White Lotus turned around, opened her mouth as if to say something but couldn't utter a word. Yet, the message in her eyes was clear to everyone—why?
Not to mention him, Yun Fan and the others, who originally wanted to persuade the Holy Ancestor, all stood there dumbfounded, wondering why the Holy Ancestor would do such a thing.
Even the Heavenly Emperor Body and others, who had transformed into the Lu Clan, were somewhat bewildered at this moment—to be honest, they had not anticipated Cloud True Immortal's arrow at all.
Cloud True Immortal lowered the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hand, raised his head, and looked up at the clouds. The Celestial River Legion was already close at hand.
"For Vast Sun Mountain."
His voice was very soft, as if he were answering a question, or perhaps sighing.
White Lotus's eyes bulged wide, her gaze filled with hatred, as if she thought he was making excuses—"I came to help your Vast Sun Mountain, and you killed me, yet you claim it was for Vast Sun Mountain?"
Cloud True Immortal shook his head slightly, as if sighing, "The Holy Monk is right. If we had two Golden Immortal, we could withstand this sword formation and await the help of Thunderclap Temple."
Yun Fan couldn't help but nod.
He didn't dare to speak earlier because he felt that White Lotus's words made some sense—to be fair, if he could protect Vast Sun Mountain, he wouldn't want to surrender.
"But Holy Monk, without at least two Golden Immortal warriors in your sect, you simply cannot stop them."
White Lotus was stunned.
Cloud True Immortal lowered his head, looking at the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hand, then looked up at the Heavenly Emperor Body and the others, his tone helpless. "Everyone, am I right?"
Yun Fan felt increasingly lost.
White Lotus's expression suddenly changed, as if she had realized something.
The Heavenly Emperor Body and Uncle-Master Pang and the others exchanged glances, shook their heads, and released the Earthly Fiend Seventy-Two Transformations, revealing their original appearances.
" Zheng Fa! And... are they all?"
Yun Fan was shocked. Yes, he knew there were spies in the Yun Clan, and the Holy Ancestor dared not act rashly, but he never expected there to be so many!
This Vast Sun Secret Realm, Origin Venerable Peak, which is off-limits to ordinary people, was entirely inhabited by the Nine Mountains Sect, except for the Holy Ancestor and a few others.
The entire Lu Clan has been impersonated by people from the Nine Mountains Sect!
Whose Origin Venerable Peak is this?
To be honest, in this situation, Yun Fan actually felt like an outsider.
He looked around, and a bizarre thought suddenly occurred to him—so, the Yunluo and Yunluo tribes, who were clamoring to surrender, were actually the most loyal people in the entire Vast Sun Mountain?
The Heavenly Emperor Body looked at Cloud True Immortal and couldn't help but praise him, saying, "Such trivial skills are indeed hard to hide from Your Majesty's discerning eyes."
Looking at the Nine Mountains Sect disciples covering the entire mountainside, Cloud True Immortal took a deep breath and said from the bottom of his heart, "I didn't see that many..."
"And you..."
"All I know is that you can destroy the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation with ease."
Yun Fan, who was standing to the side, also understood. The people from the Nine Mountains Sect had entered Vast Sun Mountain. On the one hand, they had already discovered a lot of information about the great formations, and they might have even found out the flaws in the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation.
On the other hand, an even more fatal problem is that if these people from the Nine Mountains Sect cooperate from within, it's hard to say whether the great formation will be effective.
The Heavenly Emperor Body chuckled lightly. Cloud True Immortal was right; this person was quite cautious. Even now, they hadn't figured out the core runes of the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation. But that didn't mean they were helpless—bad things were always easier than good things, not to mention that everyone here was from the Nine Mountains Sect.
Cloud True Immortal looked at White Lotus and sighed, "Even if you, Holy Monk, awaken your Yuanshi Dharma Body, I'm afraid you still can't withstand that sword formation; it will only increase casualties."
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan felt fortunate. According to the Holy Ancestor, Vast Sun Mountain had no chance of winning. The Holy Ancestor's defection at the last minute meant that this arrow might have truly saved the lives of both clans.
