Zheng Fa, sporting a shiny bald head, walked out of the monks' quarters and couldn't help but look back one last time in the direction of Thunderclap Temple.
In the distance, fragments of the Pure Land, large and small, drifted like dark red scattered clouds. Even the Buddha's light that could be seen throughout the entire Western Continent from the main hall of Thunderclap Temple Mahavira Hall appeared dim and weak, as if it had been ruined.
Using the Golden Lotus to ignite the Pure Land, he dared not linger at Thunderclap Temple. Instead, relying on the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation, he escaped amidst the chaos, intending to head east and return to the Nine Mountains Sect.
He was already almost at the border of Jade Pool.
But...
Zheng Fa turned back to look at the temple's main hall, where the Lu Mo statues were emitting golden light. The golden light shot out of the temple and wove a net in the sky.
As soon as the net appeared, he knew things were going badly, so he disguised himself as a monk and went to the nearest temple to investigate.
"I'm afraid I can't get out." He suppressed his thoughts and walked outside, pondering to himself, "I wonder if Lu Mo has any way to track my whereabouts."
Zheng Fa wasn't too confident about this. Firstly, he had seen the Truth Listener beast) and knew that it seemed to be able to track him. He just didn't know if the Truth Listener could still find him now that he had become someone else.
Secondly, Thunderclap Temple is full of talented people, and it also has the support of Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Although his < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation > is powerful, he does not dare to be too arrogant.
For Zheng Fa, not being able to go back was actually a bit troublesome—with his clone, he wasn't afraid of death, and he had been somewhat mentally prepared for this deep incursion into Leiyin Temple.
However, resurrection requires a large amount of resources and a long period of time. It was fine before, but now that his Immortal Body Immortal Body is perfected, it would take hundreds of years to rebuild it.
Therefore, preserving one's own body is, of course, the best option.
On the other hand, he was even more unwilling to be captured by Thunderclap Temple.
"Ideally, we'd find a way out..." Zheng Fa frowned, looking at the golden net in the sky. "If all else fails, we'll just have to die once."
He no longer possesses the Golden Lotus, so the Thunderclap Temple might have some means to make him wish he were dead, or even affect his mind, like the Blissful Heavenly Maiden.
Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly saw hundreds of familiar figures streak across the sky.
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden, accompanied by her entourage, the Eastern Glazed Buddha Ancestor, with his Truth Listener, and the followers of the Supreme Dao, along with two Golden Immortal from the Demon Race, flew in a grand procession from afar towards the Jade Pool.
Zheng Fa's spirits lifted, and he guessed the purpose of these people's visit. No matter what, Thunderclap Temple could not keep these people from the Supreme Dao long.
They need to get out!
Zheng Fa transformed into Clearwind and quietly followed the group of people in the sky from the ground.
He dared not approach, but fortunately, there were quite a few of them, making them a large target. He followed them from a distance into the Jade Pool area and watched them land on the beach.
Truth Listener sniffed at the Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor, stared intently at the bull's face for a while, and then shook its ears twice, as if nodding.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor clasped his hands together, presented a Buddhist scroll, and handed it to the Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor.
The Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor took the Buddhist scroll, channeled his spiritual power into it, and with a flash, leaped out of the net.
Seeing this, Zheng Fa was even more troubled. Clearly, it wouldn't be easy to sneak out of Thunderclap Temple Customs.
Truth Listener identified the Peacock Great Emperor, the Blissful Heavenly Maiden, and the members of the Supreme Dao Sect one by one. Only then did the Glazed Buddha Ancestor release them. Across the Great Vajra Dharma Realm, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, as if bidding them farewell.
He was clearly in a hurry to get back to Thunderclap Temple, and didn't linger long before leaving in a hurry.
The Blissful Heavenly Maiden and their companions also flew eastward.
Only the disciples of Jade Pool remained by the sea.
Zheng Fa glanced at the departing Blissful Heavenly Maiden and her companions, then looked at the retreating figure of the Glazed Buddha Ancestor. He hesitated—this person was alone and seemed to be in poor condition. If he could get to the Glazed Buddha Ancestor, perhaps he could find a way out.
