Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 64 Heading to Emei to Offer Assistance

Zhang Kui spent more than a month in Yuzhu Cave in Zhongnan Mountain and gained a great deal.

Under the unreserved and meticulous guidance of his mentor Yun Zhongzi, he has initially grasped the essentials of cultivating the "flying body and carrying traces" supernatural power, and his understanding of the meaning of "cloud impermanence" is quite profound.

Although he cannot yet truly achieve the state of effortless gathering and dispersal, existing in harmony with heaven and earth, he can already barely manage to conceal his form and aura, and even move within short distances by simulating the changes of clouds. He only needs to go to Mount Emei and listen to Zhao Gongming's explanation of "Wind Without Form" to verify it, and then he can try to inscribe this profound supernatural power as the Dao essence of the fifth stage of the Golden Core.

Another unexpected joy this past month or so has been the deep friendship he's formed with little Lei Zhenzi. Zhang Kui has successfully won over the boy's heart with simple yet fascinating toys and stories from his memory. Now, whenever Lei Zhenzi sees him, he calls him "Uncle, Uncle" incessantly, showing great affection.

That morning, the rosy dawn illuminated Jade Pillar Cave. Zhang Kui, feeling he had already lingered long enough, decided to take his leave of Yun Zhongzi.

"Senior, I have been a great friend for over a month and have benefited immensely from your guidance. I am now preparing to travel to Mount Emei and have come to bid you farewell." Zhang Kui bowed, his words sincere.

Yun Zhongzi stroked his beard and smiled, "Young friend, why do you say that? Discussing the Dao with you has broadened my horizons. How could I be bothering you? I only hope that you will come to Zhongnan Mountain to visit sometime in the future."

The two said their goodbyes, their friendship evident.

Zhang Kui squatted down again, patted Lei Zhenzi's little head, and said gently, "Lei Zhenzi, Uncle is leaving now. You must listen to your master and cultivate diligently. When we meet again, you will definitely be a strong and upright man."

Lei Zhenzi pouted, his face full of reluctance, and tugged at Zhang Kui's sleeve: "Goodbye, Uncle... How long will it be before we meet again?"

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, stood up, his gaze deep and penetrating the clouds and mist of Zhongnan Mountain, as if he could see the calamity that was about to sweep across the world: "It won't be long. After all, this world... won't give us time for sentimentality. In a world of great strife, it's inevitable to worry whether we advance or retreat. However, we cultivators should forge ahead bravely."

The profound meaning behind his words made Yun Zhongzi's expression instantly turn serious, and his gaze towards Zhang Kui became more knowing—it seemed that this young friend was also well aware of the impending catastrophe.

Finally, Zhang Kui, half-jokingly and half-seriously, left Lei Zhenzi with a profound statement: "Lei Zhenzi, remember one thing from your uncle. In this life, what's the most important thing when you're out there making your way in the world? It's this: you have to get out there first."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer. He bowed to Yun Zhongzi one last time, and with a flicker, he transformed into an elusive five-colored streak of light. He then used the Five Elements Great Escape technique to soar into the sky and sped towards Mount Emei in the southwest.

Yun Zhongzi gazed in the direction where he disappeared, remaining silent for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh. He then led the seemingly understanding Lei Zhenzi back into the cave.

Having bid farewell to Zhongnan Mountain, Zhang Kui focused intently on his escape, flying at full speed without any further delay. He skillfully employed the Five Elements Escape Technique, moving with perfect fluidity, and his speed was three times faster than when he arrived. In just a few days, he reached the Sichuan region, where he saw majestic mountains, their spiritual energy soaring into the sky, with Mount Emei being the most exceptionally beautiful and spiritually endowed among them.

Mount Emei's shape resembles the slender and beautiful eyebrows of a cicada's head, hence its name.

The mountain range stretches endlessly, with verdant peaks, rolling seas of clouds, and rays of light. Ancient trees reach for the sky, waterfalls cascade and springs flow, cranes cry in the air, and monkeys howl in the valleys. Countless caves are hidden within, breathing in spiritual energy, truly a Taoist paradise.

Zhang Kui dispelled his escape light and appeared at the foot of a mountain, intending to ask a local cultivator or mountain spirit for directions to Luofu Cave. As he was walking along a secluded mountain path, he suddenly heard booming and shouting sounds of colliding magical power coming from the depths of the dense forest ahead, with a faint demonic aura permeating the air.

"A fight?" Zhang Kui raised an eyebrow, his mind racing, and his internal energy quietly circulated according to the method taught by Yun Zhongzi. "Perfect opportunity to test the effects of this newly learned 'Flying Body Leap' technique."

