txolops Chapter 142 The First Scapegoat in History
Chapter 142 The First Scapegoat in History
"Fellow Daoist Taibai, I have recently been experiencing some difficulties in my cultivation, I'm afraid..."
Before Ran Deng could finish his refusal, Tai Bai abruptly cut him off.
"Now is the time when the Chan Sect needs talented people. As the Vice Leader of our sect, you should do your best for the sect and devote yourself to it. This is also what Master Yuanshi wishes for."
Upon hearing that Taibai had invoked the name of Yuanshi Tianzun, Randeng's expression faltered slightly. He finally sighed silently and nodded in agreement.
Seeing that Randeng had compromised, Taibai said no more and immediately set off.
He flew ahead, but his divine sense always covered the area behind him, keeping an eye on every move of the lamp.
Sure enough, the deputy leader was quite restless on the way, sometimes stopping for some reason, sometimes claiming to have noticed something unusual and needing to investigate. All his actions were simply an attempt to avoid this mess.
Taibai was very shrewd. No matter what reason Randeng gave for leaving the team, he always followed him at a distance, his eyes following him like a shadow.
After several attempts, Randeng even considered launching a sneak attack, knocking Taibai unconscious, and then escaping alone.
However, the thought was quickly suppressed.
Taibai possesses a great treasure and his methods are unpredictable; he is by no means someone who can be easily defeated.
If the sneak attack fails and is discovered, the two will then engage in a fierce battle. Even if both are severely injured, Randeng's actions will be tantamount to severing his ties with the Xuanmen sect.
Under the pursuit of the three religions, although the prehistoric world was vast, there was no place for him to stand.
After much deliberation, Randeng had no choice but to suppress his thoughts and continue this journey that made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.
What should have been a three-day journey was dragged out for a full six days due to this silent struggle and delay.
When the two finally arrived at the battlefield and stood high in the sky looking down, even though they had been cultivating for a long time and were used to seeing the world, the scene before them still shook them to their core.
That was no longer an ordinary battlefield, but a meat grinder.
The bloodthirsty aura soared into the sky, condensing into dark red clouds, and even high in the sky, one could feel the turbulent violence and despair churning within them.
Although the clone left by Taibai in this place tried its best to activate the Pure World White Lotus, the purifying power could only clear away one area, and even more evil energy appeared.
The only slight consolation was that Guang Chengzi was still protected by a clear light, indicating that he had not been completely corrupted by the calamity energy and had not indiscriminately slaughtered the mortal army.
Supported by the military formation transmitted by Taibai, the Xuanyuan troops retreated step by step, but their lines never collapsed.
One formation was broken through by the Jiuli warriors with brute force, and immediately the rear army formation came to hold it off.
"Dao, fellow Daoist..."
Randeng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed unconsciously. The pervasive baleful aura sent chills down his spine.
"The malevolent aura here is too strong. If I were to go down here rashly, I fear I would also be corrupted by it... I wonder if I could borrow the Pure World White Lotus for a while? With such a treasure protecting me, I might be safe."
Upon hearing this, Taibai sneered inwardly.
He went to great lengths to bring Ran Deng here, precisely to find a suitable person to be involved in the killing.
Randeng has always maintained a distant relationship with the core disciples of the three religions, making him the ideal person to take responsibility.
How could such a precious protective treasure as the Pure World White Lotus be truly handed over to him?
However, Taibai showed no outward sign of this, only nodding slightly and saying sincerely:
"Vice Master, rest assured. The White Lotus is related to the purification of the battle situation and should not be moved lightly. However, this disciple can personally preside over the Precious Lotus, drawing upon its pure essence to calm your mind, fellow Daoist."
Having said that, without waiting for Ran Deng to speak again, he gracefully landed beside the twelve-petaled lotus platform, raised his hand and lightly pressed down, quickly taking control of the lotus platform.
With a light tap of his fingertips, Taibai enveloped Randeng in the pure glow of the Pure Lotus.
Ran Deng sensed that the divine light protecting him was quite stable, and seeing that Guang Chengzi below was still holding the line and had not shown any signs of being tainted by the evil energy, his worries lessened.