After Cloud True Immortal finished speaking, he turned to look at the Heavenly Emperor Body, holding the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow and clasping his hands in greeting, " Yun Wuji greets Alliance Leader Zheng."
His eyes looked somewhat uneasy.
The Heavenly Emperor Body and Uncle-Master Pang exchanged a glance before turning to Yun Wuji and asking, "Are you willing to submit?"
Yun Wuji smiled wryly, " Alliance Leader Zheng still doesn't believe me? Did I have a choice?"
The Heavenly Emperor Body chuckled, about to say something, when suddenly he felt a boom behind him, and Buddhist light flooded the entire cave like a tidal wave.
He turned around abruptly, only to see that the White Lotus flower that protected him had shattered into pieces, transforming into a pillar of light that actually broke through the barrier of the Vast Sun Golden Summit and shot into the distance.
This seemed to have exhausted the last bit of White Lotus's immortal energy. He gave Cloud True Immortal a hateful smile and turned to ashes in the flames.
This is... self-destruction of Law Treasure to send a message to Thunderclap Temple?
The Heavenly Emperor Body turned back to look at Yun Wuji, Yun Wuji face was full of bitterness and even despair.
Now, the Heavenly Emperor Body truly believed it... the other party really had no other choice.
A beam of light shot out from the golden roof and fell into the eyes of the Glazed Buddha Ancestor and the Blissful Heavenly Maiden.
They are flying towards Vast Sun Mountain.
" White Lotus sent a message saying that Vast Sun Mountain is a strategic location and cannot be abandoned. Vast Sun Mountain can be held, the Nine Mountains Sect will be restless and unable to eat or sleep."
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden kept speaking, yet her figure moved gracefully, her robes fluttering, her whole body radiating light that shone upon the land below.
Tender buds sprouted on the ground, blooming into a dense array of vibrant flowers. Wherever she flew, the flowers bloomed, forming a long, emerald-green river draped in red and purple.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor beside her was utterly devoid of any human warmth; with a single step, it could traverse thousands of miles.
The two activated their escape techniques and headed towards Vast Sun Mountain.
"The World Honored One was worried about you, so he sent me to help you. If we combine the resources of Vast Sun Mountain, we might be able to reclaim the Primordial Purple Qi."
"I was being overly cautious."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor sighed, saying that he was momentarily distracted by the death of the Creation Daoist, and only continued on his way after the arrival of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden.
The Nine Mountains Sect's grand formation was of course no match for them.
I'm afraid it will be too late.
"It's alright. There's still the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation on Vast Sun Mountain. If they awaken their Primordial Dharma Body, their strength will surpass ours. No matter how strong that sword formation is, it can only hold us off..."
Before the Blissful Heavenly Maiden Bliss had finished speaking, a beam of Buddhist light shot out from the Vast Sun Golden Summit, illuminating half the sky in a ghastly white light.
The two of them paused involuntarily.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor exclaimed in disbelief, "Nephew White Lotus? This is Nephew White Lotus's most precious protective treasure!"
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden's expression also darkened, knowing something was amiss, but she still said, "It seems there have been some unexpected developments, but as long as the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation remains, it will be enough to give the Nine Mountains Sect a headache for a while. Let's hurry, there's still..."
As she spoke, the formation on Vast Sun Mountain suddenly opened, and the mighty Celestial River Legion in the sky landed on the Vast Sun Golden Summit without any hindrance, as if returning to its own home.
"This..."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor closed its eyes, seemingly sensing the message left by the White Lotus.
" The Nine Mountains Sect planted spies on Vast Sun Mountain long ago. Yun Wuji betrayed us to save his own life." The Glazed Buddha Ancestor opened his eyes, his voice cold. "He killed White Lotus with an arrow."
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden widened her eyes. " Vast Sun Mountain has betrayed us?"
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor laughed, tinged with resentment. "Now, that Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation is going to give us a headache."
"..."
