ATPnovel Chapter 17 Lei Zhenzi
Chapter 17 Lei Zhenzi
Yun Zhongzi got up and stepped out of the cave.
Outside the cave entrance, the three demons were still guarding, while the Lion Camel King was holding the "Huang Ting" and reciting it with great enthusiasm, albeit haltingly.
A year had passed, and the bruises on his face had long since faded, while his demonic power had stabilized considerably. Seeing Yun Zhongzi emerge, the three demons rose in unison and bowed respectfully: "Master."
Yun Zhongzi looked at the Lion Camel King.
"Come with me on this journey."
The Lion Camel King was overjoyed. For the past year, he had been spending his days chanting scriptures in his cave, and he was getting bored. Now that his master was finally going to use him, how could he not be happy?
He immediately prostrated himself on the ground, his demonic power surging around him, and a cloud of auspiciousness rose from beneath his feet. Although the cloud was not as pure as Yun Zhongzi's own immortal cloud, it was still quite well-formed and steadily supported the Lion Camel King's body.
Yun Zhongzi was somewhat surprised and straddled the lion's back.
Lion Camel King rose into the air, carrying Yun Zhongzi, and flew towards the direction of the sensed connection.
A short while later, they arrived above a dense forest.
Outside the dense forest, a group of people were slowly moving forward.
The leader was an elderly man, about fifty years old, with a dignified face, dressed in fine clothes, and exuding an air of authority that came from someone who had long held a high position. However, he was soaked to the bone and looked quite disheveled.
Dozens of attendants followed on horseback, all with their heads drooping, clearly soaked by the downpour.
Just then, dark clouds gathered in the sky.
With a deafening roar, lightning flashed and thunder roared. A thick pillar of lightning descended from the sky, striking a nearby mountain directly. Rocks shattered, the mountain collapsed, and most of the peak was cleaved in two by this single bolt of lightning.
In a short while, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped.
In the dense forest, the old man on horseback shuddered with surprise.
"Thunder flashes, light shines; a great star appears!"
He abruptly pulled on the reins, his eyes gleaming, and shouted at his attendants:
"Those on either side, bring me the general's star!"
Although the followers were unwilling, they had already been soaked to the bone by the torrential rain. Now they were going to search for some mysterious general star. What general star could there be in this desolate wilderness?
They dared not disobey, and could only scatter and search carefully in the dense forest.
Half an hour later.
The attendants reported back one after another: they had found nothing.
The old man looked puzzled, stroked his beard, and muttered to himself:
"This shouldn't be... I should have a hundred sons, but I only have ninety-nine. Thunder has passed and light has appeared, indicating that a great general will be born. This son is a sign that I should have a hundred sons, so how can I not find him?"
He looked up at the sky, then at the depths of the dense forest, finally sighed, and ordered them to continue. The carriages and horses rumbled and gradually disappeared into the distance.
Above the clouds.
Yun Zhongzi rode a majestic lion, but now he had a child in his arms.
The child had a face like a peach blossom, bright eyes, and skin as white as jade, with a faint aura of celestial energy flowing through it. Held in Yun Zhongzi's arms, the child showed no shyness at all, instead opening its bright black eyes and giggling incessantly at Yun Zhongzi.
Yun Zhongzi looked down at the carefree baby in his arms, his brows gradually furrowing.
Lei Zhenzi.
In the Investiture of the Gods, he was the hundredth son of King Wen, Ji Chang.
Yun Zhongzi took him as his disciple, imparted to him immortal techniques, and bestowed upon him wings of wind and thunder, as well as the acquired spiritual treasure, the Golden Cudgel. Later, Lei Zhenzi descended the mountain to assist Zhou in overthrowing Shang, repeatedly achieving military merits, and ultimately attaining physical sainthood.
However, after the Investiture of the Gods, Lei Zhenzi, who was as famous as Nezha and Yang Jian, disappeared without a trace after the Great Tribulation of the Investiture of the Gods ended. Whether he was alive or dead, whether he stayed or left, no one in the Three Realms knew.
Just like Yun Zhongzi, the master and disciple shared the same fate.
"Is this another unlucky guy like me?"
Yun Zhongzi looked at the laughing baby in his arms and murmured to himself.
The child couldn't understand what he was saying, but he stretched out his two chubby little hands and reached out to grab Yun Zhongzi's face.
In the original story, he brought Lei Zhenzi back to Zhongnan Mountain, took good care of him, taught him immortal techniques, obtained two immortal apricots, grew wings, and then gave him wind and thunder wings. Although the master and disciple only spent seven years together, they also formed a bond of karma.
But right now, he doesn't have that world.
The process of the Investiture of the Gods has been disrupted. The Battle of the North Sea, the offering of the sword in Chaoge, the infighting among the Twelve Golden Immortals, and the restrictions imposed by the Primordial Heavenly Lord—each and every event has deviated from its original trajectory.
