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

Chapter 633 Three Thousand Immortals of the Daoist School Cross the Western Sea Together
Meanwhile, in the Southern Continent, the core sphere of influence of the Daoist sect, thirty-six grotto-heavens were shrouded in mist and clouds, and seventy-two blessed lands were enveloped in auspicious vapors.

Those who practice Taoism are as numerous as stars, scattered throughout the four directions.

However, after the Investiture of the Gods war, the Jie Sect, which once had ten thousand immortals paying homage, was destroyed, and almost no Taoist lineage remained in the lower realm.

The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect either entered the Western Buddhist sect, abandoning Taoism for Buddhism; or feared being tainted by the evil aura of the mortal world and facing another calamity of slaughter. Therefore, most of them secluded themselves in seclusion, avoiding the world and focusing on the path of severing the three corpses, hoping to achieve their own transcendence.

After the Investiture of the Gods, the Chan Sect gradually faded from public view.

The Chan and Jie sects were like the snipe and the clam fighting, ultimately resulting in both being severely damaged.

Therefore, the human world in Jambudvipa once showed signs of decline.

……

Later, the Eight Immortals of Taoism entered the world to help the people.

Lü Dongbin, also known as the "Sword Immortal," created the system of Taoist swordsmanship, teaching people sword techniques and using the sword as a metaphor for the Tao, cutting away worldly worries. His swordsmanship was extremely fierce, cutting through greed, anger, and delusion, and he was revered as "Master Lü" by the world.

Tieguai Li, also known as the "Medicine Immortal," taught people medicine and was an expert in pharmacology. He carried a gourd containing miraculous medicines to save lives and he was revered as the "King of Medicine" by the people.

Zhang Guolao, with his white hair and youthful face, traveled the world and was skilled in the art of longevity, earning him the title of "Immortal of Longevity".

He Xiangu was a celestial flower fairy who was reincarnated and taught people the art of cultivating plants, making all flowers bloom in competition. She was known as "Lotus Fairy".

Zhongli Quan was in charge of the secret art of alchemy and was known as the "Immortal of the Alchemy Cauldron".

Han Xiangzi was skilled at playing the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), and his music was divine. When the xiao played, hundreds of birds sang in harmony and all things grew. He was known as the "Music Immortal".

……

Over the years, Lü Dongbin, Tieguai Li, Zhongli Quan, and other disciples of the Eight Immortals have spread the teachings of Taoism, imparted knowledge and skills in the Southern Continent, and cultivated good relationships with people all over the world.

During this time, many people were enlightened by him and learned wonderful methods, and he was revered as the "patriarch" by many sects in Jambudvipa.

The Taoist Eight Immortals were once extremely popular, attracting a large number of believers.

Almost everyone in the world knows the name of the Eight Immortals.

The Taoist teachings were thus revived in the human world.

Now, the profound Taoist heritage and the magnificent achievements of the Eight Immortals in the human world are on full display!
I heard that the temple of Lü Zu had been destroyed and its priest had died.

The Dragon Clan of the Western Sea and the Eight Immortals of Taoism signed a life-or-death pledge.

The Eight Immortals, the founders of Taoism, wished to go to the Western Sea to fight a decisive battle with the Western Sea Dragon Clan in order to defend the Taoist tradition and avenge their past humiliations.

"Master, I have come to your aid, and I am willing to face life and death with you!"

"With Lu Zu above, your disciple is willing to follow you, to slay demons and monsters, and to uphold the prestige of our Dao!"

"Master Lü! Your disciple has inherited the true teachings of swordsmanship. Today, I will use the sword in my hand to uphold the righteousness in my heart!"

"By the Medicine King, your disciple is willing to follow you, to heal the wounded and save lives, and to never abandon you!"

"His dragon clan has many soldiers and generals, but our Daoist sect is not without roots! Ancestor, please rest assured, we will do our utmost!"

"Master, please wait a moment, your disciples will be there immediately!"

"If I hear the Way in the morning, I would gladly die for it!"

