Chapter 505: The God-Slaying Spear Suddenly Appears

Upon hearing the four words "Bu Zhan Zhi Yue," the immortals from various sides reacted in their own ways.

Li Changshou produced several backup scrolls and passed them among the immortals of the two sects, then handed his own copy to the three senior brothers.

This so-called "Bu Zhan Zhi Yue" was not the Heavenly Way oath that Li Changshou understood best, but rather a pure agreement.

The core content was straightforward: if either the Chan Jiao or Jie Jiao sect declared war or secretly provoked the other before the discussions at Zixiao Palace, then Ren Jiao would fully support the other side.

Most of the text on the scroll detailed the duration of the constraints, expanded on applicable scenarios, and minimized loopholes that could be exploited.

Before long, the three senior brothers each nodded in agreement, and the immortals from the two sects also found the matter satisfactory.

Some immortals from Chan Jiao were dissatisfied, which was understandable, as signing the "Bu Zhan Zhi Yue" meant the two sects could not go to war, and that twelve-grade red lotus seemed destined to fall into the hands of Jie Jiao...

But speaking up now would only make them look like spies planted by Xi Fang Jiao.

Thus, no one from Chan Jiao voiced any complaints.

All of this, of course, was within Li Changshou's calculations.

Jie Jiao valued loyalty, while Chan Jiao prized reputation; the former had many who acted impulsively, while the latter had more who played it safe.

These were all aspects that could be factored into his plans.

Once the three senior brothers had each written their Dao titles, and aside from Ren Jiao, the other side had three highly respected senior disciples step forward to add their names, this non-Heavenly Way "agreement" was finalized.

It would remain in effect until the saints' meeting at Zixiao Palace.

Xuan Du Great Mage raised the scroll high, about to deliver a speech that was neither impassioned nor stirring, but Li Changshou whispered beside him,

"It's not over yet, senior brother. It's best to make three copies for the three sects to keep."

Xuan Du Great Mage chuckled and let Li Changshou continue his arrangements...

Half an hour later, the "Bu Zhan Zhi Yue" was settled.

Huang Long Zhen Ren let out a gentle sigh of relief and said,

"I don't know why, but I feel much more at peace now."

"One vine bears three flowers; the three sects are originally one family.

Why resort to fighting and killing? Better to sit idly and sip tea."

"Since we've signed the 'Bu Zhan Zhi Yue' today, let's each return to our caves, focus on cultivation, and wait for our three teachers to discuss the great calamity at Zixiao Palace. If we need to face the calamity, we'll go through the mortal world then!"

"If we've offended you before, please don't hold it against us, fellow Chan Jiao members—don't hold it against us."

"Our sect also had some mishandlings..."

The previously tense atmosphere finally eased.

Whether for the sake of face or decorum, the immortals from both sides now spoke in gentle tones, appearing harmonious at first glance.

This was exactly:

The red lotus is about to emerge, stirring Chan and Jie sects, all to protect their fortunes through the calamity.

Yet schemes abound here, with overt plots and tricks nearly drawing swords.

A single agreement halts the war; Chang Geng's clever plan brings temporary peace.

Immortals from both sects share their thoughts, then return to the mountains to cultivate immortality.

Just as the two sects were getting along amicably, Chi Jing Zi stroked his beard and asked,

"Then... how should we handle this red lotus?"

The top floor of the Wheelback Tower fell silent once more.

Li Changshou laughed and said,

"This can be easily resolved. Today, let's have the three sects work together to locate the red lotus and see if we can retrieve it.

If we can't take the red lotus and its emergence would bring disaster to the Three Realms, then we'll destroy it with all our might.

If we can take it, we'll present it to our three teachers for them to decide how to handle it.

What do you all think?"

The Chan Jiao immortals pondered this carefully; having the saint teachers make the decision was indeed the best approach.

The Jie Jiao immortals thought hard about it; as long as they could retrieve the red lotus, their master was in need of such a treasure to suppress their sect's fortunes—who would the two senior uncles deny it to?

It would almost certainly go to their Jie Jiao!

Thus, the immortals from both sects nodded in agreement. The Chan Jiao side praised Water God Li Chang Geng for his wisdom and strategy, while the Jie Jiao side marveled that their son-in-law was truly bending his elbow inward.

After another round of pleasantries, Li Changshou handed over control of the situation to the three senior brothers and secretly informed Xuan Du Great Mage of Jin Peng's location...

Afterward, Li Changshou went to a corner, exchanged a glance with Qing Niu and Bai Ze, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Temporarily sorted out.

