Primordial Era: A man at the mouth of the Guanjiang River marries the Third Holy Mother.

Jiang Ziya stood by the bluestone, his hands gripping the Qiankun bag at his waist tightly. He was frozen in place, his back covered in cold sweat.

Shen Gongbao's words just now struck him like a heavy hammer blow to his heart.

Although he was not very talented, he had lived for seventy or eighty years and had a clearer understanding of human nature than anyone else.

Who in the entire prehistoric world doesn't know how powerful the Jie Sect is now?

Not to mention that the Tongtian Sect Leader was stationed on Jin'ao Island, and the Four Swords of Zhuxian were renowned throughout the world.

The Grand Preceptor Chen Changsheng alone in Chaoge, the capital of the Great Shang Dynasty, was already putting immense pressure on the Chan Sect.

He was a ruthless character who dared to confront even saints head-on, wielding the Demonic Treasure God-Slaying Spear and protected by the Innate Treasure Eastern Emperor Bell.

Even the current emperor, Di Xin, has cultivated the "Human Emperor Scripture" tailor-made by Chen Changsheng, and is imbued with the Xuan Bird Qi of the human race, making him impervious to all laws.

What is Xiqi?

Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, was merely a regional lord. His mortal soldiers were utterly no match for the Shang army and the immortals of the Jie Sect.

The Primordial Celestial Lord sent him to Xiqi with the Investiture of the Gods and the God-Slaying Whip to assist the wise ruler. To put it nicely, it was in accordance with the will of Heaven; to put it bluntly, it was sending Jiang Ziya to risk his life to test the waters.

But the question is, can he resist?

That was a decree from the Sage of Jade Void Palace!

By disobeying the sage's decree, Jiang Ziya would not even have the chance to be reincarnated; he would instantly turn to ashes.

"Junior Brother Shen..."

Jiang Ziya's lips trembled, his eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness.

"What you're saying, I understand perfectly well."

"The Jie Sect is powerful, and the Shang Dynasty is at its zenith. I, a mere mortal at the peak of Earth Immortal realm, am caught between the two powerful sects and am just a drop in the ocean."

"But my master has already issued a holy decree. If I do not obey, the Jade Void Palace can eliminate me at any time."

"This great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods, whether I want to push it aside or not, I have to push it aside."

As Jiang Ziya finished speaking, he stomped his foot heavily, his face full of resigned dejection.

Shen Gongbao looked at Jiang Ziya's appearance and sneered inwardly, thinking to himself that the old man wasn't completely stupid after all.

He was afraid that Jiang Ziya would be fooled by Yuanshi Tianzun's few words about worldly wealth and glory, and would actually think of himself as a savior.

Now that Jiang Ziya knew the answer, things became much easier.

Shen Gongbao took two steps forward, lowered his voice, and his tone became meaningful.

"Senior brother, you're getting stuck on this one point."

"Are you constantly worried that your master will blame you and you won't be able to bear the consequences?"

Jiang Ziya nodded quickly.

"Of course. When a sage is angry, the heavens and earth are turned upside down. How could I dare to outwardly comply while inwardly defying him?"

Shen Gongbao waved his hand and chuckled.

"Senior brother, oh senior brother, a great calamity is coming, karma is intertwined, and the secrets of heaven have long been in complete chaos."

"The sage sits high in the nine heavens, observing the grand scheme of things and the struggle for destiny; why would he care about your specific actions?"

"Your master has ordered you to go down the mountain to assist Xiqi. Just do as he says. The Investiture of the Gods and the God-Slaying Whip are in your hands. You are the one to carry the banner."

"However, the great calamity is inevitable, but your own fate is in your own hands."

"As long as you save your own life, let them do whatever they want with you!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziya was jolted, and his cloudy eyes began to move slightly.

He stared intently at Shen Gongbao, his mind racing as he pondered the meaning of those words.

How to save one's own life?

He can carry the banner, but he doesn't need to risk his life.

