Chapter 644: Xuandu Duobao Battles Zhunti, Gongming Lies Across the Kunlun Road

On that day, Wenjing Daoren finally recalled the terror of Minghe Laozu being annihilated by heavenly punishment.

As she watched the beam of light pierce through the endless darkness, her dao heart tightened.

Lingshan had been struck several times, and the massive arrays, constructed from countless precious materials, shattered like thin paper, directly penetrated by the beam.

Several old daoists attempted to block the light and were instantly dissolved.

Zunti Shengren himself intervened, sacrificing one arm of his dharma body to exhaust the beam's spiritual power...

This scene was eerily similar to the heavenly punishment that had descended upon the Blood Sea years ago!

Back then, pillar-like thunderbolts had evaporated half of the Blood Sea with their pure and violent spiritual power, leading to Minghe Laozu's downfall and the Asura clan's decline from prosperity. His blood mosquito clan was forced to leave the Blood Sea.

The situation unfolding at Lingshan now...

It was, indeed, very similar.

But it had little to do with her.

Wenjing Daoren had just captured, with her immortal sense, the conversation between her great consort and Yunxiao Xianzi, and now she understood that Yunxiao Xianzi's jade statue was a small gadget refined by Xingjun.

A small gadget...

Ah, Xingjun, she was merely a little mosquito from Humanism, not some grand leader of Western Teachings!

How could Western Teachings possibly fight back now?

Even a saint's dharma body had lost an arm, and though it quickly reformed, overall, Western Teachings had lost both face and ground.

The saint faced that inexplicable jade statue's inexplicable divine ability and ended up inexplicably embarrassed!

Yunxiao Xianzi's sudden deployment of that humanoid treasure was truly terrifying.

The beam seemed to contain some ultimate and pure great dao, piercing through the universe and destroying rules, leaving countless rifts in its wake. When it collided with the saint's dharma body, it appeared on the verge of exploding but was suppressed by the heavenly rules.

With Wenjing's level of dao realm and experience, she could certainly sense the terror of such a treasure.

If five or ten such jade statues fired together at a saint's dojo, forcing the saint to appear and take the hits directly, they might truly injure the saint!

After the blast, the jade statue began to slowly shrink...

Only then did Wenjing snap back to her senses. Hiding underground, she looked up and gazed at her master's figure, a captivating smile playing on her lips.

Her great consort was as dashing and dominant as ever, facing the saint head-on today.

"Leader," came the voice transmission from the Hongmeng ferocious beast behind her, "it seems the situation is not good; should we make plans early?"

Wenjing frowned at the female scorpion that had transmitted to her, snorted coldly, and replied via voice transmission,

"Don't drag me down if you want to die!

Under the saints, all are ants. With a saint here today, what is there to fear from the multitude of Jie Teachings?"

After transmitting that, Wenjing muttered lowly, "Those who are afraid can wait here and face punishment after the battle.

I have not forced you to do anything."

In various parts of the underground cave, pairs of eyes lit up, and waves of fierce auras echoed, but they were confined by the arrays.

They were meant to be an ambush force, but now they were just spectators.

Once the terrifying spiritual beam dissipated, the rifts in the universe were quickly mended, and the heavenly dao manifested intersecting great dao rules, seemingly enveloping the area completely to prevent the war from shattering Xiniu Hezhou.

Jie Teachings seized the initiative, greatly offsetting the saint's威严, and the surrounding Jie Teaching immortals attacked simultaneously, bombarding Lingshan directly.

Zunti Daoist of Western Teachings snorted coldly, his dharma body expanding to form a ring of light that instantly enveloped Lingshan's core area, deflecting the countless streams of light.

On Lingshan's side, the old daoists, great immortals, and saint's disciples steadied their dao hearts!

Right at that moment!

Xuandu Shi and Duobao Daoist both received a certain voice transmission. The two senior brothers exchanged glances and charged at Zunti with their heaven-opening treasures!

