“Junior Brother Changgeng, the space here has been sealed. We cannot use spatial movement techniques or tear through the void. The opponent’s spatial formation is like a perfect sphere, without any flaws,” said a voice.
“I’m already aware of this, but there’s no need to worry. I have a way to deal with the mirage energy around us…”
Whose voice was this?
Changgeng?
The name felt so familiar.
The silver-haired girl’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she sensed the restrictions around her divine soul, an inexplicable anxiety rising in her heart.
She heard more…
“Senior Brother Taiyi, Qiongxiao, I will use paper avatars to draw their attention and scout the situation inside the hall. Here are two paper figures for you – each of you should leave a clone here. Though we have the Taiji Diagram for concealment, we can’t be careless. We must be thorough in our actions. Remember, our primary objective is to take the Red Lotus, and our secondary objective is to destroy it. Once I confirm the Red Lotus cannot be used by the Dao School, I will crush this jade talisman. When that happens, retreat immediately to maintain distance. I will then activate the Great Spirit Explosion to destroy both the Red Lotus and Blood River Ancestor’s remnant soul, leveling this place and thoroughly eliminating any hidden dangers…”
Great Spirit Explosion?
The silver-haired girl’s dao heart trembled slightly.
At that moment, her divine soul felt a warm spiritual power, and her eyes opened to a narrow slit…
The silver-haired girl saw a familiar back but unfamiliar profile. Yet the mysterious dao rhythm emanating from him made her dao heart violently shake!
The Water God!
The Heavenly Court’s Water God – the fierce character who could make even Western Teaching’s sages suffer losses, the one whom Aunt Wen had repeatedly warned her never to provoke!
She had witnessed the Water God’s Great Spirit Explosion before.
Today, it would be used to level this place…
“No…”
The silver-haired girl called out softly.
As her voice rang out, spiritual power flowed through her body once again, and the restrictions around her divine soul quietly dissipated.
A somewhat handsome ox face moved over from the side, filling the silver-haired girl’s field of view, smiling as he said:
“You’re awake?”
The silver-haired girl immediately shrank back, nimbly jumping to her feet. Her gaze passed over the burly man before her, landing on Li Changshou Fairy Qiongxiao, and True Lord Taiyi in front of him.
Shock, anger, fear…
The girl wanted to speak, but her throat quivered slightly. She instinctively reached for something at her side, grasping empty air.
“My sword!”
“It’s here, it’s here!”
The Green Ox responded, turning to take out the Element Slaughtering Sword and offering it to the girl with both hands.
To the side, Li Changshou, Qiongxiao, and True Lord Taiyi merely glanced this way before continuing their discussion.
She hurriedly snatched back the Element Slaughtering Sword, discovering layers of restrictions on it. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Both she and her sword had been captured.
But then, the girl looked at Green Ox, her eyes full of grief and indignation: “You’re all working together!”
“This- this is purely a misunderstanding,” Green Ox hurriedly said. “When I met you before, I didn’t know I would come here as reinforcement. Look, even the top experts of the Three Schools fell into the ambush.”
Following Green Ox’s pointing finger, the girl immediately saw the… eight great experts of the Dao School sleeping nearby!
Green Ox recalled the explanation Senior Brother Changgeng had suggested, and immediately let out a long sigh.
His bright eyes full of sincerity, he softened his voice and said solemnly: “I had no preconceptions about you – we merely met by chance in the Blood Sea. Though I now know we must stand opposed in the future, at the very least, I will never raise my fists against you again.”
Having spoken, Green Ox looked down at his palm, his face full of regret. He slowly let out a breath, raised his head, and tried to show a sincere smile:
“Perhaps it was all just a misunderstanding. But it still… still hurts.”
The silver-haired girl frowned slightly, looking up at this burly man’s face. For some reason, though she had felt such disgust before, now she felt a touch of… sympathy.
“I…” she didn’t know what to say.
“Could you tell me your name?” Green Ox asked, his eyes showing a hint of despair as if the next moment would bring eternal parting.
The silver-haired girl said: “My name is Iron Fan, I am a princess of the Asura clan.”
Green Ox clasped his hands and bowed, without asking or saying more, making a Daoist salute and saying solemnly: “I apologize for any offense given before.”
Princess Iron Fan pressed her slightly pale lips together, lowered her head, and returned the bow while holding her sword…
In just a few short exchanges, Green Ox had completely transformed his image from a persistent flirting ox to a deeply emotional old ox, leaving a faint impression in Iron Fan’s heart!
The above dialogue coaching, action direction, expression guidance, and emotional instruction – all from Heavenly Court’s Water God Li Changgeng!
Hmm?
Li Changshou suddenly came to his senses, carefully savoring the conversation between Green Ox and the silver-haired girl, catching the information points within.
Iron Fan? Iron Fan… Iron!
Princess Iron Fan the Rakshasi? Bull Demon King’s wife, Red Boy’s mother?
What?!
This must be wrong – the Green Ox of Doushuai Palace should be the Great King Unicorn who had played all the immortals and Buddhas with a golden bracelet!
How did this…
Li Changshou’s forehead was covered in black lines, but his Empty-Bright dao heart took effect, forcefully smoothing out his turbulent emotions.
How unexpected – there were so many small stories before the Journey to the West tribulations.