Bai Ze transmitted his voice in admiration,

"Water God's schemes are impressive, putting in so much effort for the Dao lineage—truly deserving of rewards."

Qing Niu added,

"Chang Geng senior brother, you did a great job today!"

Li Changshou glanced at the sky, swallowed the words he wanted to say about debts, and smiled with his eyes narrowed. He sat down on the spot to meditate and continue his thoughts.

He had temporarily suppressed the conflict between Chan and Jie; next, he needed to focus on planning for the red lotus...

A moment later, Duobao Dao Ren and Guang Cheng Zi began issuing orders.

The plan for searching and retrieving the red lotus had already been fully formulated by Li Changshou earlier and handed to the senior brother great mage; now it was just being relayed through Xuan Du Great Mage to mobilize the three sects' immortals.

This time, the Dao lineage would make a high-profile entrance to drive away scattered cultivators from various places and suppress any troublesome Asuras;

The heavenly soldiers, heavenly generals, and underworld forces would serve as the Dao lineage's backup, sealing off the entrances to the underworld if necessary.

Considering that the secret realm where the red lotus was located was undoubtedly extremely dangerous, if too many Dao lineage cultivators with insufficient cultivation or without major treasures for protection went, they would not only die in vain but also hinder the top experts.

Thus, in Li Changshou's plan, the operation would center on the three senior brothers, forming a small team of about ten people.

Before long, streams of figures flew out of the Wheelback Tower, heading to the edges of the Blood Sea to provide support.

The three senior brothers had also selected their accompanying experts and were waiting for two or three more to arrive.

For Ren Jiao, it was naturally Xuan Du Great Mage and Li Changshou as the master-disciple pair;

Chan Jiao's senior brother favored Taiyi Zhen Ren, who tried every excuse to decline and showed great reluctance, but was still pushed onto the mission by Yu Ding Zhen Ren.

Jie Jiao was the most enthusiastic.

The three great immortals attending Tong Tian Jiao Zhu—Wu Yun Great Immortal, Ling Ya Immortal, and Jin Gu Immortal—volunteered, but were politely declined by Duobao Dao Ren.

The seven immortals attending Tong Tian Jiao Zhu were seven experts serving him, with profound magical power and good skills, though they had not been granted major treasures by Tong Tian Jiao Zhu, so their overall combat strength was slightly inferior to the eight great disciples of Jie Jiao.

Among the eight great disciples, Qiong Xiao, Bi Xiao, and Gui Ling Sheng Mu were half a step weaker than the other five, so they were also screened out by Duobao Dao Ren, leaving the other five to join the operation.

—Although Bi Xiao was purely "sitting at home when trouble came from the underworld," staying on San Xian Island the whole time without any involvement.

Qiong Xiao felt frustrated about this and ran over, pouting as she called out to Li Changshou,

"Sister's husband!"

Li Changshou could only use the excuse of "not interfering with Jie Jiao's senior brother's decisions" to temporarily placate her.

At this point, the Dao lineage's red lotus retrieval team was waiting for Wu Dang Sheng Mu, Jin Ling Sheng Mu, and Yun Xiao Xian Zi to arrive...

In the corner, Li Changshou asked,

"Mr. Bai, would you like to join us in searching for the red lotus later?"

Bai Ze replied with a smile,

"If Water God needs me, I will certainly follow."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Bai," Li Changshou said seriously. "This journey is full of treachery and uncertainty; I can't see the exact dangers clearly.

With your divine ability to seek fortune and avoid disaster, we'll have an extra layer of protection."

If possible, Li Changshou himself didn't want to go to such a perilous place, but Tai Qing Teacher had given so many treasures, along with that directive...

Qing Niu laughed and said,

"Chang Geng senior brother, I'll go with you too.

Our Ren Jiao has few disciples and not enough followers, so we'll just have to make do with a mount."

"How could I let you enter such a dangerous place?"

Li Changshou smiled and refused, transmitting his voice: "Later, I'll need you to keep an eye on Qiong Xiao. She's hot-tempered and loves to cause trouble; if she tries to act on her own, use the Diamond Bracelet to seize her Golden Jiao Scissors."

The sturdy Qing Niu touched the ring on his nose and asked in confusion,

"Chang Geng senior brother, how did you know this is a major treasure refined by Lao Jun?"

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...

Uh, he had let it slip in conversation.

How could he not know? You, old one, are the Kirata Great King in the future Journey to the West calamity, who took the Ruyi Jingu Bang, robbed Nezha's six treasures, toyed with the heavenly immortals and gods like monkeys, and only reverted to your true form when Lao Jun arrived, then patted your backside and left.

