The Veil Fractured
The gale upon the summit of Indigo Cloud Mount roared with ferocious intensity, carrying a bone-chilling aura that seemed to blow from the most desolate abysses of the old cosmos. The sky of Shenzhou turned a deep crimson like spilled blood, as layers of dark clouds swirled to obscure the pristine stars.
Amidst this upheaval, Tri Nhat, Tieu Nguyet, and Minh Ngoc knelt in unison before the Master. Their eyes were fixed upon Him with reverence and utmost solemnity.
The Master directed His profound gaze toward the distant, misty North, His eyes heavy with ancient compassion:
"Do you believe that the Toad Demon is the ultimate mastermind behind this tribulation? No. He is merely a puppet, a wretched pawn on the colossal chessboard of the evil forces existing beyond the Three Realms."
Tri Nhat felt a tremor in his consciousness, his primordial spirit rising in stern gravity:
"A puppet? Yet his destructive power is immensely fierce; in my past life, my earthly form was severely damaged by that ancient demonic force."
The Master shook His head gently, His voice resounding like the striking of an ancient cosmic bell in the silent void:
"That destructive force does not originate from within him. It springs from a source far darker, traversing layers of hidden realms."
With a gentle wave of His hand, a beam of pure white light shot into the air, manifesting a mystical screen. Upon the screen, the gargantuan silhouette of a colossal dragon appeared, crimson as congealed blood, writhing vehemently within layers of mutated dark clouds. Its eyes flashed with a sky-rending hatred that tore through space itself.
"This is the Blood-Shadow of Wrathful Long. It is an ancient evil spirit formed from the corrupt blood-turbidity of the decaying cosmos, fueled by the accumulated resentment of countless lifetimes."
Minh Ngoc tightened his grip on the Minh Tam Golden Sword:
"So it is the spiritual entity that manipulates the Toad Demon?"
"Not only does it manipulate him," the Master replied softly, "it nurtures and imparts mutated demonic power to him. Without the Blood-Shadow behind him, the Toad Demon could not withstand a single strike of your divine weapons. Yet, even the Blood-Shadow is nothing more than a tool used by forces far higher and far more sinister."
Shadows Beyond the Three Realms
The Master lightly flicked His sleeve. The vault of heaven briefly parted, revealing colossal, hazy shadows arrayed in endless layers beyond the periphery of the mortal sky. They emitted a suffocating pressure of absolute coldness and darkness that weighed heavily upon all creation.
"These are the Evil Gods of the Old Forces," the Master spoke, His voice echoing through the mountain peak. "Entities from the ancient realms that have become corrupt and bound by ultimate selfishness. They fear the renewal of the cosmos, for in the new universe, their corrupt authority shall exist no longer. Thus, they orchestrate tribulations from the shadows, seeking to obstruct the Righteous Fa and destroy the righteous thoughts of cultivators."
Tieu Nguyet’s pure eyes reflected the dark expanse above:
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"Are they the ones pulling the strings of this crimson disaster?"
"They are," the Master affirmed. "They cannot directly manifest their true forms within the physical realm due to cosmic laws, so they use the Blood-Shadow, the Toad Demon, and countless dark spirits to sow chaos from within. They target you because you carry the light of the Righteous Fa in this darkness. If your resolve wavers, the world plunges into shadow."
Tri Nhat lifted his head, his eyes burning with unwavering faith:
"Master, no matter how vast the darkness beyond, we shall never bow to the Old Forces."
The Master looked down at the foot of Indigo Cloud Mount, where the ominous crimson hue was spreading like a bloodstain across a sheet of pristine silk.
"Remember this," the Master’s warm voice anchored their minds: "The third supreme Fa-treasure shall manifest only when you overcome this grand tribulation of life and death with pure, diamond-like, unmoving righteous thoughts. Go now, and save the sentient beings trapped in this storm."
The three practitioners declared their grand vow in unison, their voices shaking heaven and earth:
"We disciples vow to remain steadfast in our righteous faith, and never to retreat!"
The Descent of the Blood-Shadow
A roar of deep-seated resentment erupted from the North, like thunder exploding from the deepest depths of hell, causing the entire Divine Land to tremble violently.
The crimson sky tore apart. The colossal silhouette of the Blood-Shadow of Wrathful Long writhed ominously within the clouds, its body rolling like a vast sea of congealed blood. Every breath it drew released an aura of resentment, causing vegetation to wither and clear rivers to turn into an eerie, dark crimson.
Minh Ngoc observed the darkening landscape below:
"It is unleashing its ferocious power to incite hatred and demonic nature within the hearts of the populace!"
Tieu Nguyet steadfastly activated her divine powers:
"If it is not purified in time, this resentment will consume all of Shenzhou in violent chaos."
Tri Nhat stood up, his blue Fa-protecting light bursting forth like heavenly flames:
"Let us descend!"
The Macroscopic Battlefield
Tri Nhat’s primordial spirit instantly entered his Primordial Child—his purest, diamond-like divine body—transforming into a streak of purple-blue divine light that tore through the crimson night. The Primordial Children of Tieu Nguyet and Minh Ngoc emerged simultaneously, following closely behind.
The three great currents of Blue, White, and Green true qi resonated into a ribbon of light, purifying every inch of soil and every trembling tree under the pressure of the evil qi.
In the distance, the Blood-Shadow of Wrathful Long roared in mad fury. In the mundane world below, the demonic aura began to affect ordinary minds—arguments erupted, hatred flared, and chaos threatened to shatter all moral values.
Tri Nhat stood in mid-air, his Primordial Child radiating ten thousand changs of blue light:
"Blood-Shadow of Wrathful Long! The Righteous Fa tolerates none of your cruelty!"
Tieu Nguyet raised the Lunar Pure Lotus high; its white light radiated like a full moon, dissolving the aura of resentment wherever it touched. Minh Ngoc thrust the Minh Tam Golden Sword deep into the earth, establishing a barrier of green light around the villages to shield the people from dark thoughts.
However, just as the divine light began to spread, a colossal hand composed of countless shadow-tendrils reached down from the northern sky. Behind that dark hand, the silent, looming silhouettes of the Old Forces' Evil Gods watched with cold, ruthless eyes.
Upon the summit of the grim Black Mountain, the Toad Demon stood motionless, his eyes glowing red like two sinister fires. He laughed with arrogant madness:
"Tri Nhat... Tieu Nguyet... Minh Ngoc... Do you truly believe your meager light can withstand the boundless sea of hatred of the old cosmos?"
The vault of heaven was now sharply divided: on one side was the brilliant Blue, White, and Green light of the disciples; on the other was the billowing, ferocious Red and Black aura of the ancient darkness.
The grand battle had officially begun.
CANTO XIII: THE REVELATION OF HEAVENLY SECRETS
Atop Indigo Cloud Mount, the Master speaks the word,
As crimson stains the sky where the wrathful dragon stirred.
Beyond the Three Realms, ancient shadows deploy their maze,
While rotten hands of dark intent veil the mortal skies in haze.
With unified intent, the three disciples swear their vow,
Merging divine lights to shield the earth below.
The lotus light and golden blade dissolve the bitter clouds,
To guard the righteous path against the evil crowds.