On the East Sea Shore, Merit Golden Clouds churned.
The mysterious yellow clouds blotted out the sky and sun. Their aura made the entire sea tremble, while countless sea creatures cowered in the depths, not daring to look up.
East King Duke hovered in midair, his Nine Yang Emperor Robe snapping in the sea breeze. The Dragon Head Cane in his hand radiated dazzling light.
He looked down at the trembling clay figures, then up at the Merit Golden Clouds gathering overhead. Greed nearly spilled from his eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, this is no act of greed on my part. It is simply my duty."
East King Duke cleared his throat, putting on an air of righteous indignation. His voice rang out as if he were proclaiming an imperial decree.
"This weak race has no means of protecting itself. Left in the Primordial World, they'll only become food for others. It would be better for me to guide and educate them as one. That would be a meritorious deed."
"As the Head of Male Immortals, it is my duty to maintain order in the Primordial World. Please don't misunderstand me, Fellow Daoist."
He spoke with such high-minded righteousness that he seemed less like a bandit come to steal merit and more like a living Bodhisattva come to save the suffering.
The three immortals behind him exchanged glances, each seeing the mockery in the others' eyes.
East King Duke's shamelessness was truly astounding.
Still, they were happy to play along.
"East King Duke speaks wisely."
Daoist Qingyun stroked his beard with a smile. His cloudy old eyes roved over Nuwa before settling on the vine whip in her hand, which radiated the Daoist aura of Creation.
"Why should Empress Nuwa, a woman, have to fight? Why not hand these little clay figures over to us? We'll be sure to treat them well."
"That vine in your hand is quite intriguing, Niangniang. Might I have a look?"
Ancestor Chi Xia stepped forward as well, smiling sinisterly. The Purple Gold Gourd at his waist gave off a faint, eerie red glow.
"I hear Niangniang is on close terms with Taiyuan of the Western Lands. I wonder, does he have a share in this merit? If so, all the more reason for us to keep it safe on his behalf."
"After all, Taiyuan is a thorn in the side of the Eastern Lands. Why should he get to keep what belongs to him?"
Leaning on his Immortal Peach Wood Staff, Elder Changchun wore a kind smile on his benevolent face, but his words were cold as ice.
"If you know what's good for you, Niangniang, hand over the merit and this newborn race. Since we're all cultivators of the Primordial World, we might even spare your life."
"If you don't..."
He didn't finish, but the threat in his words was unmistakable.
Nuwa trembled with rage.
She had lived for so long, yet never had she seen such shameless scoundrels.
They were bandits come to rob her, yet insisted on dressing themselves in the cloak of righteousness.
"Utterly shameless!"
Nuwa shouted, shielding the terrified Human Race behind her. She summoned the Red Embroidered Ball, which transformed into countless red ribbons and enveloped the entire island.
"This is my Dao of Creation, and this merit was bestowed by the Heavenly Dao. What does it have to do with you?"
"East King Duke, you certainly make a grand Head of Male Immortals! Bullying the weak and stealing merit—is that what you call maintaining order?"
"And you three old fossils! You've been eking out a miserable existence overseas for all these years, and now you've popped up to act as hired muscle. Have you no shame?"
Her words ripped through their pretenses, tearing away their hypocritical disguise.
East King Duke's face darkened at once.
He hated nothing more than having his faults exposed.
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"
East King Duke dropped the act. He slammed down his Dragon Head Cane, unleashing a flood of terrifying Pure Yang Magical Power that boiled the surrounding seawater into white mist.
"Since you insist, don't blame me for disregarding our ties as fellow disciples of the Purple Sky Palace!"
"Attack! Seize her!"
At his command, the Three Immortals of the Sea attacked as one.
The Jade Ruyi in Daoist Qingyun's hand transformed into a giant azure dragon, hurtling toward Nuwa with world-destroying force.
Ancestor Chi Xia pulled the stopper from his gourd. A mass of eerie Red Mist poured out, transforming into countless hideous ghost faces that let out piercing shrieks.
Elder Changchun swept his Immortal Peach Wood Staff, and countless Vines burst from the void, coiling toward Nuwa like venomous snakes.
Three Peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals had joined forces. Their combined pressure was enough to suffocate an ordinary Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
Nuwa's expression turned grave. The red ribbons formed by her Red Embroidered Ball could hold them off for a while, but not for long.
She had yet to become a Sage. Surrounded by four opponents of the same level, she simply couldn't hold them off alone.
The newly born Human Race were even more terrified. Some had already begun to cry.
"Mother..."
Their childish voices were full of fear and helplessness.
Nuwa's heart ached. Gritting her teeth, she prepared to fight to the death.
At that critical moment—
A sudden roar rang out from the western horizon, like thunder crashing. The entire sea trembled.
"Which blind bastard dares lay a hand on someone my Elder Brother cares about?!"
The voice was rough and hearty, brimming with reckless bravado.
Then two streaks of golden light tore through the void, hurtling over from the horizon at an utterly unreasonable speed.
The one in the lead was bald and gleaming, dressed in resplendent Daoist robes and carrying a golden shovel. It was Zhunti.
Behind him, Jieyin sat atop the Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit. His face was pained, his Prayer Beads spinning rapidly in his hand, but murder gleamed in his eyes.
"Zhunti? Jieyin?"
East King Duke's pupils constricted. Then, instead of looking alarmed, he broke into a ferocious grin.
"Good! I'll deal with the Western Sect while I'm at it!"
"Now I can settle both old and new scores!"
He had long wanted to cause trouble for the Western Lands, but had never found a suitable pretext.
Now these two fools had delivered themselves right to his door. What better opportunity could there be?
Four against three. A sure win!
Zhunti couldn't be bothered to waste words with him.
He glared, raised the Sky-Turning Shovel that could smash mountains, and unleashed the full force of his Perfected Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal power. Then he swung it straight at Ancestor Chi Xia's face.
"Take this—Physical Salvation!"
The shovel came down with immense force, its whistle deafening. It even tore a visible crack in the void.
Ancestor Chi Xia's expression changed dramatically. He hurriedly drew back his Red Mist to defend himself.
Jieyin didn't stand idle either. The Twelve-Grade Golden Lotus of Merit blazed with light, sending down rays of golden merit that formed a steady barrier in front of Nuwa, neutralizing every attack.
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, don't be alarmed."
Jieyin spoke in a low voice. For once, his long-suffering face showed a hint of resolve.
"Elder Brother said you're one of us. The Western Sect won't stand for anyone laying a hand on you."
Seeing the two rescuers descend from the sky, Nuwa felt warmth rise in her heart. The tension in her body finally eased a little.
Taiyuan...
She really had chosen well.
Seeing this, East King Duke didn't back down. If anything, he grew more excited.
"Hahaha! Just two Perfected Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals, and you dare show off in front of me?"
"Today, I'll show you what it means to pit an egg against a rock!"
He raised his Dragon Head Cane high, and a terrifying pressure swept over the battlefield.
The Three Immortals of the Sea regrouped, surrounding Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti.
Four Peak Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals against three Perfected Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals.
The difference was clear.
The battle was about to begin.
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