Inside that gloomy ancient castle, a low roar like rolling thunder made people's hearts quake with fear.
The entire space seemed to tremble in agony.
Subodhi wore a grim expression as stern as iron, his gaze as sharp as a sword, locked firmly on the endless darkness ahead.
Suddenly!
A shadow as massive as a mountain slowly stepped out from the darkness.
It was none other than the Chaos Demon God Chiyou!
He had a sturdy and robust physique with bulging muscles, and the aura of bloodshed around him was as thick as a bloody mist. A savage light flickered in his eyes like a burning flame, as if he intended to incinerate everything in this world.
"Subodhi, hand over Wukong's true spirit immediately! That is the supreme treasure that will help us step into the Dao Realm!"
Chiyou's voice was like a booming bell, every single word seemingly carrying the weight of a thousand catties.
Roaring fiercely, he brandished the heavy giant axe in his hand—an axe heavy enough to split heaven and earth apart.
As the blade swept across, a gale howled, transforming into countless ferocious wind blades with a terrifying momentum.
Subodhi let out a cold snort, his gaze as frosty as ice frozen for ten thousand years.
"Delusional! Don't even dream of getting your hands on Wukong's true spirit!"
With that, he flicked the fly whisk in his hand.
A sharp, lightning-like beam of light shot out instantly.
This light was as dazzling and bright as a reversed Milky Way.
Wherever it passed, the space was torn open, leaving behind jagged black cracks.
Chiyou sidestepped and slashed his giant axe fiercely.
It violently collided with the beam of light.
In an instant, a deafening roar erupted between heaven and earth.
Sparks flew like brilliant fireworks, yet they carried a destructive aura.
Taotie, Gonggong, and the others each unleashed their respective divine abilities.
For a moment, colorful lights intertwined.
However, Chiyou possessed extraordinary strength, and his offensive was as fierce as a rainstorm.
Every single strike contained endless destructive power.
Gradually, he gained the upper hand.
Seeing this, Subodhi thought to himself: "This Chiyou is indeed fiercely formidable; I cannot fight him head-on."
His figure flashed like a ghost as he chanted incantations under his breath.
He unleashed a mysterious secret technique from the Chaos Divine Art.
In an instant, the surrounding space seemed to freeze.
Chiyou's movements also grew sluggish.
A translucent, ethereal restriction appeared all around Chiyou's body.
It was as if he were bound by invisible shackles.
Seizing this opportunity, Subodhi launched a fierce attack.
The magical light in his hands poured forth like a torrential rainstorm.
Every beam of light contained the supreme profound meaning of the Dao.
They transformed into various mysterious runes, roaring as they surged toward Chiyou.
Chiyou was battered into a continuous retreat, suffering multiple wounds deep enough to expose his bones.
Rolling black smoke rose from the wounds, as if his very soul were being scorched.
Yet this only made him grow increasingly frantic, the bloody aura around him intensifying.
He erupted with a world-shattering power that broke him free from the bindings of the Chaos Divine Art.
That power transformed into a blood-red light that soared into the sky.
In an instant, it dispersed the surrounding darkness.
"Ha, Subodhi, is that all the skill you have?"
Chiyou laughed wildly, lunging at Subodhi once again with claws bared and teeth bared.
With every step he took, the ground beneath his feet shattered, forming massive fissures.
Just then, several other imposing figures appeared within the ancient castle.
They were none other than the Demon Gods Kuafu and Xingtian.
"Today, you must hand over Wukong's true spirit!"
Kuafu shouted loudly, taking massive strides that caused the earth to shake as he charged at Subodhi.
A scorching light radiated from his body, resembling a blazing sun descending into the mortal world.
Xingtian brandished his shield and axe with a majestic air, joining the fray as well.
Every single attack of his carried an indomitable momentum, as if he intended to hack heaven and earth to pieces.
Subodhi's heart sank: "This is troublesome!"
Yet he did not retreat in the slightest, his figure weaving effortlessly through the attacks of the crowd like a phantom.
"You arrogant wretches, watch how I break your forces!"
Subodhi shouted sternly, the fly whisk in his hand blazing with light as it transformed into countless brilliant rays.
These rays were like physical swords, each striking at the Demon Gods with a piercing sound of breaking air.
For a time, light intersected within the ancient castle, spells roared, and the battle reached a fever pitch.
Gonggong unleashed a powerful water spell, and instantly, towering waves materialized out of thin air, attempting to trap the Demon Gods.
Yet Kuafu possessed boundless strength, kicking the wall of water to pieces with a single stomp, sending water splashing in all directions to fall like a torrential downpour.
Taotie opened his maw wide, attempting to devour the power of the Demon Gods, only to be beaten back in a sorry state by a single strike from Xingtian.
Subodhi was burning with anxiety, knowing all too well that dragging this out was not a long-term solution.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he recalled a supreme ultimate technique he had comprehended during the great battle at Lingshan.
