Chapter 21 Relentless Pursuit
In the chaos of battle, the heavens and earth were darkened, and the sun and moon lost their light, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the reversal of the universe.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Yuanshi made a precise move, pulling Chang Hao into the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda at the most critical moment.
“Don’t be afraid,” Yuanshi transmitted his voice, “He can’t break the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda.” Yuanshi believed in the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda.
“He can break through. From now on, keep your mind clear and empty. He will know what you are thinking.” Chang Hao was extremely anxious. It was no joke that those below the Quasi-Saint level were all ants. Moreover, Luo Hou was a peak Quasi-Saint, just one step away from becoming a Saint.
“Yes, Xiao Changhao is indeed insightful,” Luo Hou said, twirling the God-Slaying Spear between his fingers a few times. “The fifth strike.”
Satisfied to see that the merit on the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda had decreased by one point.
Chang Hao's eyes widened, and he accidentally made eye contact with Luo Hou. He felt dizzy for a moment and his mind went blank.
Fortunately, Chang Hao quickly came to his senses and shook his head. "Don't look him in the eye. This devil has the ability to bewitch people, and everything he does comes from his own heart."
Demon? Luo Hou tasted it on his tongue, and the more he pondered it, the more he understood. What a profound word "demon"! It was like a sudden enlightenment, and he was completely immersed in the word "demon." He actually achieved enlightenment on the spot, and his arrogance reached its extreme.
Chang Hao opened his mouth, then bit his tongue hard, feeling a surge of frustration. What had he said? He'd already understood?
Seizing the opportunity, Chang Hao used the Chaos Bell to emit bursts of Daoist energy, shattering Luo Hou's blockade while Luo Hou was comprehending the Dao, and shouted, "Escape!"
Whether Yuan Shi and his followers had a way out depended on this gamble.
Yuanshi seized the opportunity, and the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda immediately broke through the air and headed straight for Kunlun Mountain.
Once the domain was broken, Rahu returned to reality from the mysterious realm, finding the place empty and devoid of any vegetation.
"Tsk, you got away pretty fast. But if I let you escape, wouldn't Hongjun laugh at me to death?" Luo Hou chased after him aggressively. He had finally found the path to enlightenment, and he was determined to bring Chang Hao back, no matter what. He didn't need to do anything else; he just wanted to talk to him.
………………
With the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda carrying him, Chang Hao didn't need to exert any effort. Touching the Chaos Bell, which he felt inexplicably close to, he considered various possibilities for escaping. The premise was that these few had to leave quickly; he really couldn't drag three people with him. Only by splitting up and escaping separately could a lucky few escape. Also, he didn't want to expose himself.
He has profound merits even though he is not from the Three Pure Ones. Doesn't this clearly tell others that he has a secret?
"There is such a profound and unfathomable person in the world. I have thought too highly of myself." Yuanshi was unaware of the myriad thoughts swirling in Chang Hao's mind. He could only lament his own shallow knowledge. If he were to perish today, he would never have the chance to know the true Dao in his lifetime.
“Don’t underestimate yourself. Given time, you will definitely be able to beat him by a factor of three.” Chang Hao was good at recognizing people and never misjudged them. “Don’t worry about it for now. Take this opportunity to use the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda to take Di Jun and Tai Yi away. We will split up.”
Even though he had a grudge against Di Jun, Chang Hao was willing to make peace with Di Jun out of respect for Tai Yi.
"And what about you?" Yuan Shi was full of resistance. If he left, Chang Hao would be in danger.
"I'll cover your retreat and draw him away." Chang Hao knew how terrifying Luo Hou was, so he made a decision directly. "I'll hold him off for a bit, you hurry up and leave, or no one will be able to leave."
Chang Hao used the Chaos Bell to take Taiyi inside as well, and reluctantly handed the Chaos Bell to Yuanshi, saying, "I entrust everything to you."
“No…” Yuanshi resolutely refused the Chaos Bell that Changhao offered. Dijun’s rearguard action was a smooth way of dragging him into the mess, but Changhao’s rearguard action was truly a rearguard action. He came out to find Changhao, so how could he possibly lose him again?
"Since you like it, why not keep it?" Yuanshi had long noticed the immense power the Chaos Bell wielded in Chang Hao's hands; "No one else could snatch it from him."
Yuanshi would not admit that when they first took human form, only the eldest brother had a companion spiritual treasure. He and Tongtian were both honest and incorruptible, and they had also coveted the Chaos Bell and the Hetu Luoshu, but unfortunately, their cultivation was too shallow at the time, and they could not leave the protective barrier of Kunlun Mountain, let alone break into the Sun Star to seize them.
Later, after acquiring the jade ruyi, he gave up on that idea.
"Although I like spiritual treasures, I must acquire them in a proper way." Chang Hao has his own principles, and it would be a lie to say that he doesn't like the Chaos Bell.
"Do as you please, but the matter of covering the rear is off the table." Yuanshi turned his face away, clearly showing his refusal to listen, which made Chang Hao's teeth itch with stubbornness.
