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

Hongjun, in the heavens, was burning with rage, but could only remain still.

In Chang'an, the majestic city walls cast long shadows in the afterglow of the setting sun, resembling a coiled dragon guarding the prosperity and secrecy of this imperial capital.

In a secluded teahouse in the city, the air in a private room on the second floor was filled with a faint scent of ambergris, yet it could not conceal the subtle fluctuations of spiritual energy from heaven and earth.

Fuxi, the ancient ancestor of the human race, transformed into a middle-aged scholar in a green robe, sitting by the window, playing with an ancient jade pendant in his hand.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable, and his brows revealed a sense of vicissitude and shrewdness that had endured countless eons.

Opposite him, Jiang Wang sat cross-legged, dressed in a plain white robe, with a handsome face, yet carrying a hint of aloofness that did not belong to ordinary people.

He was the hidden master of the hidden realm, in control of the legendary method of refining the Hunyuan Pill. At this moment, his gaze fell on the jade pendant, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Between the two, on a low table, lay two crystal-clear pills, emitting a faint purple glow; these were the Hunyuan Pills, capable of forging the foundation of a saint.

"Brother Jiang, the human race appreciates the kindness of the Tongtian Sect Leader."

Fuxi's voice was deep and ancient as he gently pushed the jade pendant over. "This jade slip contains the gratitude of the Jie Sect."

Thank you for your help in handling the matter of the Hunyuan Pill.

"Though the human race is weak, they are clear about their debts of gratitude and resentment. We will return this elixir."

Jiang Wang smiled slightly, reached out and took the jade pendant. He scanned it with his divine sense and immediately knew its contents.

That was a gift of thanks written by the Tongtian Sect Leader himself, mentioning the secrets of the Primordial Purple Qi, and also mentioning that the Jie Sect was willing to exchange resources for the support of the human race.

Jiang Wang knew perfectly well that this was just Tongtian using someone else's flowers to present to Buddha, in reality paving the way for the future of the Jie Sect.

He nodded and said, "Brother Fuxi, you're too kind."

The Primordial Elixir is not something that the human race needs, so returning it is only right and proper.

However, this primordial purple energy…

Before he finished speaking, Fuxi had already taken out a wisp of purple energy as thin as a cicada's wing from his sleeve.

The purple aura moved through my palm like a living thing, its breath seemingly carrying endless chaotic energy, subtly distorting the entire private room space.

Jiang Wang's eyes narrowed. This was the very item in the previously agreed-upon trade—the Primordial Purple Qi that suppressed the Kongtong Seal! The human race exchanged this wisp of purple qi for two of his Hunyuan Pills. On the surface, it seemed like an equal exchange, but in reality, the human race made a huge profit.

After all, a wisp of primordial purple energy can help the human race gain two more quasi-saints, or even approach the saint realm.

"make a deal."

Jiang Wang stretched out his finger, lightly touched the purple aura, and instantly absorbed it into his mind's eyebrow.

Seeing this, Fuxi breathed a sigh of relief, put the two Hunyuan Pills into his sleeve, and a rare look of joy appeared on his face.

Humanity's foundation is already weak, so this transaction is like sending charcoal in snowy weather.

If it weren't for Jiang Wang's Hunyuan Pill being able to stabilize the Great Dao, this wisp of purple energy would probably have been targeted by other forces long ago.

"Brother Jiang, the human race will remember this transaction."

Fuxi cupped his hands and said with a hint of solemnity in his voice, "We both know how precious the Primordial Purple Qi is."

Since today is a trading day, let's say a few more words.

Those nine wisps of purple energy have been passed down since the beginning of time.

First, the one obtained by the Goddess Nuwa laid the foundation for the human race; second, the one hidden by the Tongtian Sect Leader in Biyou Palace helped the disciples of the Jie Sect to comprehend the Dao; third, a strand was hidden in the set of the Jade Emperor to stabilize the fortune of the Heavenly Court; fourth, the strand that suppressed the Wheel of Reincarnation was ownerless and drifted away, but was coveted by the ghosts of the underworld... The remaining five strands either scattered in the chaos or fell into the hands of the demon race.

Although the human race is weak, it has long-term aspirations.

We do not seek to slay the saints, but only to obtain that masterless spirit.

