Chapter 508: You Are Not Important

“Junior Brother Chang Geng, the universe here is sealed. We can't use the Universe Escape Art, nor can we break through the void to pass. The opponent's grand universe formation is like a perfect sphere, without any flaws.”

“I already know about this, but there’s no need to worry. I have a way to deal with the surrounding mirage energy...”

Whose voice was that?

Chang Geng?

That name sounds familiar.

The silver-haired girl’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Feeling the seals around her primordial spirit, a sudden anxiety welled up within her.

Then she heard...

“Senior Brother Taiyi, Qiong Xiao, I’ll use a paper effigy later to distract them and scout the situation inside the hall. Here are two paper figures for you; each of you leave a clone here. Although the Taiji Diagram provides concealment, we mustn't be careless. We need to be as thorough as possible. Remember, our primary goal is to take the Red Lotus, and our secondary goal is to destroy it. When I confirm that the Red Lotus cannot be used by the Daoist sect, I will crush this jade talisman. You two retreat quickly and create distance. I will then activate the Great Spirit Explosion to destroy the Red Lotus and Patriarch Styx's remnant soul, leveling this place and completely eliminating this hidden danger...”

The Great Spirit Explosion?

The silver-haired girl’s Dao heart trembled faintly.

Just then, her primordial spirit felt a warm surge of magic, and she opened her eyes a slit...

The silver-haired girl saw a familiar back and an unfamiliar profile, but the profound Dao rhythm of the other person made her Dao heart jolt!

The Water God!

The Water God of the Heavenly Courts, the formidable figure who could make the Western Sect's Saints suffer, and whom Aunt Wen had repeatedly warned her never to provoke!

She had certainly witnessed the Water God's Great Spirit Explosion before.

Today, it was going to be used to level this place...

“Don't...”

The silver-haired girl whispered.

As her voice escaped, her entire body's magic power circulated again, and the restraints around her primordial spirit quietly dissipated.

A rather handsome bovine face moved from the side, filling the silver-haired girl's vision, and it said with a smile:

“You’re awake?”

The silver-haired girl immediately recoiled, agilely springing to her feet. Her gaze swept past the burly man in front of her and settled on Li Changshou, Fairy Qiong Xiao, and True Immortal Taiyi who were before him.

Astonishment, anger, fear...

The girl wanted to speak, but her throat quivered slightly. She instinctively reached for her hand but grasped at empty air.

“My sword!”

“It’s here, it’s here!”

The Green Ox replied, then produced the Yuantu Sword and handed it to the girl with both hands.

To their side, Li Changshou, Qiong Xiao, and True Immortal Taiyi merely glanced over before resuming their discussion.

She quickly snatched the Yuantu Sword, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she noticed the heavy seals on it.

Both she and her sword had been captured.

But then, the girl looked at the Green Ox, her eyes filled with sorrow and indignation: “You’re all together!”

“This, this is purely a misunderstanding,” the Green Ox hastily said. “When I met you before, I didn't know I was coming here for reinforcements. If you don't believe me, look: even the top experts of the Three Sects have been ambushed.”

Following the Green Ox's pointing finger, the girl immediately saw the sleeping... Eight Great Experts of the Daoist sect nearby!

The Green Ox, recalling the lines Junior Brother Chang Geng had coached him on, immediately sighed deeply.

His large, bright eyes filled with sincerity, he lowered his voice and said solemnly: “I had no preconceived notions about you. We simply met by chance in the Sea of Blood. Although I now know that we will be on opposing sides in the future, at the very least, I will not direct my fist towards you again.”

Having said that, the Green Ox lowered his head and looked at his palm, his face full of regret. He then slowly exhaled, looking up and trying to force a sincere smile:

“Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding. But it’s... still quite painful.”

The silver-haired girl frowned slightly, looking up at the burly man's face. For some reason, despite her earlier strong dislike, a touch of...

...reluctance to hurt him surfaced.

“I...” She didn't know what to say.

“Can you tell me your name?”

The Green Ox asked with a hint of despair in his eyes, as if they were about to be parted forever.

The silver-haired girl replied, “My name is Tieshan; I am a Princess of the Asura clan.”

The Green Ox clasped his hands together, not asking or saying more, but performed a Daoist bow, stating solemnly, “My apologies for any previous offense.”

Princess Tieshan pursed her slightly pale lips, bowed her head, and, holding her sword, returned the gesture...

In just a few words, the Green Ox completely transformed his image. From a troublesome, entangled beast, he became a deeply affectionate old ox, leaving a faint impression on Tieshan's heart!

