My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times

"Who else has returned early?"

"They’re all nobodies, just like us," the True Dragon murmured. "Speaking of which, why are you here?"

"To slaughter a mountain and kill a person."

"What a coincidence. I’ve come to protect a mountain and guard a person."

The six eyes of the Three-Faced Evil Buddha met the dragon’s gaze, and they both fell silent.

"Dragon Tiger Mountain?" they both said in unison. A bitter feeling rose within them, followed by a profound sorrow.

After the journey west, they parted ways. To think they would end up on opposing sides.p>"The one you’re supposed to be guarding... it’s not Lu Zi, is it?" the Three-Faced Evil Buddha sighed.

"Not exactly," the White Dragon said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Who’s Lu Zi? I am under orders from His Majesty the First Emperor to guard someone named Lu Xuan."

All six of the Three-Faced Evil Buddha’s eyes twitched.

"They’re the same person."

The White Dragon fell silent for a moment, then said softly,

"Why don’t you switch sides? His Majesty’s forefather is Supreme Profound Clarity, and his teacher is the Supreme Emperor Profound Yellow. You don’t stand a chance."

"I can’t. I need this merit to get my First Senior Brother out and find out where my Second Senior Brother is... Why don’t *you* switch sides?"

"I can’t either. My clan made a pact with His Majesty the First Emperor. We help him, he helps us. I can’t betray my people."

"A fight, then?"

"Fine."

Sorrow appeared on all three of the Three-Faced Evil Buddha’s faces as he softly sang,

"White Dragon Horse, hooves toward the west..."

The Demon Buddha and the True Dragon clashed. Blood of the Demon Buddha rained down, and the True Dragon wailed in sorrow. The void around them roiled and shattered, spilling Chaos-light everywhere.

.........

「Dragon Tiger Mountain, Celestial Master’s Mansion.」

"Wh-what’s wrong?" Ben Bo’Erba asked in a small voice, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

He shrank back and forced a smile at Zhu Wuneng.

"Grandpa Pig, since you have ties to Dragon Tiger Mountain, Grandpa Sha probably won’t trouble them anymore. He’s been looking for you this whole time... How about I go capture that Lu Xuan first?"

Zhu Wuneng silently took several steps back.

Ben Bo’Erba was even more bewildered. Sensing something was wrong, his face turned mournful.

"Grandpa Pig, did I say something wrong? This humble one is just following orders, I don’t know anything..."

Nearby, Lu Xuan gently shook his head, stepped forward, and asked coolly,

"I’m actually quite curious. Why did the Immortal Mother and the Demon Ancestor send you to kill me?"

"Not to kill you, sir, but to kill..." Ben Bo’Erba’s voice died in his throat. A smile more painful than a grimace spread across his face.

"You’re... Lu Zi?"

Lu Xuan gazed indifferently at the Grand Grade Level Little Saint of the Demon Race.

"So, can you tell me why?"

Ben Bo’Erba shuddered. ’I saw exactly how Grandpa Pig treated this person just a moment ago...’

’Damn it, this Lu Zi is definitely more than just one of the Ancient Sons!’

’I’ve been set up!’

Ben Bo’erba’s expression turned bitter, and he felt a bit dazed. The scene felt familiar, as if it had happened seventy thousand years ago.

Just as Grandpa Sha had sent him to kill Lu Zi, seventy thousand years ago someone had ordered him to capture four men and a horse...

He was on the verge of tears.

"This humble one... this humble one doesn’t know. I was truly just following orders! I only know that the Immortal Mother ordered the razing of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and the Demon Ancestor ordered... ordered..."

"’To kill me, right?’ Lu Xuan mused. ’Demon Ancestor... I have no memory of such a figure. Interesting.’"

He thought for a moment, then glanced to the side and asked,

"Old Zhu, that Sha fellow... he’s your junior brother?"

"Yes, yes, he is!"

Under Ben Bo’Erba’s horrified gaze, Zhu Wuneng nodded and bowed obsequiously.

"Junior Brother Sha is actually a good person. His hands must be tied. You... you..."

"’Since there’s Cause and Effect connecting him to you, I’ll show some mercy,’ Lu Xuan said coolly. ’Alright, let’s get down to business. We’ll hold this Demon here for now.’"

With that, he turned to the Old Celestial Master, who had been silent all this time. He cupped his hands and smiled.

"I’ve long heard of the Celestial Master’s great name."

The Old Celestial Master gazed at the young man before him and returned the salute.

"The name of Lu Zi is renowned. As an Elder Sage and Great Virtue of our Human Race, it is I who should be paying respects to you."

After a pause, he continued,

"May I ask what brings Lu Zi here?"

"Two things."

Lu Xuan’s expression grew solemn.

"I intend to establish rules for this age. But before that, with the world on the verge of revival, the Immortals will soon be able to walk the Human World. I wish to make a pact with them."

"Oh? And what sort of pact would that be?"

"I haven’t finalized the details, but the general idea is that they may not interfere in the Human World or bring about disaster, and they must spare no effort in resisting the Outer Demon Race."

Lu Xuan’s expression was calm.

"You, Celestial Master, are the first Immortal I have sought out."

Nearby, Ben Bo’Erba shuddered, his eyes wide. ’Im... Immortal?’

The Old Celestial Master narrowed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, he finally spoke.

"This aligns with my own intentions, so I have no objection, but..."

He frowned and added tactfully,

"Lu Zi, you still haven’t recovered your full power. And I cannot leave Dragon Tiger Mountain. If you go seeking the other Immortals... I’m afraid it will be a one-way trip."

"You don’t have faith in me, Celestial Master?"

Lu Xuan lowered his gaze, gently stroking the long hair of Xiaoyan, who was still asleep beside him. Then he said,

"Perhaps, Celestial Master, you have heard of the titles my companions held back in the Ancient Times. Although they can only exert power at the Grand Grade Level for now, if they work together, they might be able to contend with an Immortal."

"Oh?"

The Celestial Master asked with great interest,

"It seems you are all revered predecessors who have returned... May I be so bold as to ask your names?"

"’Zhu Wuneng,’ the stout old man said with a faint smile. ’I was once a Marshal of the Celestial Court, commander of the Celestial River Navy. I was also known as the Pure Altar Buddha in the Buddhist Sect.’"

The Celestial Master’s expression grew serious. Though he didn’t recognize the name, he understood the weight of titles like "Marshal of the Celestial Court" and "Buddha of the Buddhist Sect."

"’As for me...’ Nezha grinned. Ben Bo’Erba instinctively glanced over, startled. ’This little brat is also an immortal from the Ancient Times?’"