A wisp of the Wheel of Reincarnation, a wisp of the Haotian Set—if we could obtain them, humanity could truly establish itself in the primordial world.

Jiang Wang listened and nodded slightly.

He had already learned some of the secrets from the Tongtian Sect Leader, and Fuxi's detailed account now further confirmed that information.

Nine strands of primordial purple energy, a supreme treasure from the beginning of the primordial world, each strand capable of reversing the Great Dao and forging immortality.

Humanity has great ambitions, but it is also cautious—aiming for unclaimed energy rather than forcibly seizing the foundation of saints.

He chuckled softly, "Brother Fuxi, you have quite the scheme."

Could you reveal a bit about your plan targeting Haotian? The Heavenly Court has many eyes and ears; if the human race makes a move, it probably won't escape the notice of the Jade Emperor's avatar.

A glint of light flashed in Fuxi's eyes, and he lowered his voice and said, "Haotian is greedy by nature. His clone guarding the Investiture of the Gods has become the lifeblood of the Heavenly Court."

The human race has already laid a trap, first by appointing a human king, then by peeling back the layers and gradually breaking free from its control.

When the time is right, use the Hunyuan Pill as bait to lure it out.

At that time, the human race joined forces with the Intercepting Sect and seized the purple aura from the set in one fell swoop.

Brother Jiang, we are both involved in this, why don't we work together to devise a plan?

Just as Jiang Wang was about to respond, he suddenly felt a heat between his brows, and the wisp of newly acquired Primordial Purple Qi trembled slightly.

Immediately afterward, a familiar fluctuation emanated from the Kongtong Seal—it was the aura of Zhao Gongming and the Three Immortal Sisters! Jiang Wang probed with his divine sense and immediately understood: the human race had actually made their move at this moment! Fuxi's plan had been quietly initiated.

Zhao Gongming, the Golden Immortal of the Jie Sect, wielded the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl and once dominated the Investiture of the Gods war; the Three Immortals of Sanxiao, Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao were also female immortals of the Jie Sect, famous throughout the prehistoric world for their Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation.

These four people were originally bound by the Investiture of the Gods by Haotian's clone, destined to be servants of the Heavenly Court forever.

At this moment, the human race is using the lost ancient texts to "confer titles upon human kings."

The secret technique temporarily appointed them as "Guardians of the Human King," instantly freeing them from the shackles of the Investiture of the Gods! That secret technique was originally created by Fuxi himself, using the bloodline of the human race as a medium and borrowing the power of heaven, earth, and man to reverse fate.

As Zhao Gongming and his companions relaxed, they instantly became like tigers freed from their shackles, showing faint signs of breaking through to the Saint Realm.

At the same time, deep within the Heavenly Palace, the avatar of the Jade Emperor—the golden jade statue—suddenly trembled! Golden light blazed within the palace, the jade statue's eyes turned crimson, and it roared like thunder: "Bold human! How dare you lay your hands on the Investiture of the Gods? Zhao Gongming, the Three Immortals…you have betrayed Heaven, you deserve to die!"

A powerful surge of imperial wrath swept out, shaking the entire Heavenly Court and its sea of ​​clouds to churn.

Although Haotian's clone was not the real Haotian, he controlled most of the fortune of the Investiture of the Gods. The loss of four generals was like losing an arm, causing him great pain.

With a wave of his jade hand, a golden edict flew out and headed straight for the mortal realm: "Issue my decree to seal off the human race's territory and capture the remnants of Fuxi!"

Inside the private room, Jiang Wang frowned slightly, taking in the unusual activity.

Upon seeing this, Fuxi sighed softly: "The wrath of Heaven is inevitable."

But the human race has already gained the upper hand. Brother Jiang, this is something we should keep to ourselves.

The deal is done; see you later.

After speaking, Fuxi rose, transformed into a wisp of green smoke, and vanished into the void, leaving behind a faint lingering fragrance in the teahouse.

Jiang Wang sat quietly for a moment, then got up and left.

In the blink of an eye, he had returned to the hidden realm.

It was a secret realm suspended in the void, surrounded by clouds and mist, with a towering alchemy furnace in the center, its purple flames blazing fiercely.

