Chapter 530: Flooding of the Sea God Temple

Where is the Green Ox?

Li Changshou flew out of the South Sea, pursuing his quarry into the Three Thousand Worlds. He searched relentlessly in the void, passing more than a dozen Great Thousand Worlds. The higher the Golden Binding Rope in his hand lifted, the closer it indicated he was to the Green Ox.

'Is this just sightseeing, or did they go on a honeymoon?'

Li Changshou's brows furrowed slightly, a knot of unease forming in his heart. What if, when he found the old ox, the silver-haired maiden Tie Shan was holding a baby in swaddling clothes, while the old ox chuckled beside her, gently fanning with the Banana Fan...

As he pondered this, the Golden Binding Rope swayed gently. Li Changshou looked up, seeing a patch of light ahead. A careful scan revealed it to be a bustling world teeming with life.

Using a movement technique to approach stealthily, Li Changshou tied the Golden Binding Rope to his wrist, preventing it from automatically flying out and binding the Green Ox should they meet. It wouldn't be ideal to interrupt the Green Ox's private matters.

However, Li Changshou never imagined that when he finally found the ox, it was... on the verge of doing something wrong!

Most Great Thousand Worlds feature a coexistence of immortals and mortals, and this place was no exception. The city where the Green Ox was found was divided into two parts: an upper section, a magnificent 'Immortal Island' with towering buildings and immortal pavilions, forming a self-contained Immortal City. Below the Immortal Island lay a lake mirroring its outline, surrounded by densely arrayed houses, forming a bustling and prosperous district.

By the time Li Changshou arrived, night had already fallen. In the Immortal City above, the pleasure quarters, ablaze with colorful lanterns, hummed with music. Immortal light from various isolation and protective formations shimmered, obscuring the crescent moon, which resembled a woman's delicate eyebrow.

Using a transformation technique, he assumed the form of a middle-aged Daoist. Landing just outside the Immortal City, he presented an immortal treasure folding fan and paid some spirit stones for entry, then proceeded towards the pleasure house where the Green Ox was.

What was happening? His immortal sense detected the Green Ox, transformed into human form with horns and a long robe, drinking morosely in a private room of the pleasure house. Before him, over a dozen beautiful, flamboyantly dressed women danced gracefully. Each of these women was quite lovely, and their cultivation levels were all at the Yuan Immortal realm... The cost for the evening would surely be substantial.

Li Changshou couldn't help but mutter to himself. Did the Green Ox and Tie Shan have a falling out? Or had Tie Shan met another ox before him? Or perhaps the couple had quarrelled, and the Green Ox had come here in a fit of pique to seek solace and distraction?

Li Changshou found a modest tea house and secretly observed the Green Ox for a while. He realized the ox was indeed drowning his sorrows in wine, his gaze not even drifting towards the dozen or so celestial maidens before him.

"Alas..." The Green Ox sighed, lowering his head. He gazed at the two small Banana Fans in his palm, his eyes full of melancholy, and murmured: "Little Fan, what exactly did I do wrong? Why did you suddenly want to send me away?"

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, realizing the old ox must have suffered a romantic setback. He had likely come here to indulge himself, only to find that no other woman could capture his attention or heart. A stubbornly devoted ox.

Thus, Li Changshou did not reveal himself immediately, choosing to observe from a distance for a while.

Half an hour later, the women, hoping to earn more, stopped dancing and moved towards the Green Ox. Two courtesan maidens coquettishly called out, "Great King," and prepared to lean into the Green Ox's embrace. The Green Ox, however, frowned. For a moment he seemed to want to embrace them, but ultimately he leaped backward, causing the two maidens to miss their target.

Though not intoxicated by the wine, he was clearly drunk on his own emotions. His figure swayed slightly as he frowned and tossed a treasure pouch from his robe. "Please leave, all of you. Let me be alone... And please, don't call me Great King. I am not of the demon clan."

The maidens, displaying admirable professionalism, asked no questions. They bowed their heads and quickly departed, leaving only the words: "You may summon us anytime."

Once the door closed, the Green Ox sighed again, settling back into his original seated position and gazing blankly at the cups and plates before him. A moment later, the Green Ox murmured, "I should go back." Just as he was about to rise, a flicker of hesitation appeared in his eyes.