However, the opponent is still Golden Immortal, while Zheng Fa, now without the Golden Lotus and without the aid of a sword formation, is far inferior in strength. Perhaps this person is just bait...
As he hesitated, he suddenly froze, and the phantom of the Creation Jade Disc appeared in his mind.
" Nishang Yuanjun?"
Zheng Fa watched with amusement as Nishang Yuanjun walked from the seaside towards Jade Pool. The Yuan Jun's expression remained unchanged; who would have thought she was actually sending him Spirit Message?
"Sect Leader Zheng, I have a way to help you escape."
This is the first Spirit Message from the Nishang Yuanjun.
Later, she seemed quite anxious and sent another Spirit Message: " The Blissful Heavenly Maiden has departed. Please, Sect Leader Zheng, make your way to Jade Pool."
Zheng Fa looked around and realized that he was within the territory of Jade Pool.
Seemingly in order to gain Zheng Fa's trust, she also revealed the plans of the Blissful Heavenly Maiden and the others. "The three Demon Emperors, including the Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor, are preparing to invade the Nine Mountains Sect. Please, Sect Leader Zheng, take precautions as soon as possible."
He remained on guard. After thinking for a moment, Zheng Fa sent a Spirit Message to the Dragon Lord Shuyu before turning back to check the message from the Nishang Yuanjun.
Earlier, he had always felt that Nishang Yuanjun's expression was strange. Based solely on the fact that she informed Zheng Fa as soon as the Blissful Heavenly Maiden left, he deduced that Nishang Yuanjun wanted to betray the Blissful Heavenly Maiden?
It's not impossible—the two had been at odds for a long time, but the Blissful Heavenly Maiden became Golden Immortal, which allowed her to completely overpower the Nishang Yuanjun.
Before coming here, he was also somewhat interested in Jade Pool. According to the Nine Nether Emperor, after passing through the Five Decays Tribulation, one would have to wait another four thousand years before encountering the last four tribulations of the Loose Immortal Tribulation.
However, if one can find something that is incompatible with a cultivator, one can artificially trigger a calamity. Zheng Fa attained enlightenment through the Fusang Wood, and what is incompatible with him should be the Supreme Yin Spirit Root.
In the memories of the Nine Nether Emperor, this kind of Spirit Root had only appeared in the Jade Pool.
That's why the Nine Nether Emperor said Zheng Fa should go to Jade Pool.
But Zheng Fa read the Spirit Message again, and his brows gradually furrowed.
He still had many questions in his mind, such as how the rebellious spirit of the Nishang Yuanjun had been concealed from the Blissful Heavenly Maiden Bliss?
Or rather, why is Nishang Yuanjun looking for me?
Most importantly, is the other person from Lu Mo?
Did they even anticipate their desire to go to Jade Pool?
It's no secret that Zheng Fa attained enlightenment using the Fusang Wood, Lu Mo certainly knows more about the Supreme Yin Spirit Root than the Nine Nether Emperor.
A little speculation reveals that Zheng Fa, wanting to quickly advance to the True Immortal, would inevitably have his eyes on Jade Pool.
Zheng Fa had always been lenient in his assessment of his enemies, so he had never thought of coming to Jade Pool before. He never expected that Nishang Yuanjun would take the initiative to invite him.
This made him even more suspicious.
Zheng Fa glanced at the silhouette of the Glazed Buddha Ancestor from afar, pondered for a moment, and instead of heading towards Jade Pool, he found a secluded cave at the border between Thunderclap Temple and Jade Pool and sat down cross-legged.
After advancing to the Loose Immortal, he could have easily condensed a third avatar, but he was too busy with other matters to have the time.
His situation is unstable now, and he cannot stay for long. His time is actually very limited. However, after the Five Decays, he discovered a great benefit: after establishing a complete connection with his audience, his cultivation speed is much faster than before. The One Qi Transforms into Three Purities is his Innate Divine Ability, which is not too difficult to begin with, and he is very proficient in it.
According to his calculations, he can condense a third clone in just half a month.