He pressed his palms together, chanting incantations as a mysterious and powerful aura erupted from his entire body, resembling a vast and boundless galaxy.
A mysterious ring of rune light emerged around his body, spinning continuously and radiating a heart-palpitating power.
"Chaos Wuji, Heaven and Earth Return to One!"
Subodhi roared, and a massive beam of light erupted from his body.
This light was like a newly born sun, instantly enveloping the Demon Gods within it.
Amidst the light, countless mysterious runes flickered, as if passing judgment upon the sins of the Demon Gods.
Suppressed by this light, the Demon Gods were unable to move, their faces filled with terror.
"I'll spare your lives for today! If you dare block my path again, I will reduce you to ashes!"
Subodhi roared, his voice shaking the firmaments.
His voice seemed to carry a supreme coercion that made the entire space tremble.
Seeing this, the Demon Gods grew fearful and fled the ancient castle one after another.
Daring not to linger, Subodhi and the others quickly left this place of trouble.
On the continued journey to the West, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.
The fierce battle with the Demon Gods just moments ago left lingering fear in everyone's hearts.
Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky, accompanied by lightning and thunder.
A massive fissure appeared within the cloud layer.
A powerful suction force emanated from it, attempting to pull everyone inside.
Subodhi furrowed his brows deeply and shouted sternly, "What kind of monstrous fiend dares to make trouble here!"
He immediately formed hand seals and cast a protective spell.
A layer of pale blue light instantly shielded everyone, with runes revolving across the radiance, mystical and potent.
Yet that suction force grew increasingly powerful, and the protective spell showed signs of crumbling.
At that very moment, a mysterious figure stepped out from the fissure.
Clad in a black robe, the figure's face was veiled in shadow, obscuring their true appearance.
"Subodhi, I hear your true form is a primordial spiritual root; consuming your flesh and blood can elevate my cultivation. Today, you won't escape!"
The mysterious figure sneered, their voice chilling and terrifying, as if originating from the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds.
Subodhi glared at the opponent with wrath: "Ignorant wretch, state your name!"
The mysterious figure laughed heartily: "I am one of the Chaos Demon Gods, Dijiang! Today, I have specifically come to take your life!"
With that, Dijiang flashed forward, appearing instantly before Subodhi and launching a fiercely sharp attack right off the bat.
A beam of black light shot from his hand like a streak of black lightning, tearing through the void.
Subodhi dodged sideways, flicked the fly whisk in his hand, and engaged Dijiang in battle.
The two traded blows back and forth, magical light flashing brilliantly as the surrounding space was distorted by the immense power, teetering on the verge of collapse.
From time to time, black cracks tore open in space, swallowing everything around them.
At this moment, Gonggong, Taotie, and the others attempted to step forward to assist, only to be blocked outside by a sturdy barrier erected by Dijiang.
"You juniors, just watch from the sidelines!"
Dijiang shouted loudly, his tone laden with utter disdain.
Subodhi let out a cold snort: "With just you, you think you can stop this Patriarch?"
He chanted under his breath, a surging Daoist aura radiating from his entire body as a mysterious rune materialized before him, shining brilliantly.
Like a living entity, the rune continuously twisted and transformed, exclaiming an awe-inspiring power.
Seeing this, Dijiang's expression shifted slightly: "This is..."
Before he could react, the rune erupted with dazzling light, transforming into a mighty force that struck straight at Dijiang.
Wherever this power passed, space was torn apart, emitting a piercing shriek.
Dijiang hurriedly defended himself, yet he was still knocked back several paces, looking rather disheveled.
"Good grief, Subodhi, you truly have some skills!"
Dijiang roared in anger, his eyes filled with rage.
Pressing his advantage, Subodhi unleashed a continuous barrage of spells, beating Dijiang into a continuous retreat with no room to counterattack.
Every single spell carried world-shattering might, leaving Dijiang scrambling to cope.
Just as Dijiang began to falter, he suddenly let out a long howl.
Immediately afterward, several more Demon Gods stepped out from the fissure one after another: Xuanming, Jumang, and Rushou.
"Subodhi, today is your day of death!"
Xuanming said with a sinister tone, her voice chilling people to the bone as if echoing from the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds.
Subodhi showed no fear whatsoever: "No matter how many come, this Patriarch fears none!"
An even more intense battle broke out right then and there.
Fighting against a multitude of foes single-handedly, Subodhi did not fall behind in the slightest.
He unleashed various Daoist ultimate techniques, the dazzling magical light battering the Demon Gods into a sorry state.
Every spell was like brilliant fireworks, yet fraught with fatal peril.
"You lot are nothing special!"
Subodhi scoffed loudly, his tone bold and heroic.
Enraged and humiliated, the Demon Gods threw everything they had into the fight, their offensive growing even more ferocious.
Various magical lights intertwined to form a brilliant sea of light, yet it was fraught with endless danger.