"But why did Little Fan send me away? What did I do wrong?" He then sighed deeply, gazing at the two Banana Fans in his palm, lost in thought for a long time. 'If only Senior Brother Chang Geng were here.'

"What's wrong?" A warm voice sounded in his ear. The Green Ox was startled at first, then shot to his feet, his wide eyes, framed by thick brows, filled with shock as he looked towards the window. There, a green bird flew in, its form enveloped by a wisp of innate Yin-Yang aura, allowing it to seamlessly merge with the great formation's energy barrier. It then transformed into the likeness of a young Daoist, standing before the Green Ox.

This aura, this Dao resonance, and the power of the Taiji Diagram—all too familiar to the Green Ox!

"Senior Brother Chang Geng!" The Green Ox let out a mournful cry, took two steps forward, then tumbled to the ground, clutching the calves of Li Changshou's paper effigy with both hands, and began to whimper.

Li Changshou: ... As the Supreme Lord of the Dao's mount, what kind of decorum was this?

"Senior Brother, what has happened to you?" Li Changshou sighed softly, saying, "Life always brings countless disappointments, and that holds true even for oxen."

"Then can you help me?"

Li Changshou replied helplessly, "Senior Brother, I'm here to take you back."

"Then can you help me?" The Green Ox looked up at Li Changshou, his large eyes welling with tears, and the Vajra Bangle, disguised as a nose ring, was streaked with snot.

"I!" Li Changshou couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead, sighing, "I will certainly help you, but first, get up and tell me what's going on."

The Green Ox's spirit perked up. He sprang to his feet, turned to fetch a wooden chair from the side, and invited Li Changshou to sit.

"Don't bother," Li Changshou said, lifting the hem of his Daoist robe as he sat opposite the Green Ox. "What exactly happened?"

"Well," the Green Ox sighed, "I don't really know myself. After leaving the Blood Sea, I simply accompanied her as we travelled to clear our minds. We journeyed from the East Sea to the West Sea, then from the West Sea to the South Sea, and finally out of the Three Thousand Worlds. All along the way, we were very happy together. I started calling her 'Little Fan,' and she began calling me 'Little Oxie'..."

"Pfft!" The Green Ox's face reddened. Fighting down his embarrassment, he complained, "Senior Brother Chang Geng, don't laugh!"

"I just thought of something amusing," Li Changshou said, waving a dismissive hand. "And then?"

"Nothing much else happened," the Green Ox sighed. "Her mood would fluctuate, but her nature was always gentle. She was often moved by the scenery we encountered. I was worried she might fall into despair, so I stayed by her side constantly, until two years ago... It was a snow-capped mountain. We enjoyed the snowy landscape and spent a wonderful night there. Uh, apologies, Senior Brother. I forgot you and Fairy Yunxiao are still in the 'observing proper etiquette' stage."

A vein pulsed on Li Changshou's forehead. He suddenly felt an urge to just walk away. Forget it. For the convenience of the Supreme Lord of the Dao, he would bear it for a while.

Li Changshou stated, "I'm asking why you are here today, and how you had a conflict with Tie Shan, not about the extent of your intimacy."

"Oh, right, of course." The Green Ox couldn't help but scratch his head, whispering, "I honestly don't know why. We were quite at ease with each other, wandering freely through the Great Thousand Worlds, settling wherever we liked for a time. But just yesterday, in a lakeside cottage where we had lived for half a year, I had just finished grilling some fish and was about to call her to taste it, when she..."

"What happened?"

The Green Ox lowered his head and sighed, "She said I entered the door left foot first, and that our fates were incompatible. She then decisively severed ties with me."

"Hmm?" Li Changshou's forehead creased with confusion, and a few possibilities immediately came to mind. "Is she still in that cottage?"

"No," the Green Ox whispered. "She berated me, told me not to bother her, and then flew away by herself."

"Is the Yuantu Sword with you?"

"Yes," the Green Ox said, pulling a sheathed treasured sword from his sleeve. A chilling Dao resonance of slaughter flowed from it; it was undoubtedly the Yuantu Sword.

Li Changshou's face changed. He whispered, "This complicates things."

"W-what's wrong?"