The great disciples of Lingshan immediately moved to intercept, but Zunti suddenly manifested the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, sweeping the Lingshan disciples from the air and seizing the chance to seal many Jie Teaching immortals' treasures.

Just after Zunti acted, the Chaos Bell and Taiji Chart struck simultaneously!

First came a bell toll, sending gray waves sweeping over Lingshan's skies;

The Taiji Chart's yin-yang energies were triggered, transforming the yin-yang taiji diagram from "flat" to "three-dimensional," with the yin-yang dual fish endlessly chasing in balance, instantly spreading black and white dao rhymes.

Time and space!

Years and the universe!

Under the watchful eyes of the experts, amid the treasure light from Xuandu Shi and Duobao Daoist's charge, and from the flick of a finger by that emaciated elder high in the nine heavens...

A black light sphere flashed and vanished, strangely taking Zunti Shengren's dharma body and his inner true self, along with Xuandu Shi, Duobao Daoist, the Chaos Bell, and the Taiji Chart, disappearing without a trace!

"Form the array!"

A famous disciple of Western Teachings shouted angrily, quickly realizing they no longer had the saint's protection.

But Jie Teachings' offensive resumed!

This time, no saint could shield them...

Chaos erupted, with powerful immortals clashing.

Spiritual energy surged, shaking gods and ghosts.

Divine abilities and treasures rained down, twisting the universe around Lingshan, as figures exploded amid the immortal light.

Jinxia Shengmu led the charge, manifesting her dharma body and urging her treasures, holding her own against four great disciples of Western Teachings single-handedly.

Guiling Shengmu held a jade flute, playing soul-snatching melodies, a stark contrast to her usual gentle, innocent, and pure demeanor when not in battle.

Qiongxiao wielded the Golden Jiao Scissors, following Jinxia Shengmu and occasionally releasing ancient flood dragons to bite and tear.

There were also Wudang, Lv Yue, Qin Wan...

One after another, Jie Teaching experts displayed their divine abilities, while Lingshan relied on its terrain and remaining arrays to hold firm, trying to buy time until the saint returned.

Two layers of membrane appeared in the heavens, unbeknownst to all, subtly protecting the sky and earth to prevent another ancient tragedy.

In the chaos, a small insect flitted about, slipping into Yunxiao Xianzi's sleeve and soon appearing on her shoulder, whispering advice:

"Yun, don't rush so far forward; watch out for getting surrounded."

"Be careful on this side; a treasure is flying over."

"Why not go back and guard the jade statue? Wait for the jade array to restart and deliver the final blow..."

Yunxiao's cool face showed a hint of helplessness. Seeing that Jie Teaching immortals were stabilizing the situation everywhere, she slowed her advance and used the Primordial Gold Fight to continuously rescue her injured fellow disciples.

That small insect...

Was Li Changshou in disguise.

He had come with his master, taking advantage of the hundredfold spiritual energy cannon distracting all immortals to quietly blend in beside Yunxiao.

Li Changshou's purpose was clear: to prevent disasters before they arose and keep Yunxiao out of danger.

The reason for Jie Teachings' war was his orchestration, and when the situation turned unfavorable, it was his plan that helped Guiling Shengmu force out the Western Teachings' saint.

The current layout was also his arrangement, with his teacher acting to remove Zunti Shengren and his senior brother assisting in holding him back.

If Jie Teachings now demanded help from him, their "Fengshen referee," it would be pure moral coercion.

In truth, Li Changshou hadn't wanted to come, but he had played it safe: leaving Kong Xuan at Xiaoqiong Peak to avoid karmic ties with Western Teachings, while coming himself to act as a bodyguard beside Yunxiao.

And, if things went south, to help Jie Teachings wrap up.

As an ordinary saint's disciple, that was all he could do.

Incidentally, the voice transmission that had just reminded Xuandu Shi and Duobao was from Li Changshou, saying simply—

Saints cannot die.

Yunxiao darted through the battle's periphery, using the Primordial Gold Fight to take in injured Jie Teaching immortals one by one, which proved more effective than charging ahead to fight.

