Chapter Fifty: Return

The power to intimidate the enemy’s soul and spirit is undeniably invaluable in battle; a single misstep could lead to one’s mind being utterly annihilated. The ability to stir the seven emotions and six desires is exceedingly rare in the primordial world; if one is caught off guard and their emotions are manipulated, they may well become a puppet, controlled by others.

Yuan Wuji had not intentionally activated the myriad demon golden pill or the celestial steel golden pill within himself; it was a natural occurrence. Having mastered the Ninefold Profound Skill, Yuan Wuji had reached a level of control over the three golden pills in his body where he could wield them at will. Should he desire, he could circulate the Ninefold Profound Skill and unleash all three golden pills simultaneously, erasing Nezha from the primordial world at any moment.

But now was not the time for Nezha to vanish.

Nezha’s cultivation was far inferior to Yuan Wuji’s; he could not even withstand the aura emanating from Yuan Wuji’s two golden pills, let alone test the strength of his own body. It seemed the reputation of Nezha’s sanctified physical form was somewhat exaggerated.

With a single palm strike, Yuan Wuji forced back Nezha, who was wielding the Three Heads and Six Arms divine ability.

A spurt of blood.

“What sort of demonic art are you using?”

“I will make you pay!”

Yuan Wuji was slightly surprised as nine fire dragons appeared around Nezha, his entire body wrapped in true Samadhi fire, his battle aura surging fiercely toward Yuan Wuji.

The nine fire dragons circled Nezha, Samadhi fire enveloping him. With their protection, Nezha shook off his previous sluggishness, his momentum soaring as he fought Yuan Wuji with renewed vigor.

Only now did Yuan Wuji truly sense the power of Nezha’s physical form; combined with the Three Heads and Six Arms, he was indeed extraordinary, and the intermittent bursts of Samadhi fire were proving troublesome.

The Chaos Silk, Universe Ring, Yin-Yang Sword, Wind-Fire Wheels...

Yuan Wuji, relying on his physical strength, battled Nezha evenly for a long time, but his spiritual treasures also played a significant role, occasionally allowing him to seize the advantage.

The Four Heavenly Kings had already been drawn to the scene, astonished at Yuan Wuji’s rapid progress.

“No wonder he was brought up by Her Highness,” said the King of Growth.

“Big Brother, who do you think will win?”

“Nezha will lose. Yuan Wuji can hold his own with just his body, while Nezha has to employ Three Heads and Six Arms, constantly deploying treasures to attack but still can’t defeat him. How much power does Nezha have left?”

In the ongoing battle, Yuan Wuji grew ever more fierce, his attacks increasingly relentless; Nezha, as the Four Heavenly Kings had predicted, was not only running out of magical power but also losing stamina, forced into a defensive position.

“It’s time to finish this.”

Yuan Wuji covertly unleashed the Mountain-Lifting and Sea-Crossing divine power. Nezha, already at the brink of exhaustion, could not withstand the sudden surge in Yuan Wuji’s strength. With one punch, Yuan Wuji shattered the Nine Dragons Fire Shield and struck Nezha’s body directly.

Nezha’s Three Heads and Six Arms dissolved under Yuan Wuji’s assault, leaving him collapsed on the ground, glaring at his adversary.

Defeated once again by Yuan Wuji, and at his strongest state no less, Nezha’s heart was filled with unwillingness.

“I’ll gladly accept the Nine Dragons Fire Shield.”

It was not that Yuan Wuji did not wish to take more of Nezha’s treasures, but only the Nine Dragons Fire Shield remained; the rest vanished the moment Nezha’s Three Heads and Six Arms divine power dissipated.

The Nine Dragons Fire Shield bore Nezha’s primordial spirit imprint, but Yuan Wuji easily dispelled it by rotating the celestial steel golden pill.

“Give me back my treasure!” Nezha, unable to avenge himself, now lost his most powerful treasure—his sole innate spiritual artifact.

“This now belongs to me.” Yuan Wuji placed the Nine Dragons Fire Shield into the Mystic Spirit Ring, preparing to strike Nezha once more, sending him home to recover.

