Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

However, Lu Yu was indifferent to the hustle and bustle; he had only come to attend the banquet to see the Monkey. As for other Demon Kings who wished to talk to him, he did not refuse anyone who came, but he also had no desire to speak with those who didn't wish to engage with him, content to enjoy his own company.

The banquet lasted for seven days. Aside from attending on the first day, Lu Yu spent the following days wandering among the mountains and waters of Huaguo Mountain, enjoying himself with a semblance of a True Immortal with the Way. The Monkey knew his temperament well and didn't disturb him, allowing Lu Yu to enjoy a rare tranquility.

One day, Lu Yu climbed a mountain to watch the sunrise. The sea in the distance birthed clouds and mists. In the early morning, the balance of yin and yang manifested, pure Qi rose, and turbid Qi descended, the Qi of the Primordial Yuan erupted, creating and transforming the myriad things of heaven and earth.

"How great is the Primordial Yuan, from which all things draw their beginning; it truly governs heaven." Watching this miraculous scene, Lu Yu couldn't help but recite the words he had seen in Taoist scriptures, understanding the principles they talked about.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He knew that the gains he was making now might not seem evident, but they would all become nourishment for his cultivation, and there would come a time when he could make use of them.

"Scholar, you're really enjoying yourself!" With a leap, the Monkey jumped to Lu Yu's side. He had finally sent off all the Demon Kings who had come to the banquet and had hurried over to see an old friend.

"I'm but a mere idler, how can I be as busy as you, Great Sage Equalling Heaven, in welcoming and sending off guests every day! I only hope you haven't forgotten that cultivation is the foundation.

Fame is but a passing cloud, and one must not mistake the means for the end!" Lu Yu said to the excited Monkey, knowing that someone had already designed his path of cultivation, but still felt compelled to remind him.

After all, external forces are ultimately just that, external. Although the Monkey's consumption of Peaches of Immortality and theft of the Golden Core made his mana formidable and envied by many, the downside of such rapid progress was that it was all mana with no cultivation insight, meaning his lack of Daoist nature also invisibly limited his development.

"Scholar, you're still like the same old bookish tutor! Don't worry, I haven't neglected my cultivation amid the fun—I certainly don't want you surpassing me!" the Monkey said with an air of generosity.

"That Binding Spell you used earlier, you must teach me. It's really powerful! If you don't teach me, I won't let you leave!" The Monkey, recalling how Lu Yu had immobilized the Serpent King, was eager and immediately started to plead with Lu Yu.

"It's possible to teach you the Binding Spell, but have you slacked off in your cultivation lately?" Lu Yu couldn't resist nagging a bit more.

"I've figured out that Divine Skill of three heads and six arms you mentioned before. I'll teach you too, I certainly won't take any advantage of you, Scholar," Sun Wukong stated with a generous expression.

Lu Yu looked at the Monkey, feigning grandeur, silently knowing this guy's temperament. If there was any other spell that caught his interest, he would pester him day and night until he learned it. The Law of Heaven and Earth was learned from him in just such a manner.

However, he hadn't expected that the Monkey would really deduce the Divine Skill of three heads and six arms from the bits and pieces he had mentioned, and Lu Yu couldn't help but inwardly sigh at how the Lingming Stone Monkey was indeed perspicacious and wise at heart.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyun, who had descended the mountain to bid farewell to his teacher, had also reached Yuzhou. Looking at the grand Yuzhou mansion before him, Liu Qingyun sighed with a multitude of emotions, recalling his home was once in such a mansion. It was a pity that the once majestic homeland had now been buried in flames, and visiting now would likely only yield a view of ruins.

The soldiers guarding the gate saw a strange young man, thinking he was another admirer of their General. Recently, Lu Zhang had taken complete control over all the powers of Yuzhou. Under his diligent governance, the people of Yuzhou were living peacefully and prosperously, with each day better than the last.

As such, many were grateful to Lu Zhang, and numerous young people looked up to him as their idol, with visitors frequently coming to pay their respects.

However, the General's Mansion had its own troubles lately. Before the new year, Yuzhou had waged war with the neighboring state of Jinzhou. Unexpectedly, the leading general, Lu Zhang, was injured by a hidden arrow and had since been bedridden, unable to rise. Consequently, the war had been progressing unfavorably, and morale was running low.

"Young man, don't linger around the General's Mansion. Our General doesn't have so much free time to meet with you. If you are seeking to enlist, it's a pity, because you should head to the big camp in the west of the city to join the army.

The General loves his soldiers like children, often sharing their hardships – you're more likely to see him there," said the soldier at the gate, not forgetting to advertise for the mansion's recruiting camp.

"Please report that the old home's Liu Qingyun has come to visit!"

Only then did the military officer notice Liu Qingyun's extraordinary bearing, clad in a white robe with a long spear on his back, his face like a bright moon and his eyes like stars, truly remarkable. Not daring to show any negligence in his heart, he hurried into the mansion to report.

Soon, Han Jiangxue was seen running out with her son, Lu Chengqian. Seeing the young man who had grown up before her eyes, she exclaimed with joy, "Qingyun is here! Did your uncle come with you?" she finished, looking behind Liu Qingyun.

"Qingyun pays his respects to sister-in-law. The teacher did not come this time; he only ordered me to descend the mountain to support Big Brother Lu!"

Han Jiangxue, upon hearing this, inevitably showed a look of disappointment. However, she also knew that a cultivation practitioner like Lu Yu tended to lead a reclusive life. She then spoke warmly to Liu Qingyun, "It's really great that you came. Your Big Brother Lu mentioned you just a few days ago, saying you promised to come help us after completing your studies, yet you were nowhere to be seen."

Afterward, she led Liu Qingyun into the mansion, while pulling her son to the front, "This is my son, Lu Chengqian. You young men should get to know each other well."

Han Jiangxue naturally knew of Liu Qingyun's capabilities and naturally hoped her son could establish a good relationship with him.

Liu Qingyun did not refuse, as he was also curious about Lu Chengqian, who was the grandson of his own master.

In the conversation that followed, Liu Qingyun found that although Lu Chengqian was young, he possessed exceptional insight. Having helped his father with state affairs from a young age, he was indeed remarkably capable.

Moreover, with his gentle demeanor and lacking the fierce aura of Lu Zhang, he indeed made a favorable impression, which prompted Liu Qingyun to praise him, much to the delight of Han Jiangxue.

The servants passing by had never seen their mistress so amiable with a young man. Knowing that Han Jiangxue ran a tight ship at home, rarely indulging in smiles and laughter, even with the Princely Heir Lu Chengqian, she had never been so approachable.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, they found Lu Zhang lying in bed, his complexion pale. Next to him sat an extremely portly Taoist, conversing about something unknown.

"Big Brother Lu, what happened to you?" Liu Qingyun asked.

"Ah, Qingyun, I'm embarrassed for you to see me like this. A few days ago, I was careless on the campaign and took a poisoned arrow shot. If not for Taoist Priest Chang Chunzi concocting an antidote, you probably wouldn't be able to see me!" Lu Zhang spoke of the incident with some residual fear.

"No wonder the teacher said Big Brother Lu you recently faced a difficulty. Then my arrival is timely. Speaking of which, the old apricot tree in the courtyard bore fruit, the teacher asked me to bring some for you to taste." He then took out apricots from his luggage.

Seeing that the apricots were golden like jade, with a golden aura seemingly flowing around them, Lu Zhang inhaled their fresh scent, which made him feel incredibly comfortable, and he joyfully said, "I didn't expect that I would still be able to taste the fruits of this old apricot tree. I remember eating them often as a child, I wonder if the taste has changed!"