As the situation stabilized and Jie Teachings gradually broke through Lingshan's defenses, she began exchanging thoughts with Li Changshou, discussing a few questions.

"Was it really the Taiji Chart and Chaos Bell that moved Zunti Shengren just now?"

Yunxiao asked, somewhat puzzled.

Li Changshou laughed. "If my teacher and senior uncle were wielding the Taiji Chart and Chaos Bell, they could easily relocate a saint, but heaven-opening treasures require a saint to unleash their true power.

What happened was actually my teacher acting in secret, just borrowing the resonance of the Taiji Chart and Chaos Bell."

Yunxiao fell silent for a moment, focused on rescuing several Jie Teaching fairies in distress, then asked via voice transmission,

"I'm a bit worried about my elder brother."

"Don't worry; Duobao senior brother has thought it through well. Even if Elucidation Teachings shows up at Lingshan today, they won't dare openly protect it, let alone attack Gongming senior brother at this juncture."

Li Changshou pondered briefly before adding, "However, relying on Gongming senior brother to delay and send word will be tough. Elucidation Teachings has likely already set out for here.

They won't want Western Teachings' experts to be wiped out."

Yunxiao sighed. "In the end, you've been drawn into this."

"As disciples of the Dao, who can stay out of it entirely?" Li Changshou replied with a smile, his insect form perched on Yunxiao's shoulder, watching the battlefield.

Many great disciples of Western Teachings were already wounded, with casualties mounting rapidly.

Just then, a bell rang from within Western Teachings, and two groups of experts rushed out from the depths, though none were true masters of great divine abilities.

They were just filling the ranks.

Li Changshou's immortal sense swept over and quickly noticed the lurking Wenjing Daoren and the ferocious beasts underground, so he quietly warned Yunxiao. She began to focus on guarding against the Hongmeng ferocious beasts' potential attack.

A moment later, Western Teachings continued to fall back.

When Jie Teachings' immortals attacked, Wenjing Daoren had been ordered to lead the Hongmeng ferocious beasts and the remnants of ancient demonic beasts in ambush beneath Lingshan, waiting for the battle to erupt.

Now, he finally received the order to join the fight, personally leading his forces in a sneak attack on the rear of Jie Teachings' encirclement. They harassed briefly before retreating, tying up a significant amount of Jie Teachings' energy.

Li Changshou divided part of his mind to his paper effigies, overseeing the overall situation and seizing opportunities.

Suddenly, a jade talisman in his sleeve shattered—it was Longji sending a message;

At Yuxu Palace, she could delay no longer.

Elucidation Teachings' immortals were heading to Lingshan, and how long Zhao Gongming could hold them would determine how many experts Western Teachings had left.

Almost simultaneously, Li Changshou's paper effigy in the underworld noticed a stream of light rising from the Wheel of Reincarnation Tower;

His paper effigy at the edge of the great wilderness felt the approaching fluctuations of battle.

Jiyin Shengren had realized he'd fallen for Taichu's scheme and that Lingshan was on the verge of destruction, so he desperately tried to return to the Five Parts Continent, but Tongtian Jiaozhu blocked him firmly.

Li Changshou was also waiting, searching.

Maitreya was a thorn in his side; if he showed up at Lingshan today, Li Changshou would appear to fight him.

Along with that, Jinpeng was lurking in the high skies, waiting for Maitreya to emerge.

If this great disciple of Lingshan didn't come even for such a war...

Then he was truly heartless.

At Yuxu Palace, in the grand hall.

Longji held a jade cup, took a sip of jade spring tea, and showed a touch of admiration.

The hall was now empty, with only the fairies from Yaochi Pool that Longji had brought, along with two Heavenly Court golden immortal generals.

Beside Longji sat one of the Twelve Golden Immortals, staying to accompany her—it was Cihang Daoren.

Streams of light rose outside the hall, but Longji remained quite composed.

Cihang Daoren sat quietly nearby, her eyes curious, and suddenly asked via voice transmission,

"Has Xingjun大人 set a specific time for you to delay? You seem so relaxed—does that mean Xingjun's plan is already sufficient?"

