Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The elderly and children sprawled on the ground's eyes lit up with a terrifying glow when they heard the news, a hunger for food glowing in their eyes.

However, the strong man named Liu and Wang Er knew very well that this enormous wild boar was the Demon Lord that had been ravaging the forest; many of their own had died at the hands of this beast.

Yet, the beast they had once thought was nearly a spirit lay at their feet in the blink of an eye, now a body to be slaughtered at will. Chen Xiang's strength had become even more concrete in their minds.

"Indeed, an immortal has descended!" Brother Liu muttered to himself, tears streaming from his eyes as he continuously recalled his dead kin, suddenly feeling that his survival in this dark world might have been just to witness this day.

The children were not thinking as deeply; they only knew that the boar, large as a small hill, was food — enough to fill their bellies completely.

"Be careful not to eat too much, or your stomachs will suffer," Chen Xiang cautioned softly.

"Divine Lord, don't worry about us, we old folks are watching," an elderly man said with a laugh, his excitement showing on his withered and old face. Amid despair, he had seen hope and wanted to see what the world would turn into, to talk to his old friends and relatives beneath the Nether Springs.

The starved people's eagerness for the food was beyond imagination, and in no time, the gruesome boar turned into a dish on everyone's table; many gulped saliva staring at the served meat, yet no one dared to start eating because the immortal had not yet spoken.

Seeing everyone silently staring at him, Chen Xiang knew they were waiting for him to give the order. He had not expected to ever experience such a day; as a child, he might have been so excited he couldn't have slept for three days and three nights, but now he just felt bitter.

"Everyone, eat!" Chen Xiang said quietly, under the gaze of many hopeful eyes.

People cheered and began to relish in the lavish feast, with hot, freshly cooked meat scalding their hands but they didn't mind, their eyes only on the food.

The meat disappeared at a visible rate, and Chen Xiang had never imagined that human appetites could be so terrifying.

At last, everyone was stuffed, lying on the ground motionless, since any movement caused severe stomach pain. Many children still wanted to eat more but were stopped by several elders, as eating more could harm their spleens and stomachs, and the meat wasn't going anywhere.

After eating their fill, a look of happiness radiated from everyone's faces; they felt as if they were living in a dream. They raised their heads almost simultaneously, looking at the standing Chen Xiang, their faces filled with respect and gratitude — it was this young immortal who had enabled them to have a hearty meal.

Under the lead of the elders, everyone kneeled and thanked Chen Xiang for his great kindness, which made the young immortal somewhat uneasy.

"This really isn't necessary, it was just a simple effort for me," Chen Xiang said, waving his hands.

"What may be a simple effort in the eyes of an immortal represents a life-saving grace to us. You deserve this respect," the leading elder said earnestly.

Chen Xiang, looking at the people kneeling before him, their faces brimming with sincerity and gratitude, suddenly felt an impulse to do something for them.

In the Capital City, winds of change blew ominously as dark clouds hung over the city, creating a suffocating atmosphere. The Emperor who had ruled for twelve years lay critically ill, and the battle among the three princes was intensifying.

Many citizens had long shut their doors; in this troubled autumn, those sensitive souls were extremely careful, knowing that such times in previous years had always led to rivers of blood.

A gusting wind howled past as a man clad in black slowly walked into the city, bringing with it the storms of the entire city, it was the rejuvenated Xu Fu.

Xu Fu moved leisurely along the Great Dao, gazing at the familiar buildings on both sides, his face rarely showing a nostalgic expression.

"It's you, the despicable betrayer," an aged voice echoed from the end of the road.

"I didn't expect you old fellow to still be alive, how wonderful, to see an old friend after so many years," Xu Fu said with a smile on his face, his words tinged with sincerity.

"I certainly don't want to see you!"

"Haha, my allegiance was to that great Emperor, and since he has died, I am now a free man, where does the question of betrayal arise?" Xu Fu responded, curling his lip.

"If it weren't for you hoarding the Eternal Life Pill, the Emperor wouldn't have died."

"You are merely deceiving yourselves. Once the Emperor failed to overcome the Heavenly Court, there was no chance for him to survive; after all, which Divine Spirit wouldn't seize the chance against him? Don't forget what origins Emperor Ziwei comes from," Xu Fu said gravely, mercilessly unveiling the past that the Qi Cultivators were reluctant to mention.

"Shut up!" the old voice cried out angrily.

"Indeed, when paths differ, consult not the same," Xu Fu murmured to himself.

"I came here only to tell you, leave this place, or else it shall be your graveyard."

"After so many years, you're still the same, clinging to impossible hopes to live out your remaining days, truly archaic," Xu Fu whispered with a light laugh, then disappeared into the wind within the Capital City.

"Honored Master, has he really left?" Huan Xingzi's voice emerged from nearby.

"He has merely left temporarily-if he had stayed a moment longer, the Bright Mirror would have claimed his life. However, from what I know of him, he must be lurking outside the city, waiting for the right moment to come back for the treasures left by the Emperor," the elder responded.

"He must have taken the opportunity when Zhao Pu entered to sneak in," Huan Xingzi speculated, already aware of how Zhao Pu had entered this world and curious about the yet unseen Chen Xiang, who, if his suspicions were correct, should be a person from the legendary Immortal Dao.

"Although I loath to admit it, Xu Fu was indeed the most talented and gifted among us, otherwise the Emperor would not have entrusted him with the task of the Eternal Life Pill. After all these years, no one knows just how powerful he has become now," the aged voice sighed long, as former companions withered away, and the hope for the resurrection of the First Emperor grew dim.

In fact, deep inside, he knew that Xu Fu was right, the Emperor he served could no longer be resurrected, and perhaps the stubbornness in their hearts had only sustained them all these years. There was a time when they were about to turn the heavens and the earth, but they never imagined failing so close to success, and now all they could do was struggle feebly for survival.

"Alas, perhaps the perseverance of thousands of years is about to come to an end, and we old fellows will eventually meet our own fate."

"Honored Master! You mustn't be too pessimistic, Zhao Pu brings with him the bloodline of the Imperial Family, isn't this a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom?" Huan Xingzi comforted the elder.