After explaining with utmost enthusiasm, the golden-armored deity, now hoarse, suddenly added with a laugh, “Heavenly King, since I’ve worked so hard, could you spare a few thousand taels as a reward? Hehe…”
“Hmm, not bad!”
Qiao San instinctively nodded, then suddenly realized he had fallen into the golden-armored deity’s little trap. However, being naturally generous toward his companions, and seeing that the golden-armored deity showed great potential for being a rascal, he generously handed over another thousand taels as a reward.
Qiao San once again stepped onto a cloud, but to his surprise, the golden-armored deity quickly followed, bowing respectfully and saying, “Heavenly King, ahead there are still a few minor checkpoints. Allow this humble servant to guide the way, so as not to let dust stain Your Majesty’s extraordinary celestial grace.”
Before his words had even faded, the golden-armored deity had already soared halfway into the sky, bowing his head in a welcoming gesture.
The three figures disappeared from the sight of the Four Symbols Generals and the heavenly troops. The Rain Deity wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and struggled to his feet, murmuring, “Has Golden Armor betrayed us? Why is he following the Primordial Heavenly King?”
“Wrong, completely wrong! Golden Armor enjoys his comfortable life in the heavenly realms—how could he possibly betray Heaven?”
From among the heavenly soldiers, the Silver-Armored Deity emerged, finally straightening his spine after previously cowering. Like a wise sage, he sighed, “Brother Rain, you don’t understand how devoted Golden Armor is to silver. He won’t stop until he gets all fifty thousand taels back! Truly admirable, Golden Armor’s perseverance—how admirable indeed!”
Indeed, none understood Golden Armor better than Silver Armor!
Along the way, at every checkpoint, Golden Armor tirelessly handled all the arrangements, bustling about until drenched in sweat. And just as Qiao San was deeply moved, Golden Armor would always promptly extend both hands with a beaming smile, receiving one banknote after another.
As they neared the so-called “necessary checkpoint” Golden Armor had mentioned, Xuan Nu quickened her pace and approached the Primordial Heavenly King, saying anxiously, “Master, Chi Yuan Immortal is your peer in cultivation and surely possesses formidable power. With heavenly soldiers guarding the pass, perhaps we should take a detour?”
“A detour? But Golden Armor said this was the only way—how can we detour?”
“Wu——”
As the two conversed, a sudden blaring of war drums pierced the sky. A massive, dark swarm of figures rose into the air, their weapons flashing so brightly that even the midday sun paled in comparison.
“Primordial Dao Brother, Chi Yuan has been waiting for you for quite some time. I trust you’ve been well?”
A super-sized, overweight immortal, wearing ragged straw sandals and lying lazily atop a cloud, floated toward them. Though still far away, an invisible pressure radiated from him, forcing Xuan Nu to involuntarily retreat a step on her cloud.
Qiao San slightly shifted his shoulders, and instantly, Xuan Nu felt a gentle breeze and clear skies return around her. With a single move, he had countered the pressure. Merging with his cloud, Qiao San suddenly appeared right before Chi Yuan Immortal.
Facing the enormous figure that seemed ready to crush the very clouds beneath him, fragments of the Primordial Heavenly King’s memories surged through Qiao San’s mind. Feeling the immense power radiating from Chi Yuan, he exclaimed in amazement, “Wow, Brother Chi Yuan, you’ve slimmed down! Has weight loss become popular in Heaven now?”
“A hundred years apart, and the Heavenly King has only grown more humorous. It seems your cultivation has advanced further—truly something to celebrate.”
Chi Yuan struggled to sit upright, his massive belly quivering as he spoke with nostalgia, “A century ago, I lost to you by a single move, and the Three Sages bestowed the Eternal Scripture upon you. Ah… I’ve never truly accepted that defeat!”
Though Qiao San wasn’t the real Primordial Heavenly King, he could still sense Chi Yuan’s overwhelming battle intent and formidable power. Thinking quickly, he replied with a smile, “Brother Chi Yuan, surely you’re no ordinary immortal. Can’t you see the Queen Mother’s hidden ambitions? I refuse to believe you’re someone who can’t tell right from wrong.”
“Haha… No need to provoke me, Heavenly King. I’m no fool, but if it means a full-power battle with you, Chi Yuan wouldn’t mind playing the villain for once. If I miss this chance, I fear Primordial Brother might never again summon the will to fight. Defeat me, and you may pass.”
The rogue’s mind jolted—he had run into a true martial fanatic. He couldn’t help but admire the Queen Mother’s cunning, then sighed helplessly before straightening his posture. “Brother Chi Yuan, it seems today’s battle is unavoidable. Shall it be martial combat or magical contest? Please decide, Brother Chi Yuan!”
Once his mind was set, Qiao San no longer showed the slightest hint of laziness. Swinging his sleeves, his scholar’s robe clung tightly to his body, radiating an immense battle aura that stirred the very winds and clouds of the void.
“Engaging in battle with magical treasures lacks excitement. Allow this immortal to witness how much your martial prowess has improved over the past hundred years. Behold this move!”
Before the words had even finished, the overweight Chi Yuan leaped up with the agility of a nimble monkey. Despite his massive frame, he moved with lightning speed—truly worthy of his reputation as a Great Arhat Immortal.
Though called a martial contest, every move between immortals was imbued with radiant spiritual energy. Chi Yuan tore a piece of cloud and flung it like a hidden weapon straight at the Primordial Heavenly King.
Instinctively, Qiao San threw a punch. The force of his fist shattered the cloud into countless needle-like fragments, which shot forward and pierced through the Primordial Heavenly King’s protective formation.
“Damn it, he’s this strong! I can’t even imagine how the real Primordial managed to defeat him!”
Cold sweat poured down the rogue’s back. He had nearly been hit in the first exchange. Changing his fists to palms, he traced a Bagua pattern in the air, summoning a whirlpool of spiritual energy that absorbed all the cloud-needles.
After an earth-shaking tremor, Chi Yuan, unable to land a decisive blow, suddenly grew even “fatter.”
“Haha… Heavenly King, your style remains as impressive as ever, but nothing new! Try this brand-new ultimate move I’ve devised!”
Chi Yuan charged forward, not using any complex techniques, but taking one powerful step after another. Each footfall shattered the space beneath him. His outstretched arms resembled two indestructible iron gates, aiming to crush his prey in a deadly embrace.
At this moment, Qiao San finally understood why Chi Yuan was so “fat”—because this was his ultimate technique.
Space cracked and collapsed step by step. Though far away, Xuan Nu still felt the shockwave from Chi Yuan’s first step, causing her to slip downward. By the time she stabilized herself, she had already fallen over a hundred zhang.
A flash of worry crossed Xuan Nu’s eyes. For the first time, she felt genuine concern for her master. Chi Yuan was even more powerful than the legends claimed!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage