Chapter Four: The Explosive Needle of the Anus, The Water Monster of the Pond Leech

This silver needle has detached from its original body, initially possessing the properties of a shock wood. After being tempered away from fire, it encompasses both metal and wood characteristics, capable of varying in size, as large as a beam or as small as a mustard seed. If it pierces the human body and is then suddenly enlarged

The Ziyang Daoist could not resist the persuasion of his two junior brothers and nodded, saying: "In addition to dealing with the monsters, I will go to the royal palace to cultivate some good fortune with King Qingping, and then return to Longhu Mountain to construct the golden body with the ancestral master"

Zhu Yuanwai chuckled softly and jumped out of the window. He saw a dark cloud rolling towards him, within which was a bare-footed, muscular man with fiery red hair and a blue indigo beard that reached his abdomen, holding a Soro treasure staff, looking quite imposing.

Zhu Pangzi landed outside a city below, swaggering in with his little belly protruding. He found an inn to stay in, where he both cultivated to restore his vitality and organized the memories of Marshal Tianpeng.

Sha Wujing, after all, was once a celestial being, holding a noble status. When insulted, he felt a surge of anger in his heart. Although he harbored thoughts of violence, he did not dare to confront Zhang Tianshi directly and instead made every effort to defend himself. The three Taoists, seeing that he did not dare to retaliate, became increasingly aggressive, attacking faster and more fiercely, ultimately abandoning their defenses and launching a full-scale assault.

The growth of strength cannot be forced; Zhu Ganglie is not concerned about it. After leaving the guest room, he went downstairs and ordered a pot of Longjing tea, sitting by the window to savor it slowly. He asked the tea doctor standing beside him, "Are there any monsters causing trouble nearby?"

The tea doctor, struggling with his doctoral degree, found himself unable to escape and, with a mournful expression, said: "Master, in the past, this catfish spirit would only seek out people to eat by the water's edge and would not cause trouble in the city. However, every seven days, it would unleash its magic and fly into the city to carry away people and livestock. Today is only the sixth day, so by my calculations, it won't arrive until tomorrow. Therefore, I dare to say there are no monsters!"

Hehe, this treasure is called the Exploding Flower Needle! Zhu Ganglie was immensely proud, stating that if this magical artifact were to be inserted into the rear entrance, it would suddenly expand, and even a deity would not be able to withstand it, surely resulting in a burst. Hmm, when I have time, I will enhance its power and find a deity to test it!

The Yellow Wind Monster glared and said, "What do you know? Here you are making a fuss again!" Ignoring him, I continued to pack my belongings and led the group of demons straight towards the west

Sha Wujing retracted the essence of Tang Seng, causing the myriad of demonic clouds to disperse. He paused in mid-air, contemplating: "I have a past with Zhang Tianshi, so it would not be appropriate for me to become his disciple. However, tomorrow the Jade Emperor will again send down heavenly soldiers to pierce me with flying swords a hundred times. How can I replenish my vitality without consuming some people?"

The Supreme Treasure of Pure Gold and Palladium was forged by the Supreme Laozi using divine ice iron, condensing the power of the stars with the innate Eight Trigrams, making the palladium indestructible and capable of stabilizing the universe and separating the sun and moon. The two decorative jade pendants shaped like leaves are also remarkable treasures, capable of transforming into the Six-Yao Five-Star Formation. Marshal Tianpeng is a laid-back character; upon obtaining the Supreme Treasure of Pure Gold and Palladium, he merely uses it as a tool for fishing out aquatic plants, only developing a fraction of its power, relying solely on brute force to engage in hard combat.

Zhu Ganglie was just about to fly up to speak with Sha Wujing when several beams of light shot out from the city. Three Taoist priests, holding celestial swords, formed a triangular formation to block the path of the demon cloud, and in unison shouted: "Demon, do not act so arrogantly! Do you recognize the Taoists of Zixiao Palace on Mount Longhu?"

The Tiger Vanguard thought to himself: "Why should I endure his anger? Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to stay behind and become a demon king?" Thus, he secretly left the group and flew back to the Yellow Wind Ridge. Inside the Yellow Wind Cave, everything was in place. The Tiger Vanguard looked around and chuckled: "This saves me money on buying supplies. However, being a solitary person is never good; I must gather some little demons to become the great king myself!" He then proclaimed himself as the Tiger King and began searching for demons. Although his actions were unintentional, he unknowingly shielded the Yellow Wind Monster from disaster, leading to its demise at the hands of Sun Wukong five hundred years later, which shall not be mentioned.

Grandma, we are both great generals from the heavens, yet how is it that he has transformed into such a magnificent fairy while I remain a little pig that cannot grow up?

The tea doctor’s expression changed as he cautiously stared at him. While ordinary people would avoid monsters, this plump gentleman before him was actually seeking one. Anything unusual is deemed a monster. The tea doctor scrutinized for a long time but could not discern the fox tail of Zhu Yuanwai. Just as he was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside: "The monster is coming!"

