Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 697 - 346: Stealing the Elixir

At that time, Chen Xiang had transformed into a butterfly and hidden outside the Southern Heavenly Gate. Seeing the monkey's gaze as he blocked the Demon-revealing Mirror, he quickly flew into the middle of the Southern Heavenly Gate.

The monkey sauntered through the gate with great swagger, and Chen Xiang quietly landed on his shoulder.

"Uncle Master, where do we go next?" Given the vastness of the Heavenly Court and his unfamiliarity, Chen Xiang could only ask for guidance from his Uncle Master.

Seeing this, the monkey's face lit up with a smug expression and said, "Don't worry, I'm very familiar with this place, just follow me."

As they walked on, Chen Xiang understood why the monkey was so confident. All the immortals they passed bowed and called him Great Saint, and the patrolling Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals were extremely respectful, not daring to slight him in the slightest. This allowed the monkey to swagger through the thirty-three heavens with Chen Xiang, with the magnificent Tushita Palace now just a stone's throw away.

Looking at the Tushita Palace, the monkey's face showed a nostalgic expression. He hadn't been here in a long time, and to make matters worse, the child servants and warriors treated him as if he were a thief, showing no interest at all.

"Hmph, treating your Lao Sun as a thief every day—this time I must make you look good," the monkey muttered to himself internally.

"Wait here for a moment while I clear the obstacles for you," the monkey whispered, then transformed into a moth and slowly flew into the grand entrance of the Tushita Palace.

The Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King child warriors were listlessly guarding the Pill Furnace. Ever since the Supreme Elder Lord began his closed-door cultivation, the child warriors had been out of work, guarding the empty hall day after day.

"Ah, how long can these days last? I really want to go out and play!" Silver Horn lamented.

"Little brother, calm down. The day the Grand Elder Lord ends his retreat, we can go out and have some fun. For now, we'd better guard this pill," Golden Horn softly consoled his younger brother.

"Even the Supreme of the Three Realms, after so long, why hasn't he come to collect the pills!"

"Who can fathom the thoughts of the Supreme of the Three Realms? We better keep watching the pills, lest that stinky monkey steals them again."

Just then, a buzzing sound emerged, reminding the Golden Horned King and Silver Horned King of a distant memory. Sensing trouble, a wave of drowsiness hit them, and their eyelids began to fight until they fell into a deep sleep.

The monkey revealed his true form in the great hall, gleefully hopping about, "Spare you cunning as a ghost, you still drank Grandpa Sun's foot-washing water. Let's see if you dare to plot against me anymore."

He plucked a strand of fur, transformed it into a brush, and drew large turtle marks on the delicately featured faces of the two child warriors. After admiring his work, he smiled and muttered to himself, "Hmm, Lao Sun's drawing skills have improved a lot, at least it kind of looks like a turtle now."

By this time, Chen Xiang had already walked up to his unreliable Uncle Master, saying worriedly, "Uncle Master, isn't this a bit too much?"

"Don't worry, I'm just off to drink with friends soon. I didn't steal his pills, so what's there to be afraid of?" the monkey said nonchalantly, as someone who would deny everything unless caught red-handed.

Chen Xiang wanted to dissuade him further but heard the monkey impatiently say, "Hurry up and steal the pills, or you won't be able to leave once they wake up."

After saying this, the monkey, transformed as a moth, flew out of the palace and started wandering around Heavenly Court. Back in the days when he was the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, the monkey loved roaming around and had made many friends, so naturally he was in high spirits now, calling friends to join him.

Chen Xiang was alone in the vast empty hall, surrounded by sleeping Child Warriors, gazing in astonishment at everything around him, feeling a sense of unreality.

There was a time when he was just a mere mortal, and now he had to sneak into the legendary Tushita Palace in the Thirty-Three Heavens to steal, marveling at the wonders of fate.

But at this moment, he knew it was not the time to be sentimental. He hurried to the side of the Alchemy Furnace, opened the lid, and saw a gourd filled with Golden Cores, emitting a fragrant scent. Even a slight sniff made him feel delighted and extremely comfortable all over.

"After all, it's a Golden Core made by the Elder Lord, truly extraordinary." Chen Xiang reflected inwardly, yet his hands didn't slow down. He poured all the pills from the gourd into his mouth and immediately felt a warm surge flowing into his viscera. Suddenly, it felt as if flames were burning inside his organs, turning his face bright red.

Not daring to delay any further, he transformed into a butterfly and hurriedly flew out of Tushita Palace, wobbling towards the Southern Heavenly Gate.

From afar, he saw Devaraja standing on the Southern Heavenly Gate and was startled. After his recent intensive learning, he recognized the identity of the person opposite him. With the Devaraja's strength, Chen Xiang's disguise might not escape his Dharma Eye.

However, at that time, Chen Xiang only felt as if his body was about to explode. If he delayed any longer, he feared he could not withstand it. Just as he was caught in a dilemma, he saw the Monkey, drunk and tipsy, rushing out and grabbing Li Tianwang's hand, saying, "Today, your Grandpa Sun has finally taken interest in visiting the heavens; you must not hide. Come, let's drink till we drop."

"Great Saint, I have official duties today; I really can't comply!" Li Jing said with a wry smile and shook his head.

"Opportunities are rare; since you're here, how can I let you leave so easily? Come, come!" The Monkey insisted, pulling Li Jing inside.

Seeing this, Chen Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took the opportunity to leave the Southern Heavenly Gate. Thanks to the Monkey, who just happened to block the Demon-revealing Mirror, no one noticed Chen Xiang's departure.

Not daring to delay, Chen Xiang left the Southern Heavenly Gate and headed straight for Huaguo Mountain. At this time, his face was flushed, and his whole body was steaming as if he had been boiled.

Lu Yu stood on Huaguo Mountain, watching Chen Xiang fall from the sky like a cooked lobster, a smile inadvertently appearing on his lips.

Before him, a large pit had been dug out filled with Spiritual Water, radiating light.

Chen Xiang plunged headfirst into the pit, and immediately, white mist rose up, covering the peak of Huaguo Mountain with a beautiful white fog.

Chen Xiang stuck his head out of the water and slowly breathed a sigh of relief. The burning sensation on his body subsided somewhat; though still uncomfortable, there was no longer a threat to his life.

"That Golden Core wasn't easy to digest, was it!" Lu Yu said with a laugh.

Chen Xiang nodded in deep agreement. If not for his master's foresight in fortifying his physique with wave hammering, he would probably have exploded right after consuming the pill.

"There was no other way to boost your strength in such a short time; it had to be done this way. Just wait, let me help you digest the Golden Core in your body," Lu Yu said softly.

Suddenly, he blew forcefully, and the Fire Rule within his body reacted to the wind, sending flames surging forth, and in an instant, the entire peak was engulfed by the relentless fire.