Chapter 476: Kill Taiyi, Righteous Heart

With a thunderous cry, the tower was seized, and the nine Daoist experts reacted in various ways.

Never mind whether the experts from Huang Long, Taiyi, and that certain Shou were using fake credentials.

Li Changshou was exceptionally skilled in escape techniques. Even without using his ultimate escape cards, the combination of Qiankun Escape and Wind Escape was enough to earn the description "swift as thunder and lightning."

In a flash, he appeared before the Western Teachings experts. The Taiji Diagram materialized behind him, the Xuanhuang Pagoda hovered above his head, and his feet moved in a light, swaying step before his figure vanished once more.

The Western Teachings experts, however, were not caught off guard; they seemed prepared, each channeling their immortal power and raising their treasures.

Among these Saint disciples, there were those who were "ruthless and taciturn."

One old Daoist suddenly leaped up, holding a bright copper-colored alms bowl in his left hand and a golden short staff in his right, smashing it fiercely into the empty void. Strangely, it struck two wisps of Xuanhuang aura!

Protected by these two supreme treasures, Li Changshou remained unharmed, but his escape technique was broken, forcing him to retreat quickly.

The initiative was lost!

Yet Li Changshou stayed calm, suspending himself in the air to draw the attention of the Western Teachings disciples here.

For a moment, Daoist rhymes surged before the Wheelback Tower, figures darted chaotically, and streaks of light shot skyward as the Western Teachings' Saint disciples moved to block them.

Among Li Changshou's group, the fastest to react was Kong Xuan.

This great power, born of the Phoenix Clan and renowned for his speed, swept his Five-Color Divine Light forward. In an instant, figures were sealed by the divine light, treasures lost their power, and he charged straight toward Li Changshou's position, as if nothing could stand in his way.

But as Kong Xuan passed Li Changshou's side, cracks suddenly appeared in the Qiankun ahead. He collided into them and was instantly trapped in a great array, with over a dozen experts activating it to isolate him from the battle!

This trap had originally been set for Li Changshou!

Following Kong Xuan came five figures. Duobao, Jinling Shengmu, and Yunxiao Xianzi charged ahead quickly, while Yuding Zhenren and Zhao Gongming advanced more slowly.

Now, look at Yunxiao Xianzi!

Her long skirt swayed gently, her three thousand strands of hair unmoving, her skin fair and her face serene. In her clear eyes, Li Changshou's figure was reflected. Though she knew he was protected by supreme treasures and safe, she couldn't help but feel concern in her heart.

The Hunyuan Gold Fight burst with golden light as her slender hand scattered waves of immortal radiance, wounding over a dozen people in an instant.

Now, look at Jinling Shengmu!

She wore a light golden robe, her long hair elegantly coiled.

As she surged forward, her six-armed form appeared, six slender arms emerging seamlessly from her back, each gripping various treasures, striking without mercy.

With a flash of sword light, two Western Teachings Saint disciples were directly slain, their fleeing primordial spirits barely escaping.

When she raised the Dragon-Tiger Ruyi, even a Daluo would spit blood and retreat if struck.

As she turned the Four Symbols Pagoda, a large group of Western Teachings experts were suppressed, struggling to breathe.

Jinling Shengmu's beautiful face was now full of cold intent; she killed without hesitation and struck without restraint.

Yunxiao had only wounded fewer than twenty when Jinling Shengmu had already severely damaged the forms of four or five Western Teachings disciples.

Three more were shattered in their primordial spirits by the Dragon-Tiger Ruyi.

Now, look at Duobao!

Duobao transmitted his voice in time, advising the Daoist experts:

"Today, it's best not to engage in mass slaughter. Saints will surely arrive soon. We can injure them, but don't kill too many Western disciples."

Jinling Shengmu huffed in dissatisfaction, while Yunxiao Xianzi had already taken note of this.

If anyone witnessed this scene, they might wonder—

Why were these top Daoist experts, along with the great power Kong Xuan, fighting in such a "lackluster" manner?

But that depends on who they're facing.

The over 160 beings here were all Western Teachings Saint disciples, including many with profound cultivation who rarely appeared in the Great Wilderness.

Moreover, Li Changshou's sudden assault was clearly anticipated by the Western Teachings.

