Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning
Chapter 32 - Refining the Golden Core Within the Treasure Lotus Lantern

Chapter 32: Refining the Golden Core Within the Treasure Lotus Lantern

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Yang Chan (the Third Saint Mother) blushed slightly. How can this “Immortal” speak so shamelessly? She was here to capture him!

“Immortal jests. If you truly wish to end the bloodshed, I believe, in consideration of your position as the emissary acting on behalf of the Earth Goddess Houtu, the Jade Emperor will not punish you.”

Qin Chuan smiled at Yang Chan and replied, “I speak with utmost sincerity. I hope the Third Saint Mother will seriously consider my proposal!”

Liu Yanchang? What sort of lowly being is that? How could he possibly be worthy of someone like her?

On this matter, Qin Chuan firmly stood on Yang Jian’s side.

Yang Chan’s gaze turned sharp. She said no more and declared, “Since that’s the case, then allow me to witness this immortal’s divine power!”

Qin Chuan bowed with humility. “Please, Third Saint Mother, make the first move.”

Without another word, Yang Chan extended her jade-like hand. In an instant, the Water Curtain Cave transformed into a prison. The surrounding air grew heavier and more oppressive, as though immense force was binding Qin Chuan from all directions. There was no escape.

The cave filled with mist. Light and shadow intertwined, forming an almost dreamlike illusion.

Creation from nothingness. The ability to alter the very essence of things…

It truly was the power of “Reversing Creation.” Yang Chan’s cultivation had reached the realm of Grand Golden Immortal (Taiyi Jinxian). For someone like Monkey or Yang Jian to break this move, they’d have to use brute force—and even then, with considerable effort.

But Qin Chuan let out a low shout, and in a breath, the Water Curtain Cave returned to its original form—as if the entire sequence had been nothing but a mirage.

Yang Chan was briefly shocked, then smiled with delight.

“Immortal, are you also a disciple of the Wa Palace?”

Now it was Qin Chuan’s turn to be surprised. Yang Chan is from Wa Palace?

He hadn’t known that until now. No wonder she wields the power of Reversing Creation with such ease.

That divine art was the hallmark of the Sage from Wa Palace (the palace of Nuwa). After the Sage was confined by the Dao Ancestor outside the heavens, no disciples of Wa Palace had appeared in the Three Realms for ages.

Qin Chuan smiled lightly. “I am not a disciple of Wa Palace—merely someone who learned this divine art through chance.”

Yang Chan looked a bit disappointed, then turned her eyes back to Qin Chuan.

“If that is so, then I shall waste no more words with you.”

With that, she opened her palm, and a lamp appeared. The lamp was nine inches tall, as pure as ice and snow, shaped like a blooming lotus. The lamp bowl was the size of a bowl, the wick nestled in the lotus heart, glowing like a pearl, illuminating the cave walls.

The Treasure Lotus Lantern!

In the beginning of Chaos—before the birth of all things—Heaven and Earth were undivided. From this chaos was born a Primal Chaos Green Lotus. Its lotus pedestal had 108 ranks, with 12 leaves, 24 petals, and 7 lotus seeds forming in the heart.

One half-matured lotus seed eventually gave rise to the Twelve-Rank Purifying White Lotus, and later transformed into the Treasure Lotus Lantern—an ultimate innate spiritual treasure, containing boundless might.

For the Sage of Wa Palace to bestow this treasure upon Yang Chan revealed her deep favor.

Yet later, how did Yang Chan end up enduring such terrible tribulations?

A Grand Golden Immortal wielding such a supreme treasure—yet no great power dared try to take it?

If not for the fear of the Sage of Wa Palace, what else could explain that?

Qin Chuan had no time to ponder.

Yang Chan had already activated the Treasure Lotus Lantern and launched her attack.

What kind of power can a Grand Golden Immortal (Taiyi Jinxian) unleash while wielding a supreme innate spiritual treasure?

Today, Qin Chuan found out the hard way.

With a thunderous boom, the waterfall at the entrance of the Water Curtain Cave exploded, and a figure flew out like a ragged kite.

Blood trickled from the corner of Qin Chuan’s mouth, his hair in disarray like a madman. The elegant robes he had worn had reverted to his Dragon Silkworm Immortal Garment, now dim and tattered.

It felt as if he had been stomped by a primeval wild elephant. If not for his body having been enhanced by the blood of the Wu Tribe, that blow might have left him utterly helpless.

This wasn’t a Treasure Lotus Lantern—it was a damned cheat item!

With a single thought, a divine light burst forth from his forehead, enveloping Qin Chuan. His injuries began healing at an astonishing rate.