All of the above: dialogue coaching, action direction, expression guidance, emotional guidance — by Li Chang Geng, Water God of the Heavenly Courts!

Li Changshou suddenly snapped back to attention, carefully savoring the conversation between the Green Ox and the silver-haired girl, capturing the key information.

Tieshan? Tieshan... Tie!

Princess Iron Fan, the Rakshasi? The wife of the Bull Demon King and mother of Red Boy?

This?!

This must be wrong. The Green Ox of Doushuai Palace should be the Unicorne 兕 Demon King who wielded the Vajra Bracelet against countless immortals and Buddhas!

How did this...

Li Changshou's forehead was covered in black lines, but his clear Dao heart kicked in, forcibly calming his fluctuating emotions.

He never expected that there would be so many small stories before the Journey to the West tribulations.

However, it seemed that he, the future Grand White Venus, was also part of this story...

Thinking of this, Li Changshou's lips curved into a slight smile.

Let them be.

Princess Tieshan's gaze swept past the Green Ox and landed on Li Changshou, a hint of fear in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

“Fellow Daoist, would you please step aside? I need to confront the formidable enemy.”

“This...”

The Green Ox sighed softly, took half a step back, seeming to want to say something but ultimately just clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky.

Princess Tieshan slowly stepped forward, her gaze fixed intently on Li Changshou.

Li Changshou turned his head and looked at her, a slight smile on his lips:

“You intend to attack me?”

“Yes.”

Li Changshou puzzled, “Why?”

Qiong Xiao, to the side, simply turned away, trying hard to suppress her laughter.

The girl frowned slightly and said, “You are preventing the Patriarch's revival, and as a princess of the Asura clan, I must stop you.”

Li Changshou looked at the Green Ox and chuckled, “Senior Brother, I've spared her life for your sake...”

“Junior Brother Chang Geng,” the Green Ox said with a troubled expression, “I truly don't know how to persuade her. Our positions are opposed, so I can only let her have her way.”

“This matter has nothing to do with him.”

The girl tried to draw her sword, but the Yuantu Sword was burdened by too many seals, preventing her from drawing it at that moment.

Li Changshou shook his head and turned his back:

“Never mind. I'll pretend I haven't seen her. Patriarch Styx absolutely cannot be revived today; I'm certain of it. If I see you on the path ahead later, I will definitely not spare your life again. For the sake of my senior brother, you may leave.”

The girl was taken aback. She looked up at Li Changshou, then at the Green Ox beside her, bit her lip, bowed to Li Changshou with clasped fists, and then turned to the Green Ox and said coolly:

“I owe you my life.”

With that, she walked forward, carrying the Yuantu Sword, passing by Li Changshou and stepping out of the Taiji Diagram's covered area.

The Green Ox hastily chased after her for two steps but was blocked by Li Changshou's raised arm.

“Tieshan!”

The Green Ox called out, filled with worry.

The girl's steps didn't stop; instead, she walked faster.

But after only about ten steps, she swayed unsteadily, slowly collapsing to the side. Her breathing was calm and even, and she fell asleep on the spot.

Mirage energy, entering dreams.

At this moment, Li Changshou's arm, blocking the Green Ox, could feel the power about to erupt and then recede within the Green Ox.

He had truly been moved.

True Immortal Taiyi, standing nearby, shook his head and sighed softly: “The Water God truly has a knack for deceiving young maidens.”

Li Changshou: ...

It was clearly this girl, one of the seventy-two princesses of the Asura clan, who was too naive!

Qiong Xiao watched the silver-haired girl's unconscious form, pondering for a moment with her chin in hand.

Li Changshou chuckled, “Do you have some brilliant plan?”

“No, I was wondering if I'd look better with my hair styled like hers.”

Qiong Xiao twirled a strand of hair in front of her, muttering this.

“Remember to discuss it with your sister,” Li Changshou casually replied, then looked up at the distant grand hall.

No reaction?

The Yuantu Sword was right here, essentially a divine weapon delivered to them. It should have been greatly beneficial to Patriarch Styx at this moment...

After a while longer, the Green Ox's expression became worried, and he whispered, “Junior Brother Chang Geng, I'll go bring her back.”

“Don't rush...”

*Whoosh—*

Just as Li Changshou, under the Taiji Diagram, was about to speak, a streak of blood-red light suddenly flew out from the ruined grand hall in the center of the vast city. The light solidified into a large hand, scooping up the girl from the ground and pulling her back into the hall.

Seeing this, Li Changshou showed a slight smile, turned his head slightly, and said:

“Proceed as planned.”

