Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

As Gaoyang spoke, a strange and surprised expression flickered in his eyes.

Clearly, Gaoyang was completely unaware of who Master Wuchao was and what happened when he was injured by a mysterious person.

However, since this matter involved the mysterious person in black, it was also related to Jiang Liu.

Thus, Gaoyang decided to speak up and inform Jiang Liu of the news.

In Gaoyang's view, this news seemed not especially noteworthy and appeared insignificant.

Yet hearing Gaoyang's words, Jiang Liu's expression changed, his face growing slightly unsightly.

Gaoyang was unclear about what was happening, but Jiang Liu naturally understood very well.

"What's wrong, Jiang Liu? Is there something peculiar about this news?"

Gaoyang, noticing Jiang Liu's unsettled expression, felt a jolt in his heart and immediately asked him.

"It's not just peculiar, it's a huge problem!" Jiang Liu replied thoughtfully to Gaoyang's puzzled inquiry.

Originally, Jiang Liu wanted to assure Gaoyang that there was nothing amiss.

But Jiang Liu considered it better to let Gaoyang know.

After all, from any perspective, Gaoyang should have the right to be informed, right?

"What's this all about? Explain it clearly to me!" Seeing Jiang Liu's demeanor, Gaoyang understood the gravity of the situation, his face turning much more serious, and earnestly asked Jiang Liu.

"This issue traces back to ancient times when Great God Hongyun obtained the seventh Hongmeng Purple Qi..."

Responding to Gaoyang's inquiry, Jiang Liu did not conceal the matter and explained the entire cause and effect to Gaoyang.

In ancient times, Hongjun Taoist Ancestor lectured in Zixiao Palace, accepting disciples based on meditation cushions, and the last lecture was on the Saintly Path.

He then divided seven strands of Hongmeng Purple Qi, with the last one ending up in the hands of Great God Hongyun aside from the current six Saints.

At that time, the Witch Clan and Demon Clan dominated the Primordial Continent, both were at the peak of their powers.

However, the Witch Clan did not cultivate the Primordial Spirit, only the physical body, thus even with Hongmeng Purple Qi, it was difficult to integrate it into their Primordial Spirit for successful Saintly cultivation.

Thus, the Demon Clan made a bold move, killing Great God Hongyun to seize the Hongmeng Purple Qi.

However, the Immeasurable Kalpa between the Witch and Demon clans was destined by heaven, hence even with Hongmeng Purple Qi, Eastern Emperor Taiyi could not successfully attain Saintliness.

Finally, during the last stage of the Witch-Demon War, Taiyi, before his death, left the Hongmeng Purple Qi to his sole child, who is the current Master Wuchao.

Later, after the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Master Wuchao's possession was exposed, many Quasi-Saints took action to seize it.

Only to find out that the Hongmeng Purple Qi had long been absent from Master Wuchao's hands; according to him, he was defeated and the Qi extracted by a powerful figure in black a long time ago.

To this day, Master Wuchao doesn't know the identity of that person in black.

"So, the truth was that!"

After hearing Jiang Liu's concise explanation of the matter's cause and effect, Gaoyang's face grew serious, realizing the seriousness of the situation, understanding why Jiang Liu's face looked so grim.

After the words settled, Gaoyang then strangely looked at Jiang Liu, saying, "So, is the rumor true? Is the Hongmeng Purple Qi really in your possession?"

"Even you think this rumor is true?" Hearing Gaoyang's question, Jiang Liu's mouth twitched slightly.

If even Gaoyang had doubts, then how would other Quasi-Saints think? It's easy to guess, right?

"Isn't it? Your strength has been improving rapidly in recent years, defying all logic. I originally believed this rumor might be true!" Jiang Liu's words helped Gaoyang understand that the rumor was false, casually explaining the situation.

"False rumor, completely false. Others might not know, but you know that when Master Wuchao was deprived of Hongmeng Purple Qi by the man in black, I was still in Jinshan Temple, lacking such strength!" Jiang Liu spoke up, narrating the situation to Gaoyang.

Gaoyang nodded slightly in agreement, indeed, Master Wuchao was at the Quasi-Saint level of cultivation, and for Jiang Liu to seize Hongmeng Purple Qi from him might only be possible recently after acquiring the Absolute Immortal Sword.

Before that? Jiang Liu didn't possess such strength.

