txolops Chapter 170 Fire Cloud Cave - Reward Settlement
Chapter 170 Fire Cloud Cave - Reward Settlement
Good traveler!
He took the jade disc, channeled his magic power, and pointed it at Red Boy's head.
Then the jade disc emitted a golden light, which shone on Red Boy's forehead.
Red Boy trembled, feeling the world spinning around him, and his consciousness gradually blurred.
In a daze, he saw two balls of light within his body: one golden-red, which was his primordial spirit; the other crimson, burning fiercely, which was the essence of the innate fire.
The two beams of light were intertwined, inseparable.
The traveler shouted, "Divide!"
With a soft "hiss," the crimson light detached from the golden-red light, hovering in mid-air, shining brightly.
The traveler then said, "Let's go back!"
The golden-red light returned to Red Boy.
The pilgrim finally breathed a sigh of relief, put away the jade disc, and said, "It's done!"
Red Boy's body went limp and he collapsed to the ground. Ruyi Zhenxian quickly helped him up.
The ball of fire essence floated in the air for a moment, then suddenly transformed into a streak of light and flew away into the distance.
Li Fa reacted swiftly, taking out a water-covered bowl from his sleeve, tossing it into the air, collecting the fire spirit inside, sealing the lid, and tucking it into his robes.
The pilgrim asked, "Old men, what do you need this fire spirit for?"
Li Fa laughed and said, "Although this thing is a source of trouble, it is also a precious treasure of heaven and earth. Keeping it might be useful."
As they were speaking, a golden light flashed before their eyes, and the Merit Chart appeared:
[Target of rescue: Niu Shengying]
[Rescue successful]
[Rewards: Choose any two of the following rewards]
[Optional Reward 1: Eight Jiazi of Mana from the "Creating Heaven and Earth Technique"]
[Optional Reward Two: Mastery of All Eighteen Martial Arts]
[Optional Reward 3: Transforming Rivers into Land (Supernatural Power)]
[Optional Reward 4: One random magic item]
[Optional Reward 5: Clone Technique]
After reading it, Li Fa pondered: the magic power was good, but not the most urgent matter; his martial arts were already mastered, and he already had a spear technique; the ability to divide rivers into land was not needed for the time being. However, the random magic weapon and the clone technique were quite tempting to him.
Random magical artifacts depend entirely on luck, but given his current good fortune, he might very well obtain something good. The clone technique is even more incredibly useful; if he could learn it, it would greatly facilitate his future endeavors.
He pondered for a moment, silently reciting in his mind: "Option four, a random magic weapon; Option five, the clone technique."
In an instant, a mysterious incantation appeared in his mind—the art of creating clones.
This technique differs from the Body Outside the Body technique. The Body Outside the Body is formed by plucking hairs, and although there are many of them, their strength is limited. The Body Clone technique, on the other hand, uses magic power to condense physical clones that are identical to the original body and can act independently. However, it consumes a great deal of energy, and usually only one clone can be created.
Three small copper coins appeared in his palm, golden in color, truly mystical.
Li Fa examined it several times, but not knowing its purpose, he put it in his pocket.
The traveler, with his sharp eyes, immediately spotted the copper coin in Li Fa's hand and leaned closer, asking, "Old man, what treasure are you holding?"
Li Fa, quick-witted, coaxed the traveler, saying, "These are the copper coins I often use for divination and geomancy."
The pilgrim laughed and said, "You're such a stingy fellow. It's only three copper coins. Why are you messing around with it? I thought it was a treasure."
Li Fa said, "If this were truly a treasure, wouldn't you want a share of it if you saw it?"
The pilgrim said, "Old Sun has always loved treasures. He's been poor for so long that he can't resist when he sees something nice."
Li Fa laughed and said, "It's a good thing that you didn't fall into that Taoist's net of heaven and earth."
The traveler said, "Indeed, indeed. Now that things are settled, it's time to go back. My master is still waiting for me up ahead."
Li Fa nodded and said, "The Great Sage is right."
