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

Jiang Wang's gaze lingered between the two for a moment before finally settling on the ancient book.

Experience points? They're just numbers; they can buy temporary pleasure, but they can't buy you a lasting advantage.

The innate treasure is the key to reaching the pinnacle.

"Choose the Book of Curses".

Jiang Wang said in a low voice, his voice as calm as still water, yet carrying an undeniable resolve.

The system's cold voice rang out: "Mission confirmed."

The host must transform into the Dragon King of the Jing River and travel to the Blackwater River to rescue his ninth son, the Alligator Dragon, and avert his calamity.

Success reward: The Book of Curses will be permanently bound.

Penalty for failure: Annihilation.

Jiang Wang's lips curled slightly. Annihilate? That's just empty talk from the system.

He is no longer the insignificant ant who first entered the Journey to the West. Now, he holds the Tai Chi diagram and controls the universe. These mere tasks are nothing more than a game.

With a thought, he conjured an avatar, which sat steadily beside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, where raging flames were refining countless demonic essences.

The clone remained expressionless, but its eyes gleamed with the cunning of its master.

"Go."

Jiang Wang whispered to his clone, and then a golden light enveloped his body as the system's teleportation power surged in like a tidal wave.

In an instant, the world turned, and the mist from the Blackwater River rushed towards us.

The damp river breeze carried the smell of fish, and the river water was as dark as ink, with the faint sound of a dragon's roar.

Jiang Wang's figure flickered, and he transformed into the appearance of the Jing River Dragon King: his dragon robe fluttered, his beard and hair were silver-white, and his brows exuded a majestic yet weathered aura. He was the true form of the Dragon King who was beheaded by Sun Wukong in legend.

Before the River God's Palace, the waves surged.

The ninth son of the alligator dragon, the overlord of the Blackwater River, is fiercely battling a curly-haired monk.

The monk was none other than Sha Wujing, wielding a crescent-shaped shovel, which stirred up the mud and sand from the riverbed, transforming it into countless sharp blades that pierced straight at the scales of the alligator dragon.

The alligator dragon was enormous, like a giant black python, its scales gleaming with a cold light. Yet, it was being relentlessly beaten back by Sha Wujing's staff, roaring repeatedly, "Sha Wujing! You curly-haired rascal, how dare you ruin my good deed! I'm determined to have Tang Sanzang's flesh!"

Sha Wujing's face was ashen, his shovel flashing like a mountain: "Demon! Release my master immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

With a shovel, he smashed the river water, sending up waves dozens of feet high. The alligator was forced to retreat, several scales broke off, and blood stained the river surface red.

Just as the alligator dragon was about to give up, a beam of silver light descended from the sky and fell straight into the heart of the river.

Jiang Wang appeared, and with a wave of his dragon claw, the power of heaven and earth, like an invisible giant hand, instantly sent Sha Wujing flying hundreds of feet away.

While still in mid-air, Sha Wujing spat out a mouthful of blood and landed in a sorry state, his crescent shovel slipping from his hand.

His eyes widened as he stared at the suddenly appearing "Jing River Dragon King," his heart sinking: "What kind of demon are you? How dare you interfere in this matter!"

Jiang Wang snorted coldly, his voice booming like thunder: "You audacious scoundrel! I am the Dragon King of the Jing River. This is a family matter. You mere mortals, get out of here at once!"

After speaking, his dragon body trembled, and the Taiji diagram appeared in the void. The black and white energies, like a yin-yang millstone, rolled over.

Sha Wujing felt his magical power recede like a receding tide. He barely managed to maintain his golden body as a shield, but he was still blasted back onto the shore, creating a deep crater.

He struggled to his feet, muttering, "How can the Dragon King possess such supernatural powers? Master is in trouble, I, Old Sha, must report to my eldest brother!"

Having said that, he transformed into a golden ray of light and sped away.

Inside the River God's Palace, the alligator dragon was overjoyed upon seeing this. He bowed respectfully and kowtowed, saying, "Father! Why have you come? I was just dealing with that rogue when you arrived. I have failed to greet you properly!"

The ninth son of the alligator dragon, originally a collateral branch of the West Sea Dragon King, was ambitious and had occupied the Blackwater River God's Palace for many years.

