[Today, Li Jing would spill blood three feet high, battling with his life at stake.]
In the rear courtyard of the Li Manor, Li Jing’s shout echoed from the city walls, causing young Nezha to spring up from his chair with renewed vigor.
“Master! Someone is bullying my father!”
“Be patient,” Grand Master Tai Yi remained composed. “Your Uncle Master Yu Ding and Senior Master Yellow Dragon are hidden nearby protecting your father. We’ll wait for the signal before making our move.”
“Signal?” Nezha tilted his head. “What signal?”
Tai Yi smiled and said, “Naturally, it’s from your el— ahem, from an esteemed figure who will send us word.”
As he spoke, Grand Master Tai Yi pointed his finger lightly, conjuring a cloud mirror before them that revealed the scene outside Li Manor.
Floodwaters surged, with layers of clouds and mist pervading heaven and earth. The East Sea waters swept across, intent on flooding Chen Tang Pass, quickly breaching gaps in the wall-like embankments.
Buildings throughout the city continuously collapsed, but streams of divine light appeared around Li Manor. A great formation protected one-third of the city’s area, holding back the endless seawater.
Yang Jian stood up, frowning as he said, “If mortals remain in the city… will the Dragon Clan pay with their lives?”
Grand Master Tai Yi shook his head silently, while Nezha clenched his fists.
“Master, there’s a great flood! That’s my favorite teahouse, the baozi shop, and Granny Cai’s fruit stand! Who did this?”
“Didn’t you kill a young dragon?” Grand Master Tai Yi said calmly. “This is from his family. Don’t worry, the people were moved beforehand. The Dragon Clan is wealthy enough—after the battle ends, we’ll make them pay hundredfold compensation on the spot.”
Nezha was stunned, his small fists tightly clenched. That young dragon had called himself something like “Your Highness”—anyone called “Highness” must be quite important.
Wo—
A deep horn sounded from within the clouds.
The endless seawater crashed against the formation’s barriers, causing them to flicker constantly.
The clouds above Chen Tang Pass parted as four dragon-headed elders slowly descended on clouds—they were none other than the Dragon Kings of the East, South, West, and North Seas!
Li Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly as he declared in a clear voice: “The Dragon Clan floods Chen Tang Pass—I shall certainly report this matter to the Celestial Court!”
“Li Jing,” the old Dragon King slowly stepped forward and said coldly, “Do you admit that your third son killed my son Ao Bing?”
“Does the Dragon Clan only care about results, not causes?”
Li Jing took a deep breath: “Indeed, my son killed your son. We are both fathers—let us battle! Why involve the innocent people of Chen Tang Pass?”
The Four Sea Dragon Kings remained silent, while dragon heads emerged from the clouds beside them, coldly addressing Li Jing:
“Who told you to be General of Chen Tang Pass!”
“Li Jing, you have insulted our Dragon Clan multiple times—this is the price!”
“Price? Ha ha, hahaha!”
Anger drove Li Jing to laughter as he stepped forward, his feet seeming to tread on cloud stairs as he walked between heaven and earth.
Below were raging floods and emerging shrimp soldiers and crab generals; above were endless dark clouds and constantly churning azure dragons within them.
Humans, as creatures, often like to do things beyond their capabilities.
But sometimes, one cannot retreat, nor bow their head.
Retreat would bring eternal regret, bowing would make life worse than death!
Li Jing’s azure sword trembled and hummed, his long hair and robes fluttering, his eyes filled with fury as orange flames ignited in his dao heart.
Those who bully others shall be destroyed by others!
“Let us battle!”
“Then we shall grant your wish!”
A fire-red scaled azure dragon shot straight out of the dark clouds, its hundred-zhang diameter claw smashing toward Li Jing’s forehead, its momentum seeming capable of crushing Chen Tang Pass directly into the ground!
Li Jing showed no fear. Even feeling pressure that could nearly shatter his guts and gallbladder, he still swung his long sword, dancing sword lights into the air.
Sword qi crisscrossed, sword shadows interlocked like dogs’ teeth as they met the dragon claw head-on.
One sword illuminates all Great Shang’s martial might, singing high to chant the Supreme Clarity Canon!
Ding, ding ding ding—
The sword Qi crashed against the massive dragon claw, only making it tremble slightly.
The dragon heads in the clouds sneered—the mortal below seemed about to be crushed instantly!
Whoosh!
Dao resonance exploded as jade-colored light swept in all directions. The dragon claw carrying boundless might suddenly froze, though the fierce winds it stirred still surged downward, but the claw hung bizarrely suspended in mid-air.