Moreover, he, the future Gold Star of Long Life, seemed to be in the story as well…
Thinking of this, Li Changshou’s lips curved into a slight smile.
Let them be.
Princess Iron Fan’s gaze leaped past Green Ox and landed on Li Changshou, her eyes showing some fear, but quickly filling with determination.
“Friend, could you please step aside? I need to face a powerful enemy.”
“This…”
Green Ox let out a soft sigh, moving back half a step, seeming to want to speak but ultimately just standing with his hands behind his back, looking toward the sky.
Princess Iron Fan slowly walked forward, her gaze locked firmly on Li Changshou.
Li Changshou turned to look at her, his lips curving into a slight smile:
“You wish to raise your hand against me?”
“Yes.”
Li Changshou asked puzzledly: “Why?”
To the side, Qiongxiao simply turned away, trying hard not to laugh.
The girl frowned slightly and said: “You want to prevent the Ancestor’s resurrection. I am an Asura princess – I must stop you.”
Li Changshou looked at Green Ox and smiled: “Senior Brother, I’ve already spared her life for your sake…”
“Senior Brother Changgeng,” Green Ox’s face showed difficulty, “I truly don’t know how to persuade her. With opposing positions, I can only choose to let her follow her heart.”
“This has nothing to do with him.”
The girl tried to draw her sword, but the Element Slaughtering Sword had too many seals and could not be unsheathed.
Li Changshou shook his head and turned his back:
“Fine, I’ll pretend I never saw her. The Blood River Ancestor absolutely cannot be resurrected today – this I declare. If I see you on the path ahead, I will not spare your life again. For my Senior Brother’s sake, you may go.”
The girl was stunned. She looked up at Li Changshou, then at Green Ox beside her. Biting her silver teeth against her lip, she bowed with clasped hands to Li Changshou, then turned to Green Ox and said coolly:
“I owe you a life debt.”
Having spoken, she lifted the Element Slaughtering Sword and strode forward, passing by Li Changshou and stepping out of the Taiji Diagram’s coverage.
Green Ox hurriedly pursued two steps but was stopped by Li Changshou’s raised arm.
“Iron Fan!”
Green Ox called out with deep concern.
The girl did not stop, instead walking even faster.
But after no more than ten steps, her figure swayed unsteadily, slowly collapsing to the side. Her breathing became peaceful and smooth as she fell asleep where she lay.
Mirage energy, entering dreams.
At this moment, Li Changshou’s arm blocking Green Ox could feel the force that was about to erupt and then subside in Green Ox’s body.
He had truly developed feelings.
True Lord Taiyi shook his head and sighed lightly: “The Water God truly has quite the way with young ladies.”
Li Changshou: …
It was this Asura princess, one of the seventy-two princesses, who was too naive!
Qiongxiao watched the silver-haired girl’s sleeping form, pondering while holding her chin.
Li Changshou smiled and asked: “Have you thought of some clever plan?”
“No, I was thinking whether I would look better with my hair styled like that.”
Qiongxiao played with a lock of her hair before her, muttering thus.
“Remember to discuss it with your sister,” Li Changshou casually responded, raising his head to look at the distant hall.
No reaction?
The Element Slaughtering Sword was right here, equivalent to delivering a divine weapon to their doorstep. This should certainly be beneficial to the current Blood River Ancestor…
After another moment, Green Ox’s face showed some worry as he said softly: “Senior Brother Changgeng, let me go bring her back.”
“Don’t rush…”
Whoosh—
Just as Li Changshou under the Taiji Diagram was about to speak, a blood light suddenly flew out from the abandoned hall in the center of the great city. That blood light condensed into a large hand, scooping up the girl on the ground and pulling her back into the hall.
Seeing this, Li Changshou revealed a slight smile, turning his head slightly to say:
“Proceed according to plan.”
Qiongxiao and True Lord Taiyi each nodded, slowly flying into the air.
Qiongxiao raised the Golden Dragon Scissors while True Lord Taiyi raised the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover, currently holding their positions.
To seize the Red Lotus, they would certainly need to enter this hall.
But if they were just throwing magical treasures to attack and do some demolition work, there was naturally no need to go personally.
Li Changshou found a comfortable position, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the Taiji Diagram’s coverage area, organizing his thoughts.
Throughout the Blood Sea, everything that needed to be mobilized had been mobilized…
His hands simultaneously formed sword fingers, slowly passing over his eyes, which transformed to azure blue as a precious banner emanating waves of divine light appeared behind him.
The Water God’s treasure, the Black Martial Flag!
Dense heavenly dao power enveloped Li Changshou as a thick paper avatar flew out from his sleeve. Within it, a golden core spun round and round, transforming into the elderly immortal appearance commonly used by the Heavenly Court’s Water God, swishing a duster as it strode forward.
The paper avatar had walked no more than five or six steps when lightning burst from the left palm of Li Changshou’s true body, dispelling the already faint drowsiness.
Li Changshou called out in a clear voice: “Friend in the hall, might we have a discussion!”
As soon as the words fell, a beam of black light shot out from the abandoned hall, mercilessly tearing apart Li Changshou’s paper avatar.
Under the Taiji Diagram, Li Changshou merely sat cross-legged with closed eyes as another paper avatar flew out from his sleeve, again walking out of the Taiji Diagram’s coverage area.
The second paper avatar used some movement techniques, arriving at the position where the previous paper avatar had been torn apart, and continuing forward.
