Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

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"If I'm not mistaken, this is none other than the Freezing Curse. I never thought that besides the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, there would be someone else who knows this Technique," said the person leaning on a walking stick softly.

This statement instantly made the house servants dare not move. A Spell mentioned by an Immortal must be extraordinary, and they felt their young master had probably kicked an iron plate this time.

"Judging by the appearance of the two Daoist friends, could it be Han Zhongli and Iron-Crutch Li?" Lu Yu asked with a smile.

"Indeed, it is us two. We wonder which Divine Spirit you are, and why we have never seen you before?" Iron-Crutch Li looked at Lu Yu in surprise, not expecting someone to know their names.

"Just a Loose Cultivator, Lu Yu."

Lu Yu introduced himself, which greatly surprised Iron-Crutch Li and his companion. Although they had never seen Lu Yu in person, they had heard about him. Since it was Lu Yu, it made sense that he knew the Freezing Curse, especially since in the rumors, he shared an incomparable friendship with the Great Sage Equalling Heaven.

"So it is Daoist Lu in person, a renowned name I've long heard of but never had the chance to see. I didn't expect such an unexpected encounter here," said Iron-Crutch Li and Han Zhongli, smiling and clasping their hands together in greeting.
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"Did Daoist Lu also come for the Leize?" Han Zhongli asked directly.

Lu Yu hadn't expected Han Zhongli to ask so directly, and after a moment of surprise, he replied, "Indeed, I have come for this Ancient God."

"There's no mistake then. Nowadays, with the great changes in heaven and earth, many once-hidden small worlds are gradually emerging within the Three Realms. After the great god Leize fell, he formed a world of his own, hidden within Dongting. It has been elusive for so long, but now there seem to be signs of it emerging."

"It seems the two Daoist friends know quite a bit, unlike me, who only knows there are opportunities here. As for what exactly they are, I am in the dark," said Lu Yu with a smile. The Emperor of Fengdu, who speaks little and cryptically, told him of the opportunity here, leaving it up to him whether to take it or not.

"This news has already started spreading throughout the Three Realms, I expect even more Daoist friends to arrive in a few days, for the opportunity this time is not a small one," Han Zhongli explained.

"What sort of opportunity is it that attracts the attention of so many from the Immortal Clan?" Lu Yu grew even more curious about this so-called opportunity. These were beings who had activated the Five Qi; in an era where great powers seldom appeared, they were considered among the top forces in the Three Realms.

After exchanging glances, Han Zhongli and Iron-Crutch Li realized that Lu Yu truly knew nothing and was not being deceptive. They felt a sense of wonder that there could still be someone so cut off from such news in the world.

What they did not know was that, though Lu Yu had many friends, they were either too low in status to be privy to the affairs of the Immortals or too high above to care much about them, leaving him in the dark about such matters.

"This matter is widely known. This part of the world is what Leize transformed into after his death. Although most of his authority was reclaimed by the Heavenly Dao, he still left behind a Thunder Seal. Whoever obtains this Thunder Seal will be able to command thunder, with a great chance of comprehending the essence of Heavenly Thunder.

Even if they don't discover much, the Thunder Seal alone will help us better endure one of the Three Calamities—the Thunder Calamity," Han Zhongli and Iron-Crutch Li explained.

Lu Yu nodded silently, acknowledging that Heavenly Thunder was always considered the strongest offense. Moreover, the Thunder Seal's potential to enhance the chance of surviving the Three Calamities naturally made it highly coveted.

"Would Daoist Lu be willing to accompany us two on this journey?" Iron-Crutch Li extended the invitation to Lu Yu.

"I would like nothing better, and would not dare to have it otherwise," Lu Yu replied with a smile, clasping his hands. Then, he summoned an Auspicious Cloud under his feet, standing side by side with Iron-Crutch Li and his companion.

Looking down at the densely packed crowd below, Han Zhongli asked, "How does Daoist friend intend to deal with this mortal?">

"Although he is boorish and unreasonable, his offenses do not warrant death. I am not so petty as to quarrel with a man whose life is nearly over. However, while he may escape the death penalty, he cannot escape punishment. Let him stay put here for a few days; he won't starve to death," Lu Yu said with a chuckle.

"Daoist friend, that's a good plan. It spares his life and serves as a warning to others, well done," Han Zhongli clapped and laughed.

Having said this, the three Immortals no longer concerned themselves with the mortals below. Riding the Auspicious Cloud, they flew toward the center of Dongting Lake, sensing the stirrings of the hidden small world that was about to reveal itself.

At that moment, a sudden whirlpool appeared in the center of the previously calm Dongting Lake, emitting purple thunderbolts. Many people had already gathered around, their auras profound as they solemnly scrutinized the whirlpool before them.

"There must be Treasure inside that whirlpool. Zuo Ci, do you dare to dive in and explore?" asked a white-haired old Taoist in a Taoist Robe, smiling as he spoke.

"Yu Ji, don't provoke me. That thunderbolt's power is on par with Heavenly Thunder, and if I rushed in, I'd likely perish. Since you, Yu Ji, have always claimed to know a myriad of techniques, surely you have some ingenious plan to help us through," Zuo Ci retorted fiercely, unwilling to show weakness.

"Ah, that is most unfortunate. If I could enter, wouldn't I have done so already? Why would I still be here, comparing snouts with you two?"

"Why must your quarrel also involve me?" said the person in the Taoist Robe, who appeared extremely aged with white hair and a long beard almost reaching his chest.

"How could we leave you out of such affairs, Nan Hua?" said Yu Ji with a mischievous smile.

"I wonder what exactly is in that whirlpool. The mere leakage of this bit of thunder is enough to strike terror into one's heart," Nan Hua remarked, ignoring Yu Ji's tease, his brows furrowed with a solemn expression.

The three remained where they were, reluctant to leave so easily, yet without any viable means to penetrate the thunder and enter the vortex.

Just then, they saw an Auspicious Cloud drifting towards them from afar, with three distinct Immortals standing upon it, each exuding an extraordinary presence.

All three present were born of the Taoist Sect, and Iron-Crutch Li was very famous early in his Daoist career. Therefore, each of them promptly paid their respects and greeted him.

"We greet the High Immortal."

Iron-Crutch Li smiled in return, saying, "I didn't expect there would be Daoist friends here even before us."

The three responded, "It is to our shame that we three have already been here for some time, yet the vortex emitted thunderbolts so powerful that we couldn't advance an inch and are now hesitating here."

Iron-Crutch Li, after carefully observing the thunderbolts emerging from the vortex, said with a laugh, "This is the Purple Cloud Thunderbolt, a kind of thunder that only appears during the Three Calamities of the Heavenly Immortals. As Cultivators of the Human Immortal Dao, it is natural that you haven't heard of it."

"Do the two Daoist friends have any good ideas?" Iron-Crutch Li turned to ask Lu Yu and Han Zhongli.

"Lao Lee, don't look at me. I haven't yet gone through the Three Calamities, so I don't have any good ideas about this thunder," Han Zhongli said, waving his hand.

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