Reward settlement
Meanwhile, the Many-Eyed Monster saw that Ao Tu was about to enter the Douniu Palace and quickly stopped him.
Ao Tu asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
The Many-Eyed Monster asked, "Brother Daoist, do you know where this is?"
Ao Tu said, "Of course I know, this place is called the Douniu Palace."
The Many-Eyed Monster said, "Brother Daoist, the Douniu Palace is the residence of the Emperor Star! It might be inappropriate to just barge in like this."
Ao Tu listened and pondered, then said, "I've never thought of that before. But if we don't go in, how will we invite them?"
Chapter 9
The Many-Eyed Monster pulled Ao Tu to the side of the palace and Earthly Way, "Brother Dao, I've heard that the Heavenly Realm has many rules and regulations, so I dare not act rashly. In my opinion, it would be better to ask someone to inform your Star Lords friend first and inquire whether it would be convenient for us to meet. If he has official business to attend to, we shouldn't disturb him casually. We can invite him another day."
Ao Tu nodded in agreement, saying, "That's true."
As the two were talking, an old man with a sage-like demeanor came from afar. Upon seeing Ao Tu, he hurried over and said, "Your Great King is rarely seen. Why have you come here today in such a state? And why are you standing outside the palace instead of going inside?"
Ao Tu laughed and said, "I came to invite you Star Lords to a gathering because I wanted to test the great formation at Pansi Ridge and Yellow Flower Temple in the Western Ox Continent of the Lower Realm. However, when I arrived outside the Douniu Palace, I realized that the palace is the residence of the Emperor Star, and it is inconvenient for me, in my demon body, to enter without permission. I was just thinking of asking someone to inform you when you arrived."
Taibai Jinxing laughed and said, "No need to say more, I will speak to the Great King about this matter."
Ao Tu cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."
Taibai Jinxing said, "Not at all. As long as Your Great King doesn't mind my age, just reserve a Geng Metal position for me in the formation."
Ao Tu laughed and said, "No need for you to tell me, it's already prepared!"
Taibai Jinxing was delighted to hear this and entered the Douniu Palace with a smile.
Upon seeing this, the Many-Eyed Monster exclaimed, "Brother Dao is about the same age as me, yet you have so many acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm. You are truly extraordinary."
Ao Tu said, "I only have a few friends, nothing to mention."
The Many-Eyed Monster seemed to remember something and asked, "Speaking of which, who is this Vermilion Guard Star Lord? I've only heard of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stems Stars, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Stars in the Heavenly Realm, but I've never heard of this Vermilion Guard Star Lord."
Ao Tu said, "This—actually, when I said 'all the Star Lords,' I wasn't referring to just one person, but rather—"
As they were talking, two Star Lords emerged from the Douniu Palace: Kang Jinlong and Mao Riji.
Because they were close to the outside, after encountering Taibai Jinxing, Taibai Jinxing told them about Ao Tu's arrival. They hurriedly came out, and upon seeing Ao Tu, they quickly bowed and apologized, saying, "We were unaware of Your Great King's arrival and failed to greet you. Please forgive us! Please forgive us!"
Ao Tu laughed and said, "Not at all, it was I who came without prior notice. No need for formalities, let me introduce you to a fellow Daoist." With that, Ao Tu introduced the Many-Eyed Monster to Kang Jinlong and Mao Riji.
Only then did the Many-Eyed Monster realize that when Ao Tu said "all the Star Lords," he meant these two Star Lords.
He had initially thought that Ao Tu's claim of recognizing two Star Lodges Heavenly Lords in the Heavenly Realm meant one Star Lodges and one Heavenly Lords, but he hadn't expected it to be the two Star Lodges, Mao Riji and Kang Jinlong. In that case, didn't he also recognize two Heavenly Lords?
The Many-Eyed Monster was overjoyed, but also somewhat surprised by the respectful attitude of the two Star Lords towards Ao Tu.
Thus, the Many-Eyed Monster, the Mao Riji, and the Kang Jinlong became acquainted with each other through Ao Tu's introduction.
Just as the two sides were exchanging pleasantries, for some reason, the sound of many footsteps suddenly came from inside the Douniu Palace.
From within, a voice called out from afar, "Your Great King, since you have arrived, why did you not inform us earlier to welcome you? Now we are unprepared and have to hastily greet you, which is hardly a sign of respect!"
After he finished speaking, amidst the astonishing light emanating from the Many-Eyed Monster, seven or eight Star Lodges emerged from the Douniu Palace. They bowed to Ao Tu, just like the Mao Riji and the Kang Jinlong, addressing him as "Great King."
Ao Tu returned the greetings one by one.
Before the Many-Eyed Monster could recover from his shock, many more footsteps came from inside. The Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Fiends Host of Stars, and countless Immortal and Star Lords all came out to greet him.
Ao Tu hurriedly said, "Everyone, please go inside quickly. Don't let anyone else come. This is a private matter for me, and I don't want to disturb the Host of Stars."
The immortals, upon hearing this, readily agreed and invited Ao Tu inside.
