Chapter 55: Xuanzang and Yang Jian's First Meeting

Journey to the West: Opening by Joining the Chat Group, Main Text Volume, Chapter 55, The First Meeting Between Xuanzang and Yang Jian, Otherworld, Snow Sword Stride Plane.

Under the Listening Tide Pavilion, Li Chungang's expression was somewhat dim; he had hoped to open a Blind Box and get a Resurrection Crystal, but it seemed he had thought too optimistically—it was not that easy.

Not everyone had the off-the-charts luck of Xuanzang!

Although regretful, having lived through so many years, Li Chungang's state of mind was as steady as a rock, and he no longer dwelled on it.

He looked at his three Blind Box rewards: Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Flesh Regeneration Pill, and a Shaver.

As the Sword God, Li Chungang's Sword Dao cultivation was naturally supernatural.

Upon examining this Holy Spirit Sword Technique, he also discovered the exquisite subtleties it contained.

The first twenty-two forms of the Holy Spirit Sword Technique could be considered top-tier sword arts, and even with Li Chungang's discerning eye, he could not help but marvel.

But when he reached Sword Twenty-Three, Li Chungang's expression changed.

The exquisiteness of Sword Twenty-Three could no longer be described in words; it entered directly into a deeper level of heaven and earth.

The Primordial Spirit leaves the body to form a similar space-time Domain; within this Domain, all things come to a standstill, using the heart as a sword, cutting through everything.

"The Dugu Jian who created this Sword Twenty-Three is truly a remarkable person; this old man really wants to have a battle with him. I wonder if my Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate is more powerful, or if Sword Twenty-Three is a cut above."

Li Chungang sighed; such an peerless Secret Technique was equivalent to the inheritance of a top-tier expert right before his eyes, yet he was not moved, and he did not even intend to practice it.

Every swordsman has a Dao that belongs to themselves; there is not much meaning in practicing someone else's Sword Dao.

However, despite saying this, he would still absorb the exquisite points within the Holy Spirit Sword Technique and then fuse them into his own Sword Dao.

Sword Dao itself is a path of constant refinement!

Putting down the Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Li Chungang took out the Flesh Regeneration Pill, subconsciously looking at his empty left sleeve, a look of melancholy appearing on his face.

The Flesh Regeneration Pill, as the name implies, is for flesh to regenerate; wherever the body is incomplete, it can be regenerated and restored, recovering as it was before.

For a swordsman, losing an arm basically means being half-crippled.

Li Chungang's realm was still there, but his strength was not what it once was.

"It is time to say goodbye to the past."

Li Chungang's face showed a look of determination, and he consumed the Flesh Regeneration Pill; in an instant, a surge of vitality welled up, and his left arm glowed with a green light, growing a brand-new arm at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Just as his arm was restored to its original state, the voice of the Chat Group emerged in Li Chungang's mind.

"Ding, triggered a Private Task: head to Wudi City and save Jian Jiuhuang! Task completed, receive 10,000 points."

"??" Li Chungang.

He had already read the Script regarding his own world long ago.

Naturally, he knew who Jian Jiuhuang was: a servant and horseman at the Beiliang Prince Mansion who doubled as the personal bodyguard for the heir Xu Fengnian, skilled in the art of sword control.

This Jian Jiuhuang had been beaten into a state of depression by Wang Xianzhi of Wudi City when he was young, leaving a shadow in his heart, and he had never dared to face Wang Laoguai?

Later, while traveling with Xu Fengnian, he found his original intention and decided to risk his life to fight Wang Laoguai again, eventually dying from exhaustion.

Li Chungang had always preferred not to meddle in other people's affairs because it was troublesome.

But for the sake of these 10,000 points, he would have to be a busybody one more time.

However, the moment he thought about facing Wang Laoguai, Li Chungang felt a splitting headache.

After so many years of cultivation, this Wang Laoguai's strength had likely increased several times over compared to before.

"It seems this old man must also practice diligently!"

"Chat Group, activate cultivation function!"

……

Dou Qi Continent.

In a hidden valley within the Gama Empire, Yun Yun concealed her tracks and came here alone.