Zhu Ganglie released him, and the tea doctor quickly slipped under the table, whispering: "Sir, you should come down and hide from the storm too"

What is hidden in the dark clouds is his primordial spirit, a giant catfish over ten zhang in length, swallowing clouds and exhaling mist, its power astonishing

The three Daoists saw him lost in thought and became somewhat impatient. One of the younger Daoists said, "Brother Ziyang, what reason do we have to discuss with this monster? Let us directly slay it; that would count as a merit for us!"

I see. Zhu Gang effortlessly refined the horizontal bone, with the true energy of fire circling around his throat, naturally refining the horizontal bone. With a thought, he ritualistically refined the horizontal bone into a silver needle, as fine as a hair.

After refining the Explosive Needle, the Red Gang's Fierce Sealing Guest Room, he began to meticulously refine the Supreme Treasure, the Golden Palladium. This magical artifact possesses immense power and is significantly more challenging to refine. However, with the memory of Marshal Tianpeng, Zhu Ganglie was able to merge his mind completely with the Golden Palladium without expending much effort, while also discovering its various marvelous uses.

The Tiger Vanguard stepped forward and said: "My lord, relying on others is never as joyful as being your own king. Although our Yellow Wind Ridge is somewhat small, it is ungoverned. The West may be appealing, but ultimately it is filled with demon kings, making it difficult to establish a foothold."

The teahouse was suddenly thrown into chaos, with tea tasting, singing, storytelling, and money collection all in a flurry, everyone scrambling to hide under the tables, trembling in fear. Even the tea doctor next to Old Zhu had to burrow under the table and into the books. Zhu Ganglie yanked him out and asked, "Didn’t you say there were no monsters here?"

The three Daoists were furious. Ziyang Daoist spat and shouted, "My master is a true immortal from the heavenly court, an enlightened sage. How could he possibly drink tea and discuss the Dao with a monster like you! Stop flattering yourself; today, I will not spare you!" Three long swords slashed through the air, taking turns to stab at Sha Wujing. The celestial swords emitted rumbling thunder, clearly employing the Five Thunder Heavenly Gang technique from Longhu Mountain.

Zhu Ganglie rode the Li Huo Chang Hong, heading westward, but after flying just six hundred miles, he completely exhausted his true energy. Although the speed of the Li Huo Chang Hong is indeed fast, the consumption of true energy is too great. Even though he is now a loose immortal, he could only sustain it for six hundred miles. This clearly indicates the significant gap between him and Daojun Luya.

The three Daoists worked together, directing their flying swords towards the catfish spirit. Sha Wujing, with his remarkable cultivation, lightly flicked and swept with his Suoluo treasure staff, deflecting the three celestial swords. He said in a deep voice: "Three young friends, I often drink tea and discuss the Dao with your sect's Master Zhang, so we are old acquaintances. Why must you make things difficult for me?"

After organizing the memories of Marshal Tianpeng, Zhu Ganglie finally understood why he was unable to speak. It turned out that as a beast cultivating the Dao and transforming into human form, one could only speak after refining the horizontal bone. His realm had advanced too quickly, and with no guidance, the horizontal bone had not been refined, which naturally resulted in his inability to speak

The doctor with a degree chuckled and said, "Master Zhu, what are you talking about? Although my humble country of Qingping is small, we have always honored Buddhism and respected the Dao. Immortals often descend here, so what kind of demons or monsters would dare to cause trouble? However, a few years ago, a catfish spirit did come to the area near the Liushajia River, and it was quite ferocious!"

"The River of Flowing Sand and the Catfish Spirit? It seems that the Curtain-Lifting General has taken over and reincarnated." Zhu Ganglie nodded and then asked, "Where is the River of Flowing Sand?"

Although Zhu Ganglie is aware of the function of the Qinjingbai, he is hindered by his limited strength and is unable to fully unleash its power

Indeed, subduing demons and eliminating evil is the duty of us cultivators. By slaying this monster and seizing its demon core, not only will we accumulate merit, but our own power will also be significantly enhanced

The three of them were cultivators on the verge of ascension, their attack power strong enough to rival that of scattered immortals. Sha Wujing held on for a moment but could not withstand it any longer. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a voice said: "Fellow Daoists, do not panic, I am here to assist you"

After he finished arranging everything, he looked up to see the person. The individual was plump and fair, dressed in a gentleman's robe, exuding an air of wealth and nobility, with a beaming smile on his face. If it were not for the pure celestial aura surrounding him, Sha Wujing would almost doubt that he was a wealthy and prosperous gentleman.

Sha Wujing, upon hearing that help had arrived, quickly opened his mouth and sprayed out a stream of true Samadhi water, forming a thin curtain of water to protect himself. This true Samadhi water was refined from three thousand weak waters; regardless of celestial weapons or divine metals, upon contact with this water, they would be corroded of their magical power and transformed into mortal iron. Even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be reduced to white bones upon touching a single drop.