txolops Chapter 168 Fire Cloud Cave - Another Battle with Guangming
Chapter 168 Fire Cloud Cave - Another Battle with Guangming
Meanwhile, Li Fa and the traveler left Miaoyan Palace and rode on a cloud straight to Jieyang Mountain.
The mountain was not far from Hao Mountain, and the two of them traveled swiftly on clouds, arriving in less than half a day.
The mountain was majestic and towering, with sheer cliffs and precipitous peaks; strange rocks were scattered among the ancient pines. A cave was faintly visible in the valley, and above the cave entrance hung a stone plaque with the three large characters "Po'er Cave" written on it.
The pilgrim said, "Old ones, this is the cave of the True Immortal Ruyi. Why don't I go in and explore first?"
Li Fa said, "Great Sage, please wait. That Ruyi Zhenxian is the brother of the Bull Demon King and is related to Red Boy. We have come here to ask him to hand over the person, so we cannot be rash. Let me go forward and knock on the door first to ask him politely."
The traveler laughed and said, "Very well, go and knock on the door yourself."
Li Fa straightened his clothes and stepped forward to knock on the door.
A short while later, the cave entrance opened a crack, and a child's head peeked out, asking, "Where did you come from? What brings you here?"
Li Fa cupped his hands and said, "Please inform the True Immortal Ruyi that Plasma and Sun Wukong request an audience to discuss important matters."
Upon hearing the words "Sun Wukong," the boy was startled and quickly shrank back before rushing inside.
Before long, the cave door opened wide, and a Taoist priest strode out.
He was wearing a star-studded crown and a golden robe; his phoenix eyes were bright, and his sideburns were disheveled; he held a golden ruyi hook in his hand. He was none other than the True Immortal Ruyi.
Upon seeing the pilgrim, he sneered, "Who do we have here? It's that stable boy who caused trouble in Heaven! Why aren't you protecting your master on the road? What are you doing in my wretched cave?"
Upon hearing this, the pilgrim flew into a rage, drew his golden cudgel, and shouted, "You shameless scoundrel! I came here out of kindness, and you dare to speak so rudely!"
Li Fa quickly stopped him, saying, "Great Sage, please calm down!"
He then turned to Ruyi Zhenxian, cupped his hands and said, "Please do not be offended, Zhenxian. I have come here for the matter of your nephew, Hong Hai'er. He is currently being plotted against by Guangming Daoist, and the innate essence of the Li Fire within his body is causing trouble. If it is not removed in time, his life may be in danger."
"This humble Taoist priest and the Great Sage have come here precisely to rescue him. We have heard that he has sought refuge with a True Immortal, and we hope that the True Immortal will grant us permission to see him."
Upon hearing this, Immortal Ruyi's face darkened. He said, "What Guangming Daoist? What Essence of Li Fire? Utter nonsense! My nephew is perfectly fine, not in the cave, and you have no need to worry about him. Leave now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
The pilgrim sneered, "Old folks, did you see that? This fellow doesn't know what's good for him. Talking to him won't work; I have to resort to force!"
The Immortal Ruyi was furious and raised his golden hook to strike. The Monkey King raised his staff to meet him, and the two began to fight in front of the cave.
After fighting for seven or eight rounds, how could the True Immortal Ruyi be a match for the Traveler? He gradually became overwhelmed and retreated repeatedly.
Just then, a burst of flames suddenly shot out of the cave and rushed straight at the traveler!
The traveler dodged to the side and looked closely. He saw Red Boy leap out of the cave, wielding his Fire-Tipped Spear, his face full of rage. He shouted, "Sun Wukong! You destroyed my cave, forced me to flee, and now you've chased me here. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
Having said that, he opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of Samadhi True Fire!
The fire blazed fiercely, shooting straight into the sky.
Upon seeing this, the traveler quickly retreated.
Li Fa was prepared. He took out a banana leaf fan from his sleeve and fanned the fire.
Strangely enough, with that one wave of the fan, all the flames in the sky were extinguished instantly, leaving not a trace of smoke.
Red Boy was shocked and spat out several more mouthfuls of smoke. Li Fa fanned the flames several times, and the fire was completely extinguished, not a trace of it could be burned.
Red Boy's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "You... what kind of treasure is this?"
Li Fa put away the fan and smiled, "Nephew, don't panic. This is your mother's banana leaf fan, which she lent to me herself. I'm not here to harm you, but to rescue you from Guangming's control."
Red Boy was taken aback, and Ruyi Zhenxian was also stunned.
The pilgrim sheathed his staff and said, "We have the Banana Leaf Fan as proof; why don't you two believe me?"
