The Asura Tribe

I originally intended to probe Zhuang Yan's true strength, but instead, I fell into his trap. The failure to achieve my goal before even starting made her dejected, even to the point of wanting to abandon her avatar and flee back to Spirit Mountain. But when she thought of the hundred thousand Purple Coins she had spent and the humiliation she had endured, she couldn't bring herself to give up.

On Danchi Ridge, the sounds of clashing weapons were incessant.

Outside the Mountain God Temple, amidst a peach grove, Zhuang Yan, Fire Spirit True Immortal, and Chi Ling sat around a stone table laden with fruits. Before them, Vanguard Hu and Sun Wukong were locked in fierce combat, sparks flying from the clash of blades and staffs.

Sun Wukong feigned a move, and as Vanguard Hu dodged, he somersaulted into the air, his iron staff whistling down with the force of wind and thunder. Vanguard Hu blocked with his saber, retreating several steps amid the clang of metal. Seeing Sun Wukong relentlessly pursue, he suddenly stopped, channeling his divine power to unleash a earth-shattering roar.

ROAR--

A fierce wind erupted, and Sun Wukong was sent flying over ten zhang by the soundwave. He landed unsteadily and then laughed, "Brother Hu, your move is truly powerful!"

Vanguard Hu ceased his attack and chuckled, "Younger brother, your staff techniques are also incredibly exquisite."

"It's all thanks to Master's guidance," Sun Wukong said, scratching his head. "I'm just starting out and haven't mastered it yet."

"Perseverance is key in cultivation," Vanguard Hu said, patting his shoulder. "To fight me to a standstill at the Refining Essence into Qi stage is already remarkable. Come, let's rest for a moment."

The two approached the stone table, and Sun Wukong bowed respectfully to Zhuang Yan, "Mountain Lord."

Zhuang Yan gestured to a stone stool and smiled, "Please, sit."

After they sat down, Zhuang Yan took out a Mountain Peach and offered it to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong quickly stood up to accept it, "Thank you, Mountain Lord."

Zhuang Yan nodded with a smile and turned to Vanguard Hu, "No need to be formal, help yourself to whatever you like."

"Alright!" Vanguard Hu responded, picking up a fruit and taking a bite.

Zhuang Yan looked at Sun Wukong and asked, "Wukong, in the past, it was always the attendants Xianyun and Guhe who delivered the Longevity Immortal Peaches. Why did you come today?"

"Master specifically instructed me," Sun Wukong replied, "to thank you in person for saving my life."

Zhuang Yan shook his head and chuckled, "It wasn't quite saving your life. Your master is having you come to resolve karma."

Sun Wukong seemed to understand. At this moment, Vanguard Hu finished his fruit and cupped his hands, "Mountain Lord, your subordinate wishes to go to Guangci Prefecture city to reforge his saber."

He then presented the nicked saber.

Sun Wukong saw this and laughed, "Brother, a staff is a more suitable weapon. Why not switch to staff techniques?"

"I've practiced with the saber since childhood and am not comfortable with staffs," Vanguard Hu replied.

Zhuang Yan commented, "A saber forged from common iron, no matter how many times it's tempered, remains an ordinary item."

"But... your subordinate doesn't have any rare materials to forge a divine weapon," Vanguard Hu said with difficulty.

Zhuang Yan pondered for a moment, "Patiently wait. Opportunity will arise."

Vanguard Hu scratched his head and cupped his fists, "I will obey the Mountain Lord's command."

Sun Wukong turned to look at Chi Ling. The little girl was leaning on the stone table, her ruby-like vertical pupils fixed on the Mountain Peaches.

Sun Wukong teased, "Little snake, once my divine abilities are perfected, I'll have another spar with you."

Chi Ling flicked her tongue, revealing her sawtooth-like sharp teeth.

"What does that mean?" Sun Wukong felt a shiver seeing those sharp teeth.

The taciturn Chi Ling glanced at him and slowly spat out three words: "Teething stone."

Sun Wukong immediately started scratching his ears and cheeks, jumping up, "Good, good, good! When I achieve enlightenment, I'll make sure you're searching for your teeth all over the ground!"

With that, he bowed to Zhuang Yan, "Mountain Lord, I must return to the mountain to cultivate. I bid you farewell."

Zhuang Yan nodded with a smile, "Go."

Sun Wukong formed a hand seal to summon auspicious clouds and returned directly to Mount Fangcun.

Zhuang Yan gently stroked Chi Ling's hair and asked, "How many characters did you learn today?"

Chi Ling sat up straight and stammered, "Spirit... Platform... Mountain."

"Very good," Zhuang Yan said, giving her two more Longevity Immortal Peaches. "This is your reward."

Chi Ling immediately hugged the immortal peaches to her chest, her snake tongue happily exploring the fruity aroma.

