Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Buddhism also has its wrathful Vajra Guardians, and at this moment, the Dragon Tamer Arhat embodied the very image of an angered Buddhist figure, as he stretched out both hands attempting to capture the True Dragon.

However, a True Dragon was not so easily captured. Lord Qiantang, a master of the Dragon Clan, was the leader of the Aquatic Tribes; though an expert in the mastery of fire, he could ignite his body in a fierce blaze that did not cower in the slightest before the Dragon Tamer Arhat.

As the Dragon Tamer Arhat's hands grasped Lord Qiantang's body, powerful flames surged out, enveloping the Dragon Tamer Arhat completely, the intense heat causing waves to rise all around as countless plumes of white mist flew out from Dongting, shrouding Yunmeng.

"The vapor steams over Yunmeng Marsh." Some distant onlookers exclaimed in awe at the sight.

Others believed they were witnessing immortals descending to earth, falling to their knees in prayer, silently hoping that the immortals would bless their wishes to come true.

At this time, the Dragon Tamer Arhat and Lord Qiantang paid no mind to the changing scenes around them, as they were too preoccupied exchanging blows in an intense and lively skirmish.

One was an Arhat of Western Buddhism, the other a True Dragon, one with a body as hard as iron, and the other with the unyielding Arhat Golden Body.

Thus, the battle quickly turned into hand-to-hand combat, one throwing punches, the other slashing claws, trading kicks and bites. After hundreds of rounds, neither was able to prevail over the other.

"Lord Qiantang, if we keep fighting like this, all the benefits will be taken by others, and we will return empty-handed," the Dragon Tamer Arhat shouted, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. It was evident the Dragon Lord had delivered a powerful blow, making a Buddhist master endowed with the Arhat Golden Body bleed.

On the other hand, Lord Qiantang was not faring any better. Every punch from the Dragon Tamer Arhat felt as if he was striking iron when it hit his body. Although it wasn't visibly apparent, upon closer inspection, blood traces could be seen between the gaps of Lord Qiantang's scales.

"Fine, let's settle our score inside the minor world," said Lord Qiantang, taking the opportunity to agree quickly.

After all, his main purpose for coming here was for the fallen site of Leize. As for the Dragon Tamer Arhat, there was plenty of time to deal with him later. Let's not forget that the Dongting Dragon Lord was his brother.

Seeing Lord Qiantang agree to his request, the Dragon Tamer Arhat inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, finally achieving a cease-fire.

Both men, now resting from the battle, turned their gaze towards the vortex and noticed the constant flickering of purple thunder within.

"Little Monk, this thunder is not to be taken lightly. If you regret this, there's still time to turn back. Otherwise, once we enter the vortex and the thunder strikes, it would be such a pity for all your achievements to go to waste," Lord Qiantang said mockingly.

"There's no need for Dragon Lord to worry about me. The humble monk has his own methods. It is the Dragon Lord who should be cautious. After all, this mighty being holds a grudge against your Dragon Clan," the Dragon Tamer Arhat replied defiantly, not willing to concede, taunting in return.

"Hmph!" Seeing that he couldn't gain the upper hand verbally, Lord Qiantang snorted coldly, vibrated his true form, and plunged into the vortex.

Amidst the flickering purple thunder, Lord Qiantang roared towards the heavens as his scales expanded, accompanied by wind and rain, undeterred by the might of the thunder, he charged head-on and swiftly disappeared into the vortex.

As he was about to leave, he turned back to taunt the Dragon Tamer Arhat, "Little Monk, old dragon I'm heading off first. Don't fall too far behind."

The Dragon Tamer Arhat chuckled lightly. The Dragon Lord Qiantang really was someone who hated to be at a disadvantage, attracting such an opponent was indeed frustrating.

He walked on the water surface, slowly heading toward the whirlpool. Soon, thunder flickered, and purple thunder struck at him like relentless swords. The Dragon Tamer Arhat's Golden Body shimmered, blocking the assaults of the thunder.
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However, as time passed, the golden light on his body faded, and he thought to himself that Lord Qiantang must have discovered this secret, which explained his brash behavior.

However, the Dragon Tamer Arhat had his own methods. He raised his palm, upon which the symbol of a swastika was shining with golden light. The purple thunder was halted by this golden light, as if frozen in mid-air, and the Dragon Tamer Arhat walked slowly into the vortex under the watchful protection of the thunder.

After his figure disappeared into the whirlpool, the thunder that had been suspended in the air suddenly revived, as if venting its fury, turning the whole Dongting Lake into an ocean of thunder.

"My word, this path seems to be impassable now," a young man said in a low voice as he watched the raging thunder.

"Wonder which heartless one did this. Now, it seems impossible to enter the vortex. Alas, I must take another path," the young man murmured to himself.

After saying this, he transformed into a monstrous creature with dazzling plumage and bulging body. Spanning twelve feet in diameter, it resembled a snapping turtle. Its two pointed feet were like hooks, and its nine heads clustered together. When it spread its wings, it could soar with ease, rivaling the mighty Dapeng in strength; its call reverberated to the edges of the sky, higher than the crane.

Its many eyes sparkled with golden light, its proud aura distinct from common birds—it was, in fact, the Hydra from Journey to the West.

The Hydra revealed its true form, letting out a roar to the sky. From its nine heads, a drop of blood flew from each, twirling in the air. The drops of blood spun faster and faster until they could no longer be distinguished, appearing as a ring of blood flying in the air.

A cryptic power descended upon the area, and instantly a passageway appeared within the ring, emitting a violent aura from within.

"There really is another path!" the Hydra said delightfully as it flapped its wings and flew into the passageway, soon to be out of sight.

Meanwhile, the whirlpool in Dongting Lake gradually shrank until it disappeared, as if it had never been there at all.

Lu Yu, with the Treasure Vase above his head, avoided the thunder and entered a mystical world, where there was no sun, moon, or stars—only endless flickers of thunder.

The place he appeared was above vast waters, but upon closer inspection, these waters were not seawater; they were thunder condensed into a liquid state.

"I've seen no sign of Iron-Crutch Li or Han Zhongli; it seems the teleportation is random," Lu Yu muttered to himself.

As he surveyed his surroundings, he found that thunder was everywhere in a world composed entirely of thunder. Even the clouds floating in the sky were formed of thunder. Lu Yu had intended to ride the clouds, but as soon as he stepped on one, endless thunder attacked him.

Fortunately, the Treasure Vase was miraculous enough to block each strike; otherwise, just one of those attacks could have gravely wounded him.

This experience curbed his desire to ride the clouds, leading him to decide to walk slowly in this world and feel the power of thunder more closely. As for the Thunder Seal mentioned by Iron-Crutch Li, he was not in a hurry. Such treasures were surely not obtained so easily, and he expected numerous obstacles ahead.

He still believed in the saying: "What is predestined will come to be, and what is not, let us not force."