Encountering a Monster at Zhenhai Temple (Thirteen)
Now, Ao Tu wanted to attack the Blood Sea, so he asked Guanyin Bodhisattva for help, and Guanyin Bodhisattva agreed.
Ao Tu then arranged for Guanyin Bodhisattva to stay there.
In the following days, the two traveled together to see the Bottomless Cave Heaven.
During this time, the Rat Spirit was often seen wearing alluring clothes, trying to seduce Tang Sanzang.
Guanyin Bodhisattva asked Ao Tu, "Did you teach her to seduce him?"
Ao Tu laughed and said, "That Rat Spirit wanted to take Golden Cicada's Primordial Yang to cultivate into Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. I said that if she could seduce Golden Cicada, she could succeed. So she tried to seduce him every day, hoping to make it happen."
Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and said, "It's good to test Golden Cicada's Buddhist heart through this. However, if that spirit really succeeds, wouldn't you be losing a precious possession? How can you bear to do that?"
Ao Tu listened, paused for a moment, then chuckled. As he led Guanyin Bodhisattva forward to admire the beautiful scenery of the Cave Heaven, he explained:
"Teacher, you misunderstand. That Rat Spirit is my Sworn Younger Sister. It's because I swore brotherhood with the Great Sage Yellow Wind at Yellow Wind Ridge, and the Great Sage Yellow Wind is the Rat Spirit's sworn brother, hence this kinship. If she's bullied or encounters difficulties and seeks my help, I might lend a hand out of consideration for our kinship. As for other things, who she's in love with or what her promiscuous affairs are, they have nothing to do with me. Why should I care?"
Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva understood the situation, but looked at Ao Tu with a half-smile and whispered in Ao Tu ear, "Disciple, don't lie to me. I've heard you took her Primordial Yin!"
Ao Tu said helplessly, "Who told you this? It's ruining my reputation!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but smile, her eyebrows and eyes curving, it was rare to see her smile so happily.
Ao Tu said, "When I first came here, I was looking for my sworn brother, the Great Sage Yellow Wind, when I happened to encounter that Rat Spirit. I had never seen her before, and she didn't recognize me either. Seeing that I was handsome and carried Duobao, she wanted to eat me and steal my treasures. I found her very wicked, so I used a spell to remove her Primordial Yin punishment."
Guanyin Bodhisattva, upon hearing this, finally understood the whole story, yet she still couldn't suppress her smile.
Ao Tu said, "What's so funny? Teacher, you've been living in the mountains for so long, it must be so boring!"
Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but laugh for a while before finally dropping the subject and saying to Ao Tu, "I'll help you attack the Blood Sea; in return, you should refine a treasure for me."
Ao Tu asked, "What treasure does Teacher desire?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Refine a chain."
Ao Tu asked, "Is it an iron chain? Or a silver chain? Or a gold chain? Is it for restraining people, or for protection?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "It should be neither gold, silver, nor iron. It should be used to restrain people and protect them. Ideally, it should be something that looks good and can be worn on the wrist, ankle, waist, or neck."
Ao Tu nodded and went to refine the treasure.
Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "Do we need to weigh and measure the dimensions?"
Ao Tu said, "No need. I'll forge a Ruyi weapon to discipline my Teacher as he pleases."
After three days, Ao Tu finished refining the treasure. It was a dazzling chain made of twelve kinds of divine iron and one hundred and eight star cores given to him by the little alligator dragon.
When swung, it possesses the power of countless changing stars.
When worn, it is believed to bring the protection of Starlight.
Guanyin Bodhisattva took the treasure and examined it, praising Ao Tu's Artifact Refining skills before accepting it.
Ao Tu asked, "Teacher, although you praised it, why don't you wear it? Do you think my crafting is not good enough?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "You'll find out later."
Although Ao Tu was puzzled by this, he did not investigate further.
Some time later, the Twenty-Eight Mansions and the Bull Demon King arrived one after another to attend the banquet.
