Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 378 Chonghou Hu's troops arrive in Xiqi

After everyone burst into laughter, Yunxiao finally spoke up, saying, "Since the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects are now staying behind closed doors and refusing to fight, they probably won't dare to set up the remaining five formations either."

"And we Taoist disciples cannot directly participate in the siege. Even with the 100,000 troops under Junior Brother Zhang Guifang's command, it is not enough to conquer Xiqi."

"If this drags on, it will be tantamount to giving them a chance to breathe. Once the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects gather in Xiqi City, it will not be an easy task to break through the city."

Master Yuding, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but nod and say, "Junior Sister Yunxiao is absolutely right. Besides the Chan and Jie sects, there is also the Western Sect, which has yet to show up."

"Furthermore, the Grandmaster also said that in addition to the Chan and Jie sects and the Western sect, the Demon Sect will also participate in the Investiture of the Gods calamity."

"If we can't defeat Xiqi before they're fully prepared, then Xiqi might not be so easy to conquer."

As soon as Master Yuding finished speaking, Master Taiyi shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Yuding, you seem to have forgotten something."

"If we destroy Xiqi now, how will we gather all the gods required for the Investiture of the Gods?"

"Furthermore, if we really break through Xiqi now, wouldn't Junior Brother Cihang and the others have prepared for nothing?"

Upon hearing these words from Taiyi Zhenren, everyone present suddenly realized that the war between the Shang Dynasty and Xiqi was not the key to the entire Investiture of the Gods. The key lay in the slaying of generals and the conferment of titles upon gods.

However, they did not know that what Chen Xuan wanted was not to kill generals and confer gods for the Heavenly Court, but to kill generals and confer virtuous titles for the Holy Court of the Human Race.

However, this didn't seem to make much difference to everyone present. After all, the process was the same: beheading a general.

As everyone was discussing how to proceed, someone came to report that Marquis Chonghouhu of the North had led a large army out of Sishui Pass.

Upon learning that the Marquis of the North had finally arrived, Zhang Guifang couldn't help but smile. She immediately said, "Senior brothers and sisters, please wait a moment. I need to go and greet the Marquis of the North, and then we can join forces to fight against one another."

After saying this, he bid farewell to everyone and, together with Feng Lin, led his personal guards towards Sishui Pass to welcome Marquis Chong Houhu of the North.

Watching Zhang Guifang and Feng Lin leave, Yunxiao couldn't help but say, "Since the army arrived at Xiqi City, the Shang army has not suffered any major losses."

"But with the arrival of the Marquis of Bei's 500,000-strong army, a strong attack on Xiqi City is inevitable. At that time, there will surely be corpses everywhere, and countless Shang soldiers will die in this battle."

Looking at the compassionate Yunxiao, Zhao Gongming laughed and said, "Why are you so sad, sister? They are fighting for the human race, so why would they be afraid of dying in battle?"

Although everyone knew that what Zhao Gongming said was true, the thought that tens of thousands of soldiers would die in this battle still made them feel sad.

After all, everyone present had experienced the Lich Wars and knew how brutal they were.

Meanwhile, in Xiqi City, the disciples of the Chan and Jie sects were discussing how to deal with the Shang army.

Just then, a scout reported that Marquis Chonghouhu of the North had led an army of 500,000 out of Sishui Pass and would soon reach the walls of Xiqi.

Upon learning that Marquis Chong Houhu of the North had arrived, Jiang Ziya's expression became even more somber than before.

At this moment, Dao Xing Tianzun took out the Nine Heavens Breath Soil again and spoke to Jiang Ziya.

“Junior Brother Ziya, there is no need to worry. We can use the Nine Heavens Breath Soil to reinforce the city walls. At that time, even if he has a million troops, he will not be able to enter Xiqi City.”

"Our Xiqi city has an inexhaustible supply of grain. Even if we can hold out for ten or twenty years, there's nothing to worry about." "On the contrary, the Shang army will constantly consume its provisions. Before long, the Shang will be unable to sustain itself, and then our opportunity will come."

Now that things have come to this, there is no other way. Jiang Ziya has no choice but to take over the Nine Heavens Breath Soil and personally reinforce the city walls of Xiqi.

Even so, Guang Chengzi still had some worries. He immediately said to Daoxing Tianzun, "Junior Brother Daoxing, if the Shang army attacks the city, we will still have to rely on your skill of turning beans into soldiers."

Dao Xing Tianzun nodded after hearing this, "Senior Brother, there is no need to worry. I have already taught Han Dulong and Xue Ehu the art of turning beans into soldiers."

"With them guarding the city walls, Xiqi will be safe. Another disciple of mine will also be arriving in Xiqi soon."

"Moreover, he should be accompanied by Western Sect disciples. So, Senior Brother, you can rest easy."

Just as Dao Xing Tianzun finished speaking, a hearty laugh came from mid-air. Then, several Daoists descended from the sky.

The leader was none other than Lü Yue, the Plague God of the Jie Sect. Following behind him were Chen Geng and Li Ping, both disciples of the Jie Sect.

Besides these three second-generation disciples of the Jie Sect, there were four third-generation disciples: Zhou Xin, Li Qi, Zhu Tianlin, and Yang Wenhui, who were direct disciples of Lü Yue.

After bowing to the crowd, Lü Yue said, "It's just a few hundred thousand troops; why should the disciples of the Western Sect need to take action?"

"Once I set up a great formation outside Xiqi City, I guarantee that his hundreds of thousands of troops will be reduced to ashes in an instant."

Upon hearing that Lü Yue was also going to set up an array, Guang Chengzi couldn't help but ask, "I wonder what is so mysterious about the array that Fellow Daoist Lü Yue is setting up?"

Lü Yue laughed loudly and said, "The great formation I have set up is called the Plague Formation. A mournful wind rises from within the formation, chilling to the bone..."

Lu Yue, radiant with energy, explained the profound mysteries of his grand formation to everyone. Simply put, the formation was rife with plague; once infected, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would find it difficult to survive.

Just as Lü Yue was explaining the mysteries of his great formation, his disciple Zhou Xin spoke up.

"Master, before setting up the formation, why don't we four disciples go to the Shang army camp? Let them know that we, master and disciples, have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Lü Yue nodded in agreement, “That’s how it should be, lest those Daoist disciples look down on the immortals of my Jie Sect.”

Having received their master's permission, Zhou Xin and his three fellow disciples each took out their magical treasures, preparing to release the plague into the Shang army camp at nightfall.

Don't underestimate Lü Yue's four disciples. Although the magic weapons they possess are not innate spiritual treasures, they are extremely insidious.

Zhou Xin's magical artifact is called the Headache Chime; striking it will cause a splitting headache. Li Qi's magical artifact is called the Irritability Banner; shaking it will make the enemy's illness terminal.

Zhu Tianlin's magical weapon is called the Coma Sword, which can render enemies unconscious with a single swing. Yang Wenhui's magical weapon is called the Plague Whip, which can drive people mad, making them lose their minds and unable to distinguish friend from foe.

To ensure his four apprentices could achieve merit in battle, Lü Yue also provided them with a plague pill, instructing them to spread the plague within the Shang army camp. They were also to be sent to Sishui Pass as well.

After receiving their orders, Zhou Xin and his three fellow disciples went to make their own preparations. Meanwhile, Lü Yue began leading his two junior brothers to set up the Plague Formation outside Xiqi City.

(End of this chapter)