Regardless of what Nishang Yuanjun's purpose was, Zheng Fa was prepared to use his clone to travel to Jade Pool —if what she said was true, that would be good, and his main body could go later.
If it really is Lu Mo's trap, then I'll just die as he wishes and make Lu Mo happy. Maybe then he'll lower his guard and find another way to escape.
"Let's make the Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor and the others happy first." On Vast Sun Mountain, Senior Sister Zhang Yun Wuji spoke of this strategy to Yun Wuji, "I have already ordered the Dragon Lord Shuyu to cede the Xuanwei Sea. Our Nine Mountains Sect will open its doors to guests this time."
Yun Wuji's expression first showed confusion, then suddenly changed to one of horror, and he exclaimed, " Zhang Taishang wants to spare the life of a Golden Immortal?"
The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow is said to be able to contend with Golden Immortal, but even with the support of the Sun-Shooting Army, it would be difficult to kill Golden Immortal with a single arrow.
Senior Sister Zhang's words were filled with murderous intent. "Only in this way will these Golden Immortal learn their lesson!"
Beside her, Uncle-Master Pang shrank back and glanced at the golden dome above Western Continent. Yun Wuji with the Nine Mountains Sect and didn't know, but they, as elders of the Nine Mountains Sect, could tell that Junior Nephew-Disciple Zhang was not in a good mood.
Ever since Zheng Fa said he couldn't come back, Junior Nephew-Disciple Zhang's face has been filled with murderous intent.
He dared not look at his Junior Nephew-Disciple Zhang for too long, and instead looked around.
Vast Sun Mountain, now officially known as Vast Sun Base within the Nine Mountains Sect, is filled with members of the Sun-Shooting Army.
The Sun-Shooting Army were formed very quickly.
On the one hand, the Nine Mountains Sect can be said to have inherited most of the legacy of Vast Sun Mountain.
On the other hand, the disciples of the Nine Mountains were very familiar with the < Scarlet Firmament Jade Register >—this manual was almost one of the foundations of the < Yellow Court Scripture >.
The Nine Mountains Sect possesses the most authentic lineage from Vast Sun Mountain!
In the current military system of the Nine Mountains Sect, the Sun-Shooting Army actually belongs to the Divine Firmament Legion. Only with the Sun -Sun-Shooting Army can the Divine Firmament Legion have the power to fight against Golden Immortal and stand on equal footing with the Immortal-Slayer Legion.
The Immortal-Slayer Legion is also here.
Sword Dao Body, along with Yan Wushuang and others, was stationed on the outskirts of Vast Sun Mountain, mainly to protect the Vast Sun Base, or rather, to hope that the three Golden Immortal would lose their minds and attack the Vast Sun Base.
Just then, Senior Sister Zhang suddenly spoke up, "They're here... no, there are more than three Golden Immortal!"
Uncle-Master Pang and the others' expressions changed, and Yun Wuji's hand, gripping the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, bulged with veins.
There were indeed more than three Golden Immortal.
Beside the Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor, the Peacock Great Emperor, and the Blissful Heavenly Maiden, there was also the Azure Abyss Dragon King.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King, bowing and beaming, followed the Peacock Great Emperor: "Your Majesty, I have a word to tell you: if you want to attack the Nine Mountains Sect, why not take the Xuanwei Sea first!"
"Hmph." The Heaven-Shaking Demon Emperor exhaled a breath of hot air from his nose, glanced at the Azure Abyss Dragon King, and laughed, "Do you think I don't know your selfish motives? You want us to seize the Sea Region for you?"
"Your Majesty, Demon Emperor, please understand!" Azure Abyss Dragon King hurriedly bowed his head and said, "I may have had selfish motives, but I am utterly loyal to the Demon Emperor and to Thunderclap Temple, with no other intentions whatsoever!"
"My Azure Abyss Dragon Palace originally had a family of five, living happily together. Now, four of them have been captured by the Nine Mountains Sect, leaving only Little Dragon!"
"I have a blood feud with the Nine Mountains Sect, a feud that led to the destruction of my entire family!"
The resentment in his words was almost overwhelming. The Peacock Great Emperor nodded slightly and said, "Tell me, why should we attack Xuanwei Sea first?"
