It's better to go to Flower Fruit Mountain. Sun Wukong hasn't been born yet, and the two Western Saints are plotting to confer the gods. If I secretly kill Sun Wukong, no one should notice.
Last time, in Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, I obtained a thin bloodline of the Chaos Demon Ape from Sun Wukong. If I were to refine Sun Wukong, I estimate that the bloodline would be upgraded.
Hao Yun had never cared about bloodline before, but since his cultivation was stuck at the peak of the Profound Immortal realm and could not be improved, he realized that bloodline determines a person's potential.
If I hadn't obtained the Spirit Pearl, my cultivation level would probably still be stuck at the peak of the Profound Immortal realm.
Having decided to set sail, Hao Yun immediately embarked on his journey, flying on his sword towards the East Sea, where he began his search for Flower Fruit Mountain.
A year has passed, and Hao Yun is still flying aimlessly at sea, occasionally grabbing a spirit or monster to ask for directions.
"Hey you, you yaksha, stop right there!"
Hao Yun, who was flying aimlessly on the sea, spotted a patrolling sea monster walking arrogantly on the waves ahead of him. Hao Yun, who was in a bad mood, stopped him directly.
This sea patrol yaksha, whose cultivation was only at the Celestial Immortal level, immediately became as docile as a kitten upon seeing that Hao Yun was a Golden Immortal.
"Immortal, what business do you have with me?"
Since the other party had adopted such a humble attitude, Hao Yun felt embarrassed to cause him any more trouble.
Do you know about Flower and Fruit Mountain?
Just as the patrolling sea demon was about to say he didn't know, he saw Hao Yun swing his spiked club, and he swallowed his words back.
"Immortal, could you describe what the immortal mountain you are looking for looks like? Perhaps I have seen it before, but the name is different from yours."
Hao Yun thought for a moment, then began to describe it.
"There are many monkeys on the island, and a stubborn rock that absorbs the essence of the sun and moon."
That's it?
The sea patrol yaksha was dumbfounded. "You're being too vague. There are tons of islands like that on the open sea."
"What? Do you have a problem with that?"
Hao Yun's gaze was piercing, making the patrolling sea yaksha break out in a cold sweat.
"No, no, I have seen an island with monkeys, in this direction, about three thousand miles away."
"I hope you're not lying to me. If there are no monkeys, you're as good as dead!"
After leaving those words behind, Hao Yun turned and left. As for the sea patrol yaksha, it disappeared into the sea. He had already decided to go back and cultivate in seclusion to avoid trouble.
After spending several days, Hao Yun found the island that the Sea Patrol Yaksha had mentioned. There were indeed monkeys on it, but it wasn't the Flower Fruit Mountain he was looking for.
"Damn it! I don't believe it, I'll keep looking!"
They hadn't flown far when a slightly sinister voice came from behind.
"Fellow Daoist, please wait."
Hao Yun instantly got goosebumps all over his body and felt extremely disgusted.
Turning his head, Hao Yunxin felt a chill run down his spine. Holy crap! No way, it's Shen Gongbao!
"Am I going to die too?" This question, "Fellow Daoist, please wait," shattered Hao Yun's composure.
Shen Gongbao approached Hao Yun and said, "What a coincidence, we meet again."
Without saying a word, Hao Yun turned and ran. He wanted to get away from this jinx and try to survive until his stay ended.
"Fellow Daoist, where are we headed?"
Shen Gongbao's escape skills were excellent, and he easily caught up with Hao Yun, standing in front of him with a gloomy smile on his face.
"I don't know you well, goodbye!"
Hao Yun changed direction and continued his escape; he didn't want to get involved with Shen Gongbao.
"Fellow Daoist, you ruined my plans, and I didn't pursue the matter. So... can't you even talk to me?"
Seeing that he couldn't escape, Hao Yun stopped running. He was mentally exhausted. Without a good escape technique, he couldn't even run away. It was really too painful.
"Alright, just say what you have to say."
Shen Gongbao stopped beside Hao Yun and said with a smile.
"Then...then come with me...I...I'll do it."
Hearing Shen Gongbao speak, Hao Yun almost choked.
Following behind Shen Gongbao, the two arrived at a small island, which was Shen Gongbao's Taoist temple.
Upon entering the dojo, Hao Yun couldn't help but marvel at how wealthy the people of the Chan Sect were. There were over a dozen innate-grade fruit trees on the island, not to mention the numerous acquired-grade ones, which were everywhere.
The two entered the temple, and two young boys brought in two cups of fragrant tea before leaving.
The two, each lost in their own thoughts, fell silent, neither of them speaking.
After taking a sip of tea, Hao Yun's eyes lit up. Good stuff! His cultivation level had actually improved slightly.
Hao Yun drank the tea in his cup in one gulp and looked at Shen Gongbao with a smile.
"Look, the tea is gone. Shall we get another cup?"
Shen Gongbao's lips twitched. He never expected Hao Yun to be so shameless. This tea was a gift from the Primordial Celestial Venerable, and he usually couldn't bear to drink it.
"Fellow Daoist, the great calamity of heaven and earth is about to begin. Do you intend to devote yourself to cultivation, or participate in the calamity?"
This is a test. Hao Yun is already involved in the great calamity, and Shen Gongbao is preparing to bring him into his camp.