Red Boy's expression shifted, and he remained silent for a long time. Ruyi Zhenxian, however, asked suspiciously, "Is what you're saying true?"
Li Fa said, "It is absolutely true. If you, True Immortal, do not believe me, you may come with me to the Banana Cave and ask Princess Iron Fan."
Just as the True Immortal Ruyi was about to speak, a cold laugh suddenly rang out from mid-air: "No need to go. I will tell them myself!"
Everyone looked up and saw a beam of clear light descend from the sky, landing in front of the cave, revealing an old Taoist priest, none other than the Taoist Guangming!
Upon seeing this, Red Boy trembled and involuntarily took two steps back.
Ruyi Zhenxian stepped forward and shouted, "Who are you?"
Master Guangming didn't even glance at him, only staring at Red Boy, and coldly said, "You wretched child, I've painstakingly nurtured you for many years, and you dare to run away? Come back with me now!"
The True Immortal Ruyi was furious: "So you're the evil Taoist who harmed my nephew! Take this!"
Having said that, he raised his hook to strike. Daoist Guangming snorted coldly and casually struck out with his palm.
Ruyi Zhenxian was unable to dodge in time and was struck in the chest by a palm. He screamed in agony, spat out blood, and flew backward, crashing into the cave wall before sliding to the ground, unable to move.
Red Boy cried out in surprise, "Uncle!"
Li Fa and Xingzhe exchanged a glance and rushed forward together.
The Monkey King drew his golden cudgel and shouted, "Old Daoist Guangming! You harm other people's youths and dare to commit murder! Take this from me!"
Master Guangming sneered and raised his jade scepter to block the attack. Li Fa also drew his Five Elements Spear and attacked from the side.
The three of them were on Jieyang Mountain when a fierce battle ensued:
One golden cudgel crashed down with immense force; another Five Elements spear pierced vital points with sharp, cold points. Guangming Daoist, wielding a jade ruyi, parried left and right, holding his own.
The stick comes, I deflect it as I please; the gun goes, I meet it as I please. Clang, clang, clang, sparks fly.
They fought for more than fifty rounds without a clear winner.
The more Guangming Daoist fought, the more courageous he became. As he swung his Ruyi scepter, the sounds of wind and thunder could be faintly heard.
After another fifty rounds of fighting, Guangming Daoist suddenly made a feint, forcing Li Fa back. With a flick of his left hand, a golden light flew out from his sleeve, transforming into a large net that covered the sky and directly enveloped the traveler!
The traveler was unable to dodge in time and was caught in the net over his head. The more he struggled, the tighter it became, and he was unable to move.
Master Guangming laughed heartily: "Sun Wukong, you've finally met your match! This treasure is called the Heavenly Net, and not only you, but even a Great Luo Golden Immortal cannot escape my magic weapon. You can stay inside for now!"
Li Fa was shocked and rushed to his aid with his spear, but Daoist Guangming had already turned around and with a wave of his Ruyi, sent him staggering back several steps.
"Plasma!" Daoist Guangming sneered. "You've ruined my grand plan; today is your death day!"
Li Fa gritted his teeth, raised his gun, and charged forward again.
The two fought for another twenty rounds, but Li Fa gradually became unable to hold on and retreated while fighting.
He thought to himself: This old Taoist is formidable; a direct confrontation won't work. I should feign defeat and test him with the Thunder Pearl!
Having made up his mind, he feinted an attack, then turned and left.
How could the Taoist Guangming let him go? He shouted, "Where do you think you're going!" and leaped after him.
As Li Fa retreated, he took out the Thunder Pearl from his pocket and secretly held it in his palm.
Seeing Guangming closing in, he suddenly turned around, aimed the Thunder Pearl at Guangming, and shouted, "Go!"
A bolt of purple lightning shot out from the bead, piercing the sky and striking Guangming Daoist directly in the chest!
Boom!
The thunder shook the mountains and the earth, causing stones to fall from Jieyang Mountain.
Li Fa was overjoyed and raised his hand to unleash another bolt of lightning, striking Guangming once more.
Guangming Daoist was struck directly by two bolts of lightning, his body flew backward, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Li Fa, believing Guangming to be dead, went forward to investigate.
Unexpectedly, a Ruyi (a type of scepter) suddenly appeared before them.
It turns out that Guangming survived two strikes of innate lightning.
Li Fa couldn't dodge in time, and the Ruyi sword shaved off the three flowers on top, causing it to fall down the mountain.
In the nick of time, the Dragon Skin Seven-Star Whip suddenly flew out, wrapped around Li Fa, and landed on the edge of the cliff.