Chapter 609 Even so, the arrow transforms into a rainbow
In the Three Palaces Hall, the high-ranking officials of the Yunluo and Yunluo clans gathered together.
The Lu Clan all followed Cloud True Immortal in controlling the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation within Origin Venerable Peak, while the Yun and Luo clans were practically left-behind children, without parents, forced to stick together and play together.
Many people cheered when they saw the Creation Daoist rush out of Vast Sun and head straight for the Nine Mountains Realm.
The loudest laugh came from a Luo Clan disciple Luo Qing, who was at the Spirit Transformation stage. A few years ago, Yun Fan's cultivation had stagnated, but Luo Qing had surpassed him, and the two had a subtle conflict.
Yun Fan heard Luo Qing loudly proclaim, " The Creation Founder is Golden Immortal! With his intervention, the Nine Mountains Realm and Zheng Fa will surely suffer a crushing defeat! The perilous situation of Vast Sun Mountain will be resolved instantly."
As soon as these words were spoken, both the Yunluo and Yunluo tribes echoed them, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more relaxed and cheerful, more joyful than a festival.
Even Lian Yun Fan had to admit that he felt much more relieved—the pressure that the Nine Mountains Sect was putting on Vast Sun Mountain was immense.
Seeing that everyone agreed with him, Luo Qing glanced at Yun Fan and said in a strange tone, "This is a good thing for Vast Sun Mountain, but as for some people, well, let's not talk about it. Who knows what they're thinking?"
Although his gaze was fleeting, everyone in the hall, with a Spirit Transformation stage, noticed it.
Yun Fan saw it all clearly and was secretly furious, but seeing the suspicious looks in everyone's eyes, he didn't know how to explain and could only purse his lips tightly.
"We were also deceived by Zheng Fa."
An elder from the Yun Clan intervened to smooth things over.
Luo Qing didn't name names, but he added, "That Zheng Fa only knows how to play tricks and schemes. It's understandable that we fell for his trap, but I'm afraid some people, having received benefits from Zheng Fa, will side with the Nine Mountains!"
Yun Fan gritted his teeth inwardly, but had nothing to say.
With Zheng Fa's guidance, he advanced to the level of Corpse Liberation and became the master of Thousand Wonders Peak.
It would have been better if Shi Nandang's identity hadn't been exposed; once it was, his situation naturally became awkward.
The Yun Clan elder continued, "Nephew, you underestimate us. Zheng Fa impersonated Shi Nandang and infiltrated Vast Sun. Although he may have shown some small favors, we, as people of Vast Sun, are well aware of his wolfish ambitions. Vast Sun Mountain and the Nine Mountains are enemies, irreconcilable foes. No one in the Yun Clan would betray us..."
Before he could finish speaking, the situation in the heavens underwent a dramatic change— the Creation Daoist fled the Nine Mountains Realm in a sorry state, only to be killed by two swords from the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation.
The relaxed and joyful atmosphere that had just filled the Three Palaces Hall vanished, leaving the entire palace as silent and cold as a tomb.
Everyone stared blankly at the sky until the Celestial River Legion flew towards Vast Sun Mountain —the sword formation that had just annihilated the Creation Daoist and slaughtered Golden Immortal like pigs was heading straight for Vast Sun Mountain!
Sword Dao Body, leading the Celestial River Legion, charged forward at breakneck speed.
Amidst the howling wind, he could hear Yan Wushuang and the others panting. He knew that killing the Creation Daoist had greatly depleted the energy of Yan Wushuang and his disciples. Although most of the power of the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation came from the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords and the formation diagram, the disciples' cultivation levels were still too low. They had to fight desperately to defeat the Creation Daoist, a Golden Immortal.
But the Nine Mountains Sect cannot stop, nor can it wait; it must first remove Vast Sun Mountain, this thorn in its side.
Although Vast Sun Mountain is not as powerful as it used to be, its geographical location is extremely crucial—it is situated between the Nine Mountains Realm and the Underworld. If it were to be exploited, it could sever the connection between the Nine Mountains Realm and the Nine Nether Emperor.
