyun.

"Who exactly conspired against you, Master?" Liu Qingyun was very angry. The killing intent that had developed during his time among mortals erupted, causing the temperature in the entire Cave Heaven to drop several degrees.

"Haha, it was the scheme of a great power. I only blame myself for being too complacent and falling for his trick. Don't fret, now that you're back, focus on your cultivation. You've just achieved Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment and need to diligently polish your Tao Foundation. You can't slack off in the slightest.

As for this cause and effect, I will surely settle with that person in the future when the opportunity arises," Lu Yu explained with a laugh.

Calmed by Lu Yu's assurances, Liu Qingyun returned to normal. He bowed respectfully to Lu Yu and said, "Master, your disciple has returned."

"Good, with your Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment, your base is set, and you haven't disappointed me. Next is to refine your Tao Foundation, absorb the essence of the sun and moon to achieve the Yang God. I will now tell you the technique and precautions for absorbing the essence of the sun and moon," Lu Yu said.

This was the advantage of having a mentor. Absorbing the essence of the sun and moon may seem like a simple few words, but there were many subtleties involved. With someone to guide him, Liu Qingyun's progress would be twice as effective with half the effort. Without guidance, relying solely on one's own understanding would probably lead to many detours and wasted time.

Lu Yu then orally passed on the subtleties, and Liu Qingyun realized that there were so many intricacies involved. Just the transportation of moonlight alone had many methods, and there were variations for different hours and phases of the moon. Only by mastering these could one absorb the moonlight to the greatest extent, strengthen the Soul and Spirit, and achieve the Yin God as soon as possible.

Enjoy new tales from empire

From then on, the mentor and disciple duo of Lu Yu and Liu Qingyun began their daily cultivation life. Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye ten years had passed. It was only then that Lu Yu had recovered from the injuries caused by the fire disaster.

Sitting under the Enlightenment Tea Tree, Lu Yu took a deep breath and said, "I've finally recovered to my best condition. These years, while adjusting my base, I haven't been able to visit the Monkey on Mount Wuzhi. I fear he has grown impatient waiting."

He had promised the Monkey that he would visit after a while, but one thing after another occurred, and when he finally had some free time, he was injured due to the schemes of the Patriarch of the Nether River. More than ten years had passed in a flash, and the impatient Monkey must have been anxiously waiting.

Under the Five Elements Mountain, the Monkey was meditating with his eyes closed. Although he was suppressed under the mountain, because of Lu Yu's influence, he had resolved his mental block and didn't give up on himself. On the contrary, he took this opportunity to diligently refine his Tao Foundation.

All his Mana surged throughout his body, and within his chest flowed the Five Qi, forming a sphere as if a world was being born within him. Each time the Five Qi circulated, it produced a thunderous sound that echoed through the Five Elements Mountain.

"My word, this Great Saint is extraordinary. If it weren't for this Golden Suppression Charm, I'm afraid he could have freed himself long ago," commented the Mountain God guarding the Monkey. Every time he witnessed the Great Saint's cultivation, he was filled with trepidation from the magnitude of it.

"It seems the Great Saint has not only kept his spirits up but has also reached new heights," the Earth God said while twiddling his beard in admiration.

Just then, the two felt a familiar aura appearing within the Five Elements Mountain. When they looked closely, they noticed a Scholar giving them a slight nod.

Being shrewd, they quickly found an excuse to leave temporarily upon seeing Lu Yu arrive. After all, the person who had come was not an easy one to handle; it was better to turn a blind eye.

Lu Yu watched the retreating Mountain God and Earth God and found the situation quite amusing. Indeed, it was difficult for them, beings of low Mana, to keep an eye on someone like Lu Yu. Moreover, with the Monkey's formidable appearance, they did not dare to offend him lightly, never knowing when the Monkey might break free.