Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

At the mouth of Guan River in Guanzhou, Eastern Land, the scenery was exquisite. The Guan River meandered past, and on one side of it stood the Temple of True Monarch Yang Jian.

True Monarch Erlangshen was famous for his power; the temple was perpetually surrounded by followers, making the area as loud as a bustling market. Various stalls were set up in front of the temple door, offering a dazzling array of goods that captivated the visitors.

Among those stalls was a young Taoist Priest, behind whom hung a couplet: "Knows the astronomy above, foresees five hundred years ahead. Understands the geography below, perceives five hundred years behind."

His grandiose claims surprised the local people, but as he was so young, no one approached him for divination or fortune-telling. The Taoist Priest seemed not to care, spending his days absorbed in a Taoist scripture, resembling a Scholar in demeanor.

The sky filled with dark clouds, a sudden whirlwind cleared the street, hurrying the stall owners to pack up their goods because rain seemed imminent, prompting the ordinary folk to head home to avoid getting wet.

However, the rain did not come for quite some time; what no one saw was that following the whirlwind, a young man appeared in front of the temple. He wore a hat adorned with three crests and a pale yellow garment. Gold-threaded Boots matched with Coiled Dragon Socks, and a jade belt ornately decorated with the eight treasures pattern.

At his waist, a slingshot shaped like a crescent moon, holding a Three-pointed Double-edged Spear in his hand.

If anyone had looked closely, they would have recognized that this young man bore an exact resemblance to the temple's divine statue—it was none other than the renowned first divine general of Guan River Mouth, True Monarch Yang Jian of the Divine Enthronement.

This True Monarch observed mankind with great interest, his demeanor calm and collected. Those who did not know his reputation might have had a hard time associating him with the veteran general of the Divine Enthronement battle.

Yang Jian's gaze quickly fell on a Taoist Priest he didn't recognize, standing in front of his own temple, clad in a Taoist Robe and deeply engrossed in the Taoist scripture, thoroughly content and joyful, yet the couplet behind him boasted immensely.

"Master, this Taoist Priest has been here for several days now, boasting so greatly yet no one has sought his fortune-telling!" said the temple Judge upon noticing Yang Jian's curious expression.

"Indeed, he does boast greatly; let me assess his abilities!" Yang Jian spoke as he transformed himself into a Scholar dressed in white, holding a folding fan, elegantly making his way to the Taoist's stall.

"This Taoist Priest speaks so boldly, claiming to know five hundred years ahead and five hundred years behind."

"Do you think I am merely boasting?" the Taoist Priest showed not an ounce of insecurity.

"I certainly believe you lack such ability." Yang Jian was astonished by the Taoist's thick skin, unafraid to be called out.

"Oh! Would you dare to make a wager with me?"

"I would not hesitate. But if you lose, I will destroy your signboard and banish you from Guanzhou!"

"I have no other requests. If I win, you just need to agree to do one thing for me."

Having said that, he gave a respectful bow, calm and composed, "Please proceed with your question, kind sir!"

"Taoist Priest, since you claim to know five hundred years ahead and five hundred behind, I won't make it difficult for you—just figure out who I am and my past deeds." Yang Jian truly doubted the Taoist could achieve this, knowing that foreseeing five hundred years ahead might be possible for the great powers of the heavens, but foreseeing five hundred years into the past was a feat only a few reclusive Saints could manage, thereby firmly believing the Taoist Priest was merely bluffing to scare people.

The Taoist Priest, eyes closed, pretended to calculate for a while before responding: "Kind sir, you are no ordinary person. You are a relative of the Heavenly Emperor, who once commanded the storm in the battle of Divine Enthronement, True Monarch Yang Jian of Jade Void indeed!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian's expression changed. He was initially searching for entertainment, but unexpectedly, it seemed he had been outwitted.

Opening his third eye between his eyebrows, he discerned that the Taoist before him hid an aura of Taoist charm about him, with steam rising around him and a Treasured Sword accompanying him—a clear sign of a well-practiced individual, indeed it was Lu Yu, who had traveled far from home.

"Very well, very well, to think someone plotted against me. I will not be petty—if you can escape with your life from my hands, agreeing to one of your requests is of no concern!" After speaking, the True Monarch revealed his true form and, holding the Three-pointed Double-edged Spear, thrust at the Taoist.

Lu Yu dared not treat the matter lightly; Yang Jian was not like the Serpent King, for this person was a legitimate successor of the Jade Void and a veteran of many battles. Known for his great fame in the Divine Enthronement War, he was none other than Erlangshen. Lu Yu quickly unsheathed the Sword of State and parried Yang Jian's blows.

The two fought from the ground up into the sky, and Lu Yu noticed that Yang Jian's attacks were both broad and seamless. Not daring to clash directly, he could only opt for evasive combat.

However, for a warlord like Yang Jian, with his rich experience in Magical Combat, how could he not see through Lu Yu's tactics, closing in to exploit his weapon's longer reach, pressing Lu Yu continuously.

Lu Yu then felt the pressure as Yang Jian, who had cultivated the physically tough Eight-Nine Mystical Art, seemed as hard as a Magical Treasure; even the Uneven Sword striking him emitted a sound of clashing metal.

Taking no chances, Lu Yu wielded the Sword of State continuously. He slashed creating streaks of Sword Light, with waves of Sword Intent illuminating the entire sky with brilliant light.

"Well done!" Yang Jian shouted, transforming into a hundred-zhang-tall giant. Lu Yu, not to be outdone, also transformed into a giant, and the two continued their battle.

Yet, whether it was the robustness of his Mana, his experience in Magical Combat, or the toughness of his body, Yang Jian surpassed Lu Yu in all aspects, gradually wearing Lu Yu down.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Stop!" At a command, Yang Jian involuntarily ceased his onslaught as the Treasured Sword in his hand became a beam of Sword Light, darting straight for Yang Jian's face.

Yang Jian seemed not to have anticipated this Technique, and momentarily caught off guard by Lu Yu's stratagem, transformed into a magpie at the last moment, dodging the Sword Light.

Seeing Yang Jian use the Art of Transformation, Lu Yu, in no way inferior, transformed into a mighty eagle and fiercely pounced toward the magpie, only for the magpie to swoop to the ground and turn into a leopard reaching for the eagle.

Lu Yu dodged the leopard's claw and transformed into a fierce-spotted tiger pouncing at the leopard, only to find a giant elephant already waiting for him. In haste, he turned into a mouse and aimed for the elephant's trunk.

In that brief moment, the two demonstrated a series of rapid transformations, truly showing what myriad changes meant. However, ultimately Yang Jian's realm surpassed Lu Yu's, and soon Lu Yu felt his energy waning.

Yang Jian would not miss this excellent opportunity and revealed his true form, stabbing Lu Yu with his spear.

There was no bloodshed; the Lu Yu who was stabbed turned instantaneously into a pool of clear water, shimmering with stardust.

"What a beautiful Doppelganger Technique!" Even Yang Jian could not help but praise. This technique was so flawless that even Yang Jian had not realized when Lu Yu had employed this method.

"You are very good, a worthy opponent indeed. If you can withstand this strike, I will grant you a request," Yang Jian said, his fighting spirit fierce, laughing while holding the Three-pointed Double-edged Sword.

As he spoke, the originally hundred-zhang-tall giant began to grow even larger, and soon a heaven-piercing, earth-touching giant appeared before him, standing with his feet on the ground and his head touching the sky.