A Martial Odyssey Book 3: The Stellar Sanctuary Chapter 48

The Desolate Cauldron Goddess

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa had guided them to the bottom of a gorge, “The entrance to the next level should be inside. But let me make myself clear first, I am not responsible for any casualties or dangers!”

Yi Ping smiled weakly, “We understand and we are already grateful…”

All of a sudden the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa warned aloud, “Hold!”

She began to look intently at the imposing tall gorge around them as she sighed softly, “This is a death trap! We have to get out of here immediately!”

Yi Ping, Lingfeng, Alice and everyone was asking, “What is wrong?”

The Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess warned aloud, “Ahead of us is the Cosmos Water Formation. Most of us will definitely be swept by the torrential waters once it is activated!”

The expressions of the Universal Old Man was suddenly alive as he said passionately, “It is just water. Do we have to chicken out just like this?”

He proceeded to pat Yi Ping on his shoulder, “What do you say? This is but a little tribulation or are you afraid of getting wet?”

Yi Ping of course was not afraid and he replied without any hesitation, “I am not afraid but surely the Great Goddess Nuwa has her reasons to raise concern?”

The Lord Supreme, the Immortal Saint of Swords and Skylord Jun were all saying aloud at the same time, “I am not afraid too…”

Skylord Jun was looking at the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa with a puzzled expression, “The Cosmos Water Formation may be a powerful formation but if we are careful then it won’t be life threatening…”

Yi Ping was suddenly startled when he had noticed that Alice, Lingfeng, Aiel, the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa and many of the maidens were all flushing and were looking shyly away!

Aiel was clenching her short skirt and fingering her dress tightly around her as she flushed, “Let’s us turn back. Surely there is another way…”

It was only then that Yi Ping realized why they had those reactions. He looked at the Universal Old Man with a half amused look, “Protégé master…brother, surely that is not the reason why you are so excited?”

The Universal Old Man protested immediately, “Of course not! I am looking at the bigger picture. After all, we have been struck here for too long…”

Lingfeng had suddenly given him a hard knock on his head as she hummed coldly, “I dare you to say that again!”

The Universal Old Man began to grumble, “My Heaveness! Even you have misunderstood me…Yu’Er, Mei’Er, surely you understand me best…”

Yu’Er and Mei’Er were flushing shyly as they looked at each other, doing their best to restrain from commenting!

Ye Yin hummed coldly, “He has that dirty look all over his face and…”

She looked at the Lord Supreme and the Immortal Saint of Swords before she continued, “Surely not…”

The Lord Supreme immediately stammered after he had realized that the Universal Old Man had just fixed them into an awkward spot, “Surely not! That is not what I am thinking. I am a highly attained celestial…”

The Immortal Saint of Swords cursed the Universal Old Man, “I can’t believe that you will mislead us like that. To think that we are now….brothers…I can’t believe what I have done…”

Skylord Jun smiled weakly, “It is what we have done…”

The Universal Old Man laughed heartily as he protested weakly, “It is all a misunderstanding! I am a highly attained Celestial and an immortal practitioner now. Don’t think too much…”

Yi Ping immediately stepped in, “I trust my protégé master. He doesn’t have any ill-intentions. Let’s us heed the advise of the Great Goddess Nuwa and leave this vicinity…”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa interrupted with a fluster look, “My immortal title now is the Great Goddess Desolate Nuwa. You ought well to remember that!”

Yi Ping smiled weakly as he turned back, “Yes, yes. Let’s us find another way then…”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa had stepped forward to raise her hand to say, “No, wait stop…”

All of a sudden Yi Ping had bumped into the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa!

Immediately Yi Ping was seized by a martial force as he was slapped hard by the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa and he was immediately floored onto the ground by her!

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa flushes hotly, “How dare you outrage my modesty. How dare you!…”

Yi Ping was stunned as he stammered, “I didn’t do that on purpose. You have suddenly stopped…”

Skylord Jun was startled. He was about to lend Yi Ping a helping hand to help him up and was muttering, “I am sure that Brother Yi did not dump into your exalted on purpose…”

But before he could finish, both Lingfeng and Youxue had given Yi Ping a hard kick as they said at the same time with total disbelief, “You definitely did that on purpose!”

The Lord Supreme and Immortal Saint of Swords were about to protest Yi Ping’s innocence as well but when they saw that Lingfeng and Youxue had suddenly stepped in accuse him instead of clarifying for him, they were too stunned to say anything!

