Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 513 Taiji Diagram, Xuanhuang Pagoda

The Heaven of Separation and Hatred, within the Tushita Palace.

Inside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the Six Ding Divine Fire danced wildly like a dragon and leaped like a spirit snake, its blazing flames soaring into the sky, illuminating the four walls and shining brightly.

Laozi looked at Emperor Donghua, smiled slightly, and said:

"...I grant you and the Peony Fairy a lifetime of love in the mortal realm."

After speaking, Laozi's expression slightly changed. He stroked his snow-white beard, and his tone became more meaningful:

"However, just as the Jade Emperor said, that you is no longer you."

"His memory has faded, his temperament has changed drastically, and he is like a completely different person."

"Emperor Donghua, can you accept this?"

These words, once spoken, were like ice chilling to the bone, striking directly into the heart of Emperor Donghua.

We are all smart people.

Emperor Donghua naturally understood what Laozi meant.

His next incarnation, Pure Yang Immortal, will not have his memories and will naturally no longer be Emperor Donghua.

They were like completely different people.

The person who rekindled his romance with the Peony Fairy... was ultimately another "him," not himself, the Donghua Emperor.

But then Emperor Donghua thought again, this was also the Peony Fairy's lifelong wish that haunted her until her death.

I still remember the past, when the Peony Fairy was deeply affectionate, her beautiful eyes seemed to hold autumn water, shimmering and sparkling, hiding endless longing and anticipation.

She gently tugged at Donghua Dijun's sleeve and softly advised him:
"Donghua, let's leave the immortal register together and stop being these cold and lonely immortals."

“Let’s go to the mortal world and live an ordinary life as a married couple, working at sunrise and resting at sunset, living a simple life of farming and weaving.”

"I envy not the immortals, but only the mandarin ducks; is that good enough?"

At that time, Emperor Donghua was ambitious and wanted to seize the supreme position of the Heavenly Emperor. How could he easily give up his identity as a god and his extraordinary magical powers to live an ordinary life in the mortal world?

He simply brushed away the Peony Fairy's hand, his gaze fixed firmly on the distance, unaware of the fleeting disappointment and sorrow in her eyes.

Looking back now, he is filled with regret, but it is too late to undo the damage.

The "he" who is about to appear in the lower realm is ultimately not the same person he once was.

That Pure Yang Immortal, he no longer has the memories of Emperor Donghua, nor the thoughts of the past; he is just a completely new individual, beginning his own story.

But this was the Peony Fairy's constant longing.

He could only fulfill the Peony Fairy's long-cherished wish in another way.

Mind this.

Emperor Donghua took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the regret and reluctance in his heart.

He slowly stood up, his posture upright, carrying a hint of vicissitude and determination, and bowed deeply to Laozi, speaking in a low but firm voice:

"In that case, Donghua is willing to join the Human Sect, spread the Daoist teachings, and help the Daoist sect to flourish, so as to atone for his past sins."

"I hope that the Supreme Dao Ancestor will not break his promise and will give Fairy Peony a chance to live, so that she can be reborn."

This bow was a farewell to past glory and splendor, a farewell to the ambitious and spirited self of the past, and a bow towards the unknown future.

Lao Tzu nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile:
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Since I have already agreed, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."

"From this day forward, you will be a disciple of my Human Sect. When you descend to the mortal realm to undergo your tribulation, I will send my disciples to enlighten the Emperor and help you complete this earthly destiny."

Emperor Donghua carefully took out the peony petal. The petal was as white as snow, yet it carried a hint of fragility and desolation.

He gently enveloped it with his divine power, his movements incredibly tender, as if he were holding the most precious treasure in the world, and respectfully placed it before Laozi, saying:
"Supreme Dao Ancestor, I entrust everything to you."

"This flower is a remnant of the Peony Fairy. We hope that the Dao Ancestor can use his supreme divine powers to help her be reborn."

Laozi nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the white peony petals.

With a gentle wave of his Taoist robe, the jade bottle appeared, pouring out the divine water of the Three Lights.