……

Upon hearing that the Taoist patriarch intended to travel to the Western Sea to subdue the demonic dragon, all the Taoist immortals of the Southern Continent were filled with excitement. They gathered from various blessed lands, mountains, forests, and springs throughout the Southern Continent, vowing to cheer on the Taoist patriarch and jointly participate in this great undertaking to uphold the Tao!
Among them were disciples who were directly or indirectly taught by the Eight Immortals of Taoism, mountain spirits and water monsters who were enlightened by them and embarked on the path of immortality, and many more were admirers who were grateful for the kindness of the Eight Immortals of Taoism and revered their Tao.

At this moment.

Following the Eight Immortals of Taoism, including Lü Dongbin, Tieguai Li, and Zhongli Quan, countless Taoist immortals flocked to join them, eager to follow their patriarch to the Western Sea and jointly attack the Western Sea Dragon Clan.

But we see:

Above the long, winding road, an old Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face, holding a whisk, arrived gracefully on a crane.

In the secluded mountain stream, a spirit that had cultivated into human form, riding a demonic wind, followed closely behind on the clouds.

Countless wandering immortals and deities, yearning for the Great Dao, heard the call of their patriarch and rose up from famous mountains and rivers, from the bustling city, carrying magic swords and talismans, or holding treasure vases and ruyi scepters, chanting mantras, and gladly joined this torrent of defending the Dao!

……

For a while.

They either ride magical artifacts, ride spirit beasts, control wind and thunder, or tread on clear light, surrounded by celestial light and exuding Taoist charm, closely following the Eight Immortals' chariots.

The number of people who gathered together among the Eight Immortals of Taoism reached as many as three thousand!

These three thousand Taoist immortals are the fruits of the good deeds of the Eight Immortals of Taoism who have been spreading the Tao and enlightening the people in the Southern Continent for many years.

Now, these three thousand Daoist immortals are willing to follow the Eight Immortals of the Daoist sect and cross the Western Sea together to attack the Dragon Court!
The immortals' robes fluttered, their swords flashed, celestial birds cried out, and magical artifacts hummed, all converging into a powerful and earth-shaking spectacle.

The real one is:
"Taoist heroes gather, and the universe is filled with immortal energy."

"Three thousand immortal guests, all heading to the Western Sea Gate!"

……

There are five immortals in the world, one of whom is called "Human Immortal".

The so-called immortals are those who cultivate immortality in the human realm.

These cultivators, though they have not yet grasped the true essence of the Great Dao, have obtained a method within the Dao and a technique within that method. With unwavering faith, they are determined to cultivate diligently and persevere.

From then on, the eight evil plagues could no longer harm him, and he remained healthy with few illnesses and much peace.

However, these cultivators have not yet escaped the shackles of mortal life, hence the term "human immortals".

Human immortals possess some minor skills that allow them to cultivate and regulate their Qi, thereby prolonging their lives, avoiding illness, and maintaining a strong and healthy body.

However, since immortals have not comprehended the profound mysteries of the Great Dao, they cannot attain the state of immortality and transcendence, nor do they possess the ability of supernatural transformations. Ultimately, they still need to enter the cycle of life and death.

Human immortals also have a more common name: "Qi cultivators in the human world".

At this moment, three thousand Daoist immortals followed closely behind the Eight Immortals of Daoism.

Three thousand Qi cultivators in the mortal realm, today we cross the Western Sea together.

This situation is exactly as follows:
"Today, our patriarch is personally leading the campaign, subduing dragons and tigers. It is the time for his disciples to serve and spread the Dao!"

……

"Alas! This is an age of great prosperity!"

Looking at the magnificent scene before him, Cao Jingxiu couldn't help but exclaim in heartfelt admiration:
“Looking at the world today, those who seek the Way are as numerous as carp crossing a river, flocking here in droves. How many there are!”

"It seems that our missionary work in the mortal realm has been very successful!"

Lü Dongbin stroked his long beard, raised his head to look at the sky, and sighed deeply, saying:
"There are three thousand great paths, each following its own way, but all ultimately lead to the same destination."