The Universal Old Man was muttering to Yi Ping as he shook his head solemnly, “Ping’Er, why are you being so rude to the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa? I am really disappointed with you…”

He appeared to be righteous, causing the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa and many of the maidens to nod with indignant! 

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa muttered to the Universal Old Man, “You are a good man. He should learn more from you.”

In actual fact she was feeling a little guilty for slapping and flooring Yi Ping to the ground on a moment of quick reflex. She was actually expecting the group to turn against her for her quick rage and was surprised that many of the group was actually admonishing Yi Ping instead!

Yi Ping muttered something incoherent as he blinked his eyes before he said, “I am sorry…”

The Universal Old Man helped him up as he secretly winked at him with his back facing the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa while saying, “Actually Yi Ping may be rude but surely I believe that it is only an accident…”

Yi Ping saw the hint immediately and thought, “My protégé master must be trying to help me…”

Indeed, his conclusions were reinforced when the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa quickly said, “I will let it pass then but only for this once!”

But he was suspiciously questioning himself, “Why is it that I feel that this is a setup? I mustn’t think this way…”

One must know that if anyone was in this awkward situation themselves, it was difficult for anyone to drawn upon the correct conclusion. Moreover Yi Ping was also distracted by many uncomfortable stares and rebukes!

Lele was humming coldly to Yi Si, “So that is your father. Clumsy as ever.”

Yi Si was giggling softly as she smiled gently, “That is just an accident. Surely everyone has their bad moments.”

Shen Xingyue was muttering, “I don’t know who he is…”

Ye Yin sighed softly, “So do I…”

Yu’Er, Mei’Er, Han Lin and Aiel were the only ones protesting for Yi Ping while Isa, Alice, Asura and Xiang completely kept quiet!

The Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess looked at Yi Ping wryly, “What? There is no punishment for knocking into the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa? Loss of honor must be paid in blood, obviously!”

Obviously she was trying to stir up trouble…

But much to the relief of Yi Ping, the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa hummed coldly, “Good sister, he has already apologized and it is also partly my fault.”

The Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess raised her eyebrows in astonishment as she thought, “This is so astonishing. That the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa will blame herself? This is indeed news!”

Yi Ping quickly muttered, “It is all my fault. I sincerely apologize again…”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa said nonchalantly but seemed to have accepted his apologies, “Actually we do have a way to overcome this Cosmos Water Formation.”

Alice asked, “We do?”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled mysteriously as she pointed at Youxue all of a sudden, “That’s right. Don’t you have the Nine Divine Cauldron? The Nine Divine Cauldron is able to contain the waters of the Cosmos Water Formation so we don’t have to be afraid of getting wet!”

Xiao Youxue smiled weakly, “Unfortunately, I don’t have an idea how to use the Nine Divine Cauldron and I have never even encounter this Cosmos Water Formation before. So how am I going to help everyone?”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled, “I can help you naturally. I can even help you to materialize the Nine Divine Cauldron!”

The Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess hummed, “Be wary. I don’t believe that she will be so kind.”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa hummed coldly, “You either have to trust me or you have to turn back. What do you say? I have nothing to lose anyway. It is not that I am really interested to go to the top.”

Lele said coldly, “I don’t believe.”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa laughed softly as she pointed at Yi Ping, “If I can kill the Great God Pangu here then why should I bother to go to the top?”

Yi Ping began to shiver as he could feel a sudden malevolent that was coming from her!

But he said quietly, “Let’s turn back. Surely there are other ways…”

Youxue said all of a sudden, “No. If there is a way to overcome this Cosmos Water Formation then it is better for us to try. The other entrances may not be easier and may even be more treacherous.”

Yi Ping muttered, “Youxue…”

He was perplexed because he was unsure!

Yunzi was startled as she looked at Youxue, “Xue’Er, you ought to consider more carefully…”

Youxue said firmly, “I have already decided.”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled, “That is good…”

Yi Ping immediately said as he bowed with both his hands, “Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa, please hear me out first…”

He began to hesitate as he thought, “I hope that she will not harm Youxue but do I have the heart to say it out…”

But the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa hummed coldly, “You are suspecting that I have a hidden agenda?”

Yi Ping sighed softly as he muttered, “Indeed…”

The Universal Old Man was shaking his head as he thought, “Alas Ping’Er, you shouldn’t have admitted that. You will offend her…”

The rest of the maidens in the group were also heaving soft sighs as they knew that Yi Ping could readily admitted something than finding an excuse for it!

