While others might not know, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor was well aware that the dust brush in Water Moon Bodhisattva's hand was a Great Dao artifact.
Any Great Dao artifact could almost be called a divine weapon or a sharp tool, for each was forged from the essence of the Great Dao itself. The power and profound mysteries they contained were terrifying and beyond imagination.
Duke Lingyin within the field had neither received the Mandate of Heaven nor possessed any powerful fortunes, yet even Eastern Peak Great Emperor Zhuge Yun dared not look down on him. This was not due to his status as an Elder of the Loulan Blessed Land, nor as the ruler of some heavenly domain, but because of the heaven-defying Great Dao artifact in his hand—the Flying Shuttle.
However,
Purple Poison Ghost Emperor knew that Water Moon Bodhisattva's dust brush was far more powerful than the Great Dao artifact in Duke Lingyin's possession.
The reason was simple.
Water Moon Bodhisattva's dust brush was personally forged by the legendary Ancient Lamp Buddha, and was named the Great Purity, Great Serenity, Empty Gate Dust Brush.
It was said that with the Great Purity, Great Serenity, Empty Gate Dust Brush, one sweep could establish purity and serenity. No matter how many evil thoughts filled your heart, they would instantly turn to ashes.
With one sweep of her brush, all the chaotic thoughts in one's mind would vanish like smoke, leaving the sea of consciousness empty and pure, almost akin to the emptiness of the four great elements. If one's will was not firm or their Dao-heart unstable, they would achieve purity of the six senses, free from desire and seeking, and immediately enter the monastic life.
Even if one's will was firm and their Dao-heart steady, suffering a sweep from it would blur their consciousness, leaving their sea of consciousness in chaos, like a fool standing there dazed.
Exaggerated?
Not in the slightest.
At least,
Purple Poison Ghost Emperor knew it was no exaggeration, for in the Ancient Era, he had once crossed hands with Water Moon Bodhisattva. Not only that, he had also tasted a sweep from her dust brush.
To this day, he still remembered clearly: when Water Moon Bodhisattva swept her brush back then, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor felt as if he had attained sudden enlightenment. It was like seeing through the vanity of the mortal world, as if he had been enlightened by the Buddha or converted, his mind filled with only one thought—to enter the monastic life and atone for the crimes he had committed.
Fortunately, Green Lamp Ghost Emperor had intervened in time to rescue him. Otherwise, there would be no Purple Poison Ghost Emperor today.
Now, after so many years, encountering Water Moon Bodhisattva again, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor's heart still held lingering fear.
To be honest,
When he discovered the Seven-Colored Lotus here, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor had not planned to act immediately. Upon arrival, he had spotted Water Moon Bodhisattva at a glance, along with Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Duke Lingyin, and Pure Robe Bodhisattva—all renowned experts in the Great Wastelands. Moreover, the situation was unclear, and it was unknown who else was vying for the Seven-Colored Lotus.
However,
Upon seeing Three-Eyed Demon Lord make his move, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor didn't think too much. Fearing the lotus might fall into others' hands, he too acted. He had originally assumed only the people of the Eternal Life Pavilion were guarding the Seven-Colored Lotus; he never expected that Water Moon Bodhisattva, whom he particularly feared, was also among its protectors.
This left him in a dilemma. In the fight, he was hesitant and restrained, not daring to go all out, afraid of provoking Water Moon Bodhisattva. If she gave him another sweep of her brush, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Despite the many years that had passed, during which Purple Poison Ghost Emperor had improved considerably in cultivation, influence, will, and Dao-heart, he still had no confidence in whether he could withstand a sweep from Water Moon Bodhisattva's brush.
Most importantly, he noticed that Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Duke Lingyin, Pure Robe Bodhisattva, and others stood motionless. This gave Purple Poison Ghost Emperor a bad feeling, especially when he spotted Da Xing the Mad Monk and Gu Qingfeng in the distance, making him regret his actions even more.
Da Xing the Mad Monk was known as the Living Buddha; even existences like Green Lamp Ghost Emperor, Black Mountain Old Monster, Blood River Demon Emperor, and Great Sun Radiance Emperor were wary of him, let alone Purple Poison Ghost Emperor.
Purple Poison Ghost Emperor did not recognize Gu Qingfeng and had never seen him before. Seeing that Gu Qingfeng had no discernible cultivation and his divine sense could not probe him, a slight thought brought the four characters 'Nine Nethers Emperor' to his mind.
Once he guessed Gu Qingfeng's identity, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor's heart grew even more panicked. He finally understood why Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Pure Robe Bodhisattva, and the others had not made a move. Had he known Da Xing the Mad Monk and the Nine Nethers Emperor were also here upon arrival, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor would never have acted so rashly.
But now it was too late.
He had already made his move.
This filled Purple Poison Ghost Emperor's heart with immense regret.
What to do?
Withdraw now?
Impossible.
Purple Poison Ghost Emperor wished he could, but Water Moon Bodhisattva might not let him have his way.
At their level of cultivation, once two parties engaged in combat, retreat was not a simple matter. Their strengths were evenly matched; victory or defeat could not be decided in a single move. It wasn't a contest of raw power, cultivation level, or the variations of divine abilities. If they fought blow for blow, the only outcome would be mutual destruction.
Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, neither side would engage in such a bloody fight.
Their combat was like playing chess, focusing on strategy—laying traps with various divine abilities, applying pressure with different powers, observing the opponent's weaknesses while waiting for the right moment. Once the opportunity arose, it would be a single, fatal strike!
Thus, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor dared not withdraw easily. If he tried to pull back now, Water Moon Bodhisattva would surely launch a full suppression, putting him at a disadvantage. The losses would outweigh the gains.
Yet, if he did not withdraw and pressed the attack, setting aside the threat of Water Moon Bodhisattva's Great Purity, Great Serenity, Empty Gate Dust Brush, even if he seized the Seven-Colored Lotus, he feared it would only be a futile effort, a joyless victory for others. After all, Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Duke Lingyin, and Pure Robe Bodhisattva were still present—none of them were easy opponents. Moreover, there were also Da Xing the Mad Monk and Gu Qingfeng, whom Purple Poison Ghost Emperor deeply feared.
Attacking was not an option; withdrawing was not an option either.
Was he to just stalemate like this?
For Purple Poison Ghost Emperor, this was all harm and no benefit. Dragging it out consumed his cultivation; the longer it lasted, the greater the drain. The greater the drain, the more perilous it became for him.
The more he thought about it, the more Purple Poison Ghost Emperor regretted his rash actions. Now he was completely trapped, finding it difficult to extricate himself.
There was no other way. Given the circumstances, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor could only brace himself and continue the stalemate, looking for an opportunity to disengage.
At this moment,
Those trapped were not limited to Purple Poison Ghost Emperor. The three Ghost Lords, one Ghost King, two old ghosts who had come with him, including Blue Tusk Ghost King and Blood Toad Monster King, were also stuck.
Purple Poison Ghost Emperor was still managing, at least able to handle Water Moon Bodhisattva. The situation for Blue Tusk Ghost King and the others was not as favorable. Right now, Blue Tusk Ghost King and his companions were being toyed with by the Five Monsters of Heishan to the point of near madness. They were howling, roaring, and raging like madmen.
Some were screaming from being burned by great flames, others choking from being drowned by great waters.
Some were being buried by earth, struck by lightning, or sent flying everywhere by fierce winds.