Seeing "Father" at this moment

Upon seeing him, a hint of surprise and fear flashed in his eyes, and he hurriedly welcomed Jiang Wang into the mansion.

Jiang Wanglong twitched his beard, adopted a benevolent fatherly demeanor, stroked his beard and smiled, "I heard that you were in trouble here, so I came to help you."

What's the matter? Any progress on the matter of Tang Sanzang?

His gaze swept across the mansion, where he saw golden hooks and jade pillars, glittering with jewels, yet faintly exuding an eerie atmosphere.

Outside the mansion, Pigsy and Tang Sanzang were bound hand and foot and thrown into a corner. Tang Sanzang was pale and chanted Buddhist prayers: "Amitabha, you demon, please stop harming people..."

Upon hearing this, the dragon's eyes lit up, and it hurriedly said, "Father, you've come at the perfect time! I have already captured the pilgrim monk Tang Sanzang. Eating a piece of his flesh can increase one's lifespan by twelve kalpas. I was just about to invite my uncle from the West Sea to enjoy it with me! This is a golden opportunity, and I will definitely use it to achieve immortality!"

He excitedly rubbed the dragon claws together, exhaling hot breath, his eyes revealing a greedy glint.

Jiang Wang sneered inwardly. This stupid dragon had quite the ambition, but he didn't know that the secret of Tang Sanzang's flesh was just a Buddhist smokescreen.

He nodded insincerely and praised, "Good son, you are indeed your father's flesh and blood! Your filial piety is commendable."

only……"

He paused, his dragon eyes narrowing slightly, "I have been cultivating the Tao recently, and I must abstain from meat and fish, and cannot touch this meat."

Moreover, Tang Sanzang is bound by Buddhist restrictions; consuming him rashly could bring disaster.

"Come, let me lend you a hand. Let's go into the quiet room first and lift the restriction, then you can feast to your heart's content."

Upon hearing this, Tuolong immediately replied as if receiving a divine decree: "Father is absolutely right! Your son will prepare a quiet room immediately and request that Father perform the spell!"

He hurriedly waved his claws to summon shrimp soldiers and crab generals, who then escorted Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie into a dark stone chamber.

The stone chamber was covered with talismans on all four walls, and in the center was a jade bed, filled with spiritual energy. It was the forbidden area of ​​the River God's Palace.

Jiang Wang stepped into the stone chamber, flicked his dragon robe, and the door closed by itself.

The candlelight flickered in the room. Tang Sanzang raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Benefactor... who are you? Quickly let this humble monk and his party leave, this is the will of Heaven..."

Pigsy grunted and groaned from the side, "Master, don't panic. Although my rake has been taken away, there's always a way... Ouch, this rope is tied too tightly!"

Jiang Wang remained silent, but with a thought, the system interface appeared: "Host, activate the Transformation Ability?"

He nodded in acquiescence, pointed a finger, and Tang Sanzang's body trembled, instantly transforming into a crab the size of a fist, its pincers flailing wildly before falling to the ground.

Jiang Wang bent down to pick it up and put it into his sleeve: "Elder, don't panic, I have a plan."

Immediately, he probed Tang Sanzang's original body with his dragon claw, and the power of the system extracted 299 crystal-clear pieces of flesh like silk threads. Each piece shimmered with Buddhist light and contained boundless vitality.

"Integrated manufacturing".

Jiang Wang whispered, and the system buzzed. The chunks of flesh wriggled like living things and instantly merged into a complete fake Tang Sanzang body.

The fake Tang Sanzang was incredibly lifelike, with a kind face and fair skin, just like the real Tang Sanzang. Even the faint sandalwood scent was exactly the same.

Jiang Wang smiled with satisfaction, placed the fake body on the jade bed, shook his dragon robe, and the door to the quiet room opened.

Outside, Tuolong had been waiting anxiously. Seeing Jiang Wang come out, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Father, can the restriction be lifted?"

Jiang Wang nodded, his dragon eyes deep: "It's solved."

However, Pigsy's meat is of poor quality, greasy and fishy. If it were steamed with Tang Sanzang, it might contaminate the celestial flavor. I suggest we steam that fake... cough, let's steam Tang Sanzang first and see how it goes.

"Let's throw Pigsy out the door for now, lest he spoil the fun."