Ao Tu treated them all to a meal.
The Host of Stars brought many gifts to congratulate Ao Tu on his Dao Companion.
Ao Tu returned all the gifts and explained the misunderstanding caused by Wukong to the Host of Stars.
Shortly afterward, Taibai Jinxing arrived with a group of Killing Star.
Taibai Jinxing Xing) is associated with Star Lords that govern Slaughter, such as the "First and Last Star Lords Deities," the "Greedy Heavenly Dog Star Greedy Wolf Army Breaker Star Lord Deities," the "Heavenly Dog Star," the "Heavenly Punishment Star," Heavenly Spear Star "Heavenly Spear Star," the "Heavenly Club Star," and the "Four Fiend Star Lords."
This old star was always Wisdom; he saw something was amiss but did not inform Heavenly King Li, thus saving Ao Tu a lot of trouble.
Afterwards, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also arrived one after another.
Wukong arrived last because after inviting the Manjushri Samantabhadra and Bodhisattva, he went to invite the Eighteen Arhats, but failed, so he rushed back.
Ao Tu clarified the misunderstanding to everyone and then made arrangements for the conquest.
This battle is actually not difficult. The most crucial task, the Patriarch Styx, is handled by Ao Tu, so the others don't need to worry about him. The only other things to watch out for are the three Asura King and countless Asura Clan in the Blood Sea.
The Asura race was created by the Patriarch Styx using the Blood Sea. They are born with great power, love fighting, and are feared by gods and demons.
The Asura King was the first Asura Clan to be created, possessing the purest bloodline and the greatest power. There were four of them. However, one was killed by Ao Tu at the Flaming Mountain, leaving only three.
Although Nezha was willing to kill one person for Ao Tu, the Asura King was no ordinary being, and Ao Tu was unwilling to let him take the risk. Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva were the forces that Ao Tu had prepared to deal with the three Asura King.
Furthermore, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is also a force under Ao Tu, so no matter what, the Asura Clan cannot cause any major trouble.
However, the Asura Clan is known for its warlike nature. Although Ao Tu's side has a clear advantage, ordinary Demon will still suffer heavy casualties.
Ao Tu tried his best to invite as many Divine General as possible to reduce casualties, but it was impossible to be completely foolproof.
Before setting off, Ao Tu refined a batch of top-quality Elixir Pills Holy Water, and held a grand banquet to entertain the immortals and reward the demons.
Then it was time to prepare for departure.
To Ao Tu's slight surprise, the Rat Spirit also wanted to go along.
Ao Tu asked, "Don't you want to stay and continue to seduce Tang Sanzang?"
The Rat Spirit said, "That old monk only knows how to chant Buddhist scriptures; he's utterly incompetent! My brother forbids me from taking him by force, so even if I stay, I won't succeed. Let me go on the expedition with my brother. I'm quite skilled in martial arts. My brother is my support; if he falls, where will I go to survive?"
Ao Tu nodded upon hearing this, looking at her with somewhat newfound respect.
However, the Rat Spirit soon approached again and whispered, "Brother, if you could bestow some Yang Essence upon me, I believe I could also become Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. Wouldn't that be a great help to you? What do you think, brother?"
Ao Tu sneered, "I think you've been punished too lightly!"
The Rat Spirit was so frightened that it quickly tucked its legs together and fell silent.
Subsequently, Ao Tu opened up a path connecting to the Netherworld Realm and led the demons in.
Along the way, the demonic winds raged and the divine might was overwhelming, causing turmoil throughout the Netherworld Realm. The Ten Kings of Hell came out to kneel in worship early in the morning, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva also personally rode out to greet them on his Diting.
Upon seeing this, Ao Tu realized that it was his fault for making such a grand spectacle, which was surely disturbing the Netherworld Realm. So he ordered the demons to temporarily enter the city and not to make any rash moves, while he went to pay his respects to the Empress Houtu.