"Those in the world who cherish a sincere heart that yearns for the Way, all their hearts turn toward the Way, as one, without distinction of who came first or last."

Lan Caihe echoed:

"Yes, no matter where they come from or what method they practice, as long as they have the Way in their hearts, they are all one, so why should we distinguish between first and last?"

Seeing this, Li Xuan's heart was filled with heroic spirit, and he let out a long, loud roar:

"Since the Investiture of the Gods, the Chan Sect and the Jie Sect have retreated into seclusion, and it has been difficult for the Daoist sects to have such a great era again!"

"Three thousand immortals of the Daoist sect, today they cross the Western Sea!"

"Defend the righteous laws of my Xuanmen, and glorify the great achievements of my Dao!"

then.

The Eight Immortals then took the lead, followed by three thousand immortals, some riding magical artifacts, some riding spirit beasts, some riding on clouds and mist, and some riding on wind and thunder, closely following the Eight Immortals.

The Eight Immortals of Taoism led three thousand Taoist immortals in a grand procession toward the Western Sea.

But see that:
Auspicious light and mist obscured the sun and sky; the Daoist energy permeated the seas and borders.

Vast and mighty, like the Milky Way pouring down to flood the ocean; majestic and awe-inspiring, like heavenly troops descending to suppress the vast ocean.

Along the way, the ghosts and monsters of the three mountains were startled into hiding, and the evil spirits of the eight directions were frightened into closing their doors.

The Taoist immortals pointed directly to the Western Sea, intending to carry out the great feat of subduing dragons and demons, and upholding the Tao.

……

In less than a day, the celestial clouds had already pressed down on the shores of the Western Sea.

Three thousand immortals stood arrayed in the clouds, their celestial light dazzling and auspicious clouds spreading in countless directions. Their awe-inspiring Daoist aura illuminated half the sky as if it were daytime, so bright and dazzling that it was impossible to look directly at them.

Li Xuan, Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, and the other Eight Immortals of Taoism stood before the formation, each displaying supreme majesty and supernatural powers, intending to awe the Dragon Court and make their names known throughout the mortal world with the profound and wondrous abilities of "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea." At this very moment...

But on the western sea:
The black water churned and the turbid waves surged into the sky, as if thousands of evil dragons were stirring up trouble.

Dark clouds covered the sky, and a gloomy fog hung heavy, obscuring the light of the sun, moon, and stars.

The raging waves crashed against the shore with a thunderous roar that shook one's very soul.

Fish and turtles hide to avoid the murderous aura, while dragons conceal their tracks to conceal their malevolent presence. The fierce wind cuts like a knife, its chilling force penetrating to the bone.

It's truly a den of dragons and tigers, an extremely dangerous place!

"Roar!"

A deep, heavy dragon's might, filled with endless resentment and icy killing intent, emanated from the bottomless abyss, soaring straight into the sky, threatening to tear the auspicious clouds and immortal energy to shreds!

This is Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, demonstrating against them.

However, with the help of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, the Taoist Eight Immortals' Taoist cultivation and magical power increased by more than double.

Seeing the ferocity of the Dragon King of the West Sea, they were not afraid at all, but instead felt a surge of heroic spirit.

Li Xuan stood on a cloud, laughing loudly, his voice as booming as a bell:

"Fellow Daoists! The Western Sea Dragon Court is right before us. Behold our methods, display the majesty of our Daoist sect, and cross this Western Sea!"

After saying this, Li Xuan laughed heartily, untied the Medicine King Gourd from his waist, and muttered incantations.

The gourd grew tall in the wind, as large as a house.

Li Xuan sat on it, and from the mouth of the gourd spewed out ten thousand rays of purple energy, like a rainbow piercing the sun and shooting straight into the sea.

Wherever the purple aura reached, the raging waves, as if encountering an insurmountable barrier, roared and parted to both sides, revealing a vast and unfathomable road, impervious to wind and water.

Li Xuan rode a gourd, protected by purple aura, and led the way.