“Friend in the hall, might we have a discussion?”
Again black light flashed, and Li Changshou’s second ordinary paper avatar was instantly cut down.
Qiongxiao’s pretty face showed anger, but remembering Li Changshou’s repeated instructions, she temporarily held back. The Golden Dragon Scissors transformed to three zhang in length, both blades opening as the phantom images of two primordial divine dragons slowly swam about.
A third paper avatar flew out from Li Changshou’s sleeve, moving to where the previous paper avatar had been, slowly walking forward.
This time, the black shadow in the hall gripping a long spear hesitated.
This black shadow cursed in a low voice: “Does this Water God have endless avatars?”
An elderly voice beside him responded: “The second disciple of Taiqing naturally has extraordinary abilities.”
“Hmph!”
The black shadow holding the Lesser Slaughter Divine Spear gave a cold snort, pointing his spear to shoot out a beam of black light, once again tearing apart Li Changshou’s third paper avatar.
But this time, from under the Taiji Diagram came the roaring of angry dragons!
The first golden light flashed as two primordial giant divine dragons shot out from under the Taiji Diagram, their tails intertwining as their bodies suddenly grew to a thousand zhang in length, smashing straight down at this abandoned hall!
Then fire dragons howled as nine four-clawed azure dragons wrapped in orange-red flames soared into the sky, fiercely diving down after those two giant divine dragons.
Clang!
Inside the great hall, a black shadow struck his walking stick on the ground, causing an ice-blue light screen to appear around the hall, activating the formation prepared earlier.
However, the Golden Dragon Scissors was a heavy treasure personally bestowed by the Primordial Lord of the Way, and Qiongxiao was one of the Eight Great Disciples of the Severing Teaching. Now using nearly full power, how could it be easily resisted?
With the roar of giant divine dragons, they slammed fiercely into the formation barrier.
That ice-blue light screen was almost directly shattered by the giant divine dragons, constantly flickering all over as cracks appeared at the bottom…
The nine fire dragons that followed struck in succession, causing those cracks to gradually expand.
The Golden Dragon Scissors did not launch continuous attacks. The giant divine dragons transformed from solid to ethereal, retreating under the Taiji Diagram to coil around Qiongxiao, increasing her imposing presence by no less than thirty percent!
True Lord Taiyi recalled the nine divine dragons, calmly standing to the side with his hands behind his back.
Just a supporting role.
At this moment, Li Changshou sent out his fourth paper avatar, moving to where the previous paper avatar had been, continuing to stride forward while calling out in a clear voice:
“Friend in the hall, shall we have a discussion?”
This time, all four black shadows in the hall fell silent.
They suddenly realized the predicament they faced today – the primordial mirage energy they had spread out no longer gave them much sense of security.
It was simple…
The primordial world favored the way of brute force. If the Dao School didn’t want to seize the Red Lotus but instead wanted to destroy this place, once more Dao experts arrived, this place would be destroyed in an instant, and they would struggle to escape.
Among the four black shadows, that elderly voice spoke again:
“There’s no need to keep fighting the Dao School to the death, especially since the Sages are merely watching and haven’t taken action.”
“Let him come.”
A somewhat faint voice sounded from behind the four black shadows: “I still need Blood Divine Children to restore my spiritual power, to delay him a bit longer. This Water God seems able to influence the Dao School’s decisions.”
The four black shadows each nodded, this time allowing Li Changshou to proceed.
…
Discovering that the beings in the hall no longer attacked, Li Changshou simply rode a cloud forward, quickly reaching the hall.
Layers of formations lay ahead, impenetrable to immortal consciousness.
The Taiji Diagram was protecting their side’s great experts. To be safe, Li Changshou’s current plan had no options involving moving the Taiji Diagram.
With the backing of the Dao School’s vast primordial power, he had more than one path to victory available, though he habitually chose the safest and most thorough path.
Setting other matters aside, that silver-haired girl – no, Princess Iron Fan – was a being Brother Green Ox had fallen in love with at first sight. She couldn’t come to real harm.
Hmm?
A trace of doubt arose in Li Changshou’s heart.
Could Master’s character for “go” have meant for him to help Old Ox, rather than for the Red Lotus?
Ah, there was truly such a possibility, and the probability wasn’t low.
Fortunately, his designated plan had also revolved around this point…
Just then, at an unknown height overhead in the constantly churning Blood Sea, another batch of ordinary Asuras broke through the wild currents created by the Golden-Winged Peng Bird, surging in magnificent waves toward that pillar of light.
Like moths to a flame, endless streams.
Li Changshou carefully sensed through the paper avatars left on the perimeter – large numbers of Asura clan experts with normal consciousness and eyes not completely glowing red had arrived near the ruins of the great city.
These Asura clan experts seemed to be tracking the Golden-Winged Peng Bird’s traces, apparently intending to sweep away all obstacles to the Blood River Ancestor’s resurrection.
To this, Li Changshou could only smile.
“Halt.”
A cold shout came from within the hall, but Li Changshou, who had already reached the hall’s entrance, seemed not to notice.
The paper avatar directly rode its cloud through the entrance before finally stopping.
Killing intent.
Completely unconcealed killing intent emanated from ahead as Li Changshou controlled the paper avatar to swish its duster, looking toward the source of the killing intent.
