Lao Zi Fights Zhunti

To prevent interference, Lao Zi transmitted his voice to Di Jun and Tai Yi, saying, "This breakthrough of Zhunti might not even work on our level. Bo Huang just suggested a solo fight, so it'll probably only be effective if he fights him one-on-one. I'll go first, and then it'll be your turn."

Tai Yi and Di Jun simultaneously signaled their understanding with their eyes.

Seeing this, Lao Zi took out a simple staff, donned the Taiji Diagram, and said, "Junior Brother Zhunti, you go first."

Zhunti didn't hold back. Wielding the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, he unleashed a seven-colored divine light straight at Lao Zi.

Lao Zi also didn't hold back. He swung his staff down to block the attack, completely ignoring Zhunti's seven-colored divine light. The divine light, in turn, couldn't break through the Taiji Diagram's defenses.

What followed was a one-sided beating. Lao Zi proceeded to beat Zhunti soundly.

After being beaten for a while, Zhunti began to think, desperately trying to figure out how to escape Lao Zi's onslaught.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

He opened his mouth and spat out a Bodhi Seed.

The Bodhi Seed landed on the ground and instantly sprouted, growing into a large tree.

Zhunti chanted, "Ancient Bodhi Tree, boundless life and fortune, hold him for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tree emitted a golden-yellow light, trapping Lao Zi within.

Lao Zi laughed heartily, "Is that all? I'll break free soon." With that, the Six Ding Divine Fire used for alchemy flared around him.

Zhunti knew that the Bodhi Tree, hastened by the Bodhi Seed, wouldn't hold Lao Zi for long. He did this to create an opportunity to manifest his Dharma Appearance.

Zhunti directly activated his Golden Body Dharma Appearance. The manifestation had twenty-four heads and eighteen arms, wielding necklaces, an umbrella, flower garlands, fish intestines, a golden bow, a silver halberd, a divine pestle, a treasure file, and a golden vase, all of which he hurled at Lao Zi.

Lao Zi laughed again, "Is that all? A pile of scrap metal. Only the divine pestle is an Innate Spiritual Treasure. You dare to fight with this junk?" He then took out the Vajra Bracelet and shouted, "Collect."

In an instant, more than half of the eighteen arms' weapons were gone. Zhunti, helpless, resorted to bare-handed punches.

Lao Zi shook his head and said, "As a dignified Quasi-Saint, fighting like this is too undignified. Taiji Diagram, suppress!"

With that, Lao Zi used the Taiji Diagram to pin Zhunti in place, rendering him immobile. Lao Zi switched his Magic Treasure to the Seven Star Sword and began hacking away, saying, "Twenty-four heads and eighteen arms look uncoordinated. Let your senior brother help you trim them."

With a series of sword flashes, Zhunti's Golden Body was reduced to nine heads and eighteen arms. Lao Zi nodded, "Doesn't that look much more coordinated? Don't waste the branches from the Bodhi Tree; let's all take some back to make tea."

Afterward, Lao Zi instantly teleported to the Shores of the East Sea, his voice echoing, "I gained some insight from my recent battle with fellow Daoist Zhunti. I will become a Saint within a hundred years."

Seeing that Lao Zi had also gained enlightenment, Tai Yi thought, "Zhunti is in this state now, so beating him won't be difficult. Why not give it a try? I'm bored anyway. If I beat Zhunti, I might gain enlightenment, and if not, at least I'll be avenging my nephew. I need to act fast before Big Brother gets ahead of me."

With that thought, Tai Yi directly unleashed the Chaos Bell and slammed it down towards Zhunti, saying, "Big Brother, even if Bo Huang isn't going to bother with Zhunti, we still have to. We have nine nephews, and to prevent Zhunti from bullying the younger ones, we must beat him into submission today."

Di Jun replied, "Alright, you fight him. I'll keep an eye on Jieyin for you, ensuring he has no chance to interfere."

Zhunti was furious and exclaimed, "Does the Lineage of the Demon Emperor only dare to bully people with Magic Treasures? Let's try without them!" With that, he revealed his damaged Golden Body again.

Seeing his Golden Body with fifteen fewer heads in his divine sense, the great cultivators in their respective dojos burst into laughter.

Hongyun, holding two Ginseng Fruits, said to Great Immortal Zhenyuan, "Honestly, Zhunti's Golden Body actually looks better after being damaged."

Great Immortal Zhenyuan merely replied, "You still have the time to watch the show... Hurry up and refine your Primordial Violet Qi. If we weren't good friends, I'd snatch it from you."

Meanwhile, in the Sea of Blood, Minghe was also muttering, "Should I try to take advantage of Zhunti's severe injuries and beat him up later? That seems like a good option, right?"

... Just as the various great cultivators were contemplating how to intercept Zhunti and beat him up later, Tai Yi had already revealed his true form and begun the fight.