Yuan Yu’s feet pressed down on a cloud, accelerating swiftly. Her tall, ethereal figure arrived beside the Dragon Mother. After a moment’s contemplation, she suggested, “Why don’t we divide into three groups and approach the Three Holy Heavens from three different directions? That way, we can bypass the numerous checkpoints ahead.”
The Dragon Mother’s towering celestial body paused. Hearing the distant rumble of the pursuing forces, she unexpectedly declared with bold enthusiasm, “No need. We’ll just charge straight through. The more chaos, the better. Hmph! I want to see just how formidable the Queen Mother’s tricks really are!”
Break through all obstacles with sheer strength; overturn the world with mighty force!
Though somewhat reckless, the Dragon Mother possessed rare vigor and passion typically uncommon among women. This unique charm greatly inspired the morale of the entire aquatic army.
※※※※※※※※※※
In a realm of nothingness, a consciousness awakened from the darkness.
Ten blazing suns suddenly emerged in red radiance—Qiao San had unexpectedly been reborn, having barely survived the eighth of ten deadly tribulations. Without even reciting a spell, he could feel the surging power within him. The entire universe suddenly felt minuscule.
“Hahaha…”
Fueled by exhilaration, the man let out a bold, triumphant laugh. He leaped forward, ready to soar to the highest heavens and descend into the underworld, turning the world upside down!
“Bang!”
A dull thud echoed through the space, and a lump quickly formed on his head, finally bringing the rogue back to his senses.
He had indeed been reborn—but within a spherical barrier, a special formation from which even a Chaos Immortal would struggle to escape!
“Wuliang Shoufo!” (Boundless Longevity Buddha!)
A Taoist chant flew through the void. Qiao San turned toward the sound and saw, beyond a circular pane of crystal glass, the Queen Mother standing side by side with an old Taoist priest, his beard and hair completely white.
“Ha! Ha! Naughty Qiao, why don’t you jump again? You scoundrel, weren’t you mighty when you destroyed my Kunlun and ruined my Jade Pond?”
The Queen Mother wished to maintain her dignified and graceful demeanor, but she couldn’t suppress the immense satisfaction of revenge. She had waited for this day far too long. The Ten Sun Pearl was right before her eyes, and soon everything would be accomplished. How could she not momentarily lose her composure in triumph?
After several failed attempts to break free, Qiao San finally gave up. As he stared at the old bearded Taoist, a sudden realization flashed through his mind—Laojun, the Supreme One! This old fellow must be Laojun himself. And the formation trapping him—was it the legendary Bagua Crucible of the Sun and Moon? Legend said this cursed furnace could melt any magical artifact in heaven and earth!
At this thought, the rogue shivered involuntarily, and silently gave the Queen Mother a thumbs-up for her ruthlessness.
Damn it! The women of Heaven could really give someone like Jade Fan a run for her viciousness!
The Queen Mother observed every movement of her prey inside the furnace with delight and said solemnly, “Master Lao, the sun has risen. It’s time to begin the ritual.”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Rest assured. After eighty-one cycles of the sun and moon, the Ten Sun Pearl will be refined back into its primordial Chaos form.”
Laojun waved his whisk, and a ray of sunlight pierced through. Soon after, dozens of beams shone in from all directions, illuminating the Bagua Crucible in radiant golden light, making it dazzlingly beautiful.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, Qiao San inside the furnace was engulfed in a sea of flames. He finally understood why this cursed artifact was called the “Sun and Moon Bagua Crucible”—for the power of the blazing sun had been concentrated within. The indestructible inferno swirled like the Eight Trigrams, rising and spreading.
As Qiao San endured endless torment, the Queen Mother, thrilled yet shrewd, asked, “Master Lao, the Ten Sun Demon Body is unique. Could this actually help him survive another tribulation?”
“Your Majesty worries needlessly. Even an Indestructible Golden Body would turn to ashes in this furnace. Besides, I’ve already set up restrictions. Qiao San’s life will not be taken until the Ten Sun Pearl is fully refined.”
“Master Lao truly deserves his title as the Celestial Sage of Heaven. I feel much reassured!”
In a short while, the rogue was nearly burned to the brink of death, yet he remained alive—exactly as planned. The Queen Mother was delighted and completely at ease.
Time flew like an arrow. Day turned to night in an instant. As the sun and moon exchanged places, Laojun returned to the crucible. With a motion of his talisman, the light of the moon enveloped the Bagua Crucible, extinguishing the flames. Yet Qiao San still found no relief!
A ghostly, pure blue flame wrapped tightly around his body. No matter how he transformed or resisted, he couldn’t escape the soul-searing torment of the Yin fire.
“Heh… Heh… Demon, why struggle in vain? Surrender sooner and you may find peace. No one in the Three Realms can escape my Sun and Moon Bagua Crucible. Give up now!”
The old Taoist priest, feigning great compassion, delivered his sermon before leisurely departing the alchemy chamber like a transcendental hermit.
“Ah—”
At dawn, as the moon set and the sun rose once again, Qiao San’s torment resumed with perfect timing. In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed. With each cycle of day and night, the rogue would fearfully notice another layer of his red radiance fading away.
No matter how busy she was, the Queen Mother visited the crucible nearly every day. Each visit brought her more anticipation, her gaze growing more fervent.
Once the Ten Sun Pearl was separated from Qiao San, she would become the most powerful being in Heaven, feared by all—neither the Primordial Heaven Demon nor those self-righteous Three Sages would pose any threat anymore.
Outside the Eastern Gate of the Celestial Palace, the Golden Armor General led his personal guards up the heavenly steps.
One of the guards, walking humbly behind the general, quickly scanned the entire palace with a subtle glance. A mysterious divine light flickered, capturing the entire celestial domain in an instant.
The so-called “Celestial Palace” was merely a piece of land lifted high above the Western Continent of Avaricudvipa, elevated by the Heavens to symbolize their superiority. With seven-colored magical arrays and four colossal heavenly pillars, it floated high above the Nine Heavens.
As he stepped onto the vanity-built staircase, the Ghost Scripture Spirit sighed inwardly. Then, focusing his mind, he felt a blood connection—two threads, one strong and one weak. The strong one was naturally his son, while the weak one must be the poor little one.
The Golden Armor General led the Book Spirit into the Eastern Gate. Passing beneath the Demon-Reflecting Mirror at the gate’s summit, the general had initially felt somewhat nervous. But when he looked up, he was shocked to see that the Book Spirit’s reflected aura was several times purer than his own, causing him to sweat in confusion.
How could a demon’s aura appear purer than a deity’s? Was the Demon-Reflecting Mirror broken? Hmm, that’s possible. This mirror had been in use for thousands of years; perhaps it was time for a replacement.
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