"Master, I'm here to help you!"

Behind him, the disciples of the Medicine King all brought out gourds and medicine cauldrons, connecting them with purple energy to stabilize the passage.

"Thirty million celestial sword immortals, yet they may all bow their heads before me!"

Lu Dongbin raised an eyebrow, and the Chunyang sword on his back was drawn from its sheath with a clang, transforming into a hundred-foot-long golden rainbow in the wind.

Lü Dongbin stepped on the tip of the sword and rode it at lightning speed.

The sword energy swept across the land, and wherever its sharp edge reached, the seawater seemed to be cleaved in two by an invisible giant blade, creating a deep abyss.

"Master Lü, we also have swords!"

Behind him, the sword-wielding disciples were greatly encouraged by the sight and urged their flying swords to fly. Hundreds of sword lights followed closely behind Lu Zu, converging into a dazzling river of swords that cleaved through the waves.

"Hahaha!"

Zhongli Quan, with a red face and bushy beard, bare chest and belly, laughed heartily as he took out the "Post-Heaven Banana Leaf Fan".

This banana leaf fan is not an innate banana leaf fan, but an acquired banana leaf fan refined by Laozi in the Eight Trigrams Furnace. However, it is extremely powerful and can fan wind and fire.

Zhongli Quan's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes wide with rage. He held the banana leaf fan in his palm, channeled his inner power, and swung it out with a mighty fan!
But then a strange "whoosh" sound was heard.

A fierce wind swept up from the flat ground, blowing away the towering waves and the vast sea fog, leaving the sea surface as calm as a mirror, with only a chilling atmosphere remaining.

As the fan blows, the clouds disperse and the sky clears.

Zhongli Quan swayed and walked on the water as if it were flat ground.

"Master, I'm here to help you!"

Behind him, disciples who practiced alchemy and wind manipulation followed closely, treading water as if flying.

"Hehehe..."

Zhang Guolao rode his magical donkey backwards, chuckling as he took out a fish drum from his robes and gently tapped it.

"Boom!"

A dull drumbeat.

Beneath the donkey's four hooves, auspicious five-colored clouds appeared out of thin air, churning and carrying the man and the donkey, floating leisurely on the sea.

Despite the fierce winds and high waves, the auspicious clouds remained unmoved, carrying Zhang Guolao as they drifted towards the deep sea.

Behind him, disciples skilled in music, divination, and beast taming would play celestial music to calm the storms or ride auspicious birds and beasts, following him on the clouds.

With a gentle flick of her slender hand, He Xiangu tossed the radiant lotus seedpod in her palm into the sea.

The lotus seedpod grows when it encounters water, and in an instant it transforms into a giant blue lotus covering an area of ​​more than ten miles of sea!
The lotus leaves are as green as jade, the lotus petals shine brightly, and a unique fragrance wafts through the air, refreshing the heart and soul.

The raging seawater, upon touching the pure and holy light of the lotus platform, immediately became gentle and peaceful, calm and still, transforming into a pure land on the sea.

He Xiangu stood gracefully on the lotus heart, her ethereal beauty guiding a stretch of sea to become a pure land.

The female cultivators under her tutelage and the plant spirits she had enlightened stood on the lotus leaves, either sprinkling colorful flower rain or urging the growth of tough vines to protect the lotus platform.

"Waaaaah, waaaah..."

Han Xiangzi, with a dashing expression, held the purple-gold flute to his lips.

A clear and ethereal flute melody rose gently, first like a clear spring flowing over rocks, then like a phoenix singing in the heavens.

As the sound of the flute faded, the invisible sound waves transformed into a tangible azure light shield, enveloping most of the immortals following behind.

Despite the raging storms and howling winds outside, the area within the light barrier remained calm and serene, filled with ethereal beauty.

Han Xiangzi stepped on the sound waves, as if riding a gentle breeze.

The three thousand immortals, grateful for this protection, chanted the Daoist name "Infinite Heavenly Venerable!" in unison, their voices rising like a tidal wave and reaching straight into the Dragon Palace!
……

present.