It was a black shadow holding a spear, hiding in a corner, its specific appearance unclear – the one who had ambushed his paper avatars and wounded the Golden Peng earlier.
In the hall’s other three corners lurked three more black shadows. Two were fierce beasts in human form, while one shadow’s aura was somewhat strange, impenetrable even to Li Changshou.
A red lotus bloomed in the deepest part of the great hall.
Behind the red lotus, the old Daoist whom Li Changshou had seen in the “heavenly dao dream” over ten years ago had opened his eyes!
This old Daoist’s form had solidified again, though his aura seemed somewhat hollow despite outward strength.
His face was square, his eyes narrow and long, his gray-white long eyebrows full of sharp intent. Though only a phantom, he gave an indescribable sense of pressure.
The Blood River Ancestor, this ancient powerful being, had awakened!
Li Changshou showed not the slightest surprise at this.
What did surprise Li Changshou was that the red lotus had begun emanating a sense of perfection, seeming nearly fully mature.
Below the red lotus was a sphere of light containing only twenty or thirty points of light.
Before Li Changshou’s eyes, the Blood River Ancestor lightly pointed at that sphere, and a soul flew out, which he sent into his mouth, merging into his phantom form.
Eaten.
Although such souls provided minimal enhancement to the Blood River Ancestor, Li Changshou’s expression immediately darkened.
The Blood River Ancestor revealed a slight cold smile, his voice coming from all directions, carrying some contempt:
“Current Water God, you wish to prevent this poor Daoist’s resurrection?”
Li Changshou retorted: “A remnant soul defeated in the past, yet still presumptuously attempting to defy heaven’s mandate?”
The Blood River Ancestor’s cold smile faded, his voice becoming light and ethereal: “Do you know what fate humanity will meet if you fail today?”
Li Changshou did not answer, his gaze moving to the edge of the great hall.
Princess Iron Fan lay there, hugging the Element Slaughtering Sword in deep sleep.
The Blood River Ancestor’s voice sounded again:
“Today no one can prevent this seat’s resurrection. You’re merely a latter-day disciple of the Dao School, yet you dare before this seat…”
“Friend, you’re still just a remnant soul now, aren’t you?”
Li Changshou suddenly said thus, making the Blood River Ancestor’s words pause.
Swishing his duster, Li Changshou smiled calmly and said:
“If I’m not mistaken, your resurrection today is merely awakening your remnant soul, using the twelve-grade red lotus as a foundation to escape into the Chaos Sea, then slowly replenishing your divine soul. The reason you know about my affairs is through those Asura clan souls you’ve drained – you’ve read some memories about me. Is that not so?”
The Blood River Ancestor said: “And what if it is?”
“Nothing much,” Li Changshou shrugged, “This is merely one of my avatars, while my true body hides under the Taiji Diagram. What can you do to me?”
“Hmph!”
The Blood River Ancestor gave a cold snort, his phantom form opening his left hand. From Iron Fan’s embrace at the side, the Element Slaughtering Sword transformed into a flash of blood light, flying to the Blood River Ancestor’s palm to reconstitute its sword form, emitting waves of trembling.
The restrictions on it dispersed layer by layer as the petals of the twelve-grade lotus flower gently swayed. This treasure sword that had been dormant for endless years seemed to have awakened.
Just then, the sound of wind and thunder howling suddenly came from outside the city.
Several hundred Asura clan experts were now launching surprise attacks against White Marsh and over ten Dao School experts on the city’s outskirts.
Several incredibly ancient Asuras, their bodies radiating brilliant light, attacked the Golden-Winged Peng Bird near the light pillar, forcing it to temporarily stop raising waves in the Blood Sea to avoid them.
The Asura clan’s experts had all emerged!
“The sword… My sword!”
From the shadows at the edge of the ruined hall, Iron Fan suddenly awoke, her eyes not yet open as she instinctively hugged herself, finding the sword in her embrace gone without a trace.
Li Changshou’s eyebrow raised, not looking much at this silver-haired girl, though also somewhat surprised in his heart.
That she could wake on her own… saved a few recording pearls.
Iron Fan struggled to open her eyes. Seeing the Element Slaughtering Sword behind the red lotus, and then recognizing who held it, she couldn’t help but excitedly kneel on the ground, bowing deeply.
“Father… Ancestor, you have returned!”
The Blood River Ancestor revealed a faint smile, glancing at the silver-haired girl before fixing his gaze on Li Changshou, continuing:
“Now in heaven and earth, the Dao School has become so arrogant and conceited. Knowing it was this seat’s resurrection, they only sent a dozen or so experts. By now you’ve already missed the opportunity to stop me. The Dao School’s disciples truly grow weaker with each generation.”
“Friend Blood River, the more you speak, the more it reveals your insecurity. As an ancient powerful being, you should maintain some face – what’s the point of this?”
Li Changshou looked toward the four corners and smiled:
“I came to see these four friends, not expecting you to be awake. Four friends, this red lotus has great use for our Dao School. Please do us the favor of withdrawing – our Dao School will certainly not pursue and kill you.”
A battle of words, a psychological game!
The four black shadows in the corners showed no movement, without even half a sound in response.
Li Changshou asked curiously: “Could you all think you can escape from the Sages’ hands?”
The Blood River Ancestor slowly closed his eyes and said coldly: “If the Sages come, I must ask them – as fellow ancient beings, why must they make things so difficult for this seat!”
