Ya was greatly alarmed and wanted to ask for details: "Why hasn't King Wu come out to fight?"
Guang Chengzi said, "King Wu, Lei Zhenzi, and Nezha are all trapped in this formation." Ziya asked anxiously, "When will they return?" Guang Chengzi replied, "It will take a hundred days to escape this calamity." Upon hearing this, Ziya stamped his foot and sighed, "King Wu is a benevolent ruler; how can he endure a hundred days of suffering? What if something goes wrong then?"
Guang Chengzi sneered inwardly. Benevolence, benevolence my ass! If he were truly benevolent, why would he have made excuses earlier? After thinking for a moment, he said, "It's alright. Heaven has the mandate of heaven, and the Zhou ruler is blessed. We can protect ourselves. Why should Ziya be in such a hurry? There are reasons for returning to the tent for now."
Ziya entered the city and reported to the palace. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager Dawei hurriedly summoned their brothers to the Prime Minister's residence to inquire. Ziya helplessly replied, "The current ruler is no longer in power; there will only be a hundred days of calamity. You can protect yourself." Ziya left the city, went back to his tent to meet his fellow Daoists, and chatted about Daoist practices. (This is not described further.)
The story continues with Zhang Tianjun entering the palace and reporting to Grand Tutor Wen, "King Wu, Lei Zhenzi, and Nezha are all trapped in the 'Red Sand Formation.'" Grand Tutor Wen was overjoyed and immediately ordered someone to bring King Wu. However, Zhang Tianjun said, "Although the three are trapped in the formation, they cannot be taken out immediately." Wen Zhong had no choice but to give up. Zhang Tianjun secretly resented this and began sprinkling red sand on King Wu's body every day from inside the formation, as sharp as blades. Fortunately, the talismans protecting his body protected him; he was truly a blessed person and could not be killed. However, although he could not be harmed, Ji Fa was so frightened that he turned pale and could not speak.
Meanwhile, Yunxiao took Randeng's Qiankun Ruler, and Randeng returned to the mountain to refine the Yin-Yang Pearl. That night, the Three Immortals were resting in their camp when Cangjie came to pay his respects. Yunxiao dared not be negligent and welcomed him in.
Upon entering, Cangjie cupped his hands and said, "It is truly an offense to disturb you at night. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Yunxiao said, "How could I dare? Fellow Daoist is a true master of the Dao, so there is nothing to worry about. May I ask what brings you here?"
Cangjie paused, seemingly thinking about how to speak. Seeing that Cangjie seemed to have some difficulty speaking, Yunxiao said, "Fellow Daoist, what is it that is difficult to say? Why not speak frankly?"
Cangjie's expression softened upon hearing Yunxiao's words. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "In that case, I will speak frankly. I hope you will not take offense." He paused and continued, "My teacher once said that I have two great opportunities on this journey: a ruler and a knife. I do not know what they refer to. Today, after seeing the Qiankun Ruler in your hand, I suddenly felt that this item is related to my attainment of the Dao. Therefore, I humbly request your assistance in giving me this item."
Hearing Cangjie's words, Qiongxiao also showed some disdain, saying, "Fellow Daoist's words are rather strange. You can determine with just one sentence that this item is destined for you. Aren't you just like that Western Daoist Zhunti? Anyone in the world that catches your eye is destined for you." Bixiao also said, "That's right, we worked so hard to snatch it, and you say it's destined for you. That's really laughable!" Yunxiao glared at them, then turned to Cangjie and said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't be offended. My two little sisters are ignorant and spoke carelessly, offending you." He then turned to the two women and shouted, "How can you doubt my character like that? I am a virtuous person. How could I be greedy for small gains like that old thief Ran Deng?" Although his words were meant to protect Cangjie, they were actually implying that Cangjie wanted to emulate Ran Deng and snatch things.
Although Cangjie hadn't cultivated for long, he had lived for over a thousand years, so he was well aware of Yunxiao's meaning. With an embarrassed expression, he said, "This matter is not the fault of the two fellow Daoists, but rather the fault of this humble Daoist for being too rash." After thinking for a moment, he said, "This item is indeed related to my attainment of Dao, and I dare not utter a single falsehood. Of course, it was not easy for you to obtain this treasure, and I am willing to exchange it with something." After saying this, Cangjie took out another piece of clothing and placed it on the table.
Bixiao scoffed, "I didn't expect a man like you to be giving a woman's clothes." Cangjie was immediately embarrassed and said to Yunxiao, "This is the Phoenix Cloud Robe, an acquired spiritual treasure, which was made by my master. I don't understand why my master would give this to me. Now I think it is right for you to have it, so please accept it."
Qiongxiao sneered, "Although this item was refined by a sage, it is probably still inferior to a primordial spiritual treasure."
Upon hearing this, Cangjie immediately objected, coldly stating, "My master is a sage, whose methods are beyond our reach. Although this treasure is not at the Innate level, it is no less than an Innate spiritual treasure." After saying this, he picked up the Phoenix Cloud Robe and said, "This treasure has thirty layers of restrictions, comparable to the Qiankun Ruler. This treasure can release nine colorful phoenixes to protect it, and ordinary magic weapons cannot break it."
Yunxiao looked at it and thought to himself: This thing was made by a sage, so it is extraordinary. Penglai Island and my Jie Sect have a good relationship. I might as well do him a favor and give him the Qiankun Ruler.
After thinking it over, Yunxiao said, "Fellow Daoist, this is not a good idea. The Qiankun Ruler is of little use to us. It would be better to give it to you, which would be a great achievement and would not disgrace your innate reputation. Besides, this item belongs to that old thief Ran Deng. We would find it disgusting to use. Since this item is of great importance to you, we will give it to you." After saying that, he took out the Qiankun Ruler and handed it to Cangjie.
But Cangjie objected, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken. Since I said I would exchange it for something, I will not go back on my word. The Qiankun Ruler is indeed of great use to me, but this treasure should also belong to you." After saying this, he handed the Phoenix Cloud Robe to Yunxiao and left without waiting for Yunxiao's objection.
Seeing that there was no other way, Yunxiao also stopped herself. The phoenix-colored dress was indeed exceptionally beautiful, which made Qiongxiao and Bixiao quite envious.
Although Jiang Ziya knew that King Wu was unharmed in the battle, he was still worried. So one day, he rode forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, fellow Daoists!"
Yunxiao said, “Jiang Ziya, the three of us live on the Three Immortal Islands. We are carefree people who do not concern ourselves with worldly affairs. It is only because you shot my brother Zhao Gongming to death with the Seven Arrows of Nailhead. What crime did he commit that you would use such a heartless method? It is truly despicable! Although you were sent by Lu Ya, if you kill someone’s brother, he will kill your brother in return. We have no choice but to hold you accountable. Besides, you have very little cultivation. Even if Daoist Ran Deng knew that the three of us sisters were alive, he would not dare to offend us.”
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