In an instant, his aura became extremely faint, his figure seemingly shrouded in an invisible mist, blending subtly with the surrounding rocks, trees, and even the flowing clouds, his presence drastically diminished. This was precisely the initial manifestation of "Cloud Impermanence"—not a complete disappearance, but rather becoming like an ordinary wisp of cloud in the mountains, inconspicuous.

He moved forward silently, his footsteps barely making a sound on the fallen leaves, his figure appearing and disappearing in the shadows of the trees, and soon he approached the scene of the fight.

In a clearing in the forest, two groups were locked in fierce combat. The group with the advantage consisted of three men exuding an aura of demonic power. Judging from their physical characteristics, they were likely beasts who had attained enlightenment: one had curved bull horns on his head and wielded a massive mountain-splitting axe, possessing immense strength and imposing presence; another had cold, serpentine vertical pupils in his eyes, flicking his scarlet tongue, and was surrounded by a colorful poisonous mist; the last one had a face like a bear's head and wielded a heavy iron hammer, displaying unparalleled ferocity.

Meanwhile, at a disadvantage and struggling to hold on, were two young Taoist priests dressed in black and white robes. One wielded two swords, their blades gleaming, while the other held a single sword, his movements steady and deliberate. However, they could only rely on two jewel-like magical artifacts suspended above their heads, which formed solid light shields to barely withstand the three demons' relentless attacks. The light shields were already teetering on the brink of collapse, their light flickering erratically.

The Taoist priest wielding two swords struggled to stay upright while cursing, "You three ungrateful wretches! My brother and I saw you trapped in a formation left by our ancestors and couldn't escape, so we kindly rescued you. Instead of repaying our kindness, you coveted our magical treasures and committed this robbery."

The snake demon chuckled sinisterly, spitting out a snake-like tongue: "Hiss... We are deeply grateful for the life-saving grace of the two immortals. However, the world is in dire straits, and our cultivation is too weak; we fear we may suffer further misfortune. Why not ask the two immortals to show their mercy and bestow these two precious pearls upon us to help us protect ourselves? Wouldn't that be a perfect act of merit?"

The bear demon replied in a gruff voice, his eyes flashing with ferocity: "We three brothers have been starving for days. Why don't you two immortals go all out and give up your physical bodies so we can have a good meal? How about it?"

The bull demon was quite "honest," shaking its horns and saying, "I'm a vegetarian, you two can share it. I only want the pearl."

The Taoist priest wielding the single sword was clearly more impatient. Upon hearing this, he flew into a rage and shouted, "You're courting death! We two are disciples of the Jie Sect, and our master is Zhao Gongming of Luofu Cave on Mount Emei. We just used a jade talisman to beg our master for help. Once he arrives, he will surely annihilate you, body and soul, so that you may never be reincarnated!"

Hearing this from the sidelines, Zhang Kui nearly coughed up blood. He cursed inwardly, "How could someone be so stupid! Your shout is practically telling them to kill you, cover their tracks, and destroy the evidence!"

As expected, upon hearing this, the three demons locked eyes, a fierce and resolute glint flashing in their eyes. The snake demon hissed, "Thank you for the reminder, Immortal! In that case, we will send you two into reincarnation as soon as possible, so that your master will not have to go through so much trouble."

Before the words were even finished, the three demons unleashed their full power without holding back! The snake demon spewed out a large plume of colorful, foul-smelling poisonous mist that quickly spread, causing the surrounding vegetation to wither upon contact, clearly indicating its potent toxicity; the bull demon roared, its giant axe carrying the power to split mountains and shatter rocks as it slammed into the crumbling protective barrier, producing a deafening roar; the bear demon also wielded its iron hammer like a windmill, striking the light barrier repeatedly with overwhelming force.

Under the combined onslaught of the three demons and the corrosive effects of the snake venom, the light from the precious pearls above the two Taoist priests' heads dimmed rapidly, their protective shields fluctuated violently, and cracks spread like a spider web. Their faces were deathly pale, their magical power nearly exhausted, and they swayed precariously.

"Click—"

With a crisp cracking sound, the struggling protective barrier finally shattered completely like glass, dissipating into specks of light. The two, their magical artifacts losing their luster, fell to the ground, coughing up blood from the backlash and staggering backward. Facing the three grinning demons closing in, despair flashed in their eyes, and they instinctively closed their eyes, awaiting death.

"It's over..." Yao Shaosi felt a chill in his heart.

At this critical moment—

"snort!"

A cold snort seemed to come from the void, carrying a chilling aura. Immediately afterward, a figure appeared without warning between the two and the three demons, as swift as lightning.

It was Zhang Kui who used the "Flying Body Leap" technique to quietly approach and suddenly appear at this moment.

His timing and location were perfect, blocking the three demons' fatal attack route.