On Fire Dragon Island, Zhao Gongming had just killed Chijingzi, and a surge of satisfaction filled his heart.
He put away the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Divine Beads and was about to collect the Yin Yang Mirror and the other magic treasures Chijingzi had left behind, then continue refining the Sky-Turning Seal.
Just then, his heart gave a sudden leap, and he jerked his head up to look toward the horizon.
A cloud was racing toward him, growing closer by the moment.
A man stood atop it, with the bearing of an immortal. He held an ancient bronze lamp in one hand, while auspicious clouds enveloped him, making him impervious to all attacks.
It was none other than Daoist Randeng, the deputy leader of the Sect of Explanation.
"Randeng?"
Zhao Gongming furrowed his brow and thought, Trouble.
He was somewhat wary of Randeng, the deputy leader of the Sect of Explanation. After all, Randeng was an ancient Quasi-Saint of unfathomable cultivation and a guest of the Purple Heaven Palace.
Though Zhao Gongming had the Sea Calming Divine Beads, it was still unclear who would win if they actually fought.
"Zhao Gongming!"
Randeng's voice rang out before he even arrived, filled with suppressed fury and grief.
"You've killed two Golden Immortals of my Sect of Explanation! What a vicious act! Today, even if it costs me ten thousand years of cultivation, I will get justice for my two disciples!"
He landed on the island, looking ready to fight Zhao Gongming to the death.
Zhao Gongming gave a cold laugh. "Randeng, spare me the act. In a tribulation, everyone relies on their own abilities. Your two disciples were no match for me and died beneath my Sea Calming Divine Beads. They have only themselves to blame for their bad luck. If you want revenge, bring it on. I, Zhao Gongming, will take you both on!"
He was every bit as fearless as he was bold.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Randeng repeated the word three times, a "murderous glint" flashing in his eyes.
"Then let me show you the power of my Lingjiu Lamp!"
He tossed the Lingjiu Lamp in his hand. Its flames surged, transforming into a fire dragon that lunged at Zhao Gongming with claws bared.
The Lingjiu Lamp had been formed from the wick of the first coffin in the world. It was a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, and its extraordinary flames could burn away a person's soul.
Zhao Gongming didn't dare let his guard down. He immediately summoned the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Divine Beads, which formed a curtain of light before him.
The fire dragon crashed into the curtain of light with a sizzling sound, but couldn't break through.
"Not bad!"
Randeng offered a "compliment," but his hands never stopped moving.
He summoned another magic treasure.
It was a jade ruler, crystalline from end to end and covered in Daoist patterns: the Qiankun Ruler, his companion spirit treasure and another Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
It could be used to attack or measure heaven and earth, and had countless wondrous uses.
Holding the Qiankun Ruler, Randeng blurred into motion and charged at Zhao Gongming.
Divine light flashed across Fire Dragon Island, and the energy of magic treasures soared into the sky.
The two fought back and forth, shaking heaven and earth until the sun and moon dimmed.
The longer Zhao Gongming fought, the more alarmed he became.
He discovered that Daoist Randeng truly lived up to his reputation. Even with the might of the Sea Calming Divine Beads on his side, Zhao Gongming could only fight him to a standstill—and was even beginning to fall behind.
The Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud above Randeng's head was especially absurdly powerful in defense. Zhao Gongming's Sea Calming Divine Beads struck it like a tickle, doing no damage at all.
Meanwhile, Randeng was making his own calculations.
That's enough acting.
Zhao Gongming really is formidable. Without my master's Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud protecting me, I might not be his match.
It's time to give him his "gift."
With that thought, Randeng deliberately left an opening.
As he swung the Qiankun Ruler, his hand slowed by the tiniest fraction.
Zhao Gongming was no ordinary opponent. He seized the opportunity at once!
"Now!"
He drove the power of the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Divine Beads to its limit. They surged forward like a flood, swept around the fire dragon from the Lingjiu Lamp, and slammed toward Randeng's chest.