To be fair, the Kirata Great King's own abilities, origins, and treasures far surpassed the dissipated Cow Demon King, truly making him the top bull of the Journey to the West.

Li Changshou smiled calmly without explaining.

The burly Qing Niu blinked, suddenly realizing something, and nodded as if he understood.

As for what exactly he understood... that wasn't important.

Bai Ze said,

"Water God, let's head over first."

"Alright," Li Changshou agreed, straightened his robes, and with a wave of his hand over his face, transformed into his usual young daoist appearance.

He then removed his white robe, changed into a cyan long shirt, turned his long hair from silver-white to black, and simply tied it up with a dao crown.

The reason for the change in appearance was mainly to stir up the three senior brothers' protective instincts...

It certainly wasn't because Yun Xiao was about to arrive, and he wanted to look a bit more handsome!

He turned, took a step forward, and the nearby Dao lineage experts all turned their gazes toward him, each with a smile that varied from faint to warm.

Drums?

No, it was his Dao heart suddenly trembling!

In an instant!

It was as if he had fallen into Nü Wa Niang Niang's "time stop" divine ability; in Li Changshou's eyes, the top floor of the tower suddenly lost its color, turning to deep gray, his primordial spirit twitched, and his spiritual awareness shook violently!

This was the sensation from his paper effigy!

The several major treasures he carried showed no anomalies!

Li Changshou snapped back to his senses instantly, cutting off the connection between his true body and that paper effigy, and analyzed the images flashing in his mind.

Blood Sea, on the back of the Jin Chi Big Peng Bird...

Just as that intense sense of crisis erupted, ripples appeared in the universe before the paper effigy, and a pitch-black spear pierced through the void, stabbing straight at his chest!

The hidden Jin Chi Big Peng Bird reacted with incredible speed, bursting with golden feathers around him, but before the feathers fully emerged, the spear had already pierced the paper effigy's chest!

The image ended abruptly amid the Jin Chi Big Peng Bird's fierce cry.

That spear...

The twisted shadow in the rippling universe...

Just through the paper effigy, that overwhelming aura of slaughter made his mind tremble!

Li Changshou instinctively stepped back half a pace, his face paling slightly, his breathing a bit labored.

This great desolation... just how many dangers were still hidden...

Li Changshou's sudden abnormality caught the eyes of the more than ten immortals present.

Xuan Du Great Mage flashed to Li Changshou's side, grabbing his wrist, and a peaceful aura enveloped him.

At the same time, the spiritual awareness of the Taiji Chart fell upon Li Changshou's heart;

This innate supreme treasure, which had accompanied Tai Qing Saint since the creation of heaven and earth, was well-versed in many things and now formed three large characters in Li Changshou's heart, revealing the origin of that spear.

"What happened?" Xuan Du Great Mage asked with concern.

"Senior brother, hurry!"

Li Changshou sent the yin-yang qi from his palm flying out, transforming it into the Taiji Chart that settled on the great mage's left shoulder. "The location I mentioned earlier—Jinpeng is in danger, it's the Lu Shen Spear!"

The great mage's spirit lifted, and his figure vanished without a trace, leaving ripples across the universe.

With the innate supreme treasure Taiji Chart urged by the great mage, its power was fully displayed!

The immortals quickly surrounded them.

Duobao Dao Ren asked,

"What Lu Shen Spear?"

"Wasn't the Lu Shen Spear destroyed in ancient times?"

"Is it that Lu Shen Spear made from the roots of the Chaos Green Lotus? The weapon of Demon Ancestor Luo Hu back then?"

Li Changshou took a deep breath, with the Xuan Huang Pagoda hovering above his primordial spirit and the Qian Kun Ruler emerging from his palm, the anxiety and weakness in his heart dissipated...

Li Changshou explained,

"No time to delay; we'll discuss the details on the way. First, let's go help my senior brother.

I'm afraid that red lotus has been targeted by some extraordinary figure. I had a paper effigy guarding the suspected location, and it was just ambushed by a shadowy figure wielding the Lu Shen Spear.

Jinpeng probably isn't a match for the Lu Shen Spear, so I asked senior brother to go support him."

A mist rose from Li Changshou's palm, quickly forming several images.

Duobao Dao Ren flicked his sleeve and produced a bronze war chariot!

"No time for more explanations—get on the chariot!

We've been discussing here for so long; we can't let the red lotus be seized by others!"

