Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 629 - 346: The First Battle

At night, with the moon shining and stars sparse, Taoist Zi Yang sat meditating in his room, inhaling the essence of the moonlight. The moonlight, like flowing water, was gradually absorbed into his belly, from which a thunderclap-like sound emerged in an alarming scene. Taoist Zi Yang's body radiated a silvery glow, as if he had donned a layer of Rosy Clouds Robe.

As soon as Wang Tao entered the secluded courtyard, he caught sight of the Taoist nourishing himself with the essence of the moonlight and was so astonished that his mouth fell open.

Feeling Wang Tao's arrival, Taoist Zi Yang ceased his cultivation and the extraordinary phenomena immediately vanished. He looked up at Wang Tao and asked, "What brings you to me so late at night? Is there something urgent?"

Wang Tao quickly approached and said with utmost respect, "I must confess to my elder, my family has always been of the common folk, ignorant of the mysteries of heaven and earth. Having reached my current position through a stroke of luck, I find the path ahead hazy and uncertain. I have heard that Immortals can divine Heaven's Secret, and wish to inquire about my own Fortune and Destiny."

"Even if you hadn't come to me, there are some things I would've advised you on. I have cultivated for three hundred years, on the verge of ascension, yet remain in the mortal realm due to unresolved mortal ties. It was then that I thought to divine fortunes and discovered your predicament. Though you appear surrounded by prosperity, you are truly in dire peril. If you do not understand yourself, the obliteration of your lineage could occur in the blink of an eye," Taoist Zi Yang said gravely.

Wang Tao sprang to his feet in alarm at Taoist Zi Yang's words, a look of terror on his face. Reflecting carefully, he did not understand why his ancestor would say such things; he himself was now a Feudal Lord of considerable strength. If he played his cards right, even the imperial throne might be within his reach. So why talk of being in imminent danger?

"Let me ask you, after seeing my profound Mana, did you perhaps harbor grand ambitions, thinking the world was in the palm of your hand?"

This question made Wang Tao quite embarrassed, feeling as though Taoist Zi Yang's eyes could see right through to his heart. He nodded and said, "I must not conceal from my elder, it is indeed so."

"Do you know who stands behind Great Chu?"

"How would a mere commoner like me know such hidden matters? As a child, I only heard that Great Chu was descended from Immortals."

"You think it's just a legend? Great Chu is the lineage of the Dynastical Tea Sage, a true Immortal of Eternal Life and a Human Sage. His strength is so immense that even annihilating the Chu Kingdom would be as effortless as blowing away dust. With him there, Great Chu is as stable as Mount Tai."

"But in the end, Great Chu was destroyed!" Wang Tao asked, puzzled. With such a powerful Immortal as their backing, how could the kingdom fall? Moreover, when the bloodline of Great Chu was being exterminated, no Immortal intervened. How could this be?

"That was the Great Chu Dragon Court taking matters into its own hands, trying to extend The Dynasty's life by relying on the Fortune and Destiny of the Tea Sage. By severing their roots to defy fate and prolong their national destiny, they themselves caused their downfall. That's why the Ghost Deities loyal to Great Chu did not exert their power. Now, as the bloodline of Great Chu rises again, rallying the Fortune and Destiny, their advance may prove unstoppable," Taoist Zi Yang sighed softly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Tao's expression constantly shifted. Clenching his teeth, he asked, "So we just let it be? Surrender what I've built for myself on a silver platter? I can't accept this, elder!"

"Who told you to simply surrender? You must do what you need to do!"

Wang Tao was taken aback. If that was the case, why did the elder say all those things before? But then he heard Taoist Zi Yang's voice saying, "Since it was Great Chu who cut its own roots, do not blame the world's heroes for competing. Should you claim this dynastic land, even the Tea Saint would have no objections. I tell you this as a warning—if you succeed, all is well; if not, keep yourself useful. The world is in disarray, and if you're content not to be the emperor, then being a Feudal Lord is an acceptable path, especially with me at your back."

Wang Tao finally understood the elder's intentions: to strive as a human and leave his fate to the heavens. If his grand enterprise failed, it would be destined. With this thought, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and his entire body relaxed.

"If that is the case, elder, I shall give it my all. Lu Xun may wish to revitalize Great Chu, but he must get past me first," Wang Tao declared with renewed confidence.

Taoist Zi Yang waved his hand lightly and said, "Go now, and if you encounter any matter of the Ghost Deities, just come to me. However, in battle between two armies, avoid using underhanded tactics. You wouldn't want to shorten your life and fortune, nor spoil the harmony. Always leave a way out for yourself."

Thus, after that night, Wang Tao completely changed his approach. He actively facilitated the formation of the Allied Army, urging rivals to set aside their disagreements, and finally mustered a formidable army that set off mightily toward where Lu Xun was stationed.

Dark clouds loomed menacingly over the city as the vast army appeared on the horizon. The soldiers of Great Chu held their breath—there was an intense psychological pressure.

The soldiers gripped their weapons tighter, their lips dry with the immense psychological strain, nervously watching the slowly advancing army in the distance.

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Lu Xun stood atop the city walls with his subordinates, silently gazing at the distant army. The fierce wind whipped his cape into the air, dancing wildly.

"How many troops might that be? Surely hundreds of thousands at least," someone couldn't help but exclaim.

"Scared?" Chen Xiong teased with a wide grin.

"Scared? When has Madman Wang ever been afraid? No matter how many they are, each of my soldiers is worth a hundred of theirs," the bearded man bellowed.

Their conversation seemed to lighten the mood as the looming battle approached. Smiles of ease appeared on the faces of all the generals as they boasted they would strike hard at the enemy. Seeing this, Lu Xun silently nodded in approval. The morale was high; his soldiers and generals were not intimidated by the daunting numbers of the enemy. He felt a forty percent chance of victory in this battle.