Just then, the great hall trembled slightly as points of light appeared above, like stardust falling, merging into the Blood River Ancestor’s remnant soul.
The Blood River Ancestor’s phantom form became visibly more solid.
The silver-haired girl prostrating on the ground trembled, raising her head to look straight up as her pupils suddenly contracted.
What she saw through the damaged hall ceiling, around that blood-colored pillar of light piercing the Blood Sea, were countless clansmen crashing into the blood pillar, instantly vanishing into smoke, leaving only bits of ash falling like starlight…
Li Changshou’s peripheral vision caught this, and his heart was now free of doubts.
He said calmly: “Friend Blood River, may I ask you one thing – what do you consider these Asura clan members to be?”
“The Asura clan was created by this poor Daoist,” the Blood River Ancestor said with a cold smile. “Are you perhaps here to lecture this poor Daoist?”
“The Asura clan is one of the Six Paths of Reincarnation,” Li Changshou frowned and said. “Perhaps the initial batch of Asuras you created could be considered your分身 and avatars, but today’s Asura clan members – ninety-nine percent came through the Six Paths of reincarnation. Based on this point alone, I can condemn you for the crime of indiscriminate killing and poisoning of living beings, and call down heavenly punishment!”
“Hahaha, hahahaha!”
The Blood River Ancestor’s face suddenly became extremely fierce, blood traces seeping from his eyes and brow chakra as his back manifested a ferocious appearance with three heads and eighteen arms!
“This is what the Dao School’s disciples have become today! Laughable! This seat killed his way from the ancient times to the high ancient times, slaughtering all manner of living beings! Proving the Dao through killing, gaining fame through killing! If heaven wants to destroy me, I’ll slash heaven! If Earth won’t submit to me, I’ll split Earth! Back then your Senior Brother only succeeded because he joined forces with Houtu, with the heavenly dao interfering from behind, allowing this seat to be defeated. Yet now you dare spout such nonsense before this seat!”
Just then, another shower of starlight fell from above, seeming endless.
Outside the great city, the fluctuations of magical combat grew increasingly intense.
Up and down the light pillar, large numbers of ordinary Asuras had arrived, crashing into the blood pillar without resistance or awareness.
The sense of perfection from that twelve-grade lotus flower grew increasingly obvious…
The Blood River Ancestor’s body became increasingly solid, his gaze at Li Changshou growing more mocking as blood patterns appeared on his aged face.
Li Changshou frowned slightly, seeming to consider countermeasures.
Suddenly from the side came a somewhat timid call: “Ancestor… could you spare everyone’s lives?”
“Hmm?”
The Blood River Ancestor whirled his head, his left hand violently sweeping out!
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Iron Fan’s delicate body flew backward, crashing into and cracking the broken wall at the side, lowering her head to spit blood.
The Blood River Ancestor cursed:
“When did this seat’s Asuras become so weak? You are unworthy to be this seat’s daughter!”
Iron Fan struggled to rise, lowering her head to kneel and prostrate, repeatedly kowtowing to the Blood River Ancestor.
She wept uncontrollably, her eyes full of confusion.
Li Changshou mentally calculated the time briefly, continuing to speak, drawing the Blood River Ancestor’s attention back.
“Blood River Ancestor, I may truly be unable to prevent your resurrection today, but you won’t be free for many days. How about this – shall we make a bet? If I win, you’ll hand over the twelve-grade red lotus; if I lose, I, the Heavenly Court’s Water God, will withdraw from the encirclement against you today.”
The Blood River Ancestor merely gave a cold smile, not responding.
More waves of starlight fell, the light pillar above nearly filled with human shadows, endlessly replenishing the Blood River Ancestor’s remnant soul.
Watching this ancient fierce powerful being wave his left hand at the circular magical artifact at his side, taking out two human souls and stuffing them into his mouth, squinting at Li Changshou.
The Blood River Ancestor said leisurely: “According to the memories this seat just obtained, you seem to care greatly about human life and death.”
“I am human,” Li Changshou said coldly. “You seem to care nothing for the Asura clan’s life and death.”
“For beings this seat created, this seat gives and takes life as he pleases – what of it?”
“Do you have the courage to accept this bet?”
“Mere upstart, how dare you speak so boldly before this seat! You merely want to delay until Dao School disciples arrive here,” the Blood River Ancestor said coldly. “What harm is there in this seat accepting? Go ahead, tell me, how shall we bet?”
Li Changshou waved his hand grandly, his sleeves billowing, pointing outside the hall: “Let’s bet on whether I can break through the surrounding mirage energy!”
The Blood River Ancestor’s eyes focused, and the hall instantly fell silent.
The waves of rumbling from outside the city carried in, as countless Asura clan experts’ auras continuously erupted, now preventing Dao School experts from approaching the light pillar, ensuring those slightly weaker Asura clan members could smoothly fly like moths to the flame.
In a corner of the abandoned great hall, a rough voice called out: “This is primordial mirage energy – nothing can break it!”
“Well then, will you bet?” Li Changshou smiled and said: “You should have that confidence.”
“Interesting,” the Blood River Ancestor said indifferently. “This bet – this seat accepts.”
“Surely an ancient expert wouldn’t go back on his word?”
The Blood River Ancestor snorted: “This seat has his credibility.”
