Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

After bidding farewell to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Pigsy rode away on a cloud with mixed feelings, humming a little tune as he tried to hide his inner unease. This mission was different from the past; he was both excited and afraid.

As he weaved through the clouds, he couldn't help but think of his past. Once the Marshal Tianpeng, he had now become a laughingstock on the journey to the West.

"I must prove myself this time!" Pigsy clenched his fist and made a silent vow.

The Tushita Palace soon came into view, its magnificent golden splendor appearing and disappearing amidst the clouds. Pigsy took a deep breath and adjusted his mindset.

Before embarking on his "Tearful Journey Through the Heavens," he decided to visit his old friend, Laozi. Firstly, to say goodbye, and secondly, to try and obtain some elixirs to prepare for his upcoming adventure.

More importantly, he longed to change his image.

Pigsy stopped by a clear spring outside the palace. He leaned down to look at his reflection in the water and couldn't help but sigh. With his fat head, big ears, and fleshy face, where was the dashing and handsome figure he once was as Marshal Tianpeng?

"Laojun, Laojun, it's me, Old Pig, who's come to see you!" Pigsy shouted, trying to sound relaxed, but his voice was trembling.

Laozi was intently gazing at the alchemy furnace when he heard Zhu Bajie's voice and frowned slightly. He didn't respond immediately but instead carefully observed the changes in the elixir within the furnace.

Seeing this, Pigsy stood awkwardly at the doorway, unsure whether to go in or back out. Just then, a rich aroma of medicine wafted in, whetting his appetite. He involuntarily swallowed and cautiously moved inside.

"You impatient pig-headed fool, can't you be quiet for a moment?" Lao Tzu finally spoke, his tone tinged with helplessness. "You almost shattered my elixir!"

Pigsy quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "Hehe, Laozi, you're just too excited! I, Old Pig, came here firstly to say goodbye, and secondly..." He rubbed his hands, his eyes constantly glancing at the alchemy furnace, "...wanting to see if you have any newly developed elixirs or miraculous medicines for me to try!"

Laozi turned around and sized up Zhu Bajie. He seemed to see through Zhu Bajie's thoughts and slowly said, "I do have a few 'Restore My Beauty Pills,' but..."

"Give me back my Beauty Pill!" Upon hearing this, Pigsy's eyes lit up. Forgetting all etiquette, he grabbed Laozi's arm. "Laozi, you're truly my confidant! Quick, give me one!"

Taishang Laojun was shaken until he was dizzy, and quickly broke free: "Don't be in such a hurry, this elixir hasn't been fully tested yet, I'm worried..."

But Pigsy wouldn't listen, patting his chest confidently: "What's there to worry about? Worried that I, Old Pig, will become too handsome and charm everyone? Laozi, don't worry! I, Old Pig, have seen countless battles, what haven't I been through? Even if I turn back into Marshal Tianpeng, I can still handle it!"

Seeing Zhu Bajie's eager expression, Laozi sighed deeply. He slowly walked to a hidden compartment and took out an exquisite jade bottle. The elixir inside was crystal clear, emitting a faint glow.

"Alright, since you insist, I'll give you one," Lao Tzu said solemnly. "However, you must remember, you can only take half of this pill! Never take more, or the consequences will be unimaginable!"

When Pigsy heard that he could only eat half a piece, he immediately became unhappy: "Half a piece? How can half a piece be enough! Laozi, please have mercy and give me, this old pig, a whole one! I promise, I won't waste a single one!"

Laozi wanted to persuade him again, but Pigsy had already impatiently stuffed the whole pill into his mouth and swallowed it with a gulp.

"You...you idiot!" Lao Tzu exclaimed, his beard bristling and eyes wide with rage. "This is terrible!"

As soon as the elixir entered his stomach, Pigsy felt a powerful energy surge through his body. His body began to change drastically, and he writhed on the ground in agony.

"Ah...ah..." Pigsy screamed in agony, his skin turning red one moment and deathly pale the next, sometimes covered in pig bristles, sometimes smooth as jade. The whole process was like a breathtaking metamorphosis show, too gruesome to watch.

Lao Tzu watched this scene with a mixture of worry and helplessness. He knew that things had come to this point, and he could only wait and see.

Finally, after a flash of white light, Pigsy's transformations stopped. He slowly stood up and staggered toward the mirror.

The reflection in the mirror stunned Pigsy. A handsome face, a tall and straight figure—he looked nothing like a pig! He couldn't help but reach out and touch his face, afraid it was all just a dream.

"I...I'm..." Pigsy stammered, unable to speak.