Zhuang Yan then distributed one each to Fire Spirit True Immortal and Vanguard Hu, and instructed, "Vanguard Hu, go to Liu Zhen Peak and deliver an order to Golden Sparrow Fairy."

Vanguard Hu accepted the immortal peach and the order. Zhuang Yan waved his sleeve, conjuring a talisman order. Vanguard Hu took the talisman and soared into the clouds.

Vanguard Hu arrived at Liu Zhen Peak, the dojo of Golden Sparrow Fairy, and announced loudly, "Is Golden Sparrow Fairy here? Vanguard Hu from the Mountain God Temple of Lingtai requests an audience."

Golden Sparrow Fairy emerged from her cloud dwelling upon hearing the voice and smiled, "So it's Vanguard Hu. May I ask what important matter brings you here?"

Vanguard Hu presented the talisman order, "I am here by order of the Mountain Lord to deliver a message."

Golden Sparrow Fairy accepted the talisman order, scanned it with her divine sense, and said calmly, "Please relay to the Mountain Lord that Golden Sparrow obeys."

"Farewell," Vanguard Hu cupped his hands and departed.

Returning to the Mountain God Temple, Vanguard Hu saw Chi Ling practicing calligraphy and smiled, taking out a candied hawthorn. "Little Chi Ling, try this."

Chi Ling looked up, glanced at it, and pouted, "I... am three hundred years old." With that, she continued to write.

Vanguard Hu shook his head and chuckled, then turned to Fire Spirit True Immortal on the peach tree, "General, is the Mountain Lord in the Eight Immortals Pavilion?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal replied with his eyes closed.

Vanguard Hu rode the wind to the Eight Immortals Pavilion and reported to Zhuang Yan, "Mountain Lord, Golden Sparrow Fairy has received the order."

Zhuang Yan nodded, "Very good."

Vanguard Hu was about to take his leave when Zhuang Yan suddenly said, "Wait." He then produced three Longevity Immortal Peaches and told him to take them back to his wife and children.

Vanguard Hu's body trembled, and he knelt and kowtowed, "Thank you, Mountain Lord, for your grace!"

Zhuang Yan waved his sleeve, "You may go."

Vanguard Hu carefully put away the immortal peaches and respectfully withdrew.

Meanwhile, on Spirit Platform Mountain's Liu Zhen Peak.

Golden Sparrow Fairy returned to her cloud dwelling, and Buddhist light surged around her. Far away in the Spirit Mountain Stone Buddha Cave, the golden peacock Kong Ling suddenly awoke. Seeing the Dharma image of Peacock King manifest, she immediately knelt and bowed, "Kong Ling pays respects to the Bodhisattva."

Peacock King said calmly, "Go to the Asura Tribe and fetch a Spirit Artifact treasure blade."

Kong Ling asked doubtfully, "The Bodhisattva has never used weapons..."

"Deliver it within seven days," Peacock King commanded, brooking no argument.

Kong Ling said solemnly, "I respectfully obey your decree." The Buddhist light dissipated, and the cave returned to silence.

Peacock King retracted her Dharma image and slowly opened her eyes, sighing softly.

The talisman that Zhuang Yan had previously given her was precisely to find a treasure blade no less than Spirit Artifact rank. She sent her mount to the Asura Tribe because that tribe was known for its bravery and skill in forging weapons, especially their mastery of blade-making.

Kong Ling set off immediately upon receiving the order and soon arrived at the Asura Tribe's Armory. This place was managed by Jie Hanli, the fifteenth son of the Asura King. As a divine bird under Peacock King's command, Kong Ling was naturally treated with great respect here.

The guards at the gate saw her descend and rushed forward to greet her, simultaneously sending word inside. Jie Hanli came out to welcome her personally. This prince, burly and majestic in appearance, bowed respectfully, "Welcome, Emissary. Tea and seats have been prepared inside. Please follow me."

Kong Ling nodded slightly and walked into the manor with her hands behind her back. After they were seated, Jie Hanli served Spirit Tea and asked, "May I ask the reason for the Emissary's visit?"

"I am here on the Bodhisattva's decree to retrieve the Heavenly Sin Blade and ten Spirit Artifact treasure blades," Kong Ling said calmly.

"The Heavenly Sin Blade?" Jie Hanli's expression changed drastically. "What use does the Bodhisattva have for this blade?"

"This blade is an Immortal Artifact forged a thousand years ago. Its power is astonishing, but it has been sealed until now because any killing with it increases sinful karma tenfold. Hearing that you wish to take this blade, Jie Hanli could not hide his shock."

Kong Ling swept him a cold glance, "Does the Bodhisattva's decree allow for questions? Fetch it quickly."

Seeing the strange look on Jie Hanli's face, Kong Ling frowned, "Is there a problem?"

"I dare not! Jie Hanli hastily rose, "Your subordinate will fetch it immediately. Please wait, Emissary."