A large group of Western Teachings Saint disciples had formed an implicit array, supporting and protecting each other, bolstered by the many spiritual treasures they had refined with incense and merit over the years. When unleashed, it created quite an imposing force.

Thus, the Western Teachings did not collapse instantly.

They had held out for several breaths!

At this point, with eight Daoist disciples and Kong Xuan attacking, and under Duobao's reminder to hold back, they had forced the Western Teachings experts—including the twelve great disciples of Saint Jiyin—to retreat steadily. This was already quite an achievement.

Among the few Saint disciples Jinling Shengmu casually killed, there was even one with deep Dao attainment, now reduced to ashes.

A Western Teachings old Daoist kept transmitting his voice, and all the capable experts stepped forward to guard the Wheelback Tower.

Li Changshou's figure shifted continuously in the air, relying on the power of the Taiji Diagram and Xuanhuang Pagoda to remain steady and safe.

When Yunxiao Xianzi arrived to join him, he even positioned himself to protect her, acting the "manly protector" for once.

Just then...

Twenty-four stars burst with brilliant light as the Dinghai God Pearls appeared around the Wheelback Tower!

At that moment, Yuding Zhenren guarded Zhao Gongming's back, his multicolored square cauldron suppressing the dozens of incoming streams of light.

Zhao Gongming sat cross-legged in the crowd's center, his hands forming seals as he fully activated the Dinghai God Pearls!

The 360-level Wheelback Tower shook three times and, under the pearls' suppression, shrank by two full circles!

"You Daoist disciples are bullying us too far!"

A hunchbacked old Daoist roared in anger, raising his hands as a green banner flew out from behind him.

The green lotus on the banner emitted an ancient Daoist rhyme, instantly covering the sky and enveloping the Wheelback Tower.

The Qinglian Treasure Color Flag!

As the Dinghai God Pearls pressed down, the banner's edges fluttered wildly, as if bearing immense pressure.

Another dozen or so old Daoists soared up, their bodies glowing with golden light as they wielded treasures, smashing toward each Dinghai God Pearl.

The pearls' light flickered uncertainly, several trembling slightly from the impacts.

Sweat beaded on Zhao Gongming's forehead, but he snorted coldly and recited an incantation. The twenty-four Dinghai God Pearls began to shift rapidly, forming various arrays as they continued to suppress the tower.

Li Changshou and Yunxiao were surrounded by Western disciples. Though the Taiji Diagram and Xuanhuang Pagoda were powerful defensive treasures, the constant bombardment of the surrounding Qiankun left them unable to move.

Yunxiao Xianzi showed no anger, only focusing on protecting Li Changshou, not yet deploying the Nine Bends Yellow River Array from her sleeve.

The experts here were far superior to those demon clan foes.

But Li Changshou remained unflustered, a slight smile on his lips, which made the Western Teachings experts feel uneasy...

When it came to psychological warfare...

From the perspective of the paper effigy, the Blood Sea was now filled with golden orbs, from which ghostly souls emerged, wandering aimlessly.

It was all calculation upon calculation.

Saint Zhunti's apparent anger was a ploy, and building the tower here was another.

If their side hadn't discovered this mustard seed realm, the Wheelback Tower would have directly become a Heavenly Dao treasure—that was the surface layer of the Western Teachings' plan.

Now, Li Changshou had found this place, and Tongtian Jiaozhu had severed the tower's connection to the Heavenly Dao, but Saint Zhunti had protected the tower itself...

Then, Zhunti proactively suggested a battle beyond the heavens, drawing Tongtian Jiaozhu into a fight in the chaotic sea, gradually moving away from here.

Along the way, he diverted the attention of all the great powers in this world who could hinder the Western Teachings' next plan, focusing them on that inconclusive Saint battle in the Chaotic Sea.

At that moment, the Western Teachings struck secretly, splitting open the Qiankun above the Blood Sea and letting the accumulated souls of countless years flood into the underworld!

Li Changshou had figured all this out from the start!

His teacher, Taiqing, had granted him the Taiji Diagram to represent the Human Teachings in handling this, but Taiqing wouldn't intervene directly.

The first "do your best" plan was to seize the Wheelback Tower and make it a backup reincarnation tool for the underworld, allowing Niangniang Houtu some respite.

Li Changshou had thought of it, and so had the Western Teachings.