Laozi sighed and explained, "You consumed an entire 'Restore My Beauty Pill,' the effect of which was too strong, causing side effects. Now, your body will change with your emotional fluctuations. When you are emotionally agitated or have a strong appetite, you will revert to your pig-like appearance. Only when you are calm and control your appetite can you maintain your handsome appearance."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's joy vanished instantly, replaced by deep fear: "Then...then does that mean I, Old Pig, am going to become an emotionally unstable monster?"

"There's nothing we can do about it," Laozi comforted her. "However, you don't need to worry too much. As long as you control your emotions and appetite, you can maintain your human form. Moreover, as you complete your mission and collect the demon's tears, your body will gradually adapt to the effects of the elixir and eventually return to normal."

After hearing this, Pigsy's mood calmed down slightly. He looked at himself in the mirror again, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him: "Pigsy... this name represents my past self—the one who was gluttonous, lazy, and lustful. From today onward, I will start anew with a new identity and a new look! My name will be... Zhu Feifei!"

"Zhu Feifei?" Laozi raised an eyebrow. "It's a good name. It means flying, symbolizing freedom."

Just then, the spirit Xiaobai suddenly flew out of the Moonlight Ring, looking in surprise at the handsome stranger before him: "Pig... Pigsy? Is that you?"

Upon hearing the voice of the Ringwraith Xiaobai, Zhu Feifei stylishly tossed his bangs, a slight smile playing on his lips, revealing what he considered a charmingly wicked grin: "From now on, call me Zhu Feifei! Understand?" He then gave Xiaobai a flirtatious wink.

The Ringwraith Little White was stunned by this sudden change and didn't know how to react for a moment. She looked Zhu Feifei up and down and had to admit that she did look much better than before.

"Ahem," the Ringwraith cleared his throat, trying to appear calm, "Alright, stop being so narcissistic. The gates to the first world have opened, get started on your quest!"

Zhu Feifei nodded and bid farewell to Laozi. Before stepping into the passage leading to the first world, he took a deep breath and silently encouraged himself: "Zhu Feifei, this is your chance to start over. You must seize it!"

The scenery before her eyes shifted, and Zhu Feifei found herself in a valley surrounded by lush bamboo. In the distance, the sounds of clashing swords drifted by, and a faint smell of blood filled the air, mingled with the fragrance of unknown flowers—a strong atmosphere of the martial arts world enveloped her.

Birds chirped merrily in the branches, and sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows. A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, creating a melodious tune. In the distance, several antique buildings appeared and disappeared, their upturned eaves and carved beams exuding an air of mystery.

"Is this the world of martial arts?" Zhu Feifei took a deep breath, her eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.

The voice of the spirit Xiaobai rang in his ear: "That's right, this is the renowned Bai Family Manor. Your target, Bai Ruoxue, is the eldest daughter of the Bai Family Manor. She possesses the peerless martial art 'White Bone Frost Palm,' but unfortunately, she has been poisoned and will soon die. Rumor has it that she is cold as ice and aloof, but in reality, she only uses a strong exterior to mask her inner vulnerability and longing for true love."

"Bai Ruoxue...is suffering from a strange poison?" Zhu Feifei murmured to himself, a pang of sympathy rising in his heart. He decided to first find out about Bai Ruoxue's situation before formulating a plan of action.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached. Zhu Feifei alertly hid behind a large tree and saw a girl in white rush past, her expression panicked. Closely following her was a group of men in black wielding swords and knives.

"Oh no! Someone is chasing Bai Ruoxue!" Zhu Feifei was shocked and instinctively wanted to help.

However, just as he was about to rush out, a strong appetite suddenly surged up in his heart. He felt his body begin to change, a pig's nose grew on his face, and his ears became long and big.

"Oh no!" Zhu Feifei growled in frustration, quickly forcing himself to calm down. He took several deep breaths, trying to compose himself. Slowly, he felt his body return to human form.

When he peered out again, Bai Ruoxue and the group of men in black had vanished. Only a few drops of blood on the ground proved that the chase had indeed taken place.

"Damn it! It's all because of this darn side effect!" Zhu Feifei angrily punched the tree trunk.

The Ringwraith, Little White, said quietly, "It seems you need to learn how to control your emotions and desires. Otherwise, forget about completing the mission, even self-preservation will be a problem."

Zhu Feifei took a deep breath, knowing that the Ringwraith Xiaobai was right. He made up his mind to master the characteristics of this new body as soon as possible.

“Let’s go, we’ll go to Baijiazhuang,” Zhu Feifei said. “I need to find out what exactly happened here, and who is chasing Bai Ruoxue.”

Filled with questions, Zhu Feifei cautiously made his way towards Bai Family Village. He had no idea what thrilling adventures awaited him, nor how his fate and Bai Ruoxue's would become inextricably intertwined from that moment on...