Upon hearing this, the alligator dragon's whiskers trembled violently, and it laughed heartily: "Father is wise! Your son will arrange it immediately!"

With a wave of his claws, shrimp soldiers and crab generals swarmed forward, tied Pigsy up tightly, dragged him outside, and threw him onto the riverbank.

Pigsy landed on the ground, feeling dizzy and disoriented, and cursed, "You damned dragon! You heartless bastard, I, Pigsy, didn't do anything to you!"

But then they saw the shrimp soldiers carrying the fake Tang Monk into a steamer. The steamer was made of millennia-old black iron, with raging flames at the bottom and shimmering talismans on the top, specially designed for steaming immortal flesh.

Steam rose from the steamer, and the fake Tang Sanzang was placed inside, muttering Buddhist chants: "Amitabha..."

Pigsy glimpsed this scene through the crack in the door, his heart breaking: "Master! Master! How could you... I, Old Pig, risked my life to protect you, how could you..."

Tears streamed down his face as he struggled to rush forward, but he was bound tightly by the ropes, and only his desperate howls echoed across the riverbank.

The alligator dragon took matters into its own hands, igniting fire in the ground with its claws, causing waves of heat to surge within the steamer.

A moment later, a fragrant aroma filled the air, and the fake Tang Monk's flesh was cooked, his skin turning golden, and a faint Buddhist light appeared.

The alligator dragon sniffed the meat, its eyes gleaming with delight: "How fragrant! Father, this meat must be top-quality!"

He tore off a large piece with his claws and stuffed it into his mouth.

In an instant, the dragon's body trembled, its magical power surged like a river bursting its banks, its cultivation level increased by one level, and a faint golden dragon phantom appeared above its head.

The calamities and tribulations that awaited him were quietly postponed in his sea of ​​consciousness, and the gate to immortality seemed to be half-open.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

The alligator dragon laughed loudly, its dragon eyes bloodshot. "Father, the moment this meat entered my mouth, I felt the three calamities vanish and immortality was within reach! If Uncle from the Western Sea comes, I will definitely share it with him!"

He tore off another piece and wolfed it down, juices flying everywhere, completely ignoring Pigsy's heartbroken cries outside the door.

Seeing this, Jiang Wang remained expressionless, but in his heart he was already planning his next move.

The mission requires resolving the calamity of the alligator dragon. Now that the illusion has been created, the real Tang Sanzang is safe and sound, and all he needs to do is escape.

He then sighed and said, “Son, I wanted to keep you here longer, but the Dragon King of the West Sea has a past with me. If he finds out that you have taken over the Blackwater River, he will probably scold you.”

I will go home first to avoid any trouble.

Enjoy your meal, and remember to keep a low profile.

Upon hearing this, Tuolong quickly kowtowed and said, "Father, rest assured, your son will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Jiang Wang nodded, and with a flick of his dragon body, he transformed into a silver light and disappeared into the riverbed.

Inside the mansion, the alligator continued to feast, while the shrimp soldiers and crab generals cheered and jumped for joy, but no one noticed the inconspicuous lobster outside the door.

It crept up to Pigsy, and with a snap of its scissor-like pincers, the rope broke.

Pigsy was taken aback, then scratched his head: "Huh? Why are these shrimp soldiers helping me, old Pig?"

Without thinking twice, he rubbed his aching body and stumbled into the forest, tears welling in his eyes: "Senior Brother... Master has been eaten... I, Old Pig, am useless..."

At the same time, a golden light quietly appeared in the mist along the riverbank.

Guanyin Bodhisattva held a vase, her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed, her gaze piercing through the river water and staring directly at the steamer in the mansion: "Fake meat? Hmph, this plan may be clever, but it cannot fool this humble monk."

"Jing River Dragon King, you fiend, how dare you interfere with the great undertaking of the pilgrimage to the West!"

Just as she was about to appear and intervene, a strange change occurred in the void. A black and white Tai Chi diagram unfolded like a net, instantly enveloping her.

"Bodhisattva, why meddle in other people's business?"

Jiang Wang's voice came from the Taiji diagram, carrying a hint of mockery.

He intended to leave quietly, but sensed the probing light of the Buddha and knew it was Guanyin.

