Chapter 246: Lost the lady and lost the soldiers too
Nether River had long cultivated the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag to unparalleled purity; if Yuan Hong had tried to snatch it with his Innate Divine Ability directly, it likely wouldn’t have worked. Striking it once with the Cornucopia, however, was almost guaranteed success. Once he got hold of it and threw it into the Cornucopia, even Nether River with his tremendous abilities couldn’t reclaim it.
Moreover, in this battle between Buddhist Sect and demons, the Green Lotus Treasure Flag had actually been taken back in advance by Amitabha Buddha. It seems that Amitabha Buddha also knew that if he didn’t take it back, it would have been seized by Wukong. There was no use leaving the Green Lotus Treasure Flag behind, as it could not salvage the defeat of the Buddhist Sect. Why should he simply hand it over to Wukong?
When Yuan Hong struck the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag with the Cornucopia and then tried to snatch it using his Innate Divine Ability, a greatly startled Nether River attempted to intervene. However, Wu Zhiqi suddenly attacked, sweeping a iron rod that forced Nether River back, then released hundreds of Water Thunders, rendering Nether River unable to advance.
Taking this chance, Yuan Hong took hold of the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag and tossed it into the Cornucopia, causing Nether River to feel his final thread of connection to the flag being severed! It seemed that the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag was now beyond prediction, taken away by them, and he could not reclaim it anymore.
When had Nether River ever suffered such a loss? In recent years, indeed, he had faced some misfortune, consistently bested by Wukong. Having the Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag taken from him now, he was furious, especially since it was no ordinary Magical Treasure, but something even revered by Saints!
Lord of Primordial Beginning had the Central Yellow Apricot and Earth Flag, Laozi possessed the Li Di Flame Light Flag, and Amitabha Buddha had the Green Lotus Treasure Flag. The remaining two flags were now in the hands of Wukong and Nether River.
"Return my flag!" Nether River unleashed his Spell and smashed all the Water Thunders, cursing loudly as he launched at Yuan Hong.
Ksitigarbha King, realizing what had happened, saw that it was Victorious Fighting Buddha and Wukong scheming against Nether River’s Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag. His arrival was indeed timely, first to resolve a significant vow and secondly to help Yuan Hong and Wu Zhiqi seize the Xian Yuan Water Control Flag from Nether River. Seeing Nether River attacking Yuan Hong, he quickly intervened, raising his scripture in the air to block Nether River, from which a massive Great Hand Seal emerged and struck Nether River’s head.
Nether River was forced back, howling furiously. His Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag had been taken and now surrounded by four Primordial Golden Immortals; how could he reclaim it? The frustration in his heart was unbearable! As the Nether River Patriarch, when had he ever suffered such indignity and loss? The more he thought, the angrier he became, his attacks growing more violent, repeatedly unleashing lethal moves, yet all were neutralized by Ksitigarbha King and Diting.
After deploying deadly moves, Yuan Hong and Wu Zhiqi also attacked. Their staves, like parasites clinging to bones, attacked from both sides. Nether River’s twin Divine Swords barely managed to block them, but a moment’s inattention allowed him to take a heavy punch powered by Yuan Hong’s Innate Divine Ability, leaving him dizzy and bleeding from the nostrils.
Yuan Hong laughed loudly, "Nether River, that Xuan Yuan Water Control Flag is now mine to cherish. You need not ask for it back! If you kneel and beg me, I might just soften my heart and return it to you."