“My path is incompatible with Rahu’s, so we can try to find a way out,” Chang Hao earnestly advised.
Yuanshi stared at the Xuanhuang Pagoda of Heaven and Earth, as if studying how much merit had been lost.
“I told you to run away, but you didn’t. What if Luo Hou comes after you? He has a grudge against me and will not let this go easily,” Chang Hao tried to open Yuan Shi’s skull. “Do you mean you want to live and die with me?” Their friendship is not that deep… right?
"Why not?" Yuanshi refused to budge an inch. "We can split into two groups, but I must go with you." Who were Dijun and Taiyi to him? They were not worth him risking the life of his first disciple.
“As long as I do not return to Kunlun for a long time, my brothers will surely come looking for me. With the three of us working together, we will definitely be able to defeat Luo Hou. Rest assured, we will protect you for thousands of years.” Yuanshi’s mind was as clear as a mirror. His departure was tantamount to cutting off Chang Hao’s path to survival.
Chang Hao's breath hitched. The primordial beings of the ancient world were so sentimental, always protecting each other.
Yuanshi was righteous, and Chang Hao also gave some sincerity. Besides, although Yuanshi was not Pangu, he was indeed the continuation of Pangu. He was grateful to Pangu for saving his life, so how could he ignore Yuanshi's life or death?
Chang Hao secretly decided that he could not let anything happen to Yuan Shi, as it would be an undeserved disaster for Yuan Shi.
“Alright, let’s go together and have the Chaos Bell send Fellow Daoists Di Jun and Tai Yi back to the Sun Star. Their lives are predestined; this is their tribulation. Whether they can overcome it depends on the will of Heaven.” Chang Hao vaguely understood that he seemed to have spoken out of turn, and no matter what, Luo Hou would definitely pursue him relentlessly.
Hunting down Di Jun, Tai Yi, and Yuan Shi is probably no longer Rahu's primary objective.
“Good.” Yuanshi immediately agreed. “It is better for me to die than for my friend. They have already done their utmost. If we can help them lure Rahu away, it would be even better.”
Chang Hao didn't dare to delay for a moment. He cast a spell on the Chaos Bell, and the surface of the Chaos Bell shimmered with purple-gold light, revealing a sense of reluctance to part with it.
Yuanshi felt displeased for no apparent reason, and he particularly disliked the Chaos Bell, which everyone in the prehistoric world coveted. He said against his will, "The Chaos Bell likes you so much, don't you really want to take it in?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Chaos Bell flew away as if fleeing, showing no trace of its previous attachment and reluctance to part with Chang Hao.
"The treasure's master is heartless and immoral. Chang Hao, you must stay away from those two golden crows in the future." Yuanshi demoted Di Jun and Taiyi to the lowest level, leaving them with the worst possible impression.
Chang Hao forced a smile, his eyes darting around as a plan formed in his mind.
"The Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda is renowned and I have long heard of it. May I have the honor of seeing it someday?" Chang Hao asked with great curiosity.
“Why not?” Yuanshi directly told Chang Hao a mantra. “Although it is my elder brother’s companion magic weapon, it has always been used by the Three Pure Ones. With the mantra and our mental cultivation method, the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda will naturally obey.”
"Really?" Chang Hao hesitated, his slender fingers gripping the wide sleeves of his clothes. He glanced at Yuan Shi secretly, his eyes bright as stars, holding a thousand unspoken words, his silence speaking volumes.
Yuanshi was exceptionally intelligent and immediately guessed that Chang Hao, having touched the Chaos Bell, would naturally become curious about the Xuanhuang Linglong Pagoda.
"Once we return to Kunlun, I will let you try it out." Yuanshi was focused on controlling the Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda and was completely unprepared for Chang Hao behind him.
“Okay…” Chang Hao smiled knowingly. Once he escaped, he would choose a mountain near Kunlun Mountain and visit friends in his spare time, which would be a pleasant thing.
"Oh no, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, look, Rahu is coming after us." Chang Hao's voice was filled with genuine anxiety.
Yuanshi had no doubts. He turned to look and saw dark clouds rolling in the sky, a sure sign of an impending storm.
"It seems we're doomed..." Chang Hao's mood was low, and his fear and anxiety were genuine.
“With me here…” Yuan Shi paused, his pitch-black pupils flashing with surprise, doubt, sorrow, and disbelief… before gradually falling into a deep sleep.
Chang Hao withdrew his hand from the mudra and caught Yuan Shi's limp body. "Thank you, and I'm sorry." He casually picked a cloud from the horizon and hastily settled Yuan Shi inside the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Pagoda.
Using the incantation he had just obtained from Yuanshi, Chang Hao emerged from the tower and, racing against time, took control of the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Exquisite Tower, sending it back to Kunlun Mountain.
Luo Hou had already appeared there at some point, the four swords of Zhuxian ready to strike.
"You save others, but you won't survive yourself." Luo Hou's eyes were full of interest. When did such a fool appear in the prehistoric world?
"Life and death are determined by fate," Chang Hao naturally had something to rely on to dare to act this way, "It is not in my nature to stand by and watch someone die."
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