Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Rear Army Camp, Supply Warehouse

Zhang Kui, with a solemn expression, waved away the guards on his left and right, and stood in front of the captured supplies piled up in the warehouse, lost in thought.

With the Battle of Suoyun Pass imminent and time pressing, upon returning from the central command tent, he immediately began arranging the transport of provisions and dispatching additional manpower to produce large quantities of marching biscuits. The production of military rations could be accomplished entirely through the existing, well-established operational system within the army, without requiring him to be overly distracted.

In this world where immortals and gods manifest, personal strength is fundamental. The glimpse of the Jie Sect immortal that day, the unfathomable Wen Zhong, and the endless stream of old monsters and heretical demons on the enemy side all weighed heavily on Zhang Kui's mind.

"I must improve my strength as soon as possible..." he muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling but chaotic array of items—broken magical artifacts, dull crystals, unknown beast bones, scrolls of jade slips emitting faint fluctuations... If he relied solely on his eyes and experience to distinguish them, it would be too inefficient, and divine objects are inherently obscure, making it easy to miss treasures.

He recalled the circumstances surrounding his discovery of the "Nine Breaths Breathing" chapter, which he described as a special resonance between blood and soul.

Since this method is effective, can it be used on a large scale?

With his mind made up, Zhang Kui took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. He sank his consciousness into his dantian, circulated his mind, and tried to reconnect with the bloodline power originating from Kuafu that had awakened upon breaking through to the Earth Witch Realm.

hum…

Zhang Kui stood with his feet slightly apart, his consciousness sinking deep into the earth like roots. Then, a heavy, profound meaning, as if capable of bearing all things, emanated from his body.

"The earth's veins are rippling, begin!"

With a low shout in his heart, an invisible yet immense power was unleashed from his feet. Without causing any damage, this gentle yet exceptionally continuous earth energy, like lake water, slowly rose from the warehouse floor, spreading out and softly washing over every pile of supplies.

Using the power of the earth as a sieve, ordinary, mundane objects, or those with weak energy, remain unmoved, like sand. But those treasures that contain various restrictions, carry immense energy, or possess unique Daoist charm, will produce their own special "echoes" under the scouring power of the earth's veins!

In an instant, the warehouse was filled with the vibrant energy of the earth's veins.

Just as Zhang Kui had expected, most of the items remained as lifeless as ever.

Occasionally, a few items would shimmer with a faint light, but these were all fragments of magical treasures or spiritual materials of unknown use. The fluctuations they caused were like pebbles being thrown into a pond, creating ripples.

Calming his mind, Zhang Kui remained patiently attuned to his surroundings.

suddenly!

laugh!

A sharp, incomparably powerful golden light, seemingly capable of splitting gold and jade, shot out from a pile of broken weapons. It vanished in an instant, but it also slightly cleaved the surrounding earth's energy.

"Metallic properties, top-grade material." Zhang Kui secretly memorized the location.

After a while, a warm, watery, and vibrant green light emanated from an inconspicuous blue stone, and the surrounding earth energy became softer and smoother as it passed through it.

"A wood-attribute spiritual object."

Before he could even process it, three distinct yet vast and profound waves erupted almost simultaneously!

In one place, five-colored light flows and transforms into metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, encompassing all things. The five elements interact and counteract each other, their mysteries beyond words.

Elsewhere, there was an overwhelming and domineering fighting spirit, mixed with the roars of dragons and tigers, which forcibly dispersed even the earth's energy that was approaching.

The last one was even more peculiar, fluctuating unpredictably. At times it was as large as Mount Sumeru, pressing down on the earth's veins and causing them to stagnate, and at other times it was as small as a mustard seed, almost imperceptible.

"This is……"

Zhang Kui suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense, his blood and qi boiling as a result of these three fluctuations.

He immediately waved his hand, and the power of the earth veins moved as if they were his own arms, precisely "pulling" the three items that had caused the astonishing phenomena out of the pile of junk.

They are three fragments made of different materials.

The first piece was a charred fragment of a tortoise shell, engraved with five twisted ancient runes that triggered unusual phenomena in the evolution of the five elements.