In this contest, what he faced wasn't just Jin Chan, Dizang, or Xu Puti—it was the entire Western Teachings.

When mutual scheming reached this level, victory could no longer rely on clever tricks; it required raw power!

Li Changshou's eyes gleamed with divine light, his long hair and robes fluttering. The Taiji Diagram behind him suddenly stopped spinning, and at the center of this battleground, he appeared extraordinarily commanding.

The Western Teachings experts were on high alert, especially...

Yunxiao Xianzi suddenly retreated, using the Hunyuan Gold Fight to block some streams of light as she headed toward Zhao Gongming.

The Western Teachings experts became even more vigilant, guarding against Li Changshou's potential outburst!

Sure enough...

"All things in balance!"

Li Changshou shouted to the heavens, his voice echoing through the world, as if yelling his innate divine ability at full volume would double its power!

Look, the waters surged!

The Western Teachings experts quickly retreated, and the treasures aimed at Li Changshou changed their trajectories under their owners' control.

They all knew this divine ability of the Water God; even their Saint lords had warned them to beware of him.

Once activated, it forcibly pulled them to the same cultivation level as the Water God, allowing him to easily eliminate those affected with his treasures!

As the saying goes, hearing about it a hundred times is nothing compared to experiencing it once.

Now, witnessing this profound divine ability, this graceful figure, this fleeting form, and this casual back as he dashed to the Wheelback Tower and pressed down on the Qinglian Treasure Color Flag...

"We've been tricked! He's using Wind Thunder Escape!"

At the Wheelback Tower, Li Changshou's Taiji Diagram swirled behind him, blocking all rear attacks.

Two wisps of yin-yang aura flowed from his palm and struck the banner's surface!

The Qinglian Treasure Color Flag shone brightly, its lotus pattern revealing yin-yang fish chasing each other.

"Seal!"

Li Changshou uttered a low command, and the banner instantly retracted its light, shrinking from its massive size that covered the tower to the size of a small banner, which he grasped in his hand.

As for adding this treasure to his collection—it was impossible.

This banner would likely have to be returned, as it was a Saint's treasure.

Around the tower, the twenty-four Dinghai God Pearls glowed intensely, and the dozens of incoming streams of light were all blocked by the Taiji Diagram Li Changshou had summoned.

At this point, the Taiji Diagram had barely unleashed even a tenth of its power.

Each flicker of the Dinghai God Pearls made the Wheelback Tower shrink another circle.

Li Changshou's figure wandered leisurely around the tower, using the Qiankun Ruler to tear open rifts that kept the Western Teachings experts at bay.

The situation was now eight parts secured!

At this moment, Li Changshou glanced toward the edge of the battleground, where Huang Long Zhenren and Taiyi Zhenren were entangled with Western Teachings experts, a hint of worry in his eyes.

Taiyi was fine, protected by his many treasures, including the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Hood.

As for Huang Long Zhenren...

He was only facing two Golden Immortals, and though they were mediocre, the fight was back and forth.

Glancing at Huang Long Zhenren's surroundings, and then at Jinling Shengmu, who was calmly and freely fending off nine old Daoists alone, or Duobao, who had hundreds of treasures floating around him and was cheerfully chasing dozens of Western Teachings disciples to beat them...

This old brother truly had deep blessings.

In the chaos, Dizang rode the Diting beast, circling near Zhao Gongming and occasionally pointing a finger or tossing a few treasures.

With Yuding Zhenren's cauldron on his left and Yunxiao Xianzi's Hunyuan Gold Fight on his right, Zhao Gongming focused entirely on channeling the Dinghai God Pearls' power, gradually suppressing and taming the Wheelback Tower.

The battle seemed to stabilize. Without a supreme treasure, the Western Teachings were doomed to lose the tower.

The man who could turn the tide finally...

Spoke up!

Taiyi Zhenren, caught up in the fight, smirked slightly and said coolly to the several Western Teachings Saint disciples surrounding him:

"Tongtian Shishu accepts disciples without discrimination; entering his sect depends on fate.

My teacher accepts based on blessings and origins; entering his sect depends on fortune.

Your Western Teachings outdo them all—accepting disciples based on... not being picky and going with the flow.

Impressive, isn't it?"

In an instant, the place fell into dead silence for the fourth time!

