I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

"Your Majesty, I have ascertained that the traitor Jiang Wang is now hiding in the mortal realm, in a manor called Zhonghua Village. He claims to be the village head, is improving grain varieties, and is bewitching the people! What is even more hateful is that he has secretly met with Chang'e, violating the heavenly rules!"

Yang Jian paused, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, "What's worse, my loyal hound, Xiaotianquan, was killed by Jiang Wang with a single palm strike while investigating his whereabouts, his soul scattered. I implore the Jade Emperor to do justice for me and execute this fiend!"

Upon hearing this, the immortals in the hall immediately began to discuss among themselves.

Venus stroked his beard and frowned, saying, "Jiang Wang? Isn't that the friend of that monkey demon who proclaimed himself 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven' back then? How come he's causing trouble in the mortal realm again? He even dared to kill Howling Celestial Dog, his audacity is a bit too much!"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor's face darkened slightly with anger. He tapped his jade ruyi lightly, and the hall fell silent instantly.

He said in a deep voice, "Jiang Wang is an unruly man who has repeatedly violated the Heavenly Laws. Killing the Howling Celestial Dog is an unforgivable crime."

Yang Jian, now that you have ascertained their whereabouts, do you have a plan to deal with them?

Yang Jian bowed his head and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I request that you issue an edict to dispatch heavenly soldiers and generals to besiege Zhonghua Village and capture Jiang Wang and Chang'e! I am willing to personally lead the troops to avenge them!"

The Jade Emperor waved his hand, his gaze profound: "Although Jiang Wang is arrogant, his quasi-saint cultivation should not be underestimated. Moreover, he is with Chang'e. If we rashly send troops, we may alarm Mount Ling and the Western Sect."

"Venus, what do you think?"

Venus stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise."

Although Jiang Wang is in the mortal realm, his whereabouts are mysterious, and he possesses the laws of space, allowing him to travel thousands of miles in an instant, making him difficult to catch.

In my humble opinion, it would be better to hold back for now, order the eagle eyes and all-hearing ears to monitor Zhonghua Village, and then, when it heads west, lay a trap to annihilate this scoundrel!

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Following Ear at the corner of the hall: "You two, quickly go and monitor Jiang Wang's every move. Report back immediately if there is any unusual activity! As for the Howling Celestial Dog..."

The Jade Emperor paused, his tone softening slightly, "Yang Jian, your loyal dog Xiaotianquan has been devoted to protecting its master. I will order the underworld to find a good match for him. After he is reincarnated, I will bestow upon him a Six-Turn Golden Pill to help him cultivate into a Golden Immortal, to comfort his loyal soul."

Yang Jian kowtowed to express his gratitude, but a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! I will certainly capture Jiang Wang to avenge this humiliation!"

...In the mortal realm, within the Zhonghua Manor, fields stretch endlessly, golden rice swaying in the wind, emitting a faint fragrance.

In a small courtyard in a bamboo grove within the village, Jiang Wang, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the horizon as if sensing something.

Chang'e, dressed in a plain white dress, stood beside him, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Wang Lang, you just said that you sensed a battle raging in the distance?"

Chang'e asked softly, her voice like a clear spring, "Is it the other side of Mount Ling?"

Jiang Wang nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "That's right, it was Patriarch Bodhi and Laozi fighting in the heart of Chaos Mountain, and the commotion was quite significant."

Mount Ling is currently shrouded in the Taiji diagram, and the two saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, are attacking with all their might, so they will likely be unable to attend to anything else for the time being.

He paused, a smile playing on his lips, "This is the perfect time for me to head west."

Upon hearing this, Chang'e frowned slightly: "Go west? To retrieve that treasure from the Five Elements Mountain? But you are already being watched by the Heavenly Court. If you act rashly, you may become the target of everyone's wrath!"

Jiang Wang laughed heartily, turned around and grasped Chang'e's hand, his tone confident: "Don't worry, Chang'e, I am now at the mid-stage of Quasi-Saint, and I have comprehended 180% of the laws of space. Instantaneous teleportation and shattering space are all within my grasp."

Moreover, with the Treasure-Locking Coin in hand, ordinary magic weapons are nothing but scrap metal in front of me.

Those celestial beings in Heaven can't do anything to me!