A look of "horror" appeared on Randeng's face.
He seemed to try to use the Qiankun Ruler to block the attack, but was "a step too slow."
"Boom!"
The torrent of Sea Calming Divine Beads struck Randeng squarely.
Of course, the Myriad Heavens Auspicious Cloud absorbed most of the impact.
But Randeng used the force of the blow to his advantage, letting out a scream as he was sent flying backward.
As he tumbled through the air, the Qiankun Ruler "accidentally" slipped from his hand. It traced a perfect arc through the sky and landed right beside Zhao Gongming's feet.
"Pfft!"
Randeng steadied himself a hundred yards away and spat out a large mouthful of "blood"—actually, some spiritual fruit juice he had been holding in his mouth.
He pointed at Zhao Gongming, his face full of "grief" and "indignation."
"Zhao Gongming! What a vicious move! My... my Qiankun Ruler!"
"I'll remember this humiliation! Just you wait. My master will never let you get away with this!"
Then, as if he had suffered a grievous internal injury, he no longer dared to fight. He transformed into a streak of light and fled toward Kunlun Mountain, not looking back.
Zhao Gongming stood where he was, staring after Randeng's retreating figure, completely bewildered.
Was that... a victory?
He looked down at the Qiankun Ruler by his feet, then up at the direction in which Randeng had disappeared. Something about it all felt off.
Randeng was a Quasi-Saint, after all. How had he been so easy to beat?
Had that single strike really knocked his companion spirit treasure out of his hands?
Still, Zhao Gongming quickly pushed his doubts aside.
Who cared?
A win was a win!
He bent down and picked up the Qiankun Ruler.
It felt smooth and warm to the touch, brimming with spiritual energy.
"What a treasure!"
Feeling the tremendous power emanating from the Qiankun Ruler, Zhao Gongming's face lit up with delight.
Another Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!
He'd struck it rich! This time, he'd really made a fortune!
First the Sky-Turning Seal, then the Yin Yang Mirror, and now the Qiankun Ruler!
With his own Twenty-Four Sea Calming Divine Beads and Dragon Binding Rope as well, his collection of magic treasures was now luxurious enough to rival that of some disciples of the Saints!
"Hahaha!"
Zhao Gongming couldn't help throwing back his head and laughing, brimming with confidence and pride.
He felt like the most dashing fellow in the entire Primordial Era!
He stowed away the Qiankun Ruler, the Sky-Turning Seal, and his other spoils, then mounted Black Tiger and set off for Golden Ao Island, full of swagger and eager to show his master and fellow disciples his achievements.
He didn't notice that, just as he picked up the Qiankun Ruler—
Far away in the west, on Mount Sumeru—
Jieyin and Zhunti, who were preaching beneath the Bodhi Tree, suddenly felt their hearts stir in unison and stopped.
The two exchanged a glance, seeing delight and excitement in each other's eyes.
Zhunti made a quick calculation, and his smile broadened.
"Brother, wonderful news!"
"The time has come for the Western Teachings to flourish!"
Even Jieyin's usually sorrowful face managed a rare smile. "Excellent. The Twenty-Four Heavens have finally appeared."
"But the treasure is now in the hands of Zhao Gongming of the Interception Sect. He is decisive and enjoys flourishing fortune. He won't be easy to deal with."
Zhunti chuckled. "Don't worry, brother. Zhao Gongming has killed too much and is already caught up in the tribulation. His days are numbered. He is merely the treasure's temporary custodian. We need only wait for the right moment, and we can bring him and the treasure to the West together, 'convert' him, and make him a guardian deity of our sect!"
"Excellent, excellent."
The two Saints smiled at each other. Everything was understood without a word.
A massive plot against Zhao Gongming was already taking shape in secret.
And Zhao Gongming knew nothing about it. He was still lost in the joy of having acquired one treasure after another.
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