Thinking of this, he looked up in the direction of the Underworld. The Nine Nether Emperor was also looking at the Celestial River Legion with a smile in his eyes, looking very satisfied.
After all, he had been relentlessly pursued by the Creation Daoist in his early years, leaving him with no way out. He harbored deep hatred for him, and now that the Nine Mountains Sect had killed the Creation Daoist, it was considered revenge for him.
Sword Dao Body looked at Vast Sun Mountain again. The Vast Sun Golden Summit shone brightly in all directions, and the giant city below the mountain was thick and majestic. However, in the eyes of the Nine Mountains Sect, this place was their Achilles' heel. It could even be said that the Nine Mountains Sect was still in deep crisis.
While the use of the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation to kill the Creation Daoist certainly established the authority of the Nine Mountains Sect, it also gave the sect a relatively clear assessment of the sword formation's power, so clear that it could even be quantified—the most rigorous and conservative calculation shows that the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation is roughly equivalent to 2.5 Creation Daoist.
In fact, we have to thank the Creation Daoist, our great teacher, for providing the valuable measurement data.
Specifically, for the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, a single Creation luck is a simple matter.
If two Creation simultaneously invade the Nine Mountains Realm, the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation can trap them and slowly subdue them.
The three Creation could only trap them, not kill them. In fact, if the battle dragged on, Yan Wushuang and the others would risk defeat due to their low strength.
With four Creation and the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, it probably won't last long.
The Nine Mountains Sect has limited intelligence and doesn't know exactly how many Golden Immortal Thunderclap Temple has, but considering their limited resources, four really isn't a lot.
If we add the Jade Pool and the two major forces of the Demon Race, it's hard to say that the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation is foolproof.
Even with the addition of the Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation, it would be impossible to stop the Golden Immortal from Thunderclap Temple.
Speaking of which, after this extreme pressure test, the Nine Mountains Sect has also quantified the power of the Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation, which is about 0.5 times the Creation.
It should be noted that the Creation Daoist has only been Golden Immortal for a short time, at most one era. He also hides away every day, is ignorant and has no Law Treasure. He is considered a hindrance among Golden Immortal. Therefore, converting the unit of measurement to the Golden Immortal of Thunderclap Temple may devalue him.
The problem is that the Nine Mountains Sect possesses the Primordial Purple Qi, a treasure of immense value... To truly escape the crisis, they can only rely on the Nine Nether Emperor and the Underworld.
The sect's plan was simple: cling tightly to the Nine Nether Emperor and use the Underworld as their rear base.
A retreat is possible—if an enemy greater than four Creation comes knocking, the entire Nine Mountains Realm will retreat to the Underworld.
It can be used offensively—you can take the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation out to kill people from time to time.
sit back and relax!
The plan is good, but there's one small problem: Vast Sun Mountain is in the way.
Therefore, Zheng Fa himself cleaned up the mess in the Nine Mountains Realm, and incidentally led the Nine Mountains Realm towards the Underworld.
The Celestial River Legion, however, did not stop and headed straight for Vast Sun Mountain, in order to cut open this life-saving passage for the sect before Thunderclap Temple could truly react.
Traveling day and night, Vast Sun Mountain is now almost in sight.
"That may be true, but Alliance Leader Zheng has saved the lives of my Yun and Luo clans!" The Yun Clan elder suddenly changed his tone, looked at Luo Qing, and coldly said, "Without Alliance Leader Zheng, we would have long since become food for the Gu worms! Although we are from Vast Sun, we should still have a sense of shame and gratitude!"
"..."
"Moreover, you're preoccupied with the feud between Vast Sun and the Nine Mountains Sect every day, but what about Alliance Leader Zheng? He's broad-minded, doesn't hold grudges, and has no sectarian bias!" The Yun Clan elder's voice suddenly rose, "He guided my nephew Yun Fan without holding back a single word!"
