Chapter 162: Chapter 159: The Sun Goddess Temple in Fusang Valley Chapter 162: Chapter 159: The Sun Goddess Temple in Fusang Valley Speaking of Enlightenment Dao, he had secluded himself for seven days to refine his True Qi, and after emerging from seclusion, he and several brothers went to Yingzhou Island.

In Ancient Times, Yingzhou was also known as Fusang due to the presence of a Divine Fusang Tree on the island. This tree nurtured a three-legged Golden Crow named Taiyi. From the Dao comes one; one begets two; two beget three; three gives birth to all things. Those born with three legs are extraordinarily gifted, let alone possessing the name Taiyi, representing “Qi” in the aphorisms of the Taoist Sect, the Innate Qi.

Now, Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and Tathagata were expounding on the Dao, clearly indicating their disinterest in having disciples interfere in the mortal realm’s Way of the Dao and allowing it to develop freely for a while. This balance was temporarily not to be disrupted, as it would instigate a fierce conflict between Buddhism and Daoism. Thus, Enlightenment Dao was not in a rush. He could, for the moment, rest assured and deal with other matters. The rise and fall of the Human Path still had to wait until Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and Tathagata concluded their teachings before he could intervene. Therefore, Enlightenment Dao could put this matter aside for now.

On the day he emerged from seclusion, Ox Demon King could hardly wait and said, “You’re finally out; let’s hurry to Yingzhou!”

Enlightenment Dao chuckled and said, “Are you so eager to have someone accompany you in becoming an ox? You’re dragging me out as soon as I leave seclusion.”

Ox Demon King said, “There’s no time to delay; the sooner it’s done, the better, to avoid constant worry and annoyance.”

Enlightenment Dao then nodded and responded, “Alright, let’s go then. Where are the other brothers?”

After a whistle, five other Demon Kings arrived, along with the Jade-faced Fox, and gathered there.

“Let’s go, we’ll all head to Yingzhou together and see what this Yamata no Orochi is all about,” the Macaques King said, eager to encounter these beings born with nine heads.

Ox Demon King had Hu Li ride his Bishui Golden-eyed Beast, also known as a water-repelling Golden-eyed Beast, a mystical creature with the bloodline of an ancient Qilin, especially adept in Escape Technique, capable of navigating both sky and sea with supreme ease. The sea was its strongest environment. Since Hu Li’s mana was weak, barely at the level of a Taiyi Golden Immortal’s First Heaven, she naturally couldn’t keep up with the Demon Kings’ speed of escape; thus, Ox Demon King had her ride his mount.

Enlightenment Dao then said, “Yingzhou Island lies beyond the Eastern Sea. This journey will probably take about a day, right?”

Ox Demon King replied, “Roughly so.”

Yingzhou, far beyond the Eastern Sea, required even these powerful beings capable of traveling millions of miles a day to spend a day or two to reach it.

The Macaques King said, “Miss Hu Li, you lead the way. We’ve never been to Yingzhou and don’t know the route!”

Hu Li laughed and said, “Alright! Let’s go, Xiao Lan.”

Hu Li had affectionately named the Bishui Golden-eyed Beast “Xiao Lan” as it was completely blue, resembling the sea. Although it was a rather common name and the creature was not particularly pleased with it, upon seeing Ox Demon King’s fierce gaze, it reluctantly lowered its head, accepted the name, and carried Hu Li towards the East Sea, with Hu Li indicating the direction to Yingzhou Island and the six Demon Kings and Enlightenment Dao following closely behind.

Enlightenment Dao stood atop his Seven Stars Sword, his hands behind his back, slicing through the clouds with his sword qi, appearing rather carefree and elegant. The other Demon Kings, either riding clouds, mounts, or utilizing magical treasures, traveled swiftly. Knowing the abilities of the company, the Bishui Golden-eyed Beast also moved swiftly, unafraid that those behind would not be able to keep up.

With these seven individuals traveling together, no one dared to obstruct them, for even the strongest mystics of the Demon Path had to measure their own strength; these were Giant Demon Fiends who killed without blinking—an arrival of Demon Path experts would likely result in them kneeling and calling out “Grandfather.”

After a day’s flight, they finally saw a vast land looming ahead; this was Yingzhou Island.

Yingzhou Island was desolate, scarcely populated, with towering mountains and trees that shielded the sky, presenting a truly primordial visage.

Hu Li stated, “That is Yingzhou. Our Green Hills Country is located on the left side of Yingzhou, a secret realm founded by the Heavenly Fox Lady in former years.”

Those capable of founding a secret realm were severe figures at the third layer of Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal, also termed the creator. The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox was the most formidable presence among the Qingqiu Demon Foxes, but perished, turning to ash during the great wars in the Middle Ancient Times. Hence, the Qingqiu clan had weakened so significantly; otherwise, even with the great abilities of Yamata no Orochi, conquering this land would not have been so easy.