But at the same time they were also secretly pleased. It was because Yi Ping had never changed all these years. It was precisely because of this reason that they had liked him and it was precisely because of this reason that they were all tangled in this messy relationship!

But beyond this relationship, they had also found a noble cause in life to continue their cultivation attainment. Life had suddenly becomes meaningful to them and because of that, their attainment had been swift!

It was because they all had love in their hearts!

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa said coldly as she gazed piercingly at Yi Ping, “If you think that I will resort to underhand means then you are belittling me. Do you think that I will be willing to allow the Great God Pangu to seal me under the Divine Nine Cauldron?”

Yi Ping was speechless after this admonishment but he soon regained his light hearted; it was because he knew by now that the Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa would not harm Youxue so he replied, “Yes, yes!”

Lie Qing was indignant, “Ping’Er, you are too spineless! An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!”

Yi Ping smiled gently at her, “That is alright.”

Mei’Er was giggling as she looked lovingly at Yi Ping, “Spineless is good!”

Yu’Er was also nodding happily!

Aiel too, was nodding quietly and it was obvious that she was looking idolizing at Yi Ping!

When Han Lin saw her expressions, she pursed her lips and lowered her head; she wished that she would be as brave as Aiel…

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled all of a sudden as she flashed behind Youxue as she gave her a gentle rub on her back, “Don’t move. I am now transferring my vital energies into you to materialize your Divine Nine Cauldron. Simply close your eyes and focus yourself!”

Youxue did as she was told and closed her eyes.

It was not long that wisps of smoke began to appear on top of her head!

Everyone was gasping, not knowing what to expect. After all, they had never seen anything like this before!

All of a sudden Youxue had opened her eyes and her golden eyes were beaming like fire!

Immediately multi-colors prisms of rainbows began to flutter around her as the fire mark that was on her forehead began to flare brightly! 

Alice, Asura, Isa, Xiang, the Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess and Aiel were all gasping as they said at the same time, “It is an auspicious omen!”

Alice added quickly, “It seemed that Youxue has advanced her immortal practice to the Celestial Unison! Impossible, I can’t believe it…”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa said coolly, “Youxue, I have imbued my Great Desolate Force into you. Your Divine Icefire Internal Energies lacked the desolate strength to make it even stronger. So count yourself lucky to have me to help you. Not only that, your Heaven Eyes has now advanced to the Sixth Positioning!”

Youxue was startled as she gasped, “Why are you giving me such help?”

The Sacred Embodied Heavenly Goddess took a step back as she muttered, “Not only that, Maiden Youxue has also just overcome her Divine Crisis and has attained the Celestial Unison…”

Lele was startled, “The same as me now?”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled wryly as she continued to channel her Great Desolate Force onto Youxue, “More than that!”

All of a sudden Youxue gave a soft scream as a golden halo immediately enveloped around her! 

The Goddess of Mercy and the Goddess Asura gasped at the same time, “She is transforming into an Immortal Being now!” 

Yi Ping was staring in disbelief as he too, gasped. “What? Youxue is going to be an Immortal soon?!”

Alice said quietly, “Yes, she is advancing past the Celestial Unison now…”

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burning golden martial force around Youxue as nine beaming golden shards began to materialize around her!

And these nine golden shards began to burst into brilliant golden radiances as it sped with blinding speed around Youxue, forming into part by part into a golden sword!

This golden sword seemed to be consisted of nine shard parts and it was burning with a blue and red aura!

It was obvious from the burning aura of this golden sword that this was an immortal sword that could rival Alice’s Astronomic Eulogy Divine Sword and Yi Ping’s Fantian Sovereign Sword! 

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled, “This is your Divine Nine Cauldron Sword and you are now an immortal. From now on, you will be the Desolate Cauldron Goddess!”

Youxue was gasping with fatigue from the ordeal as she stammered in astonishment, “Huh? I am the Desolate Cauldron Goddess?”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled mysteriously, “Welcome to the dark side! After you have used my Great Desolate Force to further yourself, do you think that you can distance yourself from the Desolate Powers now? Therefore I welcome you as one of us, as a Desolate Goddess!”

Youxue had turned ashen and was traumatized, “You…what have you done with me…”

The Great Desolate Goddess Nuwa smiled coldly, “I need allies to fight the Great God Pangu and you are the perfect vessel for the Desolate Powers!”

Yi Ping had already unsheathed his divine swords as he shouted angrily, “Let go of Youxue now!”