Chapter 188 — The True Man Claims Mounts (Part One)

A streak of black light came hurtling through the air. From the colored radiance emerged a great blue-glowing hand that seized the Tianxuan Blood Demon and the other dazed blood demon circling on guard, and dragged them into the black light. A gale rose, and the light flew swiftly westward.

To avoid detection by Prince Xuanyuan, Zhou Xuan did not use his true powers; he simulated the Blue God's great hand, put away the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, and channeled throughout his body a bizarre art recorded by the ox-headed underworld god. Black light flashed—he looked like a demonic cultivator, though the power was slight, Zhou Xuan able to manifest only a fraction. Even so, the gap in strength was too vast; the Tianxuan Blood Demon had no ability to resist, and Prince Xuanyuan and the others had not expected anyone to be spying nearby. Caught off guard, by the time they realized what was happening, Zhou Xuan had long since vanished without a trace.

"Who goes there!" Prince Xuanyuan, the Six-Eyed Toad, and the Great Strength Bear King were all greatly alarmed; even Wen Yanlan's expression shifted slightly.

"We've been thoroughly shamed today—someone dared to dig up the earth on the Great Sage's head. We'd just begun planning to seize people, and right under our noses the Prince's two blood demons were snatched away. Truly there is some fate and karma in this, retribution and transmigration!" Seeing Prince Xuanyuan's shock, Wen Yanlan said coldly.

"Eldest Brother, this person rather resembles the Blue God Ancestor—could it be him? The Blue God is strange indeed: even with his physical body destroyed, his primordial essence can still wield spells! It seems this fellow has been following us all along, and now, while we're off guard, he's reaped the advantage!" The Six-Eyed Toad thought it over and spoke.

"Hmph! Just as well he came. Those two worthless things are the old ancestor's clones; wherever they're taken, the old ancestor will sense it. Fellow Daoist Extreme Yin is dead, and we're short-handed. If this one understands the situation, he'll cooperate with us—otherwise, the old ancestor will show no mercy. Those two blood demons are the substitutes that withstand little Daoist Yuanyuan's flying dagger; they must not be lost. Follow me, all of you!" Hearing Wen Yanlan's cold laugh, Prince Xuanyuan paid it no mind; there was even a hint of delight on his face. He mounted his blood light and flew west, plunging straight into the desert.

The four of them sped swiftly toward the Capital Heaven Divine Malevolence Great Formation that Zhou Xuan had laid out.

Leaving aside how Zhou Xuan drew one man and three demons into his trap, things were also stirring on Kunlun's side.

"Sin and retribution, sin and retribution! My Kunlun has suffered this great calamity, and I know not how to resolve it! Boundless Heavenly Worthy!"

Yuanyuan Zhenren put away the Apricot Yellow Flag, chanted the Daoist name, and looked upon Kunlun's cave-heaven—hundreds of peaks and level plains all stained dark red, a rank stench rising straight up, forcing Ling Yan to pinch her nose. The assembled old Daoists and the disciples who had emerged from the Jade Void Palace were all dumbstruck. Below, a vast sea of blood churned and surged, submerging the mountain's foot, rising a dozen or more zhang high like a deep pool. Fortunately, many disciples of shallow cultivation had hidden themselves in the Jade Void Palace beforehand, and so no one had died.

Yuanyuan Zhenren pointed a finger, opening the gap between Kunlun's cave-heaven and the outside world, and the foul blood flowed out. After half an hour, the bloody water had all receded, leaving behind a scene of ruin. The herb fields were utterly destroyed; the spirit herbs were coated in sticky foul blood, all their spiritual essence gone. The caves too had been soaked in bloody rain and water, reeking with filth—how could anyone dwell there now?

Ling Yan, however, paid no mind to all this. Gazing at Yuanyuan Zhenren's noble bearing, her heart fluttered with springtime desire. She flew a little closer, seeking something to say: "Martial Ancestor, what do we do now? Is there a way to clean away this foul blood? Surely we can't wash all these peaks one by one with water? Even the medicinal herbs are gone."

Yuanyuan Zhenren shook his head. "There is no helping it. This foul blood is the most yin of substances from the underworld's blood river, charged with deadly yin malevolence. Not a drop may be touched—how could water wash it away? This demonic calamity that has befallen Kunlun must surely be the decree of Heaven!"

"There is no need for such words, Zhenren. This nun has a method that can wash away the foul blood, and even restore the spirit herbs, restoring Kunlun's holy ground to its former glory!" Wuzhen Laoni rejoiced inwardly, turning several thoughts over in her mind.

"Oh? What method does the Abbess have? If you can restore my Kunlun, all of Kunlun, high and low, will be endlessly grateful!" Yuanyuan Zhenren said hurriedly.

"You are too kind, Yuanyuan Zhenren. Slaying demons and vanquishing evil is this nun's duty. Surely the Zhenren knows the origin of the pure bottle in my hand!" Wuzhen Laoni lifted the pure bottle and let Yuanyuan Zhenren examine it closely.

Yuanyuan Zhenren looked for a moment, then suddenly understood. "So that's it! Then you truly can help my Kunlun recover its vitality. Heaven does not forsake us—there is always a thread of life in every matter. Only, with this Pure Glaze Vase, one still needs the Pure Willow Branch of the Western Paradise; the two together can produce sweet dew to wash away filth. I see the Abbess does not have it—could it be…?" Yuanyuan Zhenren was knowledgeable indeed, and naturally recognized the treasure.

"No need for trouble. In the Western Regions, besides the orthodox Kunlun, there is another—the Great Freedom Palace. The Great Freedom Palace's supreme treasure is that very Pure Willow Branch, and that sect has some connection with this nun!"

Yuanyuan Zhenren was overjoyed. "I know of the Great Freedom Palace too, only we have never had dealings or friendship. I do not know where the Pure Willow Branch is. Since the Abbess has some connection, then it would be well to trouble the Abbess to borrow it and help my Kunlun!"

Hearing this, Wuzhen Laoni smiled bitterly. "The connection this nun spoke of is no good karmic tie but an evil one—there is some enmity between us. Better not to go at all; even if I went, the Great Freedom Palace Master, who might otherwise agree to lend it, would likely refuse."

"Then what is to be done? So be it—this Zhenren will go personally, and hope the Palace Master will grant me some face."

"Fellow Daoist, do not be hasty. The Great Freedom Palace is entirely women, eccentric in temper. Better to take the long view." Wuzhen Laoni said hurriedly.

"The Great Freedom Palace? It seems that boy Zhou Xuan entrenched himself at Shushan for a time, and a woman followed at his side—I heard she too was from the Great Freedom Palace." Ling Fei, listening nearby all this while, caught a hint of something. He had his sources, and the connection came to him at once.

"Truly? Is that so!" Ling Yan's eyes darted about; she thought for a long while, then her eyes suddenly lit up. She tugged at Yuanyuan Zhenren's sleeve. "Martial Ancestor, I have a way—the Great Freedom Palace Master wouldn't dare refuse to lend it!"

"Oh? What way do you have?" Yuanyuan Zhenren was rather fond of this girl.