“Hold on, Wuji!”

The Four Heavenly Kings intervened, stopping Yuan Wuji before he could act. If Nezha suffered harm at the Southern Heavenly Gate, Taiyi True Man’s protective nature would make things difficult for the Kings.

Yuan Wuji had the backing of the Golden Spirit Holy Mother; what did they have?

“Very well, I’ll do this as a favor for you.”

Yuan Wuji clasped his fist to the Four Heavenly Kings, stated his purpose, and flew down to the mortal realm.

The Kings could only smile wryly. The last time they met Yuan Wuji, he left Nezha wounded in their care, causing them no end of trouble; now it was the same, only this time Yuan Wuji had taken Nezha’s treasure as well. Who knew what calamity might follow?

“Big Brother, this…”

“Let it be. Back to our duties!”

With his current divine skills and cultivation, Yuan Wuji used the Golden Light Traversing Earth technique to reach Five Camphor Mountain in no time.

He saw the blood-red mark he had left long ago still carved into the mountain, the crimson hue standing out starkly, forming its own domain.

At the foot of the mountain, a patrol squad was chatting idly.

“Who do you think will win this time, Wolf Vanguard or Sheep Vanguard?”

“I think Sheep Vanguard will win. Haven’t you noticed Wolf Vanguard seems a bit foolish, not as clever as us?”

“Keep your voice down—Wolf Vanguard is the steward’s nephew, and the last soldier who called him foolish was beheaded.”

“Why do you think the steward made Wolf Vanguard his nephew anyway?”

“Who knows?”

“But that little tiger is quite something now too.”

“…”

Yuan Wuji had learned nearly everything he needed. The little tiger demon had now reached the peak of great demon cultivation and held considerable authority within Five Camphor Cave.

After Yuan Wuji had siphoned half of Wolf Vanguard’s primordial spirit and soul, his intelligence dropped sharply. He had always favored the cat demon, but now his feelings were obvious, repeatedly professing his love. With Black Moon’s support, the cat demon was compelled to marry Black Cheng; yet Sheep Step could not bear to see the cat demon wed Black Cheng, and the little tiger demon also hoped Sheep Step would marry the cat demon. Thus, at King Yu Rong’s suggestion, a contest was arranged.

“This is rather interesting,” Yuan Wuji remarked with mild interest.

He turned and flew straight toward Five Camphor Cave.

“Second Brother, I have returned!”

Yuan Wuji’s powerful voice echoed through the entire cave.

“Big Brother, you’re finally back!”

At the instant he heard Yuan Wuji’s voice, King Yu Rong charged out of the cave, gazing at the utterly changed Yuan Wuji. Recognizing the unique aura emanating from his brother, Yu Rong immediately welcomed him back inside.

“Big Brother, you’ve been gone for over two centuries—your little brother has been waiting so long!” Yu Rong grabbed Yuan Wuji, eager to recount nearly every event that had transpired in his absence.

“I never expected your cultivation would become so profound, and your treasures are truly remarkable.”

Yuan Wuji shared with Yu Rong what he could, withholding only those things that should not be revealed—not from lack of trust, but to protect Yu Rong. Matters of the heavenly court, for instance, were off-limits for now.

As for the origins of the treasures he wore, Yuan Wuji merely glossed over them.

“Second Brother, how fares your cultivation?”

Yuan Wuji could sense that Yu Rong’s cultivation had not advanced at all since he left.

“Big Brother, don’t ask. No matter how I try, my cultivation won’t improve. The only progress I’ve made was thanks to the pills you gave me.” Yu Rong forced a bitter smile.

Just as I suspected, Yuan Wuji thought.

“Don’t worry, Second Brother, I have other ways to help you.” The Water Feather Essence pills had lost their effectiveness for Yu Rong’s condition; Yuan Wuji was sure Yu Rong was well aware of this.

“Thank you, Big Brother.”

Yu Rong, though grateful, had little hope left. He knew his own situation best but did not wish to disappoint Yuan Wuji.

Yuan Wuji understood Yu Rong’s feelings; though he could not help him immediately, he had a few ideas in mind.