The Three Lights Divine Water consisted of three liquids: one a blazing gold, like concentrated sunlight; one a silvery-white liquid, clear and pure like moonlight; and one a deep purple liquid, containing shimmering starlight.

The three colors of water blended together, forming a dazzling liquid halo, dreamlike and illuminating the entire Tushita Palace with vibrant colors.

Subsequently.

Laozi flicked his whisk again, summoning the innate magic weapon—the "Taiji Diagram".

The Tai Chi diagram slowly unfolded, and five-colored rays of light, like ribbons of silk, stretched across the sky, illuminating the mountains and rivers. Nine-colored auspicious clouds swirled around, shaking the heavens and the universe.

In the Tai Chi diagram, black (yin) and white (yang) fish swim head to tail, with yin within yang and yang within yin. In the chaos, the colors of yin and yang flow, which is exactly the profound principle of "the Wuji gives rise to the Taiji, and the Taiji transforms into the two polarities".

This image symbolizes the power of Yin and Yang, as well as destruction and creation. It can transform the power of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, reverse the universe, reverse life and death, and turn death into life.

When the Tai Chi diagram is unfolded, it can also tear through space and time, dragging the enemy into the primordial world and returning them to chaos.

At this moment.

Laozi then used his supreme divine powers, with the help of the Taiji Diagram, to reshape the physical body of the Peony Fairy.

The Supreme Dao Ancestor already possessed the power of creation of heaven and earth, and his magical power was boundless. Now, with the assistance of the Three Lights Divine Water, it was all the more natural that things would fall into place.

The Three Lights Divine Water slowly flowed into the peony petals, and the Tai Chi diagram slowly rotated, emitting black and white rays of light that tightly enveloped the petals.

The Supreme Dao Ancestor, along with the innate magic treasure Taiji Diagram, and the healing holy water, the Three Lights Divine Water...

The reversal of Yin and Yang, the cycle of life and death, all happen in the blink of an eye.

The petals seemed to come alive, slowly growing, first sprouting tender green leaves, then the buds slowly blooming, and finally growing into a whole peony as white as snow.

The peony petals are layered upon layered, delicate and beautiful, exuding a faint fragrance, as if telling the story of the joy of rebirth.

Lao Tzu laughed and said:

"Can Your Majesty rest assured?"

Emperor Donghua naturally understood that the various methods that Laozi was using were undoubtedly a "deposit" for him.

This was also the prelude to the deal.

And in exchange.

He should respond and pay the price.

After this departure, the name "Donghua Dijun" will no longer exist in the world, only the shadow of "Chunyang Zhenren" will remain.

With a resolute expression and piercing gaze, Donghua Dijun looked towards the Three Islands and Ten Continents of the East, bidding a final farewell to his past self.

"Peony... Farewell..."

"How can one find a way to have it all, to be worthy of the throne and to be worthy of my beloved..."

He took one last, deep look at the white peony.

The snow-white petals, nourished by the Three Lights Divine Water, became even more delicate and vibrant, as if carrying the image of the Peony Fairy from the past, causing him a sharp pain in his heart, like a thousand arrows piercing his soul.

Subsequently.

Emperor Donghua slowly raised his hands, and purple light surged around him like a surging tide, which was the Taoist Emperor's fortune accumulated over countless years.

Auspicious purple clouds drift eastward for 30,000 miles, their majestic momentum shaking the world.

The fortune transformed into streaks of dazzling light, swirling around him like stars, radiant and captivating.

Seeing this, Laozi flicked his sleeve, and a pagoda flew out from his sleeve and hovered in mid-air.

This pagoda is nine zhang and nine chi tall, implicitly containing the "ultimate number of the Great Dao". The nine-story pagoda with dense eaves is neither gold nor jade, but is made of a material that resembles a mysterious yellow crystal. A mysterious yellow energy flows erratically from the eaves, exuding an ancient and powerful aura.

This is the innate treasure of merit—the "Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda".

This tower was formed from the primordial energy of Pangu when he created the world. It contains the merits of Pangu's creation of the world and is impervious to all laws, possessing extremely strong defensive power.