Li Changshou’s voice sank as he said: “Before I make my move, might you return the human magical artifact in your hand to me?”
The Blood River Ancestor gave a cold laugh, his fingers lightly moving as that spherical artifact fell into Li Changshou’s palm, with only just over twenty souls remaining inside.
Li Changshou sighed, putting the artifact into his sleeve.
From the four corners, four gazes fell on Li Changshou as the black shadow leaning on the dark spear gave a cold laugh: “If you had a way to break the mirage energy, why delay until now?”
“Because this method needs some assistance.”
Li Changshou took out a jade talisman from his sleeve, methodically crushing it as he slowly said:
“I’ve heard that phantom mirages’ primordial mirage energy is incomparably mysterious, impossible to search for or capture, being phantom mirages’ final survival technique, with no method to break it.”
An elderly voice responded from the corner: “Correct. Knowing this, do you still dare make reckless bets? Truly just talking nonsense to delay!”
“Friend, don’t be hasty,” Li Changshou’s expression grew increasingly cold, his voice increasingly confident. “I previously thought of many methods, tried many techniques, and finally gave up. My wisdom cannot compare to so many experts from ancient and high ancient times – such conclusions are naturally hard to overturn. But I timely changed my approach. Everyone, please look – aren’t there some additional figures at the city walls on all four sides?”
The four black shadows and Blood River Ancestor in the hall simultaneously investigated each area, finding it just as Li Changshou said – dozens of additional figures had appeared in various places.
The rough male voice asked: “So what if there are?”
Li Changshou said: “This place has primordial mirage energy, but no fierce beasts like phantom mirages. Your mirage energy seems… limited in quantity. This is the netherworld, and the netherworld has the underworld. What is most abundant in that underworld?”
“Souls?”
The black shadow leaning on the spear answered immediately.
“To be honest, you truly chose the wrong location here.”
Li Changshou said: “This is the deepest part of the Blood Sea. Extremes produce their opposite – with less Blood Sea pollution, there is more pure energy, allowing ordinary souls to linger here.”
As soon as he finished speaking, those figures on the four city walls moved simultaneously.
Looking closely, these were four Yama Kings each leading fourteen or fifteen judges, now all moving together to establish ghost gates in four directions!
The ghost gates opened, and nether winds swept out!
In an instant, the entire ruined great city was filled with phantoms, half of which directly lowered their heads in sleep, while half looked around in confusion.
The underworld’s special product – vengeful spirits of men and women!
The four Yama Kings and the judges immediately cast spells, and in no more than an instant, nether winds rose again, collecting countless souls back into the ghost gates.
And then…
The four Yama Kings shouldered their ghost gates and turned to flee, immediately diving into the Blood Sea, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Li Changshou snapped his fingers, and True Lord Taiyi under the Taiji Diagram watched as the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover slowly flew out, advancing a hundred zhang without any anomaly, standing in the air with hands behind his back.
The mirage energy was exhausted.
Seeing this scene, all four shadows in the hall exclaimed almost simultaneously:
“How can this be!”
“This is impossible!”
“Using endless vengeful spirits to exhaust the mirage energy?”
“Brilliant.”
The Blood River Ancestor’s fierce face became extremely gloomy, his eyes bursting with intense killing intent.
Li Changshou pointed at that twelve-grade red lotus and said coldly: “Friend, that red lotus should be mine now.”
The Blood River Ancestor laughed in extreme anger: “Hahaha! You’re dreaming!”
“‘This seat has his credibility?’ How grating to the ears.”
Li Changshou said: “The mirage energy is gone, you have no chance of victory. If you admit defeat now, I might be able to give you some face.”
“Young pup, you dare!”
The Blood River Ancestor’s eyes were full of madness as the Element Slaughtering Sword returned to its sheath at his side. His hands formed complex seals as dazzling blood light burst from around his body.
The twelve-grade red lotus petals trembled slightly, strange waves of dao rhythm rippling across it.
“Blood God Return to Origin!”
In an instant, that blood-colored light pillar above the great hall expanded several times, erupting with wave after wave of ripples as sutra-chanting sounds arose throughout the Blood Sea.
Just outside this great city, among the many Asura clan experts now battling more and more arriving Dao School experts, all those below the Golden Immortal realm had their eyes turned red.
In the Blood Sea, dense masses of Asuras rushed toward the light pillar like maniacs with all their might!
In the city, beside the abandoned great hall.
Red light began flickering in Iron Fan’s eyes, but a spirit pill quietly dissolved in her stomach, quickly restoring clarity to her eyes.
At the same time, Iron Fan seemed to hear shouts coming from overhead…
[These shouts were extremely anxious, like the final cries when awakening from a dream at the moment of destruction.]
‘Why is the Ancestor eating us!’
‘I want to live, I want to live, Ancestor…’
‘Ancestor please spare us, we will follow you forever!’
“Ancestor!”
The young Iron Fan kowtowed repeatedly as she knelt there, crying out in a trembling voice:
“Iron Fan is willing to offer her divine soul and dao body – please, Ancestor, spare our clan members, please Ancestor, spare their lives! I beg you! Everyone just wants to live…”
“Outrageous!”
The Blood River Ancestor flew into a rage, his left hand grabbing at Iron Fan, directly seizing this silver-haired girl and pressing her forehead, as streams of primordial energy rapidly left Iron Fan’s dao body, absorbed by the Blood River Ancestor!