The Tai Chi diagram is a supreme innate treasure, where Yin and Yang energies circulate endlessly. Although Guanyin possesses a thousand supernatural powers, she is firmly suppressed by the power of Heaven and Earth within the diagram. Her jade bottle and willow branch are powerless to wield, leaving her only with shock and anger: "You... who are you? How dare you suppress this humble monk!"

Jiang Wang appeared on the river, his dragon robe turning into a black robe, his face returning to its original appearance, and a wicked smile curving his lips: "I am Jiang Wang, just a rogue cultivator."

The Bodhisattva is compassionate; why not turn a blind eye? The journey to the West is already fraught with difficulties; why make things difficult for a mere dragon?

As the Tai Chi symbol expanded and contracted, Guanyin's body felt as if it were stuck in mud, making it difficult for her to circulate her magical power.

She gritted her teeth and said, "How dare you! The Journey to the West is ordained by Heaven. You demon, release this humble monk at once, or you will not escape divine punishment if Buddha is angered!"

Jiang Wang laughed loudly: "Heavenly punishment? Bodhisattva, you're speaking too soon."

Once I obtain the Book of Curses, the mere Heavenly Court will be nothing more than a game of chess.

After speaking, he pointed his finger, and the Tai Chi diagram transformed into a beam of light, sealing Guanyin within it and storing her in his sleeve.

As Guanyin's angry roar subsided, Jiang Wang's figure flashed and he vanished into the void. The system notification sounded: "Mission completion rate 80%, continue to resolve the aftershocks."

On the bank, outside the River God's Palace of the Blackwater River, an old turtle was trembling.

It was originally a river god, but it was driven out of its palace by the alligator dragon and now lives at the bottom of the river.

At that moment, Sun Wukong used his golden cudgel to lift it ashore: "Old turtle! Tell me quickly, who is that demon causing trouble in the Blackwater River? My master has been captured, I will definitely beat him to a pulp!"

The old tortoise kowtowed repeatedly, his voice trembling as he said, "Great Sage, spare my life! That demonic dragon is the ninth son of the West Sea Dragon King, named Tuolong, who has been occupying the little god's residence for a long time."

He captured Tang Sanzang, only wanting to eat his flesh to gain immortality! Just now, the Dragon King of the Jing River personally arrived and repelled Brother Sha. That Dragon King is incredibly powerful; this humble god was powerless to stop him!

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's fury face darkened, and his fiery golden eyes blazed with fury: "Jinghe Dragon King? Hmph, that old dragon was killed by me long ago! He must be an imposter! You crocodile dragon, how dare you touch my master! I'm going to the West Sea right now to settle accounts with your father!"

He smashed a giant rock by the river with his staff, somersaulted, and was about to take off when he saw a dark shadow dart out of the river. It was the black fish spirit that the alligator dragon had sent to deliver the message.

Holding a gold-embossed invitation, the black carp spirit wagged its tail and said, "Oh, Great Sage! I am a servant of the Blackwater River, sent by the King of Alligators to deliver this invitation to the Dragon Palace of the West Sea, inviting the Dragon King to taste immortal flesh! Where are you going?"

Seeing this, Sun Wukong unleashed his staff, which moved like a mountain, instantly smashing the black fish demon into a pulp, and the invitation drifted into the river.

He picked it up and saw that it read: "The ninth son, Tuo, bows his head and invites his uncle to eat Tang Sanzang together and share in immortality."

The Monkey King was furious: "You beast! I, Old Sun, will go to the Western Sea right now and wipe out your whole family!"

The river wind howled, and the waves of the Blackwater River gradually calmed down.

Hidden among the clouds, Jiang Wang watched Sun Wukong's departing figure and muttered to himself, "Monkey, your fiery temper has saved me a lot of trouble."

The calamity of the alligator dragon has been resolved, and Guanyin has temporarily subdued it. The journey to the West, continue your farce!

The Tai Chi diagram in his sleeve trembled slightly, and the faint chanting of Guanyin could be heard, but it was suppressed by the power of Yin and Yang.

The system screen displayed: "Task completed."

Reward: Book of Curses.

In the secluded realm of Chang'an, within a mist-shrouded alchemy room, Jiang Wang sat cross-legged, his body radiating spiritual light like a surging tide. (End of Chapter)