Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 387: The Formation Broken

Although the Sea-Submerging Dragon resided in the Northern Sea, he had many aquatic creatures under his control and was well-informed about various matters across the four seas. All the Dragon Palaces in the four seas had luminous walls, except for the one in the Western Sea, which was dark and lightless. Upon arriving at the Free and Easy Palace today, wasn’t this exactly that luminous wall from the Western Sea?

The Immortal of the Southern Pole was startled and asked, “How do you know?”
The Sea-Submerging Dragon replied, “It’s known throughout the world. How can you still be so ignorant?”
The Immortal of the Southern Pole faintly felt that Guanyin had stepped into troubled waters. The luminous wall of the Western Sea was a gift from the Jade Emperor, and if this matter became public, it would bring great shame.

Seeing the fierce threats from the demons of Qi Tian Ling who had invaded the Free and Easy Palace, he wondered what their intentions were. It was said that even the Buddhas and Taoists of the Western Heaven could not overpower them, let alone he. Better not provoke them. After all, a true hero avoids immediate losses. Since they were here to find Guanyin, why make enemies?

With these thoughts, the Immortal of the Southern Pole chuckled and said, “I’ve never been to the four seas, so naturally I don’t know the origin of this precious pearl. If it was indeed stolen from the Western Sea, the Great Heavenly Emperor should handle it—it has nothing to do with me. Since the Bodhisattva isn’t here, I’ll go look elsewhere. Goodbye.”

He retreated quickly. As soon as he finished speaking, his figure was already outside the gate. From outside, a voice said with a smile, “Has the immortal come to look for me?”
It was Guanyin Bodhisattva herself. She had largely understood the Immortal of the Southern Pole’s intentions. Guanyin had always disdained him and only allied with him as a temporary measure. Their residences were close, allowing for mutual support. Thus, it was within Guanyin’s expectations that he would back down when faced with difficulty. But today, with so many people from Qi Tian Ling arriving, Guanyin couldn’t handle them alone—how could she let him escape so easily?

Guanyin stepped into the palace gate. The Immortal of the Southern Pole showed no sign of embarrassment as he followed in and said, “Since the Bodhisattva has arrived, that’s perfect. With so many guests showing up uninvited, as the host, she should at least entertain them.”

Upon entering, Guanyin glanced at Jùmáng and Rùshōu and realized that fighting today would surely yield no advantage. She said, “You’ve come from afar—there must be a reason.”

Seeing the Bodhisattva remain calm in the face of such a threat, Jùmáng secretly admired her composure. Unaware that Guanyin had been uneasy ever since meeting Tathagata, feeling constantly in danger, she was now in a state of turmoil and no longer concerned about the invaders from Qi Tian Ling.

In the Free and Easy Palace, there were only two things that shouldn’t be seen: the luminous wall of the Western Sea and the Great Five Elements Spiritual Blood Formation. Guanyin still didn’t know why these people from Qi Tian Ling had come, so she didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.

Jumang said, “Yingzhao Taifeng has already returned to Qitianling. Why would the Bodhisattva ask this? Isn’t it unnecessary?”
Guanyin uttered an “oh” — it turned out it was related to the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Formation. This formation was a major task entrusted to Guanyin by Tathagata. If it were broken, Tathagata would surely take his anger out on her. Even so, battle was inevitable today.
Thinking of Tathagata, Guanyin felt an indescribable annoyance. That constant sense of being watched was truly painful, nothing compared to her freedom alone. As she pondered, she even had a thought that chilled her to the core — to leave the Buddhist sect!
But this idea vanished instantly. How could Tathagata allow her to defect so easily? If she really took that step, even in this vast world, there might be no place for her to hide.
Guanyin said, “Qitianling interferes too much!”
Jumang replied, “Worldly affairs should be handled by the people of the world.”
Guanyin nodded and said, “In that case, battle today is unavoidable.” She turned to the Southern Pole Immortal and asked, “Eternal Life Emperor, where will you go?”
The Southern Pole Immortal was momentarily at a loss, but seeing Guanyin’s calm expression as if nothing had happened, he gritted his teeth and said, “The South Sea will not allow outsiders to invade. I must defend it alongside the Bodhisattva!”
Guanyin said, “Good!”
Then, with her white robes fluttering, Guanyin spun in place and transformed into her Glazed Jade Guanyin form. Holding a one-foot-tall glazed furnace in her hands, she said to Jumang, “I’ve heard that the Wood God’s control over wood is unmatched in the world. Let me witness it.”
On the other side, Rushou could no longer hold back. Standing in front of Jumang, he said, “Enough talk. I’ll fight you!”
Guanyin smiled slightly. “They’re all the same.” Her form changed again; the glazed furnace in her hand turned into a small fish basket, and a fishing rod appeared in her right hand, with a shiny hook dangling from it, its edge gleaming brightly.
The Southern Pole Immortal laughed at Jumang and said, “Since the Wood God is free now, let me try a few moves against you.”
Jumang remained unperturbed and slowly took out the Tree of Eternal Life, saying, “Please.”
Seeing the Tree of Eternal Life in Jumang’s hands, the Southern Pole Immortal’s greed was evident. He picked up his jade crutch and pointed it remotely. The crutch’s head spat out several green vines that swirled toward Jumang.
Jumang nodded slightly. The Southern Pole Immortal was indeed skilled in the art of eternal life through wood — emphasizing continuity and endless growth. Judging from the momentum of those green vines, it was clear he had real talent to sit among the Six Sovereigns.

