Chapter 293: The Next Battle

Translator: Transn Editor: Transn

Few people could leave Honored Lord of the Origin in awe of their strength, but Tongtian and Laozi were one of them. Together, they were referred to as the Three Pure Ones. Honored Lord of the Origin was no match for Tongtian and his G.o.d-killing Sword Formation, and couldn't see through the cultivation of Laozi and his Map of Taichi. But to fight against Tongtian Sect Leader, he had no choice but stick to Laozi.

After Kong Xuan murdered a dozen disciples of the three religions and a handful from the Tribe of Humanity, Honored Lord of the Origin thought that would compel Laozi to come. However, the latter hadn't done anything except getting enraged. That confused him for he couldn't figure out Laozi's intentions. Was Laozi enduring in silence or does he have other objectives? The calmer he was, the more confused Honored Lord of the Origin became.

But he didn't have the mood to think about it now. The battle between Zhunti and Musen was about to break out anytime. Their fight would definitely devastate the disciples of the three religions and the generals and soldiers of Western Zhou. The latter had finally managed to gain an advantage in its campaign against the Shang dynasty and this fight would ruin all their efforts.

Yet Honored Lord of the Origin couldn't bring himself to persuade Zhunti to stop the battle. This time, he was here to demand an explanation for his dead disciples. If he persuaded Zhunti to stop, wouldn't that mean he was afraid of Minghe? Being so sensitive about his reputation, he would never do it. He felt as if it had now become impossible for him to stop halfway through his plan.

Laozi suddenly appeared in the Heaven and said, "Everyone, this is the Battle of G.o.ds Invest.i.ture. It's something that the Master laid down. We've agreed that life and death are decreed by fate. If you fight now and affect the G.o.d Deification Ceremony, then it would be your sin. Please go to the Chaos if you want to battle it out." His persuasion was precisely what Honored Lord of the Origin needed to save face.

Honored Lord of the Origin snorted at Heaven and Earth Taoist and said, "Tell Minghe that I won't just leave this matter at that." He then turned to the disciples of the Clan of Enlightenment. "You all must carefully aid the Western Zhou dynasty. I expect no failure. Guang Chengzi, you're the eldest brother and it's your responsibility to look after your juniors. I'll momentarily lend you this Spiritual Treasure."

He waved his sleeves, leaving a beam of white light to fall on Guang Chengzi's hands. He soon turned away and left. Seeing this, Zhunti suppressed his rage and waved his hand, giving Medicine Buddha a spiritual treasure as well. He harrumphed at Musen before turning away. He knew it wasn't the right time to fight Minghe. Otherwise, it would be Tribe of Severity that would benefit from their battle.

Guang Chengzi and Medicine Buddha were startled at the spiritual treasures on their hands. They were the Natural Cloud Realm Flag and the Emerald Lotus Flag among the Primordial Flags of the Five Regions. Kong Xuan was now wounded and his Divine Five Colored Light was incomplete. Equipped with such treasures imbued with the Sages' Spiritual Thoughts, they might be able to block Kong Xuan's attacks if they were careful.

Dipamkara was the only one among the four present Sages-to-be to look pale. Though Laozi didn't come, Xuandu most definitely possessed many magic weapons of his own as the sole inner disciple. Now, even Guang Chengzi and Medicine Buddha had their own spiritual treasures. He was the only one without any. Honored Lord of the Origin had always favored his other disciples. He could only bury his frustration inside his heart.

Seeing that the Sages had left, Heaven and Earth Taoist spoke to Kong Xuan. "Since you're badly wounded this time, you must heal them properly. Leave the rest to your junior to handle." He left with Musen as soon as he was done talking. Their reason here was to block the Sages but that had happened, they had no reason to stay. After all, they couldn't possibly raise their hands against the young ones of the three religions.

After watching them leave, Kong Xuan ordered his army to withdraw and return to the Pa.s.s. Bo Yikao had no choice but to follow suit, deciding to visit the Pa.s.s Gate for a challenge in the future. As for the remaining Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals' disciples, most of them were wounded and needed time to heal. They also needed to discuss strategies to reach the Pa.s.s. Kong Xuan's injury was a splendid opportunity for them.

