Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Bai Xiaoyao's aura erupted, and it seemed as if a white skeleton emerged behind her. With her hands shaped into claws, she lunged towards Lu Yu.

Seeing this, Lu Yu was about to intervene when Golden Cicada swiftly stopped him, stepping forward and forcibly taking Bai Xiaoyao's strike. With a crisp sound, Bai Xiaoyao's hand pierced Golden Cicada's body.

However, no blood came from the wound, only an immense flow of Human Path Fortune and Destiny emanated from it, spreading through Bai Xiaoyao's arm and engulfing her body.

"Ah," Bai Xiaoyao screamed, the Human Path Fortune and Destiny burning her body like flames. Countless black vapors rose from her body and vanished into the void, revealing a grim visage of skull where once was beauty.

Her gaze slowly cleared, complex emotions flickered as she looked at Golden Cicada in front of her, memories of their past flashing through her mind as her hands gently brushed his face.

Lu Yu had never seen such a complex expression before—filled with regret, loss, dissatisfaction, and even hatred.

"Do I look very ugly like this?" she softly asked.

"All phenomena are empty, everything is like a dream, an illusion, like lightning and also a dream. In my eyes, you have always been Bai Xiaoyao, in the past and in the future as well," Golden Cicada said with his hands joined in prayer.

"Then, would you still wish to marry me?"

"The poor monk only wishes to travel everywhere, to confirm the teachings of Buddhism," Golden Cicada declared resolutely as he turned his head away, refusing to look at Bai Xiaoyao again.

Upon hearing his words, Bai Xiaoyao bitterly smiled. She said, "Golden Cicada, I hate you!" and then ran off wildly.

Lu Yu watched Bai Xiaoyao's fading silhouette, his brow furrowed. Although the demonic Qi within Bai Xiaoyao had been cleansed by the Human Path Fortune and Destiny, her cultivation technique remained intact; a potential disaster could erupt in the future. Since Golden Cicada was reluctant to act, he was hardly willing either.

After all, having been together for such a time, he found it unbearable to witness this tragic development yet unable to prevent it; Golden Cicada felt guilty, and so did Lu Yu.

A tear trickled from Golden Cicada's eye, landing on the ground and transforming into a crystal bead, sparkling with a pale blue gleam, extraordinarily warm.

This was Golden Cicada's tear, and also a Buddhist Disciple's tear. Having cultivated a human form since ancient times and adopted Buddhism, he had never experienced the full spectra of human emotions. It was only through reincarnation that he learned of worldly sufferings, shedding his first tear in this life.

"You cried!" Lu Yu said softly.

"Uncontrollable emotions bring forth sorrow; why would it be strange to shed tears?" Golden Cicada countered.

"It seems you've moved a step closer to Buddhism. Without picking up, how could you let go? I have possessed, how would I then lose it?"

"I've always known the layman possesses Buddha nature, but I didn't expect you to utter such deeply Zen words," Golden Cicada replied, joining his hands together.

"Don't you dare ask me to join your Buddhism; our ideals don't align," Lu Yu quickly waved his hands, already intricately linked with Buddhism, and he was wary of Golden Cicada saying something like being destined for Buddhism, as he had no desire to become a monk.

Watching the completion of Jinshan Temple, Golden Cicada hung the temple's plaque. Lu Yu was awed, with Bai Xiaoyao's words still echoing in his ears, yet now everything had changed, and it seemed unlikely that they would meet again.

He couldn't help but lament the impermanence of life, knowing that being someone with long-lasting life, he couldn't avoid witnessing the mortal comings and goings, separations, and deaths.

The only way was to constantly cleanse one's mind, to see clearly one's nature and not be disturbed by the chaotic world, thus avoiding calamities.

After Jinshan Temple was completed, Golden Cicada began gathering monks and teaching them Buddhism, while he himself remained seated on the mountain peak, overlooking Changan and silently absorbing the Human Path's Fortune and Destiny.

"Don't persist any longer; if you continue like this, your body will crack open." Lu Yu said, looking at the flickering Golden Cicada, who was now seemingly covered in cracks, with the vast Human Path Fortune and Destiny about to burst forth.

Golden Cicada also sighed and said, "Indeed, I have reached my limit, it seems it's time to head West, and I hope the layman can accompany me."

This had been previously discussed between Golden Cicada and Lu Yu, when he had reached the pinnacle of absorbing Fortune and Destiny, he would ask Lu Yu to accompany him on the Western journey, also as a preparation for his future.

Lu Yu was also very curious about what Golden Cicada's first journey West would be like, so he readily consented.

The next day, the two of them, along with Little Black Bear and Big Black Donkey and the monks from Jinshan Temple, bid farewell and embarked on the Western journey.

Unlike Tang Monk's journey West, Lu Yu's group progressed without any issues, not to mention demons and spirits; they didn't even encounter a single robbery, which left Big Black Donkey and Little Black Bear feeling quite bored.

Upon reaching the boundary of Great Tang, they saw a towering mountain, which reached high into the sky, grand and imposing. It was illuminated by thousands of Buddha Lights and auspicious Qi in abundance.

Golden Cicada stopped in his tracks and asked softly, "Is that the Five Elements Mountain ahead where Buddha Ancestor suppressed the Great Sage Equalling Heaven?"

"Exactly, it's where the monkey resides. He and I are good friends, so it's a good opportunity to visit him. Would you like to go?" Lu Yu was very curious about Golden Cicada's choice, not knowing what their first meeting would be like, these two people who were destined to have a master-disciple relationship. Read exclusive chapters at empire

"Since we're here, it's only right to visit him." After a long contemplation, Golden Cicada chanted a Buddha's name.

After finishing, he turned to Little Black Bear and Big Black Donkey and said, "This place is where Buddha Ancestor suppressed the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, overseen by numerous gods. We'll go in for a visit, you two better not come in and possibly displease the gods, creating trouble."

"What's there to see? Didn't you say he's just a monkey who once assumed the role of Protector of the Horse? I'm not going. I'll definitely be stronger than him in the future." Little Black Bear retorted with a snort.

Golden Cicada looked somewhat awkwardly at Lu Yu. These words were from Little Black Bear's persistent desire to become a Greater Demon, and to dissuade him, he had used Sun Wukong as an example, picking some of the monkey's darker history for persuasion. Now, standing in front of the monkey's friend, it was somewhat embarrassing.

Lu Yu did not mind at all; anyway, probably everyone with a bit of social know-how knew about the monkey's dark past, and it didn't matter whether Little Black Bear knew or not. But he thought to himself: If the monkey knew, he would probably make this arrogant Little Black Bear cry.

The two made their way deep into Five Elements Mountain and soon the Mountain God and Earth God were waiting at the entrance to receive them. After all, although Golden Cicada was reincarnated, his identity remained the same, being a direct disciple of Buddha Ancestor, certainly very dignified.

"We meet the Buddhist Disciple and Sir," the two said, courteously greeting them.

"You are too kind. We have come this time to visit the Great Saint, and we hope to be facilitated."

The two said they dared not delay and led them toward Five Elements Mountain. Lu Yu inwardly sighed; having status truly made things easier, unlike himself who always had to sneak around, never having Mountain God and Earth God lead the way like this.

Thinking of how the monkey was about to meet his destined Master, Lu Yu still felt a flutter of excitement, wondering what kind of sparks would fly at the first meeting between the two.