Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"Greetings, Holy Maiden!" countless people fervently called out as they looked up at the woman seated on the lotus dais.

"Mother Wusheng, homeland of the Void!" the woman spoke softly, her voice sweet as an oriole and filled with a soothing power. It rang in everyone's ears, making them feel as though they were beholding the most wonderful thing in the world, allowing their bodies to relax completely.

The zealous believers thought this was a grace bestowed by Mother Wusheng; in their delirium, they seemed to glimpse that beautifully depicted world, further solidifying their belief that their choice was not mistaken.

Observing the fervent expressions of the crowd below, several men exchanged looks behind the high platform.

"Big brother, where did you find this Holy Maiden? She is incredible!" a man asked in surprise.

"Shut up, you think I found her? She came to us of her own accord. If I hadn't agreed, today you wouldn't be seeing me here!" The leading man said with a wry smile, shivering at the thought of the woman's methods. Sometimes he even felt that perhaps there really was a Divine Spirit of Mother Wusheng in this world, and this woman was her envoy sent to the human realm.

Who would have thought that the Mother Wusheng Cult, which swept across the world, would turn out to be something these few guys accidentally concocted? If the believers saw their wise and valiant Sect Hierarch and protectors looking like this, the illusion of their world would probably shatter.

While the men were surreptitiously observing the scene outside, the woman seated on the White Lotus frowned slightly. Without moving her lips, a voice clearly reached the ears of the few men.

"Aren't you going to get ready properly? If you mess up, I'll hang you in the mountains to feed the tigers!"

At her words, the men instantly shuddered, not daring to be careless any longer. They hastily began to make themselves presentable; knowing that if this Demon Lord said something, she meant it. They were living comfortably now and had no desire to become tiger feed.

If Chen Xiang were here, he would certainly recognize the commanding figure seated on the White Lotus—it was none other than the Rakshasa Princess.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiang had already arrived at Wang Er's home with him, seeing several thatched cottages scattered haphazardly among the mountains, surrounded by wooden stakes, with a few gaunt men patrolling nearby.

Upon seeing Chen Xiang following Wang Er, they immediately showed a nervous demeanor, for Chen Xiang's rosy complexion, upright stature, and imposing demeanor suggested that he lived well. They mistook him for someone from the government office, aware of their whereabouts. With strict laws, if caught, not only would they face death, but their relatives and friends would also suffer the consequences.

Wang Er failed to notice their expressions and, upon seeing the guards, he ran up to them excitedly, shouting, "Everyone, come out, we're saved, the immortal is here, the immortal has come, we're saved!"

The words carried a sob, as they had struggled for too long in the darkness and now finally saw a glimmer of hope, they couldn't help but cry with joy.

The crowd stared at Wang Er with tear-stained face, standing motionless for a while before someone finally spoke up, "Did you all hear what Wang Er shouted clearly, 'immortal'?"

"I heard it, it was indeed an immortal; he said he brought an immortal back with him."

"What immortal exists in this world? If there were, why wouldn't they save us? My parents starved to death; they left their last bite of food for me so I could survive. My heart has long since gone cold, and I no longer believe in any immortals in this world," a man said coldly, lifting the weapon in his hand and warily watching Chen Xiang approach.

"Brother Liu, what are you doing? Don't be disrespectful to the immortal!" Wang Er quickly stepped forward to interject.

"Wang Er, move aside. What immortal? I think he's nothing but a swindler; don't be fooled by him!" Brother Liu tried to push Wang Er away but found that the young man was holding onto him tightly.

"Swindler, leave this place; we don't welcome you, nor do we have extra food for you. Leave now or I shall not be polite," he shouted angrily at Chen Xiang.

"Brother Liu, stay calm, this person here is a real Immortal, descended from the skies, and merely with a glare made the Mountain Lord flee in panic," Wang Er said as he urgently held onto Brother Liu.

Upon these words, the eyes of the people around instantly filled with reverence. In these mountains, a creature addressed as the Mountain Lord must be the fiercest of tigers, and such a beast was scared off by the stare of this young man before them, a feat that seemed explainable only by the presence of an immortal.

The skeptical Brother Liu lowered his weapon and stared intently at Chen Xiang as he asked in a deep voice, "Are you really an Immortal?"

"I am not, I am just a cultivator!" Chen Xiang shook his head and said.

"What is a cultivator?"

"One who pursues the Great Dao, a seeker of eternal life," Chen Xiang explained succinctly.

"Is there really such a thing as eternal life in this world?"

"Yes, by awakening the Five Qi, one may live as long as the heavens, and as long as one maintains a clear mind and nature, avoids disasters and calamities, one can achieve eternal life."

"So there really are immortals in this world, but why is it that we pray ceaselessly, hoping to receive the immortals' pity, only to end up dying in despair and helplessness?"

"Immortals cultivate the way of the heavens, live secluded from the world, and do not concern themselves with the affairs of the Human Path, unless by some fortunate coincidence they offer help. Furthermore, your prayers cannot be heard by immortals; immortals are not omnipotent," Chen Xiang patiently explained.

Amidst the crowd's enthusiastic company, Chen Xiang walked inside and saw countless children and elderly people lying on the ground. He couldn't help but express his surprise, "What's this?"

"They're starved. To ensure hunting, food in the stronghold is primarily provided to those in their prime. The elderly and children must endure for the time being," Wang Er said solemnly.

Chen Xiang was silent, his gaze fixed on the crowd. He could see that each of them had yellowish complexions and emaciated bodies, with exceptionally distended bellies—signs of severe hunger. They lay faintly breathing on the ground, adopting such a posture to minimize energy consumption and stave off the pangs of hunger as much as possible.

A small child, unable to bear the hunger, gently scooped up a handful of earth and swallowed it several times. Chen Xiang felt an overwhelming heaviness in his heart.

He silently turned around and walked outside. Wang Er, startled, cried out, "Immortal, where are you going?"

"Wait for me for a moment!" His voice trailed, but Chen Xiang's figure had already swiftly vanished before the eyes of the crowd.

"The Immortal hasn't abandoned us, has he?" someone cried out in despair.

However, no sooner had the voice faded than they saw Chen Xiang reappearing before them, this time holding a huge wild boar. The beast's heavy body was like a small toy in the hands of Chen Xiang, effortlessly lifted with one hand.

With a "thud," the carcass of the wild boar fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"What's this?"

"Consider it a gift of our first meeting. Now, hurry and prepare the firewood!" Chen Xiang said with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.