Li Xuan's gourd spewed forth radiant light, paving the way to the heavens; Lü Dongbin's sword energy cleared the path, tearing through layers of clouds; Zhongli Quan gently waved his precious fan, sending forth a fierce wind; Zhang Guolao rode his donkey, treading on clouds and chasing lightning...

He Xiangu stood on a lotus platform, a fragrant breeze wafting around her; Lan Caihe's flower basket shone brightly, sprinkling sweet rain everywhere; Han Xiangzi's flute music led the way, its sound waves protecting them; Cao Jingxiu's jade tablets produced clouds, supporting all the cultivators...

It is:

"The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each displaying their unique abilities."

Wherever the Eight Immortals of Taoism passed, the raging waves of the Western Sea were forcibly suppressed, separated, solidified, and calmed down!
The wind cannot disturb its shape, nor can the waves assault its body.

At this moment.

Between the sea and the sky, purple clouds opened up a path that stretched like a rainbow, sword light split the sea and divided the water mirror, crystal-clear water steps led to the road to heaven, auspicious clouds carried the body and roamed freely, lotus platform calmed the waves and transformed into pure land, flower bridge was brocade and fragrant, sound barrier protected a thousand immortals and the clear light of jade tablets illuminated the clear sky!
The majesty of the Taoist immortals was fully revealed, even causing the profound dragon might, which had been accumulating for millions of years and covered the sky and the sea, to pause slightly!
The three thousand accompanying immortals followed closely behind their patriarch's entourage. Witnessing such earth-shattering divine power, they were all filled with excitement and joy.

They chanted the sutra in unison, their voices resounding across the sea and sky:
"Infinite Heavenly Venerable! Our Ancestral Master possesses boundless supernatural powers and limitless Taoist magic!"

"Infinite Heavenly Venerable! Our Ancestral Master possesses boundless supernatural powers and limitless Taoist magic!"

Just as the mighty power of the Eight Immortals of Taoism was shaking the Western Sea and the morale of the three thousand immortals was soaring, a sudden change occurred!

“Ouch——!!!”

A deafening dragon roar, filled with grief and indignation, echoed from the depths of the sea, its power awe-inspiring and chilling.

Followed by.

“Rumble——!!!”

The entire Western Sea seemed to be violently torn apart by an invisible giant hand!
In the middle of the Western Sea, giant waves surged like boiling water, and a huge trench, unfathomable in depth and stretching for thousands of miles, suddenly split open!

The seawater surged and receded to both sides, revealing the true face of the underwater palace.

But we see:

Crystal palaces, with glazed tiles, agate steps, coral embellishments, and pearls embedded in the walls, radiate thousands of rays of light and auspicious energy that soar straight to the heavens!
Shrimp soldiers and crab generals, armed and clad in armor, stood in dense, layer upon layer; alligator and turtle warriors, their cold light gleaming, exuding murderous intent, their ranks were as imposing as those of heavenly soldiers!
Behind the Dragon King of the West Sea, the elite "Raging Wave Guards" of the West Sea stood in a solemn formation, their scales gleaming coldly, their killing intent penetrating the deep sea.

At this moment.

In the Western Sea, thousands of aquatic soldiers and generals, swords and spears raised, banners fluttering, a fierce and malevolent aura soaring into the sky, confronting the majestic immortals amidst auspicious clouds and mist in mid-air.

"The Eight Immortals of Taoism, you have arrived..."

Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, wore a twelve-tasseled crown, a golden-scaled chainmail, and a ochre-yellow robe with dragon patterns. He sat high on his throne with a cold and stern face, and his dragon eyes flashed with golden light when they opened and closed.

The Turtle Prime Minister stood solemnly to one side, holding the command flag and military tally.

Ao Lie (White Dragon Horse), the third prince of the Jade Dragon of the West Sea, stood on the other side, his sword gleaming coldly—the very same blade stained with the blood of the temple keeper of the Lüzu Temple.

(End of this chapter)