In the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, in the backyard.
Chen Yun watched as the performance of Dragon King Donghai and Hui Taiwei was quite clumsy, and he couldn't help but want to laugh.
However, at this moment, the Dragon King of the East Sea has promised to give him the Dragon's Saliva, and he can't just accept it without any gesture.
Chen Yun hurriedly bowed his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Dragon King Donghai smiled widely and waved his hand, "It's no problem. I met Master Chen and we are as familiar as old friends, so I should send some gifts."
As he spoke, he looked over to the side and said, "Hui Taiwei, please go get a Pure Yang Jingping over there. Ordinary containers can't preserve the Dragon's Saliva."
Hui Taiwei hurriedly said, "Good."
He turned around and left.
At this time, Chen Yun slightly curiously asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, what kind of treasure did you mention just now, the Heaven-fixing Needle?"
He was curious about the treasure purely because of the influence of the previous life, knowing that Sun Wukong obtained the Heaven-fixing Needle, also known as the Magic staff, in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea from "Journey to the West."
Therefore, Chen Yun wants to know whether the Heaven-fixing Needle is the Magic staff.
The Dragon King of the East Sea misunderstood the meaning and thought that Chen Yun was greedy, not satisfied with receiving the Dragon's Saliva, and now wanted the Heaven-fixing Needle as well.
He had originally sought help from Chen Yun, and after thinking for a while, he decided to give the Heaven-fixing Needle as well.
Thinking of this, Dragon King Donghai passed a message in secret to Hui Taiwei while explaining aloud, "This Heaven-fixing Needle is a precious artifact left by Da Yu when he controlled the flood. It has the ability to stabilize seawater. In ancient times, before the establishment of the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas in heaven, it was only four Heaven-fixing Needles that stabilized the seawater and prevented the human world from being flooded. Later, when the Shengwu Position and Business Diagram evolved into the positions of Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, we entered and took possession of these four seas, possessing divine powers to suppress seawater ourselves. Therefore, this Heaven-fixing Needle has become useless."
Chen Yun expressed interest, "Dragon King, does that mean the Heaven-fixing Needle can stabilize all water currents in the world?"
Dragon King Donghai slightly nodded and said, "Yes, no matter how powerful spells, as long as they involve water, they will be ineffective against the Heaven-fixing Needle."
So, the Heaven-fixing Needle is indeed very precious. This thing is like Dingfeng Pearl, Dinghuo Pearl, or the like, allowing one to ignore spells related to water.
Unfortunately, Chen Yun already has the Wind God Flag, which, as long as he has enough spiritual energy, can be immune to the majority of non-ice or fire-based spells, which is similar in function to the Heaven-fixing Needle.
Therefore, he really has no desire for the Heaven-fixing Needle.
At that time, Chen Yun did think so.
However, the next sentence from the Dragon King of the East Sea caused Chen Yun to start to have second thoughts.
Dragon King Donghai continued to introduce, "The Heaven-fixing Needle has a simple function, which is just to stabilize water. In fact, we, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, also have such divine powers. However, the material used to make this Heaven-fixing Needle is not ordinary. It is made of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron and this divine iron is an ideal material for refining immortal artifacts. There are not many such materials in the Ten Thousand Realms."
Ah?
Made of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron?
Chen Yun couldn't help but blink his eyes.
He realized that to refine the purple and golden gourd into an artifact, he would need the precious Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron, which was invaluable.
Initially, he was thinking about whether he could collect Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron when he entered the Moonlight Sea cave realm.
To his surprise, he didn't even have to go through the trouble of searching for it, and it was given to him effortlessly.
Chen Yun was thinking, "Could I ask the Dragon King of the East Sea to take some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron off the Heaven-fixing Needle?"
He needed only a little, perhaps just one or two small pieces of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron.
Upon considering this, Chen Yun volunteered, "Dragon King, I'm preparing to refine a powerful artifact, and I happen to be in need of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron. I, Chen Yun, am somewhat audacious to ask if I could obtain some from you? Perhaps by taking a bit from the Heaven-fixing Needle?"
Dragon King Donghai was taken aback and realized that Chen Yun had no intention of obtaining the Heaven-fixing Needle.
He looked strangely and said, "Master Chen, do you know that the Heaven-fixing Needle is inscribed with a spell? If I were to take some from it, it's possible that the Heaven-fixing Needle would lose its ability to stabilize seawater."
Chen Yun thought the other party would refuse, feeling a bit disappointed, "In that case, I am indeed being overbold."
Dragon King Donghai laughed and said, "Chen Yun is not as impulsive as you might think. I have mentioned earlier that the Heaven-fixing Needle will be a gift for your attainment of immortality. As such, it's alright for you to take some from it. Even if the entire Heaven-fixing Needle is melted down to make other artifacts, it doesn't matter. The only thing I regret is that the Heaven-fixing Needle will lose its original ability."
Chen Yun blinked and asked, "Is there a way to take some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron from it without damaging the Heaven-fixing Needle's function?"