Chang'e remained worried and said softly, "But the Heavenly Court is powerful. If the Jade Emperor were to dispatch 100,000 heavenly soldiers, how would you, with your supernatural powers, cope? Moreover, the Five Elements Mountain is a sacred Buddhist site. Although Mount Ling is in chaos, Jieyin and Zhunti might still intervene."

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Jiang Wang's eyes: "The Heavenly Court? Hmph, if that old Jade Emperor really dares to send troops, I have my own ways to make him regret it."

As for Mount Ling…

He took out a green bamboo branch from his bosom and handed it to Chang'e, saying, "This is the Six Pure Bamboo, a Buddhist treasure that can protect you."

I am going to Five Elements Mountain. I must go quickly and return quickly. You stay and guard Zhonghua Village. If there is any unusual activity, immediately use this bamboo to protect yourself until I return.

Chang'e took the bamboo branch, gently stroked it with her fingertips, and sighed, "You are always so confident, but I always feel uneasy."

"Young man, be careful in everything you do."

Jiang Wang chuckled and ruffled Chang'e's hair: "Don't worry, the world is so vast, the one who can keep me, Jiang Wang, is yet to be born!"

After saying that, he flashed and the space distorted slightly as he disappeared into the bamboo forest.

...At the foot of Five Elements Mountain, as soon as Jiang Wang stepped into the mountain boundary, Thousand-Mile Eyes and Wind-Following Ears noticed him. The two exchanged a glance and quickly transformed into two streaks of light, heading straight for the Heavenly Court.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor, upon hearing the two reports, flew into a rage: "That Jiang Wang! How dare he trespass on the Five Elements Mountain! Issue my decree, ordering 100,000 immortals to immediately descend to the mortal realm, set up an array on the Five Elements Mountain, and slay this fiend! Venus, you will oversee the battle; you must capture Jiang Wang!"

Venus hurriedly accepted the order, and the immortals responded in unison. The palace was filled with celestial light as 100,000 immortals marched in a grand procession straight to the Five Elements Mountain in the mortal realm.

The Heavenly Court was thus left empty, with only a few celestial officials remaining.

At the same time, Jiang Wang did not head straight for the depths of the Five Elements Mountain.

He took out a gleaming golden one-way pass to the Peach Garden from his pocket, and smirked: "Old Jade Emperor, you all go to the Five Elements Mountain to wait for the rabbit to run into the tree stump, but I want to borrow the Heavenly Court to take a stroll through the Tushita Palace!"

He crushed the pass, and in a flash, he appeared in the Heavenly Peach Garden.

Inside the Peach Garden, the air was filled with the fragrance of peaches and shrouded in celestial mist, but Jiang Wang had no interest in appreciating it. He directly used his spatial magic to teleport to the Tushita Palace in the Heaven of Separation and Hatred.

Cranes circled outside the palace, and a boy guarded the gate. Jiang Wang sneered, raised his hand, and the laws of space surged. The boy in front of the palace gate was instantly imprisoned in place, unable to move.

"Jiang, Jiang Wang! How dare you trespass into the Tushita Palace!"

The boy screamed in terror, but his voice was swallowed up by the spatial confinement and could not be heard at all.

Jiang Wang ignored him and pushed the door open to enter.

Inside the Tushita Palace, golden light flowed and celestial energy abounded, but due to the great battle between Laozi and Bodhi, the palace was deserted.

Jiang Wang didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the alchemy room. He pushed open the door and saw nine purple-gold gourds floating in mid-air, emitting a faint fragrance of pills.

He raised his hand and sent out the Treasure-Dropping Coins. With a flash of golden light, all nine gourds fell into his hand.

"Tsk tsk, Laozi's elixirs are indeed extraordinary!"

Jiang Wang opened a gourd, sniffed it, nodded in satisfaction, then looked around and his gaze fell on three freshly made Great Luo Heaven Pills beside him. "These are good things, we can't waste them!"

With a flick of his sleeve, he took away three Great Luo Heaven Pills, along with a Supreme Yang Banana Leaf Fan, a Bagua Furnace, and even the firewood for stoking, all of which he collected in one go.

