Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"The way of Heaven is vast and mighty, those who comply will prosper, those who resist shall perish, it was destined that Wang Guan's staunch defense of the Great Chen would lead to this outcome," another spoke.

"Where did you find this Fox Spirit? Her methods are indeed extraordinary, playing the Lord of the Great Chen in the palm of her hand with such ease."

"From the Qingqiu Fox Clan, I expended great effort to borrow such a Fox Spirit. Only a Fox Clan connected with the Fortune and Destiny of our human race can avoid the suppression of Fortune and Destiny.

Considering this King plotted against us, how can we dissipate the hatred in our hearts without ruining him utterly?" The Taoist gritted his teeth as he spoke, the hatred in his heart intensifying when he recalled the disciples who perished under the Jinguang Taoist's grand formation.

"Speaking of which, have you found out if that master who influenced that day had a hand in it? A single word from him brought such a disaster to everyone in the Great Chen—it's truly terrifying." Thinking of how that Scholar had lightly spoken a single word that brought calamity upon the entire Great Chen, he shuddered with both awe and fear of such power.

"I suspect it has something to do with Lu Zhang of Yuzhou, but I dare not confirm. Every time I divine Heaven's Secret, I'm blocked by an expansive ocean that no one dares to breach. If such a master makes the slightest move, he will be sensed. In fact, many believe he has already sensed it, he just chooses not to stoop to our level," he said, his tone thick with envy.

"Indeed, he is a master who has achieved great success in the practice of Celestial Immortal Dao, rich in techniques and without any weaknesses. No wonder they say that among the Five Immortals, the Heavenly Immortal is the most esteemed."

"What? Regretting not choosing the path of the Heavenly Immortal Dao back then?"

"Regret? Not really; I know my limits. With my talents and gifts, walking the path of the Heavenly Immortal Dao would be a dead end. Not to mention initiating the Five Qi, just the Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment would deplete me completely," he said.

Another laughed heartily upon hearing this, "Exactly, how many have succeeded on the path of the Heavenly Immortal Dao since ancient times? Our path of the Primordial Spirit, although slightly inferior in Combat Mysticism, is superior due to the lower requirements for Cultivation, allowing for step-by-step progress.

Remember how the genius Xu Ziming of Xuan Yuan Sect didn't believe this and is now stuck in the Qi Cultivation Realm for nearly thirty years, his vitality beginning to decline. It seems he might not even complete the path of the Primordial Spirit."

"Xu Ziming, ah, I remember he was once hailed as a Primordial Spirit Seed, but ever since he heard of the Celestial Immortal Dao and insisted on Cultivating it, who would have thought such a brilliant figure would be stuck at the Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment?"

"However, I heard that he has descended the mountain this time, ready to vie for that name of Divine Enthronement. After all, that is a position of eternal life."

"Indeed, not just him, many who can't break through to the Primordial Spirit have come out. This is a position recognized by the Underworld Court as a Righteous God, and the control over Yin and Yang isn't small at all."

"Alas! It truly confirms the saying: 'All beings are trapped in calamities.'"

When the King of the Great Chen heard the news of Wang Guan's suicide by collision against the pillar, he was stunned; he hadn't expected Wang Guan to be so resolute, choosing death to demonstrate his convictions. Suddenly, he remembered the detailed teachings of this elder teacher from his youthful days, and a sense of guilt arose in his heart.

"The Grand Preceptor was too rash, isn't this casting His Majesty into fire? How will the people of the world view His Majesty now?" Su Wenji's light words made the Emperor furrow his brows, thinking to himself that his old teacher was too selfish, tarnishing his own reputation just to trap him in such an unjust situation.

"After all, he was my teacher, and a great minister entrusted by the Former Emperor; let's give him a decent funeral," he said, then commanded the eunuchs and palace maids to collect Wang Guan's body.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

After Wang Guan died, his soul and spirit left his body, watching as the Court Eunuchs collected his body. He effortlessly passed through the grand doors of the palace and saw the King of the Great Chen, whom he had desperately but unsuccessfully wished to meet.

Looking at his former disciple, Wang Guan felt a sense of unfamiliarity for the first time. Was this still the young man who had once stood before him, full of vigor and ambition, directing the future of the kingdom?

Now he looked hollowed by indulgence in wine and women, his face pale with dark circles under his eyes, markedly haggard. The light that once shone in his eyes had long since faded, becoming dim and turbid.

When he saw Su Wenji, he was shocked. The beauty before him clearly had five fox tails, yet the people surrounding her seemed not to see them.

Anger welled up in Wang Guan's heart. He blamed all the changes in the Emperor entirely on Su Wenji, believing it was this enchantress who had led the ruler astray and caused the current situation.

In truth, it was his own selfishness at play. If the Emperor had not harbored such thoughts, how could a Fox Spirit wield influence over his will within the Royal Court and make him blame everything on a woman—a common failing among these scholars.

At that moment, only one thought occupied Wang Guan's mind—to kill the enchantress before him, hoping to make the Emperor see reason. But before he could get close, he found that Su Wenji suddenly turned to look at him. Her five tails flew through the air, instantly striking Wang Guan's soul and spirit and sending them flying out of the grand hall.

"This old fool, even in death won't find peace. Had I known this mess, I would have stayed away," murmured Su Wenji softly.

"What's wrong, my beloved?" the Emperor, noticing Su Wenji's pallor, asked with concern.

"It's nothing. I am just frightened by how the Grand Preceptor Wang just left us," she immediately portrayed a fragile demeanor, which touched the Emperor greatly.

"My love, fear not. Tomorrow I will have people vacate the palace to the east. We'll move there. This place is too close to the grand hall; those ministers are too bothersome. It's less vexing if they're out of sight," the Emperor reassured her.

Watching Su Wenji happily agree and the adoration on her face, he felt as if he had regained some of his former spirited self.

At this point, he only wanted to escape. After the failed plots of the Jinguang Taoist, he knew he might meet an unfortunate end, having offended those Cultivators who were sure to seek revenge. Now, he merely wanted to indulge while he could, although he found it strange that these Cultivators had not yet troubled him.

Having been repelled by Su Wenji with a blow, Wang Guan's soul and spirit were severely damaged. He sensed a unique pull, thinking to himself, "Could it be the Underworld Court calling me? Yet why do I not see any Soul-Reaping Messenger coming?""

As time passed, this strange attraction grew stronger, involuntarily drawing his soul and spirit toward Zhongzhou.

Upon arriving, Wang Guan realized that he was not at the Underworld Court, but rather at the majestic Izumo. He had traveled and studied there in his youth, familiarizing himself with such renowned mountains, puzzled why he had been brought here now.

At that moment, he saw two figures atop the mountain facing the wind: one dressed as a Scholar and the other as a Military General. Beside these two was an enormous altar, even more majestic and grand than the Heavenly Altar used for celestial observances in Great Chen. Hovering above it was a wondrous list emitting a faint glow, the source of that peculiar attractive force.