Dragon King Donghai furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, "I'm not sure at the moment, because we possess a similar divine power to the Heaven-fixing Needle, so we've never really paid much attention to it. Why don't we wait until Hui Taiwei brings over the Heaven-fixing Needle, and then I'll take a close look at it?"
Chen Yun said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
They chatted idly for a while.
Hui Taiwei returned with an jade jar that subtly shimmered with red light and a needle with embroidery on it.
He walked forward and said, "Dragon King, the Pure Yang Jingping and the Heaven-fixing Needle have been obtained."
Dragon King Donghai reached out and took the jade jar and Heaven-fixing Needle, addressing Chen Yun, "Let me take a closer look."
Chen Yun said, "Thank you."
Dragon King Donghai didn't say anything else and released his divine power, constantly examining the spells and patterns on the Heaven-fixing Needle, trying to find a way to take some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron without damaging the function of the Heaven-fixing Needle.
Chen Yun was a bit nervous as he watched from the sidelines. If he could indeed take some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron from the Heaven-fixing Needle, then he would already have two of the precious materials needed to refine the purple and golden gourd into a artifact, even before going to the Moonlight Sea cave realm.
This would undoubtedly increase his speed in collecting materials, saving him from wasting more time searching.
After a while, Dragon King Donghai's furrowed brow slowly smoothed out. He seemed to have some confidence and said, "After observing it for a moment, I found that the spells at both ends of the Heaven-fixing Needle are relatively sparse. Perhaps I can start from the ends. However, after taking some off, it will inevitably affect its function to some extent, and other things will be needed to fill in the gaps."
Chen Yun asked, "What is needed?"
Dragon King Donghai said, "Pure Yang Jing."
Chen Yun heard that he didn't have this material, helplessly said: "My humble self has no pure Yang Jing. If it's not possible, just forget about it. I don't want such precious treasure to lose its function."
"Ah, Master Chen, just because you don't have Pure Yang Jing doesn't mean I don't have any here," Dragon King Donghai laughed. "Hui Taiwei, please go once more and fetch some Pure Yang Jing. After I take out the Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron from the Heaven-fixing Needle, I'll send it to the heavenly court to have it reforged. It should be able to preserve the needle's divine power."
Hui Taiwei said, "Alright."
Hui Taiwei, who had just stood up, turned around again to fetch something.
Dragon King Donghai looked at Chen Yun and said, "I'll get some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron for you right now, but this Heaven-fixing Needle needs to be reforged by a master. Although I know something about refining artifacts, I can't repair such a precious artifact. Why don't we wait until I have it reforged by someone else and then deliver the Heaven-fixing Needle to Qingcheng Mountain?"
Chen Yun quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, the Heaven-fixing Needle is not necessary. I've already obtained some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron, which is enough for me."
It's not that easy to take what you want.
If it's just a piece of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron, the favor isn't too great.
If the whole Heaven-fixing Needle is taken, according to Dragon King Donghai's description of the needle's preciousness, it would be a big favor owed to me.
Chen Yun didn't want to accumulate a big favor.
Seeing Chen Yun's sensible behavior, Dragon King Donghai didn't insist any further. He just smiled and said, "Alright, since Master Chen will need it in the future, you can always come to my Dragon Palace in the East Sea to fetch the Heaven-fixing Needle. I'll take some Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron for you first."
Chen Yun once again expressed his gratitude.
Dragon King Donghai flicked his finger, and the Heaven-fixing Needle instantly grew from a size of a flower needle to over ten zhang high.
Then, he spat out a golden Qi.
As soon as this golden Qi appeared, it immediately took the shape of a flying knife and carefully cut around the top and bottom of the Heaven-fixing Needle.
Chen Yun stood aside and watched clearly. The golden Qi that formed the flying knife had almost bypassed all the spells, without really damaging the core part of the Heaven-fixing Needle.
Bit by bit, the Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron was peeled away.
Dragon King Donghai reached out and gathered those Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron together, gradually forming a large block.
At the end, the top and bottom of the Heaven-fixing Needle were obviously indented.
Dragon King Donghai reached out and with a gesture, the Heaven-fixing Needle changed back to the size of a flower needle and was concealed in his sleeve.
It can be seen that although the Heaven-fixing Needle has been stripped of a lot of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron, it hasn't damaged the root, and it still retains its original function.
Dragon King Donghai casually handed over the ball of Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron, which was as large as a basin, and said, "Master Chen, please accept it."
Chen Yun accepted it while expressing his heartfelt thanks.
He carefully put the Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron into the space created by Tugou Liangxia.
Dragon King Donghai said, "Please wait a moment. I will give you the dragon saliva."
Chen Yun said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Dragon King Donghai nodded and replied courteously, then his entire dragon face turned a bit red.
A faintly bright golden light shimmered slightly from his mouth, as if he was preparing something.
After a few breaths, these golden light seemed to merge into something else, forming a thick and pure white liquid that gushed out of Dragon King Donghai's mouth and directly entered the Pure Yang Jingping.
