Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"Had I known it was your friend, Lu Yu, my brother and I wouldn't have hurried over like this. How about we don't rush to take his soul and spirit now and let him settle his affairs? You can bring him to the Underworld later, since you know the way well," said Black and White Impermanence with a smile.

"Then I thank you both dearly, brothers. Some other day, I'll treat you to a drink," Lu Yu clasped his hands in thanks, for this was indeed a great honor.

At this time, Yan Dan's soul and spirit had left his body, and he was curiously examining himself, even commenting with interest, "So this is how old I look."

Hearing this, Lu Yu couldn't help but twitch his mouth. Official complaints are the deadliest, and Yan Dan spared no mercy in critiquing himself.

"Yan Dan, would you like to walk the Immortal Path of Ghosts? I could ask for a position of City God on your behalf in the Underworld, where you could live a long and undisturbed life," Lu Yu offered.

"No need. Let me live vibrantly once more as a human. When the time comes, arrange good parents for me so I can also experience parental love," Yan Dan replied with a smile.

As an abandoned orphan, Yan Dan had never known parental love. For him, Mount Shu was everything; it was his life.

Now given a chance at reincarnation, he hoped to have a happy childhood, to experience the once unreachable love of parents.

"Do you have anything else you want to entrust?" Lu Yu asked Yan Dan.

"Not much, just hoping the elders will keep my belongings safe. When I rejoin Mount Shu, they should return them to me, as many were not easy to gather."

After saying this, Yan Dan lightly summoned, and a cyan Flying Sword appeared by his side. Sensing its master's demise, the Flying Sword emitted mournful cries.

Gently stroking the Flying Sword, Yan Dan soothed the sad Sword Spirit within, and with a slightly sorrowful expression, he said, "This Flying Sword wasn't easy to refine—it has developed Spiritual Nature. I hope you'll keep it safe for me, to be handed to my reincarnated self."

"A sword naturally spirited, truly a fine blade. What is its name?"

"Unfairness," Yan Dan said softly as he caressed the blade.

"A fitting name for righting wrongs. Rest assured, I will take good care of it for you, returning it to the rightful owner when the time comes," Lu Yu promised Yan Dan.

"Haha, if that's the case, I should be on my way. Don't be sad, think of it as if I'm just going out to play in the mortal realm. Let's meet again in many years," Yan Dan said boldly.

Before anyone knew it, Mount Shu's summit was crowded with disciples, all bearing sad expressions as they looked at Yan Dan's soul.

For these young disciples, Elder Uncle Yan Dan had always been a special existence. He lacked the sternness of other masters, being instead approachable and fond of playing with the youngsters, loving his drink and boastful tales, and possessing many interesting stories. Hence, he held great prestige among the Mount Shu disciples.

The crowd simultaneously saluted Yan Dan, making for a very spectacular scene.

"Lu Yu, it's time for us to go," Yan Dan urged Lu Yu. He was afraid if he stayed any longer, he might not be able to leave; even cultivating on the Immortal Path of Ghosts would be fine, yet he suppressed this impulse. Ever since meeting Lu Yu, he had firmly decided that in his next life, he would cultivate the Great Dao of the Heavenly Immortal just like Lu Yu.

Lu Yu gently grasped Yan Dan's soul and spirit, his mind stirred slightly, and he opened the passage to the Underworld.

With one step forward, just a second ago, it was the vast expanse of green mountains and rivers of Mount Shu, the next second he saw the ceaseless flow of the Yellow Springs, ferocious ghosts sinking and floating, Red Spider Lilies blooming like flames on both banks, a large bridge spanning across, with many ghosts coming and going on the bridge.

"Is this the gates of hell?" Yan Dan had heard that after death, everyone would pass through the gates of hell. Looking around, he didn't see the gates of hell and curiously asked.

"That is the normal path to enter the Underworld. I took you through a shortcut. We have already passed the gates of hell. Ahead is the platform of home-gazing, and beyond that, you will see Meng Po. After drinking her soup, you will forget the past and be able to start your next life in reincarnation."

Following Lu Yu's guidance, Yan Dan indeed saw a high platform on the other side of the bridge, with many ghosts ascending the platform to look afar, many shedding tears.

Leisurely walking across the Naihe Bridge, the Green Stone Bridge surface, five-step staircase, bridge west for females, bridge east for males, left yin right yang. Ears filled with the howls of ferocious ghosts, countless ferocious ghosts sank in the river, torn by various exotic beasts in the river, screaming tragically.

"Copper snakes and iron dogs fight for food, forever falling into the Nai River with no way out. This is the Nai River, also known as the River of Forgetfulness," Lu Yu gently pointed at the rushing river waters and said.

"Really an eye-opener," Yan Dan said feelingly, what he saw and heard on this journey made him feel like his eyes were opened wide, truly a worthwhile trip.

When they reached the platform of home-gazing, the two climbed the high platform, looking around at the crying and wailing crowd of ghosts, they somewhat felt like cranes standing among chickens. Many ghosts also looked at Lu Yu and him in surprise. Only these two were calm, as if they were here just for a visit.

Yan Dan looked up and indeed saw the scenery of Mount Shu, saw his people mourning for him, and also saw many Mount Shu disciples voluntarily commemorating his body.

"Amazing, to be able to see this clearly," Yan Dan couldn't help but marvel again.

"Naturally, one of the treasures of Underworld, how could it be in vain?" Lu Yu stated matter-of-factly.

After descending from the platform of home-gazing and walking further, they saw an elderly woman dressed in blue cloth, with a simple ebony hairpin in her hair, gray hair, full of wrinkles, looking very kindly. She held a soup spoon, pouring clear soup for the passing souls, a rich aroma emanating from the soup made Yan Dan involuntarily swallow his saliva.

"Smells good, right? The taste is not bad either," Lu Yu said with a smile.

He walked up to Meng Po, naturally took a bowl of Meng Po Soup, drank it in one gulp, even smacked his lips after finishing, and said with a smile, "Meng Po, did you water down the soup? It doesn't taste as good as before."

Meng Po snatched the bowl from Lu Yu's hand and scolded with a laugh, "You are not a soul, so don't waste my soup and ruin my reputation. When have I ever watered down my soup?"
Your next journey awaits at empire

"I didn't make it up. Recently, many people from the world above can vaguely remember some things of their past lives, though not clearly. Everyone says it's because you've been lazy, watering down the soup."

"That shouldn't be, maybe the quantity of Nepenthes is too low," Meng Po murmured to herself.

"Stop worrying, I have a friend who needs to reincarnate, you better hurry up with a bowl of soup, so he can start his journey early," urged Lu Yu.

Then, without Meng Po noticing, he added a streak of Divine Water into the soup she was handing to Yan Dan.