Qiong Xiao and True Immortal Taiyi each nodded, then slowly floated into the air.

Qiong Xiao summoned the Golden Jiao Shears, and True Immortal Taiyi summoned the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover. For now, they remained still.

If they wanted to seize the Red Lotus, they would certainly need to enter the grand hall.

However, if it was merely to hurl magic treasures to attack people or cause destruction, there was no need for them to go in person.

Li Changshou found a comfortable spot, sat cross-legged at the edge of the Taiji Diagram's covered area, and organized his thoughts.

Throughout the Sea of Blood, all that needed to be mobilized had been set in motion...

He simultaneously raised both hands in sword-fingers, slowly passing them over his eyes. His eyes turned azure, and a divine banner, radiating waves of spiritual light, appeared behind him.

The Water God's treasure, the Xuanwu Banner!

Dense Heavenly Dao power enveloped Li Changshou. From his sleeve flew a thick paper effigy. Inside it, a Golden Core spun rapidly, transforming into the familiar old immortal appearance of the Heavenly Court Water God. It flicked its whisk and stepped forward.

The paper effigy had only walked five or six steps when thunder light erupted in the palm of Li Changshou's true body's left hand, dispelling the lingering drowsiness.

Li Changshou called out clearly, “Fellow Daoists inside the hall, may we have a word?”

As soon as his voice fell, a black beam of light shot out from the ruined grand hall, mercilessly tearing Li Changshou's paper effigy to shreds.

Beneath the Taiji Diagram, Li Changshou merely sat cross-legged with closed eyes. Another paper effigy flew from his sleeve, once again stepping out from under the Taiji Diagram's protection.

The second paper effigy employed a slight escape art, reaching the spot where the previous one had been torn apart, and continued forward.

“Fellow Daoists inside the hall, may we have a word?”

Again, black light flashed, and Li Changshou's second ordinary paper effigy was instantly cut down.

Qiong Xiao's pretty face flushed with anger, but recalling Li Changshou's repeated admonitions, she temporarily held back. The Golden Jiao Shears transformed into three-zhang length, their twin blades opened, and the illusory forms of two ancient flood dragons slowly swam around them.

From Li Changshou's sleeve flew a third paper effigy, which used an escape art to reach the location of the previous effigy and then slowly walked forward.

This time, the shadowy figure constantly attacking from within the hall, gripping its long spear, clearly hesitated.

The shadowy figure muttered, “Are this Water God's clones endless?”

From the side, an ancient voice replied, “The second disciple of Grand Pure One naturally has extraordinary abilities.”

“Hmph!”

The shadowy figure holding the Small God-Slaying Spear gave a cold half-snort, then pointed its spear, sending out a black ray that once again tore Li Changshou's third paper effigy to shreds.

But this time, from beneath the Taiji Diagram, furious roars of dragons erupted!

First, golden light flashed as two ancient giant flood dragons burst forth from beneath the Taiji Diagram. Their tails intertwined, and their bodies suddenly grew to a thousand zhang in length, smashing directly towards the ruined grand hall!

Then, fire dragons roared as nine four-clawed azure dragons, wreathed in orange-red flames, shot skyward, fiercely plunging down after the two giant flood dragons.

Inside the grand hall, a shadowy figure slammed its staff onto the ground. An ice-blue light shield appeared around the hall, activating the formation prepared beforehand.

However, the Golden Jiao Shears were a precious treasure personally bestowed by the Primeval Lord of Heaven. Qiong Xiao was one of the eight great disciples of the Jie Sect, and she was attacking with almost full power. How could it be so easily resisted?

One heard the giant flood dragons roar, violently crashing into the formation's barrier.

The ice-blue light shield was almost shattered directly by the giant flood dragons. It flickered continuously at various points, and cracks appeared at its base...

The subsequent impacts from the nine fire dragons caused those cracks to gradually widen.

The Golden Jiao Shears did not launch continuous attacks. The giant flood dragons dissipated from solid to illusory forms, retreating beneath the Taiji Diagram and coiling around Qiong Xiao, increasing her power by more than thirty percent!

True Immortal Taiyi recalled his nine divine dragons, then calmly stood with his hands behind his back.

Just an extra.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou sent out his fourth paper effigy, which used an escape art to reach the location of the previous effigy, then continued to stride forward, calling out clearly:

“Fellow Daoists inside the hall, are you willing to have a word?”

This time, all four shadowy figures inside the hall fell silent.

They suddenly realized the predicament they faced today. The primordial mirage energy they had dispersed no longer offered them much sense of security.

It was simple...