Zhao Gongming, Li Changshou, and Bai Ze immediately boarded the chariot with Duobao Dao Ren.

Guang Cheng Zi turned to Yu Ding Zhen Ren and Taiyi Zhen Ren, instructing,

"Don't be reckless later."

The three Chan Jiao experts promptly followed.

As the bronze war chariot was about to activate, Qiong Xiao and Gui Ling Sheng Mu lowered their heads and tried to sneak on from the side.

But Qing Niu, remembering Li Changshou's earlier reminder, hurried over, spread his arms, and blocked the two Jie Jiao immortals...

Qing Niu said with a smile,

"Let's just ride the clouds over; we don't want to cause trouble for the senior brothers."

This delay allowed Duobao Dao Ren to activate the spirit treasure war chariot;

The universe ahead collapsed into a large hole, and the chariot turned into a streak of light, plunging into it as the universe instantly returned to normal.

Qiong Xiao glared at Qing Niu, then remembered he was Lao Jun's mount, huffed in slight dissatisfaction, and pulled Gui Ling Sheng Mu out of the tower.

With the Dao lineage experts gone, the Wheelback Tower quickly grew quiet.

Di Zang sat by the window, pondering Li Changshou's earlier words, and muttered to himself,

"Ting?"

"Don't ask, master," Ting replied obediently, lying down. "We can't get involved in this. Those three senior brothers from the Dao lineage are enough to handle it."

Di Zang frowned in thought and asked,

"Is there any scheme from the two teachers here?"

"It should be, going with the flow and giving it a push," Ting sighed, looking up at the low sky outside the window.

"As the great calamity approaches and the red lotus emerges, all sorts of demons and monsters are coming out.

In the great desolation since ancient times, the victors are pure and the defeated are turbid. Even if these turbids gather, how can they overcome the even stronger purities of today?

It's futile struggle; better to find a safe place and end it all."

"Hmm?"

Di Zang glanced at the blue-furred dog beside him. "Am I your safe place?"

"Of course not," Ting blinked and said righteously. "Back then, it was purely because I saw your wisdom and resourcefulness, master—not because of your status as a saint's disciple!"

"Hmph!"

Di Zang flicked his sleeve, sealing the entrances and exits of the Wheelback Tower, and sat there with eyes closed in meditation.

All of this had nothing to do with him anymore.

Merely moments after Li Changshou and the other Dao lineage immortals left the Wheelback Tower,

In the Blood Sea, above a massive vortex over a hundred li in diameter, Xuan Du Great Mage stood quietly, holding the blood-covered Jin Chi Big Peng Bird.

The Taiji Chart's aura lingered, and fragments of a slaughtering presence echoed around.

Below the vortex, the universe was repairing itself, with faint traces of Heavenly Way aura, as if this place had recently endured a heavenly punishment.

A circular hole collapsed in the universe, and the bronze war chariot burst out;

Duobao Dao Ren waved his hand to retrieve the spirit treasure, and the seven figures quickly rushed to the great mage's side.

"Senior brother!"

Li Changshou called out, pulling Bai Ze along as they hurried forward.

The absent-minded Xuan Du Great Mage turned around and gently pushed the unconscious Jin Chi Big Peng Bird toward Li Changshou.

The Jin Chi Big Peng Bird was covered in blood, his chain armor shattered, his long hair matted with blood, and there were over twenty deep puncture wounds on his body, each wrapped in wisps of black qi.

Fortunately, his primordial spirit was only lightly injured and was resisting the invasion of the slaughtering aura, with a rich medicinal power flowing within him...

Xuan Du Great Mage said a bit awkwardly,

"I was careless and let them escape."

Duobao Dao Ren asked,

"How many assailants were there?"

"Seems like three or four," Xuan Du Great Mage replied. "The one who ambushed Chang Geng's effigy and Jin Chi Big Peng probably lured us away on purpose."

Guang Cheng Zi asked,

"Senior brother, did you see their origins? Was it really the Lu Shen Spear?"

"No," Xuan Du Great Mage shook his head gravely. "It was the Lu Shen Spear, but not quite.

They just melted the remaining fragments of the Lu Shen Spear and reforged it, so it doesn't have the full power of the ancient Lu Shen Spear.

I exchanged one blow with him, and he threw Jin Chi Big Peng Bird at me before retreating directly, leaving faint shadows in the universe.

That unformed red lotus is with those assailants."

Li Changshou handed Jin Chi Big Peng Bird to Bai Ze for care and said,

"I have a method to search for the blood lotus... Senior brother, did you save my paper effigy?"