Jiang Wang was still not satisfied. He looked around and saw that the tables and chairs in the palace were simple and elegant, the tea sets were exquisite, and the writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones were all items of immortals. So he simply waved his hand and used his spatial power to sweep them all away. He packed up all the tables, chairs, tea sets, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, and even the flowers, plants and trees in the back garden were not spared. He put them all into his spatial magic treasure.

"Laojun, Laojun, I've cleaned up your Tushita Palace for you!"

Jiang Wang laughed heartily, glanced around, and saw that the Tushita Palace was completely empty except for the four walls and the imprisoned boy. Satisfied, he nodded, then vanished in a flash. The boy, having finally broken free, collapsed to the ground, staring at the empty Tushita Palace, tears welling in his eyes: "Laojun, that Jiang Wang is a complete thief! Not a single blade of grass is left in the palace! How are we going to explain this when we get back!"

……

Jiang Wang stood outside the Tushita Palace, the blue stone steps winding beneath his feet, the fierce winds of the Thirty-Three Heavens making his robes flutter.

He squinted, gazing at the horizon, his brows furrowing slightly.

Just now, a strange tremor suddenly arose in his heart, as if an invisible force was tearing through chaos and penetrating the three realms.

The fluctuations were vast and boundless, far exceeding any innate treasure he knew, carrying an ancient and profound charm that gave him a jolt.

"This...could it be the legendary Chaos Treasure?"

Jiang Wang muttered to himself, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

He originally intended to sneak into the Jade Emperor's Treasure Hall to find out what was going on while Laozi was away from the palace, but this sudden disturbance made him stop in his tracks.

A golden light suddenly appeared on the horizon, transforming into the illusory image of the Jade Emperor. His majestic and mighty voice resounded throughout the Three Realms: "A rare treasure has appeared in the Outer Heavens, its aura transcending the innate realm, perhaps even a Chaos Spiritual Treasure! Fellow Daoists, hurry and investigate!"

Before he finished speaking, the Jade Emperor's illusory figure had already vanished, clearly having fled to the outer heavens.

Jiang Wang's mind raced. A Chaos Treasure? If it really was the legendary Chaos Pearl, containing a chaotic world, capable of helping one comprehend the Three Thousand Great Daos and attain sainthood! Such a wondrous object was enough to drive the powerful beings of the Three Realms mad.

Just as he was about to set off, he suddenly sensed three sage auras from the depths of the sky exploding like thunder, heading straight for the outer heavens.

"The Tongtian Sect Leader, the Primordial Heavenly Lord, the Goddess Nuwa..."

Jiang Wang murmured, a complex look flashing in his eyes, "Even the sages can't sit still anymore, this Chaos Pearl is indeed extraordinary."

Meanwhile, outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, in the chaos, figures arrived one after another.

Zhen Yuanzi held the Earth Book, the Styx Ancestor's blood sea surged, the Northern Darkness Roc spread its wings and covered the sky, and even Taiqing Laozi put away the Taiji Diagram and stepped into the chaos expressionlessly.

The Western Sage Receiving the Guide followed closely behind, while only the Sage Zhunti remained in place, a meaningful smile on his lips, and said in a low voice, "The Eastern Sage has the upper hand, why should I get involved? Let's see how this good show ends."

Standing on the cloud, Jiang Wang sensed the movements of the powerful beings in the Three Realms, but his heart grew heavier and heavier.

Although the Chaos Pearl is tempting, the Purple Cloud Palace of Dao Ancestor Hongjun is within easy reach in the chaos. If he were to go there rashly, his secrets would likely be exposed due to the special aura of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique.

Moreover, Sun Wukong's situation is not yet stable at Five Elements Mountain. Since Laozi has left, if Patriarch Bodhi takes the opportunity to cause trouble, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Forget it, the Chaos Pearl is good, but it is not something I can get my hands on at this time."

Jiang Wang took a deep breath and turned his gaze toward the Five Elements Mountain. "The Five Elements Mountain is the key. Sun Wukong... and the Chaos Mountain Heart must not fall into the hands of others."

With a flash, he transformed into a streak of light and headed straight for the Five Elements Mountain.

Beneath the Five Elements Mountain, the winds and clouds shift and change.

Laozi sat cross-legged in the void, lightly waving his whisk. The Taiji Bagua Formation had already enveloped the entire mountain range. Golden light and profound energy intertwined, transforming into an invisible cage that trapped Bodhi Patriarch within.