The way of brute force was prevalent in the Primordial World. As long as the Daoist sect didn't want to seize the Red Lotus but merely wished to destroy this place, then once more Daoist experts arrived, this place would be annihilated in an instant, and they would find it hard to escape.

Among the four shadowy figures, the ancient voice spoke again:

“There's no need to fight the Daoist sect to the death, especially since the Saints are merely observing and haven't intervened.”

“Let him come over.”

Behind the four shadowy figures, a somewhat faint voice sounded: “This Venerable One still needs the Blood God Child to recover magical power. Delay him for a bit longer. This Water God seems to be able to influence Daoist sect decisions.”

The four shadowy figures each nodded. This time, they allowed Li Changshou to proceed.

Realizing that the figures inside the hall were no longer attacking, Li Changshou simply rode a cloud forward, hurrying into the hall as quickly as possible.

Numerous formations lay ahead, preventing divine sense from fully penetrating.

The Taiji Diagram was protecting their various senior experts. For safety, Li Changshou's current plan did not include moving the Taiji Diagram.

Backed by such a massive power in the Primordial World as the Daoist sect, he naturally had more than one path to victory. He simply habitually chose the safest and most comprehensive one.

Leaving other matters aside for now, that silver-haired girl—no, Princess Tieshan—was the creature his old brother Green Ox had fallen in love with at first sight. He truly didn't want anything bad to happen to her.

A slight doubt arose in Li Changshou's heart.

Could it be that the word “go” his teacher gave him was meant for him to help the old ox, rather than for the Red Lotus?

Hey, that was actually quite possible, and the probability wasn't low.

Thankfully, the plan he had devised also revolved around this point...

Just then, from the constantly churning Sea of Blood, at an unknown height above, another group of ordinary Asuras broke through the turbulent waves created by the Golden-Winged Great Peng and surged majestically towards the pillar of light.

Like moths to a flame, ceaselessly.

Li Changshou carefully sensed through the paper effigy he had left outside. A large number of Asura experts, whose minds were clear and eyes not entirely red, had already arrived near the ruins of the grand city.

These Asura experts seemed to be tracking the Golden-Winged Great Peng, as if to clear all obstacles to Patriarch Styx's revival.

Li Changshou could only smile at this.

“Halt.”

A cold shout came from inside the hall, but Li Changshou, who had already reached the hall's entrance, seemed oblivious.

The paper effigy rode a cloud directly into the hall entrance before stopping.

Killing intent.

Unconcealed killing intent emanated from the front. Li Changshou, controlling the paper effigy, flicked his whisk and looked towards the source of the killing intent.

It was a shadowy figure holding a spear, hidden in a corner. Its exact form was unclear; it was the one who had previously ambushed his paper effigy and injured the Golden Peng.

In the other three corners of the hall, there were three more shadowy figures. Two of them were transformed fierce beasts, and the aura of one shadowy figure was peculiar, which Li Changshou could not discern.

A Red Lotus bloomed in the deepest part of the grand hall.

Behind the Red Lotus, the old Daoist whom Li Changshou had seen more than ten years ago during the 'Heavenly Dao's Prophetic Dream' had opened his eyes!

This old Daoist's figure had solidified again, but his aura felt outwardly strong yet inwardly weak.

His face was square, his eyes narrow and long, and his grizzled long eyebrows were full of sharp intent. Although merely an illusory figure, he exuded an indescribable oppressive aura.

Patriarch Styx, this ancient mighty figure, had evidently awakened at this moment!

Li Changshou felt no surprise at this.

What did surprise Li Changshou was that the Red Lotus had begun to exude a sense of perfection, as if it was nearing full maturity.

Beneath the Red Lotus was a sphere of light, containing only twenty to thirty remaining specks of light.

In front of Li Changshou, Patriarch Styx lightly tapped the sphere of light with his finger. A soul flew out, was guided by Patriarch Styx into his mouth, and merged with his illusory form.

Eaten.

Although such a soul provided an almost negligible boost to Patriarch Styx, Li Changshou's expression immediately darkened.

Patriarch Styx let out a faint sneer, his voice coming from all directions, carrying a hint of disdain:

“Contemporary Water God, do you intend to obstruct this poor Daoist's revival?”

Li Changshou retorted, “A remnant soul defeated in the past still dares to defy fate and change destiny?”

Patriarch Styx's sneer faded, and his voice became light and ethereal: “Do you know what fate awaits humanity if you fail today?”

Li Changshou did not reply, his gaze shifting to the edge of the grand hall.

Princess Tieshan lay there, deeply asleep, clutching the Yuantu Sword.

Patriarch St