Jumang silently recited the spell, and the Longevity Art in his hand transformed into a green vine that wrapped around the Jade Dove staff. The green vine wrapped around Jumang without any resistance, and he paid it no mind—any wood-related spell was easily dispelled for him. The source of the green vine spell lay in that Jade Dove staff; once that staff was controlled, everything would fall apart. With the Longevity Art wrapped around the staff, the Southern Pole Immortal was secretly pleased. The vine was soft, while the staff was hard; if he could seize the vine, it would greatly benefit his cultivation of the Longevity Art. As the two began to struggle, it took many by surprise. The Bull Demon King shouted, “It’s not a competition—attack together!” Fengtong gave him a signal, urging the Bull Demon King to go and entangle Guanyin, but Fuhai Jiao moved first. With a swish of his Sea-Subduing Whip, hundreds of cultivators in the Palace of Freedom immediately lost their footing; those with weaker cultivation simply fell to the ground. The Sea-Subduing Whip moved like a serpent, striking toward the Southern Pole Immortal’s back. Guanyin confronted Rushou for a moment before he attacked with his axe. Guanyin threw out her bamboo basket, which produced thousands of bamboo shadows in midair. Rushou responded to every change with steady, precise moves. When the bamboo shadows met the axe’s edge, they vanished instantly. Bamboo also belongs to wood, and metal can overcome wood. With the power of the Metal God at work, nothing could resist it. Guanyin’s move was merely a feint to delay the Metal God. She threw her fishing rod, and the hook landed precisely on the Sea-Subduing Whip. Pulling it back, the whip’s direction shifted, passing by the Southern Pole Immortal and striking toward Jumang. Fuhai Jiao hurriedly retracted it and, instead of using weapons, revealed his true form—a giant dragon dozens of zhang long, lunging at Guanyin with bared fangs and claws. Rushou frowned slightly; he couldn’t allow himself to be seen as fighting one against two, so he stopped attacking. Without turning around, Guanyin shook her rod again, and the hook pierced Fuhai Jiao’s body, breaking through his scales and causing blood to flow. With a loud cry, Fuhai Jiao swung his claws, trying to crush Guanyin beneath them. The Bull Demon King shook his head repeatedly, saying, “Fourth Brother’s temper is terrible!” Guanyin took out a pure bottle from her sleeve with her left hand and hurled it at Fuhai Jiao. It was unclear how much water was in the bottle, but back by the Tongtian River, Fuhai Jiao couldn’t even lift it. If it hit true this time, the consequences would be unimaginable. Seeing the situation turn critical, the Metal God swung his right hand, sending a short axe flying that just in time intercepted the bottle. With a loud crash, Guanyin’s expression changed. She retrieved the bottle and examined it carefully, finding a grain-sized dent on its surface. As Fuhai Jiao’s claws descended, Guanyin spun swiftly and soared into the air, shouting, “Going all out against the outnumbered?”

The Sea-Submerging Dragon reverted to human form, forcefully pulled out the hook from its body, and was quite resentful. The Bull Demon King said, “Fourth brother, you’re still no match for her.” The Sea-Submerging Dragon roared in anger and shouted, “I’ll tear down your Free and Easy Palace!” It swung its Sea-Submerging Whip, causing chaos throughout the palace—turbulent waves rose, and many buildings collapsed in an instant. Guanyin tried to stop the Sea-Submerging Dragon but was blocked by Rùshōu, forcing her to be cautious. The Sea-Submerging Dragon used its aerial skills to destroy the Free and Easy Palace completely. Fengtong never stopped moving; it wasn’t his turn to act, so he simply followed the Sea-Submerging Dragon. When an iron house was turned upside down, Fengtong exclaimed, “This is it!” He descended and saw that the iron house had no doors or windows, sealed tightly. Fengtong swung his sharp claws and, after just over a dozen strikes, dug a large hole. He leaped in and was immediately overwhelmed by the stench of blood—seems there had been a great deal of blood inside. Fengtong carved more holes before finally seeing that there were twenty-five men lying or sitting inside, all with shattered heads, clearly killed when the house was turned upside down. Even those still alive were unconscious. Upon closer inspection, Fengtong noticed a large array carved on the iron roof, filled with twisted grooves, from which fresh blood dripped. He realized that what should have been the floor of the house was now the roof, with blood flowing beneath to power the array. The array had been destroyed by the Sea-Submerging Dragon’s actions. To be sure, Fengtong dragged out the corpses—seven or eight in total—all beyond saving. He jumped out and drained their blood before feeling relieved. It wasn’t out of cruelty but because the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Array required the blood of people from the five elements to function. Now that the source of blood had been cut off, rebuilding the array would take many years. Guanyin watched from afar clearly but was helpless against Rùshōu’s strength; no matter what divine powers she used, she couldn’t overcome him. Seeing the Great Five Elements Spirit Blood Array destroyed, she sighed inwardly, realizing it was beyond her ability to restore it. She wondered how the Buddha would punish them. Meanwhile, the battle between Jùmáng and the Southern Pole Immortal had also reached a conclusion. The Southern Pole Immortal thought he could barely defeat the gentle Jùmáng, but unexpectedly, the green vine possessed an endless source of strength, growing stronger by the moment.

His cultivation base was already weaker than Jumang’s, and he gradually lost grip on the jade crow walking stick in his hand. The Immortal of the South Pole silently recited a few spells, and suddenly, the green vines entwined around Jumang sprouted countless poisonous thorns out of thin air, piercing into Jumang’s body. Jumang let out a muffled groan as all the green vines fell off his body. Shouting, “All the trees under heaven belong to me!” He saw the Immortal of the South Pole’s viciousness and stopped holding back. Wielding his Eternal Life Whip, he swung it forcefully, sending the Immortal of the South Pole tumbling backward.