Chapter 9: The Resurrection of the Golden Bell

Mu Changsheng strongly agrees with this viewpoint

Master Mu, you are a person of great fortune and immense perseverance

The center of the second heaven is a vast land, still as beautiful as a fairyland, and many islands of varying sizes are floating in the half-space surrounding the land

Indeed, many monsters in Journey to the West go to great lengths to consume the flesh of the monk Tang Seng, as they believe that by doing so, they can attain a positive outcome.

Regardless of whether the effects of the water in this heavenly pool are true or false, the opportunity is indeed rare. It is likely that there will be no chance to enter again in the future, so he plans to soak a little longer and take a nap before going out

Walking on this stone path that appears and disappears among the clouds, Mu Changsheng found that with each step he took closer to the high platform where the Heavenly Pool was located, his state of mind became increasingly calm and peaceful, as if an invisible force was influencing him

Zhong Tianbing : `` ... ... ''

Mu Changsheng truly wishes to slap himself twice and then find a crack in the ground to hide in

Having said that, he jumped into the Heavenly Pool with a "plop," submerging his entire body beneath the water's surface

The first impression that the heavenly realm gave to Mu Changsheng was beauty, and the second impression was grandeur

Ten celestial soldiers, clad in armor and wielding sharp weapons, stand before the Heavenly Pool Gate

Taibai Jinxing said: "Young Master Mu, you will continue along this road, and you will soon see a white jade platform. On the platform, there is a pool of water; bathing in it once will allow you to be reborn. After your bath, please come out quickly and accompany me to meet His Majesty"

Mu Changsheng nodded calmly, yet his heart could not help but feel a surge of excitement; transforming from a mortal into an immortal is likely to stir emotions in anyone

As he took off his clothes, he said with a hint of skepticism, "I wonder if this water is really as miraculous as the Platinum Star said it would be"

Does Taibai come bearing Your Majesty's decree?

The highest point of the First Heaven is a thick layer of clouds. After the Venus of Tai Bai led him through the cloud layer, they arrived at the Second Heaven

Step by step, as he finally set his feet on the high platform, Mu Changsheng discovered that the entire platform was actually made of precious white jade without a hint of impurity

The Taibai Jinxing Dao, while speaking, reached into his sleeve and threw an object in front of him. The object then emitted a golden light, spreading out flat before the eyes of several people. It turned out to be a golden decree, and above it, large golden characters slowly emerged.

Earlier, it was shrouded in clouds and mist, making it difficult for him to see clearly. However, upon passing through a narrow path, he saw a square platform that was three zhang wide, with nine steps leading up to the platform.

The Star of Venus nodded slightly and said: "Indeed, Young Master Mu is not a cultivator who has attained the Dao, but rather a mortal who seeks to become an immortal. Therefore, it is necessary for him to bathe in the waters of the Heavenly Pool to undergo a transformation."

This shepherd indeed possesses great fortune and immense perseverance; otherwise, how could he possibly encounter such a miracle, where a virtuous person emerges only once every few thousand years?

The Way of the Venus Star: "Most beings attain immortality through the practice of cultivating truth and refining their energy, ultimately achieving the desired outcome, whereas Young Master Mu has attained immortality through the merits of his virtuous deeds."

Whether to become a Buddha, or to become an immortal, to become a deity, to attain eternal life, in the end, not only did they fail to consume Tang Seng's flesh, but they also lost their own life in the process

Just as he was about to fall asleep, an extremely audacious voice echoed deep within his mind

It is the Planet Venus who has arrived. Among these heavenly soldiers, the foremost stepped forward and clasped his fists, saying: "So it is the Planet Venus. Have you come here today for some matter?"

The Taibai Jinxing pointed at the shepherd Changsheng, who was looking around in confusion, and said: "This is a person of enlightenment from the lower realm. Having completed his merits, His Majesty has specially sent me to the lower realm to bring him to heaven, and to the Heavenly Pool for rebirth and transformation, to achieve the status of an immortal"

Immediately, Mu Changsheng saw a point of light shooting out from his forehead, which grew larger in the wind, eventually transforming into a golden bell that floated in front of him

Mu Changsheng originally intended to inquire if there were any inconveniences, but as he spoke, he realized halfway through his words, which made the situation even more awkward.

