As the Three-Eyed Demon Lord's demonic heart grew ever more resolute and evil, the thoughts in his consciousness sea also grew increasingly powerful and clear, until finally!
With a deafening boom, the Three-Eyed Demon Lord broke free completely. As the Earth Fiend Crimson Eye on his forehead opened, Water Moon Bodhisattva opposite him instantly felt as if she had plummeted into hell, her soul scorched by the Earth Fiend Crimson Flames.
"Jie jie jie jie!"
The Three-Eyed Demon Lord laughed wildly. Seizing the opportunity, he raised a hand. Rolling black clouds gathered in his palm, forming a vortex—the very power of the Great Demon Overturning the Heavens.
Water Moon Bodhisattva, already suffering from the scorching Earth Fiend Crimson Flames, was struck by this palm. She let out a muffled groan, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was sent flying sideways.
The Three-Eyed Demon Lord had originally intended to seize Lady Water Mirror's Heart of the Great Way Mandate Imperial Seal before snatching the Seven-Colored Lotus. However, seeing that the Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor, and others were only a step away from the Lotus, he had no choice but to abandon Lady Water Mirror and turn to seize the Lotus instead.
Eastern Peak Great Emperor, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor, Pure Robe Bodhisattva, and others, who had just had their consciousness-sea thoughts purified by Water Moon Bodhisattva, were now beginning to awaken. The first to regain clarity was Eastern Peak Great Emperor. Seeing the Three-Eyed Demon Lord attempting to seize the Lotus, he immediately moved to stop him. Using some unknown divine ability or wondrous technique, he instantly trapped the Three-Eyed Demon Lord, who had appeared beside the Lotus, in place.
Once trapped, Eastern Peak Great Emperor reached out to take the Lotus. At that moment, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor and Pure Robe Bodhisattva also regained full clarity. The two simultaneously struck to block Eastern Peak Great Emperor while also reaching for the Lotus.
With a bang, the Three-Eyed Demon Lord broke free. He struck to block Purple Poison Ghost Emperor and Pure Robe Bodhisattva while also reaching for the Lotus. Just then, Eastern Peak Great Emperor attacked again.
The four of them fought and struggled, none willing to yield, each desperate to obtain the Seven-Colored Lotus.
Taking advantage of their struggle, Duke Lingyin, the last to regain clarity, seized his chance and attempted to snatch the Lotus. However, he was simultaneously besieged by the Three-Eyed Demon Lord, Purple Poison Ghost Emperor, Pure Robe Bodhisattva, and Eastern Peak Great Emperor.
If not for Duke Lingyin's foresight in summoning his Great Way treasure to defend himself, he would likely have been annihilated on the spot. Even so, he was still shaken until blood sprayed from his mouth and nose, suffering severe injuries.
One must understand that at this moment, the three—no, the four—had fought themselves into a frenzy over the Lotus. Their strikes were absolutely swift, precise, and ruthless.
The Three-Eyed Demon Lord was terrifyingly powerful, yet Eastern Peak Great Emperor and the other two were no weaklings either. At such a critical juncture, none of them would hold back in the slightest. Their strikes were killing blows—either great divine abilities and profound mysteries, or great treasures and mighty creations.
Not far away.
Lady Water Mirror struggled to stand up from the ground.
She looked utterly wretched. Her robes were torn, her hair disheveled, her face deathly pale without a trace of color. Blood trickled from her mouth, both ears, and both eyes.
The earlier collapse of her life-bound treasure, the Nine Mysteries Evil-Slaying Talisman, had already left her severely wounded. Then, resisting the Three-Eyed Demon Lord's Great Demon Overturning the Heavens power inflicted further injury. Summoning her Great Way Mandate to fight the Demon Lord bloodily had nearly drained her spiritual power. Suffering the scorching of the Demon Lord's Earth Fiend Crimson Flames had damaged her soul.
At this moment, her physical body was severely injured, her soul damaged, her spiritual power exhausted, her spirit depleted, her consciousness somewhat blurred. She was extremely weak, swaying unsteadily even as she stood.
Gazing at the four figures—the Three-Eyed Demon Lord and the others—fighting over the Seven-Colored Lotus, Lady Water Mirror gritted her teeth, enduring the intense pain, and prepared to charge over and protect it with her life. But the moment she moved, Water Moon Bodhisattva stopped her.
"Qingqing is in danger... I... I must save her!" Lady Water Mirror cried out weakly.
Water Moon Bodhisattva shook her head. "Give up. It's useless. With just the strength of the two of us, we cannot possibly stop them."
"Even if I die... I must protect Qingqing."
Water Moon Bodhisattva did not release Lady Water Mirror; instead, she held her firmly. She knew that if Lady Water Mirror charged over now, it would be utterly futile. Not only would she fail to save Qingqing, but she would also lose her own life.
She glanced at Gu Qingfeng and Da Xing the Mad Monk, who were leaning against a rock in the distance.
Water Moon Bodhisattva understood clearly in her heart: if there was anyone within this scene who could protect Qingqing, it was undoubtedly Gu Qingfeng and Da Xing the Mad Monk.
Gu Qingfeng had not made a move for a long time. She wondered if he intended to play the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind.
Most importantly, Water Moon Bodhisattva was not at all familiar with Gu Qingfeng, so she naturally would not ask him.
As for Da Xing the Mad Monk.
Although they were senior brother and junior sister, a deep rift existed between them. Even if Water Moon Bodhisattva wanted to ask, she could not bring herself to open her mouth.
Taking a deep breath, Water Moon Bodhisattva said, "At this point, we can only rely on your disciple's fortune. If fate decrees that this Seven-Colored Lotus belongs to her, no one can take it away. If fate decrees it does not belong to her, then even if she finally merges with the Lotus, it may not necessarily be a good thing."
Within the scene.
The Five Monsters of Heishan were still fighting fiercely, unable to agree on how to divide the spoils.
Gu Qingfeng remained casually leaning against the rock, drinking fine wine and watching the spectacle.
"Youngster Gu, aren't you going to lend a hand?" Da Xing the Mad Monk asked, waving his Great Compassion, Great Mercy fan with a grin.
"Why should I lend a hand?"
"Didn't you know her? This old monk remembers you greeting her not long ago. Besides, you rascal always loved to flirt around in the past. Now such a perfect opportunity for a hero to save a beauty is right in front of you. Why are you so indifferent?"
"With a great, compassionate, and merciful Buddha like you here, how could it be my turn to play the hero?"
"Aiyo! Master Gu, Ancestor Gu, since when have you become so humble?"
"The world is treacherous, and people's hearts are no longer ancient. It's better to keep a low profile."
"What do you mean by that, kid? Pointing at the mulberry tree to curse the locust tree, are you?"
Gu Qingfeng shrugged noncommittally, tilted his head back to take a gulp of wine, then glanced around and asked, "Da Xing, let me ask you something."
"What is it?"
"What kind of existences are those lying in ambush in the shadows?"
Gu Qingfeng had noticed many presences lurking in the darkness, watching this place. These existences were each more mysterious and profound than the last.
Da Xing the Mad Monk also looked around, then shook his head. "How should I know? Once the Primordial Black Hole appeared, all sorts of demons and monsters came crawling out of the woodwork. Who the hell knows who they are."
"You say they've been watching this place, yet not a single one has made a move. What's their game? Could it be they're just here to watch the show, like us?"
"Hard to say. There are definitely some here to watch the show like us, but... there should also be quite a few existences wanting to play the mantis-and-oriole game. These beings have all lived who knows how many years. Each is more cunning than a monkey, none will release the hawk without seeing the rabbit. Every last one of them wants to be the oriole."