Wen Zhong didn't know what to say for a moment, so he simply agreed, and Shen Gongbao left with the Yin-Yang Pearl.
Forty-one lanterns lit to seize treasures, three immortals leave the island
Meanwhile, Shen Gongbao, seeking the help of the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao, took Gongming's Yin-Yang Twin Pearls and left Wen Zhong's camp, heading towards the Three Immortal Islands overseas.
Halfway there, a Taoist priest suddenly appeared in front of them. Shen Gongbao's heart tightened upon seeing him, and he secretly became wary.
It was Randeng. Since his last battle with Gongming, Randeng felt more and more that Gongming's treasure, the Yin-Yang Pearl, was closely related to his path to enlightenment. It was a matter of great importance and he dared not ignore it. After Lu Ya plotted to kill Zhao Gongming, Randeng had been determined to seize this treasure. He had been keeping an eye on Wen Zhong's camp. Suddenly, he saw Shen Gongbao leave. He was surprised and followed him. He saw that Shen Gongbao was heading towards the Three Immortal Islands. How could Randeng not know Shen Gongbao's intentions? He became even more certain that the Yin-Yang Pearl was in Shen Gongbao's hands. At this moment, he revealed himself to seize the treasure.
Ran Deng cupped his hands and asked, "Where are you headed, fellow Daoist?"
Shen Gongbao cautiously said, "I am on my way to the Three Immortal Islands overseas." He had inadvertently revealed his true intentions.
Ran Deng was secretly delighted, but calmly said, "I see."
Shen Gongbao frowned and asked, "I wonder what brings Master Randeng here?"
Ran Deng said with a frown, "I lost a treasure the other day and am looking for it here."
Shen Gongbao asked, "What kind of treasure is it?"
Ran Deng was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "It would have been better if you hadn't asked. Now that you've asked, isn't this exactly what I wanted?" He said, "This treasure is divided into two parts, one black and one white, with a yin-yang color on its surface. It is called the Yin-Yang Pearl."
Shen Gongbao was startled, knowing full well why Randeng had come. He cursed inwardly, but said aloud, "So that's how it is. I haven't seen him before. If you have something to attend to, I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell." With that, he prepared to fly away.
How could Ran Deng let him leave? He turned and blocked Shen Gongbao's path. Shen Gongbao frowned and said, "I wonder why you are stopping me, Master?"
Ran Deng said, "Why did you deceive me, fellow Daoist? Isn't that treasure on your person? Please return it."
Shen Gongbao was shocked and retreated, angrily saying, "Fellow Daoist is too shameless! This treasure originally belonged to Fellow Daoist Gongming, how can it be returned to you?"
Seeing his expression, Ran Deng didn't say much. He took out the Qiankun Ruler and struck Shen Gongbao. Shen Gongbao was shocked. Seeing that he couldn't dodge, he took out the Yin-Yang Pearl and threw it at Ran Deng. Ran Deng laughed, "Perfect timing." He threw out the Purple Gold Bowl and collected the Yin-Yang Pearl. Looking back, Shen Gongbao was nowhere to be seen. It turned out that Shen Gongbao had already used his escape technique to leave. Although he hadn't learned any great skills on Kunlun Mountain, he had learned quite a few strange arts and supernatural abilities. Ran Deng had achieved his goal for this trip, so he didn't bother with him anymore and simply flew back to Xiqi.
Shen Gongbao traveled along the way and, seeing that Randeng had not pursued him, felt relieved. He then headed towards the Three Immortal Islands. Three days later, he arrived at the Three Immortal Islands and requested an audience with the Three Immortals.
The Three Immortals were puzzled when they saw him arrive. Qiongxiao asked, "Fellow Daoist Shen is a member of the Chan Sect. Why have you come to our Three Immortal Islands?"
Seeing their wariness, Shen Gongbao said, "Although I am a member of the Chan Sect, I am a demon in disguise. The people of the Chan Sect are always arrogant and look down on us who are different from others who have attained enlightenment. I also disdain to associate with them. I only regret that I chose the wrong sect and the wrong master back then."
Hearing his words, the Three Immortals of Sanxiao calmed down a bit. Yunxiao asked, "May I ask what brings you here, friend?"
When Shen Gongbao heard Yunxiao ask about it, he remembered why he had come and cried out, "Fellow Daoist, please know that Xiqi rebelled. As the Grand Preceptor of Yin Shang, I went with Grand Tutor Wen Zhong to conquer Xiqi, but we were repeatedly thwarted by the people of the Chan Sect and could not succeed. Last time, Fellow Daoist Gongming came out of the mountains to help us and defeated the disciples of the Chan Sect. Who knew that a few days ago, a Daoist named Lu Ya came to Xiqi and used the evil technique 'Seven Arrows of Nailhead' to kill Fellow Daoist Gongming. The way he died was extremely tragic to behold."
Upon hearing this, the Three Immortals were greatly shocked, as if struck by lightning. Their bodies swayed precariously. The Three Immortals were originally immortal clouds in the sky, while Zhao Gongming was a gentle breeze in the world. The four of them had been together since they gained sentience and had a very good relationship. Suddenly hearing that Zhao Gongming had died, the Three Immortals were naturally shaken as if by a thunderbolt.
Yunxiao, being the more composed, woke up first, glaring angrily at Shen Gongbao, and shouted, "Fellow Daoist, how dare you deceive me? How did my brother die?"
Shen Gongbao was also startled. After thinking for a moment, he realized that Yunxiao probably didn't believe him. So he stepped back and bowed to Yunxiao, saying, "How dare I deceive you, fellow Daoist? My fellow Daoist Gongming and I became fast friends. After Gongming's death, I wanted to avenge him, but my cultivation was too low. I couldn't find anyone from the Chan Sect, so I had no choice but to bring Gongming's Yin-Yang Pearl as proof. However, that old thief Ran Deng from the Chan Sect plotted against me and ambushed me on the way. I was no match for him, and he stole Gongming's treasure."
He paused, then said, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, I can swear an oath: if anything I said before is false, may I be abandoned by Heaven and never be able to rise again."
Those who cultivate the Tao place the utmost importance on vows, for they perceive the heavens and their words resonate with the divine. Therefore, most cultivators dare not make vows without authorization, lest they incur divine retribution. Seeing Shen Gongbao make such a solemn vow, the Three Immortals believed him and wept bitterly.
Bixiao immediately roared, "Lu Ya, Randeng, I swear I will never let you get away with this!" She then turned to Yunxiao and said, "Azi, elder brother, this grudge must be avenged. Why don't we go down the mountain now and kill all those people from the Chan Sect to avenge my elder brother?" Qiongxiao also chimed in.
Although Yunxiao was heartbroken, he still understood the bigger picture. After hearing what the two said, he frowned and said, "Our teacher once said that if one cultivates in seclusion and recites the 'Huang Ting Jing', one will be free from disasters and calamities. This time, my elder brother died, which means he was destined to suffer a calamity. If we go, we will surely suffer a calamity. Wouldn't that be letting down our teacher's good intentions? It would be better to cultivate at home and wait until after the Investiture of the Gods before seeking revenge."
Bixiao wouldn't have it, saying, "If you don't dare to take revenge, then so be it. Why are you being evasive? We'll go and take revenge ourselves." Bixiao was in a bad mood and didn't care whether her words would hurt Yunxiao.
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