After exiting the hall, Jie Hanli went straight to the treasure vault. The guard, Meng Tunnan, was about to salute when he saw his master's ashen face, "It's over... Meng Tunnan, I'm finished..."

Jie Hanli collapsed onto a chair, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He said tremblingly to Meng Tunnan, "Kong Ling, acting on Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva's orders, has suddenly come to demand the Heavenly Sin Blade."

Meng Tunnan was stunned. He hesitated, "But Your Highness has already lent the Heavenly Sin Blade to the Great Black Yaksha..."

"Indeed. Only the Yaksha is unafraid of the tenfold sinful karma backlash. This blade was originally forged for the Yaksha."

"Exactly!" Jie Hanli's teeth chattered. "If the Bodhisattva learns that I... that I lent the Heavenly Sin Blade to someone the Buddha Lord personally designated as a sworn brother..." Before he could finish, he was trembling like a sieve.

Meng Tunnan placed a hand on his shoulder, "Your Highness, please calm down. Since you have a sworn brotherhood with the Great Black Yaksha, why not send a message immediately and ask him to return it quickly?"

Jie Hanli forced himself to compose himself, "But Emissary Kong Ling is waiting..."

"This subordinate is willing to go and negotiate," Meng Tunnan cupped his hands. "Your Highness, please focus on contacting him. Oh, and those Spirit Artifact treasure blades..."

"Take them all!" Jie Hanli grabbed ten gleaming treasure blades and thrust them at him. After Meng Tunnan left the vault, he hastily wiped his sweat and formed a hand seal, causing a faint transmission light to bloom from his fingertips.

In the front hall, Kong Ling tapped her fingertips on the table. Seeing Meng Tunnan present ten Spirit Artifacts, her delicate eyebrows furrowed. "Where is the Heavenly Sin Blade?"

"Reporting to the Emissary," Meng Tunnan bowed deeply. "The elder of the Artifact Refining Pavilion borrowed the blade three days ago to test a furnace. His Highness has personally gone to urge its return."

"What is the deadline?"

"At most four days, at least half a day." Before Meng Tunnan could finish speaking, Kong Ling's sleeve swept out, and two fine cracks appeared on the table.

"Two days. That is the limit." The Peacock Emissary's eyes blazed with golden light. "If it is not returned by then, I will not wait."

Meng Tunnan quickly summoned Asura Warriors to relay the message, while he stood respectfully to the side of the hall. At this moment, the spirit mirror in Jie Hanli's hand suddenly lit up, and the Great Black Yaksha's hoarse voice, mixed with the sound of the sea tide, pierced through the air--

In the scene of blood-red waves, the Yaksha's war drums vibrated the mirror. As the blood-soaked Great Black Yaksha bared his fangs, Jie Hanli's gaze was fixed on something behind him.

"Second brother, why are you in such a hurry?" the Yaksha King asked, wiping the blood from his face.

Jie Hanli remained silent, his trembling fingers pointing past his brother's shoulder, "Big brother... what is that behind you..."

The Great Yaksha turned, revealing a blood-stained, enormous dragon head, his face full of pride. "Second brother, look! This is the head of the West Sea's Ninth Prince, just severed by my Heavenly Sin Blade."

Jie Hanli's vision darkened, and he almost lost his footing. After a long moment, he pleaded with a tearful voice, "Big brother... can you return the Heavenly Sin Blade immediately? Please."

Just as the Great Yaksha was about to reply, a monstrous wave suddenly surged from the sea behind him. Hundreds of water dragons shot into the sky, and countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals emerged from the water. Amidst the thunderous war drums, over a dozen thousand-zhang-long dragons, led by a golden dragon, soared into the sky, bringing rain.

"Not good!" The Great Yaksha looked back. The Dragon King of the West Sea was leading his troops to attack. "I'll kill the old dragon, take his Dragon Palace, and then I'll return your treasure blade!" Before he could finish, the mirror screen and the clamor vanished simultaneously.

In the silent treasure vault, Jie Hanli stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly let out a scream and fainted.

The autumn sun was bright over Danchi Ridge. Although the Hu brothers were growing older, they still retained their childlike appearance. They were currently playing and chasing each other in the peach orchard.

Vanguard Hu and his wife, Lan'er, were teaching Chi Ling to write. This couple from the wilderness often interacted with mortals and deeply admired human culture. Every time they went down the mountain, they would seek guidance from teachers, just so they could personally teach their children.

Two beams of immortal light suddenly descended outside the Eight Immortals Pavilion.

"Please come in, fellow Daoist. The Mountain Lord is inside," Fire Spirit True Immortal said with a smile, leading the way.

Peacock King followed him into the pavilion and saw Lan Caihe seated within. She approached and bowed respectfully, "This humble one, Golden Sparrow, pays respects to the Mountain Lord."

Zhuang Yan smiled and pointed to the two of them, introducing, "This is the newly arrived Golden Sparrow Fairy. And this is True Person Lan of the Upper Cave Eight Immortals."