This is clearly telling him that it's okay to be the prime minister of Xiqi, and it's okay to bestow titles on behalf of Heaven, but don't be foolish enough to rush to the front and fight the Shang Dynasty head-on!

If we encounter a tough opponent, let those arrogant Golden Immortal senior brothers from Jade Void Palace step up!

If you encounter danger, stay as far away as possible!

The real reason to just show up but not put in the effort, and to slack off to save your life, is to do the bare minimum!

A bright light suddenly shone in Jiang Ziya's previously stagnant mind.

Yup!

He was just a messenger sent down the mountain on an official mission. Why should he risk all his resources for the Chan Sect?

If he wins, it will be a meritorious achievement for the Chan Sect; if he loses, he will only lose his official position. As long as he doesn't die, he can simply find a secluded mountain forest to hide in and enjoy a life of luxury after being conferred the title of god.

"Junior brother..."

Jiang Ziya exhaled a long breath, and his tense shoulders completely relaxed.

He solemnly cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Gongbao, his tone revealing an unprecedented clarity.

"Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother. I understand now!"

"Don't worry, I'll still fish for fish along the Wei River."

"If the Marquis of Xibo invites me, I will go to Xiqi to take charge."

"As for how the fighting will go on and how it will turn out, that's not something I, Jiang Shang, can control."

Seeing that Jiang Ziya had finally grasped the concept, Shen Gongbao smiled with satisfaction.

"It's good that you've come to your senses, senior brother. Take care of yourself."

"Although we are from different places, we are fellow disciples. I don't want to be the first to see my senior brother's name on the Investiture of the Gods after the great war begins."

After Shen Gongbao finished speaking, his figure flickered and transformed into a black streak of light, breaking through the air and disappearing into the horizon of Xiqi in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Ziya looked in the direction Shen Gongbao had left, took a deep breath, and sat back down on the cold blue stone.

He picked up the bamboo pole with no bait and a straight hook, and gently cast it into the Wei River, a meaningful bitter smile appearing on his lips.

"Jiang Shang, Jiang Shang, you should just play the role of an observer in this grand drama."

……

On the other side, Shen Gongbao rode his escape light at breakneck speed, traversing thousands of mountains and rivers, and soon crossed the territory of Xiqi, returning to Chaoge, the capital of the Yin Shang Dynasty.

Today, Chaoge City presents a magnificent and ever-changing scene.

Above the royal city, an enormous, incomparable phantom of a black bird circled and soared, radiating a vast and powerful aura of humanity.

Countless immortal formations faintly appeared around the city, the people lived in peace and prosperity, the soldiers were full of vigor, and the entire capital city faintly presented the supreme scene of ten thousand immortals coming to pay homage.

Shen Gongbao descended from the clouds and landed in front of the gate of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Just as he was about to step into the mansion, he suddenly sensed an extremely terrifying aura descending upon Chaoge City from the depths of his soul!

That aura was profound and domineering, faintly carrying the immense pressure of primordial chaos, even causing the laws of heaven and earth to emit a slight lament under that pressure!

Shen Gongbao's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly looked up.

"The Imperial Preceptor of Immortality is back?!"

Shen Gongbao was shocked. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately circulated all the magic power in his body, transforming into a stream of light, and hurriedly rushed towards the depths of the Grand Preceptor's mansion.

……

At this very moment, in the backyard of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Deep in the backyard lies an extremely secluded Taoist temple, with flowing spiritual springs and lush immortal trees.

The void distorted slightly, and a tall figure dressed in a blue Taoist robe stepped out from the nothingness.

It was Chen Changsheng, who had just returned to Chaoge from Penglai Immortal Island!

Chen Changsheng did not leak any magical power, but with every move he made, countless subtle chaotic Dao patterns naturally arose in the void.

Deep within his sea of ​​consciousness, the seed of chaos was taking root within the Primordial Dao Fruit, continuously tempering his magical power and physical body.

Half-step Grand Luo Golden Immortal!

Such power, placed in the primordial land where even saints do not exist, would be enough to sweep away everything.