Back in the days of the Investiture of the Gods, the Sage Taiqing used this treasure to move freely within the Immortal Slaughtering Formation, and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Qi could not even get close to him.

It has also withstood the top-tier magical treasures and supernatural powers of the Tongtian Sect Master, such as the Purple Lightning Hammer and the curse of the "Six Soul Banner," without suffering any damage.

at the same time.

The "Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda" serves as the foundation of Laozi's Humanist Teachings and can "suppress the fortune of the Taoist Humanist Teachings."

At this moment.

Under the urging of Laozi, the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda shone brightly, its dazzling golden light spreading outwards like a surging tide, so dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at it.

It absorbed all the Taoist imperial aura that Donghua Dijun had accumulated over countless years and through countless hardships, like a whale swallowing water.

The Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda was originally a sacred object used to suppress the fortune of the Taoist sects. It has a natural affinity and fondness for fortune and is most fond of its nourishment.

As the aura of the Eastern Emperor continuously flowed into it, the light emanating from the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda became increasingly dazzling, as if it had been infused with endless vitality.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"

……

The Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda trembled slightly, as if it possessed a spirit, cheering and leaping with joy, its auspicious rays shining brightly, illuminating the entire Tushita Palace in a magnificent light.

Subsequently.

The entire fortune of Emperor Donghua has been completely drained away by the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda.

It was completely drained, not a single drop was left.

Meanwhile, Emperor Donghua's cultivation level plummeted, and his face turned deathly pale.

At this moment, all luck has been stripped away.

Emperor Donghua felt the power within his body recede like a tide, his cultivation level plummeted, his face turned as pale as paper, and his body swayed slightly, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

"Hehehe..."

Laozi chuckled softly, a gentle laugh that contained an undeniable majesty, as if everything was under his control.

He slowly said:

"Emperor Donghua, you may go in peace!"

"Your fate and destiny will determine your next reincarnation."

Say it.

The Tai Chi symbol hangs in mid-air.

This image is in the form of a circular scroll, not an ordinary solid canvas, but a dynamic interplay of light and shadow formed from chaotic energy.

When suspended, it resembles a swirling nebula, mysterious and unpredictable, seemingly containing the secrets of the universe; when unfolded, it resembles the expansion of the universe, with a magnificent momentum.

It can determine the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, encompassing all phenomena in the primordial universe.

A powerful suction force emanated from the Tai Chi diagram, like a primordial beast opening its massive jaws, slowly drawing Emperor Donghua into it.

Emperor Donghua felt a powerful and irresistible force enveloping his entire body, as if he were bound by invisible shackles and unable to move.

The power of the Tai Chi diagram, like a pair of invisible hands, began to strip away his memories and consciousness.

At this very last moment.

Various scenes from the past flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

Recalling his time as the Eastern King Duke, he was majestic and awe-inspiring, leading all the immortals and revered by them. Every gesture he made exuded nobility and majesty...

There were sweet and warm moments spent with the Peony Fairy; they strolled among the flowers on Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, smiling at each other, their affection overflowing...

He also harbored lofty ambitions when vying for the throne of the Heavenly Emperor. He was determined to rule the Three Realms and achieve great power. His ambition burned like a raging fire...

……

However, all of this gradually blurred and eventually disappeared under the erosion of the power of the Tai Chi diagram.

Donghua Dijun's eyes began to become empty, his body trembled slightly, and his soul was being gradually extracted.

The pain was like a thousand ants gnawing at the heart, indescribable.

But he clenched his teeth, enduring the pain without making a sound.

He knew all too well that this was the price he had to pay for the Peony Fairy and for the Taoist sect.

For the sake of the Peony Fairy's wish for rebirth, and for the prosperity of the Taoist sect, he was willing to give up everything...

As the last trace of memory and consciousness was erased by the Tai Chi diagram.

Emperor Donghua's body slowly fell down like a kite with a broken string.

Finally, he transformed into a wisp of primordial pure yang energy, pure and blazing, containing the power and perseverance of his entire life, as well as his resentment and regret...

"Hey……"

Lao Tzu sighed softly and waved his hand.

