Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

The night in the Great Tang was brightly lit, as every household on Changan Street had hung large red lanterns, turning the sky a shade of red. Many citizens were enjoying the cool evening in their courtyards, wrapped in the joyful sounds and laughter of the city, while the grand mansions of gate noble clans were filled with the harmony of song and dance, portraying an era of great prosperity.

Yet, outside Changan City, upon Li Mountain, Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng were anxiously waiting for Lu Yu's arrival.

Moonlight, resembling water, shone upon Li Mountain, draping the verdant peak in a layer of silver radiance. Summer nights on Li Mountain were always marked by howling Great Winds, rustling through the dense woods with a whispering sound.

When the moonlight illuminated both their faces, their expressions of anxiety were starkly evident, a far cry from their usual demeanor of immortals and men of the Taoist path.

"Why has Mr. Lu not arrived yet?" Yuan Tiangang asked with a hint of anxiety.

"Brother, your heart is in turmoil," said Li Chunfeng, his hollow eyes looking towards Yuan Tiangang, his voice light and quickly carried away by the wind.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tiangang cracked a bitter smile and said, "Only now do I understand what it means to face a calamity. My supposed mastery of inner peace is as fragile as paper, enveloped in anxiety at every moment, my mind unsettled and my breathing erratic. If this continues, I fear I might suffer a deviation. Indeed, the Human Path's Fortune and Destiny are not forces to be trifled with lightly."

"Mr. Lu is an exceptional individual. Since he has made such an arrangement, he certainly won't break his promise. Brother, you should try to calm the restlessness in your heart and prepare for what is to come," Li Chunfeng spoke with a light voice, yet it carried a soothing power that gradually eased Yuan Tiangang's restlessness.

He looked at his blind younger Disciple, sighed softly, and thought, indeed, a genius. Such Cultivation Strength could not be achieved without many years of delving into Taoist scriptures; introducing him into the Taoist Sect was the right choice.

Under Li Chunfeng's comforting words, Yuan Tiangang finally managed to suppress the turmoil in his heart and waited patiently for Lu Yu's arrival.

As the water-like moonlight flowed through the mountains, seeming to become a silvery river, a figure emerged from within the flow, clad in a green robe with a deep and natural aura, it was the long-awaited Lu Yu.

And the manner of his entrance left both onlookers stricken with awe. What kind of Divine Skills were these, and why had they never heard of them before? The image of Lu Yu stepping out from the water-like moonlight was deeply etched into their minds, a memory that would remain fresh even after countless years.

"The younger generation pays respect to the Tea Saint!" both promptly greeted with a bow.

Lu Yu nodded with a smile and asked, "Is everything ready?"

"Rest assured, all preparations have been made; we're just waiting for your move," Yuan Tiangang replied respectfully.

At the summit of Li Mountain, a complex Array had been laid out, that upon close inspection, seemed to incorporate Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and the Twenty-Eight Star Immortals. A single Array that encapsulated the whole universe could be considered an encyclopedia of the entire Cultivation Realm.

Lu Yu walked around it, examining it carefully before nodding with satisfaction, "Good, this Formation is well laid out."

Indeed, only such excellent disciples of the Taoist Sect could arrange the Array with such precision, without a single flaw. Confident about the purpose of tonight's endeavor, Lu Yu's faith was bolstered even more.

"Both of you, prepare yourselves thoroughly, we'll begin shortly. Don't be surprised by anything you see," Lu Yu instructed gently. Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng nodded seriously, understanding the significance of observing the nation's destiny and the necessity of treating it with utmost respect. Moreover, as their own Mana was limited, they feared risking deviation if they were not cautious.

Once both were ready, Lu Yu took his position at the center of the Array, while Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng sat cross-legged on either side, their Mana flowing, with illusory images of Later Heaven Eight Trigrams rising.

Lu Yu, within the Array, also exerted his Mana, drawing from his own strength to initiate a creation similar to the opening of heaven and earth, transforming his form into Taiji, from which the Two Powers emerged, which then gave birth to the Four Symbols, and the Four Symbols produced the Eight Trigrams.

The entire Array illuminated sequentially, and suddenly, a brilliant radiance burst forth atop Li Mountain, with the silver light piercing the heavens and earth, startling numerous citizens who had not yet fallen asleep.

At the foot of the mountain, the most elite troops had already been stationed to guard the area and prevent anyone from entering Li Mountain. The carriage of the Great Tang's Emperor, Li Shimin, was there, as he looked eagerly at the luminance atop the mountain, hope flickering in his eyes.

After a while, the glow gradually faded, and the entirety of Li Mountain seemed to be enveloped in a special light. The solid mountain appeared as if it were made of water at that moment and began to ripple with the wind.

Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng maintaining the Array at the sides were stunned by this spectacle. They felt that Mr. Lu might be about to undertake a heaven-shattering deed.

At this moment, the fluctuations from Li Mountain grew more intense, and gradually the sound of water could be heard, as if the water-like mountain had connected with a mysterious river.

A profound and enigmatic aura began to emerge, and Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng recognized it immediately as the power of destiny, the very force they most feared yet longed for when divining fortunes.

But now, this intangible, mysterious force seemed to materialize before their very eyes, tempting them strongly. However, knowing the critical stage of the Array's operation, they restrained their desires, not daring to touch it, fully aware that they could not afford the slightest error and could only watch the power they coveted slip through their fingers.

With a gentle exhale to adjust the regret in their hearts, they refocused their attention on the Array.