Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told – Chapter 110: First Encounter with the World

The chapter read: “Before meeting Yun Zhaoying, I only wished to improve my cultivation day by day. If I could reach the level of a Earth Immortal, I could restore my family’s status. But after meeting her, my passion for cultivation faded greatly… When I learned she was planning to arrange a marriage, I was utterly captivated, spending all my time thinking about it and neglecting my cultivation.” The more he spoke, the more ashamed he became, until his face turned red.
Wukong laughed heartily. This reckless man turned out to be someone with deep feelings. He said, “You speak truthfully. Now I understand. Who says one must cultivate to follow the right path? Focusing solely on love—what’s wrong with that? Haha…”
With his loud laugh, Wukong left Zhang Hui stunned. Had this immortal… agreed to me?
After laughing, Wukong realized something: in cultivation, there are no strict demands. If one wishes, it’s fine; if not, it’s not. With countless paths in the world, who dares say that focusing on love isn’t one of them? Seeing Zhang Hui’s determination for Yun Zhaoying, even he would brave fire and swords.
Thus, there is no right or wrong in the path—it depends on the heart!
Wukong asked, “How much time remains until the marriage is arranged?”
Zhang Hui replied hurriedly, “If calculated carefully, it’s probably no more than ten days.”
Wukong said, “Good. Then I’ll accompany you in this folly. What’s the harm?”
Hearing this, Zhang Hui felt as if a thunderclap had struck his mind. He was speechless, not knowing what to say.
Wukong’s actions were not pointless. To understand this world quickly, he needed to immerse himself in it. Since this was an opportunity, he decided to make the most of it and see what would happen.
Laojun’s Realm of Good and Evil was called the Realm of Life by others, where Wukong understood the principles of good and evil. This realm was called the Realm of Slaughter, also known as the Realm of Killing. Could killing also be just an appearance?
Along the way, he saw many battles on the land, most involving those with low cultivation levels. Wukong had no time to deal with them.
By now, the clouds had passed Juejin Continent and entered the territory of Evilsand Continent. Seeing familiar scenes, Zhang Hui was filled with excitement.
“The Zhang family lives in the northwest of Evilsand Continent, while the Dao Seeking Sect resides in the southwest. These two forces face each other, forming a counterbalance to the Eastern Beast Demons,” Zhang Hui explained.
Wukong asked, “Where should we go now?”
Zhang Hui replied, “I’ve been away for a long time. If I return to the Zhang family now, I fear encountering those scoundrels and causing more trouble. You, an immortal, may not fear it, but it would still be troublesome.”
Wukong laughed, “I’m not afraid of trouble. This is the Realm of Slaughter. If you were afraid of trouble, why would you come here?”
As Wukong spoke jokingly, Zhang Hui felt a chill run down his back.

After flying for some time, they saw a large city below. Zhang Hui said, “This city is called Zhongxuan City. It is the most prosperous place in Evil Land Continent. Immortals often come here to seek rare items or barter goods.”
Wukong thought to himself, “Since there’s nothing to do, let’s go down and take a look.” The two descended from the clouds. With so many immortals around, they weren’t afraid of causing a stir, so they landed right by the city. Indeed, many people were coming and going, and no one found it strange.
Wukong concealed his true strength and disguised himself as a fourth-rank earth immortal, then started strolling around the city.
Just as Zhang Hui had said, Zhongxuan City was extremely prosperous. In some of the large markets, the crowds were so dense that people were packed shoulder to shoulder, just like ordinary markets.
Wukong was surprised to see everyone behaving politely and maintaining order while shopping. He asked, “This is also the Realm of Slaughter. Why are the rules so strict here?”
Zhang Hui replied, “There are peaceful places even in the Realm of Slaughter. The city lord here is very powerful. Once outsiders enter the city, they must abide by its rules and dare not cause trouble. As long as they leave the city, he doesn’t care if chaos ensues.”
Wukong murmured, “Your cultivation level is low. Although I have some supernatural powers, you can’t learn them. Are there any pills or magical artifacts for sale here that I can use for self-protection?”
Zhang Hui said happily, “Thank you, great immortal! There are countless pills and magical artifacts for sale in this city. The best one is undoubtedly Qianyi Pavilion.”
Wukong replied, “Good, then let’s go to Qianyi Pavilion!”
Zhang Hui led the way with joy, saying repeatedly, “The magical artifacts and pills in Qianyi Pavilion are said to be the best among thousands. Without the cultivation level of an earth immortal, one can’t even enter its gates.”
Flying was prohibited in the city, so it took them half a quarter of an hour to arrive. From afar, they saw a huge plaque with the words “Qianyi Pavilion” hanging above a solitary seven-story building.
Wukong wasn’t afraid at all. He led Zhang Hui inside. As soon as they entered, a woman came forward to greet them. She had already recognized that Wukong was a mid-level earth immortal, so she stepped forward and asked, “Great immortal, have you come to select some magical artifacts or pills?”
Wukong replied, “Show me whatever good things you have.”
Seeing Wukong’s extraordinary demeanor and confident manner, the woman said, “This floor contains only ordinary items. If you’re looking for something good, please come to the third floor.”
Wukong climbed the stairs to the second floor and found it to be exquisitely decorated. Each small room was protected by magic arrays, preventing outsiders from overhearing what went on inside.

On the third floor, another woman led Wukong to a small room. After he sat down, she said, “There are magical treasures and pills that others can’t afford; feel free to take as many as you want.” Wukong knew well that the higher up one went, the better the quality of such treasures and pills. Bringing him to the third floor was likely based on his cultivation level as well.

The woman turned away and entered another room, a playful expression flashing across her face. After a short while, she returned to Wukong with three square boxes. She opened the first box, revealing a shiny flying sword inside. The woman said, “This is a top-quality flying sword, extremely sharp, with a thumb-sized amount of gold essence mixed in. Its price is seven hundred crystal stones.”

“Crystal stones?” Wukong repeated, looking at her with confusion.

The woman was taken aback. Having been here for decades, she had never encountered anyone who didn’t know what crystal stones were. Zhang Hui quickly whispered, “Elder, you may not be aware, but crystal stones are the medium used for trading. With them, one can exchange for items.” Then he took out a flat, shiny white stone from his pocket and handed it to Wukong, saying, “This is a crystal stone.” He then explained to the woman, “This elder has been in seclusion for a long time and is not very familiar with worldly matters. Please forgive him, shopkeeper.” Knowing that the Thousand First Pavilion had great influence, Zhang Hui spoke more politely.

The woman was surprised, but as the host, she put on a smile and said, “It’s fine. Great masters are often like this; it’s not strange.”

Wukong held the crystal stone in his hand and examined it carefully, suddenly understanding. A crystal stone was simply a stone containing some form of innate energy. The one in his hand, if compared to a trace of such energy in an ordinary person’s soul, would be equivalent to thirty such traces. So he asked, “Is this crystal stone worth thirty?”

Zhang Hui couldn’t hide his shock. “Elder, how did you know?” The woman was also very surprised. Earlier, she had said she didn’t recognize crystal stones, but now she knew their value. However, upon reflection, she thought the white-robed scholar might have been pretending to be inexperienced. One could never tell what someone was thinking, so she needed to be cautious.

Wukong asked further, “I now understand crystal stones, but what exactly is gold essence?”

The woman pursed her lips, growing impatient, but still explained, “Gold essence is the essence of the five elements. If gold essence is mixed into ordinary weapons, it makes them hard and sharp, extremely difficult to damage.”

Wukong nodded and picked up the flying sword with gold essence in it. Upon looking at it, his mind was in turmoil. So this was what gold essence was!