Below the dragon claw, directly above Li Jing, that seemingly ordinary figure showing no hint of remarkability stood with hands behind his back, the phantom of a four-footed square cauldron encompassing him.
The arrival was none other than True Lord Yu Ding.
Yu Ding raised his hand in a pressing motion, causing Li Jing’s upward-charging figure to slowly descend toward the flooded Chen Tang below.
True Lord Yu Ding sighed softly: “The Dragon Clan still has a way to retreat.”
The East Sea Dragon King frowned silently while a Dragon Clan elder rushed out beside him, releasing a roar as he shot dozens of streams of light at True Lord Yu Ding.
True Lord Yu Ding’s sleeves shook as the phantom cauldron around him soared skyward, growing with the wind until it became a thousand zhang in diameter, taking all the elder dragon’s attacks into the cauldron.
“Since you persist in your delusion.”
True Lord Yu Ding slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them, filled with pale jade color, raising his head to glare at the numerous azure dragons as his figure shot into the sky!
“Then this poor Daoist shall help you attain enlightenment.”
Roar—
Nine fire dragons soared up from Li Manor’s grounds.
The West Sea Dragon King and North Sea Dragon King moved simultaneously. The moment Yu Ding crashed into the dark clouds, hundreds of azure dragons all transformed into human form, divine abilities and treasures pressing toward Yu Ding.
Fighting many against few, being too large was too disadvantageous—how could the Dragon Clan not understand such simple principles after fighting through ancient times?
As the two Dragon Kings’ great sleeves danced in direct combat with True Lord Yu Ding, today’s battle had truly erupted!
Grand Master Tai Yi stepped forward in his great red Daoist robe, the corner of his mouth sealed by immortal power, speaking not a word at this moment.
There was no other reason—the Dragon Clan simply had too many experts. Even joining forces with Yu Ding, he couldn’t restrain too many of them. Though Yu Ding wasn’t holding back now, there were still too many in the Dragon Clan who could block Yu Ding for a few moments.
Grand Master Tai Yi held up the Divine Fire Cover as he pursued Yu Ding, but was quickly surrounded by Dragon Clan experts.
Yang Jian leaped up with his spear, jumping straight into the high sky, revealing his spear’s edge without a word.
Facing the Sixth Sage, Yang Jian would announce his name.
Facing these dragons, he wouldn’t spare them even a single word.
Above Chen Tang Pass, three Enlightenment School immortals charged the dragon formation!
Li Jing gritted his teeth as weak flames ignited on his forehead, his form becoming a streak of white light charging into the sky, his gaze locked firmly on the East Sea Dragon King!
Seeing this, the East Sea Dragon King suddenly struck, pressing down with one palm as dozens of water pillars exploded from the city’s floods, each transforming into huge cyan hands, frantically smashing toward Li Jing.
Light flashed chaotically from the sword in Li Jing’s hand as streams of sword qi shuttled about, his figure darting left and right, but ultimately limited by his cultivation level, he was struck by the converging water pillars, spitting blood as his form was smashed back onto the roof of a tall building in the city, creating a deep crater.
“Husband—”
On the distant mountains outside the city, Lady Yin nearly fainted, her form wanting to rush forward but held back by the paper Daoist’s immortal power.
The East Sea Dragon King’s eyes were half-lowered, traces of hesitation flashing through them, but then he raised his palm again.
“Don’t hurt my father!”
A childish shout rang out as a streak of light shot from Li Manor’s formation, crossing above the flooded land to become a still-young child.
The Mix Heaven Silk danced constantly behind him, flames wrapped his spear, his Wind Fire Wheels roared, and the Universe Ring left trails of afterimages as it rapidly orbited him!
Two nodes had lit up on the bracelet on his left wrist.
Flames reflected in Nezha’s eyes as he hovered above the crater in the tall building’s roof, taking a light breath.
The Dragon King’s palm fell again, this time condensing into cyan dragon claws. Though only dozens of zhang in diameter, black qi swirled in the dragon claw’s palm.
That dao resonance nearly tore apart Nezha’s primordial spirit.
Nezha let out an angry roar as the third node on his wrist was about to light up.
Tap.
This was the soft sound of someone lightly pressing his shoulder.
Nezha was still a child—now somewhat confused, he turned his head, his attention easily scattered, just as his primordial spirit power might match a Golden Immortal’s but he still wasn’t skilled at immortal perception.
“Father…”
Nezha called out in a daze, looking at the familiar figure beside him who had pressed him down but now charged toward the sky.
He instinctively reached out to grab, but Li Jing, wrapped in flames, moved quite quickly now—Nezha’s small hand could only stretch toward his father’s back.
