Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

For Jiang Liu, following the treasure map, he unexpectedly saw Shen Gongbao, who was quite active during the Deification Calamity, in the North Sea. This was something he hadn't anticipated at all.

However, being able to obtain a Whip of Thunder Lord from here is enough for Jiang Liu. As for Shen Gongbao's matters? Jiang Liu couldn't be bothered to care.

The Deification Calamity happened so long ago, and dealing with those from the last Immeasurable Kalpa is not something Jiang Liu is inclined to waste his efforts on.

Moreover, a level-78 blue UI? Although considered a master in the Three Realms and Six Paths, nowadays, the team on the Journey to the West for Scriptures is entirely at the Great Luo Golden Immortal Level, so this level of strength doesn't really impress Jiang Liu.

"Indeed, why was Jiang Ziya imprisoned in the Eastern Temple's dungeon back then?" Jiang Liu was just about to leave when he heard about Jiang Ziya's situation, causing him to hesitate.

In legends, Jiang Ziya disappeared after the Deification War ended, and no one knew of his whereabouts.

However, he was imprisoned? Jiang Liu has been puzzled about this for a long time.

Now, after chatting with Shen Gongbao about the issue, Jiang Liu wanted to see if Shen Gongbao knew anything.

So, Jiang Liu's gaze was fixed on Shen Gongbao, waiting for his next words.

Shen Gongbao slightly lowered his head, a thoughtful expression between his brows, and after a moment, he lifted his head, noticing Jiang Liu staring at him with some surprise: "Master, is there something you want to ask?"

"Do you have any thoughts on the truth behind Jiang Ziya's imprisonment?" Jiang Liu countered, following Shen Gongbao's inquiry.

"No, I can't think of a reason!" Shen Gongbao shook his head in response to Jiang Liu's words.

Alright, since Shen Gongbao also couldn't think of any reason, Jiang Liu naturally had nothing more to say, waved his hand, and was prepared to leave.

"Taoist friend, please wait!" However, just as Jiang Liu was about to leave, Shen Gongbao suddenly called out.

Jiang Liu paused his steps, turned his head to look at Shen Gongbao, and said, "Could you not say 'Taoist friend, please wait'?"

Though the Deification Calamity was long past, the deadly effect of those words is still somewhat terrifying. After meeting Shen Gongbao, this was the third time he said it, and Jiang Liu felt it better to keep his distance.

"Is there something wrong with these words?" Hearing Jiang Liu's remark, Shen Gongbao was taken aback.

Of course, this trivial matter, Shen Gongbao didn't intend to spend time pondering. "I have another request!"

"Speak?" Jiang Liu said noncommittally, listening to Shen Gongbao's words.

"Since the Deification Calamity ended, I've been suppressed at the North Sea Eye for a very long time. I wonder, Master, if you can help me escape?"

"If you can, not only will the Whip of Thunder Lord be given to you, but I can also guide you to other treasures!" Shen Gongbao opened his request to Jiang Liu.

"Hint, 'Escape' mission triggered. Mission requirements: Successfully rescue Shen Gongbao and relieve his distress. Rewards: 2.5 billion Experience Points, Legendary Level Treasure Chest *1. Mission failure: deduction of 2.5 billion Experience Points. Accept/Decline?"

As Shen Gongbao finished speaking, suddenly, the system prompt sounded in Jiang Liu's mind.

Upon hearing the prompt for this mission, Jiang Liu's eyes slightly brightened.

2.5 billion Experience Points? Although not particularly large, it's still substantial, equivalent to about half a month's worth of instances.

Acting conveniently, isn't it appealing?

Moreover, most importantly, Shen Gongbao was a troublemaker during the Deification War, having been imprisoned since then, logically feeling no goodwill towards Immortals and Buddhas.

If he could be rescued, wouldn't it mean gaining an ally?

Level 78? Though only at the Taiyi True Immortal cultivation level, it is indeed close to the Great Luo Golden Immortal level.

Most importantly, aside from Shen Gongbao's Taiyi True Immortal cultivation level being useful, his wisdom is also significant.

After contemplating silently for a moment, Jiang Liu decided and accepted the mission.

Yet, having accepted the mission, Jiang Liu didn't rush into action but looked at Shen Gongbao with some curiosity, saying, "We've just met by chance, the first encounter; why do you think I'd help rescue you?"

"I didn't know if you would help rescue me, but being suppressed here for so long and meeting people by luck, besides noticing your group's high cultivation levels, naturally I had to take a chance!" Facing Jiang Liu's inquiry, Shen Gongbao replied candidly.

"Heh heh heh, you've got a good eye!"

Not bothering about others' thoughts, upon hearing Shen Gongbao's words, Sun Wukong laughed with his eyes squinting, his tail flicking, finding Shen Gongbao much more agreeable.

Having been suppressed under Five-Finger Mountain for five hundred years was a dark period for Sun Wukong.