Li Changshou rolled up his sleeves, revealing the Golden Binding Rope. He then cleared the rope of the Green Ox's lingering aura and quickly stated, "I'll explain on the way. First, imbue this with Tie Shan's aura!"

"Okay," the Green Ox's expression also turned serious. He activated the Golden Binding Rope, and its tassels swayed gently, pointing southwest.

"Let's go!" Li Changshou let out a low cry, grasped the Green Ox's arm, and executed a wind-遁 technique, his form shooting straight out. To claim their fates were incompatible simply because he entered the room left foot first—this clearly indicated a deeper issue!

From the Green Ox's description, he and Tie Shan were deeply affectionate. Had no unforeseen event occurred, Tie Shan would not have driven him away in such a manner. The best evidence was the Yuantu Sword in the Green Ox's possession. From Li Changshou's perspective, Tie Shan's actions likely stemmed from two possible reasons. Either her inner turmoil remained unresolved, leading her to send the Green Ox away and end her own life; or, she had suddenly sensed the approach of a powerful enemy, experiencing immense pressure, possibly from the Asura Clan or the Western Sect.

The latter possibility was far more likely than the former. Judging by Tie Shan's previously displayed personality, it was highly probable that she had reached a desperate conclusion. Unwilling to involve the Green Ox and overlooking his formidable strength, she had sent him away to face the threat alone.

Fortunately, though the Green Ox had sought out a pleasure house to drown his sorrows, he had only drunk and watched dances; he hadn't actually misbehaved.

They travelled at a furious pace, swept along by strong winds, heading straight beyond the heavens. At first, Li Changshou used his wind-遁 technique to rush with the Green Ox. Once the ox realized, he transformed into his true form for Li Changshou to ride, bursting through the fabric of the cosmos and soaring rapidly beyond the heavens.

The Green Ox continually murmured, "Little Fan, please be safe. It's all my foolish fault; how could I have let you go alone?"

Li Changshou reassured him, "There's no need to worry. Heaven protects the virtuous. She has formed a karmic connection with our Human Dao Sect, and the great sect's fortune will naturally protect her."

"But what if something happens to her!" The Green Ox's voice grew urgent. A blinding light erupted from his ox eyes, his nose ring shot upwards, and four white clouds manifested beneath his hooves. With a whoosh! The Green Ox's blazing speed surged even further. His iron-like body created ripples in the very fabric of the cosmos! How could a Saint's mount be merely stable and composed?

In less than half an hour, the Golden Binding Rope swayed gently. The Green Ox braked sharply, almost missing a small world.

"It's here!" Li Changshou stated firmly. The Green Ox transformed into human form, grasped Li Changshou's paper effigy, and rushed into this small world infused with the five elements, descending into a valley in one corner. Before the two of them had even landed, their immortal senses had already revealed the scene deep within the valley.

Tie Shan was kneeling beneath several peach blossom trees, a stone tablet placed before her. A small Banana Fan was carved on it, which appeared to be a tombstone she had prepared for herself. At that moment, she sat amidst the beautiful peach blossoms, combing her silver hair. She had also changed into her most cherished celestial gown.

"Little Fan!" The Green Ox let out a loud roar, released Li Changshou's arm, and rapidly descended.

Li Changshou shook his head at the sight, concealed his aura, and did not rush to descend.

Tie Shan, who had been lost in thought before the stone tablet, was startled. She looked up, her mouth flattening, and involuntarily exclaimed: "What are you doing here!"

"I'm here for an explanation," the Green Ox said, his burly figure landing heavily amidst the peach blossoms, the gust of wind he created scattering petals. "Are you truly tired of me?"

"Yes," Tie Shan said, turning her head away, having controlled her emotions. Her voice was cold. "I'm utterly fed up with you; you always cling to me!"

The Green Ox took two hurried steps towards Tie Shan, his face agitated. "You're lying to me! If you truly found me annoying, why would you draw this fan on the stone tablet?"

Tie Shan's pretty face tightened, but her eyes slowly reddened. In the end, she couldn't suppress her emotions and whispered: "Why did you come for me? I was content with the carefree time I spent with you. Now, it's time for me to settle my debts. I abandoned my own people, betrayed my mentors... I should have died here today..."