From within the Water Curtain Cave, Yang Chan flew out on a cloud. In her hand, the Treasure Lotus Lantern glowed dimly, floating midair. She looked at Qin Chuan in surprise.

That last strike… Even if Second Brother (Yang Jian) had taken it, he would’ve lost all strength to resist.

Qin Chuan, seeing Yang Chan emerge, glanced at the Treasure Lotus Lantern and felt a pang of unease.

The Mei Mountain brothers and the heavenly soldiers had likely already captured the Flower-Fruit Mountain’s demons, and the Monkey King himself was probably in chains.

Even without my intervention, events seem to follow the original story. Perhaps the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord (Taishang Laojun) has already stepped in.

Qin Chuan hadn’t expected Heaven to send not only Yang Jian but also Yang Chan.

Truly, a pair of ill-fated siblings—one with the Treasure Lotus Lantern, the other with the Diamond Bracelet—one an innate supreme treasure, the other a postnatal merit treasure.

Neither was something a typical Grand Golden Immortal could deal with. Fortunately, Yang Chan was unable to fully unleash the lantern’s might.

Seeing the situation as it was, Qin Chuan decided it was time to retreat.

Once the monkey is captured and taken back, there will still be moves to make. I’ll wait for a better opportunity.

Transforming into a streak of golden light, he prepared to flee Flower-Fruit Mountain. But Yang Chan raised the Treasure Lotus Lantern, and its light shone for ten thousand miles, freezing the space around them.

Even Qin Chuan’s Golden Crow escape technique was sealed.

From the lantern surged a flame of seven radiant colors, transforming into chains that lashed towards Qin Chuan.

His escape technique shattered. He was dragged into the Treasure Lotus Lantern.

The seven-colored flame morphed into a prison, trapping Qin Chuan inside.

Yang Chan stowed the lantern and flew directly towards the heavenly army’s camp.

The flame of the Treasure Lotus Lantern was known as the Seven Treasures Wondrous Flame. When activated, it possessed the power to shock the heavens and overturn the cosmos.

Yang Chan had no intention to kill—if she had turned the flames into incineration chains instead of binding chains, even most Great Luo Golden Immortals would have struggled to withstand it.

Heavenly Palace, Jade Lake

The immortals saw the demon monkey captured and Qin Chuan trapped in the Treasure Lotus Lantern, and all revealed expressions of joy.

The Queen Mother of the West reopened the grand banquet, with celestial attendants bringing out dragon liver, phoenix marrow, and jade dew nectar. The immortals all took their seats.

Someone stepped forward and asked, “Your Majesty, the demon monkey and Qin Chuan—how should they be dealt with?”

All eyes turned to the Jade Emperor.

He spoke solemnly, “That demon monkey, daring to defy Heaven twice, is guilty beyond forgiveness. Upon return, he is to be taken immediately to the Execution Platform for Demons!”

“As for Qin Chuan…”

The immortals leaned in to listen. This involved two celestial emperors—none dared speak lightly.

“Escort him to the Jade Pavilion of Mount Jiuhua, and let the Emissary of Earth—the representative of Houtu—personally discipline him!”

Even before his words faded, the image within the Jade Lake’s surface began to ripple again.

Yang Chan had just arrived at the heavenly army camp.

Yang Jian hurried to meet her.

“Third Sister, are you unharmed?”

Yang Chan shook her head, “Worry not, Second Brother. I’ve already sealed that man inside the Treasure Lotus Lantern with the Seven Treasures Wondrous Flame.”

Before she could finish, her expression changed.

The lantern in her hand began to tremble violently.

From within, a golden sun burst out, accompanied by a sharp cry—a Golden Crow’s cry, as if the sun were rising!

A golden fireball soared from the lantern. Yang Jian’s face turned pale, and he shouted.

“Everyone, back away! That’s the True Solar Fire!”

Yang Chan stared in disbelief at the fireball, then looked down at the Treasure Lotus Lantern in her hand.

“That’s impossible! How could he break out with only the True Solar Fire?!”

From the fireball emerged a great Da Luo aura.

All the heavenly soldiers and generals below the Golden Immortal realm fell unconscious instantly, their eyes rolling back.

As the flames dispersed, a figure appeared—human-faced, bird-bodied, feet stepping on a green serpent.

Qin Chuan’s voice echoed through the heavens:

“Third Saint Mother! I must thank you for your Treasure Lotus Lantern—without it, I wouldn’t have been able to fully refine the medicinal power of the Golden Core within me! Hahaha!”