Jiang Wang sat down cross-legged and first took out his storage ring to check his reserves of Hunyuan Pills—he originally had five, but this transaction yielded two more, which was enough for his disciples to break through to the Quasi-Saint level.

A thought flashed through his mind, and a plan to recruit disciples appeared in his mind: the hidden world is dwindling in talent, it is time to open its gates wide and select those rogue cultivators with strong character and excellent aptitude to enter.

Using the Primordial Elixir as bait, we can surely gather a group of outstanding talents from the primordial world.

After thinking it over, he got up and walked towards the alchemy furnace, pouring in the newly acquired primordial purple energy.

As the purple flames in the furnace intensified, ten pill shadows were immediately emitted—a wisp of purple energy could actually refine ten Primordial Chaos Pills! The human race was unaware of this secret, only believing it to be an equal exchange, but in reality, Jiang Wang made a huge profit.

He smiled slightly and said softly, "Brother Fuxi, I appreciate your kind offer."

Next, it's time for the grand plan of alchemy.

The furnace roared, and the hidden realm was filled with the fragrance of elixirs, as a new act of forging sainthood quietly began. ... Meanwhile, on their journey to the West, the group of master and disciples had already slowed their pace.

Under the blazing sun, dust swirled across the desolate landscape. Tang Sanzang rode his white dragon horse, his face as pale as paper.

The spiritual root that should have been surrounded by golden light has now been lost, turning into a mortal body. Every stumble made him frown.

Sun Wukong led the way, his golden cudgel slung over his shoulder, his monkey eyes scanning the surroundings with extreme vigilance; Zhu Bajie carried his rake, huffing and puffing as he complained; Sha Wujing carried the luggage, silent as a mountain.

The four should have been able to travel a thousand miles a day, but now they could only walk slowly. Tang Sanzang's mortal body had become the biggest burden on their journey to obtain the scriptures.

“Master, this mortal body is really troublesome.”

"I, Old Sun, can traverse thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in a single somersault, but carrying your fleshy body, I'm afraid I'd struggle to cover even a hundred miles."

Wukong scratched his head and couldn't help but say.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang forced a smile, but a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Ever since he burned incense in that temple and fell into a trap, his cultivation level receded like the tide, leaving him with only mortal bones.

Every day, he forced himself to chant scriptures and pray for blessings, but he always felt a lingering sense of unease in his heart that he couldn't shake off.

As they rode into a grove of trees, Tang Sanzang suddenly reined in his horse, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "Wukong, your master has figured it out!"

Upon hearing this, all the disciples stopped in their tracks.

Bajie wiped his sweat and said cheerfully, "Master, what have you figured out? Could it be that you're thinking about the monks in that temple who look just like my second brother, and are terribly ugly?"

Tang Sanzang shook his head, his voice weak but firm: "No."

That day, the incense was mixed with poison, specifically designed to target my spiritual roots.

The poison is invisible and specifically targets the golden statues of Buddhist monks.

If I can find the culprit, I will surely obtain the antidote and rebuild my spiritual roots! On your journey, please be wary of any suspicious individuals.

The journey to obtain the scriptures must not end here.

Upon hearing this, Wukong slammed his staff down and narrowed his monkey eyes: "Master is right! That poisonous hand must have been the work of a demon."

I, Old Sun, will definitely find him and skin him alive!

Sha Wujing nodded, while Zhu Bajie chuckled and said, "Master, don't worry. With me here, I guarantee no one will dare to come near us."

The four travelers rekindled their fighting spirit and continued their journey.

Tang Sanzang felt a little relieved, but little did he know that this "understanding" was merely a sliver of a secret. The antidote was still a long way off, and the journey to obtain the scriptures would be even more fraught with difficulties.

Before long, a wide black river appeared ahead.

The river was as black as ink, its waves surging, and a faint, fishy smell wafted through the air.

The river is over a hundred feet wide, with no bridges or crossings, only waves crashing against the shore, making a thunderous sound.

Tang Sanzang reined in his horse by the river and sighed, "How can we cross this river? With my mortal body, I fear it will be difficult for me to wade across."

Wukong jumped onto a rock by the river, peered over, and frowned, saying, "This river is strange; it has a faint demonic aura. Although I, Old Sun, can escape through water, my master's physical body cannot carry him across."

