Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Lu Yu unfolded the Earth Ranking and in that instant, felt his heart merge with the list, entering that peculiar state where one neither revels in material joy nor wallows in personal sorrow. At this moment, his eyes could see the grey Calamity Qi permeating between heaven and earth. With a gentle push of his hand, the Calamity Qi that enveloped the entire Great Chen flowed like water.

Under his deliberate guidance, it descended upon the cultivators' heads.

After obtaining the Earth Ranking, he had learnt that this Divine Enthronement served two purposes, one was to select City Gods for the Underworld and to test the strengths and weaknesses of the City God system.

The second reason was because Great Chen's Immortal Path flourished excessively, the inflow and outflow of Spiritual Energy were unbalanced, and a great calamity was needed to settle the account, sending those cultivators with superficial roots and virtues unworthy of their positions into the cycle of Reincarnation.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

In that instant, all cultivators in Great Chen felt a premonition, as the great calamity descended, regardless of their cultivation level, they must take part in this worldly chaos, either by slaying demons and eradicating evil or by helping to stabilize the realm. Otherwise, a great disaster would befall them.

"Countless lives, all falling into calamity," Lu Yu's words echoed like a curse in the ears of all cultivators.

When the crowd below came to their senses, they looked up only to find that Lu Yu had already disappeared.

"What just happened? Why do I feel like a great disaster is looming over me?" Some were still not reacting.

"With the great calamity upon us, I fear we all must traverse this world once more, otherwise a calamity will befall us and death may be unavoidable," said one companion, causing the person to be greatly shocked.

The news of the calamity's arrival spread from Fengjing to all corners in an instant, and the entire Cultivation Realm of Great Chen became tumultuous at once.

However, Lu Yu, the cause of all this, had already returned to his old home with his disciple, Liu Qingyun. Gazing at the old Apricot Tree he hadn't seen for a long time, Lu Yu felt extremely delighted, and the Apricot Tree seemed equally happy to see their return, its blossoms swaying on the branches.

"Isn't it strange why I dragged you away and didn't let you exact revenge on that King who has lost his nerve?" Lu Yu asked Liu Qingyun with a smile.

"I know that Master must have a reason for doing this, but I couldn't help myself when I saw that foolish ruler," Liu Qingyun replied.

"A King bears the hopes of the entire nation and carries the Fortune and Destiny of the whole country. Therefore, if he is killed, there will inevitably be a backlash from that vast Fortune and Destiny. Not even an Immortal would dare to act recklessly, let alone you, my lad. I reckon if you had killed him, you would have died on the spot from the backlash of Fortune and Destiny," Lu Yu explained.

"Is there really no way to punish this foolish ruler?" Liu Qingyun asked through clenched teeth, his heart feeling as if torn by a Poison Snake at the thought of his entire family executed by the foolish King.

"Haha, matters of the Human Path should naturally be settled through the Human Path; a change of dynasty will naturally allow for his execution!"

Those words from Lu Yu brightened Liu Qingyun's eyes, and he seemed to have found the direction for his vengeance. His mood gradually calmed.

The two then lived a rare period of tranquility. Lu Yu felt as if he had returned to the rhythm of his days learning arts on Mount Fangcun, spending his days in cultivation. The seeds of the great calamity had been sown—how many City God sprouts would emerge was beyond his control. What he needed was only the patience to wait.

For Liu Qingyun, however, this period was not going well, for he saw no hope for Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment, and as time passed, his mood grew increasingly irritable.

"Qingyun, how can you glimpse the opportunity of the Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment with such a restless and impatient heart?" Lu Yu reminded.

It was only then that Liu Qingyun abruptly awoke from his reverie, reflecting on the recent period with lingering fear in his heart, and thought privately, "No wonder the master said that this path has trapped many of the world's most brilliant talents. I, Liu Qingyun, considered myself above others, yet nearly fell victim to the Heart Demon. I must hasten to offer my thanks to Lu Yu."

"I am your master, the guide on your path of cultivation, and these are my duties. Now that your Qi Cultivation has reached a bottleneck, I have calculated for you, and as a person fated by the Heavenly Star, you must visit that household. Your opportunity for success on the Immortal Path lies there.

In the coming days, my nephew will face a trial, and it is an excellent opportunity for you to serve him and make a name for yourself in this world!"

Upon hearing these words from Lu Yu, Liu Qingyun's heart filled with complex emotions. On one hand, he had a great vengeance to fulfill and was destined to go to the human world; on the other hand, he had grown accustomed to life here, used to being at his master's side.

"Do not act like a petulant child, we are not parting in life or death. Depart with caution, and I, your master, will await your good news!"

The following day, Liu Qingyun packed his belongings, looking around the room he had lived in for a long time. It was this small room that had offered him refuge and warmth when he was at his lowest, and now he had to leave it, his heart heavy with reluctance.

As he stepped out of his room, he found Lu Yu already waiting in the courtyard. The old apricot tree was blooming as splendidly as ever, as if its flowers would forever continue to blossom.

"Ready to leave? The old apricot tree seems to wish to see you off too!" said Lu Yu with a smile on his face.

As Lu Yu spoke, the old tree covered in apricot blossoms suddenly showered down a sky full of petals, fluttering like butterflies. Afterward, it visibly grew in front of one's eyes; and soon, all the blossoms had fallen and eighteen yellow apricots hung from its branches.

Lu Yu picked one of the apricots and tasted it, saying, "Not bad, it's much sweeter than when I was a child."

Liu Qingyun also tried one. As soon as it entered his stomach, he felt a warm current flow into his body's meridians, enhancing his physical strength, which hadn't progressed in a long while, by a notch, and his eyes suddenly brightened.

"Eat three of these apricots, any more will have no effect on you. Give the remaining ones to Lu Zhang as a gift from me, his elder. Do not let the hustle and bustle of the mortal world distract you from your cultivation," Lu Yu earnestly advised.

Following his words, Liu Qingyun carefully packed the apricots. He suddenly knelt and kowtowed three times, saying, "Disciple is dull-witted, and eternally grateful for the master's unremitting guidance, day and night. As I embark on this long journey, I hope the master takes care. Disciple now departs!" These three kowtows were heartfelt, deeply moving Lu Yu.

"Go on! An eaglet must learn to fly on its own. Go and witness the chaos of this world, observe the lives of beings in this great calamity, and I hope that when you return from your travels, you remain the same youthful spirit."

And so, with Lu Yu's sincere anticipation, Liu Qingyun left what he regarded as his second homeland, embarking alone on his own journey of cultivation.

Lu Yu sighed as he looked upon the empty courtyard, unable to help feeling a sigh of loneliness, having grown used to Liu Qingyun's presence.

"This boundless mortal world indeed has great influence, constantly stirring the human heart.

If one is not careful, one might lose the motivation for cultivation." In that instant, a thought of not wanting to cultivate flickered through Lu Yu's mind, but fortunately, being mindful and self-aware, he recognized it as a negative emotion arising from the influences of the mortal world and promptly freed himself from that state of mind.