The Blood River Ancestor cursed: “You were all created by this seat, given life by this seat, all your lives were bestowed by this seat! Now, this seat is merely taking them back!”
Iron Fan’s crimson pupils were full of despair as she felt her primordial energy being drawn out, her whole body constantly trembling, yet she did not struggle.
Seeing this, Li Changshou calmly said from the side:
“Friend Blood River, I advise you’d better not harm her, or you’ll have not even half a chance of survival today.”
Fierce light flashed in the Blood River Ancestor’s eyes, but his hand hesitated, temporarily halting the absorption of Iron Fan’s energy.
At some point, the rhythm of the scene had come completely under the control of this mere Golden Immortal realm Water God avatar before them.
To the extent that when he now spoke, the Blood River Ancestor and four black shadows all listened with full attention…
Just the single point about using vengeful spirits to break the mirage energy had shocked them.
Li Changshou said indifferently: “Actually, Friend Blood River and you four friends have misunderstood many things.
First, the primordial world is no longer the high ancient times – this is now the era of the heavenly dao establishing order. You want to take advantage of this great tribulation for Blood River’s resurrection is completely seeking death. I suspect you were persuaded by someone – I won’t mention who.
Moreover, my avatar coming here was not to delay, but to divert your attention, allowing the four Yama Kings to release vengeful spirits and break through the mirage energy. When they appeared, did you all forget to attack, too busy being surprised? Hahaha!
There’s also a third thing and a fourth thing… shall we discuss the third first?”
Li Changshou paused.
The Blood River Ancestor and four black shadows held their breath, ready to tear apart his paper avatar together.
Li Changshou laughed softly, saying gently: “At this moment, I am indeed stalling for time.”
Whoosh!
Before his words finished, a golden light flashed past Li Changshou’s shoulder, causing ripples in space before him!
This sudden golden light had reached the Blood River Ancestor before the other four black shadows could react!
In just an instant!
The Blood River Ancestor’s left hand was severed at the root, and Iron Fan’s figure vanished!
Behind the Blood River Ancestor, a bird-shaped gap appeared in the broken wall of the hall.
Then the broken wall collapsed with a crash!
The Golden-Winged Peng Bird revealed its form a thousand zhang away, protecting Iron Fan behind it while using immortal power to stuff several spirit pills into her mouth.
Then the Golden-Winged Peng Bird looked toward the black shadow holding the Lesser Slaughter Divine Spear, its narrow eyes full of rage.
The Blood River Ancestor narrowed his eyes, showing neither shock nor anger at this moment, instead revealing confusion as his severed left hand slowly reformed.
Streams of starlight fell, actually making the Blood River Ancestor appear somewhat divine as he asked puzzledly: “Why do you insist on saving her?”
“This is the fourth thing I wanted to tell you. But before that, why don’t you all look at the current situation everywhere?”
As the words fell, Li Changshou’s paper avatar turned sideways as Green Ox, True Lord Taiyi, and Fairy Qiongxiao simultaneously arrived outside the hall.
While on the outskirts of the city, dozens of figures soared into the sky!
From the Enlightenment Teaching came Red Essence Child, True Lord Yellow Dragon, Cloud Dweller, Fearless, Grand Master of Spiritual Treasure…
Seven of the Twelve Golden Immortals had arrived, along with four Blessed and Virtuous Golden Immortals!
From the Severing Teaching came Great Immortal Black Cloud, Spirit Mother Turtle, Golden Ring Immortal, Heavenly Lord Qin, Spirit Mother Fire, Spirit Mother Golden Light, Heavenly Lord Zhao…
Over twenty experts from various immortal islands had come, with hundreds more Severing Teaching immortals arranging formations outside!
Waves of pressure fell toward the ruins of this great hall!
Li Changshou’s paper avatar stood smiling, his white-browed, white-haired elderly immortal appearance now showing even more graceful bearing.
Without warning, those four black shadows hiding in the corners of the great hall suddenly flipped and rushed out, directly breaking through several wall corners, frantically fleeing in different directions where the Dao School immortals had not yet surrounded them!
— They had made their decision in the shortest time, immediately withdrawing from this affair.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
As soon as these four black shadows moved, the Golden-Winged Peng and over ten surrounding experts immediately pursued and blocked, stirring up a great battle at the bottom of the Blood Sea!
Dao School immortals appeared in every direction, forming a heaven-and-earth net…
Li Changshou didn’t even look at the perimeter, only watching the now extremely calm-faced Blood River Ancestor and the lonely Iron Fan in the distance.
A strand of divine thought fell upon Iron Fan.
The Blood River Ancestor asked calmly: “What is the fourth thing?”
Li Changshou asked in return: “In your view, did I spend so much breath, use so much thought to delay and scheme and arrange, just to deal with you?”
“Is it not so?”
“Of course not,” Li Changshou said seriously: “If I wanted to deal with you, I would only need to invoke heavenly punishment.”
“In the end, you only came for the red lotus,” the Blood River Ancestor gave a cold laugh. “Let this seat put it here – the red lotus and this seat have become one. If you want to get the red lotus, you must preserve this seat.”
Li Changshou shook his head: “Friend, you have indeed grown old – fierce outside but timid inside, laughable.”
“You!”
