Lei Zhenzi’s back shuddered, his wind and thunder wings vibrating. Whoosh~ he transformed into a bolt of lightning, shooting forth and hovering above the splendid lady before swinging his Golden Stick directly down upon her.
Boom~ A purple blaze suddenly exploded from the woman’s body, blooming like a radiant lotus, and Lei Zhenzi was instantly swept away by the fierce flames.
Like a cannonball, he crashed with a loud bang onto a distant mountain, creating a big hole in its belly, with lightning flickering and rocks tumbling down.
The woman stood in the air on a Fire Lotus, her charming eyes filled with murderous fury as she shouted, "Are you Jiang Ziya?"
Jiang Ziya frowned and called out in response, "Who are you?"
"Ziyao! Vermilion Bird Heavenly Girl Ziyao." Her cool voice echoed through the sky.
"Heavenly Girls should reside above the Nine Heavens, why descend and be tainted with the mortal world’s filth? Leave at once."
"Kong Xuan is my husband. Why do you think I have come? Jiang Ziya, how dare you concoct plans to suppress my husband? Today, I shall bury all of you right here." Ziyao’s eyes shone with a cold light, and behind her arose twin crescent blades, both engulfed in the purple flames of the Southern Ming Blaze.
Ziyao pointed with her hand, and the two crescent blades moved instantly, tracing two purple arcs in the sky, constantly interchanging positions as they sliced through the air towards Jiang Ziya with a fierce thirst for killing.
In an instant, Jiang Ziya’s heart was struck with icy dread, the terrifying urge to kill causing his Primordial Spirit to freeze, and his body shuddered, beyond control.
Whoosh~ A yellow flag burst out from within Jiang Ziya, and when it unfolded, it covered the skies like a dark cloud. The purple light collided with the flag, and bang~ numerous Golden Lotuses blossomed, blocking the twin blades.
Ziyao exclaimed with shock, "How is this possible?"
In a swirl of apricot yellow, Jiang Ziya vanished in an instant, and so did Ji Fa and the others.
The crescent blades circled in the air before returning behind Ziyao and disappearing from sight.
Ziyao angrily said, "Damn it, he actually escaped." She then flew downward impatiently.
Above Three Lights Immortal Island, Bai Jin watched the scene within the Haotian Mirror. Ziyao actually emerged from the Southern Vermilion Bird’s fire realm? With such effortless might, Kong Xuan has surely hit the jackpot.
Bai Jin spoke, "Jingwei, Long Ji, Gu Liang, Shi Ji, Wuzhiqi, come to see me."
Streams of light streaked across the East Sea with Jingwei Longji arriving first, followed closely by Gu Liang, Shi Ji, and Wuzhiqi, all entering the Bird’s Nest after.
Bai Jin put away the Haotian Mirror and stood up in the courtyard.
Jingwei, Long Ji, Gu Liang, Shi Ji, and Wuzhiqi bowed together, saying, "We greet Master (Senior Brother)."
Bai Jin returned the gesture and straightened up before speaking bluntly, "I want you to take a trip amidst the Calamity."
Jingwei cried out in alarm, "Calamity!"
Bai Jin nodded, "Kong Xuan is suppressed, Ziyao has left the Southern Vermilion Bird’s fire realm to seek revenge against Jiang Ziya; go and lend her your aid."
Jingwei, Long Ji, Gu Liang, and Shi Ji looked at each other before responding in unison, "Understood!"
Wuzhiqi hesitated then chuckled, "Great Captain, this Calamity is a Jie Sect affair, what does it have to do with me?!"
Bai Jin looked at Wuzhiqi and said, "Naturally, you can choose not to go. I do not compel."
Wuzhiqi quickly called out, "I’m going! Of course, I am going."
Bai Jin smiled and said, "Red Bottomed Horse Monkey, always seeking to Avoid Death and Prolong Life."
Wuzhiqi chuckled continuously, his eyes showing a smug expression.
Bai Jin spoke, "Shi Ji, come with me." He turned and walked towards a palace, Shi Ji following closely behind.
Moments later, Shi Ji emerged, looking somewhat dazed.
Long Ji curiously asked, "Uncle Master, what did Master want?"
Shi Ji came back to her senses, smiled faintly, and said, "Nothing much, Senior Brother imparted to me a Divine Skill. Let’s go!"
They turned and walked outside, stepping off Three Lights Immortal Island and soaring into the sky.
With Ziyao’s aid, Wen Zhong triumphed in consecutive battles, pressing straight to the gates of Xiqi City, with the great army bearing down menacingly.
Wen Zhong, mounted on the Mo Qilin, shouted loudly, "Jiang Ziya, you old wretch, come out and face me!"
"Hmph~" A cold snort resounded across the skies.
Two figures emerged in the heavens, exuding an auspicious aura – they were none other than Chi Jingzi and the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole.
Two purple firelights burst forth from the Yin Shang camp; the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole’s staff emitted a point of light, while Chi Jingzi’s Yin Yang Mirror rotated, casting out a ray.
Clang~ A purple light collided with the staff, transforming into a crescent blade that whirled into the air.
A grey Yin Yang light encompassed another purple light, revealing a second crescent blade.
"Cree~" A Vermilion Bird soared out from the Yin Shang Camp, trailing a towering Southern Ming Blaze as it lunged towards Chi Jingzi and the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole.
The Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole and Chi Jingzi hastily ascended to avoid it.
The Vermilion Bird Heavenly Girl spiraled upwards, morphing the Southern Ming Blaze into a fiery drill with her feather-like blade edge targeting Chi Jingzi and the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole.
Chi Jingzi waved his Daoist robe, and a massive purple Eight Diagram appeared. Boom~ the fiery drill collided with the Eight Diagram, exploding and unleashing a gigantic Fire Lotus. The Vermilion Bird was at its core, spewing forth a beam of destructive fire that smashed the Eight Diagram to pieces, sending Chi Jingzi flying backward.
High in the sky, a three-way battle ensued, the clamor of combat shaking heaven and earth.
Below, the gates of Xiqi City flung open, Jiang Ziya leading his troops out to the beat of thunderous drums that filled the air, charging towards the Yin Shang army.
Suddenly, a huge iron stick swept horizontally towards the battleground.
Thud~ Chi Jingzi was instantly struck and sent flying, followed by an odd mushroom that collided with Chi Jingzi and burst magnificently, forming a massive mushroom cloud and filling the air with the scent of exploding mushrooms.
Below, the sound of thunderous drums was instantly replaced by gongs, as the charging troops swarmed back retreatingly, and the city gates once again slammed shut responsively.
Shiji Girl and the others appeared atop Cloud Heads, Wuzhiqi carrying his iron stick and striding towards the mushroom cloud, bending at the waist.