Regardless of whether it's useful or not, it's fine even if it's just to annoy Master Taiyi.
Chapter 122 Shen Gongbao's Invitation
From Shen Gongbao's questions, Hao Yun realized that Shen Gongbao wanted to oppose Jiang Ziya.
More accurately, it was Shen Gongbao who wanted to attract the attention of Yuanshi Tianzun.
"Fellow Daoist, isn't this a bit too insincere?"
Hao Yun toyed with the empty teacup, a hint of a smile in his eyes. Since you want to drag me into this mess, I won't let you off so easily.
Actually, it doesn't matter which faction Hao Yun chooses in the Investiture of the Gods camp. He still has three years left to stay, and he'll probably return before the Investiture of the Gods war even begins.
However, before going back, I must make the most of this opportunity, because who knows if I'll have another chance to travel to the prehistoric world in the future.
Shen Gongbao glanced at Hao Yun, picked up the teacup on the table, and savored the spiritual tea in it.
Shen Gongbao couldn't taste the tea at all. In the Chan Sect, he was the kind of person who was neither loved by his parents and nobody wanted to talk to him.
To fight against Jiang Ziya, Shen Gongbao had to unite all forces that could be united. Gritting his teeth, Shen Gongbao shouted to the outside world.
"Serve tea!"
Upon hearing this, the boy outside the door immediately went to brew tea.
Shen Gongbao wanted to say something, but Hao Yun wouldn't listen, as if he wouldn't speak until the spirit tea was served.
A few minutes later, the boy brought in the spirit tea.
"Fellow Daoist, the tea is served now. Shouldn't you tell me your choice?"
Shen Gongbao was getting anxious. The Investiture of the Gods was about to begin, and he wanted to compete with Jiang Ziya for the position of Investiture Official. He didn't have time to waste here.
Like a cow chewing on a peony, Hao Yun picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp, making Shen Gongbao feel a pang of heartache.
"Actually, it doesn't matter to me whether I join or not. I'm just a minor Golden Immortal. Even if a great calamity occurs, I can't stir up any waves by myself."
As Hao Yong spoke, he glanced at Shen Gongbao.
Shen Gongbao was a smart man and quickly understood what Hao Yun meant: whether Hao Yun joined his camp or not depended on his performance.
“Fellow Daoist, the Investiture of the Gods is about to begin. The Investiture of the Gods list is currently in the Chan Sect. I will strive to obtain the position of Investiture of the Gods official. When the Investiture of the Gods takes place, your name will naturally be on the list.”
If Shen Gongbao had said these words to other wandering immortals without any sect or affiliation, they would probably have eagerly agreed. But Hao Yun was different; he had no interest in the divine positions on the Investiture of the Gods.
Even if he could remain in this world, Hao Yun would not become a god and be subject to the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court.
"Are you still not satisfied, fellow Daoist?"
Seeing Hao Yun smile without saying a word, Shen Gongbao felt a headache coming on. This guy's appetite was too big. If it weren't for the fact that Hao Yun was a Taiyi Golden Immortal, Shen Gongbao wouldn't have bothered with him here and would have told him to leave long ago.
"Then what do you want?"
"Cultivation techniques and escape methods."
In fact, Hao Yun wanted more, such as innate spiritual treasures, but considering that Shen Gongbao was unlikely to give them, Hao Yun lowered his requirements.
Shen Gongbao frowned, hesitating whether to agree. Although the cultivation technique he practiced was a common technique of the Chan Sect, his master might blame him if he handed it over to an outsider.
"If that doesn't work, then forget it. Goodbye."
Without any hesitation, Hao Yun got up and walked out.
"etc!"
Shen Gongbao called out to Hao Yun, gritted his teeth, and took out two jade slips.
"Here you go. Once I obtain the title of God, I will need your help."
"no problem."
Hao Yun took the jade slip and checked it. The cultivation technique was the Great Celestial Immortal Technique, and the escape technique was Earth Escape from the Five Elements Escape Technique.
Hao Yun was quite satisfied with the cultivation technique; it was sufficient to support his cultivation to the level of a Great Luo Golden Immortal.
As for the escape technique, Hao Yun felt a bit of a headache; Shen Gongbao was digging a hole for himself.
Earth Escape, one of the Five Elements Escape Techniques, is countered by the supernatural power of "Pointing to the Earth to Turn it into Steel." The most disgusting thing is that many people in the Chan Sect know this move, since this supernatural power is one of the cultivation methods among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Techniques.
"Of the Five Elements Escape Techniques, you only gave me Earth Escape? Isn't that a bit excessive?"
Hao Yun weighed the jade slip in his hand, his expression a half-smile.
“The Five Elements Escape Technique is very difficult to cultivate. I have only learned the Earth Escape. The other four escape techniques are the same speed as the Earth Escape. Fellow Daoist, you don’t need to worry about them.”
Shen Gongbao spoke with great sincerity. If Hao Yun hadn't known that pointing to the ground could counter earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic or magic), he would have almost believed him.
"Turning the earth into steel."
When Hao Yun uttered those four words, Shen Gongbao's smile immediately froze. He had originally thought Hao Yun was a rogue cultivator who didn't know the intricacies of this place, but he hadn't expected the other party to actually know. This was quite embarrassing.