He turned to Ruyi Zhenxian and Hong Hai'er, cupped his hands and said, "True Immortal, my nephew, the fire spirit has been removed. From now on, cultivate diligently and do not stray onto the evil path again. This humble Taoist takes his leave."
Ruyi Zhenxian quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life, Daoist Master! I was very rude just now, please forgive me!"
Red Boy also stepped forward and knelt down, kowtowing and saying, "Daoist Master, Uncle Sun, thank you for saving me from this sea of suffering. I... I have done many evil deeds in the past, harming many living beings. Now that I think about it, I truly deserve to die."
The pilgrim helped him up and said, "Nephew, it is a great virtue to know your mistakes and correct them. Do more good deeds in the future, and that will be your atonement."
Red Boy nodded repeatedly.
Li Fa returned the Banana Leaf Fan to Red Boy, instructing him to take it back to his mother. Only then did he and the Monkey King ride on a cloud, leaving Jieyang Mountain. They first went to Miaoyan Palace to return the treasure of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun and express their gratitude before returning to Tang Sanzang's resting place.
Tang Sanzang was meditating in the woods with Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing when he suddenly saw the two return. He quickly got up to greet them.
Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together and asked, "Wukong, Daoist Master, has the matter been resolved?"
The pilgrim laughed and said, "Master, don't worry. That old Taoist Guangming has been killed, and Red Boy has been rescued. Now that the fire spirit in his body has been removed, he will never harm anyone again."
Tang Sanzang chanted a Buddhist prayer and said, "Excellent, excellent! You have worked hard, Daoist Master, and you have worked hard, Wukong."
Pigsy leaned closer and said, "Brother, you went and succeeded. I wonder if there was any reward?"
The pilgrim said, "You fool, all you ever think about is getting paid! The Taoist priest risked his life to save someone, and you come asking for a reward? I'll give you a good beating first!"
Pigsy quickly shrank back, chuckling, "Brother, don't hit me! Your stick is too heavy for me. I was just joking!"
Li Fa, watching the master and disciple bickering, couldn't help but smile.
Although he smiled, his internal energy was still unstable, and he often felt sluggish when circulating his magical power.
He originally intended to bid farewell to Tang Sanzang and his disciples and find a secluded place to recuperate in seclusion, but he was too weak to even ride a cloud. If he encountered any demons or evil spirits on the way, he feared that he would be in grave danger.
He pondered for a moment, then said to Tang Sanzang, "Elder, I have a request to make."
Tang Sanzang said, "Please speak, Daoist Master."
Li Fa said, "Although I succeeded this time, I was injured, and my magical power has not yet recovered. If I travel alone, I fear I may encounter unforeseen circumstances. I wish to accompany the elder for a while to the west, and then make further arrangements once my injuries have healed. I wonder if the elder would be willing to take me in?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang put his palms together and said, "Amitabha! Daoist Master has been kind to my master and me. Now that you are in trouble, how can this humble monk stand idly by? It's just that my disciple is rude and I'm afraid he might have slighted you."
The traveler laughed and said, "Master, what are you saying? We're not strangers. Let's travel together for now, having a lively and enjoyable time, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Pigsy chimed in, “Exactly! Master, with the old monks here, you won’t have to nag us disciples anymore. It’s perfect for them to keep you company and relieve your boredom.”
Tang Sanzang was overjoyed upon hearing this and readily agreed.
Seeing this, Li Fa cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I will trouble you."
So Tang Sanzang instructed Pigsy to lead the horse, Sandy to carry the load, Monkey to lead the way, and himself to walk side by side with Li Fa.
Li Fa mounted the Youdu Black Tiger. The tiger was intelligent and moved slowly and steadily, without any bumps or jolts.
The group left Haoshan and continued westward.
This is exactly:
On Jieyang Mountain, they fought against the fierce and stubborn, and heavenly thunder vanquished evil in an instant.
Even if the three flowers are removed, the body remains; if the two fruits are eaten, life is restored.
The jade disc separates the spirit from the fire, purifying the body; the precious technique and the copper coin have wondrous uses.
What else awaits on the journey westward? Let's see what challenges lie ahead.