Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Lu Zhang respectfully took the wooden plaque, his heart filled with joy. Now, he no longer needed to worry about those bizarre evil techniques, as he certainly did not wish for a repeat of the recent experiences.

Afterward, the two of them casually discussed the situation. Lu Zhang understood that his uncle was no ordinary man, a great sage even without his cultivation skills. Thus, he shared the adversities he had faced, hoping his uncle could provide some guidance out of the maze.

"Now in Great Chen, the deer is lost, and chaos reigns supreme. This is an age of great conflicts. Like you, many hidden dragons abound. However, the path of the dragon competition is unfathomable, and a single misstep could lead to death and the dissolution of one's path. Do you know the mysteries of this dragon competition?"

Lu Yu looked at his nephew's puzzled face and began to explain further.

"As the saying goes: Hidden dragons should not be used. Your hidden dragon is still very young, its claws and teeth not yet fully developed, so you should keep a low profile, silently waiting for the changes in the situation. If you rush to strive for victory, you might just end up a sacrifice for the king. Let me give you a few words: build your walls high, stock up on provisions, and delay proclaiming kingship."

These words from Lu Yu opened Lu Zhang's eyes. Although he had established a foundation, no one had analyzed the strategic situation for him at this level before. Now, having heard Lu Yu's words, he had clearer strategic plans for the future.

Joyfully thanking his uncle, he still hesitated to leave. Lu Yu, of course, knew what his nephew was thinking. Recently, he had been getting close to Liu Qingyun without stop, almost wearing the word "recruit" on his face, but Liu Qingyun had yet to give an inch.

"What? Still want to steal away my good-for-nothing disciple?" Lu Yu teased.

"Not to conceal from uncle, Qingyun's martial arts and knowledge of military strategies are outstanding, truly a rare talent. I don't have many capable people under me, so I was hoping uncle might let him follow me out of seclusion." Lu Zhang was frank, as a leader of a great power, he had the necessary thick skin.

"Qingyun is a person destined by the stars, meant to walk through this trial by slaughter. However, the time is not yet ripe. He still has much to learn, and I promise you, once his learning is complete, I will send him down the mountain to assist you."

Lu Zhang had been waiting just to hear these words; with Lu Yu's promise, he left happily.

"You've been listening for so long, come out now!" Lu Yu said softly.

A young figure appeared outside the courtyard, it was Liu Qingyun, the very person Lu Zhang wanted to recruit.

"I hope the master will forgive me," Liu Qingyun said apologetically as soon as he appeared.

"I know you carry a sea of blood in your heart, but now is not the time. If you rashly come forth, not only will you fail to avenge, but you might also lose your own life. It's better to diligently cultivate under my guidance until the time is right, when you will naturally have the chance to personally take your revenge."

Originally, Liu Qingyun had abandoned the idea of revenge as his enemy's power was overwhelming. The person who had trapped his father had long held a high position, backed by the former Sixth Prince, now King of the Great Chen Dynasty.

However, the arrival of Lu Zhang had given him hope. Lu Zhang was a rebel king, with his own territory and army, offering him the chance to overthrow the Imperial Court and avenge himself.

Thus, faced with the olive branch Lu Zhang threw, he was tempted, yet he did not dare to decide on his own. This was the scene of Lu Zhang sounding out Lu Yu, and having now obtained his master's promise, he finally felt a huge relief.

The weather was clear that day, with the morning sun warming the lush green earth, dispelling the night's chill. The sky was a cloudless azure, and the radiant sun had just risen.

The Lu family's courtyard was bustling as Lu Zhang and his wife paid respects to the ancestors before bidding farewell to Lu Yu. Having been away from Yuzhou for such a long time, he was understandably anxious.

Surrounded by guards, the couple boarded their carriage. Lu Zhang lifted the carriage curtain for one last look at his homeland that filled his dreams, and he sighed softly.

"I do not know when I can return."

"Husband, do not fret, Yuzhou is not far from here. As long as we strive diligently, I believe that soon this place will be ours," Han Jiangxue consoled her husband.

Gripping his wife's hand tightly, Lu Zhang was filled with boundless ambition: "You are right, sooner or later, this place will be ours."

The Great Chen Dynasty was now teetering, signs of its demise becoming increasingly obvious daily.

Various Cultivation Sects had dispatched their disciples to enter the mortal world in search of the Hidden Dragon, ready to support their chosen one in the struggle for supremacy, thus sharing in that person's Fortune and Destiny as sustenance for cultivation.

There were also those from unorthodox paths who wished to seize this opportunity to practice Evil Technique and refine treasures, turning the once tranquil Cultivation Realm of the Great Chen into a roiling sea of chaos. It was precisely because a great calamity was about to arise that these cultivators could no longer remain calm and clear-minded, thus naturally inviting more disasters.

Inside a dilapidated Taoist Temple, a plump Taoist Priest bowed deeply before a row of ancestral tablets: "Disciple must find a True Dragon in the mortal realm to support, so as to glorify our sect, and I pray for the blessing of all ancestral masters!" Having said this, he shouldered a huge bundle and hopped down the mountain, with large steamed buns vaguely visible inside the loosely tied bundle.

Lu Zhang and his party proceeded methodically towards Yuzhou. Unlike the bleak and gloomy atmosphere on their journey here, everyone's face now beamed with smiles.

With their king in good health again, and the support of such a powerful elder, they were all full of confidence in their future.

Han Jiangxue too was visibly happy, having prepared for the worst initially, but now delighted by the unexpected turn of events.

"After some time, once we have conquered this land, let's take Qian'er to visit Uncle and ask him to divine for the children. I have heard that someone like Uncle, with true cultivation, can cast spells as soon as he speaks."

"Haha, of course, Qian'er is after all the eldest grandson of the main line of the Lu Family. Uncle will surely not forget him. This time I specifically brought a Jade Pendant for him, a treasure blessed by Uncle's spell, and I witnessed Uncle draw down the Starlight from the heavens onto the Jade Pendant," Lu Zhang said as the couple whispered among themselves.

While they were talking, they heard a noisy commotion ahead.

Lu Zhang frowned and asked, "What happened? Have we encountered robbers again?"

"My lord has not encountered bandits, it's just that there is a Taoist Priest who has collapsed drunk by the roadside ahead," came the reply.

Lu Zhang and his wife alighted from the carriage to check, and indeed found a portly Taoist Priest lying by the side of the road, his body reeking of alcohol.

"How much has he drunk to smell so strongly!" Han Jiangxue exclaimed, covering her nose.

"However, we cannot leave this man here in the wilderness; if wolves or tigers were to come, he might lose his life. Let us help the Taoist Priest onto the carriage," Lu Zhang suggested.

But the captain of the guard said, "My lady, we have only one carriage. If we let this Taoist Priest on, what about you and the lord?"

"Never mind, have you forgotten that I too came through life and death when I was ill? As for the lady, she is also adept with bow and horse. Yuzhou is not far; my wife and I can just as well gallop through the countryside and enjoy the spring scenery," Lu Zhang waved his hand and said.