Chapter 128 - 127 Randeng Makes the List

Chapter 128: Chapter 127 Randeng Makes the List Nezha draped the Mountain and River Map over his shoulders as he arrived at the array eye of the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation. He then produced the massive Sun-shooting Bow, which was bigger than himself, and prepared to use his God Slaying Spear as an arrow. Yunxiao sensed Nezha’s movements and immediately marked the position of the ’ghost’ for him. Nezha stepped forward, planting one foot on the bow’s frame, leaned back, pulled the string with both hands, and aimed at Randeng. He exerted effort to open the bow, only to find it wouldn’t budge an inch! At this critical moment, Nezha was not one to insist on maintaining face. He shouted loudly, "Sister Yun! Come help me!" In the distance, Yunxiao wielded the Qingping Sword, her form blurring slightly. A younger version of Yunxiao, appearing only seventeen or eighteen, emerged—her Good Corpse continuing to swing the sword, while Yunxiao herself instantly shifted behind Nezha. From behind, she embraced Nezha, her long, snow-white hands clutching his as they pulled on the bowstring together. Torrents of Quasi-Saint power surged ceaselessly into the God Slaying Spear. Nezha couldn’t help but notice the softness behind him, as well as a faint and pleasant fragrance enveloping him. When he looked up, he caught sight of Yunxiao’s snow-white neck. However, he was no longer the naive man of a previous lifetime who had never tasted worldly pleasures. This moment was not one for distraction. He instantly lowered his gaze, hurriedly gathered his thoughts, and focused entirely on aiming the Sun-shooting Bow at the ’ghost.’ Unbeknownst to him, a faint pink hue appeared on the spot Yunxiao’s neck had been brushed by his glance. As vast torrents of power poured into the God Slaying Spear, golden patterns on the weapon began shimmering from its base to its tip. A strange, destructive aura started to brew. At the same time, Nezha exerted his full strength, channeling the terrifying force of his seasoned, tempered body. Together, the pair gradually pulled the bowstring back until it formed a full moon shape. Yunxiao called out commandingly, "Break!" Zhao Gongming, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao immediately received the signal. Zhao Gongming instantly activated the Ocean Stabilizing Divine Pearl, disregarding the blow dealt to him by Randeng, forcing Randeng back into the array’s center. Qiongxiao and Bixiao quickly formed seals and shouted incantations! Immediately, the array flags began to crack and explode in succession. Nine colossal dragons formed entirely of yellow sand spiraled downward from the sky, coiling toward the spot where Randeng was located. The yellow sand blanketed the sky. Even the Corpse Beasts couldn’t withstand its force. Randeng’s true form, along with his Good Corpse and Evil Corpse’s cultivation, began to decline rapidly and uncontrollably. Randeng, desperate, withdrew his Good Corpse and Evil Corpse, shielding the Black Coffin as he ascended using a massive Corpse Beast’s body as protection. As the sand wore down and shattered each summoned Corpse Beast, he continued summoning replacements. As the array flags burned out, the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation finally dissipated. The previously lifeless Ling Jiu Mountain was buried entirely under yellow sand. Randeng ultimately burst forth from the sand pile with great effort, only to be met with the long-prepared God Slaying Spear and Sun-shooting Bow! Without exchanging a single word, Nezha and Yunxiao, in perfect synchrony, released their grip the moment Randeng emerged from the sand. A crimson light flowed from the bowstring to the God Slaying Spear, which transformed into a streak of brilliant red-gold radiance. Randeng had no time to react as the glowing spear pierced straight through him. Fierce winds swept across, carrying yellow sand as they unraveled the pitch-black cloak concealing the ’Evil Spirit.’ Beneath the cloak was a small pitch-black figure, faceless and devoid of features. The figure gradually dissolved, with a trace of True Spirit soaring toward the Outer Heaven and entering the Investiture of the Gods. The cloak, swept away by the wind, left behind the reverberations of heaven and earth. Vast spiritual energy nourished the Primordial Land, while the Heavenly Dao roared in approval. Yet another Great Expert from ancient times had fallen. In the aftermath of drawing the Sun-shooting Bow, Nezha suffered complete depletion, drained of all his mana and physical strength. Seeing Randeng’s name ascend to the divine rankings, his taut nerves relaxed. Dizzy, he instinctively fell backward, landing in a soft embrace. Indeed, there was no mistaking this—Yunxiao, as an embodiment of clouds, was truly fragrant and soft! And with that, Nezha drifted into slumber. Yunxiao cradled Nezha in her arms. Calling upon her two sisters and elder brother, she urged them to retreat quickly. This was no trivial matter, and who knew how their Second Master Uncle would react later? Better to return home first. Zhao Gongming transformed into a whirlwind, swiftly tidying up the battlefield and gathering all the treasures. All four were significantly drained, yet their pace was faster than ever. "Eldest Sister, you contributed greatly this time. Let me carry Brother Nezha instead." Yunxiao’s gaze flickered, and she casually replied, "Elder Brother has been working tirelessly; you deserve the rest. Let me continue carrying Nezha." Zhao Gongming, moved by what he believed to be his eldest sister’s concern for him, didn’t press further. The group sped back to Golden Turtle Island like the wind. ... Randeng, as the Chan Sect’s Vice Sect Hierarch, had his Qi Fortune intertwined with the sect. The moment of his death and subsequent inscription in the Investiture of the Gods was felt by all Chan Sect Immortals. They were collectively shaken. Despite the Twelve Golden Immortals’ general disdain for Randeng, his cultivation as a One Corpse Quasi-Saint was genuine (though they were unaware that he was actually a Second Corpse Quasi-Saint). If Randeng couldn’t withstand the calamity, how could they? Fearing for their fates, one by one, they abandoned the idea of wandering outside and rushed back to Yuxu Palace. Ci Hang and the others didn’t even complete their rituals. Hastily bidding farewell to Li Jing, they departed during the night. Ksitigarbha lamented, then cautiously returned to the underworld. The outside world was too perilous. Along with him was An Tuo Jia, who had been completely convinced—or perhaps pretended to be—by Ksitigarbha’s persuasion over the past few days. But that no longer mattered. The originally enthusiastic transcendence group was reduced to just Old Li. Not particularly fond of the task to begin with, Old Li returned to Qinyang, having merely played along. Yuanshi Tianzun, upon learning of Randeng’s death, instantly deduced the situation. He was indifferent to Randeng’s demise; after all, he had long found him disagreeable. Lazy and exploitative within the Great Sect, Randeng contributed little, and now his demise brought no grief. What’s more, the involvement of Nuwa made confrontation with his third brother unnecessary. When his disciples gathered, Yuanshi Tianzun casually commented, "Randeng’s heavy karma led to this outcome; let this be a lesson to you all," brushing the matter aside. The details—who was responsible for Randeng being sent to the divine rankings—remained unspoken. The connection to Randeng could damage Chan Sect’s reputation. Among the disciples, only Huang Long failed to grasp the underlying meaning of his master’s words. Meanwhile, the others inwardly sighed in relief, realizing this had nothing to do with them. Still, having returned, none saw fit to venture out again. Huang Long, with injuries from being attacked by Asuras, continued to recover, taking cues from his senior disciples’ behavior. "You cultivate; I’ll nurse my wounds." While the Chan Sect Immortals returned to Kunlun Mountain, Yunxiao’s group also arrived at Golden Turtle Island. The battle had left little time for tidying up. Zhao Gongming, as the only male immortal, was in decent shape, but the three sisters were all in tattered clothing. Yunxiao’s sleeves were torn, revealing two snow-white arms as she held Nezha. Yes, Nezha had yet to awaken. Being carried by Yunxiao was far more comfortable than flying himself, and Yunxiao tactfully kept quiet about this fact. Qiongxiao and Bixiao, also in disheveled attire, grumbled about needing rest en route. Pampered since childhood and doted on by Yunxiao, they weren’t used to such trials. They even used Nezha’s condition as an excuse, claiming that rushing was detrimental to his recovery. But Yunxiao overruled them firmly: "I know Nezha’s condition better than you two!" Zhao Gongming felt deep guilt; their disarray was all because of him. Determined to make it up to his sisters, he resolved to treat them far better in the future. Ironically, the most unscathed were No Brainer and Unhappy. Shielded maternally by Yunxiao and Zhao Gongming, their distress arose only from the self-destruction of the Nine Curves Yellow River Formation. Still, the group finally returned to Golden Turtle Island with no casualties. The "Intercept Inches" operation was a complete success.