“My dear, once we have vanquished Fu Xiu, you and I will travel through mountains and rivers to find a utopia. We will be in a place where there is no strife, only flowers, and I will be by your side forever and ever.” “Yes, Buqun, yes,” Xu Caitong was moved to tears. She felt so blessed to have a husband who loved her so deeply, what more could she ask for in this life? “Boom!” Another bright bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking the mountain peak right in front of them. The spot where it struck caved in, just enough for them to stand in the pit and continue their ascent to the mountain top. Liu Buqun hid Xu Caitong’s face in his embrace, not letting her see the celestial thunder. He held her close, moving slowly, step by step, climbing through the hollows created by the lightning towards the summit.
In the Heavenly Court, Fu Xiu was unleashing chaos, his dragon horns like knives, his whiskers like whips, spewing toxic fire, sending the Four Heavenly Kings into hiding and laying the Twenty-Eight Mansions to the ground. He fought his way through the Palace of Dispatching Clouds, stormed into the Bright Hall, and was causing havoc outside the Celestial Hall. The Jade Emperor could only hear the clash of weapons outside the Bright Hall, his face turning ashen with fear. This evil dragon had been malevolent long before the heavens and earth were separated. Only because of a moment of leniency, his soul was not extracted, leading to today’s calamity in the Heavenly Court.
“Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, and Nezha, the Third Prince, are you here?” The Jade Emperor glanced at the assembled immortals below the hall, asking in a trembling voice. “Here.” Li Jing and Nezha stepped out from the ranks of the immortals. “King Li, lead the Five Directions Revealers and the Four Duty Gods to guard the Heavenly Court.” “Yes.” Father and son, Li Jing and Nezha, took their orders and left.
The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King and the Third Prince Nezha, commanding the Thunder Gods and their troops, armed with swords, spears, halberds, whips, maces, axes, claws, and various other weapons, set up an array outside the Lingxiao Palace. They fought fiercely, stirring up dark clouds, darkening the sky and earth…