Just as the two sides reached a stalemate, Subodhi suddenly sensed a bizarre presence spying on them from the shadows.
"What kind of rat is hiding its head and tail!"
Subodhi shouted angrily.
At that moment, a dark shadow darted out from the dark—it was the Demon God Luo Hou.
"Ha, Subodhi, today you have wings and still cannot fly!"
Luo Hou laughed wildly, an evil aura emanating from his entire body.
That aura leaped like black flames, as if intent on devouring everything in existence.
Subodhi felt a chill in his heart; this Luo Hou possessed unfathomable strength.
Yet he remained utterly fearless, roaring, "Come if you have the ability!"
With Luo Hou joining the fray, the situation instantly turned extremely unfavorable for Subodhi.
At this critical juncture, a ray of auspicious light descended from the heavens.
Amidst the radiance, the figure of Goddess Nuwa slowly emerged.
"Demon Gods, cease your slaughter."
Goddess Nuwa parted her lips softly, her voice gentle yet carrying an irresistible majesty.
A five-colored radiance emanated from her body, illuminating the entire space.
Luo Hou let out a cold snort: "Nuwa, do not meddle in other people's affairs!"
Goddess Nuwa furrowed her brows slightly: "Wukong's true spirit is of utmost importance and cannot fall into your hands. Subodhi's journey to the West is a fixed destiny."
Though the Demon Gods harbored misgivings about the appearance of Goddess Nuwa, their craving for Wukong's true spirit made them unwilling to give up easily.
Just as both sides stood at an impasse, Subodhi suddenly sensed a strange disturbance emanating from Wukong's true spirit.
"Could it be that Wukong is saved?"
Subodhi's heart stirred.
Seizing this opportunity, he once again unleashed the Chaos Divine Art, its power far surpassing before.
A massive Taiji diagram appeared in the sky, with black and white lights intertwining as it spun and pressed down toward the Demon Gods.
Stunned by this immense power, the Demon Gods lost their footing, terror written across their faces.
Goddess Nuwa seized the moment to wave her sleeve, scattering a sheet of light that temporarily trapped the Demon Gods.
That light transformed into countless threads, binding the Demon Gods tightly.
"Subodhi, leave quickly!"
Goddess Nuwa said.
Subodhi cupped his fists in gratitude and quickly departed with the others.
However, before they had gone far, another fog-shrouded valley appeared ahead.
Faint, eerie laughter echoed from within the valley, as if an even more terrifying existence awaited them.
Subodhi halted his steps, his expression vigilant: "Be careful; this valley likely hides secrets."
Stepping cautiously into the valley, the surrounding mist grew even thicker, making it impossible to distinguish directions.
Suddenly, a fierce gale swept past, and countless pairs of blood-red eyes appeared within the mist.
"Oh no, it's fiendish specters!"
Gonggong exclaimed in alarm.
A swarm of oddly shaped fiendish specters rushed out from the mist, pouncing upon them.
Remaining calm in the face of danger, Subodhi flicked his fly whisk, and a sweep of magical light blasted outward.
The light transformed into a massive crescent moon, and wherever it passed, the fiendish specters turned to ashes.
Yet the specters were numerous, coming wave after wave in an endless stream.
Taotie let out a roar and opened his maw wide, swallowing a large number of fiendish specters.
Black light emanated from his mouth, sucking the specters right into it.
Just as they were fiercely fighting the specters, a low roar echoed from the depths of the valley.
"What kind of monster is this?"
Everyone was startled.
As the roar drew closer, a massive figure slowly materialized from the mist.
It was a giant beast the size of a mountain, radiating a terrifying aura from its entire body.
Its body was covered in scales as hard as iron, every single one gleaming with a chilling light.
"This is a Chaos Behemoth—not easy to deal with!"
Subodhi's expression turned grave.
Yet he did not retreat; instead, he stepped forward and engaged this Chaos Behemoth in a thrilling duel.
The fly whisk in Subodhi's hand danced continuously, every sweep dragging out a brilliant trail of light that transformed into various mysterious runes flying toward the beast.
In response, the beast opened its blood-red maw to spew black flames, which collided with the runes to produce massive explosions.
The magical light and the beast's attacks intertwined, causing the valley to shake violently.
Boulders rolled down and trees snapped, as if the apocalypse had arrived.
After a hard-fought battle, Subodhi finally discovered the beast's weakness and defeated it in one fell swoop.
Continuing onward, the group discovered that the valley concealed many mysterious formations and traps.
"What should we do now?"
Trouble clouded everyone's faces.
Subodhi carefully observed the formations, pondering how to break them.
At that moment, he caught a slight clue.
"Follow me!"
Subodhi led the group, skillfully bypassing trap after trap and unraveling formation after formation.
Every solution was accompanied by flashing light and the dissipation of mysterious runes.
At last, they walked out of the valley.