Chapter Fifteen: The Golden Lock as Protection

Seeing the old woman approach with furious eyes, Tongtian was terrified. Even the great Pangu within the Nine-Rank Purple Lotus could not stop her, revealing the overwhelming strength she possessed.

Tongtian had no idea how he could have offended such a formidable figure, so he asked, “Senior, why do you glare at us with such fury? I do not know what offense I may have given you. I beg you to enlighten me.”

The old woman was none other than the mother of the Nine-Tailed Earth Scorpion. Upon seeing the devouring Meridian Mouse perched on Tongtian’s shoulder, she became even more convinced that her son had perished at this Daoist’s hands.

“I am the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother, who cultivates deep within the earth veins of White Tiger Ridge amidst the Nether Lava and Yin Fire. Some days ago, my son ventured out carrying me on his back and became entangled in karmic matters with the parents of your devouring Meridian Mouse. My son was killed by them. In my rage, I slew its parents. Yet this wretch remains at large. Young friend, would you yield the devouring Meridian Mouse to me, so that I might comfort my son’s spirit in heaven?” The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother gazed at the treasure mouse, then at Tongtian as she spoke.

The treasure mouse, having developed its own spiritual consciousness but unable to speak like a human, pleaded pitifully with Tongtian not to hand it over. Seeing the sorrowful little mouse, Tongtian resolved to protect it.

Tongtian thought for a moment and bowed to the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother. “Senior, this devouring Meridian Mouse is my disciple—how could I hand it over for you to punish? I ask that you return for now. I am indebted to you for this karma. When this creature matures, I will visit your abode to apologize, and our karma shall be settled. Would that be acceptable, senior?”

The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother clenched her fists, torn with grief and indecision.

Having reached the realm of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, she could perceive the fortune of others. It was precisely after observing Tongtian’s luck that she hesitated. The Daoist’s fortune burned red and purple—a sign of great luck, wisdom, and perseverance. Ordinarily, upon seeing such fortune, others would either avoid him or seek to become his disciple, hoping to shelter beneath his greatness.

Yet some, emboldened by their own prowess, would attempt to rob such a person, hoping to seize his fortune. If successful, they would gain it for themselves; if not, retribution would surely follow, and they would be reduced to ashes.

She had cultivated for millions of years; how could she abandon it so easily?

Moreover, the figures within the Nine-Rank Purple Lotus emanated such awe-inspiring might that she trembled unconsciously. Who, indeed, was that peerless being?

After much consideration, the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother said to Tongtian, “Young friend, let us compromise. My son cannot have died in vain, but you do not wish your disciple to suffer harm. Therefore, as his teacher, you shall endure three blows from me to appease my anger. Would you accept this?”

The treasure mouse let out sorrowful squeaks, expressing its worry. Tongtian stroked the little mouse’s head and smiled reassuringly.

The black ox too bellowed anxiously.

Earlier, the old woman had unleashed her magical treasure—a silver needle. Now, the Nine-Rank Purple Lotus hovered above the black ox, slowly descending and releasing waves of merit to heal its wounds.

The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother was astonished to see the merit from the Purple Lotus healing the black ox.

“What realm is this Nine-Tailed Holy Mother in?” Tongtian eyed the old woman’s intimidating aura and shivered at the prospect of enduring her three blows. He turned to ask the Pangu Great God in the returning Nine-Rank Purple Lotus.

“The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother is at the early stage of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, one of the rare top masters in the world,” replied Pangu, sending a message to Tongtian.

“Can I withstand her three strikes?” Tongtian grew more anxious upon hearing this.

“Who are you? You are my primordial spirit incarnate. How could you not withstand her? Besides, am I not here?” Pangu consoled him.

Indeed, all of the Great Desolation was formed from Pangu’s essence. Every living being felt a fatherly peace in his presence. Did not all creatures worship Buzhou Mountain in the days of the Sorcerer and Demon tribes?

Pangu is the irreplaceable god in the hearts of all beings of the Great Desolation. All creatures owe him karma, which is why the Three Pure Ones ultimately achieved sainthood and established their teachings.

“Very well. Since senior holds me in such regard, please instruct me.” With Pangu’s reassurance, Tongtian finally steeled himself.

The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother extended her palms, transforming the silver needle into a dense black poison upon her hands—her venom concentrated for maximum effect. It was clear how powerful this blow would be.

The old woman turned into a stream of light and struck Tongtian’s lower abdomen. Tongtian screamed as he was sent flying, while Pangu stood motionless.

This was an attempt by the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother to shatter the primordial spirit within Tongtian’s dantian and claim victory. But she was destined for disappointment—Tongtian wiped blood from his lips and stood up with renewed determination.

“This old hag is ruthless, attacking before agreeing to anything. Does she take me for a fool?” Tongtian muttered under his breath.

Tongtian possessed a treasure for self-defense, forged from rare materials and refined for protection. It was also the favor of the Great Dao towards the Three Pure Ones; otherwise, their immense fortune would have been taken by others, and they would not have lived so freely thereafter.

It was a Longevity Lock—not an ordinary one.

Since the Three Pure Ones were incarnations of Pangu’s primordial spirit, they were essentially Pangu himself. All beings of the Great Desolation owed them karma, and their reverence for Pangu had crystallized into this Longevity Lock, making it truly invaluable and incapable of harming Tongtian’s essence.

“Did I not say you must not use magical treasures? How can you go back on your word?” Seeing that Tongtian suffered only a minor wound, the old woman grew more anxious. Was she really going to let him go?

Watching Tongtian’s smug expression, the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother grew even more furious.

She unleashed her powerful magic, repeatedly sending Tongtian flying, but none of it harmed his essence. The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother unconsciously clenched her fist, nodding heavily as if making a decisive choice.

“Senior, your karma with the treasure mouse is settled. If there is nothing further, I will take my leave,” said Tongtian, though his body seemed unharmed, using the Longevity Lock had drained all his own power. He was barely holding on, hoping to frighten the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother away.

“Young one, you are skilled indeed. I am impressed.” The Nine-Tailed Holy Mother finished speaking and turned to the floating Nine-Rank Purple Lotus, striking it with her palm; then she flew to Tongtian and delivered a punch, sending him tumbling.

She had discovered the Longevity Lock’s weakness—if she could seize this youth’s fortune, her own enlightenment would be at hand.

Seeing Tongtian lying motionless on the ground, the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother burst into wild laughter. “My son, at last I have avenged you!”

Her immense power gathered at her fingertips, the silver needle at her finger slowly changing from silver-white to ashen gray.

That needle was distilled from the venom of the scorpion’s tail, refined by fusing innate turbid energy and her own poison, making it deadlier than ever.

She poured all her power into it and aimed to pierce Tongtian’s head.

The brain is the key to survival for all beings—the Longevity Lock’s weakness.

The black ox and treasure mouse, seeing Tongtian in danger, tried to rush forward to protect him, but were frozen in place by the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother’s magic, unable to move.

Pangu, observing from the Nine-Rank Purple Lotus, saw Tongtian in peril and hastened to help. The old woman unleashed another black needle at the Purple Lotus, slowing its flight.

As the black needle drew closer to Tongtian, the Nine-Tailed Holy Mother’s joy grew. But at that moment, her smile froze upon her face.