Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

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"Don't be lazy; I'm well aware of your strength. Though this thunder might resemble the Thunder Calamity, it's still not the real Heavenly Tribulation Thunder," Iron-Crutch Li said speechlessly, knowing full well that his old friend Han Zhongli was always fond of taking the easy way out.

After saying this, Iron-Crutch Li turned his head to look at Lu Yu, his meaning clear without words.

Lu Yu smiled and said, "Lu has his methods; Daoist friend needs not worry."

Iron-Crutch Li nodded; he also knew that someone like Lu Yu wasn't too afraid of the severe consequences of the three calamities.

"Immortal Chief, could you take us along for a part of the way? We are not greedy, we just want to broaden our horizons," Yu Ji said, unlike the other two, with a rather thick skin. Seeing Lu Yu and the others preparing to enter the vortex, he quickly spoke up to request.

He had the self-awareness to know treasures coveted by someone like Iron-Crutch Li had nothing to do with him, but if he could travel with these great immortals, even a tiny bit of what slipped through their fingers would be enough for him to benefit from for a lifetime.

Nan Hua and Zuo Ci shared this sentiment, but their modesty prevented them from speaking out.

"Since we've met, it's fate. Since you've made this request, what harm is there for me to bring you along? However, fortune and misfortune are unpredictable here. Even I cannot guarantee my safety, let alone yours. You must think this over," Iron-Crutch Li said with a grave look to the three of them.

"Immortal Chief, rest assured, life and death are destined, and wealth and honor are in heaven's hands. We three will not blame you," Yu Ji said earnestly, and Nan Hua and Zuo Ci also showed resolute expressions. They were not willing to give up such an opportunity; the pursuit of the Great Dao is filled with competition.

"Good, since you've made up your minds, I, Lao Lee, will take you with me."

After saying this, Iron-Crutch Li took out a gourd, beautifully shaped and gleaming with a dark luster. He gently lifted the gourd's cap, and to Yu Ji and the others' surprise, they found themselves starting to shrink. Iron-Crutch Li then aimed the mouth of the gourd at them, and a suction force emerged.

Next thing they knew, the scenery changed, and they found themselves in a mysterious space with curved walls all around them. Yu Ji tapped the wall with his hand, and it made a crisp sound as if knocking on a gourd.

"The abilities of immortals are indeed frightening; he has put us into the gourd," said the usually quiet Nan Hua with a sigh.

"All set, we can now take them with us," Iron-Crutch Li, outside the gourd, put the gourd away and said to Lu Yu and the other with a smile.

"Daoist friend truly has broad and profound divine skills; such a method is truly extraordinary," Lu Yu praised.

Iron-Crutch Li was pleased by Lu Yu's words, his bearded face full of smiles as he said to Lu Yu, "You flatter me, Daoist friend."

"That's why people say, one never knows what kind of medicine this fellow has in his gourd," Han Zhongli also said with a laugh.

Lu Yu knew that Iron-Crutch Li often healed the sick and saved lives, but no one ever knew exactly how many kinds of medicine were in his precious gourd, hence such a saying.

"Hahaha, Daoist friends, Lao Lee will take his leave first," Iron-Crutch Li said with a laugh.

He then walked into the vortex as if on a stroll, and immediately, thunder struck down. However, his crutch emitted a glow that blocked all the thunder outside, and he walked in with ease and contentment.

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"Then Daoist Lu, I shall also go," Han Zhongli said, waving his palm fan and cradling his large belly, he waddled into the vortex. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Thunder struck, and with a gentle wave of his fan, the impending lightning was dismissed to the side, quickly vanishing from Lu Yu's sight.

Lu Yu smiled as he watched the two Immortals enter, gently summoning the Treasure Vase, which instantly appeared overhead, pouring down thousands of streams of radiant light to protect him. At that moment, he was invulnerable to all evil and untouchable by any magic. He strolled through the maelstrom of thunder as if he were walking in a leisurely courtyard.

Soon after the trio entered the vortex, an old man arrived. He had a long, snow-white beard, and both his hair and beard were of the same snowy hue. He rode a donkey backwards.

"Oh dear! It seems this old man is a step too late; someone has gone in before me. Donkey, oh donkey, you must show some spirit, we cannot be left behind," the old man lamented as he gently patted the donkey's rear.

Carrying the old man, the donkey calmly walked into the vortex. Facing the thunder, the donkey bizarrely opened its mouth and swallowed the lightning, chewing carefully as if it had tasted some exquisite delicacy of the human world.

"Don't be greedy, these things are tasty but hard to digest," the old man's figure faded away, leaving behind this remark echoing over Dongting Lake.

With a boom, the lake stirred with huge waves, and a young monk emerged from the water. He radiated golden light all over, with a burly physique and an inexplicably fierce aura.

The monk was breathless, and though unscarred, his monk's robe was torn and tattered. In frustration, he bellowed, "Lord Qiantang, have you lost your mind? Why must you make it so difficult for this little monk?"

No sooner had the monk's voice fallen than a massive wave surged. A tremendous True Dragon leapt from the lake, baring teeth and claws as it circled in the sky, its scales shimmering bright.

An imposing voice echoed over the lake, "Since you dared to claim the title Dragon Tamer, you should have anticipated this day. I am eager to see for myself what abilities you possess that allow you to call yourself the Dragon Tamer Arhat."

The Dragon Tamer Arhat was at a loss for words. His title was, after all, somewhat problematic; the Dragon Clan were once rulers of heaven and earth, and even now, there are still mighty dragon beings existing in the three realms.

But he couldn't blame himself. He and Tiger-Taming Arhat were disciples of the same master, always inseparable. Both attained enlightenment at the same time and were ordained as Arhats. Since Tiger-Taming Arhat had famously subdued a fierce tiger in the mortal realm, he received the title of Tiger-Taming Arhat. In order to have related and symmetrical titles, they gave him the name Dragon Tamer Arhat.

In truth, he had never subdued a True Dragon, but as the fame of his title spread, everyone came to believe this unfounded rumor, which caused him much distress.

Particularly now, with Lord Qiantang, a known hot-headed member of the Dragon Clan, who once, over the abuse of his niece by the tenth son of the Jing River Dragon King, barged into the Jing River Dragon Palace and swallowed the Dragon Son whole.

Such a temperamental Dragon Lord's reaction upon encountering the Dragon Tamer Arhat was predictable. From their first meeting, the Dragon Tamer Arhat had not enjoyed a moment's peace. This combative Dragon Lord seemed to have endless energy, ever ready for battle.

"Dragon Lord, if you keep pushing me like this, don't blame me for being impolite," the Dragon Tamer Arhat said sternly, with genuine anger.

"Little Monk, enough nonsense. Let's fight," Lord Qiantang said bluntly, asking for battle.

"Very well!" the Dragon Tamer Arhat shouted, and in a transformation, he became the Arhat Golden Body, with fierce and brilliant golden light erupting from him.