A soft light enveloped the primordial pure yang energy, and then with a flash, the pure yang energy disappeared into the Tushita Palace, entering the vast cycle of reincarnation.

From now on.

In this vast world, the illustrious "Immortal Lord of the Three Islands and Ten Continents, the Great Emperor Donghua," who ruled over the Three Islands and Ten Continents and was the head of all male immortals in the Three Realms, can no longer be found.

Only one carefree immortal remains in the lower realm—"Pure Yang True Man".

The Tai Chi symbol slowly retracted, its light receding inward.

Laozi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction where Donghua Dijun had disappeared, his expression a mixture of emotion and expectation, and slowly said:
"Emperor Donghua, as you embark on your reincarnation, forget your past lives and dreams."

"I hope you can find your new life in this mortal world, so that this entanglement of cause and effect will not have been in vain."

Having said that, Laozi turned slightly, his gaze lingering on the Eight Trigrams Furnace. As if recalling something important, he murmured to himself:
"I almost forgot about this sword."

"This sword has not yet ended its connection with Donghua, and it is destined to go with him."

Having said that, Lao Tzu casually flicked his sleeves.

There was a "boom".

The lid of the Bagua Furnace opened with a click.

A chilling aura suddenly emanated from the Eight Trigrams Furnace.

A bluish-white sword lay quietly in the furnace.

The sword energy raged and savaged, and wherever it passed, space seemed to be distorted at will by an invisible hand. The light flickered erratically, as if it could burn mountains and boil seas. All things in the world were as fragile as ants in front of it, and instantly turned into dust.

The sword's aura was sharp, its edge fully revealed.

On the bluish-white sword blade, pure Yang sword energy flowed endlessly like a babbling brook, yet it also concealed a surging power.

The sword energy was agile, like dragons weaving and roaming within the sword, sometimes coiling, sometimes charging straight, as if trying to break free from the sword's constraints.

This sword is the "Primordial Pure Yang Sword" that was shattered by the Buddha with the Seven Treasures Tree.

Back in the day, the Innate Pure Yang Sword was born from chaos at the beginning of the world, containing the purest and most yang power in the world, making it a rare treasure.

When this sword is drawn, it shines with dazzling light, enough to make even the gods and Buddhas of the heavens take notice.

Unfortunately, after this ordeal, although the Innate Pure Yang Sword was reforged, its quality was far inferior to before, and it could only be considered a "Pure Yang Sword".

The current Pure Yang Sword is a reforged version of the original Pure Yang Sword, made from fragments taken after it was broken and recast using acquired techniques.

Although its power should not be underestimated, it can be considered a top-tier acquired spiritual treasure among many magical treasures, and can even be compared with ordinary innate spiritual treasures.

But ultimately, it lost the divine charm and power of an innate spiritual treasure.

However, this Innate Pure Yang Sword is the companion magic weapon of the Eastern King Duke. Since its birth, it has been connected with the Eastern King Duke and has countless connections.

This sword embodies the nature of pure Yang. Only in the hands of an embodiment of pure Yang energy can its supreme power be brought to its fullest potential, making it invincible wherever its blade points.

Since the next incarnation of Donghua Dijun, "Chunyang Zhenren," has already entered the sect of Taishang Laojun and become a disciple of the Daoist Renjiao sect, then this Chunyang sword naturally belongs to the Daoist Renjiao sect's magic weapon.

This Pure Yang Sword should naturally be handed over to the "Pure Yang Master".

In this way, it can be considered as returning the item to its rightful owner and rekindling the previous relationship.

"Pure Yang Sword, go, go find your new master."

Laozi waved his sleeve again, summoning the Pure Yang Sword. He grasped the Pure Yang Sword and softly chanted.

The words of the Supreme Dao Ancestor are law.

The Pure Yang Sword transformed into a streak of bluish-white light and plunged into the vast cycle of reincarnation to seek its new master.

That pure yang energy, in the vast cycle of reincarnation, was cast towards the human realm among the six realms, falling into the home of a family surnamed Lü in the lower realm...

(End of this chapter)