The Blood River Ancestor’s eyes focused.
“Me?
If you hadn’t harmed those human souls, I would not have lacked respect for a senior expert.
Since you’ve already reached this point, I can tell you today.
I took pains to eliminate the surrounding mirage energy to save this Asura clan princess Iron Fan, your nominal daughter.
All I said to you earlier wasn’t meant for you to hear, but for your daughter to hear.
Sorry, in my plans today…
You are not important.”
Li Changshou slowly stepped backward, but a strand of water-blue dao rhythm floated past his feet, completely enveloping the great hall.
His true body’s eyes were full of divine light, while the paper avatar in the hall took out a magical artifact sphere from his sleeve, extracting a somewhat familiar soul.
Divine Ability: Universal Balance.
The Blood River Ancestor’s eyes suddenly widened as his aura suddenly dropped by nearly half.
That scholar’s soul suddenly shone with brilliant light, expanding to human size, looking down at himself in bewilderment.
“Oh?”
He quickly covered his mouth, trembling when he looked up at the Blood River Ancestor, hiding behind Li Changshou’s paper avatar.
Li Changshou continued speaking calmly and steadily:
“Blood River Ancestor, I deliberately sent your daughter to your side to let her get closer to you, to see your true face. She had a kind of blind reverence for you, feeling that the meaning of her fate was to live for you. This is not beneficial for her future path. So, I arranged all this, even just now expending considerable effort to use this divine ability on you. All this busy work was just to help a senior brother of my Human Teaching tell her a truth that everyone else understands…”
Whoosh!
A treasure blade pierced into the Blood River Ancestor’s back, penetrating his chest and striking one of the twelve-grade lotus petals.
The Blood River Ancestor frowned deeply, his neck turning with some effort to look back.
At this time he was merely a phantom and naturally wouldn’t be injured, but the shock and anger in his eyes could not be faked.
A young woman with silver-white long hair was now maintaining a lowered charging posture, her left hand gripping the sword hilt in reverse, her right hand pressing on the end of the hilt, with the phantom of a small pagoda above her head.
The Blood River Ancestor’s eyes widened…
Moments ago;
When the Golden-Winged Peng Bird went to pursue those four black shadows;
Iron Fan collapsed there with lifeless eyes, allowing the spirit pills’ power to spread through her body.
A whispered voice entered her ear, as if a phantom appeared around her, slowly pacing while speaking softly.
[Don’t you understand yet?
This is what your revered Ancestor is like – is your fate just to become his nourishment?
Even if you’re willing, look at your clan members…
They had no chance to resist, and could only accept this fate, rushing here with lost minds, not even keeping their divine spirits, only able to begin their final moments.
Iron Fan, is just thinking about sacrificing yourself enough?]
“What, what else can I do…”
A strand of yin-yang dao rhythm flowed, and a long sword fell before Iron Fan, covered in rust.
[Life is always in one’s own hands.
For beings like you who lose control of yourselves once under divine abilities, your only freedom is choosing to live or die before being controlled.]
“Die?”
[Are you afraid?]
“I’m not afraid! But I want to save them, I want to save them…”
[Then go, look forward, and make your own choice.]
Iron Fan raised her head to look, seeing the Blood River Ancestor’s blood-lit back, her body trembling several times before lowering her head again.
With a soft sigh, the phantom around her gradually walked away, followed by the shouts of clan members in their final moments before vanishing.
The only freedom is choosing to live or die…
I want to save them, I want to save them…
Rising, Iron Fan didn’t know where she got the strength from, but she kept moving forward, her steps gradually quickening, completely unaware of several dao rhythms appearing around her.
Taiji Diagram dao rhythm, Mysterious Yellow Pagoda dao rhythm, Space Ruler dao rhythm!
One step, two steps…
Life is always in one’s own hands.
Always in one’s own hands…
Always in one’s own hands!
Ancestor, our clan members shouldn’t die like this – you should at least ask if they’re willing to sacrifice themselves!
That back appeared before her eyes, the rusty long sword in hand…
Ancestor…
Life…
‘I don’t want to die!’
Whoosh!
Iron Fan breathed heavily, her breathing chaotic.
She slowly raised her head to look at the Blood River Ancestor’s profile, her crimson pupils showing no anger, no hatred, only indispensable sorrow, tears continuously falling from the corners of her eyes.
“Ancestor, that- that wasn’t our life to give…”
“You dare betray this seat!”
Blood light erupted around the Blood River Ancestor, directly sending Iron Fan flying, but her body was steadily protected by mysterious yellow energy.
Green Ox’s figure rushed forward urgently, catching Iron Fan and landing to one side.
Seeing this, Li Changshou sighed softly as this paper avatar turned to ash, while streams of immortal light shot in from all around, surrounding the red lotus and Blood River Ancestor…
By the city wall, at the place where the eight great Dao School experts were dreaming, Li Changshou withdrew his dao rhythm, tiredly yawning with some fatigue.
Standing up, he carefully walked to Yunxiao’s side, sitting down with a thump and letting out a long sigh.
This Blood River Ancestor was truly a fierce character of the primordial world.
“Changshou…”
The fairy’s sleep-talking voice reached his ears, and Li Changshou’s spirit suddenly shook as he leaned slightly closer, carefully listening for what followed.
“Kneel.”
Li Changshou: …
Hmph, dream on.