"Pigsy, your pig body is resistant to water, why don't you try?"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's face immediately fell: "Brother, aren't you trying to trick me? Although I, Old Pig, am of aquatic origin, this Blackwater River is very sinister. I've heard that there are old demons lurking in it."

Who will guard the luggage and horses?

Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, the Eldest Brother and I will guard this place."

"You protect your master and let him pass first."

As they were discussing this, the sound of oars and paddles suddenly came from upstream. A small canoe was drifting downstream, with a dark-faced boatman on board, wearing a blue turban and a straw raincoat. His oars and paddles splashed water everywhere.

"Hey! Traveler, cross the river! I'm a small boatman, specializing in crossing the Black Water, one coin a trip!"

The boatman shouted that the boat was nearing the shore.

Wukong's monkey eyes lit up: "Great timing! Master, this boatman has come at just the right time. Why don't we let him ferry you across?"

"I, Old Sun, will be here on the shore to protect you; you'll be safe."

Tang Sanzang nodded, and Pigsy picked up his rake and helped his master onto the boat: "Master, I, Old Pig, will accompany you."

The boat is small, so we can squeeze in.

The boat sails through the heart of the river, where the wind and waves are calm.

The boatman hummed a little tune as he rhythmically rowed the oars.

Tang Sanzang sat at the bow of the boat, his hands clasped together, silently reciting scriptures.

Bajie leaned against the gunwale, yawning incessantly: "Master, this river water is so dark, it looks like the bottom of my cooking pot."

Speaking of which, I think the matter of the poisonous fragrance was mostly the work of a river monster…

Before the words were even finished, a strange change occurred in the sky! A gale suddenly arose, dark clouds pressed down overhead, and the river surface surged with huge waves as if boiling.

A dark shadow darted out from the water and crashed into the hull! "Oh my god!"

Pigsy cried out in alarm, and the boat tilted violently.

The boatman's face turned deathly pale, and he dropped the oar: "A...a monster is coming!"

The waves were as high as mountains, and Tang Sanzang lost his footing and fell into the river with a splash.

Bajie hurriedly reached out to grab it, but was pulled in by a tremendous force. The two of them, along with the boatman, instantly disappeared into the depths of the black water, leaving only splashes of water and the dugout canoe shattered into pieces.

On the shore, Wukong was shocked and swung his staff: "Master! Second Brother!"

He was about to leap when he felt the river's demonic power surge, blocking his path.

Sha Wujing stepped forward, carrying his load: "Brother, there's a formation in this river! We must quickly think of a way to rescue them!"

In the river, Tang Sanzang felt the icy cold, and the black water, like ink, poured into his mouth and nose.

He was but a mortal, and after a few struggles, he began to fall heavily, yet he felt no fear, only silently reciting, "Amitabha..."

Although Pigsy was strong, he lost his footing, kicking his hooves wildly and cursing, "Which bastard monster dares to trick me, old Pig!"

The boatman fared even worse; he had already been swept away by the waves and lost consciousness.

The three figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the Blackwater, and the journey to the West was about to face its greatest crisis.

...Beside the hidden alchemy furnace, Jiang Wang was urging the purple flames to refine pills when he suddenly felt a golden light flash in his mind.

The system interface appeared, and a cold voice sounded: "Host, changes to the Journey to the West side quest have been detected."

The journey to the West was delayed as Tang Sanzang and his disciples encountered a crisis at the Blackwater River.

Task issued: Choose option one, intervene secretly, and help them escape danger.

Reward: A wisp of innate Yi Wood essence.

Option two: Let it live or die on its own and observe how things develop.

Reward: One Nine-Turn Golden Pill, increasing resistance to one level of Heavenly Tribulation.

Jiang Wang's eyes flickered slightly, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

The Journey to the West was originally unrelated to his hidden world, but due to the system binding, he was repeatedly involved.

He glanced at the alchemy furnace; the purple aura had already condensed into five Primordial Chaos Pills.
The system interface flashed with a cold light before Jiang Wang's eyes. Ten million experience points were like a mountain of gold, tempting yet vulgar, while the innate treasure—the Book of Curses—was like a dark, sharp blade, exuding a forbidden allure. (End of Chapter)