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden stood in the air, watching the Nine Mountains Realm fly to Vast Sun Mountain. She knew that with the protection of the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation and the sword formation, the two of them alone were no match for the Nine Mountains Realm. Naturally, they could not even dream of the Primordial Purple Qi.
"Now I understand why the World Honored One values Zheng Fa so much." The Blissful Heavenly Maiden remained silent for a long time before speaking, "The World Honored One spent an entire era nurturing me into Golden Immortal in order to control Jade Pool, but now... Vast Sun Mountain has been seized by the Nine Mountains Sect."
"A win and a loss, yet they're evenly matched?"
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor remained silent, only murmuring, " Zheng Fa..."
They all knew that, in terms of time alone, the Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor was still one step behind.
"Although Jade Pool possesses powerful resources, I cannot control the Water Mother and the others..." The Blissful Heavenly Maiden gently shook her head, seemingly unwilling to elaborate, and added, "Although Vast Sun Mountain is weak now, it seems to be entirely under the control of the Nine Mountains Sect."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor's expression grew even more unpleasant.
In terms of strength and foundation, how can the Nine Mountains Sect compare to the Thunderclap Temple? But now, with White Lotus dead, Vast Sun Mountain betraying them, and the Primordial Purple Qi in Zheng Fa's hands, it's hard to say that the Thunderclap Temple has gained an advantage.
Are we still going to the Nine Mountains Sect?
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden's words made the Glazed Buddha Ancestor shake his head, his gaze becoming much calmer. "The situation at Jade Pool is still unsettled. Heavenly Maiden, please return. I am carrying out the orders of the Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor, and I have come to invite Zheng Fa to Thunderclap Temple."
He paused, then continued, "This Zheng Fa is cunning and treacherous. Now that the Nine Mountains Sect has gained power, he is a major threat to our Thunderclap Temple. I cannot rest easy until I see him with my own eyes."
Seeing the worried expression on the face of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden, the Glazed Buddha Ancestor added, " The Great Luo Dharma Assembly an inevitable trend; Zheng Fa will not kill me."
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden nodded slowly, and then the Glazed Buddha Ancestor's voice was even lower and colder. "Moreover, that Yun Wuji to kill a disciple of the Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor. This debt will never be forgiven by my Thunderclap Temple."
He looked at Vast Sun Mountain and murmured, "If this man isn't killed, what will become of the prestige of my Thunderclap Temple?"
"See that monk? It's him, the Glazed Buddha Ancestor."
"Look, I see it."
Shoot him!
Zheng Fa stood beside Yun Wuji and urged him on.
Yun Wuji held the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hand, looked at Zheng Fa, his face collapsed, and there was a sense of despair in him for having entrusted his trust to the wrong person.
But he had no way back.
After White Lotus self-destructed her Law Treasure, Yun Wuji immediately realized the danger—although Thunderclap Temple practiced Buddhism, anyone who truly believed that the other party was compassionate was being incredibly naive.
Being a traitor and killing White Lotus, on whom so much hope was placed, was even more fatal.
He never expected that the power of White Lotus's self-destruction of her treasure before her death would be so great, actually breaking through the cover of Vast Sun Golden Summit!
This matter has already been leaked, and I'm afraid I've long since become a thorn in the side of Thunderclap Temple.
Now all I hope is that the Nine Mountains Sect can protect me.
He immediately activated the great formation of Vast Sun Mountain, allowing the Celestial River Legion to enter the mountain, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
The problem is... whether he can survive depends on whether Zheng Fa is willing to protect him.
But this Alliance Leader Zheng seems rather unreliable.
Seeing Zheng Fa's scrutinizing gaze upon the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, Yun Wuji sighed inwardly, held the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hands, raised it above his head, and whispered, "This bow is a priceless treasure left behind by Lu Mo; it should be handed over to the sect."
He felt a lightness in his hand; Zheng Fa had already taken the Vast Sun Divine Bow and was examining it closely.
Yun Wuji felt a sense of loss, but also secretly mocked himself, realizing that he had only sought refuge with the Nine Mountains Sect to survive, and now he was in imminent danger.