In his dao heart, it felt as if something was being gently touched.
‘Nezha, both cultivation and study require diligence—don’t be so lazy!’
‘These treasures are for your protection, not tools for playing tricks on others! If you use these treasures to trick people again, your father will keep them for you, and must have words with your master!’
‘My son Nezha, your father can only teach you the principles of being human, but cannot walk this life for you. Don’t waste your natural talents, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself either. You’re not even a month old, how can your father say such things… This life is for you to live yourself, don’t make yourself too tired. As long as your father lives another day, you need not live for any mission or expectation.’
In his vision, the massive dragon claw swept horizontally downward.
Nezha didn’t know why he felt myriad emotions, myriad emotions that seemed both his own and not his own.
Li Jing raised his head and roared, layers of primordial spirit power suffusing his sword, his entire being wrapped in golden light—the light of his primordial spirit burning violently.
“I am Li Jing, General of Chen Tang Pass!”
Sword rises to measure immortals, my will measures heaven!
“Ah—”
Sword light erupted amid his roar, but against that dragon claw, it was like a candle in a downpour, about to be extinguished.
High above, True Lord Yu Ding and Grand Master Tai Yi, locked in a fierce battle with the dragon horde, suddenly turned around!
Yang Jian sensed something amiss and hurriedly opened his celestial eye, shooting a divine beam toward the claw mark struck by the East Sea Dragon King!
“Universe Ring!”
A light shout erupted suddenly behind Nezha, a shout filled with endless fury!
Time’s flow seemed to slow for an instant as a golden light flashed—Li Jing’s figure flew sideways strangely. Looking closer, the Universe Ring had caught Li Jing’s form, pulling him far to the left.
The Golden Roc hiding in the shadows truly breathed a sigh of relief. Having received no signal, he had been a moment away from rushing out to save someone.
Even if punished by his master later, he couldn’t watch such a man be destroyed by the Dragon King.
Just then!
Above the flooded Chen Tang Pass, a spear shot skyward like an arrow leaving its bow. Flames exploded from it once, then twice, suddenly growing to hundreds of zhang in diameter, directly shattering that dragon claw’s phantom!
Scattered flames fell like rain as heaven and earth suddenly darkened.
“You want to kill my father?”
A cold, fierce growl echoed between heaven and earth as the East Sea Dragon King frowned toward the ground.
There, young Nezha stood with eyes closed, but behind him appeared a youth wrapped in black qi. The youth opened his eyes to gaze at the sky, the voice coming from his mouth.
“Hmph!”
The Dragon King snorted coldly as two elder dragons stepped forward beside him, one holding a sword, one gripping a spear, their gazes locked on Nezha’s figure.
Nezha suddenly brought his hands together in a sword seal as flames wrapped his body. The figure behind him and his small form simultaneously closed their eyes and spoke, their two voices gradually merging into one.
“Dao source exists, law births form, two return to one, true spirit endures.”
The youth’s phantom transformed into streams of black qi drilling into Nezha’s body. Nezha’s form slowly grew larger, the short clothes on his body stretching with gaps, his two hair buns coming undone to become fire-red long hair.
Raising his hand, the Fire-Tipped Spear spiraled and shot over, accompanied by a light ‘dong’ as he gripped it directly.
His shoulders shook lightly as four arms appeared on his back, gripping the Universe Ring, Mix Heaven Silk, Yin-Yang Sword, and Golden Brick!
Shamanic battle arts, Fire God’s dharma body.
“Spirit Zhenzhu child…”
Grand Master Tai Yi’s voice trembled as he called out.
“Master,” young Nezha raised his head to look at the East Sea Dragon King, “This disciple Nezha, born in Chen Tang Pass, of human lineage, with killing qi infecting my primordial spirit. If today this disciple completely loses control, please strike to suppress me, Master. Though I die, I’ll have no regrets.”
The Wind Fire Wheels released a piercing screech as flames continuously gathered around Nezha. He seemed to stand on a bowstring, pressing it down once, then again!
The spear-wielding elder dragon said in a low voice: “Nezha! Today if you just take your own life here, we can spare your family’s lives.”
“Take my own life?”
Nezha gave a cold laugh, pointing his spear diagonally at the azure sky. “Even if killed by you today, I’ll drag you to death with me. My father said a man’s duty in life is to punish the strong and help the weak! Today your Dragon Clan breaks my Chen Tang Pass, you and I shall fight to the death, to see whose dao is higher! My father is Li Jing, General of Chen Tang Pass! Wind Fire Wheels! Swift—”
…
…
That day, a sun hung over Chen Tang Pass.