Indeed, as the heavenly court that dominates the three realms, it is truly wealthy and imposing

The Planetary Deity Tai Bai nodded and said: "Except for gods, Buddhas, and immortals, the life and death of all other beings in the world are determined by the Death Register of the Underworld, including those monsters that have attained spiritual essence. These creatures are formed from plants, birds, and beasts that cultivate by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, as well as the essence of the sun and moon, ultimately developing magical powers. However, they are ultimately of low capability and cannot escape the Death Register of the Underworld. Yet, there are also many powerful great demons, who possess formidable skills and boundless magical powers. Even our Heavenly Court is currently unable to deal with them, and thus the Underworld is even more powerless against them." This creature is formed from plants, birds, and beasts that cultivate by absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, as well as the essence of the sun and moon, ultimately developing magical powers. However, they are ultimately of low capability and cannot escape the Death Register of the Underworld. Yet, there are also many powerful great demons, who possess formidable skills and boundless magical powers. Even our Heavenly Court is currently unable to deal with them, and thus the Underworld is even more powerless against them.

After soaking in the Heavenly Pool for a long time, Mu Changsheng noticed that his body felt a bit itchy, as if undergoing some kind of change. However, he paid it no mind, simply leaning comfortably against the edge of the pool and squinting his eyes.

The heavenly soldier could not help but glance at Mu Changsheng again and said in a low voice, "So, Taibai, you brought him here, is it..."

Mu Changsheng looked at the golden edict behind Taibai Jinxing, and saw that it merely stated to open the Heavenly Pool, allowing Mu Changsheng to undergo a transformation of sorts.

If the white jade here were placed among mortals, a piece as large as a palm would be worth its weight in gold, impossible to purchase even with a fortune. Yet now, there exists a piece of white jade three zhang in size, fashioned into a high platform. Mu Changsheng could only exclaim in genuine exasperation:

This statement is truly unnecessary; a grown man going to take a shower, does he really need another older man to watch him?

Mu Changsheng nodded in deep agreement. The powerful figures in the demon world, such as Sun Wukong and Niu Mo Wang from Journey to the West, belong to this category, where heaven is difficult to govern and the earth is hard to control, existing beyond the bounds of law and order

Venus, the Morning Star

Is it inconvenient? What is it

In the center of the high platform, there is a circular pool with a diameter of approximately 1.5 meters. Mu Changsheng walked over to take a look, and indeed, it contained water, although it was not very full

Mu Changsheng nodded slightly

The Planet Venus proclaimed: "There was no trespassing; it was by Your Majesty's decree."

The two characters on the White Jade Gate are particularly striking—Heavenly Pool

Heavenly Soldier said: "You also know that the Heavenly Pool is a sacred place; apart from His Majesty's decree, no one else is permitted to enter without authorization"

Unlike the pool water that the shepherd Changsheng imagined, which was filled with various dazzling gems, the water in the pool that day remained still in the circular basin, ancient and undisturbed, showing no signs of anything extraordinary, resembling ordinary water instead

Although Ti Bai Jin Xing mentioned that no one has visited this Heavenly Pool for many years, he found that it remains pristine and as bright as new

Mu Changsheng nodded quietly: "This Heavenly Pool truly deserves to be a sacred place of the Celestial Realm. Just being near the Heavenly Pool can calm one's emotions, so it is not surprising that the water possesses the power to transform a person completely."

In the interval of conversation between the two, the white cloud had quietly ascended to the Ninth Heaven, gently descending in front of a white jade gate tower.

Mu Changsheng observed the clear pool of water and found that there was nothing particularly different about it, except that it seemed to be even clearer than ordinary water, pristine and untainted

Who would dare to jest at Your Majesty's command, of course it is taken seriously

Seeing is truly the will of the Jade Emperor, these heavenly soldiers did not dare to obstruct and quickly made way.

The Taibai Jinxing continued, saying: "The beings in the world pursue immortality, primarily seeking eternal life. Among them, only the divine, the Buddha, and the immortals can attain longevity."

Fortunately, Young Master Mu Da has developed a certain level of thick-skinnedness. He merely cleared his throat and then swaggered towards the Heavenly Pool as if nothing had happened, as if he had said nothing at all.

At this point, he paused and pointed to a high platform that was almost one hundred meters away, faintly visible among the white clouds

Haha, I, Lord Zhong, have finally returned!

Upon seeing someone approaching, they immediately took a defensive stance, crossing their long spears in hand, and shouted: "This is the sacred ground of Tianchi, no one may trespass. Those who come must land and submit to inspection."

Can those powerful demons achieve immortality? Mu Changsheng asked

The Taibai Jinxing led Mu Changsheng into the gate tower, pointing to a path that was faintly visible among the white clouds behind the gate tower, a small road floating in the air, connected by large stones.

He quickly crossed the one-hundred-meter path

After speaking, the Tai Bai Jin Xing turned to leave

The Old Man finds it inconvenient to enter.

He hurriedly grabbed hold of the Tai Bai Jin Xing and, surprised, said: "Senior, are you not going in with me?"