The second piece was a section of dark gold beast tooth, radiating a chilling aura, from which the dragon and tiger's fighting spirit originated.

The third piece was a palm-sized, thin as a cicada's wing, almost transparent jade piece with flowing, ever-changing light and shadow.

When Zhang Kui's fingers touched the three fragments, the same scene as when he obtained the "Nine Breaths Absorption" occurred again.

Three streams of light entered between his eyebrows, and a vast amount of information surged forth.

The Five Elements Great Escape: One of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Dipper Techniques. Based on the principles of the Five Elements, it allows one to conceal oneself and hide one's tracks. All five elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—can be used as a means to roam the heavens and earth, avoiding disasters and calamities. It is an unparalleled escape technique.

Subduing Dragons and Tigers: One of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Techniques. A supernatural power of the physical body, reaching the pinnacle of strength, capable of capturing dragons and binding tigers, subduing demons and monsters, and crushing all things with absolute power.

Size as You Wish: One of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Dipper Techniques. It follows the laws of heaven and earth, changing its form. When it is large, it can stand tall and upright; when it is small, it can hide its form. Its supernatural powers and transformations reside in one's mind.

After a long time, Zhang Kui was still standing in the same spot, feeling very puzzled.

In his mind, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Divine Techniques were legendary supernatural powers; obtaining even one would be enough to make him secretly happy for half a year. But he had actually obtained four of them in a short period of time—this was simply too unbelievable!

As he carefully comprehended the three newly acquired techniques, a vague understanding gradually emerged in his mind.

These methods themselves don't seem "rare." The name, cultivation philosophy, and even the basic operating methods of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Methods might not be important to those powerful beings with long-standing traditions. Take "Mastering the Five Thunders" from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Methods, for example. It has a resounding name, but the Jade Purity Divine Thunder, Upper Purity Divine Thunder, Supreme Purity Divine Thunder, Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, and even the Yin Thunder manipulated by the demon race and the Blood Thunder cultivated by the demonic path, which are based on it, have completely different operating mechanisms and vastly different powers.

Techniques are easy to learn, but laws are hard to hear, and the Way is hard to prove.

In spiritual practice, the focus is not on techniques but on the principles, not on the methods but on the path. The many supernatural powers and transformations in the Thirty-Six Heavenly Methods are ultimately just techniques. What the great powers of the heavens and the major sects value is actually the cultivation of the principles, which is the true meaning of "the principles should not be passed on to six ears." Techniques can be taught in a humble manner, but the principles should not be lightly transmitted.

As for the most important "Dao," even among the disciples of sages, only their direct disciples and a few with great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity can receive the true transmission. This is only the first step. Afterward, the cultivator must undergo tribulations, temper their mind and refine their nature, forge their own path, and see their true self before finally having the opportunity to "prove the Dao," to attain their own Dao.

The few manuals Zhang Kui obtained were enough to give cultivators a glimpse of the splendor of these supreme supernatural powers, but if they wanted to cultivate to a high level or even rival the true teachings of those great sects, that would be a pipe dream.

"I see……"

Zhang Kui suddenly realized that his unrealistic fantasies had shattered, and he felt more at ease. Something was better than nothing; at least it pointed him in the right direction, allowing him to make rapid progress in his strength at this stage.

He carefully put the three fragments into his pocket, and then found several other items that had caused the fluctuations before dissipating the power of the earth's veins.

In the following days, Zhang Kui was busy supervising his subordinates to refine "Marching Shortbread" while also eagerly studying the newly acquired fragments of the Three Gates Heavenly Gang Technique, especially the Earth Escape in the "Five Elements Great Escape," which subtly resonated with his own Earth-walking technique, giving him more new ideas on the use of Earth-elemental power.

Finally, before the army set off, a sufficient amount of specially made military rations were delivered to each camp on schedule, especially to the vanguard Deng Jiugong's unit, which received priority and full rations.

As Zhang Kui finished delivering the military rations and prepared to return to his tent to continue his cultivation, Wen Zhong's personal guards relayed a message: "Governor Zhang, the Grand Tutor requests your presence in the rear tent for a private meeting."

Although he didn't know why Wen Zhong had summoned him, Zhang Kui immediately followed his personal guards to the central army.