"Nonsense!" The Green Ox lowered his head and pulled Tie Shan to her feet. Though his movements were somewhat rough, he acted without undue force. The Green Ox stared into Tie Shan's eyes, stating firmly, "You clearly saved your people! If it weren't for your plea to Senior Brother Chang Geng, the Asura Clan would have long been wiped out by the Heavenly Soldiers and the Netherworld!"

"It's not the same," Tie Shan murmured, lowering her head, tears streaming down her face like pearls from a broken string. "And saying all this is useless; she has already found me. Back then, when the Yuantu Sword fell into the hands of the Western Sect and they refused to return it, I was originally ordered to go there to wield the Yuantu Sword, joining the Western Sect as the princess of the Asura Clan. But now, I have betrayed them and offered the Yuantu Sword to the Human Dao Sect... According to their rules, I won't end well. You don't understand their ruthlessness. The Western Sect secretly harbors too many masters, too many primordial fierce beasts. She is almost here. Please leave, okay? This is a debt I owe them!"

The Green Ox pressed his lips together tightly, firmly pulling Tie Shan into his embrace, muscles bulging in his arms. "Whoever wants to harm you will have to pass over my dead body first!"

Tie Shan cried, "You're no match for them! Don't be so foolish; please, just go..."

"If I can't do it, then there's still another!"

"Oh?" The Green Ox's words were suddenly interrupted by soft yet chilling laughter echoing throughout the valley.

The surrounding thousand li suddenly darkened. A cold wind assailed them, and the Green Ox's spirit sharpened. He held Tie Shan tightly, two plumes of white smoke erupting from his ox nose, already brimming with fighting spirit! A blue-white lightning bolt slashed across the valley. From the east, south, and north, ominous silhouettes were projected onto the three mountain walls. But both the Green Ox and Tie Shan turned their gaze westward. The Green Ox's face grew grim as he sensed a subtle pressure.

From a corner of jagged rocks, a lithe figure slowly emerged. A crimson robe highlighted her fiery red lips, and her cascading dark hair enhanced her peerless figure. Her bare jade feet glided lightly three feet above the ground, her phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile played on her lips.

The Green Ox released Tie Shan, stepping in front of her to face the figure directly.

Tie Shan's legs buckled. She knelt on the ground, her eyes filled with despair, and murmured: "Aunt Wen, don't hurt him. It's all my fault..."

The newcomer was Wen Jing, Grand Commander of the Western Sect's Primordial Fierce Beasts!

"Heh." A seductive smile played on Daoist Wen Jing's lips. Another bolt of lightning cleaved the sky, and behind Daoist Wen Jing, pairs of black-and-gold mosquito wings unfurled. "How long has it been since you left the Blood Sea? And you've forgotten your roots, forgotten the plight of your people, and adopted the ways of the human race? This man's cultivation is quite impressive; it would be a pity for him to perish here. I wonder what his blood tastes like."

Simultaneously, figures appeared on the three other sides: two males and one female, three more Primordial Fierce Beasts. One fierce beast stated coldly, "Commander, further talk with them is pointless. Retrieving the Yuantu Sword is paramount."

The Green Ox stated firmly, "Are you fierce beasts of the Western Sect?"

"Using the word 'raised' is a bit too grating," Daoist Wen Jing said with a light laugh, her gaze falling on Tie Shan with an air of deliberate casualness, before she asked about the Green Ox's origins. "What are your origins, then? Why don't you declare your affiliation?"

The Green Ox's nostrils flared slightly. He raised a hand and snatched the nose ring from his nose. His own aura began to surge wildly, his body growing to a three-zhang height, and green flames surged across his entire form.

Just then, a soft laugh drifted down from the sky. The white-haired, white-browed old deity appeared without a trace, descending gracefully upon a cloud, and the Dao resonance of the Grand Equilibrium Dao flowed out.

Daoist Wen Jing and the three other fierce beasts, their expressions immediately shifted dramatically.

Li Changshou's gaze swept past Daoist Wen Jing, then turned to the three fierce beasts at her side. His smile was remarkably gentle, but what he said was: "Greetings, everyone. To meet in such a remote place, it must be fate. Finally, I have another reason to cause trouble for Lingshan."

The Green Ox's deep, resonant voice then sounded, answering Daoist Wen Jing's question.

"I am the ox of the Supreme Lord of the Dao, from Doushuai Palace!"