After traveling a bit further, they finally arrived on Yingzhou Island, landed on the ground, and rested briefly.

“This Yingzhou really is a fine place—seldom trodden by humans, with lush trees, but not suitable for ordinary human habitation,” Enlightenment Dao noted, nodding.

Occasionally, a tiger or leopard could be seen moving through the jungle; sensing the presence of these Demon Kings, they kept their distance. Many parts of Yingzhou Island consisted of primeval forests unapt for human settlements, only the central area contained some sparse tribes and cities.

Hu Li said, “Ahead lies a valley known as Fusang Valley. In ancient times, the Ancient Demon Emperor Taiyi emerged from Fusang Valley. Would the great kings like to visit and see?”

The Macaques King laughed and said, “I’ve long heard of the great name of the Ancient Demon Emperor Taiyi. Naturally, we must see what the place of his birth looks like.”

Hu Li, riding the Bishui Golden-eyed Beast, led the way. As they passed, demon beasts and charming spirits all gave way, not daring to approach. The aura of these great demons was too frightening.

As they crossed the valley, they saw a tribe gathering there. The people of the tribe were all short and looked ugly and bizarre, which made the Macaques King grimace and say, “The descendants of those thousands of boys and girls brought by Xu Fu have all turned out like this. It’s truly surprising.”

The tribe was extremely primitive; the houses were poorly constructed and hardly provided shelter from the wind and rain. Both men and women covered their essential parts with tattered cloth or leaves.

However, at the deepest part of the valley, there was a grand hall built impeccably, clearly not by the hands of these natives, but likely by people of the Dao of Immortals.

“What is that place?” the Macaques King asked Hu Li.

“That is the Sun Goddess Temple. The deity they worship here is the wife of the Demon Emperor, Lady Xihe,” said Hu Li.

Xihe, the wife of the Demon Emperor, who had two names, Taiyi and Di Jun, was a Golden Crow who, together with Xihe, had ten sons. Nine of them were killed by Hou Yi of the Witch Clan during the great battle against the witches. Only one son, Lu Ya, who took the title of Kunlun Hermit under Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, escaped this calamity. Later, he avenged the great vengeance by slaying Hou Yi with the Immortal-Slaying and God-Punishing Treasured Saber.

Daoist Equal to Heaven thought to himself, “I wonder what the relation between Heavenly Illuminating Holy King and this Sun Goddess Xihe is?”

Daoist Equal to Heaven activated his Heavenly Eye and could see streams of pure incense power and wishes drifting into the Sun Goddess Temple. The humans here were like those of the Vedha Continent in the Buddhist sect, barbaric and uneducable, yet they worshipped the Sun Goddess profoundly, which is why the incense power and wishes were so pure. Since Daoist Equal to Heaven had refined quite a bit of incense power and wishes, he could distinctly feel this flawless and pure wish power.

The memory of Heavenly Illuminating Holy King was profoundly ingrained in him, as he had almost lost his life at his hands. Therefore, hearing of “Amaterasu” inevitably stirred up his imagination.

There were some guards outside the grand hall, but they were ordinary humans, and the group entered the Sun Goddess Temple easily.

The Sun Goddess Temple was constructed magnificently and grandly. Hu Li said that this temple was originally where the Divine Fusang Tree grew. After the tree disappeared, this palace was built to worship the idol of Lady Xihe, whom the people of the Eastern Sea referred to as the Sun Goddess.

Xihe, being the wife of the Demon Emperor, likely also wielded considerable mana. The title “Sun Goddess,” in Yingzhou, also meant the Sun deity, and since Xihe bore ten Golden Crows, it was not surprising that she was revered as the Sun deity as well.

In the center of the temple stood an idol, a woman, carved exquisitely and lifelike by divine craftsmen, indeed the wife of the Ancient Demon Emperor, Xihe.

The Macaques King said, “Is this Lady Xihe? The mother of the ten Golden Crows?”

Hu Li replied, “Yes, this idol indeed represents Lady Xihe.”

The eight visitors had just looked at the idol of the Sun Goddess and were preparing to leave when suddenly a fierce screech resounded, followed instantaneously by a wave of heat sweeping over them.

The group was shocked as the terrifying heat wave instantly enveloped the entire temple, turning countless inhabitants of Ying into ash.

But, from the idol emitted a beam of green light that repelled all the heat waves back. From within the idol emerged a person, it was Xihe, her expression dark, almost murderous.

A person entered from outside the temple; he was short, dressed in a black Taoist robe, holding a gourd, and his face was also filled with a murderous aura.

After all, it is unknown who this newcomer is, please tune in next time to find out.

PS: I’m down with a cold, my nose is blocked and runny, and drinking hot water all day does nothing. I wrote this chapter from seven in the morning till half-past ten, which is really tough on me.