Without further hesitation, he sank into the ground and transformed into a streak of light, plummeting downwards.
Just as he flew over the airspace where the battle between the two armies was most intense, the protective divine light of purification suddenly dissipated silently.
In an instant, thick, malevolent energy surged in from all directions, frantically penetrating his protective aura.
Ran Deng felt a sudden dizziness in his mind, and countless violent thoughts arose, shrouding the scene before him in a faint bloody hue.
He was ultimately a highly skilled cultivator; though startled, he remained calm and maintained a sliver of clarity in his mind. Golden light burst forth from his body, temporarily forcing back some of the invading malevolent energy.
He then retreated swiftly towards where Taibai was, which was the only place of refuge at that moment.
For cultivators to get involved in the killing of humans is a great taboo of the Heavenly Dao.
For this reason, although the calamity energy accumulated on the battlefield is far less than that of the great calamity of heaven and earth, its erosion on cultivators directly targets their Dao heart.
Just as it was about to rush back to the edge of that circle of holy light, the golden light protecting the lamp was already flickering uncertainly.
Just then, Taibai suddenly groaned, and the light shield of the Pure World White Lotus suddenly contracted inward, effectively blocking the lamp from entering.
The calamities, now unimpeded, poured into the top of the lamp with a deafening roar.
His body trembled violently, and the last glimmer of clarity in his eyes was completely extinguished, replaced by a chaotic crimson.
The next second, he suddenly turned around, carrying a terrifying aura, and pounced straight at Taibai.
Taibai was prepared and stood quietly inside the lotus platform to protect himself.
Burning Lamp attacked in anger, but was blocked by Pure World White Lotus.
Unable to achieve his first strike, Ran Deng let out a fierce roar and attacked with the Qiankun Ruler.
"This lamp-lighting is truly troublesome..."
Taibai sighed inwardly, then activated several protective spiritual treasures, including the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, which caused layers of precious light to swirl around his body.
He was genuinely afraid that if Ran Deng forcibly broke through the defenses, not only would he fail to quell the battle for supremacy, but he would also get into a lot of trouble, which would truly be a case of losing both his wife and his army.
After a short while, seeing that he could not break through the defenses, Ran Deng simply gave up.
He turned and swooped down towards the Jiuli army formation below, his Qiankun Ruler descending to crush whatever he could see.
In an instant, Ran Deng moved as if he were in an empty field, galloping freely among the thousands of troops, leaving a trail of blood wherever he went, his killing intent chilling.
Guang Chengzi looked up from the formation and saw Randeng with bloodshot eyes and a murderous aura, charging and killing recklessly among the Jiuli army. His heart sank.
Knowing his own cultivation level as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, he knew he could hardly stop a Daluo who had fallen into madness. Without hesitation, he transmitted his voice to Xuanyuan:
"Retreat immediately! The entire army must withdraw thirty li (approximately 15 kilometers) and avoid the location of the lamp!"
Upon receiving the order, Xuanyuan immediately set out. The sound of the gong rang out, and the human army retreated, fearing that they would be affected by the indiscriminate power of the immortals.
In the blink of an eye, Ran Deng descended like a demon god, blood splattering under the Qiankun Ruler, and the elite vanguard sent by Chi You was completely slaughtered.
On a distant high platform, Chi You witnessed this scene and was filled with uncontrollable rage. He suddenly rose from his seat.
"How dare you! In the midst of battle, you allow cultivators to slaughter mortals!"
Amidst the angry shouts, Chi You turned his head and glanced at a withered old man who had remained silent to the side.
The old man nodded slightly, and the next moment he appeared in the sky above the battlefield, blocking the way for Ran Deng.
When Ran Deng saw someone blocking his way, he didn't think twice and swung his ruler to chop them down.
The old man simply raised his hand and flicked his sleeve, forcefully sending Ran Deng and his ruler flying back a hundred feet.
Before Ran Deng could launch another attack, the old man pointed his finger into the void, and in an instant, a violent hurricane surged out from his sleeve.
Not only were the lanterns swept into it, but the Xuanyuan soldiers below, who had not yet completely withdrawn, were also struck by the wind blades, falling over and screaming in agony.