"What to do next? I trust you, but what about the other Quasi-Saints? Involving Hongmeng Purple Qi, even if there's a one-in-a-thousand chance, they wouldn't let you off!" Gaoyang's face bore a heavy expression, speaking to Jiang Liu.

"Yes, from now on, if I continue moving as the mysterious person, I must exercise extreme caution."

"However, if I do not move as the mysterious person, no one will trace it back to me..." After considering Gaoyang's words, Jiang Liu seriously nodded.

This rumor was indeed a huge trouble for him, but fortunately, the identity of the mysterious person was merely a fabricated persona.

If he didn't walk around in the Shadow Robe as the mysterious person, there should be no danger.

The main point is, with the Tai Chi Diagram in his possession, he has the ability to protect himself against Quasi-Saint level experts.

As long as he avoids the situation that befell Master Wuchao, where several Quasi-Saints teamed up to besiege him, he has nothing to fear.

For Jiang Liu, the rumors serve as vital information for him to be aware of.

However, knowing about this in advance is also beneficial, as it allows him to have a proactive mindset.

It's better than being completely unaware in the future.

Furthermore, the most crucial aspect is, how did this rumor get out?

This prompts Jiang Liu to ponder silently, feeling quite astonished.

If someone happened to make the connection and spread this rumor, Jiang Liu thinks it's still plausible.

But if this rumor was intentionally released by someone, that would indicate someone is secretly plotting against him, right?

Moreover, the fact that someone knows Master Wuchao's Hongmeng Purple Qi was taken by a mysterious black-clothed person suggests the one plotting against him from the shadows might be one of the Quasi-Saints who took it back then.

Jiang Liu swiftly left Ming Sect and soon caught up with Sun Wukong and the others.

The master and disciples continued westward, embarking on the journey to seek scriptures.

"Sigh, this matter always leaves one feeling uneasy!" After Jiang Liu left, Gaoyang also sighed softly, murmuring under his breath.

Indeed, Gaoyang can sense that there might be someone behind this rumor with ulterior motives.

After pondering, Gaoyang turned to find Red Boy, discussing the rumor briefly before deciding to utilize Ming Sect's resources to investigate secretly.

To trace the origin of this rumor and see if anyone is secretly manipulating it further.

Given the powerful influence of Ming Sect now, if there truly is someone manipulating things in the shadows, they should be able to find some clues.

Actually, in recent days, it's not just Gaoyang quietly investigating the root of the rumor; quite a few people are clandestinely examining it too.

That black-clothed person who extracted Master Wuchao's Hongmeng Purple Qi—is he the mysterious individual with the Tai Chi Diagram?

This news has indeed shaken almost all Quasi-Saints, drawing their attention.

Yet, those who reach the Quasi-Saint level are very astute, unlikely to be easily manipulated.

Thus, as some focus on the black-clothed mysterious person's whereabouts, many influential figures are also secretly investigating the origin of this news.

But after investigating for a long time, including forces like the Ming Sect, nobody has found anything, making it seem as if this news emerged from thin air with no traceable source.

Furthermore, there is no one behind the rumor pushing it further.

Even many influential figures notice that Ming Sect is secretly investigating the source of the rumor.

It makes many people quietly wonder.

Everyone knows the close relationship between Ming Sect's Gaoyang and that black-clothed mysterious person. If that person truly obtained the Hongmeng Purple Qi, why would Ming Sect also investigate secretly?

Is it that the Hongmeng Purple Qi isn't in his possession?

Or is the mysterious individual keeping it from Gaoyang?

Or did Gaoyang specifically stage such an act to cover up the truth?

It seems all possibilities exist, and any of them could be valid.

Though many feel the rumor might be baseless, with no substantial evidence, considering it involves the Hongmeng Purple Qi, no one can simply dismiss it.

Therefore, while probing the rumor's origin, many influential figures secretly start looking into all information on the mysterious black-clothed person.

If they truly manage to find that black-clothed person, these influential figures wouldn't hesitate to take action to verify.

Jiang Liu is unaware of these matters.

After returning to the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, Jiang Liu and his party continue their slow journey toward the Great Thunder Monastery.

Not paying attention to the outside world, focusing only on dungeon runs.

Running dungeons, cultivating the Green Lotus Taoist Scripture, occasionally practicing life profession skills.

In the blink of an eye, half a month's time has passed, and life passes very peacefully...