Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 649 - 357
Fortunately, Liu Yanchang was ultimately a scholar by status, not only handsome but also well-versed in knowledge, quickly gaining unanimous approval from the village. Even many distant villages specifically came to seek education, and his life was quite bearable.
Thus, in such circumstances, Xiao Chenxiang had a stable and peaceful environment in which to grow.
Lu Yu returned to his cave residence, but Qingyun had already been waiting for a long time. Seeing his master descend from the clouds, he hurried over to pay his respects, saying, "Master, your journey must have been arduous."
Lu Yu smiled, shook his head, and asked, "You came in such a hurry to see me, could it be that something significant has happened concerning Lu Xun?"
Only then did Qingyun explain everything in detail; it turned out that after the great defeat of the Allied Army, Lu Xun's power had grown incredibly quickly, becoming the largest force in the world in a short period of time.
After a period of silence, Qingyun had begun his own quest for unification. However, he had encountered a bizarre event on the path: A Drought Demon, appearing from nowhere, blocked the army's path. Where the demon stood, fierce flames soared to the skies, forcing the vast army to a halt.
Qingyun had planned to deal with the Drought Demon himself, but, to his surprise, it was under the protection of the Power of Humanity. With great changes looming in the world and the Power of Humanity growing stronger, those with deep cultivation dared not act recklessly to avoid retribution from the Human Path, leaving Qingyun hesitant to make a move.
"A Drought Demon protected by the Human Path?" Lu Yu muttered to himself. This was indeed a strange occurrence, considering that the very nature of a Drought Demon went against the order of life and death, and it fed on human blood; it was unlikely for it to be favored by the Human Path.
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Meanwhile, inside Lu Xun's tent, who was regarded as the future Emperor to continue the fortune of the Great Chu Country, he was anxiously looking out into the distance at the moment.
The direction he looked toward was engulfed in roaring flames, turning the whole sky red. The scorching heat waves were visible even from such a distance, and that place was exactly where his army had to pass; there was no other choice.
"My lord, the scouts who went to explore the path ahead have returned," Lao Han said, frowning.
"Let him in, quickly!"
Soon, a young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes entered the tent. Despite the naive appearance of his face, it bore many soot marks; thankfully, he seemed spirited.
"Quickly, tell us what news you have gathered," Lu Xun asked.
"Reporting to my lord, there is a woman in the flames ahead, and the fierce fire is emanating from her. The fire is so intense I couldn't make out the woman's face, but even from a great distance, I could feel a fear gripping my soul, as if the distant woman was as dangerous as a flood or fierce beast," the young man honestly relayed everything that had happened.
After he finished, Lu Xun waved him off, turned his head, and asked Mr. Wux, "Master, could you identify the person blocking the road?" At this point, they could only rely on Mr. Wux's abilities.
Mr. Wux responded with a wry smile, "Not to hide from my lord, I cannot ascertain the woman's identity. Her power is immense; even a mere glance from her injured me severely. She might be a creature from legends. If we confront her forcefully, I fear it could be futile despite our numbers."
"Our army is currently deployed, consuming rations for both men and horses; are we to return without accomplishing anything?" Lu Xun muttered to himself, unwilling to retreat as it would demoralize the troops and disrupt their strategy.
As they all wore worried expressions, a report suddenly came from outside saying that a person dressed as a general had descended from the sky, claiming to be Qingyun, and wished to meet with the lord.
Lu Xun sprang up instantly, and without even time to straighten his attire, he exclaimed, "Quickly, let my master in!"
After speaking, he rushed out with Lao Han and Mr. Wux, and upon exiting the tent, they saw Qingyun in armor, carrying a Silver Spear, standing majestically at the entrance, emitting an unrivalled sharp aura.
Qingyun looked over the camp with a hint of nostalgia on his face. There was a time when he had spent days and nights in such places, a truly wonderful period, unforgettable even after countless years.
"Master, you have arrived!" Lu Xun exclaimed with joy.
Seeing Lu Xun, Liu Qingyun smiled with delight and said, "To encounter such a barrier, as your master, how could I not come?"
"Master, please come in. Your arrival brings me backbone, otherwise I truly was considering withdrawing the troops," said Lu Xun with a wry smile, for this matter already belonged to the immortals, and his frail body was totally powerless.
"Don't worry just yet; prepare the incense table, the elder will soon arrive, we must not lose our propriety," Liu Qingyun said, halting Lu Xun's reception and revealing that Lu Yu was about to arrive.
"Ah, the elder himself is coming here?" Lu Xun said in disbelief. He had initially thought that his master's intervention would suffice, never imagining that the situation would alarm Lu Yu. It seemed the identity of that lady amidst the blazing flames was extraordinary.
"That person across is the Drought Demon. Once this creature appears, a thousand miles turn to scorched earth. Crucially, this being has inexplicably gained the protection of the Power of Humanity. Ordinary immortals and Divine Spirits dare not act against him, only the elder can subdue him," Liu Qingyun said softly.
This information astounded Mr. Wux standing by. A creature like the Drought Demon was already relegated to mythology, let alone one blessed with the Power of Humanity. No wonder the Lu Family elder felt compelled to descend personally.
Once the pavilion and table were set up, they saw an Auspicious Cloud flying from the horizon. The Cloud was fragrant and spicy, and one could hear Saints chanting and Sages preaching from it.
Accompanied by a dazzling golden light, Lu Yu slowly descended to the ground. At this moment, he did not conceal his virtue and Fortune and Destiny. As a Human Sage naturally adored by the Human Path and possessing immense merit, his entry was indeed imposing, leaving everyone at the campsite dumbstruck, kneeling and calling him an Immortal.
Lu Xun too was thrilled, kneeling on the ground to welcome Lu Yu's arrival, for the presence of their family elder could not be taken lightly.
"Unworthy descendant greets the elder!" Lu Xun respectfully bowed his head.
Before his forehead could touch the ground, he was lifted by a gentle force. Lu Yu, with a smile, said, "I am not fond of people bowing to me. You, as a ruler, should have your pride, and not kneel so readily."
Lu Xun then stood up and said, "Elder, you are a person of great virtue and my senior, and such respect is due."
"Spare the formalities. Let me go and meet this person and see what she is about," Lu Yu said, stepping onto the Auspicious Cloud and flying directly towards the inferno.
Soon, they saw a woman amid the flames. She was extraordinarily beautiful, draped in splendid brocade, her head adorned with numerous dazzling jewels that sparkled in the fierce fire, clearly of no ordinary make. The most eye-catching aspect was the Power of Humanity Fortune that surrounded her, taking the shape of a Phoenix fluttering beside the woman, occasionally emitting cries.
The woman seemed to sense Lu Yu's gaze and suddenly looked up at him, her beautiful eyes filled with turmoil.
"Roar!" The Drought Demon let out a furious roar, and terrifying flames surged towards Lu Yu's face.
With a gentle point of his finger, Lu Yu conjured a water barrier that blocked the fierce flames. Fire and water intertwined, releasing intense steam that soon scattered in the air, quickly forming white clouds that floated in the clear sky.
The Drought Demon, not expecting Lu Yu to block her attack so effortlessly, grew even angrier. Suddenly, large bat wings sprouted from her back and she flew towards Lu Yu, her mouth agape revealing ferocious fangs that gleamed threateningly in the sunlight, as if they could sever steel.
Her target was clear: the veins in Lu Yu's neck. However, Lu Yu was not about to let her succeed. With the Treasure Vase summoned to suppress the flames around, he lightly slapped the Drought Demon on the top of her head. The immense force sent her flying backward, heavily crashing into the ground and creating a huge crater.
