Chapter 8: Immortal Spear! Dragon Maiden!
Two patrol sea demons crossed their weapons and shouted in unison.
Seeing this, the monkey immediately said, “I am Sun Wukong, the Heaven-born Sage of Huaguo Mountain. This is my senior brother Qin Chuan. He is a neighbor of your old Dragon King—how can you not recognize him?”
Qin Chuan opened his mouth, instinctively trying to stop the monkey, but hesitated and let his hand fall.
This “sage” is not that “Sage.”
No offense, no offense!
The two patrol demons exchanged glances, then cupped their fists respectfully.
“Please wait, esteemed immortals. We will report your arrival.”
The monkey waved them off cheerfully, a smile on his face.
“Monkey, now that we’re visiting as guests, listen to me later. Don’t lose your manners.”
Watching the sea demons enter to make their report, Qin Chuan thought for a moment and reminded the monkey to behave.
Given the monkey’s eventual complaint to the Jade Emperor in the original tale, there were likely hidden agendas behind it all.
Moments later, waves surged around the Crystal Palace, dragon banners fluttered, and an impressive procession emerged.
From within stepped a figure with a dragon crown, dragon robe, jade belt at the waist, and golden boots—human in form, but with a dragon’s head.
It was none other than Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea. Behind him followed his dragon sons and grandsons, shrimp soldiers and crab generals. The dragon sons were tall and burly, the dragon grandsons still youthful and immature. The shrimp soldiers wore copper armor, and the crab generals stood with might and pride.
In rows and formations, they marched in perfect order, as if facing a great enemy.
Seeing Qin Chuan and the monkey, Ao Guang cupped his hands and said, “I, Ao Guang, Dragon King of the East Sea, along with my sons, grandsons, shrimp soldiers and crab generals, welcome the two esteemed immortals!”
“Please, come inside!”
Qin Chuan frowned slightly. Ao Guang, a cultivator of Golden Immortal level, was acting overly humble.
This was a being revered in his memories as a totem. Seeing Ao Guang act this way left Qin Chuan somewhat disappointed.
“No need to be so courteous, old Dragon King.”
Qin Chuan gave a brief reply and followed the Dragon King with the monkey into the Crystal Palace.
As they walked, the palace halls loomed grandly overhead—ornate beams, carved rafters, buildings of jade and pearl in opulent splendor. The crystal walls soared high into the sky, dazzling with radiant light, resembling a true celestial realm.
On the dragon throne lay emerald feathers and golden threads, tassels swaying, brilliantly dazzling. The dragon chairs and stools were inlaid with pearls and gemstones, glowing brilliantly. On the walls hung jade carvings of dragons in various lifelike poses.
“This old Dragon King is really loaded!”
The monkey looked around like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, eyes wide with amazement. If not for a glance from Qin Chuan, he would have started poking around already.
Inside the grand hall, Qin Chuan and the monkey took their seats. Shell maidens served tea.
Ao Guang glanced at them curiously.
“May I ask when the two immortals attained the Dao, and where do you cultivate?”
Just as Qin Chuan was about to speak, the monkey impatiently interrupted.
“Old neighbor, the two of us have cultivated since childhood. Now we possess undying bodies.”
“We’ve long heard of your immense wealth across the Four Seas. We seek weapons to aid us in future battles. Surely you won’t refuse your old neighbors, right?”
The monkey scratched his head, while Qin Chuan leisurely sipped his tea. Truth be told, the tea served here was no ordinary brew—beneath the level of Immortal Dao, it would surely boost one’s cultivation.
Ao Guang laughed, “Ah, so that’s all it is. A small matter. Please wait a moment. Someone, bring the Great Drought Blade.”
The monkey quickly waved his hands.
“I don’t use blades! Give me something else!”
Qin Chuan set down his cup and said, “Old Dragon King, my brother prefers a staff. As for me, I can wield a spear or axe. Hope you have suitable weapons?”
Ao Guang remained cheerful and ordered his subordinates to bring out several staves, spears, and axes. Qin Chuan and the monkey tried them out, only to shake their heads.
“Too light, too light! Doesn’t feel right!”
“Old Dragon King, these are all mundane weapons. Do you have any true treasures?”
Seeing their reaction, Ao Guang realized the two were the real deal. A gleam flashed in his eyes, as if he’d made up his mind.
“Honored immortals, in my sea vault lies a divine iron used to stabilize the Milky Way, and an ancient immortal spear once wielded by a dragon ancestor.”
“These past few days, the divine iron has radiated colorful lights and auspicious energy, while the spear has exuded icy chill, strange phenomena arising. Perhaps it is destiny that you two should arrive today.”
Qin Chuan and the monkey exchanged glances, both seeing joy in each other’s eyes. Clearly, the Dragon King wouldn’t be giving them ordinary weapons.
The monkey immediately said, “Old neighbor, hurry and lead the way!”
Ao Guang, however, remained calm and turned to Qin Chuan.
“Immortal Qin, the divine iron is in my palace, but the immortal spear lies dozens of leagues north in an icy sea. I’ll have the Prime Minister Turtle guide you.”
Qin Chuan nodded. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
Soon, Ao Guang summoned the Prime Minister Turtle, who looked just like the legends—a wise old turtle walking upright.
The turtle bowed to Qin Chuan.
“Honored immortal, the journey to the Icy Sea is long. Do you need anything before we go?”
Qin Chuan smiled, “No need for that. Prime Minister Turtle, just lead the way. I’ll handle the rest.”
With a wave of his sleeve, golden light burst forth like a rising sun, multicolored radiance blazing. In an instant, Qin Chuan and the turtle vanished from the Crystal Palace.
Ao Guang was startled. Though the dragon clan had declined, they still retained ancient knowledge.
The movement technique Qin Chuan just used seemed to be…
“Old Dragon King! Where’s that divine iron? Hurry and show me!”
With Qin Chuan gone, the monkey jumped onto the table, scratching his head, urging impatiently.
“Immortal, we’ve arrived. The Icy Sea lies ahead, and the immortal spear is at its center.”
The rainbow light faded, revealing Qin Chuan and the turtle. The turtle, staggering and gasping, bowed again. In all his years, he’d never traveled so fast.
“This is the Icy Sea?”
Qin Chuan opened his Celestial Eye and observed the surroundings with interest. Before him stretched a sea of endless ice. The white of winter had frozen into the sea itself—vast and boundless.
At the sea’s center stood an Ice Dragon Roar Spear, shrouded in mist and frost, exuding immense power.
Its shaft was covered in layers of ice and snow, as though countless ages had condensed upon it, radiating intense chill that made the heart tremble. Its blade gleamed with cold light, unaffected even by the abyssal darkness of the sea floor.
Immortal energy coiled around it like mist, cloaking the spear in a dreamlike aura. Whenever the spear vibrated, immortal energy burst out, shaking the seabed, causing waves to surge and fish to scatter.
“Excellent, excellent! A spear with true spirit! It is destined to be mine today!”
Overjoyed, Qin Chuan’s figure blurred. In the next instant, he appeared beside the Ice Dragon Roar Spear.
“Is the honor immortal here for this spear?”
Just then, a crisp voice rang out like a jade chime.
Qin Chuan turned towards the sound.
Standing beside the spear was a dragon maiden—no one knew when she had appeared.