The great mage shook his head. "They took your paper effigy, as if searching for something in its storage treasure."

Hmm? Searching for something?

Li Changshou frowned in thought, then his eyes lit up.

What in his storage treasure would interest them? The usual heart fire, some poisons, a duster?

No, it was those ninety-nine souls entangled with karmic obstacles.

For the red lotus, they would be a small supplement.

Li Changshou pondered this, pacing back and forth above the Blood Sea, and silently apologized to those ninety-nine souls—it was his fault they would be scattered, and he'd have to burn some paper offerings later.

—Thankfully, Jin Chi Big Peng Bird wasn't seriously injured, so Li Changshou's previously tense state relaxed.

The priority now was to quickly locate the red lotus.

Li Changshou looked at Guang Cheng Zi and Duobao Dao Ren, cupped his hands, and said,

"I must trouble you two senior brothers to notify the immortals everywhere to seal off the Blood Sea and have unrelated individuals leave as soon as possible.

Just say that when the red lotus emerges, it will devour the souls of lower-cultivation beings to fill itself.

If reasoning doesn't work, drive them away directly; I'll have the heavenly soldiers and generals spread the word around."

"Excellent!"

"Agreed!"

Guang Cheng Zi and Duobao Dao Ren responded and immediately sent out streams of jade talismans.

Li Changshou paced back and forth, thinking, and had paper effigies rush to Yan Luo Hall to fetch dozens more souls entangled with karmic obstacles and hidden in corners, to aid in the search for the red lotus.

A flash of insight struck his mind, and Li Changshou's eyes brightened.

Merit!

Golden light surged from his right palm, drawing out a trace of merit that condensed into a lotus flower, wrapped in a layer of immortal power.

Holding this merit lotus, Li Changshou shifted his form a hundred li away, facing the Blood Sea in deep thought.

He knew that karmic obstacles and merit could offset each other, and the twelve-grade karmic red lotus was currently absorbing karmic obstacles, so it should repel merit...

But that wasn't quite right—the red lotus just didn't absorb merit; there was no need for it to actively avoid it.

He couldn't judge so simply.

Xuan Du Great Mage and the others caught up from behind but didn't dare disturb him; Li Changshou sat cross-legged above the Blood Sea, quietly pondering.

A moment later, several graceful figures flashed at the edge of the Blood Sea—one white, one gold, one light blue—all rushing toward this place...

Suddenly, Li Changshou grasped the key point and turned to shout,

"Duobao senior brother, do you have a merit spirit treasure I can borrow?"

"Cough," Xuan Du Great Mage interjected, "Chang Geng, no need for that trouble."

"Hmm?" Li Changshou was puzzled.

The great mage stood with his hands behind his back and gestured with his chin toward the southwest. "Look over there."

Li Changshou turned and his mouth twitched slightly.

Ninety thousand li to the southwest, a blood-red light pillar shot straight into the sky, with rings of halo constantly emanating from it, as if calling out...

At that moment, within the Blood Sea, on various "floating islands" where the Asura race lived,

Countless Asura men and women had their eyes filled with blood light; regardless of gender, age, or cultivation, they all flew out of the islands, forming streams in the Blood Sea, heading toward the blood-red light pillar.

Li Changshou instantly recognized the location at the base of the pillar.

It was the dragon's lair and tiger's den he had once entered while searching for the Wheelback Tower—the great city heavily guarded by Asura experts!

Standing there, Li Changshou seemed to see through the layers of barriers, past the Blood Sea waves, to the old man sitting in the ruins of the central great hall of that city, and the twelve-petaled lotus about to bloom...

Of course, he hadn't actually seen it; it was just his mental visualization.

In reality...

In that abandoned great hall, four shadowy figures stood at four positions—one holding a long spear, another gripping a broken sword—watching the red lotus as it gathered its twelfth petal.

The karmic obstacles the red lotus was gathering were still insufficient, so the twelfth petal wouldn't fully form.

The shadow of Ming He Old Ancestor appeared behind the red lotus again, but now it was extremely faint...

"Really going to save him? Wasn't being bullied by him back then enough?"

"He's the red lotus, and the red lotus is him. The ancient pact—he guarded against us too."

The shadowy figure holding the spear casually took out a cloth bundle, tore it open, and pulled out a spherical treasure, tossing it near the blood lotus.

Strands of karmic obstacle power flew out from it, quickly absorbed by the red lotus.

Well, something was better than nothing.

(The end of this chapter)