The Bodhi Patriarch had a slender face, and the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand shone with light. With a gentle swipe, he dispelled the bindings of the Eight Trigrams Formation.

"Laojun, your Taiji Bagua Formation is wonderful, but it cannot trap this humble Taoist."

Bodhi Patriarch smiled calmly, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery, "Why bother with all this? What does that monkey under the Five Elements Mountain have to do with you?"

Laozi remained expressionless, flicked his whisk, and said coldly, "Bodhi, you know perfectly well that what lies beneath the Five Elements Mountain is not something you or I can easily touch."

This humble Taoist priest advises you to stop, lest you bring trouble upon yourself.

"Self-mistaken?"

Bodhi Patriarch laughed heartily, and the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand shone brightly. "Laojun, your cultivation is profound, but you are perhaps a little too cautious."

This Five Elements Mountain is mine to possess!

Before he could finish speaking, a glint flashed in Laozi's eyes, and a golden light suddenly flew out from his sleeve—it was the Vajra Bracelet! The bracelet transformed into a streak of light, heading straight for Bodhi Patriarch's face, its speed so fast it was almost impossible to catch.

Bodhi Patriarch's expression changed slightly. He quickly swung the Seven Treasures Tree in his hand, barely managing to block the attack, but was still forced back several steps.

"What a magnificent diamond bracelet!"

A hint of solemnity flashed in Bodhi Patriarch's eyes. He made a hand seal and summoned a golden treasure, the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron.

As soon as this battle began, the void trembled, and endless golden light transformed into a vortex, sweeping straight towards Laozi.

Laozi snorted coldly, and with another wave of his whisk, a diagram of the universe flew out from his sleeve. In the diagram, the universe was reversed, and yin and yang flowed, completely enveloping the golden light of the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron.

The two magical treasures were locked in a stalemate in the void, their golden light and profound energy intertwining and emitting bursts of booming sounds.

"Bodhi, your Hunyuan Golden Cauldron is powerful, but it is no match for my Qiankun Diagram!"

Laozi spoke indifferently, and the Vajra Bracelet in his hand flew out again, striking the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron, intending to absorb it into it.

Bodhi Patriarch remained unmoved. With a flick of his Seven Treasures Tree, seven-colored light formed a barrier, blocking the suction force of the Vajra Bracelet. He said in a deep voice, "Laojun, why must we entangle ourselves like this? The treasure beneath the Five Elements Mountain has not yet appeared in the world. Why don't we join forces, take that treasure first, and then determine who is superior?"

Before Laozi could answer, a white light suddenly streaked across the sky, transforming into a Taoist priest holding a jade scepter with three treasures. His aura was immense; he was none other than Yuan Daoren, an avatar of Yuanshi Tianzun.

His gaze swept across the Five Elements Mountain like lightning, and he said coldly, "Fellow Daoists, why waste your time here? I will take what is at the foot of the Five Elements Mountain myself."

Before he finished speaking, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi in Yuan Daoren's hand shone brightly, turning into a beam of white light that cleaved straight through the Five Elements Mountain.

With a deafening roar, Five Elements Mountain was cleaved in two, revealing a gray, heart-shaped stone from within the mountain, exuding an ancient aura of the primordial chaos.

"The Heart of Chaos Mountain!"

Laozi and Bodhi Patriarch both exclaimed in unison, a greedy glint in their eyes.

Just as Yuan Daoren was about to reach out and take it, a streak of azure sword light suddenly slashed down from the horizon, sharp and incomparable, carrying an aura of world destruction.

Yuan Daoren's expression changed, and he hurriedly waved his Three Treasures Jade Ruyi, barely managing to block the sword light, but he was forced back several steps, and one of his fingers was actually cut off by the sword light and turned into dust.

"The Immortal Killing Sword!"

Yuan Daoren gave a low shout, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

The azure light faded, revealing a Taoist priest in a green robe holding a long sword, standing proudly—it was Qingpingzi, an avatar of the Tongtian Sect Master.

He sneered, pointing his sword at Yuan Daoren: "Yuan Shi, you dare to compete for treasure with your avatar? Aren't you afraid I'll slay you with one sword?" (End of Chapter)