This place was isolated from the outside world and had natural barriers shrouded in mist; it was a good place for seclusion.

However, Yun Yun was not here for seclusion, but to consume the Emperor Grade Pill.

If she were a Dou Sheng, consuming this Emperor Grade Pill would likely lead to an immediate promotion to Dou Di, but unfortunately, her foundation was shallow.

With this breakthrough, Yun Yun did not expect to break through to Dou Di, but at the very least, she hoped to reach the Dou Sheng level.

Furthermore, the Emperor Grade Pill contained Emperor Origin Qi, so she would still have a chance to advance to Dou Di in the future.

"If I don't want to be controlled by others and want to change the future fate of the Sect, then I must become stronger!"

A look of determination flashed in Yun Yun's eyes; if she were to be a fish in the water for her whole life, so be it.

But she had jumped out of the water and seen the infinite sky, so she was no longer willing to be a fish under the water.

Thinking of this, Yun Yun swallowed the Emperor Grade Pill in one gulp.

The moment the Pill entered her mouth, a massive, oceanic amount of energy erupted, and her five Viscera and six bowels, as well as her meridians, were filled with Dou Qi.

At this very moment, Yun Yun's realm rose rapidly.

Dou Zong Two-Star, Dou Zong Three-Star... Dou Zong Nine-Star!

Dou Zun One-Star, Dou Zun Two-Star... Dou Zun Eight-Star, Dou Zun Nine-Star...

Dou Sheng...

According to common sense, using a Pill to raise one's realm inevitably leads to an unstable foundation, a floating realm, or even the body exploding because it cannot contain the energy.

But this Emperor Grade Pill was different; while raising the Dou Qi and breaking through the realm, it also tempered the host's body, allowing it to withstand this energy as vast as an abyss.

In other words, there would be no symptoms of an unstable or floating realm.

However, this required the host's firm will to endure the pain of the body being tempered by energy every single time—that feeling of being torn apart, meridians snapping, struggling every second, pulling at oneself to keep from losing consciousness.

Yun Yun gritted her teeth and persisted, and the phenomenon when she broke through to Dou Sheng transformed into a pillar of light that shot into the sky, going straight into the clouds.

At this moment, the entire Dou Qi Continent shook!

……

The group members all had their own opportunities, and Xuanzang was the same.

He had already reached the vicinity of Wuming Mountain; unlike the border of the Great Tang, there were gradually more people here, and even many villages.

Looking up, Xuanzang could vaguely see Wuming Mountain. In ancient times, Great Yu passed his own door three times without entering; today, even though he had returned to Wuming Mountain, he would not go up.

Xuanzang found a tea stall on the official road and sat down to rest, saying:

"Waiter, bring tea!"

"Coming right up, Master Monk!"

The lean waiter hurried over, nodding and bowing with a very sincere attitude.

In this dynasty where Buddhism was gradually flourishing, the status of Buddhism was also rising, while conversely, the Profound Gate of Taoism was gradually declining.

Furthermore, it was rumored that during the process of Li Er obtaining the throne, there seemed to be the shadow of support from those in Buddhism.

After the waiter finished serving the tea, he went to attend to other passing guests.

Xuanzang drank his tea alone, carefree and at ease, his state of mind incredibly peaceful; if only the world could always be this tranquil.

No sooner had he finished sighing than Xuanzang's happy life came to an end.

On one side of the official road, a man with a cold expression approached.

The man wore a long, slender black robe, his long hair draped over his shoulders, and he held a folding fan in his hand—a picture of a refined gentleman.

Behind him followed a person who looked like a dog!

Or rather than a person, it was a dog with a human appearance, every movement so perfectly synchronized.

"Master, it is him! He is the owner of that scent."

Xiaotian Quan pointed at Xuanzang, his eyes gleaming with the expression of one who had spotted prey.

Yang Jian flicked the folding fan in his hand and looked toward Xuanzang with cold eyes, his expression suddenly changing.

Xuanzang was just sitting there, but behind him, Buddha Light swirled, holy and flawless, appearing every bit like a virtuous, high-ranking monk.

Of course, such a phenomenon would certainly be invisible to the naked, mortal eye.

……

PS: There will be another update tonight.