"He governs Vast Sun Mountain with even greater responsibility than the Lu Clan!"
The elder of the Yun Clan, clutching his chest with utmost sincerity, said, "Even if my fellow disciples think I'm a traitor, I still have to speak the truth... I have long admired Alliance Leader Zheng's character and integrity!"
As the Celestial River Legion drew ever closer, the Yunluo and Liang clans members within the Three Palaces Hall remained silent for a moment before speaking in unison:
"That's a fair statement!"
"You underestimate us. How could we be ungrateful people?"
"I will always keep in mind the earnest teachings of Alliance Leader Zheng, no, I mean, the Stone Ancestor!"
Yun Fan observed the words and actions of everyone and felt that his eyes had been opened.
But he also understood that the death of the Creation Daoist had eroded the confidence of his fellow disciples in resisting the Nine Mountains Sect.
Zheng Fa's actions at Vast Sun Mountain did indeed soften the attitudes of most people—to put it bluntly, many genuinely felt that Zheng Fa was better than the Lu Clan.
Even Luo Qing hesitated for a moment before falling silent.
Since we are all virtuous people who know how to repay kindness, we can openly discuss surrendering ourselves.
"The most troublesome one right now is Yun Zu!" someone said. " Alliance Leader Zheng may not be a bloodthirsty person, but if Yun Zu puts up a stubborn resistance, things could get complicated."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"I'm just afraid our Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation is too powerful..."
A Luo Clan disciple said with a worried expression.
That doesn't sound right at first glance. Who would complain that their protective mountain formation is too powerful?
But upon further listening, although it still didn't make sense, it was incredibly farsighted—what if the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation resisted too fiercely and injured a high-ranking disciple of the Nine Mountains Sect? How would that be handled?
Who knows if the Nine Mountains Sect will retaliate?
"Those Lu Clan have a deep-seated hatred for the Nine Mountains Sect. I'm afraid Ancestor Yun has been misled!" one Humanity's Dao said. "We cannot be buried with them!"
"Then what do you suggest we do?"
"The only way now is to go to Origin Venerable Peak and seek an audience with the Holy Ancestor!"
Who's going?
All eyes turned to the Yun Clan elders and Yun Fan.
They were Cloud True Immortal's most trusted and closest confidants.
Yun Fan and the other elders exchanged glances. Seeing the Celestial River Legion getting closer and closer, they didn't delay and gritted their teeth as they headed towards the Golden Summit.
Upon reaching the mountain peak, Yun Fan transmitted his voice into the mountainside, saying, " Yun Fan requests an audience with the Holy Ancestor!"
After a moment, the snow on the golden summit slowly parted to the sides, revealing the upside-down Origin Venerable Peak in front of them.
The group perked up and flew into the cave, descending to a small pavilion halfway down the mountain.
Cloud True Immortal, holding the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, sat upright in the pavilion, surrounded by many Lu Clan.
"What brings you here...?"
" Holy Ancestor, the Creation Daoist has been killed by the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation!"
"... I saw it."
Cloud True Immortal's tone was complex, making it difficult for Yun Fan and the others to understand for a moment.
He paused, looked at Yun Fan and the others, and asked, "Is there something you want to say to me?"
Yun Fan and his companions hesitated for a moment. Although almost everyone in the Three Palaces Hall wanted to surrender, it was truly treasonous to speak such words in front of the Holy Ancestor.
Moreover, with so many Lu Clan around, it was even harder to say many things.
Cloud True Immortal glanced at them, seemingly in a bad mood, and said, "If you have something to say, then... who is it?"
He suddenly shouted coldly.
Yun Fan looked up, puzzled, and saw Cloud True Immortal staring intently at the back of his head. Was someone behind him?
A cold sweat immediately broke out on his back, and he hurriedly turned around.
Behind him, a white dot of light, like a firefly, appeared. This dot grew larger and larger until it transformed into a white lotus platform.
On the lotus platform stood the White Lotus Monk!
" White Lotus? You're not dead?"