Li Changshou could clearly sense that these Western Teachings cultivators had been shaken to their Dao hearts, their pent-up anger ignited.

One old Daoist gritted his teeth and cursed:

"Kill!"

In a flash, nearly a hundred streams of light shot toward Taiyi Zhenren—not treasures, but cultivators with bloodshot eyes!

"Take him down!"

"Forget the Wheelback Tower! Kill Taiyi! Steady our Dao hearts!"

"Kill Taiyi! Steady our Dao hearts!"

Taiyi Zhenren shuddered immediately, summoning nine fire dragons from his chest to drive back his opponents. Two sparks flew from his sleeve, transforming into Wind Fire Wheels, which he stepped on and zoomed away for hundreds of miles...

Streams of light chased relentlessly, and Jinling Shengmu nearly couldn't resist joining the pursuit from behind.

Then came the cry:

"Changgeng, save me!"

Li Changshou: ...

With that, the area around the Wheelback Tower became even more secure.

Wait, something felt off.

Li Changshou glanced down at the grass ring on his wrist and noticed a faint red glow flickering on it, making his mouth twitch.

In his heart, a small, sorrowful voice said:

"I told you this would happen. Doing something like this would get us caught. Now it's over; we won't get out again.

Why did I help with this...

I'm so miserable...

I finally got to be used as a treasure, even convincing myself to be a spirit tool, and now it's ruined..."

"Ha!"

The avatar of anger laughed triumphantly, "He dared not use us—get him!"

These were avatars of Niangniang Houtu, right?

The angry one had a full personality and was naturally quick to anger; the others must have inherited it from Houtu's original template.

Were they really that petty?

Or was Taiyi Zhenren's verbal attack too devastating, holding a grudge since that yin-yang technique?

Li Changshou quickly transmitted a message to Taiyi, telling him to circle around and come to the Wheelback Tower, where he would use the Taiji Diagram to receive him.

But as soon as he spoke, a obscure, peaceful Daoist rhyme appeared around the Wheelback Tower.

His spiritual sense trembled, and his eyes sharpened as he realized what was happening. He turned and shouted to Zhao Gongming:

"Quick, retrieve the Dinghai God Pearls!"

Zhao Gongming hesitated, puzzled, since things were going smoothly.

In that brief moment...

The space beyond the heavens, illuminated by spiritual and treasure lights and array barriers, suddenly darkened. A massive hand appeared, casually pinching one Dinghai God Pearl.

Zhao Gongming activated his power at once, and the twenty-three remaining pearls returned to him instantly, but without the array, their effectiveness was greatly reduced!

The Saint disciples looked up to see a cloud of mist had appeared in the sky.

As the mist dispersed, an old Daoist in gray robes, sitting on a seven-colored lotus platform with a kind and serene face, held the now lotus seed-sized Dinghai God Pearl in his left hand and said slowly:

"Stop."

A wave of Daoist rhyme spread gently, and the experts here felt their will to fight fade, an inexplicable urge to bow in reverence rising within them.

The fighting indeed ceased. Jinling Shengmu and Duobao quickly retreated to Zhao Gongming's side, looking up at the old Daoist, seemingly less affected.

The old Daoist glanced down at Li Changshou by the Wheelback Tower, a faint smile on his lips.

Li Changshou also smiled, bowing with a Daoist salute and calling out with feigned emotion:

"Disciple of Taiqing, Li Changgeng, greets Uncle Jiyin."

"This tower still has great use for me."

"Understood. This disciple only acted because the tower looked so exquisite, tempted to take it back as a gift for my teacher. I hope Uncle won't hold it against me."

Li Changshou paused, then smiled and added: "Uncle, could you return Senior Brother Zhao's pearl?"

The old Daoist fell silent, saying no more and ignoring Li Changshou.

Li Changshou flew toward Zhao Gongming, the Taiji Diagram and Xuanhuang Pagoda glowing as a warning against any sudden moves.

From his sleeve, Li Changshou pulled out a green triangular flag and placed it in Zhao Gongming's hand, then sealed it thoroughly with over a dozen strands of yin-yang aura from the Taiji Diagram.

"Old brother, a lotus leaf from the Chaos Green Lotus—make do with it."

Zhao Gongming blinked, nodded in agreement, and tucked the flag into his robe.