Do you intend to keep this precious bow?
After making a few self-deprecating remarks, he felt much more at ease. He only hoped that Zheng Fa would protect him a little more out of consideration for his submissiveness.
"How far does this Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation have? How fast does it go? What is its power?"
Having figured it out, Yun Wuji naturally spoke frankly, "This bow and arrow are extremely fast. When the First Ancestor, oh no, Lu Mo, wielded this bow, he never missed an arrow; not a single shot was unerring."
Zheng Fa nodded slightly.
"It is said that this bow shot down the Golden Crow..."
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment. If this rumor was true, then Lu Mo was truly a ruthless person...
The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow was Lu Mo's second incarnation's Law Treasure, yet he turned around and killed his first incarnation's clansmen?
But if this is true, then the speed of the arrows fired by the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow is quite terrifying— the Golden Crow has the innate Rainbow Transformation Method!
"In terms of power, Lu Mo relied on this bow back then and was one of the best among the Golden Immortal. Although my cultivation is low, I can withstand an ordinary Golden Immortal with the help of the Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation."
"Of course, if you, the Alliance Leader, were to wield this bow, you would certainly be even stronger than Lu Mo was back then!"
Hearing Yun Wuji's flattery, Zheng Fa smiled and asked again, "And the range?"
"Range actually varies from person to person."
How so?
"If we know where the target is, we can shoot as far as it can go," Cloud True Immortal explained. "But outside the range of our Divine Sense, there is no range to speak of."
Zheng Fa understood that.
After becoming an immortal, his Divine Sense underwent a tremendous change, but its range remained limited.
Moreover, even if a target is within one's Divine Sense, if the other party has a method of concealment, there is nothing that can be done about it.
Range is also a part of accuracy.
Zheng Fa held the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow and fell into deep thought.
"Alliance Leader, I am willing to offer up the method of controlling the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, hoping only that you will spare my life..."
"You must indeed offer up the method of control." Zheng Fa interrupted him, then suddenly loosened his grip, tossing the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow back into Yun Wuji's hands.
Yun Wuji held the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, stunned, not understanding Zheng Fa's intentions.
"This Golden Sun Burning-Heaven Formation is very important to our sect."
"Is it important?"
Zheng Fa nodded Yun Wuji. Now that the Nine Mountains Sect possesses the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, if they can unite with the Underworld, they will have more than enough to protect themselves.
However, its shortcomings are also obvious.
Unable to leave the Underworld, the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor's speed was severely hampered by the escape techniques of the Sword Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation disciples, leaving him only able to wait for the Creation Daoist to foolishly enter the formation.
Simply put, it means short legs.
However, the territory controlled by the Nine Mountains Sect is growing larger and larger—the area of Vast Sun Mountain plus the Nine Mountains Sect is even larger than Jade Pool, not to mention the Sea Region.
In terms of area alone, the Nine Mountains Sect can now be considered the number one in the Xuanwei.
Therefore, the Nine Mountains Sect can only guarantee the absolute safety of the Nine Mountains Realm, but cannot cover the vast majority of its territory.
People like the Glazed Buddha Ancestor and the Blissful Heavenly Maiden cannot be stopped by the Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation; they can come and go as they please.
"I plan to establish a project team that combines the Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation and the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow."
"Combined..."
Yun Wuji didn't quite understand.
" The Thick-Earth Magnetism Formation is responsible for reconnaissance, Sun-Shooting Divine Bow is responsible for long-range attacks," Zheng Fa explained. "With the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, even Golden Immortal wouldn't dare to invade our territory at will."
Simply put, it involves using the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow to build an air defense system with the power of Golden Immortal.
"The project leader is Zhang Taishang, and you are the second-in-command, responsible for operating the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow."
Yun Wuji stared blankly at Zheng Fa, his gaze slowly falling to the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hand, the worry on his face vanishing completely.
"As the Alliance Leader commands!"
(End of this chapter)