Without any doubt, the thick and pure white liquid was Dragon King Donghai's dragon saliva.
After completing all this, Dragon King Donghai seemed to be exhausted.
He plugged the Pure Yang Jingping with a black cork, gasping and said, "Master Chen, inside is Dragon King Donghai's dragon saliva. Please accept it."
Chen Yun took the Pure Yang Jingping and asked with concern, "Dragon King, are you alright?"
Dragon King Donghai's forehead had already appeared with fine sweat, but he smiled and said, "No worries, it just consumes some true qi. As long as I eat some earthly and celestial roots and rest for a few years, I will be fine."
Just a small amount of Dragon King Donghai's dragon saliva had him take years to recover, let alone how precious it must be.
Chen Yun had originally thought that the favor owed wouldn't be too great, but now, seeing Dragon King Donghai looking so exhausted, he realized that the favor owed was actually very significant.
He thought for a moment and promised, "Dragon King, don't worry. When I see my Master, I will definitely tell him about your request."
Dragon King Donghai had lived for who knows how many years. How could he not understand the meaning behind Chen Yun's words?
It was merely a way of saying that even if the Supreme Emperor of the Heavens didn't value the Dragon Palace of the East, he would still be able to place him in the camp of the Eastern Emperor.
Being placed in the camp of the Eastern Emperor would essentially mean being placed in the camp of the Supreme Emperor of the Heavens, as they are one and the same.
The only difference is that he hasn't directly served the Supreme Emperor of the Heavens. When dividing the merits in the future, it may be slightly less.
A little less merit is nothing to worry about.
Dragon King Donghai's main intention was to think that it's better to be under the shade of a big tree.
The Great Eastern Emperor is a first-class existence in all realms of heaven and earth.
Upon hearing Chen Yun's promise, he was naturally overjoyed.
"Thank you, Master Chen. Thank you," Dragon King Donghai sincerely said, "If Master Chen needs our Dragon Palace in the future, please let us know. We will certainly come to your aid, no matter how dangerous it may be."
Chen Yun said: "You're overstating it."
They chatted for a little while longer.
Hui Taiwei returned with Pure Yang Jing.
Dragon King Donghai took a large block of Pure Yang Jing and examined it, saying, "Master Chen, after I finish hosting you, I will go to the heavenly court to have the Heaven-fixing Needle reforged. What else do you need? Anything that the Dragon Palace of the East has, I will do my utmost to fulfill your request."
A favor owed for a single piece of Dragon King Donghai's dragon saliva is already quite substantial, and Chen Yun dared not owe any more favors.
He said diplomatically, "Thank you. We don't need anything else for now."
Chen Yun seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Please forgive my impertinence. Are you planning to turn the Pure Yang Jing into a golden ring and put it around the ends?"
Dragon King Donghai laughed and said, "That should be it. With these ends being indented, not making them into a golden ring would look rather ugly."
Chen Yun's quirky sense of humor surfaced, and he said with a smile, "If that's the case, calling it the Heaven-fixing Needle upon its return would seem a bit awkward."
Hui Taiwei wondered, "What should we call it if we don't call it the Heaven-fixing Needle?"
Chen Yun smiled and said, "How about calling it the Yiru Golden Staff?"
Dragon King Donghai thought carefully for a moment and nodded, "The name 'Yiru Golden Staff' seems more pleasing to the ear than the Heaven-fixing Needle. After I have the Heaven-fixing Needle reforged, I will see if two golden rings need to be made for the ends. If that's the case, we will change the Heaven-fixing Needle to the Yiru Golden Staff."
Oh?
Are you really going to rename the Heaven-fixing Needle to the Yiru Golden Staff?
Chen Yun couldn't help but burst into laughter and disbelief. He never expected that his whimsical suggestion would lead to such a name.
He couldn't help but recall his previous whimsical fancy at Mount Ling, where he named the Dharma Tree, which was forged by Shakyamuni Buddha for him, as the Seven-Treasure Wondrous Tree.
If I keep naming various treasures according to my whimsical fancy, wouldn't all the treasures from "The Investiture of the Gods" and "Journey to the West" really appear?
...
He stayed in the Dragon Palace of the East for a little more than half a day.
After that, Chen Yun took his leave from Dragon King Donghai and Hui Taiwei.
Today, he was in a very good mood. Not only did he get what he wanted, the true dragon saliva, but he also got Jiuzhuan Kenede Iron unexpectedly.
It can be said that his gains were abundant.
However, after leaving the Dragon Palace of the East, Chen Yun's good mood was disrupted by an unexpected guest.
A middle-aged man in a Xingchen Daoist robe was standing on the wave peak, looking calmly over at Chen Yun. "Chen Pi, have you avenged the annihilation of my Starry Sea clan and the murder of my brother?"
That's right, the man who had come was Gouteng Dao Ren!
Chen Yun had not been prepared for a fight, so he did not expect the other person to follow him all the way to the East Sea.
He narrowed his eyes and said, "Well, since you, the Gouteng youngster, are determined to die today, I will fulfill your wish and kill you!"