But thinking of this guy being imprisoned here for nearly two thousand years.

Sympathy in shared suffering, Sun Wukong felt he could truly empathize with Shen Gongbao.

"Alright, since you sincerely asked, I shall mercifully rescue you!" Jiang Liu nodded his head, having already accepted the system-triggered task, he naturally had no intention of refusing.

As he spoke, Jiang Liu's gaze fell on the beam of light surrounding Shen Gongbao. This beam was some kind of restriction, possessing a certain defensive ability.

"Xiaobai, it's up to you now!" After briefly assessing the defense of the light beam, Jiang Liu turned to Little White Dragon and said.

Although Sun Wukong's cultivation level was generally superior to Little White Dragon's, the Dragon Chant Sword in Little White Dragon's possession was of higher quality.

"Alright, Master!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Little White Dragon nodded, then transformed into his Taoist body form, gripping the Dragon Chant Sword in his hand.

Without wasting words, there was a faint sound of dragon chanting, and then an extremely blazing sword qi was slashed towards the light beam.

The fiery red scorching sword qi fell upon the beam, causing the entire beam to twist, as if it might shatter at any moment.

However, after the beam twisted to its limit, it gradually calmed down after a while, restoring to its original state.

Seeing that his sword strike had no effect, Little White Dragon furrowed his brows tightly and then raised the Dragon Chant Sword in his hand again.

"Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra!" Jiang Liu, standing beside him, also lifted his hand, casting a boosting skill on Little White Dragon, enhancing his attack power significantly.

Whoosh!

Under the effect of the Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra, Little White Dragon swung the Dragon Chant Sword once more, unleashing vermillion flame sword qi.

This time, the sword qi was even hotter and sharper. When the sword qi struck the beam once more, it seemed as though the entire beam was igniting.

The beam twisted once again, just like a massive stone had been thrown into a calm water surface.

When the beam twisted to its utmost limit, it finally shattered with a bang.

"Such strength, capable of directly breaking it through sheer force... Despite my cultivation in the late stage of Taiyi True Immortal, I've been trapped in here for so many years, unable to escape. Yet today, some individuals could directly shatter my confinement with brute force."

This kind of power, even at the Great Luo Golden Immortal level, would certainly be among the best, right?

"Shen Gongbao, many thanks to you Taoist friends..." While Shen Gongbao internally marveled, he reacted quickly, genuinely relieved at his release, and with much joy in his heart, he took a few steps forward, earnestly thanking Jiang Liu.

"Notification: Task 'Rescue' completed, earning 2.5 billion experience points, obtaining 1 Legendary Level Treasure Chest!"

As Shen Gongbao was freed, the system notification resounded directly in Jiang Liu's mind.

Hearing this notification, Jiang Liu's mouth curled up slightly; being able to receive 2.5 billion experience points for such a modest effort was undoubtedly excellent news.

Moreover, having just taken on this task and completed it so swiftly—it seemed like the fastest task completion in his history!

"Congratulations to you, Taoist friend, on your release today!" Shen Gongbao appeared reasonably courteous, while Jiang Liu seemed even more humble and polite.

After speaking, Jiang Liu glanced at Shen Gongbao, hesitated slightly, and asked, "I wonder where you intend to go now that you're free, Taoist friend?"

"Hmm..." Listening to Jiang Liu's words, Shen Gongbao's face showed a hesitant expression.

Indeed, while his release today was delightful, where should he go next?

He was originally a disciple of the Yuxu Palace of the Interpretation Sect, but due to his actions during the Deification Kalpa, his master had virtually expelled him from the Yuxu Palace.

Where should he go next? He had never thought about this question before.

Thump, thump, thump!

Just as Shen Gongbao looked hesitant, unsure of how to reply, suddenly, the entire secret chamber of the Water Mansion violently trembled, and rhythmic thumping sounds echoed, as if the heavy footsteps were drawing near.

"Bold Shen Gongbao, your duty is to guard the North Sea Eye, yet today you dare to unseal yourself?"

At the same time, a deep and resonant voice resounded.

The secret chamber was directly torn open, and an incredibly large foot came down, crushing the ceiling of the Water Mansion's secret chamber.

Jiang Liu and others looked up and saw a figure hundreds of zhang tall standing there; it was his foot that had stomped the Water Mansion.

"Wow, it's huge!" Sun Wukong and the others looked at the colossal figure with astonishment.

Both Zhu Bajie's Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect and Sun Wukong's Law of Heaven and Earth divine skills allowed them to transform into figures over a hundred zhang tall.

But compared to this figure that was several hundred zhang tall, Sun Wukong and his companions' divine skills were like little shaman compared to a great witch.

"The phrase 'Taoist friend, please stay' indeed has a tremendous impact, it seems. We're in trouble..." Looking at this figure, Jiang Liu was both amused and exasperated.