" The Nine Mountains Sect has invested a lot of resources in the Sea Region. They seem to be cultivating marine spirits and have also set up that strange formation. Even I, Little Dragon, dare not approach it."
"Taking Xuanwei Sea will inflict heavy losses on the Nine Mountains Sect."
After listening to this, the Peacock Great Emperor paused for a moment before saying, "What you say makes some sense..."
The Azure Abyss Dragon King's expression brightened with joy, as if he could already see himself in control of the Xuanwei Sea, and he almost laughed out loud.
He looked up and saw a group of uninvited guests in the distance.
"Senior Brother Xuancheng, what are we doing waiting here?"
A Golden Immortal asked Xuan Chengzi a question.
Li Sanxian was also very puzzled.
He originally thought that Xuan Chengzi would take them directly back to Supreme Dao, but Xuan Chengzi didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. Instead, he followed the Peacock Great Emperor and the others in a very open manner.
" The Primordial Purple Qi Xuan Chengzi explained to the crowd in a low voice, "We can't let Lu Mo get it."
Li Sanxian was slightly startled. Among the nine disciples of the Supreme Dao, Xuan Chengzi was quite willing to cooperate with Thunderclap Temple, but was he also wary of Lu Mo?
He thought about it and understood. Master Xuancheng actually disliked the Nine Mountains Sect and the Nine Nether Emperor, but he was also very wary of Lu Mo, who had ambitions.
"A fight between the Nine Mountains Sect and the Thunderclap Temple wouldn't be a bad thing for us..." Sure enough, Xuan Chengzi's next words confirmed his guess, "But we can't let the Thunderclap Temple get the Primordial Purple Qi!"
"What you say is absolutely right, Senior Brother..."
The members of the Supreme Dao looked at each other and all felt that what he said made sense.
"Furthermore, I'd also like to see the true nature of the Nine Mountains Sect," Xuan Chengzi suddenly added.
Li Sanxian was taken aback at first, not understanding the meaning of these words.
Immediately afterward, Xuan Chengzi said something that made his expression change drastically, "That Primordial Purple Qi shouldn't be in the hands of the Nine Nether Emperor."
He immediately understood that his senior uncle Xuancheng also wanted to attack the Nine Mountains Sect and seize the Primordial Purple Qi, and even had the idea of taking advantage of the weakness of the Thunderclap Temple to deal with the Nine Mountains Sect first.
Yes, Master Xuancheng already regarded the Nine Nether Emperor as an enemy, and he was also tempted by the Primordial Purple Qi...
He glanced at his fellow disciples around him and saw that their expressions changed from surprise to excitement, as if they all agreed with Xuan Chengzi's idea.
Li Sanxian's heart sank slowly.
The Peacock Great Emperor agreed with the Azure Abyss Dragon King's opinion, and the Blissful Heavenly Maiden didn't object either. The group then swaggered and flew aggressively from the North Sea towards the Xuanwei Sea.
" Shuyu lowly servant girl, Shuyu, come out and face your death!"
As soon as the Azure Abyss Dragon King entered the Xuanwei Sea, he raised his head and let out a dragon roar that shook the four seas, showing that he deeply hated the Nine Mountains Sect and the Dragon Lord Shuyu.
The Xuanwei Sea was extremely quiet, as flat as a mirror, and no one responded to his words.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King was stunned for a moment, then suddenly sensed something in the sea and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"They escaped?"
Although the Peacock Great Emperor and the others didn't possess his level of perception in the sea, they were all Golden Immortal, and upon taking a look, they also noticed something amiss:
The Shuyu Dragon Palace is now deserted.
All the breeding farms of the Nine Mountains Sect are now empty.
It appeared that there were no more disciples of the Nine Mountains in the entire Xuanwei Sea.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King stared blankly at the sea, his astonishment slowly turning into wild joy. He shouted, "The Demon Emperor's divine might is unparalleled! Without lifting a finger, you've made that Shuyu and the bandits of the Nine Mountains flee in terror like stray dogs!"
The Peacock Great Emperor's brows slowly furrowed.
(End of this chapter)