White Lotus looked extremely weak, her voice feeble. "I was swallowed by Creation, but fortunately, my master bestowed upon me a protective magic Law Treasure, which saved my life."
At this point, White Lotus let out a soft sigh, "That Creation was killed by the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation. I used the lotus platform as cover and found an opening to escape."
"The people who set up that sword formation weren't very skilled, and their escape techniques weren't as good as mine, which is why I was able to get here first."
After a moment of silence, Cloud True Immortal asked, "Why doesn't the Holy Monk return to Leiyin Temple?"
White Lotus slowly shook her head and said, "It's too far."
It is indeed quite far.
The Nine Mountains Realm has been heading towards the Underworld, getting further and further away from the Western Continent, but closer and closer to Vast Sun Mountain. If White Lotus wants to return to Thunderclap Temple, she has to cross most of the Eastern Continent and be wary of the Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation. It would be simpler to just come to Vast Sun Mountain.
"But the Nine Mountains Sect is heading straight for my Vast Sun Mountain."
White Lotus smiled, a hint of confidence in her eyes. "I'm here to help you."
"Help?"
"I heard my master say that the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation is capable of defeating Golden Immortal?"
Cloud True Immortal nodded in agreement, then added, "However, even the Creation Daoist perished in the Nine Mountains Realm..."
" On Vast Sun Mountain, there is also a Golden Immortal!"
"And there's a Golden Immortal..." Cloud True Immortal paused, looking down at the altar atop Origin Venerable Peak, " Holy Ancestor?"
"It is indeed Master's Dharma Body!" White Lotus laughed. "Before I came, Master had already taught me the Secret Method to control this Primordial Dharma Body. Although my cultivation is low and I cannot unleash the full power of this Dharma Body, it is still enough to rival an ordinary Golden Immortal."
At this point, White Lotus gritted her teeth and said, "If it weren't for the betrayal of Creation, how could the situation have turned out this way?"
Yun Fan understood White Lotus's anger very well.
His preparations for coming to Vast Sun were actually quite thorough, with the Original Devil Ancestor's Dharma Body as his last trump card. Who knew that due to unforeseen circumstances, all his efforts would be in vain, and now even Vast Sun Mountain is on the verge of being lost.
White Lotus continued, "I have observed the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation. Although it is powerful, it is not invincible. With the help of the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation and Master's Dharma Body, we should be able to delay it for a while."
"I will send another message to Thunderclap Temple, asking them to come and provide assistance."
"As long as we work together with the people from within our sect, we will surely turn defeat into victory, and even reclaim the Primordial Purple Qi borrowed!"
Only then did everyone understand that White Lotus's visit to Vast Sun Mountain was not only because Vast Sun Mountain was nearby, but also because she wanted to atone for her mistakes and reclaim the purple qi.
As he spoke, his face displayed an air of unwavering confidence, clearly indicating that he had thought things through very thoroughly.
Cloud True Immortal's expression remained unchanged.
Yun Fan and the others lowered their heads.
The Heavenly Emperor Body and the others standing around blinked slightly, but remained silent.
After a moment, Cloud True Immortal slowly nodded and said, "There is no time to lose. I urge the Holy Monk to awaken the Holy Ancestor's Dharma Body."
White Lotus knew that the Celestial River Legion was chasing him, so he didn't have time to waste. He rushed to the summit and cast Method Formula at the Primordial Dharma Body.
Cloud True Immortal looked up, his gaze passing through the Vast Sun Golden Summit, as if he were looking at the Celestial River Legion getting closer and closer on the clouds.
He lowered his head and raised the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow.
Yun Fan opened his mouth, wanting to shout, but dared not.
The Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation activated, Cloud True Immortal fired an arrow!
A long red rainbow enveloped Origin Venerable Peak, and no one could see clearly what was happening.
As the light faded, White Lotus slowly lowered her head and looked at her chest.
A long arrow pierced his back, the arrowhead protruding through his chest.
On the arrow, a golden-red flame slowly burns.
(End of this chapter)