Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 245: Lost the lady and lost the soldiers too

Chapter 245: Lost the lady and lost the soldiers too

[Super long Chapter, three in one, busy today, this is the only Chapter]

It is said that Ksitigarbha King, riding on Diting, had arrived at the Asura Blood Sea, and the denizens of the Asura Clan had seen him and reported to Nether River.

Upon receiving the news, Nether River couldn’t help but ponder, "This Ksitigarbha King has come here, probably to stop me from refining the Blood God Child again! No, I must make this Ksitigarbha King leave, with Mara injured again, this Asura Blood Sea will be perpetually disturbed by him!"

When Nether River learned of Ksitigarbha King’s arrival in the Asura Blood Sea, his heart was filled with annoyance, and he guessed it must be Victorious Fighting Buddha who had sent him to prevent the re-refining of the Blood God Child.

Ksitigarbha King, riding on Diting, stood above the Asura Blood Sea as Buddha’s Light burst forth from his body, and he began to recite slowly, "Ksitigarbha Fundamental Vows Sutra." Under the cover of Buddha’s Light, everything appeared immensely holy.

The Asura Blood Sea slowly parted and the Nether River Patriarch walked out slowly from within, standing on a Twelfth Rank Karmic Fire Lotus Platform, enveloped in an aura of slaughter. When he looked at Ksitigarbha King, his murderous intent was utterly unmasked, for he loathed both Ksitigarbha King and Wukong, as they had blocked his path to enlightenment!

Ksitigarbha King brought his hands together and said, "Victorious Fighting Buddha! Nether River, you have committed numerous atrocities. My Buddha fears that you will emerge from the Asura Blood Sea and create troubles; thus, he has sent me to suppress the Asura Blood Sea, to prevent you from slaughtering beings and adding to the killing karma, thus increasing your retribution."

Nether River cursed, "Nonsense, different paths do not lead to mutual plans! This act of killing is my way of the Nether River."

Ksitigarbha King replied, "Your slaughter of the common folk is unacceptable to the world; even if this is your path, it is not acceptable!"

Enraged, Nether River retorted, "Fine, Ksitigarbha King, if it wasn’t for my shelter in the past, you would have been captured by Tathagata and taken back to Western Heaven long ago!"

Ksitigarbha King shook his head slightly and said, "I had a need from you, and you from me. If you were not envious of the merit I controlled over reincarnation, would you have helped me? Nether River, do not deceive yourself here. You are right, different paths do not consort. Enough said."

Nether River furiously shouted, "Good dog, take this sword!"

Stamping his foot on the lotus platform, he suddenly turned into a blood shadow rushing forward, with the Yuan Tu Sword appearing in his hand. He executed a sword technique, and myriad scarlet killing intents surged forward, emitting sharp Sword Aura aiming to engulf Ksitigarbha King, threatening to grind him into dust if he was not careful.

Ksitigarbha King gently patted Diting’s head, and Diting immediately roared, emitting waves of soundwaves that scattered, shattering all the killing intent and Sword Aura. Known to hear any sound from the Three Realms and Six Paths, Diting could even eavesdrop on saints speaking, though he dared not, as doing so would be akin to slapping the faces of the saints, seeking his own death. Being able to hear any sound within the Three Realms and Six Paths, he naturally understood sound extremely well. The sound emitted now mimicked that of the Eastern Emperor’s bell; though it could not emit Chaos Sword Qi, it still possessed tremendous power.

Nether River was startled by this, thinking that the Eastern Emperor’s bell had been brought by Ksitigarbha King.

Ksitigarbha King immediately flew up from the back of Diting, charging towards Nether River, launching Great Hand Seals, while Diting moved behind Nether River, also continuously launching divine attacks against him.

Nether River produced the Mystic Yuan Control Water Banner, and with a fierce shake, he swept it towards Ksitigarbha King.

At that moment, a gold coin struck the Mystic Yuan Control Water Banner, and Nether River suddenly felt his connection with the banner become extremely delicate, as if any more force would tear it apart. Suddenly, a pair of long arms stretched out from the void, grabbed the water banner, and pulled fiercely, trying to take it away.

Nether River was astounded. When had the Long-Armed Ape hidden there? He quickly used the Abi Sword to slash at the arms, but they were parried away by a Fine Gold Iron Rod. Then, hundreds of Water Thunders fell, the attacker being none other than Wu Zhiqi.

Wu Zhiqi had long coveted Nether River’s Mystic Yuan Control Water Banner. With this banner in hand, he would be virtually invincible. He had once been injured above the North Sea by Wen Zhong and others because he had just come into being and knew nothing of combat skills. But now, he had learned to employ his Innate Divine Ability. If he were to battle on the sea again, without such a means as Nether River’s, none could match him.

This time, why were Yuan Hong and Wu Zhiqi here to strike Nether River’s head? The story had to be told.

One day, Wukong had obtained the Ginseng Fruit and returned to Water Curtain Cave, then told Yuan Hong and Wu Zhiqi about it.

Wukong said, "Brother Yuan, and Brother Wu Zhiqi. Victorious Fighting Buddha will send Ksitigarbha King to the Asura Blood Sea to suppress it two days later, to prevent Nether River from slaughtering beings and refining the Blood God Child. You two should set off immediately, hiding around the Asura Blood Sea. When Nether River uses the Mystic Yuan Control Water Banner, Brother Yuan can strike with Gold Coin, and then take it with your Innate Divine Ability. The banner is extremely beneficial for Brother Wu Zhiqi; once obtained, your combat prowess will naturally increase tremendously."

"Without the Blood God Child and with the Asura Demon King Mara severely wounded by me, requiring a hundred years to recover, there’s little danger in this mission. If you miss this opportunity to capture the banner, you’ll have lost a great chance."

Yuan Hong laughed, "Don’t worry, Wukong. With a strike of the Gold Coin, I’ll use my divine ability to take it, and I’ll surely succeed. With Ksitigarbha King and Diting distracting him, the banner will definitely be ours."

Wu Zhiqi was thrilled; he had long coveted that banner. With this chance to strike Nether River by surprise, how could he not be eager? Immediately, he and Yuan Hong set off for the Asura Blood Sea, both being of the four Divine Monkeys lineage, adept at concealing their magic from any prying eyes.