On this side.
Water Moon Bodhisattva and Water Mirror Lady were secretly discussing countermeasures via spiritual transmission.
Not far away.
Led by Eastern Peak Great Emperor Zhuge Yun, the group from the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm; led by Lingyin Gong, the group from the Loulan Blessed Land; along with the two squads headed by Blood Toad Monster King and Blue Tusk Ghost King—all were covetously eyeing the sacred, pure, and magnificent Seven-Colored Lotus suspended in mid-air.
Water Moon Bodhisattva and Water Mirror Lady extended their divine sense to probe, but the results were exceptionally hazy and indistinct.
Everyone else was in the same situation; neither Eastern Peak Great Emperor nor Lingyin Gong were exceptions.
They were no ordinary folk; all were seasoned and knowledgeable individuals. Even though their divine sense couldn't penetrate it, they all knew this Seven-Colored Lotus was undoubtedly a supreme treasure.
Sacred objects were, by nature, rare treasures of heaven and earth. The more sacred and pure, the higher their value—this was a well-known principle.
Moreover, this Seven-Colored Lotus was a treasure that had manifested from the Primordial ruins. Even a three-year-old child would know such a thing was a rare, serendipitous find; it might very well be an Innate Dao Treasure of the Great Dao.
Although they all coveted the lotus and wished to claim it for themselves, no one immediately moved to seize it.
It wasn't that they didn't want to, nor that they dared not. Rather, snatching treasures was no simple matter of just talking about it.
After all, the Eternal Life Pavilion had Water Mirror Lady, a Destiny Empress, holding the fort. To attempt a grab, one would undoubtedly have to get past her.
This hurdle could be easy to pass, yet also difficult.
In a one-on-one fight, it was likely none present had the confidence to snatch that Seven-Colored Lotus from Water Mirror Lady's hands.
If they joined forces, it would only require one person to hold off Water Mirror Lady.
The problem was, within the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm, only Eastern Peak Great Emperor could hold off Water Mirror Lady. But if Eastern Peak Great Emperor engaged her, who would then seize the lotus?
The Purple Cloud Immortal Realm contingent wasn't lacking in other experts, but the Eternal Life Pavilion also had many formidable figures. Once a fight broke out, they wouldn't necessarily gain any advantage.
This was the situation for the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm.
The Loulan Blessed Land was in the same boat.
The only chance of success lay in the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm and Loulan Blessed Land joining forces. But even if they allied to seize it, setting aside for now how they would divide the spoils after grabbing the Seven-Colored Lotus, there wasn't much confidence they could actually seize it.
Because those present weren't just the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm and Loulan Blessed Land. There were also the group of experts led by Blood Toad Monster King and Blue Tusk Ghost King, not to mention Water Moon Bodhisattva, whom they feared even more.
If the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm and Loulan Blessed Land joined forces to snatch it, the others wouldn't just stand by watching; they would inevitably wait for an opportunity to strike. If they ended up fighting the Eternal Life Pavilion to a mutual standstill, only to have others reap the benefits, that would be utterly infuriating.
Therefore.
Even though the Purple Cloud Immortal Realm and Loulan Blessed Land wanted to make a move, they had no choice but to devise a foolproof strategy.
Moreover, the longer they delayed, the more people would arrive. This was not only disadvantageous for the Eternal Life Pavilion but also held no benefit for them. The more contenders there were, the smaller their chances of success.
Eastern Peak Great Emperor and Lingyin Gong exchanged a glance, each understanding the other's thoughts from their eyes. In the current situation, they had to act promptly. Regardless of whether they could seize it, they at least needed to stir up chaos first. Only in a chaotic situation would they have an opportunity.
The two then looked towards Blood Toad Monster King and Blue Tusk Ghost King opposite them.
Blood Toad Monster King extended his tongue, licking his lips, revealing an eerie smile, while Blue Tusk Ghost King's eyes continuously gleamed with a sinister green light.
Evidently.
This line of thinking wasn't exclusive to Eastern Peak Great Emperor and Lingyin Gong. Blood Toad Monster King and Blue Tusk Ghost King also realized they had to act quickly.
"Water Mirror...
is my younger sister."
At this moment, Water Moon Bodhisattva stepped forward, flashing to Water Mirror Lady's side and stating plainly, "Her disciple is my disciple. Whoever wishes to act must first pass through me, Water Moon."
Water Moon Bodhisattva had seen through the intentions of Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the others, stepping forward at the first opportunity and explicitly declaring her relationship with Water Mirror Lady.
No one expected Water Moon Bodhisattva to suddenly step forward. Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Lingyin Gong, Blood Toad Monster King, Blue Tusk Ghost King—everyone was taken aback.
"This Seven-Colored Lotus is clearly a sacred object. For this young girl to have such an opportunity is surely cultivated good fortune, and she must be a kind-hearted soul. Perhaps in the future, she will bring blessings to all beings of the Great Dao. This old man is willing to step forward and guard this pass for the young girl!"
Immediately after, a dwarf old man leaning on a cane slowly walked out. It was none other than the leader of the Five Monsters of Heishan—Land Gong.
"You little brats, anyone itching for a fight?
Second Brother Fire's great hammers have long been thirsting for battle!"
Fire Head Tuo was majestic, standing four meters tall, holding two great hammers, his body covered in red hair that looked like burning flames, giving off a strong sense of oppression.
"Fire Number Two, why are you shouting so loudly?
What if you scare someone?"
"Number Two, don't underestimate them. These little brats are no simple folks. What Eastern Peak Great Emperor?
What Lingyin Gong?
And what Blue Tusk Ghost King, what Blood Toad Monster King? They all sound quite formidable."
Then.
Fire Head Tuo, Thunder Gong and Lightning Mother, and Wind Fourth Lady also appeared one after another.
Seeing the Five Monsters of Heishan all step forward, the expressions of Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Lingyin Gong, and the others present all turned unnatural.
They had all heard of the great name of the Five Monsters of Heishan and naturally knew they were not to be trifled with.
Considering how, back in the day, when the Five Monsters of Heishan wreaked havoc in the Western Heaven Buddhist Realm, even the Eight Buddhist Sects could do nothing about them, Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the others found the sight of these five monsters quite a headache.
When Water Moon Bodhisattva stepped forward earlier, Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the others were surprised, but only surprised. They wouldn't refrain from acting just because Water Moon Bodhisattva intervened. However, with the appearance of the Five Monsters of Heishan, Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the others had to reconsider.
Their original plan was to first join forces to besiege the Eternal Life Pavilion, creating chaos, and then see who had the skill to seize the Seven-Colored Lotus.
But now, with Water Moon Bodhisattva and the Five Monsters of Heishan appearing, Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the others grew hesitant.
"My disciple Fusheng is within these Primordial ruins, and I dare say he will surely arrive in time. All of you should know that Qingqing is not only my disciple's disciple but also the disciple Fusheng dotes on most. If anything happens to her today, I don't know what Fusheng might do!"
Water Mirror Lady declared with stern solemnity, not only revealing Qingqing's identity but also announcing that Fusheng Dijun was present.
It sounded as if Water Mirror Lady was deliberately invoking Fusheng Dijun's formidable reputation to intimidate those present.
In fact, that was precisely Water Mirror Lady's intention.
Although she was Fusheng Dijun's master, her own fame was far inferior to his.
One must know that Fusheng Dijun was hailed as a hero of the current era. Whether in reputation or influence, he was unparalleled, and his cultivation and strength were unimaginable. Throughout the Nine Heavens, who dared defy the Great Sun Radiance Emperor? The answer: only Fusheng Dijun.