Longji blinked lightly and smiled. "I'm not sure what you mean, fellow daoist.

My master didn't scheme anything; he just asked me to deliver more gifts and apologize again for the incident with Deputy Leader Randeng.

After all, though my master eliminated Western Teachings' spy and upheld the Dao's prestige, it damaged Elucidation Teachings' reputation."

Longji's words carried subtle sarcasm.

Cihang Daoren sighed and fell silent.

She wore a light blue dao robe, a white veil on her head, and typically held a duster or a pure vase in her hand. Now, with a furrowed brow and a soft sigh, she exuded an air of compassion and serenity.

Cihang Daoren chose her words carefully before saying softly,

"Our Elucidation Teachings has its own difficulties.

Now, with Jie Teachings pressuring Western Teachings and threatening to destroy them outright, it's truly too aggressive.

As the great calamity descends and the Dao faces tribulation, if we in Elucidation Teachings don't take precautions and prepare, especially with so many in Jie Teachings harboring ill intent and poor conduct, we would be in grave danger."

"I don't really understand this great calamity," Longji said with a smile, "but my master mentioned that I should prepare for it too, though I don't know how.

In any case, though Jie Teachings has many people, their luck is damaged and burdened with karma;

Elucidation Teachings, with fewer disciples, has enduring luck and boundless merits and fortunes.

My master once said that under the saints, all are ants, and the outcome of great teaching struggles is ultimately decided by the saints.

From that perspective, Elucidation Teachings isn't necessarily the weaker side."

"Oh?" Cihang Daoren smiled. "That's a new way of putting it."

"Just relax, fellow daoist," Longji said. "Since my master has the heavenly dao's trust, he will be impartial and oversee the Fengshen calamity.

Of course, that's just what I'm saying—my master hasn't told me any of this."

Cihang showed a faint smile and said no more.

Princess Longji also lowered her head to drink tea, having nothing else to discuss with this Twelve Golden Immortal.

Yuxu Palace was quiet, the saint's dao rhymes seeming to thin out gradually. Longji waited for the Elucidation Teaching immortals to return, continuing to introduce the various treasures and gifts she had brought.

Seeing things through to the end was the proper way.

Cihang Daoren activated a cloud mirror, observing the movements of Elucidation Teachings' immortals.

At that moment, both Cihang Daoren and Longji saw the streams of light come to a halt...

A watery blue light curtain had appeared in the heavens ahead, perfectly blocking the path of the Elucidation Teaching immortals.

Merely glimpsing that curtain, without needing to search for the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls, Cihang Daoren recognized who was obstructing them.

Jie Teachings' outer disciple, Zhao Gongming!

When the immortal lights rose from Yuxu Palace, Zhao Gongming perked up, sat down cross-legged, and blocked the western path of the Yuxu Palace immortals.

The Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Pearls sealed the universe, now hidden within the fabric of the universe itself, making them harder to detect and break.

Streams of light shot over, forced to stop dozens of miles from Zhao Gongming, led by Guangchengzi and the Twelve Golden Immortals.

Guangchengzi, not wanting to waste time, immediately said, "Junior brother Taiyi, go ask Zhao Gongming what's going on. The rest of us will circle around to the south!"

No sooner had Guangchengzi spoken than he turned to lead the hundreds of Elucidation Teaching immortals on their way;

Taiyi Zhenren smirked slightly and calmly stepped forward toward Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming muttered to himself inwardly, but upon seeing this, he quickly adjusted his strategy, flipping through his mental collection of "One Hundred Sounds of Porcelain Collisions." As he sat there, he suddenly opened his eyes.

His face flushed red, lips pale, and body trembling violently, as if he had suffered qi deviation!

"Who! Who's speaking so loudly!"

Zhao Gongming roared lowly, then spat out a mouthful of blood, his beard stained with it, and cried out shakily,

"Master, this disciple's dao injury... I can't go back."

The Elucidation Teaching immortals all had black lines on their foreheads.