Now that Lei Zhenzi has appeared, and because of him, Ji Chang has not adopted Lei Zhenzi as his godson, he must keep a close eye on all developments, the plans of various forces, and his own life, which could be sacrificed at any time.
Where do I find the time to raise children?
Just then, the system voice sounded again:
[Side Quest: Intercepting 21 Heavenly Court Luck Values - Protecting Humanity's Luck]
[Reward 1: Cultivation level increased by half a level]
[Reward Two: Five Thunderbolts Spell]
[Reward 3: The Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Exquisite Pagoda]
This time, they actually stole the Heavenly Court's fortune?
That's true. After all, the biggest beneficiary of Ji Chang's success was the Heavenly Court, although the reward was rather meager.
Rewards one and two were of little use to Yun Zhongzi. Although they were only acquired spiritual treasures, they were still of some use. He directly received the Exquisite Pagoda and placed it in his sleeve.
Yun Zhongzi glanced at Lei Zhenzi in his arms, then at the Lion Camel King beneath him.
No.
The Lion Camel King is burdened by karmic debts, and his ferocity remains. What good things could he possibly raise? Not to mention the Flood Dragon Demon King and the Nine-Headed Insect; these three celestial realm demon kings are all wicked and evil-doers.
If Lei Zhenzi were to be cared for by them, they might not be able to raise a righteous disciple with wings of wind and thunder, but instead raise a demonic pill.
Yun Zhongzi remained silent for a moment.
A gentle and charming figure appeared in my mind.
He rode on auspicious clouds, and with a flick of his wrist, a flower basket appeared out of thin air in his palm.
The flower basket was woven entirely from thousand-year-old spiritual vines, and inside were several unknown fairy flowers, their petals glistening with dew and emitting a faint, clear light.
It was his personal magic weapon—a flower basket.
Yun Zhongzi handed the flower basket to the Lion Camel King.
Upon seeing this, the Lion Camel King immediately understood, and his demonic power surged, revealing his lion-headed, human-bodied form.
He took the flower basket with both hands and carefully held the baby in his arms. Strangely enough, the child, held in the arms of the Lion Camel King with his ferocious appearance, neither cried nor fussed, but instead reached out his little hands to grab his mane.
"Send this child and the flower basket to Sanxiao Island in the East China Sea."
Yun Zhongzi spoke, his voice solemn, yet tinged with a hint of... awkwardness:
"Entrust this flower basket to Lady Yunxiao for care. With its protection, you will have a safe journey."
He paused.
"Inform Lady Yunxiao that Yun Zhongzi has important matters to attend to, and hopes that Senior Sister will take care of her junior disciple for the time being. I will surely repay you in the future."
The Lion Camel King bowed and accepted the order:
"Rest assured, sir, I will deliver it without fail."
"Wait a moment."
"Is there anything else you require, sir?"
"Remember to bring the flower basket back."
Lion Camel King was a little puzzled. Why would the famous Lady Yunxiao leave behind a flower basket?
"Yes, sir."
Having said that, auspicious clouds rose beneath his feet, and he flew towards the East China Sea, carrying the infant and a flower basket.
Along the way, the flower baskets shone brightly.
The demons and evil spirits along the way sensed the clear light from afar and all gave way, none daring to approach even slightly. The Lion Camel King's demonic aura was enveloped by the clear light of the flower basket, and he even took on a somewhat celestial air.
The demon king, who was once hated by everyone and exuded a demonic aura, was now traveling without any obstacles.
Sanxiao Island.
The vast expanse of water is shrouded in mist, and the sunset glows in myriad rays.
The Lion Camel King stood outside the island and looked around. He saw celestial birds soaring and mythical beasts roaming freely on the island.
Three fairy peaks stand in a triangular shape, each with a palace on its summit, with flying eaves and brackets, shrouded in clouds and mist; spiritual springs and waterfalls cascade down the mountainside, and exotic flowers and rare herbs abound, truly a fairyland on earth.
Lion Camel King swallowed hard. In the past, he wouldn't have dared to even approach such a paradise.
He was about to use his magic to send a message, but before he could act...
A flash of red light appeared, and a woman was already standing in front of him.
She was beautiful and graceful, with her hair styled in double buns and dressed in a white crane and red robe, exuding a pure and dignified aura.
His aura was unfathomable; he simply stood there, and the Lion Camel King felt a sense of awe that made him dare not look directly at him.
The person who arrived was none other than Lady Yunxiao.
Yunxiao had sensed the aura of Yun Zhongzi's flower basket and assumed it was Yun Zhongzi himself, so she greeted him with a smile. But upon closer inspection, she discovered that the person carrying the flower basket was actually a lion demon, and her smile faded, replaced by a dignified and serious expression.
Who are you?