Kong Xuan sat cross-legged in the hall inside the Pa.s.s, looking pale. His supernatural power enveloped his body, clearly mending his wounds. Black Tortoise was seated next to him. He glanced at Kong Xuan and said, "Are you alright?" The furious attacks of the two Sages weren't to be underestimated. Though Kong Xuan's physical body wasn't hurt, his state of mind was affected when he used his Wuji Apricot Flag to ward off the attacks. His condition was probably not too good.

Kong Xuan finally spat a mouthful of foul air after some time. "I was careless. The attacks of the Sages were indeed extraordinary. I don't stand a chance against them with my strength. I'm afraid my soul would've been destroyed if Master hasn't taken precautions to save me. My state of mind is currently impaired, so I can use only half of my strength. It's now up to you to deal with the rest."

Black Tortoise was relieved to hear that and patted his chest. "Don't worry. I'll let the disciples witness my power. If I have the chance, I'll definitely kill some of them to avenge you. I'll also like to see Honored Lord of the Origin and Zhunti feel some heartache over their deaths. I'd like to see if they have the nerve to make a move."

Kong Xuan left him with an advice, saying, "Be careful. You have the same cultivation as Xuan Du and the other three, but they all have Magic Skills and weapons. Besides, Honored Lord of the Origin and Zhunti also left them with the Primordial Flags of the Five Regions. Xuandu, as Laozi's sole inner disciple, would definitely have supreme treasures for protection. Please be careful."

Black Tortoise nodded. He wouldn't behave as he did because he had now regained memories of his previous life. Since he was reincarnated as a human, he had seen a great improvement in his cultivation but lacked the chance to fight. Now that he was given the opportunity to fight Xuandu and the other three Sages-to-be, his blood began to boil. His fighting intent was partly visible. He might be inherently lazy, but he was a warrior, an indomitable warrior.

...

In the camps of the Western Zhou dynasty, Bo Yikao, Ji Fa, Xuandu, Dipamkara, Guang Chengzi, Medicine Buddha, Shen Gongbao, and Jiang Ziya were seated inside a huge tent. Most of the disciples of the three religions were away resting and recovering from their wounds, but the fact was that the eight of them were enough to discuss strategies for breaching the Pa.s.s.

Seeing how solemn Xuandu and other three Sages-to-be appeared, Bo Yikao said, "Thank you all for your ferocious battle with Kong Xuan. Since he's injured, he wouldn't be your match. As long as we defeat the Army of Five Elements under him, we can break the Pa.s.s and march into the heartland of the Shang dynasty."

The expressions of Xuandu and the other three didn't improve and this puzzled the rest. Ji Fa couldn't help asking, "You all look so solemn. What troubles you?"

Noticing the confusion on their faces, Xuandu answered, "We don't have to worry about Kong Xuan since he's injured and can't show his full strength. But Black Tortoise, his junior, is also with him. He has many military exploits in the Untainted Land and his cultivation is no less than ours. I'm afraid our upcoming battle will be just as ferocious."

Jiang Ziya frowned and pondered for a long time, but couldn't recall anything about Black Tortoise. He turned to Guang Chengzi and asked, "I've cultivated for a long time but didn't hear much about the Untainted Land. All I know is that Black Tortoise is Minghe's third disciple, who hasn't pulled off anything shocking. Why are you so afraid of him?"

Guang Chengzi replied, "It's said that Black Tortoise Taoist is the Primordial Mazinger's reincarnation, materialized by Exotic Beast Black Tortoise of the Untainted Land who propped up the heaven back then. He followed the Martial Ancestors of the Human Tribe to practice martial arts and gained the Golden Body of Martial Arts, which is comparable to a primordial spiritual treasure. He uses only his human body for defense. Moreover, he's one of Ancestor Minghe's disciples. He would definitely have a spiritual treasure for self-protection. If we want to defeat him, we must first break his defense."

Could a human body be comparable to a primordial spiritual treasure? Shen Gongbao and Jiang Ziya were stunned to hear that there was someone like that in this world. They were well aware of the power of such a treasure. How terrifying would Black Tortoise's body be then? No wonder Xuandu and the other three showed not even the slightest hint of happiness even if Kong Xuan was injured. Their next opponent wouldn't be an easy-going person either. If Minghe's two junior disciples were already this powerful, how much more impressive would the eldest senior be?