Ao Tu then led the Many-Eyed Monster inside.
On the way, they encountered many celestial Divine Kings, who all addressed him as "Great King."
The Many-Eyed Monster was extremely surprised. He had actually heard of Ao Tu's reputation and knew that Ao Tu had rebelled against Spirit Mountain to avenge his father and fought against the Buddhist Sect all the way.
However, many of these rumors were spread by escaped Little Demon, and some were so unbelievable that they claimed the Buddha had been killed.
If they had truly killed the Buddha, why would those Little Demon have needed to flee? And what would be the point of Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage to the Eastern Land?
Therefore, when Ao Tu first came to Yellow Flower Temple, Many-Eyed Monster thought Ao Tu was a troublemaker and ordered his disciples to drive him away.
However, this scene now made him realize that his great reputation was well-deserved.
Could those rumors be true?
The Many-Eyed Monster was deeply troubled.
Ao Tu was fine. He pulled the Many-Eyed Monster, whose legs were a little numb, and walked straight inside. He followed the Host of Stars into the palace, where the Taiyin Star Lord, the Sun Star Lord, and the other Nine Luminaries Star Lords came up to greet him.
The Five Dipper Star Lords from the east, East, South, West, North, and Center also came to greet us.
To show his importance, the Sun Star Lord wore Divine Robe and carried God's Seal; the Many-Eyed Monster, being one of the Five Poisons and precisely the one he was meant to defeat, immediately covered his face and gave way upon seeing the Divine Robe God's Seal.
Upon seeing this, Ao Tu patted the Many-Eyed Monster on the back, using his Taoist Technique to protect it firmly.
Ao Tu then introduced the Many- Many-Eyed Monster Many-Eyed Monster to the Host of Stars, who were filled with trepidation. Ao Tu smiled and then said that he was preparing to demonstrate a grand formation at the Yellow Flower Temple in the near future, and invited the Host of Stars to attend.
The Fire Virtue Star Lord asked, "Your Great King! What kind of grand formation is it?"
Ao Tu said, "When I recently visited my uncle in the East Sea, I passed through the old site of Tang Valley and luckily found a set of Formation, including Formation Flag..."
"Formation Diagram, array core, array treasures; I observe that this array is extraordinary, involving the Stars of the Heavenly Deities, hence I have come to invite you all to practice it together. I wonder if anyone is willing to come?"
Upon hearing this, the Fire Virtue Star Lord knew it was a great opportunity and was the first to say, "I'm willing to go!"
The Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Fiends Host of Stars, the Five Directions and Five Dippers Host of Stars, the Nine Luminaries Star Lords, and others all echoed the Fire Virtue Star Lord, expressing their willingness to go.
Many other Host of Stars also echoed this sentiment and wished to go.
Many of those Stars Immortal already knew Ao Tu's true identity and were willing to collude with Ao Tu, so they were naturally willing to go now.
Among the other Immortal, some, though unaware of Ao Tu's true identity, had already guessed, or perhaps someone had reminded them. In any case, more were willing to go than unwilling, and even those who were unwilling were unwilling to offend Ao Tu by speaking too much at this time.
Seeing that many people wanted to go, Ao Tu took out a list from his pocket and instructed the Host of Stars to name their names on the list so that it would be easier to make arrangements later.
The immortals then signed their names in turn.
The Many-Eyed Monster, noticing that most of the immortals addressed Ao Tu as "Great King," had long harbored doubts. Taking advantage of the moment when the immortals were signing their names, he asked Ao Tu, "Brother Daoist, why do these Host of Stars lords and Immortal Household call you ' Great King '?"
Ao Tu laughed and said, "This title has no special meaning. It's just because I was born Demon and have some common nicknames from the past. The Immortal Household love and respect me, so they call me that. I know that the abbot cultivates his nature and doesn't like to get involved in worldly affairs. My sworn brother Blood Sea once sent someone to recruit him, but he politely declined. So the abbot doesn't need to follow their example. We can continue to address each other as fellow Daoists."
Upon hearing this, all the immortals turned to look.
The Many-Eyed Monster swallowed hard and forced a smile, saying, "Since Your Great King has said so, I will humbly accept Your Great King's kindness."
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. Just as he was about to say something, Tang Sanzang and his disciples from the Lower Realm emerged from the Zhu Zi Kingdom Area.
[Rewards are being calculated; a total of 1216 days of interceptions have been recorded.]
[Received reward: Gold Powder and Vermilion Ink]
[Received Purple Gold as a reward.]
[Received Dust-Repelling Pearl as a reward.]
[Reward obtained: Ten Ultimate Arrays - Soul-Falling Formation]
[Received the reward Supernatural Ability: Shifting Stars and Changing Dippers]
[Reward: Primordial Heaven Heavy Water]
[Received the reward: Ten Thousand Immortals Formation Diagram]
[Reward: Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree]
[The extra 121 days will automatically be transferred to the next Side Quest; the next Side Quest is: Falling into the Pansi Cave]
(And there's more!)