That day, the three-section bracelet long worn on Nezha’s wrist silently shattered.
Firelight dazzled eyes, watercolors filled the sky.
The azure dragons’ roars continued endlessly as the figure spinning rapidly in the sky wielded his spear, streams of killing qi wrapping his body, but his eyes remained clear.
But ultimately, few could not overcome many.
When dragon blood covered the flooded land, several figures were trapped near Li Manor’s formation as countless dragon-headed elders surrounded their few figures.
True Lord Yu Ding struggled to maintain immortal power, Grand Master Tai Yi’s mouth leaked blood, and Yang Jian’s armor was shattered all over his mighty frame marked with wounds, yet he still helped his master maintain the barrier.
Nezha was nearly exhausted, now kneeling on the immortal power-wrapped water surface supported by his spear, constantly trying to stand but his whole body trembling.
Li Jing was now extremely weak—the price of burning his primordial spirit meant even moving a finger took immense effort.
“Nezha…”
Li Jing called softly.
Nezha gave a bitter smile, muttering: “It was your child’s recklessness that brought disaster to Chen Tang Pass.”
“Are you… are you that youth?” Li Jing asked in a trembling voice.
Nezha shook his head gently, “I am your third son, I am Nezha.”
“Ah, it’s just that your father was useless,” Li Jing let out a light breath, weakly speaking such words, “But remember, this isn’t you causing trouble—it’s just that justice and righteousness sometimes come a bit late. Things in the world are often like this. Don’t harbor hatred for this, don’t feel resentment over this. Walk the right path, have no shame in your heart…”
He slowly sat up supporting himself with his broken sword, calling softly to Grand Master Tai Yi. Tai Yi suddenly struck out, one finger freezing Nezha’s extremely weakened primordial spirit.
Li Jing smiled at Nezha as his form was wrapped in a final measure of immortal power, slowly floating up.
High above, the East Sea Dragon King raised his hand in a gesture, the countless streams of light temporarily ceasing as gazes focused on Li Jing’s figure.
Li Jing flew out of True Lord Yu Ding’s barrier, holding his broken sword with head held high, speaking calmly:
“Today I, Li Jing, am willing to trade my life for the life of the East Sea Dragon Palace’s Third Prince.”
A Dragon Clan elder said in a low voice: “Do you admit your crime?”
Li Jing turned his head to look at Nezha, who now stared with wide eyes, and said calmly:
“I am only trading my life—what crime? Your Dragon Palace is neither the Human Emperor nor the Celestial Court—by what right do you judge Li Jing’s crimes?”
That Dragon Clan elder cursed loudly: “Unrepentant! Kill them all!”
Li Jing gripped his sword hilt, glaring at the hundreds of dragon-headed elders in the sky, his whole body trembling…
“Very well, I—”
Just then!
Before Li Jing could finish saying “Accept”, a cold snort fell from the sky as a ray of sunlight suddenly shot down through the dark cloud-covered sky.
A white-haired old Daoist sat cross-legged in the clouds, his form slowly descending.
He held a horsetail whisk, a small pagoda floating at his shoulder, the Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram circling behind him. Usually kind-faced and benevolent, his expression was now cold.
That profound dao resonance spread out as all the dragons instantly fell silent.
That gaze swept past horizontally—none present could meet his eyes.
One sweep of the horsetail whisk in his hand suddenly pierced the dark clouds with streams of golden light, golden pillars connecting heaven and earth, from which flew dense but orderly ranks of golden-armored celestial soldiers.
Screee—
The eagle’s cry was somewhat piercing as a Golden Roc spread its wings and rose from a corner of Chen Tang Pass’s walls, instantly appearing in mid-air to block in front of Li Jing.
True Lord Yu Ding shook his head slightly, holding up his small cauldron as he stood once more.
Not far away, dozens of streams of light shot urgently from the west, led by a middle-aged Daoist—Broad Completion Master, the bell-striker of the Jade Void Palace.
Behind him were True Lord Yellow Dragon with a complex expression, Red Essence Master with fury burning in his eyes, and Cloud Center Master, Manjusri, Samantabhadra…
One sacred disciple after another, one Enlightenment School expert after another.
Li Changshou looked at the Enlightenment School arrivals, then looked toward the dragon-headed elders below. Another sweep of his horsetail whisk caused massive waves to explode above the East Sea, condensing into azure dragons wrapped in dense heavenly dao power, blocking the Dragon Clan’s retreat.
His calm voice spread everywhere as he asked the Dragon Clan one question:
“Just now, who was it saying he had crimes?”